Ork Map Prints

I love these city neighborhood posters by Ork Inc.  I'd love to hang in a hallway... sort of a gallery of the places we have lived and traveled:

Check out their newest "Brain" poster, too:

All the posters come in several color choices.  You can purchase all the posters above - and more! - at the Ork Posters website here.





An Oldie but Goodie...Ruben Toledo

So my post from yesterday on Fifi Lapin made me crave some Ruben Toledo.  If you have never seen Ruben Toledo's whimsical, bold, graphic illustrations, you must take a peek.
Here are some samples from his 2008 collaboration with Nordstrom:

(Source: NotCot)

Yeeeaaah.... don't you just lose yourself in these images?

The above pictures are probably Toledo's best known work for Nordstrom, but they are celebrating a ten year collaboration this fall!  Nordstrom has a wonderful video with insights into their collaboration here.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

Notable quotes: I especially love when Ruben Toledo says that one artist influences the other and it's an "endless dialogue".  Also, loving the mystery man that says "Fashion really walks a tighrope between commerce and art, and when it's done really well, you can't tell the difference." AND... I love love love that ruffled Valentino coat!  I want.  (Just watch the video, ok?)

Here is some more eye candy from the Fall 2010 Nordstrom Designer Catalog:

 

 



  

 

Hello, coat.

AND... some pics of Ruben Toledo's studio:

Images from The Selby

Last but not least, Ruben is married to fashion designer Isabel Toledo (lead designer at Anne Klein, Michelle Obama's favorite designer, a shoe collection at Payless... this could be a whole other post)!  And their house. is. amazing. Check it out at this Harper's Bazaar story.  I want to have them over for dinner.  There would be "endless dialogue".

Side note: Isabel uses Ruben discarded sketches as her personal stationary!  Isn't that sweet?

Art of the Day: Deanna Stoffo

It's been awhile, but I couldn't help but post this portrait of Sofia Coppola by illustrator Deanna Stoffo:

Source

Don't you love her style?  You can see more of Deanna's work on her website, and also on her blog, Mischief + Madness. 



Who is Fifi Lapin?

Have you heard of Fifi Lapin, "the world's most stylish bunny"?  Fifi is certainly the most fashionable animal - illustrated animal, nonetheless - that I have ever seen.  Take a look:

Fifi Lapin (lapin = "rabbit", for all you non-Frenchies) has been around for a couple years, with a blog and Etsy shop where you can buy print of the oh-so-chic bunny.  But with a new book about to be published, appearances in Vogue, AND even the main star of the Topshop show in Tokyo, Fifi is now very, very big:

(Literally).

I am so entranced by Fifi, because it's such a fun idea.  Fashion illustration used to style, rather than as a concept for my design, is my favorite. (Ruben Toledo for Nordstrom is another amazing example!)

Most intriguing of all... who IS Fifi Lapin?  Nobody knows. Well, maybe Vogue and Topshop do, but in the general public, the blogosphere... nothing. 

I kind of love it. 

Images courtesy of Fifi Lapin