Just last week, Jun Takahashi and his masterful brand of high-end streetwear which gently cusps the realm of high fashion presented its 2010 spring/summer collection in Italy at Pitti Uomo. What I found particular invigorating about this particular UNDERCOVER collection was Takahashi’s approach, sourcing the works of German appliance company Braun and most notably the inspirations of head designer Dieter Rams (who famously coined the “10 Principles of Good Design”). The collection sought to reappropriate Rams’ philosophy onto fashion which is something that is at the root of almost every idea in design it seems… I can’t really think of an instance where this doesn’t hold true.
To my understanding, Takahashi also maintains quite the collection of vintage Braun products based on what he shared on his blog. For me, the realm of visual communication is one I’m ultimately quite fascinated with… the reason being is because I suck at it. I’ve perhaps touched on it in the past, my ability to convey a message via anything but words and through and speech is woeful at best… I’m terrible at Pictionary to say the least. So when visual designers and arguably awesome ones at that give a background into their trade, I’m immediately all ears in hopes of understanding their process.
It’s interesting to see how much of Braun’s design traits have seemingly transcended the world of industrial design into UNDERCOVER’s collection in seamless fashion as notably Jun Takahashi’s collection embodied many of the 10 principles such as the following (perhaps more apply but these immediately jumped out at me):
Good design is aesthetic.
Good design is unobtrusive.
Good design is honest.
Good design is consequent to the last detail.
Good design is as little design as possible. (Jun described the collection as “Less But Better”)
Beyond just this particular collection, I have a great respect for designers from all walks of life. Taking intangible concepts and inspirations then subsequently reappropriating and making them work in a tangible world through product is something I often have trouble wrapping my head around. Ultimately, the designers that can effectively convey their messages and themes without altering their final product for the market is a tough balancing act for sure (but of course there are those who design on a more commercial level)… but those who do it… could you really ask for anything more? Here you are doing exactly what you want to do without compromise and you have people eating out of your hand.
So there you have it… my little speal on my hard-on for good designers no-homo haha. It actually came out a lot cleaner that I thought it would have… before I started writing this I thought it was going to be a shit-mix of ideas coming from all sorts of directions. It’s Thursday… the hump is over… dope.
