Tag: Tranoï

Perfectly imperfect jewellery for the Contemporary Urban Male

September 23, 2016July 9, 2016 by Editorial Team

By Philippe Mihailovich and Caroline Taylor.

If you love the fashion and jewellery that can be found at the visionary Parisian under-the-radar fashion outlet, l’Eclaireur or in the equally under-the-radar fashion jewellery outlet, Mad Lords -opposite Paris’ not so secret concept-gadget store, Colette – then you are likely to have discovered the amazing Medieval-like rustic creations from Andy Henson and Brent Gold.

Sharing a universe that recalls the neo-goth Rick Owens looks and the Game of Thrones, this stunningly ‘imperfect’ and soulful, trendy mens’ jewellery range from Australia is rocking Paris.

With hand carved, raw and organic creations that feel as if they have been around since the beginning of the Iron Age, yet timelessly contemporary, the duo are creating pieces that feel as if they have always had a long story. Far from the classic haute joaillerie traditional classics found on the Place Vendome, the creations are not trying to create fine pieces to a perfection required by conservative customers, instead they are pleasing the bold fashionable set who do not fear tattoos or piercings and other primal identity markings.

Even when they are required to work with precious stones, they would prefer the stones to be imperfect and as far from industrialised, commercial jewellery as possible. Each piece will have its own personal scars as traces of the creators, symbolic of hammering out metals, chains and clasps with raw hammers and primitive files.

“Roughness and rugged imperfections shape our sincere aesthetics” they say.”We aim to imbed our process in each piece, as a silent reminder of the surveyed journey of our source materials. Hands are the true conductors of the atelier, materials pass through them and are diligently adjusted, set or moulded. Such composed individual creation, allows for a truly organic process, that shapes each product individually. Something that machines can never strive to replace. We seek to reflect the true meaning of creation; to craft a product that need not explain its existence. Singular, profound and expressive designs that speak without shouting.”

“Forged, wrought and shaped, each single piece is subjected to a highly intensive process”, they suggest. “ Every phase takes hours of patient and diligent attention. From the experimental treatments and meticulous polishes to hand-crafted chain links, to soldered connections, kiln casts and oxidisation forms, we carefully guide each individual process. Heirloom stones, reworked silver, salvaged mammoth bone and antique horn, form the atelier’s primal foundation. These are substances belonging to previous generations.”

We hope you will enjoy the video interview with this talented duo filmed in Paris during the Fashion Week and Tranoï trade fair and that you will be as enthusiastic as we are about their work.

QUAMTA: The Small Leather Goods Brand With African DNA

March 31, 2016February 17, 2016 by Editorial

When creative inspiration and luxury meet together the result is QUAMTA, a trendy unisex leather goods brand, originally from South Africa. These small smart goods, now produced by top artisans in Italy, combine the diversity of African geometric landscapes with the stories offered by this beautiful continent.

Creative Director PIETER JANSEN VAN RENSBURG has rooted his brand in designs that allow the creations to be filled with content and meaning that go well beyond the purely aesthetic.

The inspiration behind Quamta colors, materials and textures are embedded in the spirit of journeys and discovery of the African embodies. “I am proud of the work I have put into Quamta. From its inception to its current global position working with the brand has allowed me to add my stamp to the notion of what modern African luxury means,” points Van Rensburg.

Each Quamta piece is crafted from exotic leathers to allow the natural expression, sophistication, high quality and functionality of each piece to speak for itself. Many of the materials are African source and the appealing of the brand is intrinsically linked to its country of origin. “Our inspiration is African geometry. They all are natural beauties from Africa and simplified shapes,” adds Van Rensburg.

As a South African brand, Quamta finds an expected affinity to nature. This is the reason why sustainability is very important for them; therefore, all their products are handmade keeping carbon footprint to the minimum and achieving high quality to ensure longevity. Besides that, Quamta is evolving and reevaluating their production processes constantly.

The Quamta monogram represents their affinity to nature. It pays tribute to the idea that everything in the universe is connected. “It serves as a promise that we will continually strive to create innovative, original and superior goods by using sustainable and responsible techniques and practices” expresses Van Rensburg.

The last five years have represented a substantial growth that has allowed them to expand as a brand. Their products are available through a number of high-end department stores, luxury boutiques and concept stores in United States, France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan. Quamta has also made collaborations with brands like Samsung and the concept store Collete Paris. Additionally, their products can be ordered thought their website page www.quamta.com.

HAUTE LUXE and 2LUXURY2 met with QUAMTA at Tranoï in Paris to find out if the luxury world had been receptive to its new concept (watch the video interview).

The Last Conspiracy: Shoes as Art

June 13, 2016February 5, 2016 by Editorial Team

The art of shoe. Clean, functional and destined to last indefinitely.

The art of shoe is about going back in time, it is three dimensional, it is about shapes, the right construction and pure sculpture in exclusive materials. Danish brand The Last Conspiracy (TLC) takes special shoemaking techniques from the past and bring them to the future. At 2016 Tranoï Homme & Preview Paris (23-25 January 2016), the high-end brand presented its signature line, a tactile sneakers collection made in partnership with Danish premium shoe manufacturer ECCO, plus a very, very limited edition of only 10 pairs. To balance the sturdy boots and derbies, lightweight Vibram soled artisanal sneakers, sleek sandals, and breathable slip ons, add onto the flexibility of the Spring Summer 2016 collection.

The Last Conspiracy creates handcrafted footwear all made out of the best leather. The actual process of selecting the leather is in fact the most important step in the production process. This is where each shoe is born, crafted and developed. All leathers are handpicked and natural, which gives each pair of shoes a unique appearance. The leather is being picked based on beautiful textures, functionality, comfort and durability.

The Last Conspiracy x Ecco collection is a range of sleek, technical and wearable pieces. The construction of each pair, begins with selecting aluminum tanned cow leather by hand, which is then welted by the steady hands of local artisans. The true innovation lies in the sole, as TLC constructed each one by directly injecting rubber onto the last, crafting each line meticulously.

The brand also developed a selection of multi-functional accessories, a good companion on any journey. TLC’s atelier reworked classic shapes, by picking supreme leathers, strong zips and roam-proof closures.

“The choice of leather creates the shoe,” says Roald Nore from The Last Conspiracy. 2luxury2 and HauteLuxe.net met Roald at Tranoï Homme Paris, the artistic platform that gathers and curates the very best of avant-garde and progressive designers as well as contemporary and leading brands. Find out about quality artisan footwear, traditional savoir-faire, sources of continuous inspiration, distinctive techniques, 3D printing, and items withstanding any test of time. Watch the video made in partnership with HauteLuxe (hauteluxe.net)