Here is a photo of a few more of our Patchwork range. We shall be at Birmingham from Sunday onwards with the rest of the Patchwork cards and all our new ranges - hope to see you there!
I would like to say a big thank you to my Mum and a very special thank you to the ever charming Saffiah for doing such a great job at the show.
I was excited about all the new designs I had done. However, it is always a little nerve-wracking waiting to see what buyers will make of them. Thankfully the new cards were really well received by buyers so that was fantastic. Next stop Birmingham!
Here is a sneak preview of some new cards we will be launching shortly. Come and see us at Top Drawer Spring, Birmingham Spring Fair or email us at info@anzu.co.uk to find out more!
I'll be giving a sneak preview of the new ranges we have this January later this week, but just thought I'd drop you a quick note to tell you about Top Drawer Spring. Oh my goodness I have been working so hard so there are lots of new designs. I think more than we've ever released at one time. Can't wait for everyone to see them!
I can't give anything away at the moment, but I have been busy painting this, the Chrysler building and a whole lot of cakes for an exciting freelance project. I am looking forward to being able to show the end result!
I just came across this article in Vogue Living Australia, on new architectural suggestions to help with climate change. I love the futuristic almost fantastical look of a lot of the designs. Belgian architect Vincent Callebaut predicts that rising ocean levels will spawn half-aquatic cities with planted housing. Ahove is one of his Lilypads, a floating ecopolis for climate refugees (www.vincent.callebaut.org)
The above proposal by Daekwon Park features stackable modules, which have garden units included.
This is how Seoul commune will actually look in 2026, where towers will become the park (www.massstudies.com). Green roofs, the article states, are quietly but effectively addressing eco-doom and have a variety of benefits including reducing energy use of a building by up to 25%. These real life plans look so fantastical to me though, that they remind me of drawings of Tintin submarines or Studio Ghibli's castles (whether it's from his "Castles in the sky or Howl's moving castle animated films).
Above Studio Ghibli's animated Castles in the sky, and below Howl's moving castle. Could the real thing be so magical? I hope so.
And of course plans such as these couldn't fail to remind of Fritz Lang's incredible vision of the future in his film, Metropolis. He was so ahead of his time in 1927, to me it looks rather like Tokyo!. I wonder what he would be envisaging for the future if he was alive today?
The office has been looking very festive for the past month and I thought I'd post a couple of the photographs. I shall be taking a break from the blog until 3rd January. So see you in the New Year!
Whenever I need inspiration for my Men's cards I head to Jermyn street. The Anzu gigolo card above was especially inspired by the classic style of the shops that can be found on Jermyn street
Jermyn street is one of those places that just seems unchanged by time. The shops are staunchly traditional and English and primarily aimed at the Gentleman's market and I always find inspiration for ideas for my men's cards.
This statue of Beau Brummel, the quintessential English dandy and embodiment of elegant sartorialism stands in pride of place. Brummel famously shopped on Jermyn Street in the Regency period, although he would not have bought his boot polish here. He preferred to polish his black riding boots with champagne!
Whilst Savile row (which I also love) remains the place to go for the best suits, Jermyn Street is the street for fine shirts as well as selling gentleman's accessories be it shoe horns, shaving brushes or cigars.
It also has Paxton and Whitfield, which has great cheeses as well as pickled walnuts!
A few years ago the Peacock as an image almost seemed a little bit outdated, almost a little Victorian to be used on anything. Now it's come back in full force and peacocks seem to be everywhere. I love this amazing photo from google images
Unfortunately, there are reflections on the photo above, but I think it's still possible to see how amazing this peacock is in the current window of Kokon Tozai. I also love the peacock scarves and bags Liberty are doing.
Why not display your Christmas cards by attaching them to a festive wreath? If you have a shop, the rest of your cards can be laid out below, and the wreath can be used just to draw attention to your collection.
Over the weekend I went to Somerset House. It looked magical with the skating rink and specially decorated Tiffany tree. There is also a Tiffanys cafe, complete with Tiffanys cupcakes.
Whoever came up with the distinctive Tiffany blue is a marketing genius!
Jasmine and I in a winter wonderland inside the Tiffany box.
The Wellicious tea has arrived, in packaging designed by Anzu! I couldn't make up my mind which picture to upload so I decided to put all of them on in the end. There are three teas to choose from - relax, invigorating, and beauty detox.
I chose a different colour palette for each of the teas, with illustrations of the different ingredients on each be it rose petals, cornflowers, or lavender. Each tea is topped with the signature Wellicious bow and packaged in manilla bundles, reflecting the natural 100% organic quality of the teas and I love the way it has turned out! Go to www.wellicious.com to buy
This morning as I walked along the street where my office is, I saw these men moving this art installation. The gallery is called Allsopp Wedel and they always have interesting things going on.
They have also exhibited Tracey Snelling's work. Tracey Snelling does amazing miniature replicas of gritty urban scenes, be they city scapes or motel rooms.
The recreation below is one of a street in Istanbul. You can see more of her work on her website www.traceysnelling.com
I am so lucky that Portobello road is just around the corner, and at the weekend I went to the market. I didn't find the picture frames I was looking for, but it was still fun!
Why does vinyl always look so good?
A little Victorian style violet silk posy. It rather reminds me of Audrey Hepburn in the beginning of My Fair lady
not Yves Saint Laurent (these delectable pumps are available at www.brownsfashion.com)
I can't give anything away at the moment, but I have been busy painting this, the Chrysler building and a whole lot of cakes for an exciting freelance project. I am looking forward to being able to show the end result!
It also has Paxton and Whitfield, which has great cheeses as well as pickled walnuts!
Jasmine and I in a winter wonderland inside the Tiffany box.
I chose a different colour palette for each of the teas, with illustrations of the different ingredients on each be it rose petals, cornflowers, or lavender. Each tea is topped with the signature Wellicious bow and packaged in manilla bundles, reflecting the natural 100% organic quality of the teas and I love the way it has turned out! Go to www.wellicious.com to buy
