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Memories of our first Collection with Iconic shoot done by @wearaboutjournal

‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ 

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C U R A T O R

We need to remind ourselves that contemporary art is first of all a form of conceptual gymnastics, in which we learn to coexist with what we don’t understand.”

~ Massimiliano Gioni

Massimo Gioni is an Art curator and contemporary art critic based in New York City. He has been involved as Artistic Director for Nicola Trussardi Foundation Milan. He has worked on numerous Large -Scale Exhibitions but what we admire the most about his work is how he creates a perfect balance of ‘Paintings and Installation’ in space by his intuitive approach that just fits in perfectly even after these art-forms coming from various sources and being of contrasting nature.

Curators create from creations. Finding things that will fit in perfectly with pieces of art is the role Massimiliano Gioni plays. Forming big and tall installations of famous monuments around paintings, to further enhance their impact is the approach he follows.

He is believed to have a long standing interest in objects outside the traditional scope of the art world. He makes things, which might be considered completely out of context but fit in beautifully with other creations. These kind of creations bring a certain kind of a satisfaction in the hearts of the creator that initiates happiness and joy in those who see the creation as it is the heart that guides such bizarre yet heart touching creations.

He is credited with creating a 4,000 object exhibition, perhaps the largest of its kind in history. From whimsical photographs of people with their teddy bears to sketches of concentration camps, the range of his inspirations and creations is awe inspiring. In fact, the diversity of the creations significantly enhances the appeal. The creations, while seemingly abstract, embody a deeper meaning.

The Keeper - The Teddy Bear Project

Marino Auriti's "Encyclopedic Palace" in Massimiliano Gioni's Venice Biennale show

Roberto Cuoghi, “Belinda,” installation view at Arsenale (2013)

“Ghosts in the Machine,” 2012.

Words- Pratiti Sachdeva

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A Designer of  the Generation.

Asit Mandal is a designer who thrives on freshness and wit. He's someone who is on a constant search of inspiration. He inspires us everyday with his bold, yet eclectic and artistic approach. It's very rare to come across someone who has a knack for taking the ordinary and turning it into something uniquely extraordinary.

Chatting over cups of what he calls therapeutic tea, we discovered Asit's house to be a personal museum of sorts. Filled to the brim with one of a kind pieces picked up from his numerous travels. Every little nook and corner is filled with these artefact like pieces. No wonder he and and his maid are always at loggerheads about dusting and cleaning!

Here's a little glimpse inside Mr Mandals head and a little peek into his charming little apartment.

Asit currently works with Ed-Hardy India and instills the brand with his rich design and philosophical approach.

Q. What are you working on these days?

A. A couple of projects but I have been traveling a lot in last few months and feel guilty for not being on schedule. At work I’m currently designing the Autumn Winter 18 collection for Ed Hardy India. In my personal time there are some interiors and home products shoots that I am trying to finish.   

Q. Do you always like what you create? Rather do you always create what you like?

A. It is a really good question....well in the beginning when I am given a task to create something its not necessary that i completely relate with it or like it. But once i get into the process I always create what I like.

Q. You are in your day job but would you like to go on your own in future?

A. I am not sure but I definitely always want to do something creative on the side. I love to look for inspiration from day–to-day life and anything done with creativity inspires me. Currently I am making my portfolio in styling home products and space design. Interiors photography is also something that I am really interested in. There are so many ideas running in my head and I am sure all of this is taking me in a defined direction.

Q. What makes you happy? Can you define it in detail with setting?

A. I like happy people around me that makes me happy. Hanging out with friends with good music in the background is just a perfect day. Basically food, music and friends are my way of being happy. Gardening is one of my newer passions and I love the greens and the cold.

Q. You seem to have a lot of friends. Have you always been like that or it has developed over a period of time and how? 

A. As a kid I was “lost in my own world”. I have 3 siblings and they completed all that I needed in a friend. I was in my safe zone and it allowed me to explore my curiosity towards nature, people, different cultures and different backgrounds. I love observing people and their behaviour. This actually helped me to connect with people better.

Q. What are those things in your surrounding that you wish to change? Define your ideal world.

A.  I don’t like any fixed ideas. I feel people in general have so many possibilities within them but they don’t really explore. Reasons can be many. I believe people should become self aware and have bigger perspectives and inspirations that keep them moving.

Q. You seem to be a collector, every hole and corner of your house has something interesting to look at and admire. Talk about somethings that are closest to you and where did you find them.

A. Whenever I travel I always pick up things to carry back home. I love collecting various handicrafts, pop art related posters, post cards, packaging material, rugs, textiles and ceramics. I like to collect various things my likings because it creates tangible memories of the land I have traveled to.

Q. What evident changes do you see in yourself now, when you look back at yourself five years ago?

A. I see a lot of changes in myself, there were a few rough years in the middle, that broke me up completely, but when I came out of it my whole world changed. I became more inspired and an open person, I started treasuring smaller things. It helped me build my own identity, I became more specific about my needs and things that I did not want. I like to keep people that inspire me and keep adding the inspiration. Hence I am very selective now.

Q. Do you like traveling, can you tell us about your favourite places that you have visited. 

A. I love traveling. Its always exciting to see new places and experience different cultures. If I have to list down my favourite places Ladakh comes first. Ladakh is out of the world, it is something everyone should experience once in their lifetime. Europe is another continent that I am privileged to have traveled a few times. Helsinki in Finland is one of the cities I really like. It is a quiet old town with a sea front. People there are majorly into gardening and have a laid back nature. My third favourite place is Barcelona. I have never felt the same vibrancy and youth elsewhere.

Q. Can you define your clothing style?

A. I don’t have a very distinct style but I like cleaner cuts and more of a classy look. Comfort is something that matters to me the most these days.

We would also like to mention that we were lucky to have Asit designing space for our latest ad campaign. Images Below- 

Follow Asit on Instagram - HERE

Asit is Wearing our Olive Long Line Jacket ( Shop HERE ) 

He is also wearing our Favourite Red Plaid flannel Shirt ( Shop HERE )

Pink tee that he is wearing in one of the pictures is on its way. Link will be updated soon.

~ Pratiti Sachdev for Mr Bowerbird

[mr-bowerbird]

Bowerbird

Its rather weird that we never felt the need to explain what Bowerbird is, may be because we have been living the existence of the same in our personalities and thoughts so intensely that we forgot its actually a bird that gave us all the inspiration. Lets take a moment to appreciate the Artist, Curator and Keepers of all good things in life. 

A Bowerbird is an Australian native bird from the family of ‘Bird of Paradise’ that builds a reedy ground nest to extraordinary lengths to decorate it with carefully curated and found objects such as sticks, shell, stones, flowers and everything best in its appeal.  It have a strong affinity toward colour ‘Blue’.

We are inspired by this basic instinct of collecting various things, put them together in a way that it starts telling a common story. Pondering at it for the longest time till it comes out to be in an etherial pleasing state. Working with pace of nature and creating products that are thoughtfully designed and has a sense of nostalgia. Making things that are relevant for today & tomorrow as well. Its the language of heart that never goes out of context and connects people beyond their origin and speech.

‘Indigo’ is naturally our favourite colour and thats Blue.

Lots of Love 

~Mr Bowerbird

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Hai,I want to buy that blue traveling shirt .I was very much interested in that shirt,however I tried to get it in mythra,but it was out of stock.when I got to buy it.

Hello Mate, Indigo Traveller shirt was the first one to sell out. Working on our new collection and thats again a part of it in newer shade. Thank you very much for your enquiry, we are glad to hear from you. Many Thank ~ Mr Bowerbird

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F O L L O W I N G 

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P R E V I E W 

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~ everyday favorite

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~ GRAVE DANS LA INDIGO

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~THE TIE TUCK~

Military style of tie tucking was seen extensively during World war-2 (1939 to 1945) for a purpose. Its now a statement that the man has an active lifestyle with uncompromising dressy outlook.

[mr-bowerbird]

Hands on creating.

AN INTERVIEW WITH ALBERT NISHAL CORREA, DESIGN HEAD OF LP & LP JEANS (LOUIS PHILIPPE, MF&L). GRAPHIC ARTIST, SCALE MODEL MAKER & A CONTENT IDEA GENERATOR.

Q. What are you working on right now?

A. Right now i am working on a 1/12 scale model fiat Mephistopheles (1930 racer) and a personal comic book project

Q. What do you seek from your work?

A. Gratification

Q. Can you list down things that you like?

A. The list of things that i like today are almost endless..I am a collector...I like collecting scale models...some of which i make..alcohol bottles, vintage comic books, I like collecting books..i love music...I like illustrating..want to be a comic book illustrator someday...I like aircrafts and vintage and retro race cars..I enjoy cooking and drinking...I spend a lot of time on you tube....I watch a lot of documentaries..I like whales/ the pyramids/ ancient Egypt/geography/science/ I love astronomy/ I love the 80s and the 90s/ retro futurism/rockets/color/ art deco/ art and artists/tintin/ asterix/doing up my house/ I like to be on my own....I like fantasy..not a realist...I like beaches...remote islands...stormy weather..large sea swells...conspiracy theories...mysteries...malayalam movies of the 80s...the city of Cochin...boat cruises...cycling..walking barefeet, aquariums, Kerala cuisine..little bit of travel..sleeping late at night...I like my day to be as long as possible so that i can do maximum things..basically I like hands on creating.

Q. Can you describe your childhood ?

A. I had a lovely childhood..spent my early years in a little island village in a far corner of cochin..I remember the summer and the lovely monsoons very fondly..everything was simple...I clearly remember when we got our first TV, telephone connection at home... He-man, Ramayana , Mahabharata and Chitrahaar were the most important programmes for me back then...food was not important...l spent a lot of my time sketching my favourite comic characters like He-man, Superman and Spiderman.Christmas was the best time of the year...mild chill in the early mornings... a clear starlit night sky....christmas carols, family gatherings..hanging stars, christmas tree decorations, making the christmas crib and going for the midnight mass.....going fishing with my siblings and cousins...climbing trees...eating guava and mangoes, school level experiments in science.. life has never been more vibrant than these wonderful years.life was a lovely fantasy that unfurled everyday

Images of some of his hand made scale models~

Q. You have huge music system, are you into music a lot?

A. Music has always been a source of inspiration...I love music..i listen to mostly rock, pop a little bit of electronica and their subgenre ..and I enjoy listening to music on good quality sound...i love Nine Inch Nails..i am a big fan of Trent Reznor and he is one hell of an inspiration..i.. can play the guitar...i'm not a pro but  i like making music as well...have made some sonic  swatches ...music inspires me while im at work.....faith no more/ alice in chains/royksopp/type o negative/ guns n roses/ cradle of filth/ air/ moby/ inxs & depeche mode are some of my favourite acts.

              My music system is something that i acquired, rather put together  recently...its a combination of many brands...i was looking for an 80s-90s kind of audio equipment...with a great sound...and, .with a lot of hunting i found what i was looking for ....my speakers are a handmade wharfedale (delta 90 series)...i have 2 swan studio monitor speakers , a yamaha subwoofer, an old classic amplifier and a marantz cd player from the late 90s...and the entire system is bluetooth enabled...it gives me the luxury of streaming audio from any device

Q. Your house is full of books, do you read a lot?

A. I do not read much...love collecting books more than reading them..I collect books on subjects that I am interested in..most of my books contain visuals... I am a person who enjoys a lot of visual stimuli.

Q. Looks like you travel a lot. You love travelling?

A. I travel mostly on work...though i love aircrafts..i am scared of sitting inside one...I have flight phobia.

Some of his recent illustrations~

Q. How do you spend your usual sunday?

A. Sunday starts with the sunday mass, a visit to the local market..a little bit of cooking..some music..some time with my little family..and lots of monday blues.

Q. Something that makes you very happy?

A. Listening to music with a glass of alcohol and some good seafood.

Q. What are your major plans for this year?

A. finish my comic book, work on a furniture project

Albert is wearing ‘Broken Moon Indigo Tee’ from Mr. Bowerbird . Available on Myntra App

Find Albert’s Phone Photography blog here

Find his illustration blog here

Explore his pinterest here

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Amazing Photographer/ Blogger/ Artist manou’s visceral experimentation with few pieces of our AW-15 range. 

Denim Stuff // clothes by Javed Khan

A collection inspired by the ‘CIRCLE’ and made of recycled, left over production bits used with the caption 'what goes around comes around’.

photos: manou

models: Carol Humtsoe / Thinley 

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'Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France

Photo series by a friend photographer ~ Anunay https://www.facebook.com/Anunay--137012726362035/?fref=ts

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World where everyone and everything has an attribute for its own purpose, We constantly try to make arrangements to make things fall in place and imagine a world that is harmonious and less chaotic. This very blog talks about this small unnoticeable comforting feeling that we feel when two unrelated objects nestle in each other perfectly.  

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Field jacket was first introduced in 1941 known as M-1941, designed specifically for US military during world war-2, standard olive drab colour made of water/weather resistant material, which was a modified version of ‘woolen service coat’ of earlier times. When the US entered the war in 1941, the OD cotton field jacket was the standard outer garment for all army personnel. As a result, the field jacket could be seen worn in every theater of war and by nearly every type of soldier, making a rather ubiquitous symbol of the World War II American G.I.

WAR IS OVER but not Field-jacket. Slowly it became a wardrobe essential for every individual, because it worked well in urban space as well as outdoor. Utilitarian appeal of this garment has attracted artists, photographers, writers, travellers and explorers who went out to look for inspiration. Its a classic piece of clothing that works beyond trend and has historical yet sartorial expression.

some tips on how to wear a field jacket. http://www.mrporter.com/journal/journal_issue64/3#2 http://www.fashionbeans.com/2…/how-to-wear-the-field-jacket/

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#maturity

“Maturity has no age, no parameter and is not a destination. It is just a feeling which lives a plane above the definitions.”

~Mr. Bowerbird

                    There is a point when a person starts to travel inside more than outside and starts to feel at peace with himself, starts filtering the chaos and starts discovering who he really is. This discovery provides a secure feeling towards himself and towards his surrounding. In this stage he is often guided by what feels right to him and not by what feels right to others. Thats not to say he becomes self-centred or doesn’t value beliefs of others, in-fact he is a lot more sensitive now and starts respecting the differences. He does not try hard to fit-in, rather he explores the possibilities withholding his set of beliefs and leaves respectfully whenever he feels like.

He becomes a lot more ‘accepting’ towards the character that has imperfections too and develops a rational understanding of how and why things are simply the way they are. This is a very small, unnoticeable yet innate feeling that gives him a sense of elevation  and changes his entire perspective to look at or evaluate things. He tends to become more open, humble, patient and forgiving to himself and everyone else. This certainly is a gradual process and not a sudden realisation that has nothing to do with age, for some it comes at a very young age and for some little later and again for some, it never does come. Which is quite okay. The key is to accept things as they are and making best of them. That does not mean one becomes stagnant or less motivated, it just means he becomes more ‘grounded’ and starts finding solutions for existing problems by becoming a part of it. He is still a ‘rebel’ but first against himself.

Does he live a perfect life after getting to this point? No. living in peace with imperfections is not easy but embracing it like a part of himself can make it a lot less difficult, rather harmonious. He actually gives up the ideal version of ‘perfect’ and start creating his own versions of perfect, that is flexible and a lot more meaningful for his own peaceful life.

words by Mohammed Javed Khan