FUR-ZINE

Illustration: Fabio Gurjao

Fur is a new publication, monthly exhibition and online gallery that provides a platform for new artists, designers photographers and illustrators.

Illustration: Klaus Schmidt

Photo: Cassia Tabatini
Styling: Fabio Gurjao

The first issue entitled Black and White contains stark photography, animated GIFs and fantastic illustrations. Fur will be throwing a launch party at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, June 22nd, hosted by the "Phone in Sick" team. It will include fashion, art, performances, DJs, free drinks and general debauchery.

Photo: Cibelle

Fur has an impressive list of collaborators, clients of whom include Burberry, Hermes, Fleet Ilya, Daft Punk and Pepsi.

They are on the look out for new contributors so why not give them a shout: info@fur.uk.com

joes[a]fiend

THE DECAPITATOR STRIKES AGAIN

London street artist the Decapitator has been dismembering models on the city’s billboards again. The Decapitator's trademark is removing the model’s head and leaving a bloody calling card.

S/he’s latest work can be found where Old Street meets Shoreditch High Street. The victim this time round is a Uniqlo advert for a popup store on Brick Lane.


With Banksy making the front page of the broadsheets, street art is now firmly placed in the satchel of popular culture. We’re wondering how long it will take before a Decapitator styled image lands itself in a glossy fashion magazine… or even on the front of the Telegraph.

joes[a]fiend

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE MIDLANDS

The spiritual home of joes[a]fiend is the scene of our latest discovery, a shop which re-invigorates a whole area with a wag of its tail. Le Chien Et Moi in Nottingham has to be seen to be believed and follows in the city’s tradition for innovative retail environments (we’re thinking Paul Smith’s Willoughby House rather than the Broadmarsh here…. Sorry, getting a bit local on y’all.)


Proprietors Pip and Andrew Bolton (plus live-in basset hound Mulberry) evidently have a great passion for retail and this is clear from the moment you clap eyes on the shop on Derby Road. Inside a haul of objets-trouvé (including Andrew’s old man’s carpentry workbenches) sit amongst well sourced items of the new kind – from beautiful Italian bicycles (by Abici) to French linens and jewellery from Japan, New York and England.


The charming owners cite their love of ‘traditional shops, from old pharmacies to hardware stores’ in informing their interior (and exterior) choices. Unsurprisingly both have backgrounds with Nottingham’s Paul Smith. I have a strong feeling that Nottingham’s favourite son would approve.

www.lechienetmoi.com (under construction at present)

Preferably visit:
Le Chien Et Moi, 60 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5FD. Tel: 0115 979 9199


(All photos by Scene Photography, Nottingham)

PFH Thompson

COUNTERPART CULTURE

We came across this little gem whilst taking an extended lunchtime stroll to Rough Trade on Talbot Road and what a cracker it is! Encased in a neat 7” blank sleeve comes the Counterpart DVD-zine and a delightfully ethereal poster by Hannah Waldron.

joes[a]fiend loved the format so much that we got in touch with the creator and editor of Counterpart, Matt Shires. Here are a few highlights of our Q&A:

How did Counterpart come to exist?

‘A friend and I actually started it in order to promote a band we were working with at the time. I worked in TV so had access to the facilities to produce a DVD-zine. We invited various designers and bands to get on board and, by the time we got to editing, the band we managed ended up on the cutting room floor.’

What piece of confectionery would Counterpart be?

‘A Kinder Surprise – we want each issue to hold something personal to each person who owns it – something you want to keep and can show your kids in the future on holodisc.’

What are Counterpart’s three favourite songs?

‘Today they are: Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al, Jeffrey Lewis – Heavy Heart and Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945. Tomorrow they’ll have changed.’

As for the future…?

‘Issue 3 we hope… We’d like to have some low-key presenter type doing features in the style of The Old Grey Whistle Test hosted by Melvyn Bragg but with a twist… Most of all we want to keep changing – both in format and editorially.’

Counterpart Magazine Issue 2 Trailer


http://www.myspace.com/COUNTERPARTMAGAZINE

PFH Thompson

A CRYSTALLINE CLEAR IDEA

How does Kate Moross [not to be confused with Moss] do it? The current darling of the graphics world has already designed a range for Topshop at a mere 21 years of age (amongst an impressive array of other projects.)

So what does this wunderkind do next? Launch a hot record label, that’s what. Isomorphs believes that the artwork should be of the highest standard possible. Also, all releases are on vinyl and, as is par for the course these days, strictly limited.

The latest release [limited to 500 copies and the second to come from the label] is Hearts Revolution. They live by their own motto ‘C.Y.O.A’ (an acronym for Chose Your Own Adventure.) Be sure to check them out.

http://www.myspace.com/heartsrevolution

joes[a]fiend

LIVIN’ THE ALIFE

Cult New York streetwear brand Alife have opened their first store outside of America. The new store is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Alife are constantly raising the bar within streetwear; whether it's their clothing line or truly inspiring store designs - which can also be seen in New York and Los Angles. Be sure to check out the store if you plan on turning Japanese in the near future.



joes[a]fiend

NOT SO PONY

Firstly, joes[a]fiend apologises for its extended absence – it’s been sunning itself and drinking in culture away from Blighty.

Let us start the blog rolling once again with this exciting proposition from Richard Mortimer (BoomBox founder and general living fashion barometer.) Ponystep is an online mag type website that goes live at midday tomorrow (Monday.)

We’re particularly looking forward to features with Richard Battye of Shoreditch’s favourite George & Dragon, who interviews Giles Deacon and Patrick Grant of Savile Row’s Norton & Sons who talks tartan. Gavin Turk’s piece on the chip fork sounds batter than your average too. www.ponystep.com from 12pm Monday 28th April

PFH Thompson

PRINTS CHARMING

The ‘If you could do anything tomorrow, what would it be?’ print series continues this month with efforts from Joe Burrin & Tom Crabtree and Swiss design collective Körner. We particularly like the formers’ relatively literal attempt to ‘Make Records’. Körner, on the other hand, have gone for something slightly more obscure yet equally striking (their website is worth a look too.) As usual the prints are available until the end of the month so get in quickly if you want one on your wall.

PFH Thompson

A WORLD CLASS PAIR

In these days of luminous synthetic monstrosities (and no, we're not talking about Simon Jordan) the Adidas World Cup football boot stands out on the park as something of integrity and class. To mark the occasion of the 30th anniversary of their release Adidas have created a rather neat little limited edition (1,978 individually numbered pairs – of which 100 are in the UK.)
For just shy of £200 you not only (!) get the classic boot (complete with contrast red studs) but also a great little boot bag containing all the essentials – brush, dubbing, cloth, stud key and replacement studs (all branded, of course.) For younger readers here is an image of the 1978 World Cup Final between Argentina v Holland; note how many players (and the ref?) are wearing Adidas - quite remarkable.


PFH Thompson

ELECTRONIC POET

Leeds based Electronic Poet produce some great graphic tees (and the rest of their collections aren’t bad either.) These crisp designs are the result of collaborating with 2020Vision record label. We know how much of a success music based t-shirts can be; from your older brother’s washed out Guns ‘n’ Roses tee to the scene kid wearing his limited edition Ed Banger tee designed by SoMe – they remain a way of pledging your sonic allegiance.

“An acknowledgment to DJs, producers and bands who through their creative means are breaking boundaries and pushing electronic music forward to new heights”
Electronic Poet

joes[a]fiend + PFH THOMPSON

RED CROSS

These arresting images are for a recent Red Cross campaign art directed by Pier Madoni and Stuart Maclillan. In our opinion it is truly amazing. Such a wonderfully simple way of getting a serious message across, let’s hope they get the exposure that they deserve.

joes[a]fiend

ADIDAS X MARINONI BIKE

Adidas have collaborated with Quebec-based Marinoni to create this hot looking bike celebrating the opening of Adidas Originals store in Montreal.

The bike showcases the fine craftsmanship that Marinoni has become renowned for. Designers from Breadwinner Creative, Marinoni dreamt up this beautiful, one-of-a-kind track bike full of go-fast goodies that ooze style and capture the very essence of each respective brand.


The Adidas x Marinoni Pista Crono is to be auctioned off to charity on eBay. All proceeds from the winning bid will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

The bidding war started on April 2, 2008 and will last 10 days. The auction is open to bidders worldwide. To check it out follow the below link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESEX:IT&item=320235095981&_trksid=p3984.cSELL.m315.lVI

joes[a]fiend

IS IT ALL GOOD IN THE HOOD?

Streetwear in London has hit a sticky patch; two of the key players in the scene have, or are, shutting up shop. Bond, the corner stone of the London scene for many years, ceased trading a little while ago. Now Foot Patrol has also announced that it is closing its doors (and cages.) With rent and rates soaring in the capital these independents are being forced out. All we need to do is look at the travesty taking place on Savile Row with the likes of Abercrombie opening its doors on the famous street.


However, in this uncertainty Good Hood opened in East London (41 Coronet Street, Hoxton London, N1 6HD.) As you can see from the images - the store looks fresh and the only thing fresher is the stock. Run by Jo and Kyle, theses guys are mad friendly. If you’re in the area check out their selection, from Perks And Mini (PAM) to Rockers NYC (two brands joes[a]fiend tips for big things.) The guys at Good Hood know what’s going on, they recently joined forces with Modular Records to exhibit the work of Bumblebeez Chris Colonna aka Prince Umberto.



joes[a]fiend

LIBERTY LUNCHEON MEAT

News just in from our French correspondent – joes[a]fiend can reveal that Liberty are indeed entering in to the realm of the collaboration with SPAM. Details are yet to be released by the Liberty press office but we believe these will sell better than pork pies.

PFH Thompson

POSH NOODLES

Collaborative culture is riding high, but the latest collaboration to come to our attention is a little more interesting than most. Harrods has teamed up with “the slag of all snacks” - the legendary and iconic Pot Noodle. The limited run of 100 hand-flocked and gold-leafed pots will retail at a whopping £30 with all the proceeds going to “Action Against Hunger.”

joes[a]fiend predicts/would like to see the next collaboration to come in the form of Liberty reworking Spam.

joes[a]fiend