Charles Olsen

Charles Olsen painting, living, and working in Madrid since 2003 is part of a collective called Artistas de España. Consisting of painters, grafitti artists, illustrators, photographers and film makers the collective work together as a unit promoting Spanish artists .




Studying flamenco guitar at Amor de Dios Charles met a flamenco dancer who was the inspiration for the painting shown above. I asked him who he would like to collaborate with and he told me it would have to be with his friends and people he would meet on his journey.

Signature stormy brush strokes and an penchant for abstractivism is prevalent throughout Charles' work. In 2007 he won second place at the Saatchi showdown at the Saatchi Gallery.

Collaborations I would like to see: Goya, Dolce &Gabbana,Olivier Theyssens

Zoran Dobric

Serbian born designer Zoran Dobric has been steadily coming into his own with his self named label. Residing in Toronto where his designs have been slow to understand, his work has been published in online magazines such as Noovo, Flip-Zone and New York Moves magazine.


Director Floria Sigismondi who has worked with David Bowie and Bjork has been a loyal client. Celebrities he would like to dress are; Tilda Swinton, Isabelle Hubert, Beth Gibbons from Portishead.


A designer with his roots firmly planted in art, he creates his own prints through his hand painted signature style inspired by the renaissance and tudor periods. There is a powerful dark, whimsy that almost always remains.

Collaborations I would like to see: Missoni, Prada, Comme des Garcons

Dima Dadashev

The idea of public transportation has never brought on feelings of comfort or pleasure until now. Isrealian industrial designer Dima Dadashev has created an esthetically pleasing and comfortable people mover shown here.

The tram would glide along the streets, use very little fuel and provide passengers with expansive views, plush niche seating and an air conditioned environment.

The train offers passengers the choice of sitting comfortably indoors or standing on built in patios. Still in the prototype stage, the design has strong possibilities for the future given the increase in trams around the world.

Collaborations I would like to see: Bombardier, British Rail

Fred de GARILHE

Accessories designer Fred de Garilhe has to date created a collection for le coq sportif, contributed a collection of prototypes for Robert Clergerie and is currently working as a freelance designer for Ghost In.



His designs lend to a feeling of comfort, flexibility, and detailed craftsmanship allowing the wearer to always be in style. Examples for both men and women have all the qualities of being collector items for the future. The influences of nature are apparent in his choice of prints which may become his trademark.

Collaborations I would like to see: Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Prada

Ailanto

Twin brothers Iñaki and Aitor Muñoz graduated from the Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona UB and started the Barcelona-based fashion company, Ailanto, in 1992.

Similar to Barcelona's bold, fun climate, Ailanto clothing uses bright color combinations and geometric forms, creating clothes that are retro and chic. The brothers have actually said that designing in purely black and white is a challenge for them.

Their distinctive designs, likened to '70s throwbacks with Studio 54-appeal, are complimented with the use of natural materials, making this label recognizable worldwide. Recently, Ailanto fashion was part of the runway show on Super Modelo 2008.

text:Vanessa Voltolina

Collaborations I would like to see: Coach, Hermes

Tord Boontje

Delicately woven patterns are Tord Boontje's signature style. A master at incorporating magical touches inspired by nature, he has produced a body of work that is highly recognisable.

Born in the Netherlands where inspiration has played a large part in his direction, he studied at the Design Academy in Eindhoven but acquired a masters at the Royal College of Art in London. Above is an installation for Swarovski called winter wonderland.

He has also produced product for Target such as this candleabra shown above.



This was lamp was created for Artenica. His work is highly accessible for a variety price points.

Collaborations I would like to see: Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Rayban

Stella Mosley

You rarely see female menswear designers but recent graduate Stella Mosley is determined to make her mark in the male dominated category of fashion.

Specialising in knitwear it would appear her direction has been influenced by the times we live in. A need for cocooning, protection and armour needed to go into battle is what I see the most in Stella Mosley's work. The colour combinations also lend to feeling of wanting to protect oneself from the environment.


Collaborations I would like to see: Jill Sander, Calvin Klein, Helmut Lang

Vanessa Marie Robinson

I believe this designer is still a student at Pratt Institute, but if her designs are anything to go by it looks like she will have a promising future. The light above is made out of wood, wool felt and metal.


A floor lamp and a chair constructed from numerous dry cleaner hangers is an ingenious way to use materials that you no longer have use for. Instead of throwing them away, they've been turned into working objects of art.

Collaborations I would like to see: Ikea, Henry Bertoia,Louise Campbell

Russ Hagan

Russ Hagan recently graduated (May 2008) this year with a wealth of ideas ready for production. This chandelier was made out of disposable plastic utensils making this the recycled darling of this update. Two of the chandeliers will make their debut on MTV's The Real World.


These bookends are not only practical but strikingly beautiful and would appeal to the consumer that's constantly on the move. They pack flat for shipping so they'll take up very little space if any. Made out of 1/16th aluminum sheets they can be easily manipulated to keep their shape and strength.

This sofa implies that easy feeling that all his designs seem to portray. His concentration seems to be in home furnishings, whether he stays in that catergory is yet to be seen.

Collaborations I would like to see: Karim Rashid, Umbra, Ikea