Drowning In Brands. Underwater Rosae Still Life Logo Series by Alexander James.

A series of identifiable and popular brand logos comprised of red roses and photographed underwater using the subtle light distortions of the water's own energy. From Louis Vuitton to Nike, the rose logos were captured 'in camera' without the use of post production, either traditional or digital.

Apple:


By taking the red roses, a symbol of unrelenting love, and juxtaposing against a deep dark void, London based photographer Alexander James is making a social commentary on how we ourselves are drowning in a society dominated by a reverence towards branding and celebrity.

Chanel:

McDonalds:

Louis Vuitton:

Mercedes Benz:

Gucci:

Nike:

Volkswagon:

Yves Saint-Laurent:

Fendi:

Givenchy:

images courtesy of the artist and Distil Ennui Studio

About Alexander's work practice in his own words:
"My photographs are always presented ‘as-shot’ without post production either traditional or digital. It is this dedication to ‘in camera’ purity that establishes a predominant focal point for my practice.

The quality of the work and the purity of the process is paramount, distilling elements out with the use of deep blacks; hoping to convey rich layers of meaning in what at first appear deceptively simple images.

Distil Ennui; def... to extract the essence and beauty of life to appease world weariness."

Alexander James is represented by Pertwee Anderson & Gold

Smells Like A Unique Idea. Blue & Blooms Prints On Fresh Flowers.

This certainly smells interesting. Blue & Blooms of the UK has patented a way to transfer original artwork with metallic or opaque inks on fresh flowers. The result is a unique way to communicate your corporate brand at various events or to commemorate such special occasions as weddings.




Whether you want a personal message, monogram or a brand logo, you simple send the company a black and white file ( jpeg, eps or ai file at 300 dpi) of your art and they delicately print them upon the petals of flowers with an organic dye which has no adverse effect on the flowers.




Your printed flowers can be a single rose, added to bouquets, made into corsages or boutonnieres, and/or used as scatter petals. With a one time set up fee and a three day turnaround, they make it pretty darn easy.



In addition to the printing on flowers, Blue and Blooms has beautiful floral arrangements (like those shown below) for corporate, personal, wedding and events. Their online store is not yet open, but will be coming soon.



Blue and Blooms Studio
38 Garden Close
London
UB5 5ND
For sales queries please contact them at +44(0)7961 066 707.

Special thanks to Advertising Age where I first heard about this.

Bring Your Zyrtec: The 8th Annual Tulips & Pansies Headdress Affair

April showers bring May flowers. And what do May flowers bring? The Annual Tulips and Pansies Headdress Affair.

Fashion designers and florists, 17 duos in total, teamed up for the 8th VCNY event, The Tulips And Pansies Headdress Affair. The annual event showcases amazing floral millinery by fashion and floral designers and benefits Village Care of New York, an organization that provides care for New York citizens living with AIDS/HIV. This year it took place on Thursday, May 14, 2009, at the Edison Ballroom in New York.



The event is fabulous eye candy. Drag queens, pirates, giant birds' nests, stunning models.... some of the wildest flower arrangements you've ever seen, which are secondarily followed by beautiful fashions. And yes, I've got all the photos for you here.

I blogged about the 7th one last year, and this year you'll be hard pressed to find a better image gallery than here. The event was hosted by James Aguiar (again) from E! Entertainment, Full Frontal Fashion and the Style Network and featured apparel designers including Tory Burch, Thierry Mugler, Lily Pulitzer, Pamella Rowland, Ralph Rucci and Cynthia Steffe.

All the participating designers:

Hosted by James Aguiar:


The runway show:

Pamella Roland, in collaboration with Jorge Cazzorla:



Hunter Dixon, in collaboration with Rachel Cho:


Lilly Pulitzer, in collaboration with Aristocratic Design Co. by Tammy Polatsek:



Form New York, in collaboration with Preston Bailey:


Cynthia Steffe, in collaboration with Event Design Incorporated:


Tory Burch, in collaboration with Linda Ferrando Floral Design:


Jordi Scott, in collaboration with Verde Custom Flowers, Inc:


Imperial Court of New York, in collaboration with Brian Fischer for Morningside Greenhouse:


Alvin Valley, in collaboration with Gotham Gardens:


Thierry Mugler, in collaboration with Michael Gaffney for NY School of Flower Design:

Michael Volbracht Designs, in collaboration with L'Olivier:


Chado Ralph Rucci, in collaboration with Zeze Flowers:


Imperial Court of New York, in collaboration with Tara Fischer McInerney for Morningside Greenhouse:


Zang Toi, in collaboration with Golf Srithamrong of Tantawan Bloom:



Sara Claire & Esther, in collaboration with Fleurs New York:



b. Michael, in collaboration with Cote Fleurie Studio:


Bridget Vizoso for The Designer's Co-op:



Here's a few 'behind the scenes' images for you:






special thanks to VCNY, Matthew Peyton and Randy Brooke for Getty Images and Keith Lew and Guest of a Guest for the wonderful images.


Village Care of New York
154 Christopher Street
New York, NY 10014
212.337.5600

Be sure to check out the last year's Tulips and Pansies Headdress Affair here.