With the “Three ‘S’s” in mind (Style, Sophistication and Seduction) SKAGGS created a complete one-of-a-kind brand identity and attitude for Vanity Beauty Lounge in San Francisco, and brought that certain va-va-voom to the subsequent collateral and retail interior.
“For the logo, we started off by taking a serif typeface–Bodoni–then we refined the letters to reflect the Vanity Beauty Lounge ethos,” say Joe. “It’s all about sophistication, but we sexed it up a little. We used a capital letter “Y” and dropped the fulcrum down to the base level of the text. The logo has a balanced, confident and considered look that seems natural and effortless.” [More]
An interview with NYC’s self-titled Mexican Socialite, Set Designer and style guru Manuel (Manny) Norena. From his colorful upbringing in Mexico (think bodyguards and palatial digs) to the calm of Salt Lake City, Manny tells us about his work, his loves, and his sizzling-hot tips on doing Summer Manny Style. Plus, he dishes the dirt on working with SKAGGS. Yes, we’re brave enough to publish it. Just remember, you heard it here first!
Manuel Norena AKA Manny AKA The Most Remarkable Set Designer in New York City — tell us about yourself!
My name is Manuel Norena and I’m located in Downtown Chinatown in beautiful New York City. I love the craziness of China Town and how nobody speaks English and the fact that I can actually leave my house and not get recognized. [We forgot to add Manny also moonlights as a celebrity about town—Ed.] [More]
Summer’s here, and it’s a sizzler! Try to keep your cool as you check out our latest work with Vanity Beauty Lounge (the hottest new name in all things beauty) and read our uncensored interview with NYC style guru Manuel Norena. Oh, and join us in a little self-congratulation; it’s been an exceptional year for SKAGGS!
Okay, confession time! We’re proud of our workplace, and we’re not shy about showing off. The SKAGGS New York H.Q. has joined the venerable ranks of the world’s grooviest agencies on This Ain’t No Disco, a collection of the world’s smartest, brightest and sexiest agency interiors. From Brazil to London, Disco provides a glimpse into an amazingly diverse array of environments on the creative cutting edge.
We’re eager to hear your comments and suggestions, though we’re hard-pressed to imagine anything that could improve on what we’ve got goin’ on already. (Jacuzzi? Pool table? Perpetually-stocked cocktail bar?)
Satisfy your curiosity and cast your vote at the Disco!
It was also great to see student work showcased; including MFA’s IKEA sponsored chair project, which challenged students to re-purpose a basic chair based on specific assigned personalities. Fun work.
But infact, the best pieces of Good Design are the inconspicuous things that make everyday life just that little bit better, like paperclips, biros, and folding chairs.
Today I acquired the most inspiring and useful simple object I have seen to date: a coffee cup stopper. This genius little device eliminates the on-the-move spill and scald issue familiar to surfing Subway commuters. I feel there is a market for personalised versions and marketing opportunities… something I’m planning to look into - watch this space!
This is why Starbucks is in a league of their very own.
Yes, it’s capital letters galore! With the plethora of events happening around town for ICFF ‘08, how do you make an event and a showroom stand head and shoulders above the crowd? For the TOTO Gallery ICFF event at their SoHo showroom, we decided to bring back the infamous water bottles from El Paso (not literally, those ones were recycled) and apply the same principles of visually showing just how much water TOTO’s High Efficiency Toilets can save. Stacking 1,295 gallons’ worth of empty bottles inside the showroom was a challenge, but the result is a stunning demonstration of how small changes can make a big difference. We also created all of the eye catching wall graphics to compliment the showroom products.
“The feedback from the ad shoot was phenomenal and it proved we were on the right track,” says Bradley. “Visualizing the massive quantities of water that can be saved using TOTO products really resonated with people. For the TOTO Gallery, we decided to pursue this concept but on a smaller scale. The results are unique and interesting.”
See more pictures from the TOTO Event as well as the behind the scenes setup here.
To celebrate springtime (and a certain someone’s birthday) the SKAGGS HQ in New York was host to an evening of celebrating, socializing and… painting!
That’s right: among all the gifts, dancing and champagne (oh, the champagne…) we couldn’t help but get creative with the windows again, and this time it was a collaboration. Check out photos of the evening and the new look for the building!
It’s that time of year again! Champagne bubbles, schmoozing, and (most importantly) endless opportunities to see the latest in contemporary design at ICFF — The International Contemporary Furniture Fair. For one week in May every year, New York is abuzz with the latest in furniture- and (increasingly) design-related accessories. Yes, it’s a tough job keeping on top of it all, but someone’s got to do it!
As the original creator of the concept of NYLON (NewYorkLondon) and designer of some of the most contemporary residential and commercial spaces in New York City (including SKAGGS HQ), Jo Laurie of Jo Laurie Design is the go-to creative, when you’re in need of practical yet innovative interior design services and advice.
We sat down with Jo to find out how she outshone Terence Conran’s London Flagship store and brought a little NYC flavor to the Sloanies, the importance of a great mirror or lamp, Wigstock and why ICFF is the fashion week of the interior design community.
Jo Laurie — interior designer extraordinaire - tell us about your self!
Jo Laurie, NYC. Based in Downtown NYC since 1985… but with an ever-shrinking world, I’m so pleased that I have US and UK passports and Australian residency! [Talk about jetset! -Ed.] [More]
