George Sowden

George J. Sowden is an English designer who was a participant (with Ettore Sottsass and others) in the 1980's Memphis art and design movement. In 1981 he started Sowden Design, through which he has collaborated with Alessi, Bodum, Steelcase, Swatch, et al.

I like his drawings/plans; the cities are especially of interest to me because they remind me of some of the drawings I would make as a child. I guess it's kind of funny, but I liked to draw a series of pastel post-modern Memphis-style strip malls. Of course I knew nothing of the academic aspect of Memphis style (or even what it was called) but I was certainly able to recognize it, and I was enamored even then.

80's Geometry

I actually got a pretty poor grade in Geometry, which is strange since I use it quite a bit in my job.

 

What a practical bag (on the left)! Sadly, I have no info on the photo, where it came from, who the models are, the photographer, the date, or who makes the clothes in it. I'm always into a Memphis influence.

The shot is cool - the colors and everything, but most of the accessories I will admit are kind of weird. The blue glove on the top right is cool, and I would be happy to wear it (if I had two)

Ad for Susan Bennis Warren Edwards, who were the ultimate in fancy shoe design in 80's NYC. Their flagship store was on Park Ave, and it's now a construction site. They stopped designing shoes together in the 90's, when Susan Bennis decided to retire upstate. Warren Edwards still has a store.