MAGAZINE
INSIDE OPAL’S UNIVERSE
JUNE 14, 2021BY KWYN YOUNG
Janice Prempeh is the New York based creator of Opal (@opalslutuniverse).
She talks with Gelbsy about her views on the commodification of digital art, Danish music, and just existing. She used to study fashion but currently expresses herself through Opal to exist in spaces she can’t physically be in.
HANDBAG DESIGNER AND LEATHER MOGUL MATILDA VENCZEL
MAY 30, 2021BY KRISTIE WILLIAMS
“Customers aren’t so used to real leather anymore, so it’s sometimes a bit of a problem when I try to explain that if you can see some texture, that it’s a bit different here and there, and there’s a bit of differentiation in color, that actually means it’s of amazing quality.”
I never recognized the difference between authentic leather and inexpensive produced, yet, expensive priced designer leather until this interview with leather mogul, Matilda Venczel. The Sweden-born leather handbag and accessories designer discusses her previous work experience with companies that use saddle-like leather; along with other fashion brands that cover their leather with thick layers of rubber.
GELBSY GIRL
KILLA KATE
The slash culture has reached an all time high as creatives strive for multiple streams of income by tapping into numerous interests. Think a hustler or jack of all trades, the slash culture says fuck a traditional 9-5 and work 24 hour days focussing on projects ranging in category. The creatives of 2021 don’t limit their potential to a specific field but dive head first into opportunities available. “Everyone has different goals but if you’re a creative and want to get paid, it can be hard to navigate that without doing shit you don’t want to do” says rising Instagram “it-girl” Killla Kate who does it all.
GELBSY GIRL
GABRIELA PULLMANNOVA
While the pandemic has impacted everyone’s lives in a multitude of ways, Gabriela Pullmannova took this opportunity of uncertainty to transform her passions into a career. A former Holland-based dancer turned creative director and stylist, she collaborates with artists, like Naomi Sharon, dancers and others on sets, productions, photoshoots and more. Her creative side goes beyond the limits society sets for itself when defining art and design.
GELBSY GIRL
JULIE VIGORITO
Women love fast cars, but what do we love more than fast cars? Seeing an ambitious woman enter a male dominated industry. Merging the gap between cars and fashion, New York-bred Julie Vigorito went from fashion blogger to social media strategist for high end car dealerships, boutiques, and collectors.
GELBSY'S ONLINE OBSESSIONS
ES DEVLIN
As a set designer who has worked on profound stages with well-known artists such as Kanye West, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd, Es Devlin illustrates how the laws of physics, time and space, has always been a form of art that is manipulated by nature and artists. She works with fluidity, motion and our senses to breathe life into every spatial design and set.
5 GREEN DESIGNER HANDBAGS WORTH SPENDING YOUR LAST BAG
Supporting emerging and underrated designers is fundamental. We all want to look stylish and keep up with the latest but in reality, these new or underground designers are the latest. Introducing to some: OTTOLINGER, BY FAR, Scotria, 16Arlington, and Venzcel—five innovators in the fashion world, each with their own flair and niche ranging from modular design, vibrant color palettes, to ceramic bags blended with melted plastic. from spending your money on master designers and marinate in the authenticity of these five handbags.
TTSWTRS FUSE TATTOOS AND FASHION CREATING A SECOND SKIN
The perception of tattoos has shifted from the rebellious “bad boy” look and the early 2000s promiscuous tramp stamp to tatted models starring in high fashion campaigns. Costume designer and celebrity stylist, Anna Osmekhina was inspired by tattoo culture and collaborated with established tattoo artist Ian Levin to create the Kyiv-based brand TTSWTRS.
INGY STOCKHOLM
The inspiration behind the unique meteoroid shaped earrings designed by Ingela Klemetz-Farago began during a walk through Stockholm’s royal park Djurgården, where she brought home a piece of tree bark and transformed it into accessories for her ears. Together with her husband and photographer Peter Farago, she created the vision for jewelry label INGY STOCKHOLM. Paying homage to brutalist artists Louise Nevelson and Bourgeois, the designs have a bold rigid geometric style and evoke a feminist force through their shape. The colors pull from Klemetz-Farago’s first love, nature—the silver and gold representing the earth’s crust, the blue of the sky, the white reminiscent of snow in Sweden, and the red of volcanic magma.
DESIGNER HIGHLIGHT
CONCEPTUALIZING 'WEARABLE ART' WITH DESIGNER TABITHA RINGWOOD
There are daring designers known for their extraordinary pieces to be gazed upon, adored, and in some cases classified as ‘wearable art’. Think the Margiela Tabi; Balenciaga’s croc makeover; YEEZY’s reemergence of the stripper heel. As for Tabitha Ringwood? Her style of heel ranges from signature knotted leather to metal hardware reminiscent of sculptures displayed on a white laminate pedestal.
CHRISTINA SEEWALD
The eclectic, streamlined debut of Christina Seewald at London Fashion Week 2019 was truly a vision—one that caught the eye of luxury and streetwear boutique, SSENSE. The Austrian native and Central Saint Martins textile-design graduate sources inspiration from all walks. Feminist artists, 80’s power-dressing trends, and designers Prada, Issey Miyake, Madame Gres, and Helmut Lang are just a few to name.