Happy almost-June, and more importantly, happy Gemini season! Before the lovely month of May comes to a close, I thought Iād share my list of design favorites from the past month. These range from artwork to fashion campaigns to concert tours, most NYC-based, all epic.
Parke pop up shop and marketing campaign
The TikTok girlies did not come to play with this one! Iāve been a fan of Chelsea Parkeās clothing brand Parke for a little while now, and when I realized I would be out of town for their one-weekend-only pop up shop in Nolita, I was bummed. But when I saw every other girl on my FYP lined up around the block waiting to access the sale, I realized maybe it was for the best.
I love Parkeās thick, vintage inspired crewnecks with New York graphics, I love that their pieces are high quality staples, and I especially love how Chelsea integrated social media, brand partnerships, and out of home marketing to pull off a very successful in-person collection launch.
I found the brand through Chelseaās adorable āday in the lifeā videos where she takes viewers behind the scenes of owning and designing her clothing line. This strategy of authenticity worked well to attract a large audience of her target demographic. For the pop up weekend, Parke collaborated with another local NYC brand called Abbode to custom-embroider some of their signature denim. Sooo cute.
Parke also worked with SKM Creative to achieve their OOH campaign with poster-style billboards around the city. New York is no stranger to this kind of advertising, but the founder-forward approach with incredibly on-brand graphics emphasized the desire to be just like Chelsea and successfully convince busy New York girls to go wait hours in line for the shop.
Analuisa Corriganās show for NY Design Week
Analuisa Corrigan is an innovative ceramic artist and designer whose work centers around spatial design with a particular emphasis on lighting. She crafts gorgeous bespoke ceramic lamps with textured shades, reminiscent of of the organic forms and meticulous craftsmanship found in both modern and traditional ceramics.
Her focus on themes such as vanity and femininity brings to mind the ornamental and expressive qualities seen in Art Nouveau ceramics, where decorative elegance and personal expression were paramount. Corrigan's work also shares a kinship with contemporary designers who emphasize the fusion of functional design and artistic expression, similar to the works of artists like Edmund de Waal and Jennifer Lee, known for their deep engagement with the material and form of their creations.
Corrigan self-describes her show, āIn this body of work, I explore how I materialize and immortalize memories of individuals in the analog. I designed four pieces of bespoke ceramic lighting, each paired with a secondhand fabric and accessories ā a former curtain, wedding dress and jewelry. Alongside the lighting, Iāve curated a selection of memorabilia including handwritten postcards dating between 1926-1985, artifacts with my late fatherās handwriting, and objects that previously belonged to close connections who have since passed.ā
Each of her labor-intensive creations can take up to a month to complete. Starting with detailed sketches and prototypes, Ana meticulously builds each piece using a coil technique, followed by a careful drying and sanding process to shape the final silhouette.
Her exhibit will be on view until June 16 at the Picture Room in Brooklyn. And, fun fact, sheās also Logan Lermanās fiance. Icon!
Chappell Roanās Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess tour aesthetic
If you donāt know Chappell Roan by now, wyd?? Many artists spend their whole career trying to craft their ālook,ā but it seems Chappell has achieved this effortlessly due to her playful and maximalist essence that authentically shines through.
Chappell Roan's tour is a fun mash-up of vintage Americana and modern pop vibes. The tourās look feels like a trip through a nostalgic, young girlās dress up box (excluding the āEat Meā top) with a splash of eccentric, contemporary flair.
Her outfits are just as cool, mixing classic Midwest patterns like gingham and florals with edgy, fashion-forward styles. This blend of old and new doesnāt just show off Chappell Roan's roots and her unique artistic journeyāit turns the whole concert into an unforgettable, stylish adventure that feels both familiar and fresh.
Through her vibrant designs and charismatic stage presence, she creates an immersive experience thatās both familiar and refreshingly original, making every audience member feel like theyāre part of her whimsical, colorful world.
Juls_paints artwork
I found Julia through my own art instagram (plug @ madebyabbierose on IG) and became quickly obsessed. She paints quirky, vibrant designs packaged into vintage frames for a perfect pop of color to hang in your tiny NYC apartment.
I love how she infuses her personality into each piece, and doesnāt take her artwork too seriously. Inspiring me to pick up my paint brushes again for real! If youāre in the city on May 25, definitely check out her Brooklyn pop up!!
David Whiteās production design
David White is a production designer known for his work with high-caliber clients such as Miu Miu, Acne Studios, Gucci, and most recently Vogueās Met Gala video shorts that have taken the internet by storm (at least my corner of the internetā¦).
With the backdrop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, how could you go wrong? Drawing inspiration from this year's theme, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion," White created an environment that evoked the dreamy, ethereal quality of fairy tales while incorporating contemporary elements of the iconic museum to reflect the forward-thinking nature of fashion.
From dozens of sheep cutouts juxtaposed with Ariana Grandeās lullaby to Josh OāConnors little cup of tea, the set design not only paid homage to the enchanting, sleepy theme but also celebrated the innovation and creativity that define the Met Gala, creating a stunning backdrop for Vogue's exclusive video coverage.
Thatās all for this monthās May Favorites, follow along to see what June brings :)
xoxo
Abbie