Beyond Fabric’s Makeover

As you might’ve noticed, a few weeks ago Beyond Fabric received a visual upgrade in terms of the blog’s logo and header: this was the work of my good friend Zé Pedro Abreu (an outstanding designer). When I called him I wanted a strong trademark image people could easily recognize and associate: the whole creative process was a breeze as we shared the same thoughts on several subjects, and thus Beyond Fabric’s image was born. I’ve been wanting to post this for a while now, but I was expecting my business cards to be delivered so I could present the whole concept. Instead of being printed, the cards are made through the use of stamps containing the necessary info. Here are some photos of the concept and the final result:

Concept

The real deal

Also, I wanted to ask Zé a few questions and was awaiting his return from London where he recently took part in a project related to London’s Fashion Week and the London Design Festival. Here’s what he had to say:

Q: We can say you’re a successful designer. What drove you into it?

A: Let me start by disagreeing. I am not a designer. I am not a successful designer. Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great. To many people, being nice in order to be liked is more important. There’s equal merit in that, but you must not confuse being good with being liked. Most people are looking for a solution, a way to become good. There is no instant solution, the only way to learn is through experience and mistakes. You will become whoever you want to be.

Q: Design and fashion have always had an intricate connection. How do you feel design affects and influences fashion today?

A: It’s quite obvious that all the creative fields are influenced by a large number of stimulus. They don’t have to be related. That’s the nature of the creative person. All creative people need something to rebel against, it’s what gives their lives excitement. I can’t precise what effect or influence design has in fashion, as you said, ” they have an intricate connection” and it’s quite difficult to set them apart. We design fashion and fashion as a result, has a graphic image.  

Q: You’ve recently been to London’s Fashion Week as a collaboration with a design association - Untold. How did the opportunity come up and how did it go?

A: I wanted to give my career a spin so, I’ve invested in a self promotion campaign to reach new clients and partnerships. I have set an ambitious goal - to be present at The London Design Festival. It was a very difficult goal, hard to reach, but after some research i have found the last call for Untold - an exciting opportunity for designers and creatives to showcase at this 3 day event, either on the Catwalk or at the ‘pop-up’ Boutique. This was a highly subsidised opportunity to gain exposure, showcase & sell my work to a mixed audience of press, buyers and public. With the anticipation of this year’s event growing, numbers were expected to increase again as Untold opens their doors for London Fashion Week and The London Design Festival. Untold is a collaboration of newly emerging designers and artists, all of which have encountered the same barriers when venturing into the big wide world of design. This year they were Partners of The London Design Festival and the London’s Fashion Week. I applied and 1 hour later i knew I had won the double decker route master bus to expose myself right in front of the Design Museum. It was a great experience.

Q: I’m aware that you’re also a fashion enthusiast. Which are your favorite designers and those who inspire you the most?  

A: Ralph Lauren without thinking twice. 

Q: What’s your most wanted item at the moment?

A: An Hermès crocodile leather jacket or a Warby Parker’s Vintage Frame, then you can call me a successful designer (laughs).

Q: What can we expect from future projects by Work-Play-Work?

A: I want to achieve the unachievable. I aim beyond what I am capable for. That’s the core of Work, Play & Work. 

Q: Best advice for youngsters wanting to follow a career in design?

A: Question. Question everything. Work hard and work for free. Once, a very special friend of mine told me “if you’re going through hell keep going” since then I have this quote always on my mind and it gives me the strength I need to keep calm and carry on. 

Ze’s installation @ the London Design Festival.