3's a Trend Tuesday: NON-BORING SNAKES

Rule 1 of trend forecasting: if you see something 3 times in different places/contexts within a small timeframe... it's a trend.  Today my eyes have been bombarded with snakes.  By bombarded, I mean thrice + a Twitter post someone had written about a cobra being nature's version of what happens when you chew your straw at one end. 

Apparently the Skoda ad is old but I only saw it today because it's running on channel 5.  The last time I saw 5 was er, when the Spice Girls launched it in 1997.  5 of course is the new home of Big Brother, where TV gold is being made with narrative such as:-

"It's been 34 minutes since one of the Jedwards gave Amy Childs a wedgie."  Amazing.

Anyway, we're not talking about boring snakes; they're being depicted as clever, dynamic animals rather than the one-dimensional "Oh look I'm a sexy clutch bag on the end of a bimbo" context we've all grown to associate with snakeskin. 

Snakes as the Skoda car engine from the Fabia 'Made of Meaner Stuff' advertising campaign.

Snakes in an excellent music video set in a cult church. Chapel Club - Surfacing.




An albino on a nail blog.  I thought about this for too long.

The Skoda ad reminded me of Iris Van Herpen's snake A/W 2012 Paris couture collection.  The designer previously interned at Alexander McQueen so those references are clear, but it's also got a touch of the Gareth Pugh's, should he ever venture into squiggles. 

Amongst my circle it is an unspoken understanding that clutchbags are for idiots who aren't planning on having any fun at all, zzzzz!  Fingers crossed, the prospect of a great big rucksack made of creepy, pipey, eel-y snakes over the pretty snakeskin clutch is infinitely more exciting.

P.S

If I'd read this I'd have ignored the snakes and been straight, "SHIT YEAH, I remember when Spice Girls launched 5; that wanky song with the circles" then straight to YouTube.   If you're half the loser I am, here it is to save you the bother, at least you're spared the humiliation of physically typing out your lowest point.  You might be surprised this time round to find that the orange mounds have giant nipples.  Enjoy!

- HW

A Collection of Warped Videos

Kong are playing a free gig at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch on Saturday. This reminded me how warped their 'Ribbons' video was.  And then I realised that all of the videos I'm overwatching at the minute are quite warped.

Kong - 'Ribbons'



Ben Wheele - 'The Tropical Cake Boutique'
Ben Wheele's 'Decoration' animation at the recent RCA graduate show was very, very, good. One to keep an eye on.



Tom Rubnitz - 'Pickle Surprise'
From the late 80's, the visuals and styling are - and I don't use this word sparingly - AMAZING. "Repeat my mantra... "Ha-mmm. Hammmmmmmm. Heeyum!"



God Damn - 'In Heaven'
Thrashy boys in Marie Antoinette wigs eating chicken - ticks a lot of boxes.  They've promised to let me help with styling on the next one which I already know will be incredible.



David Lynch - 'In Heaven' from Eraserhead
The original mutton-chopped lady in the radiator.  Do not watch before bed time.



- HW

Jiggery Pokery

Loads of love for Jiggery Pokery's signature surreal set design and art direction on Toddla T's new video featuring Roots Manuva.


Toddla T - Watch Me Dance with Roots Manuva.

Jiggery Pokery are set designing slash art directing London duo Anna Lomax and Lauren Davies who have been working together since meeting on the BA Illustration course at Brighton University.  The pair have undertaken big campaigns for clients as far ranging as Selfridges, Nando's and The Independent; you might remember their make-up themed window for Topshop Oxford Circus Concessions.

Previous work also includes a colour coded rainbow of books designed for the shop window of YCN reading library which was later exhibited in the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Awards at the Design Museum. 

The Jiggery Pokery + YCN relationship remains strong with their latest collection currently on sale via their website shop.  From handmade cushion stacks to hamburger bicycle bells, 'Eat Fast Die Young' gives a loud and clear "BORE OFF" to healthy eating and finds inspiration in the pair's nostalgic fondness of fast food and the associated design culture.

The wall they created on digital jumble sale webiste Supermarket Sarah was one of the most memorable, with their mannequin heads being a particular highlight.

And with that, I'm off to buy some glitter pens.