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Photography Blog

KREATIV WEDDING

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Kreativ Wedding is made with love. Love is fire- branded in their logo, such is their credo. And when something is conducted with passion, the outcome can be nothing else than perfect. kreativwedding4

Anne Aselmann is a photographer, and Riccardo Fasoli is a videographer, but defining them as such is reductive. When I met them for the first time, I saw in their eyes the passion for their work, an open flame that in any context truly makes a difference.

“It all occurred by chance, we felt chosen by the “wedding universe”.  We would have never thought that this could be our final working environment.”

Anne is a designer and a passionate photographer established from her university background. Riccardo on the other hand was a former eyeglass designer with different hobbies; ranging from design, technology, to storytelling. Both were invited to a friend’s wedding in 2011 and there it was; destiny indicated them the way.

“Anne and I went there equipped as common guests with a simple handycam and a reflex. Once back home, we looked at the content we created; a small photo gallery and a short video of the day. The bride’s response was unexpected; she told us that the pictures were much better than the ones made by the photographer they hired and so they wanted our pictures as official pictures for their albums. She watched the video at least 3 times before being able to watch it without crying.

kreativwedding2The quality of the content we gave her was far from what we are able to produce today, but that experience gave us the incentive to try, and in 2012 we were the official team for 2 friends’ weddings; that offered us the opportunity to launch ourselves and we were recruited by 35 couples in 2013 and 64 couples in 2014. Altogether we received 1000 demands in 2014.”

Kreativ Wedding has been recruited in Thailand, Hong Kong and Caraibi, adding more wedding reports to the ones produced in Germany, not so far from their residence home in Dusseldorf. Thanks to their style, the romantic shoots from Anne − a beautiful and charming woman that captures not only seconds but emotions – and the videos created by Riccardo, the emphasis is not only on a wedding celebration but in the union of two soul mates that meet and become one. Pure poetry narrated in a timeless allure.

The work they do is intense, full of dedication and commitment.

“Being a photographer at a wedding is not easy. You are involved in one of the most important days of a person’s life, and even if you don’t belong to that day you become one of the closest people, and bear testimony of their most intimate moment…We have to be ready to catch a lot of aspects and emotions: hugs, laughs, smiles, tears, kisses… our style in filming and photographing is not a classic one but we maintain a photojournalistic footprint; you will never hear from us say “ehy, watch here or there, stand there and smile”, instead we try to be attentive, and  invisible among the crowd with the utmost discretion. A lost moment is lost and that it is.

Our pictures are made of real moments; they must have an analogic appearance, not digital, even though they come out from a DSLR. The videos must tell a story in a cinematographic way, like a movie. Riccardo loves creating films, and that feeling of “butterflies in the stomach” wins when the mix between music and the scene get to the perfect union, meanwhile Anne loves it when she is able to immortalize the couple in that harmony, “where the world feels it’s like only you and me”. kreativweddiing3

“We do love our jobs because we are surrounded by happy people, we love the reactions of our couples when we deliver our product, but most of all we love the idea that our product will be alive throughout the years.”

If you are about to marry, you should definitely try Kreativ Wedding and be ready with plenty of Kleenex!

Book Kreativ Wedding for your special day: Kreativ Wedding Official Website

 


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Mariposa Bijoux

Galleria

“Behind all this there is so much passion, determination, optimism, patience… but also many privations…”

 

“My name is Incoronata and I am a Designer, Milliner, and dressmaker!

I come from a small town located in the north of the beautiful Apulia named Manfredonia and I am the second of four daughters.

For 3 years I have lived in one of the most beautiful islands of the Canaries (Spain), precisely in Tenerife. 4 years ago I was on holiday with my lover and I fell madly in love with this fantastic place. It is always spring here, and this a great advantage for me and my creations because it means that I can sell them in flea markets and in luxury hotels all year round!

In fact, thanks to the markets, I have known a lot of people all around the world who contacted me on on our FB page, even after the purchase was made in person. I ships to Germany, England, Belgium and North to South Italy. My passion started from the age of 10… At that point I learned to sew from my neighbour… I loved to create clothes for my dolls and to organize fashion shows with my small friends. Art is a gift of my family… My father is a craftsman and my mother is a housewife, but above all a great cook; she makes great cakes, a skill that she passed on to my sister who is now a pastry chef and works as cake designer for “Le Delizie di Amerilde”.

She already won various competitions, including the “Cake Design Italian Festival” in Milan!

Back to me, the idea of ​​creating jewelry was born in 2003 when I was preparing my first show with Stil Daunia Fashion, organized by the Artisan Association Manfredonia. I showcased my clothes and accessories under the theme “A dress for every occasion” and I came in fourth place. Then two years later I opened my atelier called “Art and Fashion”, which was selling designer fabrics of the most prominent Italian and international fashion brands. The best sellers were chantilly laces embroidered with precious stones and printed silks. I drew and customized outfits and bridal gowns, all with accessories like Swarovski jewelry, and decorated bags and shoes!

I was really famous and everyone knew them, people came from far away to buy them…

In 2006 I participated in the same competition for the second time, and came in second place with the theme “20’s” presenting clothes and accessories including bags, all made by me. I already taught myself in the past to create jewelry.

Today I use the technique of soutaches, after seeing a pair of earrings a girlfriend wore.

In November 2013 I created my first jewelry line and created a Facebook page. Swiftly it became a success, all thanks to the collaboration of friends and family who liked my page. Facebook was an exceptional showcase and it hasn’t stopped since then! Today I can say that this “my biggest goal”.

In only 3 years I created this small workshop of jewelry; unique and original in their style, refined, elegant and created with precious materials such as beads of Tenerife, Swarovski, igneous stones, and rhinestones.

Behind all this there is so much passion, determination, optimism, patience… but also many privations… often I do early hours to satisfy all the demands of customers, especially in the period of the year between May to September where there are many ceremonies and parties.

I produce at home on a very big table, bigger than the one where I eat! Ideas and inspirations come from different worlds… from cinema to music. Many photo albums that I created on my FB page have the names of big stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.

As I said, it was not always easy, that is why there is a sentence that I always repeat to encourage myself or when I am in trouble: “God help me… He helps me… He is listening to me… My faith in God helps me, and I know that there is “someone up there who protects me.”

About my future projects: I would like to open a small Atelier where I can sell my jewelry and give a wide choice to my customers, soon I will open a website, it’s a work in progress! 🙂

Important about me: I approach life and work always with positivity, serenity, happiness. That is also why most of my creations have very lively colors, only because I like to give life and color to convey something positive to people and I try to avoid people who can give me negativity.

The motto of my page is ”Mariposa bijoux, to shine like a Diva”! 😉

This is me, Incoronata 🙂 Thank you very much, I hope to gain even more success through this interview! A big hug and lots of kisses from the beautiful Tenerife!”

WEBSITE

FB: Mariposa.bijoux

Donatella

Food

QUATTRO TAVOLI

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Quattro Tavoli (literally “Four tables”) is a place of numbers: as the name says, a little bit more than four are the tables where it is possible to nibble something. There are also four “Champs Elysee- chairs” hanging on the wall, two old style TVs placed on a shelf looking on the public. Six are the spoken languages (Italian, German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese), and three is the number of the official colors of the bar (red, white, black). Three is also the number of dudes running it! We had the pleasure to talk especially with one of them, to the tune of Carlos Santana, the crazy Lorenzo, the youngest of them, a kind of mascot!

Now, close your eyes and imagine the best of Italy: the powerful creativity of the interior, where everything tells sentimental stories and makes the people feel comfortable. The lights, soft and reassuring, that match perfectly with the many candles put on the tables, the magnificent smell of food on the air that make you eat even if you are not hungry. And the unique music, truly fitting with the location but always different, dipending on who is working that evening. Sometime it is also possible to hear the precious songs of Maurizio, the singer of the group.

But, above all, Quattro tavoli is passion and good vibrations, the one you can get and feel from Lorenzo, Marco and Maurizio: they are discreet but careful, funny and kind everytime they have to explain what is the menu of the day or specialties of the house. Not a huge menu, but it is always enough to find something tasty to try! From antipasti to pasta (bologna, prosciutto, cheese, grilled vegetables, piadizza, pasta etc.), they also have dishes for vegetarians, and you can have some wine (despite the wide choice, also the house wines are really delicious) or only one drink (only one? sure?!), optionally between the many they offer. Absolutely try their Portofino Spritz or Negroni sbagliato, to top off with a “Amaro del capo”, a drink particular to this Bistro!

This cute Bar can offers so much, and above all, it proves that Italy has so much to offer: three great people who do their job with the same enthusiasm they would put in an hobby; with so much love and care, together with the top quality of their products.

Lorenzo is the last one start to working here: after working in Italy, he went to work in Australia and Paris and before moving to Argentina, he decided to reach the other two friends in Munich and start with them this kind of adventure. Marco lived many years in Australia a Maurizio travelled in Europe and South America carrying around his music!

The clientele is a mixture of young and older people, they deserve a visit on saturday for the aperitivo “That’s amore” with an always different DJ and live music, and they offer also a “Party service” for up to 250 people (for private events and companies).

        

Quattro tavoli is a place in which you can get very good and traditional Italian food, in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, a really special place, unique in Munich. Somebody found here one’s soul mate, somebody had a cozy evening…

It can cause dependence…but, as Lorenzo says, more probably “relationships” 🙂

Maurizio Cinesi will also be there waiting for you, either you can comfortably sit at home and, after you carried away some delicious food from Quattro Tavoli, listen to its music www.youtube.com/user/mauriziocinesi

Particular to Quattro Tavoli (and if you have already been there, you know it!) are also the special ceramic that decorate discreetly the Bistrot, from the front to the toilets.

     

And now you only have to visit them and try it!

Quattro Tavoli, Dreimühlenstraße 10, 80469 Munich

Donatella

Fashion Designer, Made in Italy

Claudia Errante

Galleria

In the Spring 2013 I asked myself: “There must be a way to wear a turban with the comfort of having them already ready to wear, whenever you want, without having to tie and build them all the time!” No sooner than I thought it, I did it!

 

First of all I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell something about me in your wonderful magazine. I’m an italian fashion designer. I’m 27 years old and I am Sardinian. I live in a beautiful city, Cagliari, a place that helps me to be happy, although it’s very difficult to live here. I’m a very messy, eccentric and curious girl and I love imperfections.
In my job there are NO RULES (order, schemes and rules are not for me. I know, I’m very undisciplined!). I want to be free to live and I feel that I am really fulfilled.

In 2010 I finished my studies and graduated in Fashion Design at Istituto di Moda Burgo in Milan. Later I worked so hard, experienced and learned a lot thanks to some artists who, believing in me, allowed me to assist them in their work and teaching me the “True Life of a Craftsman”. I immediately wanted to get involved, getting more consensus on my debut, which occurred in March 2012.

From that moment I never stopped creating!

But for a moment I would like to put aside the “Claudia designer” and I want to speak to you as fashion lover. Even since I was a child, I never left my house without an accessory on my head; it could be a bow, a scarf or a hat, it did no matter, it was only important that I did not have a bare head (that’s how I feel if I don’t wear an accessory!)… this is my hallmark. Because I loved turbans, I tried often to build them in my head, and in the Spring 2013 I asked myself: “There must be a way to wear a turban with the comfort of having them already ready to wear, whenever you want, without having to tie and build them all the time!” No sooner than I thought it, I did it!

I experimented and found a perfect mixed structured line of a turban with the convenience of a real hat. Now I’m in effect THE GIRL OF TURBANS!  😀

Movie stars from the past and African women are my source of inspiration, even though they are two contrasting styles. It is an accessory that reminds me of grandmothers, the dark times that they lived and the desire to feel beautiful and stilysh, even though they could not wash or take care of their hair during the Second World War.

The woman, in general, is for me a source of inspiration, such as the many and strong women who fight against a disease, who need and want to feel beautiful despite fighting constantly with a monster trying to spoil their beauty. It is a kind of gift for them, a moment of being carefree and frivolous.

I allow them to combine helpful with pleasure.

Where does it happen?! Almost never in my city, because I always looking for high quality, rare or vintage fabrics and less popular, special prints and colors. I rely very often on a company that works also online, but of course my favourite stores are the markets organized in the city. There you can find many treasures, such as fine tablecloths, perfect to created one or more turbans, very old fabrics disused belonging to old seamstresses, the kind that makes you admire its textures and patterns, and makes you want to say the classic but true sentence: “There aren’t any more beautiful fabrics like in the past!”

I work alone, drawing, designing, sewing, advertising, organizing, selling, delivering and I also take care of everything that revolves around my brand. I’m also a waitress every night in a restaurant. That’s because I’m messy, undisciplined and disorganized! To be ble to have a person who works for me is the next step. Unfortunately until now I do not have the financial ability to hold up the expense of an assistant. I hope that things will get better and above all that the brand is able to fly, to afford to live only by my passion and give work to some greatly talented guys who are unfortunatly unemployed.

Social networks have given me the opportunity to have costumers from all over the world and a lot of visibility. Many American girls find my products via hashtag that I post on Intagram. Believe me, I did not think that social networks had all this power and this big utility!

Much of the credit of my success definitly goes to “Amazing*Us”, a cultural association that organizes events in my town dedicated to art and artisanship. They supported me, by allowing me to share my products at their events, that hosts Sardinian curious, but also with many tourists, giving them the opportunity to learn our local products.

Well, thanks to these events, I have expanded my costumers and now I regularly have lots of Russian, Spanish and English girls that have discovered my items and my brand during their vacation in Cagliari. Isn’t it cool?!?

Thank you so much dear Deshabille, it was an honor and a pleasure to chat with you!

Claudia Errante Fashion Designer

Website

Donatella

Fashion Designer, Made in Italy

ISULA DESIGN

Galleria

“Sometime ago I was forced, for health reasons, to stay locked up in hospitals for a long time and from there I realized the importance of being alive and staying in the open air, watching the colors of a sunrise or a sunset, feel the wind that caresses your face just for a minute and enjoying the scents that only the nature of this land can give you, even from a window.”

 

Tell us something about you and Isula Design!

My name is Francesca, I live and work in a small seaside village in the district of Sassari (in the North Sardinia). I like everything that has color, form and tradition. I am a nature and animals lover, I live with the fact that I love my dog Sunshine, who taught me to love his world!

I love to walk by the sea as well as in the countryside and  I like stars, the moon, the sun, but also rain and melancholy. I consider myself a very (perhaps too) sensitive and emotional person, full of life. I like to smile and the smile on the face of the people I come close to sends me endless positivity! I am a natural and colorful food lover, as fruit and vegetables are. I think that in life there is always a lot to learn from other people, with humility and respect.

I graduated two years ago as a seamstress / modeler at the School of Art and Fashion in Sassari, for me a dream that came true and I want to continue creating with my style “SardAfrican”, because every woman wants externalize what’s inside, being free to feel colors and by being unique!

Can you tell us more about the ISULA PROJECT?

The project Isula design and the choice of the name was born out of this land, Sardinia, that is very close to me. It is my island that commands my heart, which offers different colors and shapes, but also distant Africa, which is also close in a sense!

Where do you find the inspiration?

The design of the clothes like the colors chosen for the fabrics are a reflection of a deep sense of belonging to my island, endless source of my inspiration. In each piece I try to interpret, with great respect and modernity, the ancient traditions of Sardinia and the bright colors and distinctive landscapes that this land gives to me. Mixing my Sardinians immense passion with the ancient soul and freedom of the African continent, the wonderful and colorful countrywomen, my collection becomes a perfect combination of ancient traditions and modernity, memories of deserts and unreachable mountains, open seas and splendid colors.

Each dress is the story of a mood, each color a feeling. Each collection is an old music.

Where was your passion born?

The passion for the art began as a child, growing quickly with a strong aesthetic sense towards clothing. As a teenager, I began to wish for a look that could fully represent my personality. Finding no garment that reflected my desires, exploded in me the urge to create by myself the wardrobe of my dreams.

Without ever having sewn, driven by a lively inspiration, I bought my first piece of cloth and alone, with the sewing machine of a dear friend, I created my first skirt. Driven by this magical inspiration, I created a garment after the other, with no experience, no pattern, just by looking, touching the fabric and getting carried away by instinct. My friends, affected by the visionary forms and evocative colors, asked me to create dresses for commission.

As if I had done nothing all my life long, I began to study by myself all methods to tailor, to improve day by day the quality of my clothes.

The requests came from people like me, who wanted to wear one of my dresses, out from the usual style, and they increase more and more and at some point it came natural the creation of a brand that identifies perfectly with my style.

I had the impression that nature plays a really important role in your world and for your fashion…

Oh yeah, I love to talk and listen to nature! Sometime ago I was forced, for health reasons, to stay locked up in hospitals for a long time and from there I realized the importance of being alive and stay in the open air, watching the colors of a sunrise or a sunset, feel the wind that caresses your face just for a minute and enjoying the scents that only the nature of this land can give you, even from a window. I think there is no better place to take photos for my clothes and feel in tune with it!

What does your logo represents?

The logo represents for me eternal freedom.

In fact the inspiration comes from the Egyptian key of life, which is also known as the Ankh, or the Egyptian cross Ankh. It is a T cross crowned by a circle, an oval and in some representations, by a snake that twists (the serpent is the symbol of wisdom and if chasing its tail forming a circle is a symbol of eternity). The form of the ankh remembers a key and that is also the reason why it is called “Key of Life” or “Key of the Nile”. Symbolic representation of life and survival after death, but it has been interpreted as a free butterfly, with Sardinian spikes.

The message is therefore to feel free, colorful, feminine, rich in tradition, but above all unique and special wearing my dresses!

ISULA DESIGN

FRANCESCA COLOMBINO

Donatella

Fashion Designer, Made in Italy

LILLE FERRARO MAISON

Galleria

“We have a whole life to draw beautiful clothes and to sell them. But we have only a few moments to sew and print our emotions on them.”

 

Let’s discover more about LILLE FERRARO MAISON and the project behind it, above all about Luana Ferraro, the brain and fashion designer of it.

“I could write for hours about it, I really love to write and maybe it depends on my genetic (there is a poet in my family!) but time is running out, that is why I will try to describe myself in a few words. I am curious, stubborn, capable, and ingenious.
I live my life full of passion: I strongly believe that the work in this sector has improved myself and elevated my spirit, giving me the opportunity to develop many and different points of views and thousands artistic sides.

At this stage in my career, commitments are many, but the thing that I continue to love the most is to sit on the lawn of the Place des Vosges in Paris with pencil in the hand and a breathtaking view, just me and my art. Yes, I love Paris, it leaves me breathless every time.”

How was the idea of LILLE FERRARO MAISON born?

It is a concept of different ideas that encompasses the brand of Lille Ferraro Maison and Lille Ferraro “Fatto in Italia”. For me, advising as a wardrobe consultant was only a little hobby and a great passion that later became a beautiful and challenging job. I created outfits for my clients, and through email, social media and the website, they can send their requests and budget. It is incredible how with a small budget you can still create a wonderful outfit! 

Do you remember when you had the flash of inspiration and you thought that your dream could become true?

I did not understand it exactly, but I think that it was always inside me.

My brand has an identity or leitmotiv, if we want call it that, and it is well-structured and clear for the final consumer. A minimalist style and bohemian at the same time: because I am a lover of fabrics, I prefer and choose only natural fibers and plants, my collections are small treasures of haute couture guarded throughout time. My woman smells of lavender flowers and cotton, keeps her hair natural, and wears silk, cashmere and angora socks. It’s a strong woman, sensitive, cosmopolitan who has taste and style and likes to mix vintage pieces with clothes from Lille Ferraro.

How to you find the inspiration?

Part of my inspiration comes from deep within me and from nature, traveling, colors and a thousand shades of everyday life.

What is your philosophy?

The brand was born from the creative mind and the pencil of Luana Ferraro – fashion stylist and wardrobe consultant, creator of the company “Lille Ferraro Maison” and designer of it. The brand embodies sophistication and attention to everything that is natural.

The strength of the brand is the authenticity of the materials used in the creation of every collections. Plant materials and organic fibers make this label a perfect combination of art and passion for fashion. Completely handmade in Italy, the Lille Ferraro relies on the expert hands of artisans and competent professionals for the realization of each piece.

The extreme attention to detail combined with the creativity makes the brand up- to- date, sophisticated and “Ecologically Friendly”.

What are the biggest difficulties that you found on your way?

Unfortunately there are many difficulties: first of all the market, which because of the crisis became divided in two categories, luxury and commercial products of low-end. For creative talents and emerging designers the road is very rough. But I am pleased to have found my niche.

What do people like most of your job?

I think first and foremost the quality, extreme attention to details, high fashion with regard to the brand Lille Ferraro.

My clients say that I am able to understand savvy their tastes: I have a lot of patience, I love to listen to women and girls who need help to rebuild their wardrobe, but underlying it is all about the great love and effort that I put into making my work.

Do you want to spread a message with your art?

“WE HAVE A WHOLE LIFE TO DRAW BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES AND TO SELL THEM, BUT WE HAVE ONLY A FEW MOMENTS TO SEW AND PRINT OUR EMOTIONS ON THEM.”

My personal impression? At the moment Luana is talking as you’re listening, you can think that you now know something about her, but she is already taking steps forward; she is continuously changing and evolving. Today we learned something about her… lets see how she will surprise us down- the- line!

LILLE FERRARO handmade collections, made with heart, in Italy (Reggio Emilia, Emilia Romagna)

If you want to get more information you can have a look here:

LILLE FERRARO OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LILLE FERRARO FACEBOOK PAGE

Donatella

Photography Blog

Schall & Schnabel Photography

Galleria
We would love to introduce a power couple, Eileen and Pierre, a thrilling duo located in Berlin that seduced us with their captivating pictures… They will drive you to an enchanted world.

 

Could you tell us more about the story of your collaboration?

We have known each other for many years now and started to work together on a nude project several years ago. During that project we discovered that we have two things in common: the way we work with people and a similar notion of how an image should be composed or aesthetically designed. We contribute different skills and sometimes different opinions but our collaboration is based on a solid ground of trust and joint evaluations of every step and every process. The best thing about working as a duo is that we encourage each other to elaborate elicit the best possible result. After Eileen graduated in Design in 2012 we started to built up our own studio.

Why fashion?

Fashion (photography) is basically a repetitive collection of gestures, shapes and styles. We love the creative, sometimes disturbing aspect of it more than the luxury & lifestyle it promises.

In fashion photography we learnt a lot about working in a big team, different light setups, organization of editorial shoots and elaborating our own style of images. Very quickly we found out that we’re most interested in creating a new look for every shoot and working on conceptual projects with different collaborators.

What about your academic background?

Eileen graduated in Design and I studied philosophy, literature and design, but never graduated. Our academic backgrounds are only on the periphery of our everyday work. Most of what we do photographically is self-taught and the result of a strong experimental curiosity.

Berlin, known also as “The place to be”, is really the right place to be and realize your dream? Could another city or country give you more than Berlin in term of incitement? How is the competition in the photography industry in Berlin?

What makes Berlin fascinating for us is that it seems to never run out of incompleteness. The city is flooded with many talented, creative people from all kinds of disciplines every year and although it’s changing and it’s getting harder to find tumble-down houses and spots to built up alternative exhibition spaces, bars or even residencies, it seems that the city also never runs out of people who have crazy, new ideas of possible alternative lifestyles.

Maybe another city could be a better place to work and get paid accordingly. Maybe another city could be the right place to get together with even more talented and internationally networking and working people. But Berlin is the right city to dream because it provides the means to live easily and free.

There are a lot of excellent photographers located in Berlin. But we don’t think of them in a competitive sense, rather as inspirations. It’s wonderful to be inspired by other artists, writers, scientists.

Interesting and fascinating collaborations you have started so far?

The first project, SKINWALKER, which developed as a collaboration between the artist Diana Wehmeier and us, started out as an experiment to blur the lines between painting and photography and evolved as a series, which included a performance piece with dancers and a musician. It culminated in our first solo exhibition last year at Galerie Irrgang. We continued the collaboration by creating another interdisciplinary video / performance installation with Diana Wehmeier at a Science / Art Festival last year.The video will be presented again in April at the gallery.

It’s cheerful to bring different disciplines together to change the atmosphere in a certain space. We are very grateful for the opportunity to work with the extraordinary artist Diana Wehmeier for two incomparable years. Also we love to work with dancers, because a dance performance can transport expressions to the viewer more directly. No photography or video can get even close to the notion you get when you experience a live dance performance.

Which are the main obstacles/challenges encountered in these years since you have opened your studio?

The main part of our everyday work, maybe 80% of what we’re doing, has nothing to do with taking photographs. But you have to love organizing, communicating with different people, get together at several events, acquiring new jobs etc. to work as photographer.

Sometimes it can take 48h in order to get everything prepared and organized accordingly. Maybe one of the main obstacles we have had to face was the realization that you are responsible for a healthy, so-called “work/life – balance”. Your work cannot be half-hearted, but you can also lose focus if you don’t pause your workflow once in a while.

The goal or goals you would like to reach in the future.

There are many artists we would like to work with. We have new ideas we would like to carry out in the upcoming years. There are also some magazines and galleries where we would like to be published and exhibited. But on a long-term perspective, we just wanna keep on doing what we do. Maybe build up a bigger studio, but simply keep on creating and elevating.

Would you like to add anything about you for the readers to know ?

Have visions!

SCHALL & SCHNABEL
Pierre Horn & Eileen Huhn
Berliner Allee 60
13088 Berlin
+49 30-920 456 30
Travels

CHRISTOPH REHAGE

Video

      “My name is Christoph Rehage, and I like to take walks sometimes.”

 

I was born a fat kid to a Hungarian mom and a German dad in Hannover on November 9th in 1981.

During my childhood, I spent my time mostly consuming adventure stories and setting things on fire. Later on, I ended up in Wichita, Kansas, for a year, then in Paris as a laborer, and eventually in Beijing, this time as a student of Chinese studies.

At some point in between, I spontaneously decided to walk home from Paris. Walking was both terrible and awesome at the same time, and I realized that this was something that I liked very much. More than reading. More than swimming. More than taking pictures, and probably even more than watching TV.

It was better than fire.

On the morning of my 26th birthday, on November 9th 2007, I started walking home from Beijing to Germany. I walked and I walked, growing a beard that got later called mighty by some and patchy by others, and then, after a year on the road, close to the border of Kazakhstan, I stopped walking.
I returned home to our village, made a video about the walk called “The Longest Way”, and posted it online. Little did I know that it would turn out to become a minor internet sensation.

And then it happened: I found something that I liked and feared more than walking – writing. I struggled with the pen and the paper for many a sleepless night, and eventually I came out of battle with two books: a travelogue (“The Longest Way”/ Malik: German) and a coffee table book (“China zu Fuß”/ National Geographic: German) about the walk.

The books did well enough for me to keep doing this. I am now working as a columnist for a Chinese newspaper, and my next book (“Chinese Characteristics”/ Contemporary China Publishing House: Chinese, a collection of the articles that I am writing there, has just hit the market in China last summer).

  • Walking, okay, I get the idea. But I’m still a bit confused: from where to where did you actually walk? I started walking in Beijing on November 9th 2007, and I stopped in Ürümqi in northwestern China almost one year later, on October 25th 2008. Two years after that, in the summer 0f 2010, I walked a few hundred miles more, from Ürümqi to Usu. And in 2012, I went from Usu to Khorgas, the border checkpoint between China and Kazakhstan.
  • How did you get the idea for the walk? I had walked from Paris to my home in Germany before – a walk of about 800 km that took less than a month. There were no metaphysical questions, no big worries, just pragmatic problems to solve: where to sleep, what to eat. It felt good, and it felt meaningful.
  • Can you describe the process you undergo to prepare for a walking trip? I prepared for a year. Basically, it’s all about getting as smart as possible. I talked to German embassies all over the world, stumbled through map archives in several libraries, and read books, books and more books. Then I got equipped. Then I got vaccinated. Then I walked.
  • What state of mind were you in when you were walking? It was just the way it would be on any normal day. Sometimes you think about stuff. Sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you worry about passports, dangers, pains, relatives and loved ones, and at other times your steps are light and you sing songs in the desert. Sometimes it’s boring. And sometimes you feel at peace.
  • How many hours did you walk each day? I would usually feel comfortable walking 20 to 30 km in one day. That means I would have to be constantly moving for about 4 to 6 hours. Put in some breaks for picture taking, eating, resting, peeing, talking to people, wondering about the way, and I am on the road all day – but I didn’t walk every day.
  • Why did you stop walking? I wanted to gain back my life. I had to regain control over myself, eliminate the inner boss that was telling me to keep walking. A lot of people look at the video thinking “I want to be free like that guy!” – but they don’t realize that I was driven by something, and maybe I was losing control over it.
  • What is this something you are talking about? I think this something was partly my ambition and partly my principle. It seemed more and more like I was living to fulfill my ambition, and I was directed by principles that I had no way of changing. I didnt feel very free.
  • What does it mean you were losing ( or better you had to regain) control of your life because of this experience?
    I had to emancipate myself from my ambition and from all principles. To become a free man again.
  • Who is Teacher Xie? Why did you dedicate the video to him? 谢建光 (Xie Jianguang) is a brave man who has been walking all over China since 1982. I ran into him somewhere in the desert, and we have been friends ever since. He has taught me some valuable lessons.
  • What lessons did you need to learn when you met him? I didnt know it back then, but Teacher Xie taught me about walking as a physical excercise, which was important for me. However, more importantly he taught me to think about your priorities in life. What is the most important thing? What is number 2? Number 3? You must always know what you want. Otherwise you will be confused.
  • Why is the video also dedicated to love? I think it is important to know what we value most in life.
  • How is the video dedicated to love? How? Well, I think any journey is just a way of spending time. You dont have to go far to live an adventure. But it is important to remember what you value in life. Love could be one of these things.
  • What did you use to think of China before the journey, and what do you think now? Did something change? Well, I had been living in Beijing for two years when I started my walk. So the walk really didn’t change much of my perspective on China. Except for the fact that I got to meet so many fantastic people out in the countryside, out on dusty roads, and in the mountains of China. They are the best!
  • Do you have any tips for people who are on their own search for peace? I am not very good at this. There are brief moments when I am feeling at ease, but they usually don’t last very long, and then the wolf starts howling again. However, I think age and experience probably helps with this. You have to know your priorities.
  • So, in which way Chris today is different from Chris right after the longest way? I am hopefully better at controlling myself. I am hopefully more able to take on some responsibility. But some things never change. You stay the same idiot. Just slightly altered. 
  • What major advice do you have for someone who wants to do pursue his or her own dream? Sounds tacky, but here it is: Take the first step!
  • Would you, please, introduce your two blogs: bookslap.com and SlowerPulse.com? On the book blog, I read travel books and introduce them for you. I do this because I enjoy reading travel books, and I think it is not easy to find the books that are really worth reading. So I try to help a bit. On the pulse blog, I talk about vodka brands that I have tried. It is nothing special, just a hobby of mine, because I picked up drinking only when I was 27. So it is all new and exciting!

Here’s a Chinese news item about Christoph’s satirical video show 德国自干五有话语权, he makes fun of modern-day newspeak and blackwhite in the Orwellian sense. As he said, there are English subtitles on this news item, but they look like someone used Google Translate, so watch it just for fun!

 

Want to know more? You are totally right!

Christoph Rehage Facebook Page

Shops

OMBRALUNA VINTAGE

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“Ombraluna Vintage is an online shop with vintage clothes and accessories from all around the world. Every item has a story to tell and an emotion to give. Find your favourite one!”

 

I (Giuseppina) am a seamstress who likes to describe herself as “empirical”. I’ve been sewing since I was 7 years old and I’ve been a vintage collector since I was 12. I started to collect the old clothes of my mother and my aunts and I attended the flea markets of my city, Cagliari, with my father from my earliest years. The most famous of these was the one at the Bastione in Cagliari. I remember my Sundays as always accompanied by an urge for exploration and adventure.

How did you start?

I started Ombraluna Vintage in the summer of 2012, but it was something that I had been wanting to do for years. The combination of my two great passions – sewing and vintage – is the root of Ombraluna. The name is a fusion of words that came to me during some long hours in a waiting room. A lucky epiphany in a constant white noise which proved to me that creativity had no barriers.

Where do you go for shopping?

The search of clothes happens in a selective and random way at the same time. Selective because it is important for me that all the clothes and accessories are of excellent quality, random because I let myself be guided by what I usually call the fluid, a kind of invisible motor that shows me where to go and what to buy. It never fails. Markets and private lockers are my kingdom. It’s of great importance to me that I know the story of the item itself. I firmly believe that there is always something behind the choice of a dress. The background of the person who has previously worn that particular item is often connected to the object itself. It’s like an ongoing dialectical and emotional relationship. The clothes always have a soul and a story to tell. All clothes and accessories from “Ombraluna Vintage” have been professionally cleaned and and repaired. Repairing is one of the things that fascinates me the most in my job and I give it a lot of importance and time. It feels like an exercise of style and patience and it binds me deeply to the materials on which I work.

Philosophy 

I believe that everyone has the right to express their personality through their own vision of fashion and style. I have always been against the strict rules of fashion. To me, vintage is about absolute freedom. No size nor particular style is better than other. I love everything that is colorful, special and evokes an emotion or a memory. This is also the origin of my passion. I love seeing the life that clothes can give and I love giving life to clothes.

You find Ombraluna Vintage here: www.ombraluna.com

FB: www.facebook.com/OmbralunaVintage

Donatella

Food

PIZZERIA MIMMO e CO.

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When you travel a lot sometimes it’s difficult to find good places to eat where you’re not only satisfied but can actually feel spoiled and happy like a child. If you happen to be in Munich, don’t lose the chance to visit Mimmo!

Below are the comments of people who have already eaten at Mimmo’s restaurant, just to give you an idea of what he is capable of…

“I went there a couple of times and I had two great experiences. Finally, I found a nice pizza in Munich, the service is great and very friendly (and not expensive at all). I will go back for sure”

“In addition to a perfect pizza you can find very nice people working there: what makes Mimmo special is the hospitality and friendliness. Very highly recommended for anyone who would like to be thrown in an Italian environment and have a good meal. It could be useful to have a reservation for the weekend.”

“Be prepared to be transported to Italy the minute you step through the door of Mimmo E Co. The staff is Italian, a lot of the diners are Italian, the ambience is Italian – in fact it feels like you are eating in a family kitchen in Sorrento, not a restaurant in Munich. The food is simple Italian fare at its best with generous portions and good seasoning. The standard menu features all the usual classics with daily specials adding a bit more variety. My friend had a delicious linguine with swordfish, cherry tomatoes and olives – and I had dish envy all night! Prices are excellent value and the green salad was a proper salad not just a few limp lettuce leaves. We were too full to try the desserts but they looked scrummy. Make sure you leave room!”

“The pizza combined with the super friendly service makes it to an amazing place!”

“Tried this place for the first time after seeing all the excellent reviews in TripAdvisor- I actually live just around the corner from this place… Great place! Food is lovely; Augustiner beer is the best choice, friendly and great service!! I visited twice in a space of one week and each time I enjoyed my dinner very much! As it is already mentioned, Pizza crust is not as thin as I expected- it’s fluffy, and very filling but you can tell its made of good ingredients. Highly recommended”

“I found out this restaurant on TripAdvisor, and it was like being back to Italy for a dinner. I’m Italian, I’ve eaten thousands of pizzas in my life but I really loved Mimmo’s creations! I’ve tried Bresaola, Quattro stagioni and Rustica so far: all wonderful. Also tiramisù is good. The place is cozy, the staff very kind and Mimmo is supernice!
I totally recommend this restaurant, especially to those who want to taste pizza for the first time.”

“We got in early and it was a good thing, because Mimmo filled up right away. Great little neighborhood pizza place. It seemed like everyone knew everyone, except us, being travellers from Canada and being tipped off by TripAdvisor reviews. The aroma coming from the kitchen was outstanding. The staff was warm and attentive. We enjoyed some good wine, a couple excellent salads and a couple pizzas each. We left very happy. Pleased as well that we had a 1.5km walk back to our hotel, which we definitely needed.”

“… a perfect dough, the best quality Italian ingredients, baked in a wood fired oven… totally scrumptious. It is an absolute treat to have Mimmo’s pizzas, whichever one is chosen (one of my favorites is with prosciutto, parmesan and rocket/ rucola).

It is also a delight watching Mimmo making a pizza base, throwing the dough into the air and catching it while singing a familiar Italian tune.

Mimmo E Co(rina), the couple that runs the place with love and dedication, real Italian flair and friendliness, make you feel welcome and at home. “

“Habe den Laden gerade vor kurz entdeckt und bin mega begeistert!! Die Pizza ist der Hammer, Mimmo und Corina sind sehr sehr freundlich, einfach super sympathisch! Und auch die anderen Gäste waren sehr entspannt. Alles super! Das ist die beste italienische Pizza die ich in Bayern gegessen habe. Man merkt das hier ist alles schön kross, frisch und gut. Ich komm schnell wieder!
Fazit: Pizza, wie sie sein sollte! Dessert: Super!!”

“Всегда приятно отведать отличной пиццы. Нам показали это место местные друзья.
Очень понравилось пальчики оближешь! Немного прогулявшись от вокзала попадаешь в приятное (не пафосное) заведение.
Притом вкусно все и пицца и паста и десерты! По себе знаю что сложно угодить компании
(6 человек) и что бы все были в восторге.
Попробуйте будет вкусно “

“Accoglienza, professionalità, bontà, gentilezza, si mangia da Dio. Io l’ho trovato per caso, non pensavo di trovare un ristorante di quel livello.”

“Locale accogliente, moderno, con forno per le pizze a vista, insomma un ristorante Italiano “contemporaneo” e non il solito “pasta&pizza” un po’ datato che sovente si trova all’estero. Personale molto gentile ed attento (parlano tutti italiano), menù con buona offerta, tutto buono! Ha la fama di essere il locale che serve la migliore pizza di Monaco e ci credo! Lasciate un posticino anche per il dolce perchè non è da meno. Prezzi adeguati ed assolutamente contenuti. Appena fuori dal centro, ma facilmente raggiungibile (meglio in taxi), non dimenticatevi di prenotare perchè rischiate di non trovare posto! Se siete a Monaco ed avete nostalgia della cucina di casa… questo è il posto giusto! Da provare.”

“Servizio eccellente, locale molto accogliente, Mimmo e Co simpaticissimi!
Quindi diffidate delle imitazioni…e prenotate sempre e solo da Mimmo e Co! “

So, our experience was totally the same, you step inside and Mimmo smiles from the kitchen as you open the door and yells warmly at you in Italian: “Welcome, have a seat, what pizza would you like?”

And while you are appreciating the mozzarella melting deliciously in your mouth, or while you are losing yourself in a marvelous and almost erotic Spaghetti alla Carbonara, he will ask you if everything is all right with the dinner.

…OH, DAMN… YES, definitely so much that you would hug him!

Thanks Mimmo (and your staff) for this special and bighearted treatment, clients can always recognize when you do your job with real passion and love.

Keep it up the good work!

www.pizzeria-mimmoeco.de

Pizzeria Mimmo e Co., Kapuzinerstr. 6,  80337 München

Telefon: 089 – 76 70 15 45