ELLE LOVES JESSEJAMES

26 Sep 2012
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JesseJames

JesseJames-Collection

JesseJames Design has a certain ring to it, and so do their designs. ELLE’s Loretta De Goede came across design duo Jesse Ede and James Bisset and their blend of old school and cutting edge designs and knew we were on to a good thing. From bamboo sunnies to cutting-edge furniture this design duo has their finger on the creative pulse.  JesseJames created the ELLE Rising Star Design Award this year, the brief? To create an award that is symbolic of young, fresh and emerging design talent in SA and a celebration of this, an original and amazing piece in its own right. We got the run down from the super cool duo here plus they share the making of the award and what went on behind the scenes. Watch ELLE TV here and tell us if you like!

ELLE-Rising-Star-Award

Inspiration behind the design?

We had the unique challenge of working with a star symbol, a symbol which is loaded with its own latent preconceptions. We did not want these underlying meanings to clutter the interpretation of this piece. The award had to have solidness and weight to it, to give it integrity and perceived value, and the form had to emanate the concept of growth and emergence in respect to the prospective ELLE Rising Star Design Award winner.

ELLE-Rising-Star

What Keeps JesseJames inspired?

It’s always about pushing materials properties and new technology that’s available for JesseJames. These are are fundamental influences in our work. Crafting and exploring them gives us ample opportunities to discover and fuel our imagination for great design. What directs these inspirations is the Cape Town lifestyle culture, which we are submerged in.

Where does the creative process begin?

Often at 1:49am on a random Tuesday, or out in the surf. Ideas come at anytime and from anywhere, and usually everywhere.

When we start on project such as ELLE, we take in, understand and consider the brief analytically to begin with, then we let it sit and digest. This is when concepts come from the ridiculous to the mundane. We throw these concepts out there, which are echoed back and fourth by what’s possible and what’s feasible.

This happens until we have a sound concept, which we begin to pursue, and even then the creative process does not end. The build itself requires ideas and innovation in order to execute and turn the concept into a real tangible functional object.

What’s on your radar?

We have been enjoying design that utilizes upcycling in innovative ways to recycle materials not to change their form but to celebrate what they are and apply them to different contexts to solve design problems.

Big trend for the season in design?

There is an overall greater awareness of the environment, there has been a surge towards bicycles and skateboards, a more sustainable and healthy (and often faster) way for the urbane civilians, often the trend-setters to get to and from there places of work and play.

This styling lends its influences for the industrial revolution, and the vintage, a prime example are the “brookes” seats, and even big influence-shifting brands such as Levi’s that has its own commuter range specifically designed for bicycles.

To align with this trend JesseJames have designed the stylish Baltic birch Urban Steed skateboard for inner city commuting.

JesseJ

Like these cool cats? See more from their collection here.

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Peter P on 9/26/2012: Wow!!! Really beautiful stuff guys!!