Korres

I've been recently applying to jobs/internships since I'm graduating in May, and Pearlfisher's question brought me back to my blog. It asked to write about a specific brand I've been passionate about, and it hit me: why hadn't I blogged about Korres before?
I have always been a big fan of Korres products, especially because of they’re sassy way of playing with hierarchy using type and color. Also, the use of imagery is a perfect example of making open compositions to attract attention to detail, and a way of activating the design.
They describe themselves in their website (which, by the way, is a MUST SEE!): "Korres Natural Products is a Greek company with roots in Athens' first ever Homeopathic Pharmacy. Set up in 1996 with the aim to utilise its extensive scientific resources for the creation of beneficial and safe products, the company today offers a complete skin and hair care range, make-up, sun care products and herbal preparations. A team of experienced scientists worked closely to make this happen, sharing common goals and values."
If I'm not mistaken, the whole line and interior designed was developed by K2 Design in Greece.

Nani Marquina

I discovered Nani Marquina during a field trip of my Visual Culture in the City of Barcelona class. We went to a field trip to visit a store and the owner recommended us to take a look at Nani's store.
Her work with textiles is absolutely brilliant...more like out-of-this-world beautiful. Dwell Magazine wrote an article called Little Field of Flowers on her and her process where it describes her carrer:
Nanimarquina—In 1987, Barcelona-based designer Nani Marquina established a textile and rug design studio. Since 1993, the company’s designs have been manufactured in northern India. Marquina has devoted her career to promoting sustainable ethics in production. Her definition of “sustainable” applies both to materials (her rugs are mostly biodegradable, and one, Bicicleta, is made from recycled bike inner tubes) and to fair labor and trade practices. In 2006, Nanimarquina introduced Little Field of Flowers, the first rug by Netherlands-born, England-trained, France-based Tord Boontje.