The Retrospective

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We Are Each Other – Ana Montiel of Alan The Gallant

April 13th, 2009 by
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In an effort to foster relationships and create dialogues with the creative forces that inspire us, “We Are Each Other” is an on-going series that spotlights designers in various design disciplines. These in-depth interviews and essays showcase our belief that we are all extensions of a larger artistic community, inspiring and motivating each other to new heights of imagination and innovation.

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Equal parts timeless elegance and rockstar rad-ittude, Barcelona design studio Alan The Gallant’s work is—to use a hopelessly bathetic phrase—just my cup of tea.

While ATG’s web work, album covers, identity pieces and neo-ornamental wallpapers are nothing short of enchanting (as discussed in Retrospective coverage from just over a month ago), I’ve got a little confession to make: as an inveterate words person, the thing that first tickled me about the ATG presence was the authorial voice of its delightfully courtly and urbane curator—Sir Alan The Gallant. Like many of Alan The Gallant’s press visitors, I emailed in hopes of securing an e-audience with Alan. To my chagrin, Alex Bedoya, ATG’s Business Partner, was the one to write back with some dire news: despite his larger-than-life persona, Sir Alan does not exist. Happily, I grieved very little over Alan’s non-existence; the ladies behind Alan The Gallant, the aforementioned Alex and Creative Partner Ana Montiel are, if possible, even more delightful than Alan himself.

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Tags: Art · Design · We Are Each Other2 Comments

A Rare Bird Named Alan

March 13th, 2009 by
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Alan The Gallant? Who is this dashing Mr. Mysterio lounging one table over in this, your favorite café? Charmingly quixotic and devastatingly refined, when you lean over to ask for the time—really just an excuse to steal a closer look at his exquisitely tailored trousers and perfectly patterned socks—he gracefully snags the receipt for your coffee, jangling a few euros onto the tray, and disappears in a whirl of sartorial splendor and kisses on the cheek.

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Tags: Art · Design1 Comment

Francis And The Lights: Striking Indeed

March 10th, 2009 by
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What’s one part Lenny Kravitz falsetto, one part Prince-like squeals, and wholly musically brilliant? Ladies and gentledoves, meet New York-based dance-funk band, Francis and The Lights.

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Tags: Music3 Comments

“Beirut & Realpeople’s new EP Made Me Dance Like a Good, Gangly White Girl! “

February 19th, 2009 by
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In this shocking Retrospective exclusive, contributing writer, Caitlin Schiller, recounts a torrid aural love affair with the crooning Zach Condon and her exciting afternoon encounter (in her ears) with his collaborative new EP, March of the Zapotec/Realpeople, from Beirut and their dreamy frontman’s pre-Beirut electronic endeavor, Realpeople!!!!

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Tags: Music2 Comments