Life Isn’t Always Black and White…
… but sometimes it can sure feel like it. As we head into the second month of 2018, it’s becoming clear that we’re headed for another year of stark contrasts between right and wrong, progress and decay, acceptance and intolerance. We need to remind ourselves daily that there is so much good in the world and if we focus on that, it will grow and multiply. We also have the opportunity to stand up for what we believe in and find meaning and community. When we experience injustice it gives the chance to fight it and make real changes—just look at all the progress made this year with the #metoo #timesup #blacklivesmatter #takeaknee and #lovewins movements.
Being the eternal optimists that we are, we see this a time of opportunity. Sometimes stark contrasts create the most beautiful pictures, as our artists will show below with gorgeous black and white images that convey both the vibrancy and vitality of the moment.
In these transitional times, we’re a resource to be relied upon, and we’d like to share with you a few of our values:
SIMPLICITY
Keep it simple. Have it all. Welcoming Dimitri to the Traffic family as a copywriter and creative director, we’ve found common ground over this shared love of simplicity and our drive to eliminate clutter until only what’s truly important remains.
Dimitri Ehrlich has written everything from two #1 hit singles in Japan to ads for Apple, Nike, L’Oreal and others, to journalism for the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Interview Magazine, where he worked for years as an editor. While the range of his talent is clearly broad, it is unified by a stark, simple sensibility fine-tuned to create an aesthetic that is uniquely Dimitri.
Dimitri has written television, interactive and print advertising for Apple, Nike, Citibank, Grey Goose, Tommy Hilfiger, L’Oreal, Joseph Abboud, Dockers, The Gap, Timex, Smirnoff, Banana Republic, The Sci-Fi Channel, USA Networks, Old Navy, Victoria’s Secret, Theory, Weight Watchers, Tanqueray, CNN, Rose’s Lime Juice, David Yurman, BCBG, The New York Times, The Sundance Channel, and MTV. He’s the father of the Daddy Diaries.
His well-rounded world vision comes from being a lifelong student of Buddhism and martial arts, being raised by a loving mother on macrobiotic food, and his adventuresome nature leading him across Vietnam, Cuba, Cambodia, India, Nepal, China and Tibet. He has jammed with Moby, Prince and the Beastie Boys, and gotten drunk with Keith Richards, but values becoming a father the most. We love that!
www.dimitriehrlich.com
AUTHENTIC
RELATIONSHIPS
After over twenty years of partnership, famous illustrator Izak Zenou and iconic 5th Avenue brand, Henri Bendel, have teamed up once again. This time, they’re releasing a fun and fresh collection where street style prints collide with classic Bendel silhouettes. Just launched this month, the collection features Izak’s interpretation of New York City Punk.
“Henri Bendel is like family, we’ve been together for a long time (we just celebrated 20 years) and we keep evolving and changing together. I realize this is a priceless relationship, as most collaborations last a season or a year. We love each other more as each year goes by. And that’s family!”— Izak
To see more visit Henri Bendel stores and also go online at www.henribendel.com. Izak’s pop-up art studio at the 5th Avenue location has been extended to the end of February. Go visit! Have a cup of tea and chat a bit.
LIFE AS ART
Photographer, Michael Mundy, has made a craft of photographing artists and creatives in their studios and spaces, most famously in his project An Afternoon With… He went to art heaven and back photographing Brooklyn-based artist Lorna Simpson in her famously designed studio by architect Sir David Adjaye and shot for Galerie Magazine. With his unique gift for turning a simple interior shot into an intimate portrait of whomever the room belongs to, Michael has captured both the dignity and the deeply-felt pain that characterizes Lorna’s work, much of which is centered around race and gender in America. Michael’s understated style allowed the beauty of Lorna’s art and David’s design to shine through when focused under his deeply empathetic, personal lens.
Antwaun Sargent of Galerie writes, “Simpson works in a variety of mediums, but she is best known for her photography-based conceptual pieces that use images of African-American women to deconstruct issues around race, gender, and identity—often with an undeniable lyricism. An influential figure in the art world for more than a quarter-century, she was the first African-American woman to show at the Venice Biennale, in 1990, and she was given an acclaimed solo exhibition at New York’s Museum of Modern Art the same year.” Simpson’s most recent exhibition, Lorna Simpson: Hypothetical? was shown at the Fischer Landau Center for Art in Queens this past Summer.
Michael Mundy has worked for top-tier magazines including Travel & Leisure, Vogue, W, Town & Country, and Wallpaper. His commercial clients include Baker, Calvin Klein, J. Crew, Frette, Grey Goose, Halston, Herve Leger, Kohler, Morgans Hotel Group, Andre Balazs, 1 World Trade Center, and The Durst Organization. He is the author of the blog “An Afternoon with…” and the founder of DV8 Magazine.
Read the full article on Galerie and more from Michael Mundy.
CHARACTER
We uphold everyone to have strong character. It is the cornerstone of individuality and the basis of our values. Without each and every one of our unique perspectives, quirks, and talents, we would not forge the vibrant communities that make our world so special.
Character is also valued in the letterform, which interestingly enough is a character. Whether a serif, or san serif, a light, medium or bold or even hand-rendered, which many of our illustrators are skilled, the distinction is important. Strength and character can steal the spotlight from any room and the right choice of font can make a project truly unforgettable. Here are a few examples of lettering from our artists that, rather than opting for the cookie-cutter look, display real character.
Click here to see more striking lettering from our artists.
HUMAN CONNECTION
Digital illustration can be gorgeous, but when you see our illustrator Jason Brooks’ hand-rendered fashion and lifestyle illustrations, you’ll almost certainly be reminded just how vital the human touch can be, both in art and life. Jason’s hand-drawn illustrations are rich in value, laced with intricate complexities and breathes of life with each line and stroke. A deep sense of connection is immediately felt.
In a time where it seems that crassness is rewarded and restraint is dismissed, we need to conduct ourselves with grace and class more than ever. Jason Brooks’ simple yet stylish illustrations show us just how much of an impact elegance, dignity and beauty can have in this world.
Jason’s simple, elegant style has allowed for collaborations with top brands across the globe including Jo Malone, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Guerlain, L’Oreal, Ritz Hotels, Verve Clicquot, Coca-Cola, Audi, Mont Blanc and Mercedes-Benz. For more work by Jason, click here.
LAUGHTER
We can’t forget to see the light. Laughter heals the heart like nothing else, and nobody knows this better than our favorite cartoon illustrator Mokshini, whose quick, bright, lively images can put a smile on any face.
Mokshini has collaborated with brands such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, J Crew, and Turner Classic Movies as an illustrator and textile designer. Her illustrations have appeared in Harpers Bazaar, V Magazine, Huffington Post, Fashion Unfiltered and Afropunk. She works regularly as a live illustrator for Prabal Gurung and Alice and Olivia during New York Fashion Week.
Click here to see the latest from Mokshini.
We hope we’ve added a little brightness to your day!
-Traffic NYC
A hybrid Agency like none other, Traffic is like a multi-armed juggernaut— not just talent representation, but also a branding agency with creative directors and copywriters, strategists and producers, and a rich resource for digital content development. We want to re-define the meaning of creative “hub” or incubator. The only limit is the limit of our imagination, which proves to be in themselves limitless.
For all inquiries please contact info@traffic-nyc.com.
