The latest issue of “Obscura” for the spring 2012 season has been published, with a cover story featuring the classic fashion brand – Chanel. The editorial team has flown to Paris to visit the residence and studio where Coco Chanel has lived and worked during her lifetime to collect ground-materials, and they have also been given a tour of the factory that manufactures Chanel camellia accessories and embroideries every season. In addition, they have visited the art supply shops, restaurants and bookstores that are frequented by Karl Lagerfield, revealing Chanel’s century-old history, unique style and spirit. In this issue, we have specifically invited Virginie Viard, the current Chanel Studio Director, for an in-depth talk. Moreover, we have also included a styling section that mixes the Chanel spring and summer series with various brands, showing the multi-faceted characteristics of Chanel through Obscura’s point of view.
The “Machine” column continues to bring introduction of a selection of antique cars to our fellow readers. In this issue, we have presented a couple of remarkable antique Japanese sport-cars that are born in the 1970s, which are the Honda Civic, Nissan Skyline GTX and the first generation Toyota Celica. Through their historical stories and mechanical design, they reflect an overview of the development of Japanese culture and car industry back in the 70s. We have also introduced the CMC – a German model cars manufacturer, and Hot Toy – a local toy figure manufacturer. Through our in-depth presentation, we have expressed how these two geographically far apart toy manufacturers have turned toys from leisure products into highly valuable collector’s items that deserve professional appreciation.
For the interview section, we have interviewed three male fashion designers that are praised as the guardians of Japanese fashion. They are Jun Takahashi of Undercover, Takahiro Miyashita of The SoloIst. and Yosuke Aizawa of White Mountaineering respectively. This is the first time ever that they have accepted interview three together by media outside of Japan, and we have carried out an extensive and in-depth interview with them, revealing the hidden sides of their personalities.
At last, our dearest readers can follow the instruction and enjoy the process of making their own leather card holders with the sewing kits that come with this issue. The inner layer of the card holder is made with soft leather that will protect the cards against scratches. The stitches on the sides add in layers of details, and the Obscura logo makes it a highly commemorative item.
Text: Vincent Lau | Translation: Nathan Cheng
Photo : Kimio Ng
OBSCURA SPRING ISSUE 2012
HKD$98
obscura-mag.com
EXI.T | 5 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay | +852 2895 2303
TASSELS | B64 – 65, Basement The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong | +852 2789 9911 | tassels.com.hk
BASHEER | 1/F, Flat A, Island Building, 439 – 441 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong | +852 2126 7533 | basheer.com.hk
KAPOK | G/F, 3 Sun Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong. | +852 2520 0114 | ka-pok.com
MOUSTACHE | G/F 31 Aberdeen Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong | +852 2541 1955 | moustachehongkong.com
VISUAL CULTURE | G/F No.21, Lan Fong Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong | +852 2881 8291 | visualculture.com.hk
