vintage | ADLIB

Kembrel Men’s Store Opening

After interning for Kembrel for over a year, I have learned many things about fashion, retail, social media, merchandising and branding. Kembrel’s latest venture was opening a Men’s Shop in the midtown village. With such a small space and an unconventional retail/showroom space. I knew something that needed to be done. So, I suggest to the CEO, Head of Store Operations, Head Buyer Marketing Manager and the Creative Director that we change the space into a men’s only store.

Vivian Maier

As you may have read in my last post, I had the opportunity to view original Vivian Maier Photos at the AIPAD photography show. I learned about Vivan last year, and her story is one of a kind. Of course, she wasn’t famous when she was alive. Maier died in 2009, just before her thousands upon thousands of negatives were discovered. In fact, she never even saw many of her own photographs. She was a nanny/housekeeper by profession, and street photographer in her free time. It seems like every photo she took was a work of art, which is rare for a street photographer. She shot mostly black and white medium format film (which is what I mostly shoot) but if you take a look at her few color photos, they are stunning. I would have to say they are probably my favorite, but it’s hard to play favorites with her work.

5 Campaigns that Paved the Way

We can all think of the most creative ads we’ve ever seen, the most successful, or even the funniest ones, but after reading James Twitchell’s, 20 Ads that Shook the World, I now know the most impactful ads ever created. These campaigns paved the way for current art, copy, and research directors. They paved the way, in a sense that their contribution to the ad changed the way people view advertising and products in general.

Chivas Regal speaks for itself…

Ebony Magazine August '79

A couple of days ago we had a discussion about genericide in Morality and Law (ad course). While I like this ad especially given how old it is, this wouldn’t fly today. I don’t really think genericide is a problem unless I dislike the dominant brand. So what is genericide? It’s when a brand’s recognition overtakes an entire category. I resent that people call mp3 players, iPods. I had a first generation mp3 player (Compaq iPaq) 10 years ago and back then it was mind blowing. I loved it and I still have it… somewhere. Other examples include: Kleenex, Xerox, Band-aid, Swiffer, Brillo, and maybe even Coke.

Disastro Ecologico

Here’s a throwback design related post. It’s modern with old techniques. It’s been done but it’s fresh.

Alberto Seveso is his name, and guess what? He is Italian if you haven’t gotten that from his name or the title already.

Listerine: For more than your mouth?

The focus remains benefit copy. It’s not about what Listerine can do for you, but what may happen if you don’t use Listerine.

Big Mac: Dynomite!

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that this guy looks like J.J. from Good Times. This ad was placed in the very same month that Good Times went off the air (August 1979). Back then ads probably had a longer lead time than they do now. Regardless, I don’t feel one way or another about McDonald’s “ethnic marketing.” Even today it ranges from “what were they thinking?” to others that are more tastefully done.

Brawny: A look at brand personality

Brawny made the shift in personality a long time ago, but its visual has only caught up recently.

Old Grand-Dad: Head of the Bourbon Family

“We have to charge more because smoother Grand-Dad costs more to make. But that’s the price we have to pay to be head of the Bourbon family.”

Secur-O-Slax: Everything happens on the inside

Meet the most relaxed man in menswear!