SS13 CAMPAIGN // ELECTRIC SOLSTICE

We're so very thankful to our creative team that collaborated on our Spring/Summer 2013 campaign 'ELECTRIC SOLSTICE'. Much love to Photographer Adam Levett, Producer Jessica Tjeng, Beauty Artist Anna Nenoiu, Model Danv V (Elite), and Karolina of The White Room for all your hard work!

For those who can't flip through the above book, take a look at our stills here:

SS13's ELECTRIC SOLSTICE collection is now available online at www.ilovebiko.com.

Holiday Party Fun!

Our Studio Holiday Party was a great success - thanks to everybody who came out!  In the age of Instagram and Twitter, pictures of the event and the space were being posted throughout the evening -  I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourites here.  Stay tuned for more upcoming studio events in the new year!

Taken by our intern Nicole - @soniceagal

Taken by Megan Reynolds - @maegunrey

Taken by blogger Nicole - @daintygirl_to

Yum! Taken by @soniceagal

Taken by Anthea Tang - @aduotang

Taken by Daniela Andrews @danielaandrews

Taken by @soniceagal

YOU'RE INVITED..!

Tis the season for holiday parties!  This Tuesday is the perfect chance to get yourself and those on your list your fav jewels.. Come and enjoy a glass of wine and some nibbles on us!

SHOPIFY STORIES: Biko's Story

It was absolutely amazing to have Matt and Serena from Shopify spend a day with me in the Biko studio. They produced this video, which gives a glimpse into my life as a designer and Shopify user.

Read about Shopify Stories on their blog here.

Lasso The Moon

You may have heard, we've moved to a new [awesome] studio!  We also have a new collection - Lasso The Moon -  to be launched online on August 29th. I look forward to sharing the ups and downs of studio hunting soon - in the meantime, a snippet of our FW12 collection press release, along with some teaser photos: 

SS12 Campaign // VIDEO

It's all about rainbow brights and layering with Biko this season.

Biko's SS12 Lookbook: A Light Odyssey Into Tomorrow // NOW ONLINE

Presenting the latest Biko lookbook for the SS12 campaign.  Flip your way through and stay awhile.
Stay tuned for the video, coming soon!

____________________________________________________________________

In case you're not connected to a Flash-enabled device, or just not into flipping those fancy and fun pages, you can check out the images from the campaign here:

Behind-The-Scenes: The SS12 Campaign Shoot

This has been the most eventful week here at Biko.  The day before we launched the SS12 collection online (here), we went on set to Michael Alberstat's studio for an impromptu photoshoot for the campaign.

I had the most lovely and talented team, and I couldn't be more grateful for all their hard work that made this shoot happen.  A very special thanks to creative director Karolina of The White Room, photographer Michael Alberstat, makeup and hair artist Anna Nenoiu and Ford model Mackenzie Loop. Also, thanks to my assistant Carly Blackman, as well as Michael's assistants!

Now - on to some behind-the-scenes goodness:

Michael's studio is just a dream. I would kill to work in these surroundings.

Wardrobe and makeup.

Prep time.

On set - Mackenzie workin' it!

We love her! We were oooh-ing and ahhh-ing at the computer screens the whole time!

Two shots from the bunch. Mackenzie is a true Biko girl!

A well-deserved lunch break for the team. Great company and a successful day!

Staying Creative...

via Couleurblind

Colour Is Happiness

Getting inspired for the warmer weather, I know it's soon to come...
For the first time, colour was a big driving force behind the SS12 Biko collection, which will be available online for purchase in just a week and a half.
Some colourful inspiration:

Left: Source unknown,  Right: via xabuton.tumblr.com

Artist Carnovsky's work

Left: Filippo Minelli's work,  Right: via CouleurBlind

Rag & Bone's Houston St Project, a few years ago

Left: via xabuton.tumblr.com,  Right: Source unknown

Artist Guido Mocafico's work

Sneak Peeks of the Biko SS/2012 Collection

A Day in the Life of Biko

It's crunch time to release the SS12 collection, and I awoke yesterday with the idea to take photos throughout the day to document the goings-on in the studio.

Morning latte, in my favourite mug, made by ceramic artist Hugo Didier.
(Breanna you'll laugh at this one)

Rocks waiting to be wrapped.

Wolfie the Biko mascot, wearing an assortment of random pieces that
needed to be hung.

Interns Carly and Courtlynd organizing samples to be pinned for reps.

Bracelet and necklace samples being made, and a very messy desk!

Working away.

SS12 samples laid out and ready to be pinned.

Intern days are often (healthy) lunch days out.  

Stay tuned for more on the SS12 Collection, to be released very soon.

Press: Jordan-based 'U Magazine' Interviews Biko

Read on for your fill of Biko insider scoop... and Happy New Year! xo

Biko's Last-Minute Gift Guide / Wish List

Of course it's last-minute, what more did you expect from me? Here's a little list of items I either love and wish to have, love and think you should have, or both.
 

1. Unfold Pendant lamp, by Form Us With Love for Muuto.  The pop of cobalt would be perfect in my home, and it's soft silicone rubber makeup is genius. The lamp arrives squished in a box, and upon removal, it unfolds into its shape. Cool!  Available online at Design Within Reach, $189.

2. Biko Gift Certificate for ilovebiko.com.  These babies are brand new, how exciting! Gift cards come printed on beautiful card stock with fancy envelopes, and can be mailed directly to your or the receiver's address, free of charge.  There is even an option to print at home, for those last minute gifts.  Available at ilovebiko.com in values of $25, $50, $75, $100, $150, $175, $200, $250 and $300.

3. Quartz No. 1 Terrarium, by Score + Solder.  Oh how I want this. Badly, so badly. Available online at Score + Solder, $320.  

4. Modern Friendship Bracelet, by Biko. We wear this bracelet daily, no joke.  It's not only super chic and stylin', it's a fun way to show your friends your love for them.  Available online at ilovebiko.com, 1 for $85 or 2 for $150.

5. Almoco Flatware, by Almoco. I think this is the coolest thing since sliced bread. The matte black finish is 'old 80's car cool', and the modern silhouette of each piece is striking. Who knew cutlery could make me so happy? Available online at Design Within Reach, $60 for one setting.. yikes!

6. Pandora Necklace, by Biko. You should have this, because it's geometric, edgy and fun. Enough said. Available online at ilovebiko.com, $185.

7. Canadian Wool Blanket, by MacAuslands Woollen Mills.  I might have just acquired this blanket, but it's so new that I'm still very excited and wanted to share it. I can't wait to curl up and feel it's warmth. Available online at Old Faithful Shop, $210. 

Oh Crazy Month of December...

The best way to put it is to say that it's been one very intense and productive holiday season.  I've been going non-stop the whole time, and its been greatly rewarding and exhausting.  I'll do my best to give the picture-book version of what I've seen and been up to.

It all began with the Toronto One of a Kind Show, which opened its doors on Nov. 24th and continued for 11 jam-packed days, until the 4th of December....

I was given a non-corner booth this time, which required extra thought on my part to
figure out how to allow shoppers in without making it feel claustrophobic.  

Wolfie never disappoints.

Texture and shape.  Makes me happy. 

My friend Danielle Hession's beautiful work.  I've commissioned her to create a custom
piece for me, and I cannot wait to meet up with her and get it going!  

The day after the Toronto show ended on Dec 4th, I regrouped, repacked, and flew to Vancouver just in time for set-up at the Vancouver One of a Kind Show.  Set-up took two days, and the show ran from the 8th-11th of December.

A view of the beautiful mountains, the ocean, and the new Vancouver Convention
 Centre, where the show takes place.  I love the huge raindrop sculpture!

The Vancouver One of a Kind Show's entrance featured a huuuuuge chalk wall,
which visitors were invited to personalize.  

Biko's set-up here was quite different from the Toronto show. I was given a 5x10 corner
booth, and I ordered a white hardwall as my backdrop.  C'est chic, non?  

Perhaps the white wall looks even better than the dark brown wall I'm used to...
what do you think? 

I used several vintage boxes over black leather to display product.
Easily transportable and fun!

I was lucky enough to have the sales help of my friend (and talented photographer)
Marlis Funk.  We had tons of fun pretending this corner of hanging necklaces was
a mini jail cell.  Oh the silly photos we have from this impromptu shoot!     

Holiday lights on my walk down Burrard St after the show one night. 

After the shows were finally over, my friend Melanie (of Mena Dragonfly) and I treated
ourselves to a well deserved spa day.  The following day I took a trip up to Whistler,
and even went skiing! (You don't understand, I hadn't been skiing in about 12 years!).
This shot is taken high above the mountain, while traveling from peak to peak
 (Blackcomb to Whistler). 

I'm finally back at my home base in Toronto, filling last-minute online orders and beginning to plan the next Biko collection.  Yes, it never does end around here, but that's just fine.  I'm thankful for a great jam-packed season, and I couldn't love doing this any more.

I'll be back in a day or so with my last-minute holiday gift guide/wish list.  Stay tuned!