This is the first installment of a new regular feature in which we interview people who inspire us here in the studio. Some of the crew we interview will be names that are familiar to you, others will be strange offerings, that’s how we work.

First up are the boys from Vanishing Elephant, these guys have changed the game when it comes to men’s fashion in Australia, delivering classic style with an irreverent twist. With a colab with Stussy and a Flagship store in Melbourne under their belt they are going from strength to strength.

URCHIN: Can you please introduce yourselves and tell us what you were doing before you started VE?

VANISHING ELEPHANT: Arran Russell (creative & production) was mainly doing freelance graphic and design work, and had previously been working on his own label Marshall Artist. Felix Chan (design & numbers) was selling and buying clothes for Incu and before that was almost a fully fledged accountant. Huw Bennett (Sales & Marketing) who had own sales agency selling Aus labels, came through the surf industry.

U: What was the genesis for the VE idea?

VE: To create timeless, approachable and simple clothing that fits, wears, made and priced well. We wanted an uncomplicated range of men’s clothes that didn’t need to be categorised or hard to understand. We believe the product should do the talking.

U: What outside of the fashion world inspires you? Do you all have outside interests that feed into VE?

VE: We could make big lists, football (soccer) is a big influence, travel which may seem obvious but is always a huge part of all three of our lives both with work and personally. Lifestyle influences in the city and country we live in are also strong factors. Eating well, art, music in the car/home/office/walking. We try not to complicate the VE influences, rather explain them as personal likes and loves.

U: You guys seemed to go global really quickly. Was that part of the plan? How does if at all that effect your position locally?

VE: We had some good contacts so took a roll of the dice, international sales are still a work in progress. The plan was to be able to make the best product at the best possible price and as part of that we had to minimum certain numbers and so overseas seemed an almost ‘have to’ option.  The effect of this locally has been totally positive, it’s meant we’ve been able to develop our fabrics, fits and collections in ways that staying local wouldn’t have been possible.

U: How do you approach a new collection? What roles do you all play in that process? Do you all throw in at the beginning and see what rises to the top?

VE: It starts as a date in the calendar, we’ve become overly productive and as such need to make sure we have time to give to one another and the start of a new collection. We generally sit down, throw some ideas around and from here we come up with a loose range plan then onto drawings, picking fabrics and fits. We meet again adjust the range size and pieces till we’re happy/confident then go to proto. We fit proto’s, make adjustments, then get samples – then sell.

U: Why did you choose to open your first flagship store in Melbourne?

VE: There was never a grand plan to open in Melbourne first. It was just a happy accident, a space came up in Melbourne first that worked for us, and we just went for it.

U: Who designed the store and was it collaborative?

VE: We worked with the very lovely Adele Winteridge and Sian Pascale at Foolscap studio. The joinery and wood work was done by Kyran Starcevich part of the Edward St Brunswick St Makery Club.

U: What stores internationally inspire you?

VE: All time winners are Lane Crawford (IFC building, Hong Kong), Journal Standard Tokyo, and some new favourites Merci Paris, 14oz Berlin.

U: How does it work when VE collaborates with another brand? In the case of your recent Colab with Stussy – who’s idea was that?

VE: This was our first colab so it was really trial and error. We were introduced to the design team by their sales manager who was a good friend.

U: Did you work closely with their designers?

VE: One long face to face meeting, and a whole bunch of emailing. The correspondence was a dream, their design team are a special lot, particularly Tom Lanyon.

U: What does the future hold for VE?

VE: Our first women’s collection is out in store this August which is huge for us. We’re looking at another shop, hopefully Sydney this time…

U: And finally here’s 5 top 5′s:

Music tracks to work to:
1. Der Kommissar, Falco
2. Luchini, Camp Lo
3. Back to Life, Soul II Soul
4. Geno, Dexy’s Midnight Runners
5. You are all I see, Active Child

Places to eat out in Sydney
1. Rubuen Hills, Surry Hills
2. Wilbur’s Place, Kings Cross
3. Paperplanes, Bondi Beach
4. Fratelli Fresh, Potts Point
5. Sean’s Panaroma, Bondi Beach

Global spots for vintage finds
1. Rose Bowl, LA
2. 10 foot single, Brooklyn
3. Harujukku, Tokyo
4. Crown St, Surry Hills
5. Weekend markets, Bangkok

Local artists for inspiration
1.Ricky Swallow
2. Shaun Gladwell
3. Alex Green,
4. James Mcready
5. Although  Joe Allen isn’t an artist, he curates the most amazing shows so we count him in our top 5.

Global brands that never fail to deliver.
1. Folk
2.APC,
3. T(s)
4.Patrik Ervell
5. Oliver Spencer

www.vanishingelephant.com

Portraits by Douglas Lance Gibson

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ten guys, one girl, 6 moustaches, 2 slabs of beer and a beard.

While we were at the VSTR store in Byron preparing for the Process not Product exhibition, Derek Hynd was at the store preparing his boards for a trip to Gnaraloo on the isolated West Australian Coast. 

We recently had the pleasure of helping Simon with his exhibition ‘Process Not Product’ at the VSTR space in Byron Bay. The Exhibition in itself is amazing and we highly recommend if your in the area to go and check it out. Here’s a clip we put together that shows what you missed on at the opening night and official VSTR launch party. For more info visit vstr.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

This was the view from the temporary office on finals day at the Quiksilver Pro. Even though the waves weren’t great, thousands of spectators turned out and were not disappointed by the action.

The overall job for us was to develop the creative for the Global Boardshort campaign alongside Simon Buttonshaw and execute across a major global media plan.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Mo crew are off on an expedition to SXSW 2012 with a new field note journal in hand. Full of Mo wisdom and statistics to share. Plenty of room to sketch down some important notes and numbers. Keep and eye out for it if you’re there.

• Urchin tried and tested, our new hang out… Hell of the North. Fitzroy’s new elegant restaurant/bar. Featuring a menu carefully constructed by talented Urchin family friend, Chef Anth Power. And a wine list of fine drops selected by co-owner Mark Grixti (sommelier at the European and the Supper Club). There’s also some mighty fine craft beers flowing from the tap. It’s been two years of hard work by the man, co-owner Adam Ferrante gently coercing this old chap in to the modern gentlemen he now is, months of carefully making the right changes to the bluestone shell. Check it out or there’ll be hell to pay. 135 Greeves St Fitzroy. Dial the devil on 9417 6660. Last drinks in Hell till 1am.

New Mr. Simple tee’s fresh up for grabs. Raise some hell kids… And remember dead men tell no tales. Beware imitations, look for the official stamp swing tag. Available in limited numbers from the boys at The Lab Store – Fitzroy, Mr. Simple Hawthrone and or South Melbourne. mrsimple.com.au