CONTEMPORARY TWO : RAD HOURANI

A B O U T

RAD HOURANI IS NOT JUST A DESIGNER, A PHOTOGRAPHER, A FILMMAKER, OR AN ARTIST. HE IS ALL OF THESE AT ONCE. 
THE UNIFORMITY OF HIS COLLECTION HAS SUCH A DISTINCTIVE LANGUAGE THAT IT DEFIES CONVENTION. USING PRINCIPLES OF ARCHITECTURE TO CREATE HIS PIECES, RAD HOURANI CONSTANTLY WORKS WITH AN EYE TO HOW A GARMENT WILL PERFORM IN MOVEMENT. LIKE ORIGAMI, HIS PATTERNS APPEAR TO HAVE THEIR OWN MAGIC FOLDS THAT ENABLE HIS PHILOSOPHY TO EMERGE SO THAT THOSE WHO WEAR HIS GARMENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE, POWERFUL AND BEYOND TIME.
THE RAD HOURANI UNISEX PROCESS ADVOCATES NON-CONFORMITY AS THE ESSENCE OF INDIVIDUALISM. 
HE SEES MODERNITY AS AN ODYSSEY FREE OF RULES, GENDER, AGE, SEASONS, BOUNDARIES AND CONDITIONING.

IN HIS OWN VISION, HE IS SKETCHING A NEW, FREER WAY TO LIVE.

SINCE HIS FIRST SHOW DURING PARIS HAUTE COUTURE WEEK IN JULY 2012, RAD HOURANI HAS BECAME THE FIRST DESIGNER TO PRESENT A UNISEX HAUTE COUTURE SHOW IN COSTUM HISTORY.

"I STARTED IMAGINING CLOTHES THE SAME WAY I STARTED CREATING IMAGES: WITH A SENSE OF CURIOSITY AND INNOCENCE DRIVEN BY MY NO-BACKGROUND BACKGROUND. NO SCHOOL. NO TEACHERS. NO TELLY. NO BOUNDARIES. NO FORMATTING. I LIKE THE IDEA OF A WORLD THAT WE COULD LIVE AND SHAPE BY OURSELVES, ONLY BY OBSERVING. EACH OUR OWN. MY VISUALS HAVE ERUPTED FROM THIS WORLD OF MINE. THEY ARE ASEXUAL, ASEASONAL, THEY COME FROM NO PLACE, NO TIME, NO TRADITION, YET THEY COULD BE HOME ANYWHERE, ANYTIME. THEY EXUDE THE ESSENCE OF TIMELESS STYLE, DRAWN ON A MONOCHROMATIC AND GRAPHICAL CANVAS. PALETTE OF BLACKS AND SHADES OF TIMELESS COLORS. SOPHISTICATED UNISEX MODERN CLASSICS FOR ANTI-CONFORMIST INDIVIDUALS." - RAD HOURANI

W E B S I T E

     

The simple layout of Hourani's website reiterates his clear concept - I like the way the colour palette runs throughout - this is something that needs to be a key consideration - easy navigation ensures the user see every intended aspect - everything is on the website - along with being able to buy Hourani's pieces it's resembles an online portfolio - showcasing his work - I feel this is something I would like to take forward - it shows a strong identity.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N

      

Like the way everything in relation to the brand is featured on the website i.e it's like a huge portfolio for hourani as well as online store, projects, collections, blog, store, links to social media platforms. Strong imagery

B R A N D I N G

It's interesting to connote that Hourani simply number his collections freeing them from time and seasons - this is something interesting t take forward - similarly I could incorporate my logo and brand name into collections 2x1, 2x2, 2x3, this could also become pages numbers for my zine, 2x1 2x2 2x3 etc strong branding.
I like the way his logo / brand name is featured on his imagery - always recognisable - 2x1 could be recognisable through logo, name, colour, print , collage - keep anonymity - stay away from the designer - unlike hourani featured on his imagery above.

D E S I G N S

  
 

 

As you can see Houranis designs are very minimal, he has been one of the biggest inspiration for my brand identity, the simple boxy silhouettes really work well but freshly contrast with the loose ruffles and intrication of other designs. The structural elements crete a strong outline - more masculine than feminine but they work for both genders - I feel i need to find the gender balance with my designs - very oversized hides the body shape - boxy creates s structural element - but to much can sway toward masculinity.

C O L O U R   P A L E T T E

    

It is interesting to connote how Hourani has explored colour in his ready to wear clothing, I don't feel this fits well for him, it doesn't make sense and the colour choice does not look effective, this is something to take into consideration for 2x1 brand identity , i feel i have discovered a strong colour palette.