We like to introduce you people selected by the third creative call WHAT’S MORE ALIVE THAN YOU™ for shoes, bags and contemporary jewellery projects.

AKIKO TANAKASHI
THIS IS ME
Tokyo – Japan, September 28, 1979

My name is Akiko. I was born near Tokyo thirty-two years ago. When I was a child I wanted to be a scientist and travel around the world, then one day my grandmother made me a dress from a seamstress friend of hers. Seeing this person drawing, cutting and sewing clothes made me take the way of design. I like history and traditions, too, I love old objects and antique prints, but also very modern things. When I think of objects I always try to mix modern feelings with ancient tradition. To me, this means giving continuity to history. My project reflects these wishes of mine and this is the first time I have drawn fashion accessories.

ERIKKA S. BAHNSEN
THIS IS ME
Copenhagen – Denmark, October, 3 1973

Erikka S. Bahnsen is a multi artist and Designer, who has been working in the Couture at John Galliano Paris, Christian Dior Paris as well for Giorgio Armani Privé Milano. She graduated from the Danish Design school in fashion in 2006, and has been a finalist in “It’s 4” (International Talent Support), has exhibited at the world Expo 2005 and was the winner of the prestigious ”The Golden Fur Pin” award 2006. Her passion for making shoes has been a long time ”affair”, and in Erikka´s perspective, shoes are sculptural little objects. Erikka is a specialist in materials, and combining luxury with a sense of humour she succeeds to create wearable luxury shoes for women.

PAOLA BIMASO
THIS IS ME
Brunico – Bozen, Italy – August 12, 1985

I’ve always been fascinated by the contradiction, by the opposites: this is the inspiration of my work. I play with different materials, from the richest to the poorest to create accessories, where this mix is harmoniously combined.
Through my work I try to find out the romantic side of all the contradictions that characterize our society and to combine these stunning dissonances today.

SELEN CORYNELL
THIS IS ME
Oporto, Portugal – March 26, 1977

I think bags are my future: as a child I used to steal my mother’s grocery bags, I wanted to carry them to feel something leaning on my arm: it makes me feel safe, I liked the idea to bring with me a holder to carry things.
That’s why I arrived to design bags, with the aim to turn a simple “things holder” in such a kind of accessory you do not want to leave anymore.

CRUZON LEE
THIS IS ME
Brisbane, Australia – May 2, 1990

I’m not an artist, I’m not a designer but I have a lot of projects on the drawer. Emotions and feelings that I feel I design on a piece of paper, on the back cover of a book.
Mine is an ongoing attempt to turn feelings and emotions into objects, which now, in part, I taken out of the drawer.

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