We came to know and appreciate Omar Sosa through his work on Apartamento Magazine, a unique interiors magazine which has gained international acclaim. Championing the 'everyday life' Apartamento sets itself apart in a refreshingly honest way unearthing fascinating and inspiring people who we are often unacquainted with. As an art director, publisher and graphic designer, Sosa spearheads the project along with his partners Nacho Alegre and Marco Velardi.
Photo of Omar by Danielle Lewitt
Work by Omar Sosa:
Omar Sosa and Marco Velardi - shared their A-Z of creative dos and don'ts, concerns and process in their presentation at Here 2016, a fast-paced festival of creativity curated by It's Nice That.
Omar Sosa nominated the director Albert Moya as a source of inspiration to him
Albert's sense of space, movement, small details and gestures in people struck me in each of his films. It’s like I discover a new world every time I watch one of his short pieces. Maybe it's because I know the backstories of some of them but also because he always surprises me with the treatment and story.
Work by Albert Moya
Albert Moya nominated Luis Venegas, the Creative Director, editor and publisher of Fanzine137, EY! Magateen, C☆ndy, The Printed Dog and EY! Boy Collection
I got to know Luis’ work when I was in art school. I would cover the walls of my bedroom with all the images of Fanzine 137. Like any teenager I would be stoned in my bedroom listening at music and going through all his magazines kind of daydreaming about doing art projects one day, still I didn’t know those things were going to be in film. I hadn’t seen anyone curating a magazine like that, all the heroes he would put together and all those weird zines he would do like the title film credits one. I found a lot of things in there that helped me understand the things I was becoming interested in and that translated in projects I’ve been doing since then.
“I hadn’t seen anyone curating a magazine like that, all the heroes he would put together and all those weird zines he would do like the title film credits one.”
When I became 18 he took pictures of myself for the first issue of Electric Youth. He was supportive with all of us who were kind of lost and trying to figure out what we wanted to do. We became friends since then and whenever I do a film I care about I show it to him and he sends me notes which I really value. He’s a real maestro to me.
Work by Luis Venegas:
Luis Venegas nominated the artist Leo Rydell Jost
photo of Luis by Filip y Kito
Leo Rydell Jost is my favorite person in the world. I’m lucky to know him and seeing him growing up into an exceptional full-time artist. When Leo asked me for creative direction on his first collection of homo-drawings in 2014, I was excited because I love those drawings. We worked together, edited and designed the book in an afternoon. When you’re working with great material the process is really quick. That book was called Colored Dudes and its 100 copies limited edition sold out in less than 48 hours.
“I’m lucky to know him and seeing him growing up into an exceptional full-time artist.”
Now some of those gorgeous drawings - together with great abstract new artworks - have become the subject of Leo’s particular passion: his art rugs which you can lay on the floor or hang on walls. Each one of those fabulous hand-knotted rugs are unique pieces and I bet they’ll sell pretty fast too… Can’t wait to see what’s next for Leo.
Work by Leo Rydell Jost:
Loewe Book's Editorial and Creative Director Luis Venegas at printers with his dog - Perri White - and Project Manager Lucía Zaballa.
Leo Rydell Jost nominated the fashion designer Ketevane Maissaia
Photo of Leo by Luis Venegas
Ketevane's inspiration sources are so unusual that it always catches me off guard. She has a way of living and thinking that it is not from this decade, and possibly not the same century. I guess growing up in soviet Georgia is partly responsible for her unique mindset.
Her design, Le Moccasin Zippe, doesn't feel like just footwear. She has the ability to empower a product with character and life. I feel like part of her is encapsulated in each different model, like an enchantment (or a curse...). It is almost obvious the amount of thought that there is on its creation and evolution.
“She has this force, an aura, that doesn’t allow her to fail or to let herself down”
I was overwhelmed by her creativity when we met almost 2 years ago in Loewe, since then she has brain washed me into being a positive thinker. She has this force, an aura, that doesn't allow her to fail or to let her self down. I've learned from her that there is a level of confidence that can only be achieve when you are THAT good. Things can't go wrong when you are doing everything right in life.
Ketevane Maissaia's footwear and eyewear range:
Ketevane Maissaia nominated the photographer Kamilya Kuspan:
Kamilya is a poetic person, cultivated, with interesting point of view, that also reflects on her photography. She's got Kazakh background, mixed with western perceptions, I know her more than 10 years now, and I can still learn from her and exchange inspiring ideas. She is very strong person but also really sensible and fragile.
Kamilya Kuspan* and her work (L: L'Idiote fashion editorial for Possession Immédiate, R: Signes Des Temps)
* image of Kamilya by Donald Gjoka
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