RIY_KA

SS PRODUCTION DONE AND DUSTED

2012-01-21T04:12:00.000-08:00

It has been a hard stressful month with getting all the pieces cut for the sample machinists, I can now say that I am truly happy that we did it, with the help of a lovely intern and my responsible husband:)I have learnt so much from this month, its not easy to put together a big production, but it made me think of different points in my design that I could change in order of making it easier, or more accessible to produce.but still, we had fun, like with everything else we do!!**all pictures thanks to my instgram

I am not a skater boy

2012-01-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

cleaning up my memory disk on my camera, I came across these lovely images I took at an opening for Tim Hans at the print space in shoreditch
I am no skater boy/girl, but I just love how these images are so real, its dificult to capture the skater culture with out it looking like every other skater image you have seen, but these are special

TEXTILE INSPIRATION SS 12

2012-01-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

working on the flat drawings for SS 12 production, and playing with the triangles in my dresses created some fun textures, it cant all be boring paper work and hours of boring Photoshop when you are madly stressed about production, I am sure the will be more of these little visual teasers:))

Hello stranger

2011-12-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

I am so busy updating all my other social networking bitts and bobbs that I forgot about my dear blogger, my lovely friend anya holdstock, who shot my SS 12 look book, used a couple of the AW 11-12 for a recent shoot she did
I love these images, the is something very textural about them, its always nice to see the pieces in a new light

2011-11-30T01:15:00.001-08:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

its still AW

2011-11-20T14:23:00.000-08:00

Have found some more AW 11-12 images on the fantastic photographer's website who shot the AW look book, ludo, so nice to see some new images, love them !! thanks Ludo:))

Open studio 28.10.11

2011-10-29T14:30:00.001-07:00

what a lovely evening in the studio, I dont know if its the Halloween vibe, or the booze and music, but the studio was rammed Friday night, the whole building was open for viewing , we got a good lot of traffic, it also might have been the very colorful cup cakes I made, but cant wait to have more parties in the studio, work and pleasure-always works best:)

get into the beat

2011-10-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have done and dusted with the SS 12 collection, and now the is time for reflections on what I made, and what I was inspired by, I guess its all about the movement, the beat and the dynamics of a certain culture, I am still sticking with the African vibe- and this collection is inspired by fela kutti and his beautiful wifes, the is something so inspiring about the way they moved, sang and applied there make up...something a little mystical, but still extremely groovy:)))

Not Just Riyka

2011-10-23T09:54:00.000-07:00

The last months have been so exciting for our little label.
AW has been in the shops for almost 2 months and we are getting ready for SS 12 production, and of course not to forget the AW 13 which is cooking up a storm in the studio...at times the stress is high, but sometimes we get little mentions in press here and there, and it puts a smile on are face:))
this gives us a little bit more energy and fuel to keep working and getting RIYKA out there...recent press we got from Not just a label and Beyond the valley
RIYKA AW 11-12 is stocked with both shops

1 SNAPSHOT

2011-10-09T09:57:00.001-07:00

Its getting colder, but I still have my eyes on spring, another little preview

SPRING IS IN THE DISTANCE??!!

2011-09-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

A little preview of things boiling up in my kitchen...had a very successful SS look book shoot, and I am very happy with the results...the is still time for this collection to make its full showcase(in different to the main fashion calander)...but I will fill you in slowly as the time gets near
x
thanks to anya holdstock
ellie weston
amy conley
& jennivi jordan

back to the gypsies

2011-08-14T04:47:00.000-07:00

found these amazing photos by Iain mckell in a small article in ID last month, they are so magical, they are very much like a lot of the images I found researching for my gypsy love collection, but these ones where from more or less a century ago..Iain mckell started taking the pictures of these nomadic people in 2001, at continued photographing them for 10 years.

I was captivated.

MY WALL FOR SUPERMARKET SARAH

2011-08-03T12:16:00.001-07:00

I am now part of the Supermarket Sarah wall tradition, I am so excited, it was such a fun experience, and really enjoyed making a massive riyka inspired wall! spent 2 days painting a wall in the studio, and mucking around with acrylic, see what we got up 2!!

also wanted to thank ludo for great final photo

Lloyd Thomas

2011-07-27T02:50:00.001-07:00

This friendly man said to me that I should not worry, he is the guard/security outside my studio, colonel Loyd Thomas in order of her majesty, queen Elizabeth the second, I feel safe now:)

color frenzy

2011-07-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have liked Jean Michael basquiat for a very long time. the chaos of his art is truly captivating, spent a good hour this afternoon looking through images I found online, and some of his SAMO graffiti..just needed a break from the horrible goings on, on the telly, and something/somewhere to get lost in

SO YELLOW

2011-07-08T04:56:00.001-07:00

Continuing with the summer vibe, I only seem to be seeing yellow, its actually not such a bad color, maybe as a kid I didn't like it, but this summer it is a very big color, trend-wise, thanks to Prada and the bananas...here are some of my personal favorites

Mister yellowman

Suno

vivianne sassen for dazed

Uslu Airlines

Tsumori Chisato

John Michel Basquiat

SUNSHINE BLUES

2011-07-03T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have only been back in the Uk for a few days now...my tan is slowly disappearing, and the sent of salty sea air is vaporizing..(mostly because I have washed all my holiday cloths), the weather here in London isn't that bad, but the sky is still Grey, and I just need that sea air so much...

Juergen Teller

Wolfgang Tillmans

Lina Scheynius

Corrine Day

ISRAVIBE

2011-06-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Being lazy, and not updating your blog is very unappealing, only if your excuse is that you have been relaxing by the Mediterranean for the last 2 weeks, and taking time out to breath in all that has happened in the last year, and what still needs to be done.
I love Israel, and I will always consider it my other home, its hot, and the temper is fierce, the people are warm and the colors are so vibrant everywhere, the is something about that part of the world that always inspires me, and makes me think about-spices, walking on warm sand, the smell of sun cream and beautiful sun sets, non stop traffic noises, the taste of oranges and the smell of the sea.. its always difficult to come back,but it is bitter sweet, because I am now filled with new energy for the next year of work...and so inspired..I have also refreshed my memory on some delicious fashion moments from Israel, these images, capture to me the essence of my Israel

Rikma

Fini Leitersdorf

Fini Leitersdorf

Oberzon 83

Tami Ben Ami-legendary model

Gottex add campaign 1980

Gottex 94

Galabiya dress, Rozi ben yosef

MAKE IT WORK

2011-05-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

so we are working, me and my man on 2 collections at the moment, which is really fun, because we are very busy, but it is, sometimes really difficult to make it clear in my brain what I am exactly doing every day, between working on the production for AW and making up the new SS for next year, together with my lovely machinists can sometimes make me want to just be a little silly...we will make it, but only through a little song and dance on the way:))

some 70's triangular action from nigeria

2011-05-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

In my mind at the moment is this 1 image of Fela Kuti,

And here is my representation

OH YOHJI

2011-05-23T03:11:00.000-07:00

New film "This is my dream", an insiders glimpse into the secret world of Yohji
cant wait to get my hands on it!!

Vogue Paris August 09

Mr Kuti, you are on my mind

2011-05-19T13:13:00.001-07:00

Working on SS for next year...

another little preview

2011-05-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

A lovely image taken on the day we shot the AW lookbook styled by Jennivi Jordan
Model-Carola wisny
Photographer-Ludovic des cognets
Hair and Make up-Nicola Moores

A spring Summer mish mash with an amazing crew

2011-05-07T04:33:00.000-07:00

A month ago we shot the AW look book with an amazing crew;

Model-Carola wisny
Photographer-Ludovic des cognets
Stylist-Jennivi Jordan
Hair and Make up-Nicola Moores

we had a little time left at the end...and we shoot a few of the SS pieces,
I was pretty excited at the end, because I got to see my pieces in a new light(literally...amazing sun light coming in all day into the studio...)thanks to great ideas of the crew I worked with, Thanx Y'all:))

A little bit of Cana Cana inspiration AW 12

2011-05-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

I have been very absent, but it is not because of laziness...starting a business aint easy, but me and my bf are tackling it from every possible angle, I need another set of hands to blog, unfortunately this is not something I have/can get...but for the meantime, here are some of my thoughts for next AW...some nice pix to come soon

new book

2011-04-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Thanx to IT Hunter, who posted about this photographer a few weeks back, I ordered the book from amazon, and it arrived last week, I am so happy with it, and inspired by the incredible images Hans Silvester has taken of the Surma and Mursi tribes that live in the lower valley of the Omo, and seem to effortlessly create beautiful fashion out of nature.

business like

2011-04-12T14:42:00.001-07:00

They are here, after a month's wait they arrived this morning, 250 crisp white cotton letter-pressed business cards...:))

stocked now at Negre

2011-04-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

Gypsy Love collection is now stocked in the lovely boutique/gallery Negre 146 culombia rd London

cant get enough of this collection

2011-03-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

A few more dollars in the bank would allow me to spend on this gorgeous collection, already spotted on so many people during fashion week, I have my eyes on the shoes and the sunnies(I am willing to settle)...also stuck in a few more of Pat MaCgrath work that I really like

makes you want to dance, Prada S/S 11

Balenciaga S/S 11/Gisele in a wig?

Balenciaga S/S 11

and one oldie- one of my favorite models,MariaCarla/Vogue Italia /Oct 2010

new ideas

2011-03-14T11:34:00.001-07:00

Have completed the AW collection, and with little time to spare I decided to make me a dress for summer, but I have also started with ideas for the next collection, so here are a bunch of thoughts that are inspiring me at the moment.

LFW

2011-03-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

I had a very nice experience a few weeks ago, I got to go to the LFW exhibition, and got to see 2 of my favorite designers work. at the time holy fulton had still not shown, so I got to see some of the SS collection, and as for Louise grey...well its a spot mania overload!!! Inlove:))

a moment captured

2011-03-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Thank you self service magazine for capturing the beautiful moments at this seasons fashion weeks, and a special thank you to Morgan O'donovan for a really inspiring image.

music to my ears and eyes

2011-02-24T06:10:00.000-08:00

Toots and the Maytals

Max Romeo and the upsetters

Gregory isaacs

the sartorialist
connection

truth

2011-02-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

I discovered Pieter Hugo this week...I am sure that I have seen these images before somewhere.

I love them...they are raw with honesty, and truly capture the reality of Africa.

ready for the shop

2011-02-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is the First look Ready for sale, I will be putting some of the Gypsy Love collection in a new shop in brick lane called Laundrette..the are a few more pieces yet, but this is the first one, and I feel pretty happy about adding in the belt,I think it gives the Tito Dress a little added value:))
p.s note the new branding...R_A is the ofspring of riyka, for easier and more casual pieces, more info will be on the website in April

its just me

2011-02-10T07:13:00.000-08:00

I dont want to seem vain, but I really like these images that a very nice photograher named Modi Bovicelli took of me last year when we where taking some test shots for the Gypsy Love collection...I was just cleaning up my files when I found these.
its me looks like circa 78-79 in my favorite leggings, Take note that the pictures are very blurry, but you can always see my signature wide smile in all of them..

Vincent

2011-01-29T10:16:00.000-08:00

Looking at Margiela’s collection on The fashionisto made me think about a couple of Vincents, specially because one of them is appearing around a lot recently due to the amazing “Black swan” that I am yet to see, anyway so these vincents and the margiela collection all represent to me a male aesthetic that I really admire…a man who is confident, has a mysterious strong gaze in his eyes and is pretty much FIERCE…I mean menswear its not really my field, but sometimes I just love looking at the way it is evolving and how it has many different of styles within it, and hey, the is nothing wrong with enjoying a look at some really well dressed fierce men giving you that mysterious look…enjoy the vincents!

Maison Martin Margiela Fall/Winter 2011

Vincent Gallo

Vincent cassel

growing pains

2011-01-21T10:17:00.000-08:00

thinking about the past, growing up and the pain of becoming a spotty teenager...listening to my older brother's music blasting through the wall, waiting for the weekly episode of My so called life and swooning over Jordan Catalano...hoping that I would grow up to look like kate moss while my mum dressed me and my sister in matching Laura Ashley dresses....

the little shop of treasures

2011-01-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

ceiling!!!!

found another gem next to my studio, this perfect little record/cd shop with all the kinda music I love, and its got an amazing ceiling???!!!

we are still workin

2011-01-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

Had a little break from are busy schedule's to try on the new toiles that I have been working on...shame that you cant see the lovely sewing:((( (very proud of myself!)

cant wait to actually have this piece made!!
p.s boyfriend didnt fit into any toiles...but put some of him in anyway

Fela's Queens

2011-01-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

r“In the West Fela Kuti, the creator of Afrobeat, is know by many as “the man who married 27 wives”. On 18 February 1978 he married the entire female entourage of his band in a ceremony conducted by a Yoruba priest. There are many sides to the group marriage, besides the sensational ones, but it would need an essay to explain them. The group marriage lasted until Fela’s release from prison in 1985. Stating that he no longer believed in marriage, he divorced the 12 wives that were still with him. Many, however, remained part of his entourage until his death…”

I have wanted to write about Fela Kuti for ages, but since I am in my Africana mood at the moment, I thought it would fit right in my recent train of thought.

Besides his amazing music, he was a massive personality, performer and political activist.

His women stunningly beautiful.

Each one so vibrantly decorated. Truly inspiring.

cana cana africana

2010-12-27T10:26:00.000-08:00

Phyllis Galembo

poster for this wickeeeed band gazelle

Working very hard at the moment on my second collection...have spent the afternoon putting some inspiration images together...while I was doing some organizing of files on the computer, yet again trying to do a million things at the same time.

some of these I just absolutely love, and they kind of represent my mood at the moment.

this is where I have gone to

2010-12-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

so busy...wish I had more time to blog

my mr man is helping me be more productive

creative surrondings

2010-12-03T09:36:00.001-08:00

Spent the last 2 Thursdays In different openings around the east end.Thursday evening was spent doing icy trekking with my other half around Brick lane, Hoxton.

First went to stolen space that always seem to have really good openings, they also always seem to have nice alcoholic juices!!

Last night they where exhibiting a feast for my eyes-a mixture of collage and great graphics for an exhibition titled “never judge”, a little bit more info from the preview Email-

…”Stolen Space in association with Penguin Books plan to celebrate the art of the book cover
with a show entitled ' Never Judge?’
For this exhibition we will be filling the gallery with original book covers exclusively created for this show
by our favorite artists from around the world, there will also by gyclée prints available from some of the pieces
created. The show promises to be a visual feast working in conjunction with Penguin Books and their upcoming Penguin Essentials project”

The second place we went to was a Xmas feast held in a great gallery/shop in Hoxton called KK outlet which was holding a special evening for the Dutch Santa Claus, who arrives at the beginning of December…which is a lot of fun for the kids(big ones as well), the seemed to be a problem with the electricity in the place(ie not working), but that just made the whole thing more magical, and together with a few glasses of wine, chocolate and some xmas songs the evening turned out to be a perfect start for my Xmas celebrations!!

Last but not least 2 weeks ago went to open studio’s evening at Netil house, a huge industrial building turned into creative spaces in London fields not far from home , found this really nice Jewelry designer-Dynasty, loved her Butterfly trade mark, me thinks ‘XMAS’ gift!!

Merel

2010-11-27T11:46:00.001-08:00

I was reading through ELLE December edition, and found this stunning image, buy Clare Shilland, this image won the ELLE commission prize.

the image is simply called Merel.

Shilland is a London based Photographer, who is also inspired by the Amercian photographer Larry clark, Clark is the man behind films such as- Ken park, Kids and Bully, which I have watched many times...amazing movies, Clark's movies have this "in your face" raw sexiness about them, but somehow manage to capture, in a odd way the beauty of youth, and reckless teenage behavior, which is not really a beautifull concept on it own, but somehow Clark manages to make these Teenagers look like Hero's, well they did to me.

I love the soft tones in the pictures and the "realness" of the characters in them, both Clark and Shilland.

I could not for some reason upload the kids trailer...so here is the link

Larry clark

vogue history

2010-11-22T12:26:00.001-08:00

I cant remember how this book came into my hands, it belonged to my mum, and was probably given to her when she married, or something, I love it, and it goes everywhere with me...

published 1977

"This Sumptuous yet eminently practical handbook gives the facts and possibilities about health and beauty honestly without feeding women's dreams and illusions..."

some new items and new shoot

2010-11-22T03:09:00.000-08:00

One of the perks of being in a big building full of other creative's is having a really good photographer as your neighbor, as I have recently done some editing and re-sewing with my lovely seamstress for the spring summer collection, I thought it would be a good idea to shoot it again, my Neighbor Bernie was up for the job, and he brought along his very helpful stylist Mia....thank you Samar for the modelling, you rocked!!

2010-11-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

a perfect day by the sea side,Judy's vintage fair, groovy grampa's, pebbled beaches, yummy cupcakes, fish an' chips warming tea made me think of British things I love and some funky ol' Pearly kings and queens, all things British, The kings and queens were not there...but certainly in my mind

2010-11-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

miss long days in the garden, miss my pink sunnies not so missing hours upon hours of beading... although I love the end result, its Autumn now, almost winter and I just wanted a flash of bright color before it goes grey for a long time

cant get it out of my head

2010-11-12T04:31:00.000-08:00

I know its a Spring Summer collection, but I would love one of these to wear over xmas celebration's
The is something so effortlessly cool about the massive stars, the shiny fabrics, and the length of the dresses...

swing it

2010-11-12T03:21:00.001-08:00

Have been working really hard on Branding for RIY_KA...its a tuff nut to crack, but my other half has been a clever clogs , and is really helping me get my identity into the labels, swing tags etc..
ha ha and also taking silly pix in my space, which is getting very busy looking,feel very cosy:))

Red and Yellow and some new shoes

2010-11-05T05:38:00.001-07:00

I love this time of year...the colors are so beautiful

BEAUTY

2010-11-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Spent the afternoon at the barbican, went to see the "future Beauty, 30 years of Japanese Fashion"

one word-Stuning

white city

2010-10-24T04:58:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I came back from Tel Aviv, and a while since Fashion week, but I still have this lingering feeling to express how beautiful Tel Aviv is, coming back to London is A big change every time, but luckily I spent a lot of time occupying myself with some gorgeous fashion week favorites, which in some kind of way made the change much easier, and I am now ready for a fresh start, a clean white page…

boy by band of outsiders

Jill sander
Acne
Dries van noten

2010-09-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

I am little bit of a stranger to my blog, but I have been so busy with many things that I have had no time to write about anything…
But on the other hand I have had so many ideas for posts and designs etc, maybe its better some times to focus on a couple of things instead of a million, specially if you are a scatter brain like me.
So first things first, I have a new studio space in the best of areas, it’s in ridley road Market, the international hub of Dalston, east London, and the day I moved in they had an open studio weekend, so I got to invite a couple of friends to have a booze up and see my work, and other peoples work in the building, Juliet Sugg my neighbour in the studio share was also there, and I got to see some of her illustration/art work…its so cool, and ILook forward to spending some freezing winters in are creative space together!
Oh and most importantly it was my b-day …had loads of champrs and got some loverly b-day cards!!

Look how happy I look, Sophie gave me"afternoon Tea" at Claridges for my b-day

I heart NOKI

2010-08-18T06:20:00.000-07:00

I have recently stumbled across this amazing shop-123 in the heart of east London.

After reading up about it in dazed digital, was really happy to come across it, while walking around Brick Lane this weekend, the store, which is a sustainable fashion concept store holds the exclusive collection of NOKI’S NHS (I have been really interested in this designer NOKI for a while) diffusion line, I have been so inspired by this designer, since I love the idea that each piece he creates is so crafted, and you can really see the love that has gone into manipulating the fabric and shape of the garment, plus it has this unique feel to it, and of course each one-off piece is so vibrantly eye catching. I love it!!

Ridley road market and some crazy hair twisting

2010-08-16T02:58:00.000-07:00

This Jem of a market is ten minutes from my house, just up the road,a short walk, and I arrive at Pandora’s Box of inspiration.

I love this market, and especially the little hair salons were if you have the right kind’a hair you can get a very funky hair do.

The women in the little hair salons were not to keen on me taking photos…so I have added some images here that I have found on the web of some of these amazing hair styles, I find this tradition of hair braiding fascinating, and some of the hair braids could defiantly be translated into some really intricate knits…only if I had the skill to knit more than the regular stocking stitch etc…

I will stick to admiring the images for the time being, since my hair is way to short, and way to difficult to manipulate into any sort of hair style.

some fancy hair twisting,in this image goddess

braiding

british style braiding

looking

2010-08-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

what caught my eye while wandering around the east end

collecting

2010-08-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

what my eyes see, and what I select to keep;my sketch book, a visual presentation of my thoughts

paul gauguin

Chris ofili

Henry moore

shooting gypsy love

2010-08-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

so I spent Monday with the talented photographer Paulina Surrys and Riona O'Sullivan an amazing make up artist,shooting Sophie Frost for my first Spring Summer collection Lookbook.

I wanted to share the general mood...so here are some pictures behind the scenes and the amazing images will come later :))

it was a hard day...physically to say the least, carrying photographers lights camera's and other tech stuff that I don't know how to pronounce. but being around other creative people is truly inspiring, and I was very happy with the end result.

Dots and stripes and everything nice, and some African fascination…

2010-07-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I seam to constantly be looking into the African culture for inspiration, I am always collecting images by African artists/musicians etc…so I have ended up with this nice collection of images, that I feel really represent my mood at the moment, and I just love the feeling you get from them…a kind of African beat..

Around January my other half found these pictures by Malick sidibe (a Malian photographer noted for his Black and White studies of popular culture in the 1960 in Bamako) in the guardian, and I immediately went to look up who and were he comes from, the combinations of fabrics in the portraits that he took are just up my street, and I love how serious all the models look in the photos, although they are in black and white, I feel that they are exploding with colour.

cousins
friends
flowers and a motorcycle
view from behind
posing in the studio

And of course I had to add these incredible dandies into the whole story, because they have such a brilliant outlook on life, and dressing up is the main issue here.

The gentlemen of Bacongo, is a book by Daniel Tmagani, which tells the story (through images) behind these African dandies, dressed immaculately in vibrant colored designer wear, Against the harsh surroundings of the shanty towns in the heart of the Congo.

Looking through these images got me thinking straight away about Junya Watanabe spring summer 2009…a phenomenal collection that to me defiantly carries that African beat