Kenneth Surat

Last March I had a privilege to be invited to the opening night of Design Days Dubai (see link here). This really kicked my inspiration+ creative bone to a high.

With all the furniture (and art pieces) exhibited it feels like I am in what one part of my heaven map.

Compared to last year’s exhibition, this year focused on a more contemporary approach, which is not a bad thing (I just missed seeing some very expensive vintage pieces).

This is a very interesting design for a clock..this is called “clock clock” designed by Humans Since 1982 and currated by Victor Hunt. This unique approach for time management really got my attention. These are actually series of clocks placed together to create a bigger clock. I still cant grasp how this is working.

Another interesting piece is “Jari” by Jihoon Ha. This is a modular, repetitive sculptural piece that works brilliantly as a seat. Perfect I must say!

I also love this stringed art display. This are actual scaled furniture outlines stringed from the ceiling. Although you cannot really seat on them but they are brilliantly installed to create a real 3d sketch.

I cant help to watch how they are producing pearl (a bit brutal I must say—-poor oyster)

After seeing their work, I instantly became their number 1 fan. I want to ruin their partnership and turn it into trio! Studio Swine made my vision possible. What they are actually doing is what was planning to do after working here in Dubai and manage my own design studio. To know more about them visit their website here.

All in all my eyes were satisfied with the buffet of creativity displayed—and of course, I do have some favorite pieces..cant wait for next year’s event!

One of my “neophyte days” events that I did was a grand wedding by an Indian couple in Phuket. It was a very festive event, with 5 days of parties and celebrations  and parties…and more parties, surely the guests really had fun (we had fun also).

One of the night party that was tasked to me was to create a cozy, warm (not that all out rave party) venue. A place where guests can really talk and chill-out with one another. I think the key word there was “chill-out”.

Our venue was the Banyan Cafe in the Banyan Tree Hotel. We played and got inspired with the orange and brown combination like an “Hermes” box. We painted the existing columns in tangerine and wrapped around a rich brown ribbon (wrapping those ribbons were a bit of a headache). We also played around with fabrics of the same motif and created a festive look from a plain resort type cafe.

This is the schematic sketch that I did for the main entrance area. We framed the existing buddha statue with fabrics and ribbons to create a vertical reference. For carpets, instead of red, we thought of using a bolder shade ——yes it is orange!

Here is a schematic sketch for the whole  venue.  We installed a dance floor and a DJ table. Also we created pocket areas for seating (lounge type)

The set-up was a bit nerve wracking, I started coordinating everything early in the morning with painting started a couple of days before, except for the dance floor. The weather was not participating also because it was cloudy with a bit of a drizzle. All in all we did it (Thank God)! It was awesome because we stayed true on what we have designed and it turned out pretty chic and classy.

It was a blessing to have worked with these lovely folks. I learned a lot for my first big event gig. After this, I did a lot of events but I must say, this team has a big place in my heart.

One of my favorite clothing brand just announced their “Savers 50% off” sale. This will run until the 4th of May in all their stores in the UAE.

I am excited to visit their store in Dubai Mall tonight! hooothooot

Images courtesy of Topman Middle East FB page.

Follow the in Instagram at TopmanME

I am getting excited that I will be spending my summer in the US and will walk around the streets of New York and LA. To prepare for my up coming escape, I thought of getting my summer travel inspirations outfits as early as now.

What I am actually looking at are casual and comfortable-ready for anything outfits. I was browsing H&M’s FB photos and saw these simple yet trendy ensembles. This are really perfect for those easy summer travels where you just need to pack and go.

Photos by H&M

You can find their stores around UAE by clicking this Link

For latest offers and trends check their website by clicking this Link

I posted a poster before about Splash’s fashion show with a running title “Splash Fashion League (see this link). It was indeed a very fashionable event full of a very edgy and sporty spring/ summer collection. 

Me and my photographer friend Zheena were invited to gazed this event and have a look at their new collections. 

The good thing about Splash is that their stuff are not expensive (will fit everyone’s budget), all you have to do is to be creative and and have a bit of imagination, which is what this fashion show is all about——CREATIVE FASHION.

Me and my friend Zheena along the red carpet.

The show begins…..

With Splash’s CEO, Raza Beig proud to close this momentous event. 

To know more about Splash and locate their stores here in Dubai, you can click on this link. ——> SPLASH

Looking for some interesting and dynamically infused crowd for a friend’s photography project, our feet was drawn towards the Promenade at the Marina Mall last 21st of March. We saw an advert of the street festival and we thought of checking it out.

It was the 3rd installment of the said event, and I missed the first 2, so I tagged along with my friend when she invited me to come.

I think, because it was the first night, the whole marina neighborhood went and marveled with the different acts of the night. I caught 2 acts a funny juggler and another juggler with a death defying act of juggling knives and a running chainsaw (crazy).

The extreme juggler. He was a bit all over the place, but we enjoyed anyway. He asked me to volunteer to help him on his tall unicycle.

It was a fun night, felt like we are in one of the streets in London. There were a lot of kids and family (with kids). Who says Dubai is all work and we are not having fun?

Here is a video promo of the Dubai Marina Street Fair c/o Dolphine Creative: