CO/LAB

Established out of deep-rooted enthusiasm for design experimentation and collaboration. 

More than point-based communication and client feedback, Co/Lab is trying to blur the gap in the client – design agency rapport. By assembling new forms of transdisciplinary research, we aim to outset the development of collaborative design within Bel Epok, and in-between Bel Epok and external agents; to establish these new concepts, we apply our already-proven practices to a more experimental design approach.

#7 KAMPUS Matryoshka Artists Edition

For its most recent collaboration, BEL EPOK created a set of three wooden cases decreasing in size, one hidden inside another, in resemblance of the matryoshka doll. 

They were painted, numbered and signed by the Brazilian - Portuguese artist KAMPUS, using spray paint and acrylic on wood with a gloss varnish finish. The wooden characters were produced sustainably in both material and method, in partnership with a local manufacturer in Germany.

 ‘Saushioska’ is the artist’s second 3D edition: his recognisable Sausage character acts as a joyful, humorous visual moniker commenting on societal force-feeding and the conditioning into conformity sold as a novelty. The limited edition was released this past September 21st at the Wertheim - home of People of Werth, during “Tricking the inevitable,” the artist’s first solo show in Cologne, Germany. 

Artist bio references ©https://www.kampu5.com

#6 CARAN D'ACHE VARIUS TROPHY

Caran d’Ache unveils Varius Trophy, a subtle reinterpretation of the world of golf and the latest addition to its emblematic Varius collection. A genuine ode to precious materials, the Varius collection is a labour of love of craftsmen displaying traditional know-how. Bel Epok joined efforts with the Swiss Maison in creating these Haute Écriture instruments that combine technical innovation and sophisticated design in a surprising blend of materials and textures.
 
The Limited Edition collection is comprised of a Fountain Pen, Ballpoint Pen or Roller Pen, accompanied by a smooth night blue European calfskin leather pouch and packaged in a Varius cardboard case covered with premium night blue textured paper inspired by the colour of the pen body.

#5 PEOPLE OF WERTH

 “Slow working is not a crime” is the manifest of Cologne-based co-working space Wertheim. An attitude which effortlessly translates into design, and was brought to life in collaboration with Bel Epok.
 
Slow-crafted design goods: choosing low-impact, non-toxic, sustainably produced or recycled materials which require little energy, albeit more time to process, and practices applied to the making of these products that encourage sustainability, the People of Werth collection was born deeply rooted in the “Slow working” ethos.
 
Based on a slow-consumption model, People of Werth products are designed to bridge the gap between home and office with ease, by offering a carefully considered collection of timeless objects, compromised by neither trends nor seasons.
The products are composed of top quality slow-materials, thoughtfully designed to the very detail and made by reputable manufacturers in the EU.

Bel Epok unites a complementary cluster of highly specialized strategic and creative abilities focused on the fashion, fragrance and luxury market. 

#4 HUMIECKI & GRAEF

A limited edition consisting of four of the eight HUMIECKI & GRAEF fragrances.
 
This project united our in-depth knowledge of floral symbolism in occidental iconography with our technical/material expertise in working with porcelain. A single flower was selected for each of the selected scents, symbolizing the main inspiration for the fragrance: the result is an exclusive series of flacons in a sophisticated adaptation of the established HUMIECKI & GRAEF oblong bottle design, perfected with custom-made illustrations by artist Wouter Dolk.
 
The HUMIECKI & GRAEF Porcelain Edition is limited to 130 individually numbered flacons of each scent worldwide. Each of these precious one-off items is packaged in a custom paper and linen box, created especially for this unique edition.

#3 ODE MAGAZINE

Concept and editorial design for the inaugural issue of ODE MAGAZINE: a thematic design collage expressing the experience of scent in word and picture. 
 
How do we see the things we smell? What images appear in our minds? ODE put this question to 33 “picture makers”: people who either themselves create images or who are passionately devoted to pictures. Each of these creative individuals have delivered their personal perfume favorite from its transient olfactory existence and immortalized it in an associative visual image. In a separate feature, thirteen photographers each received an “anonymous” perfume in neutral packaging, without brand name or distinctive features. Guided only by their sense of smell they each submitted a visual interpretation of what they associated with the scent as soon as they smelled it.
 
An image of a bouquet might first make us think of the significance of the art object itself, its coloration or symbolism, but do we immediately “have a nose” for a picture?

#2 BOTTLED SEDUCTION

Concept, consulting and co-curation of an exhibition about perfume packaging and the visual world of perfumery.
 
Fragrances are not only a bottled seduction; their packaging and imagery carry an entire library of dreams and desires.
The exhibition represents in a broad scope all aspects of this seductive universe. Packaging plays an essential role as an image creator and shows the changes in fashion and the importance of artistry. The exhibition also reflects the evolution of advertisement and the creation of gender images through images and words.
 
To join the exhibition as a consultant and adviser was a perfect opportunity to show the deep knowledge of Bel Epok within the field of Image building through packaging and visual identity. The exhibition took place at Museum Bellerive (Zürich/CH) in 2011/2012

#1 RÉPÊT-À-PORTER

Métro - Fashion Editorial created to showcase the new faces of renowned modeling agency Viva Models Paris.
 
After styling and make-up, models were instructed to take the Paris métro to a nearby stop and wait to be escorted to the location of the shooting. The shoot occurred “surreptitiously” though, as the models emerged from the station and waited outside. This way, the outcoming result became less of a composed editorial and more of a streetstyle shoot, that revealed the unique disposition of each model.