Last month, I shared some photos of my latest work for Reebok. The JWF Backpack was designed to hook with sneakers from the Reebok Classics range. This classic, iconic silhouette with universal features is able to adapt to the very different personalities of selected footwear by changing up fabrics, details and trims.
This is the Sophisticated Tech version, designed to pair with the Reebok Ventilator Adapt ST. The neoprene style interlock with a hexagon texture references the Heaxalite cushion technology that these kicks are famous for. The reflective heat transfer branding is a reference to the discreet reflective upper that keeps you visible at night. Coated zippers and shrink-wrapped pullers amplify the sleek bonded details from the sneaker.
photo by Dana Ramler Design
Other features include:
internal webbing loops with a carabiner for usable storage
ballistic nylon base fabric for durability
side pockets for accessible storage you can access on the go
hidden phone pocket on the back panel
shoe bag included for separated stashing of gear that stinks
A full portfolio page complete with the other three backpacks is in the works, so make sure to check back again soon.
I am excited to finally share some of the work I have been doing for Reebok! The JWF Backpack was designed to hook to specific footwear from the Reebok Classics range. The challenge was to create the iconic lifestyle backpack that could use variations in color, trim, fabrications and details to link to a key selection of seasonal footwear.
Photography: Dana Ramler Design
The project began with five versions, each of which has its own distinct personality. A full portfolio page will be coming soon, but for now I wanted to share some images of my favorite: the JW Luxe. This bag, along with the others in this pack, can be found online in many countries, including Canada.
Festival Bag (aka Wayfaring Bag) Summer 2013 | Image by Bright Photo
I've received a few emails from people who love the lululemon Festival Bag (what I called the Wayfaring Bag) that I designed for Summer 2013 and are wondering if it will be available again so they can get their hands on one. I no longer design for lululemon, but I did see on their website today that they brought the Festival Bag back!
This is awesome news for two reasons. It means that:
it was a really successful style (yay!)
all you ladies who have been looking to score this bag but missed it last year are in luck!
Still got it: two years running, this bag is chic both at festivals and on the street | left: photo by Dana Ramler Design, right: photo by lululemon athletica
It looks like there are some great colour combos - I am especially loving the webbing on the grey one. Happy festival season!
Back in July, I promised a Wanderlust recap, and I'm happy to say I have some pictures of my Wayfaring Bag design in action that weekend. It was especially exciting to be using it while I attended this event because Wanderlust Festivalwas the exact scenario I had in mind when I designed this bag.
I used mine the whole week I was in Whistler and, though I realize this may sound biased, I loved it. I was lugging around my yoga mat with my shoulder strap, so it was wonderful to be able to wear the bag around my waist to lighten the load. I loved the phone pocket - it's placement on the back panel of the bag meant I could feel the buzz and stay connected all weekend. It was the perfect size, and the interior pockets were perfect for stashing sunscreen, lip gloss, sunglasses and snacks. The best part? When I went through security at the Saturday night concert, the guard complimented my bag!
Here are some pics of my friend Jess rockin' the lilac bag.
Wanderlust ready. Just add shades and malas.
Wear it around your waist when you don't want anything heavy weighing you down.
I am very excited to share that the release of the highly anticipated Before I Die book is slated for November 5, 2013. Walls from my Small World Big Dreams event will be included in the book, including photographs and personal stories from the wall organizers. In an interview earlier this year, the folks at St. Martin's Press gave me the amazing opportunity to share the story of this event that connected people all over the world in their creation of Before I Die walls on the same day.
There are now over 300 Before I Die walls in over 50 countries and over 20 languages. 304 pages long, this inspiring hardcover book will feature countless walls filled with the world's hopes, fears, humour and heartbreak. It is an awe-inspiring "collection of insights into our aspirations from city to city and as a whole, and much more," - beforeidie.cc. Also included in the book are spin-off projects and walls that were inspired by the Before I Die project, including my Gratitude Wall.
The Before I Die book is now available for pre-order on Amazon, so get your copy right away. I just ordered mine today! Only 70 days until November 5! #cantwait
I am fortunate enough to be attending Wanderlust Festival in Whistler this weekend as a volunteer. For those of you who don't know about it, Wanderlust is a festival celebrating yoga, music, art and much more. These four day summits take place all over North America, with more locations being added every year.
I can't wait to practice yoga with international teachers, dance with friends to awesome music, and be in Whistler during the heat of summer. I plan on posting a Wanderlust recap when I return, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, I thought I'd share this post I found from yogi/blogger/stylist Lexie of The Elle Tee. She did a post about her go-to Wanderlust outfit that features my festival bag design from this year. She has some really great things to say about it. You can see the whole post here.
“This festival bag from lululemon athletica sure makes me feel festive. With the many ways to wear it; from cross body to fanny pack, it’ll be my go-to accessory during Wanderlust.”
— Lexie, theelletee.com
I'm honoured this bag can be a part of Lexie's Wanderlust journey. Hopefully I see even more of these bags in the village at Wanderlust Whistler. Check back again soon for the recap.
This week, my friend Brittney Kwasney of Bright Photography took some time out of her busy schedule to take some product shots of my latest bag design, the Summer Tote. This bag is perfect for taking you from the studio to the beach (or vice versa!) and everywhere between.
photo: Brittney Kwasney of Bright Photography
Brittney is an amazing photographer, and was a complete joy to work with. I can't wait to share the rest of these photos with the world - I'm so happy with how they turned out! In the meantime, you can see drawings and more detailed information about this bag here >
We also have an upcoming shoot planned for the Wayfaring Bag, so be sure to check back in again soon to see more pictures of these great summer bags in action.
* A very special thank you goes out to my beautiful model, Nicole Boileau.
Gear for the beach, the studio, and in between: this bag can fit it all. Photos: Bright Photography
My new Summer Tote design for lululemon is selling really well. Designed to be lightweight and fit all your gear, it's perfect for going from the studio to the beach. New colours were just released - get them while you can!
On the left is the perfect summer festival bag (as an update to this bagfrom last year). Whether you're hitting up outdoor yoga classesor concerts, it's sure to keep your gear safe and your hands free. The adjustable strap allows you to wear it cross body or around your waist - yogi's choice!
On the right is a versatile summer tote (as an update to this bag from last year). Perfect for yoga or beach gear, it's lightweight and has space for everything you need.
ps: I also worked on that mat strap and water bottle!
As we get into the full swing of summer, Wanderlust Festival season is upon us. Yogis across North America will be grabbing their mats and heading to the amazing yoga and music festival at one of the many locations in Canada and the US.
The folks at lululemon have put together a blog post about what to pack, and my latest bag design made the list.
This festival bag was designed with events like Wanderlust in mind. Keep your valuables safe and your hands free as you hit up outdoor classes, concerts, lectures, wine tastings, hikes and much more.
Attending last year's Wanderlust Festival in Whistler was great for research and user-testing. It helped me determine the size, details and essential functionality of this year's bag. The biggest improvements from last year's Festival Bag are the phone pocket, main compartment opening and inner pocketing.
I can't wait to bring the new version with me to Wanderlust Whistler in August! The biggest problem will be which colour to choose: black, orange or purple?
Check back again soon for a full portfolio spread on the newest Festival Bag.
To add to Elim's list, I recommend packing along a small journal. World-class teachers are sharing their wisdom with you all day long, and there will be many ah-ha! thoughts that you'll want to jot down. ~ Namaste ~
Over the weekend, lululemon posted a photo of my latest bag design on instagram. That's a lot of likes! This photo does a great job of showcasing how much stuff was designed to fit inside this bag. It's similar to this drawing I made for last year's version of this bag. What's not visible is the snap-out inner bag that's great for holding smaller items like sunglasses, valuables, hair ties and an mp3 player.
To see more images of the new tote (before it sells out), click here >
I am currently busy putting together portfolio pages for the new bags I designed that recently hit stores. In the meantime, I thought I'd share some of the sketches I created when I was dreaming up ideas for the perfect Festival Bag.
I was especially interested in how to maximize the function of a small, cross-body bag. Expandable compartments and transformable shapes were ideas I started with. The intended fabrics were nylon or polyurethane, with most using the latter only for trim in order to keep the bag lightweight. Key trim details included grosgrain and a wide, colour-blocked webbing.
The final design turned out most like this last sketch here. Check back again for the full portfolio spread coming soon.
Summer is finally here, and so are my latest bag designs for lululemon. On the left is the perfect summer festival bag (as an update to this bag from last year). Whether you're hitting up outdoor yoga classes or concerts, it's sure to keep your gear safe and your hands free. On the right is a versatile tote (as an update to this bag from last year). Perfect for yoga or beach gear, it's lightweight and has secure pockets for everything you need. You can find them both here >
Spring is here, summer is on the way. You want to keep your eyes shaded and your head cool when you're outside enjoying that glorious sunshine. Check out my most recent hat and visor designs for lululemon:
