Monochromatic

Not that we here at Carve Designs are opposed to mixing and matching bold and vibrant colors, but there is just something so clean and classic about a head-to-toe monochromatic look. From the runways of Milan to the streets of San Francisco, we can’t get enough of the tonal trend. And who can resist some of the gorgeous yet understated homes that also sport this trend? Want to be able to pull off this look yourself? Scour through your closet and pull pieces with different shades of the same color, add in different textures, and finalize with an optional punch of color from a great accessory. Voila!

Check out these images for some inspiration:

Reds, Whites and Blues

Whatever your July 4^th weekend plans, make sure your travel bag is packed full of a few essential pieces: sunscreen, a versatile sundress, a pair of comfy sandals, and a smattering of red, white and blue attire. Nothing says to the world “I heart Independence Day” like donning these signature patriotic colors, and this summer, red, white and blue clothing and accessories have hit stores with a vengeance. From red Wayfarer sunglasses to blue J Brand Jeans, the combination of these classic colors will welcome you into summer with style.

Take a look at some of the patriotic looks we love!

Flying Over Ocean Beach

Flying over Ocean Beach in SF today I snapped this shot. Looks so peaceful, that I forgot about the pounding I received yesterday while surfing.

Santa Cruz

We are in the midst of our national sales meeting this week. We're prepping our sales reps on the 2012 spring line down in Santa Cruz. Thankfully, we have had time to fit in a little surfing. Our reps are from all over the country, some live in landlocked areas or far away from the beach. But that didn't stop them from taking a lesson from big wave surfer, Tyler Fox from www.santacruzwaves.com. These women now have some serious bragging rights! They braved nor cal surf conditions, wind, cold, grey skies, and actually ripped up the water at beer can beach. I gotta say, these women are bad ass and we think you will agree.

PiciNicaragua

There was a lot going on in the world the past week: royal weddings, Southern hurricanes, Bin Laden’s death, Hawaii released Obama’s birth certificate, the White House Correspondents dinner. And while this was all happening, we didn’t take much notice as we were immersed in the wilds of Tola, Nicaragua shooting our Spring 2012 line on the beach of Playa Iguana. We chose this spot because the stretch of beach is not only famous for its dramatic views, but also for its great surf.

When we arrived, it was beyond hot, but the combination of the bright sun, warm air and temperate water made this ideal location to shoot our new collection. It’s rustic, foreign and yet inviting, and not only did we get to spend our days working in this amazing spot, at the end of the day (well, sometimes in the middle, to0) we got out in the water and cooled off after a day of work with a long, sweet ride.

Our Carve team is ever-growing, and we feel so blessed to be able to work with such dedicated, passionate, energetic, and fun people. Down on the shoot with us was our art director Kiley Hertel from HMNGBRD working alongside our new camera team of photographer Chris Bezamat and videographer Kina Pickett. They do amazing work that truly captures the spirit of our brand. Our long-time stylist and producer Carlee Bewick was also on hand as was hair and makeup guru Chris McDonald. Everyone worked tirelessly along with our talented talent, Kelsey Gallegos, Katherine Carter and Hailey Partridge, who are all surfers, models and all-around fabulous ladies, to capture the atmospheric, nostalgic, feminine look and feel of the spring line.

So here’s a behind-the-scenes look at not just what goes into a Carve shoot, but a look at the people who make Carve what it is.

Coachella

No doubt about it, The Coachella Music Festival is the best and most anticipated music festival in the country. Each April, over 75,000 festival goers make their way to Indio, CA, a tiny town in the desert best known for its proximity to Palm Springs as well as being the home of this celebrated music festival. Three days of music in the blistering sun with a beer in hand…is there a better way to kick off the summer?

Once again this year, some of the best bands and musicians gathered on six different stages scattered on a polo field smattered with palm trees, floating balloons and one very large ferris wheel. Hats off to headliners Arcade Fire, who brought the house down into the late-night hours, permanent smiles across their faces staring into the mass of adoring fans. Other notable triumphs include Cut Copy, The Chemical Brothers, Foster the People, Yelle, Two Door Cinema Club, and Crystal Castles. Crystal Castles lead singer Alice Glass actually had a broken foot, which didn’t stop her at all from putting on an amazingly energetic performance in true Coachella spirit.

Besides the music, the other aspect of the festival we love is the fashion. In one place over three days, only the most hardcore music aficionados gather to party, dance and sing. During the day, girls don their finest and meticulously crafted ensembles, from floaty bohemian frocks to the totally rad get-ups. More often than not, they are dressed in as little as humanly possible, being that it hits upwards of 90 degrees. Gladiator sandals, jean shorts, feathers in the hair, layered jewelry, and leather belts are popular choice, and of course, the ubiquitous sunglasses. Boys tend toward sneakers, shorts, a backpack, and some form of hat, either trucker or fedora. All in all, it truly is a weekend of diverse fashion where individual style takes center stage.

As the weekend winds down, there is an unheard collective sigh, as festival goers realize they will soon have to leave the magical desert oasis they have called home for the past three days. Alas, there will always be next year…

Ty Milford's Photography

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they answer the simple question: Is the glass half full or half empty? When you look at Ty Milford's photography, there's no doubt how he'd answer that question.

Based out of Portland, Oregon, Ty's photography is full of life, vitatlity, joy, and simplicity, which is probably a lot of the reason we love working with him, and why so many people comment on how much they adore his work. Each of his images captures a moment, a ray of sun, the shimmering ocean; there is beauty in everything he chooses to document (including our clothes!). His images just feel so inviting, so comfortable in themselves, like you're walking down an open, empty beach, the sun is low in the sky, and the ocean is beckoning you to dive in. It's all color, playfulness, spontaneousness - all the kinds of things we strive to catch in the lines we create every season.

His website showcases photo after photo of the brighter side of life, where as Ty puts it best, "Black is not a part of my color pallet, and a rainstorm is something that you use as an excuse to steal a kiss under an umbrella."

http://www.tymilford.com/

Here are a few of his best shots he’s captured through the last 5 years for us. Enjoy.