Boutique of The Week – Ans Designs

Ans Designs is an online store based in the UK featuring designs that are organically and authentically Argentine, the accessories shop runs the gamut from quirky and whimsical to modern and iconoclastic. The common thread is a wildly imaginative interpretation of design. In the aftermath of an economic crisis, Buenos Aires has become home to a burgeoning design community. The current (and very exciting) zeitgeist in Argentina features a dynamic artistic and cultural reinvention, one that champions individual spirit, creative expression, and local flavour. Looking inward for inspiration and materials, Argentinean designers have become uniquely resourceful artisans, transforming local materials—often waste products—into beautiful contemporary designs. Featured worldwide, from Harrod’s department store in London to the Museum of Modern Art in NYC to the Argentinean design showcase in Tokyo, these Argentine designers are true local stars in a city where global brands take a backseat to up-and-coming natives.

Merging an earthy creativity with artisanal independence and entrepreneurial perseverance, Argentineans have created a flourishing and distinctly local artistic community. The store motto of Ans is “beauties dealer,” and there is a strong sense that one is discovering local treasures on its pages. The handmade featured products are mostly limited runs, or are so dependent on found materials that each piece is one of a kind.

We believe that style comes first. It is our basic assumption that no consumer will purchase our products because we are on the mission to save the Earth. Rather, people will buy what looks good on them or what’s hot. However, by promoting our brand, we hope to enhance the planet, elevate consumer consciousness, and transmit our values, not just our sense of style. Our objective is to merge design with social and environmental consciousness to provide stylish, functional, and durable products that people will love to own.

Ans examines the various ways in which fashion designers and artists approach green fashion and design, from materials and processes to concepts and techniques (products made from organic or alternative fibres, recycled or re-used materials). We are committed to provide customers with brilliant products and to exceed their expectations in every way possible. And we offer international door to door delivery.

Some of our designers

Miss Pelpa - Carnavalito

Miss Pelpa is a dream that leaves Marta’s head and goes right into her hands to give life to pieces that are a classic proposal, with noble and traditional materials, crafted meticulously using a fusion of techniques and materials that generate a visual and tactile language that surprises with its colours, combinations and shapes. Marta’s desire is to wake up the senses, to transmit diversion, spontaneity, freedom and respect to our planet promoting the use of ecological and recycled materials

Gruba - Innovative Handbags

Ans offers a selection of bags made from ecoleather, a product created when leather shavings and threads are turned into a paste and pressed into innovative designs. Gruba’s high-tech and sleek modular bags feature interchangeable interior liners for versatility. For a bit more fanciful touch, the bags and necklaces of Argentine design group

Perfectos Dragones X Les Paul Small

Perfectos Dragones feature an interplay of graphic and industrial influences.

Awax - Handmade handbags

AWAX manufactures handmade products using natural yarns such as llama, sheep wool hand spun, natural linen, cotton and leather. AWAX combines trends and urban style

Vaca Valiente - AMIGOS

For the home, ecoleather takes a playful turn with Vaca Valiente’s whimsical line of home organizers, key ring tabs, and games. In fun shapes like kangaroos and tortoises, the organizers will liven up any desktop or entry table. The games merge the idea of fluid sculpture with creative play and can work as decoration, children’s toys, conversation pieces, or décor.

Las Guata Jewellery

Greca creates bold and bright necklaces from yet another material saved from the waste pile, this time polyester resin from an environmental button producer. The brilliantly hued baubles in Las Guata come from a less industrial source, yet one just as local—naturally dyed Tagua nuts from South American rainforests.

The designers featured favour the decentralized, less industrialized manufacturing processes available in Argentina. Most designers also produce their own wares; some like the trio behind Perfectos Dragones employ a collective, team-style process for both design and production. VAG is a design laboratory, experimenting with transforming recycled materials into original pieces. For most designers, producing small batches is an economical solution, and popular products receive a wider launch, creating an engine for innovation.

Marina Callis

As the companies grow, they have maintained their commitment to recycling and giving back to the community. Argentine accessory designer Marina Callis is a major figure on the local design scene, featured in fashion magazines and fine boutiques. Recycling is essential to her voluminous, intricate pieces, which aim to take away the conventional meaning of a material and give it new meaning and value through design. Additionally, her company employs local workers at fair wage to produce the handmade accessories.

Paula Gallardo - Saucepans

Other inventive finds include bejewelled portable handles to hang purses from bars, desks, dining tables from Suspenbag, graphical laser-cut silhouette necklaces from Pebeta Teta, fantastic printed suede handbags from Objeto , leather and stone cocktail rings from Fernando, and ceramic and leather necklaces from Paula Gallardo.

Pebeta Teta

As a special treat for readers of Magnifeco ansdesigns.co.uk are offering 10% off until June 12th 2010. Just enter the code MAGNIFECO at the add instructions to the seller section on checkout. Delivery and packaging are not included. We offer worldwide shipping and on orders over £50 we offer free worldwide delivery.