Our exQuisite Corpse

ATA BOLDO COLLECTION ~ 2012

This season After the Apple has collaborated with artist and designer Our exQuisite Corpse, blending raw leathers, tribal masques and Renaissance busts to visualise Boldo’s inspirations. Here we talk shop with the London-based artist.

HOW DID OUR EXQUISITE CORPSE COME TO BE?

Our exQuisite Corpse came into being from my strong desire to work with other artists/makers in a collaborative way. A friend from art school and I were originally working on a limited edition piece that revolved around the body, housing art works in different anatomical receptacles, or receptacles that related to the body in some way.
Our exQuisite Corpse is inspired by the Surrealist game, Exquisite Corpse, a method by which words or images were collectively assembled to create visual art or poetry through the tapping of the collective unconscious.

HOW DO YOU STORE YOUR FAVOURITE PRECIOUS THINGS?

I am very fond of the Victorian taste for art/precious things being presented under glass. This way precious thing have a sense of being both contained and free of contagion by the outside world.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED RECEPTACLE?

I have an incredible wax head which I love. He looks like Karl Marx. Actually I think he is Karl Marx. I have an enormous glass dome covering his head which squashes his equally enormous grey beard down at the back of his head. I like this receptacle a lot.

WHAT EXCITED YOU ABOUT THIS COLLABORATION?

Using my hands, and collage as a medium which I enjoy immensely. It was also a wonderful opportunity to really think about the texture of materials, and the relationship between this range and tribal themes.

HOW DID YOU CREATE THE BOLDO MASKS?

ATA sent over both swatches of leathers and a brief brief. I did a lot of cutting, and scanning, and forming loose collages. We also incorporated some drawing into the collages. It all came together organically which is usually the most enjoyable way.

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR MARVELOUS MEXICAN MASKS

We work collaboratively with the Huichol Indians of Mexico creating beaded skulls with both contemporary and traditional designs. The skulls are resin and made up in Mexico City, the Indians then hand bead each skull on a layer of wax. The craftsmanship is mind boggling, as well as the patience required to bead each skull.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I’m very interested in anatomy, as well as sculpture. I’m looking to work on a series of horse hoof casts. I am also in conversation with the Huichol Indians to have other skeleton forms beaded. I took them a replica of a giraffe skeleton last year and the finished hand beaded piece is amazing. I am quite interested in them beading both a human skeleton, or a gorilla. Wow.

Browse Our exQuisite Corpse’s bespoke Mexican hand-crafted skulls at www.ourexquisitecorpse.com

A CONVERSATION
with Lillie O’Brien in Hackney

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM ~ February 8, 2012

WE LOVE JAM. The talented Lillie O’Brien of London Borough of Jam is making waves with incredible conserves that fearlessly combine the unconventional and the traditional. Her Wild Fennel Blossom with Peach, Raspberry & Liquorice and Lemon & Verbena jams are made in beautiful copper preserving pans, then stored and sold in elegant glass receptacles.

After the Apple caught up with Lillie on a freezing February afternoon at Chatsworth Road Market in Hackney, where despite the cold she was on a foodie high.

AFTER FOUR YEARS AS A PASTRY CHEF AT ST JOHN BREAD & WINE OPPOSITE SPITALFIELDS MARKET, LILLIE IS NOW A FULL-TIME JAM-MAKER. SO WE BEGAN BY ASKING, WHY SWEET THINGS?

Surprisingly I don’t have a sweet tooth which is very odd for a pastry chef. I would much rather sneak into the kitchen and eat savoury snacks. Of course I have to try sweet dishes all the time and appreciate them: and I could easily eat a whole jar of jam.

WHAT RECEPTACLE DO YOU MAKE YOUR JAM IN?

I make my jam in copper preserving pans. They’re a excellent conductor of heat which means the jam will cook evenly and quickly. This results in a jam that tastes more like the fruit rather than “sugar” as it hasn’t reduced too much.

WHY JAM? DOES IT HOLD SPECIAL MEMORIES?

Yes, my mother always made her own jam & preserves when I was growing up. It’s so lovely to have a larder full in the winter months to keep you inspired in the kitchen.

WHAT GOES INTO LONDON BOROUGH OF JAM?

A load of love and not a lot of sugar.

YOUR FUSIONS ARE INCREDIBLE, WHAT’S YOUR SECRET?

All of the jams I make have some sort of natural flavour added to compliment the fruit. I never mix any fruit together, always leaving it in its purest form, and only use fruit according to the seasons. Being a pastry chef at St John has taught me the golden rule of only using seasonal produce.

CAN YOU REALLY FORAGE FOR FRUIT IN INNER-CITY HACKNEY?

Of course! You can forage all over London. In the warmer months I get Blackberries, Elderflower, Elderberries, Rose hips, Fennel Blossom all locally in Hackney. If I need anything particular that is not available in East London then I would use a independent company like Forager to source it for me.

WHERE DO YOU DISTRIBUTE YOUR JAM?

I currently supply E5 Bakehouse and Leila’s shop which are both in East London. I try and alternate the varieties they both have though in the winter months now they both have the same.

Its all about the Seville Oranges and Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb at the moment.

Lillie O’Brien is a Melburnian occasionally dreaming of sunshine, but loving her London life.
Learn more at londonboroughofjam.tumblr.com

SLOTH MESSENGER
coveted by Georgina Murison

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ January 23, 2012

After careful consideration and much deliberation, Sydney’s gorgeous Georgina Murison purchased her first luxury handbag, After the Apple’s Sloth Messenger in Nutmeg. Here, in her own words, young Georgina reveals what her bag means to her. Thanks for sharing.

“After three weeks of shopping around, “umming and ahhing” over it, I couldn’t get past it,” recalls Georgina. ” I had to have it… even the Mulberry bags I’d previously lusted after seemed drab in comparison.

“So I purchased it. As soon as the bag caught my eye I was intrigued. I immediately sensed that it was Australian, and also that the bag itself was so well made and organised – something that I never find in handbags.

“It’s amazing to find such a luxurious, hardwearing and altogether well crafted piece: it has since travelled with me throughout Victorian alpine regions right through to New South Wales’ best beaches.

“I know I could have bought a generic Coach bag like everyone else my age – but I know this bag is a stand-out which no one else I know will own. For that I love it… and the combination lock of course!”

Georgina: After the Apple is lucky to have gorgeous lassies like you. We’re delighted your bag has been such a hit.

TRAILBLAZER MOTHER sported by Jon Hewitt

SURRY HILLS, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ December 15,2011

The dapper Jon Hewitt says the following about the Trailblazer Mother “Having bought After The Apple’s Mother Bag for my best friend, I found I just couldn’t part with it after discovering it made for a rather fetching hat”.

The Trailblazer Mother is back in stock after many months of numerous customers asking for more. This time we have crafted it in Tuxedo Reticulated Python. Thank you Jon. We believe you helped this movement.

SLOTH HANDBAG adored by Nadia Rice

NEUTRAL BAY, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ December 09,2011

Adoring and gorgeous Nadia Rice says the following about her Scarab Handbag “I absolutely adore my After the Apple Handbag from the Sloth collection. This bag is striking, unique and perfect colour for Summer. I receive compliments whenever I take it out and it remains my favourite purchase thus far.”

We are very lucky to have Nadia carrying her Handbag in the crook of her arm. Both the bag AND Nadia look FABULOUS.

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS ~ December 06,2011

Retna talks us through the receptacles which make her Xmas Day complete. She feels very adult saying that she will ‘bring a plate’. Food is better than any present she thinks. Food, good company and a day off from thinking.

GOOD LIQUOR TASTES EVEN BETTER WHEN SNIFFED AND SIPPED FROM A RECEPTACLE OF CREDIBILITY. WHAT WILL YOU BE SIPPING FROM THIS XMAS DAY?

I used to be a beer and giggles kind of girl, until I moved to the Northern Hemisphere. Here, they drink to stay warm. Raised on the beach, Christmas was about the blistering sun and eating til you had to lie down. In Amsterdam, it snows, I don’t eat lobster for Christmas lunch and there isn’t any beach to go for a swim. Even though it is everything we understand Christmas to be, I have only just become used to having Christmas in the snow.

One thing that reminds me of the perfumes of my old faith, sans guilt, is a beverage called Gluhwein. It is actually German or Austrian and my god it is so yummy. It is like mulled wine but better! There are so many aromas in there and you serve it warm so it is extra lovely. People drink it when they go ice skating. Serve it as hot as possible.

I will be drinking mine from my Villeroy and Boch Mug from the Acapulco collection. My Gluhwein receptacle.

IN WHICH POT IS YOUR XMAS TREE TAKING UP RESIDENCE?

Oh dear. Christmas here is a little confusing for me. I just put the Christmas tree up in the front of the house and my boyfriend told me that people will be angry I didn’t wait until after Sinterklaas. Today is Sinterklaas’ birthday. He travels about with his helpers (children here black out their faces so they can look like Sinterklaas helpers) and there is a period of about three weeks where you put your wishes in your shoe, along with a carrot (for the donkey or something) and Sinterklaas delivers you little gifts in the lead up to the big gift which he gives out on his birthday.

If you are bad, you have to go to Spain. Yes, I am making this tradition sound a lot more ridiculous than it is, but I have asked so many local people about it and I get a different story every time. Don’t shoot the messenger here.

Plants are sold here in metal pots, or plastic. I actually transfer all the plants I get into a ceramic planter. I have a drill and I drill holes in the bottom, create a surface of stones so as not to let all the water run out, then replant the plant. Plants don’t seem to be happy unless they are in a ceramic pot.

FROM WHICH BOX WILL YOU PULL YOUR XMAS DAY CLOGS FROM?

They have just put the salt buckets out on the tops of bridges, which means snow is just around the corner. As Christmas gets closer you notice more and more people riding their bikes wearing a plaster cast. People slip off their bikes, break an arm and then get back on again. Not me. It is the one time of year I take public transport. I also develop a kind of stomp-like walk to avoid slipping. I look like a complete idiot, but I have not suffered any broken bones as a result.
The other day I purchased my first proper winter boot. They are Timberlands and a lot of the inside is made from recycled material. I always thought Timberlands were for Rappers, but since reading up about this boot I discovered the way they make things is very ethical. The closest thing I can get to wearing something dainty in this weather.

The box my boots came in is 100% recycled and study. I have to store all my Winter boots away during Summer, so i keep all my shoe boxes to make this easy. I actually really love shoe boxes, so I have never really thrown them out. I think of them as part of the purchase.

Retna Wooller is a journalist, fashion stylist and feature writer; residing in Amsterdam, always on the money. http://retna.com.au/

GYR HANDBAG loved by Shelagh Hewitt

SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA ~ December 06,2011

Stylish Shelagh Hewitt had this to say when asked about her After the Apple Handbag. “I love my Handbag for its modern yet classic look and its total functionality in keeping all your bits and bobs separate, yet easily accessible.” We cherish a practical women with obvious sensibilities. After the Apple are very pleased to have an ATA Handbag on Shelagh’s shoulder.

SLOTH EVERY DAY adored by Libby McMichael

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ~ November 30,2011

The siren Libby McMichael LOVES her SLOTH Every Day Bag in Pheasant Blush. When asked why; “I love my ATA bag because it’s like a modern take on Mary Poppins carpet bag which I have always loved, I just wish I could fit as much in there as Ms Poppins did.” Fair enough. After the Apple are very pleased to have an ATA Every Day Bag on Libby’s Arm. Libby’s vocation is PR & Sales Support at Paul Maloney Fashion Agency.

GYR HANDBAG coveted by Ruth Paxton

EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM ~ November 24,2011

The delighted Ruth Paxton is PROUD of her GYR Handbag. When asked her favourite handbag of all time; “My favourite bag, is a little 1940s brown leather case, once belonging to my dear Granny P, which I coveted as a wee girl. One day I arrived at hers to find it polished, relined, with shiny new latches all for me. It’s MAGIC, and cute to boot.” After the Apple are very pleased to have an ATA Handbag on Ruth’s Arm. paxtonworks.com