ON SCENE: New Era Introducing…A Celebration of Expression

On Friday, I was lucky enough to attend New Era Introducing’s Celebration of Unique Expression in Headwear Design event, held in Toronto.

New Era, the ‘international lifestyle brand with an authentic sports heritage‘ held a contest looking to showcase international talent by utilizing a blank sports cap. Each cap represents the individual and their own self-expression. Personally, I found that the expressions portrayed in some of the caps moving – by utilizing a blank canvas such as a sport cap, and turning it into something so unique and different, it was such a beautiful representation of the inner workings of society today (i.e. depression, angst, love, hate, war, beauty, etc).

See below for some of the beautiful caps portrayed in this event. Fair warning, it will be picture heavy.

This hat was entirely painted / drawn on. The designer, Ron Sellner, choose to design a ‘wearable’ hat that portrayed the good and evil in all of us. The design itself took 10 hours to create, and utilized pens, colour pencils, and paint markers.

Side View of the Case Showcasing the Caps

This hat showcases a child’s nighmare. Alexander Perez utilized his childhood memories of the fight between reality and his imagination. I’m very impressed with all the sketch / pencil work done with this hat, it must have taken ages!

Amazing quotes from the creators adored the walls

Take a look at the detail on this cap. Dylan Pierpont wanted to capture a moment in time with his hat – he showcased a child, amongst the metal and scrap, using his imagination to find inspiration and wonder.

Some of the hats mounted on the walls – including an Obama hat!

I loved this hat! Marcos Castillo utilized his hat to create a metaphor for society. The smoking melting ice cream showcases how society does things to intentionally harm itself, and destroy it’s own goals. The ice cream hat portrays someone who wants to look ‘cool’, yet ends up only cutting short his own life.

Another amazing quote from the creators

This cap was intricately designed. Rodrigo Bonifacio Ramirez used pencils and black markers to create this hat.

Side View of the Case

Jonas Sansome wanted to make a monster hat – he utilized a ZOETROPE idea, and made zombie popcorn! I specifically liked his description – “If humans turned into pools of blood when they are attacked by zombies, what would popcorn boxes turn into when attacked by zombie popcorn boxes? Pools of butter, of course!”

Another amazing quote

This was the winning cap, created by Marconi Calindas and titled ‘It Doesn’t Always Get Better Fast Enough‘. He tackled the sad topics of teen suicide and peer bullying. Not only did Marconi create a hat, he created the three marks underneath – each mark portraying the anguish, isolation, and inability to visualize a future of hope.

The most beautiful part of Marconi’s hat was that each panel of the hat told a different story. One panel showcased a teen surrounded by guns, nooses, and pills which showcased a teen’s visualization of a ‘way out’. Another panel showcased the teen being bullied. Another panel showcased the aftermath of the teens death, and the agony his death leaves behind.

Marconi took the bold step of using a lot of colour, because even though colour reflects the vibrancy and beauty of life, it also reflects the intensity that pain can draw upon. Well done, Marconi.

With winning, Marconi is awarded $10,000 to spend on his blossoming art career, with his piece being showcasing in a travelling exhibit and in a new book from New Era. Congratulations!
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The New Era Gallery is on from November 9th to the 11th at the Edward Day Gallery (on Queen Street West) located in Toronto.

As always, my email is ashley@torontobeautyreviews.com.

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