Objects of archival, Catalogue 005

From Cobblestones to Canvas: How German Inspiration Sparked a Playful Collaboration with 'Das Ist Maurice'".

Objects of archival, Catalogue 005

Subject: Das ist Maurice / Campaign: Mini-drop, ‘Stripes’.

Creative Direction: Peaches and Tess Guinery

Analogue Photography: Tess Guinery

Location: Our sun-filled Backyard.

Method: Spontaneity, play, improv with a dash of paint and a long canvas roll.

If this object of archival had a theme song:

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Writing and, more recently, homeschooling my three daughters take up much of my time these days. Yet, there are other creative elements that blend almost naturally into the flow of my daily rhythm, bringing a unique spunk to it!

So here’s nombre quatre — some bright captures / some beloved finished makes, of a project I was truly honoured to be part of.

Here’s the big idea: if art has the power to build spaciousness and imagination in a child’s mind— shouldn’t integrating it into their daily lives be a fundamental idea?

My discovery of 'Das Ist Maurice' unfolded with a beautiful dash of happenstance—

Years ago, I fell in love with the beautiful cobble stone and flower immersed town of Potsdam, Germany—a city that left a profound impact on me (somewhat changing the course of my life) awakening a deep appreciation for German design within me alongside some deeper heart stuff.

I wouldn’t describe myself as a “park mum”—I’m more of a beach picnic mum, a thrift shop and coffee mum, a roll-out-the-canvas-and-paint kind of mum, and a pyjama-day-at-home kind of mum. But in Germany, I transformed into a “park mum”!

The parks there were so meticulously designed, they felt like artful masterpieces in their own right.

When I became a "park mum".

I was enchanted not only by the stunning designs but also by their thoughtful placement—parks nestled among trees or alongside serene rivers, cozy coffee shops tucked in charming cottages by swing-sides, and sandwich carts stationed conveniently at their entrances. Their beauty transformed our daily explorations into adventures with my daughters. We packed picnics almost every day and embarked on quests to discover each park within a 30-kilometer radius of our charming terrace apartment, which offered a picturesque view of this fairy-tale town.

It wasn’t just the parks that stole my heart—but the deep intention sown into every building, door, window, shop front, bakery, pastry, gallery and footpath. It was a glorious wonderland for the imagination. And it changed me.

So, when I discovered 'Das Ist Maurice,' upon a leisurely instagram scroll it was the German name that caught me first—thinking the brand was in Germany and with some gentle observations I learned the brand’s creator, Abstract artist Marianne Le Cheaf was based just a short distance from my seaside abode…

…And with a little bit of direct message banter, I learned that she too had a similar experience with Germany and that her wearable art for children—was a beautifully bright symptom of her time there.

Our shared passion for Germany naturally led to this playful co-creation.

In our discussions and creative brainstorming, we spoke about her up-coming mini-drop campaign called "Stripes" and before I knew it, it was a sunny afternoon in our backyard with a bundle of ‘Das is Maurice’ threads in tow and my eldest daughter with a mind full of ideas.

So, what makes 'Das Ist Maurice' stand out? The brand’s origins are rooted in a transformative experience in Munich. The founder observed something extraordinary: children engaging with art in an incredibly thoughtful way. Instead of just observing, these young minds were actively exploring and discussing the art they encountered in museums and galleries.

This revelation underscored how deeply art can influence early development—stimulating cognitive skills, promoting social-emotional growth, and enhancing multi-sensory experiences. Inspired by this insight, the founder, Marianne Le Cheaf, set out to create a clothing line that marries the essence of art with children’s fashion. Thus, 'Das Ist Maurice' was born—a label that turns everyday clothing into a canvas for creativity and self-expression.

At its core, 'Das Ist Maurice' is more than just a clothing brand; it’s a tribute to art and imagination woven into children’s everyday-wear. It represents a belief that kids should engage in art, everyday.

Here’s to 'Das Ist Maurice'—where art and childhood converge in a truly extraordinary way.

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Objects of archival: Catalogue 005

‘Das ist Maurice’ / Mini-drop: Stripes

Enjoy this photo journal of our time playing in the paint.

Thank you for being here in the archives. To sit audience to more, visit ‘Das ist Maurice’ and view their latest collection ‘Stripes’ here.

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Read the fullness of my German love-affair:

Here are four other objects of archival for your curiosity:

Objects of archival, Catalogue 001

Objects of archival, Catalogue 002

Objects of archival, Catalogue 003

Objects of archival, Catalogue 004

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If you’d like to inquire about having something artful captured for your label, reach out via management@tessguinery.co

I’d love to make something beautiful for you!

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Did you see what I have made intimately available?

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Thank you for being here. Paid subscriptions allow me to keep writing these love-letters. Choosing to sow into ‘Catching Shower Flowers’ as a paid subscriber is a generous acknowledgment that you value what you read here, that you are not just an audience to the work, but a contributor to the unfolding of it. Thank you for the opportunity to push my limits and find the words begging to be found, just beneath the words on top. I am so grateful for this opportunity, one that I don’t hold lightly.

Love Tess

xo