PRESS - SELECTED CLIPPINGS
VH1 – Viewer Rating for Tosca Honey Video
DIFFERENT TASTES ?!
Tosca: looks sexy, sounds sexy
Sexy as hell... the video and the song. I saw the "Honey"
video and bought both of the current cds, Different
tastes of Honey and Suzuki in Dub. Tosca sustains that
dark, sexy sound throughout both CD's. I had no idea
music like this existed. Play more stuff like it, please.
TOSCA Meets Victoria's Secret
Holly COW! That video is AMAZING!! Richard
Dorfmeister never fails! Different Tastes Of Honey is a
great cd but I think I like this video better, this should be
a commercial for Victoria's Secret! Thank you VH1!!
But why is this NOT on TV????? DinoCat
I Love Tosca
That video is sexy. Rock on.
DRIP!
wow...one of the hottest videos that I've seen in a long
time...Oozes with sophistication and sexines...rock on
Tosca! Wow! Tosca
This is too much. Go VH1.com. It's definately one of
the darkest, sexiest songs to come out in the past year
and the video only confirms this. I wish we could see
stuff like this on TV...
HOT!
damn...that's a fresh video. do they have a new album
out? i want it!
Wicked BABY!!!
Really Really tantilizing BABY!!
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COMPOSITE MAGAZINE Tokyo, 2001
„Cuttings“, a new fashion label, expresses
the pulse of the Viennese fashion scene.
The creators of the label are designer
Sarah Littasy and her partner fashion-
journalist Martin Ginzel.
„It is impossible these days to come up with
a genuinely new idea, so we pick the most
inspirational clothes out of families and friends
wardrobes and translate them in a fresh way”
24 types of „Cuttings“ make up their unisex-
collection and „remakes“ of their favourites,
adhere to a strict philosophy. These two
Vienna Art School Graduates first came to
spotlight as they were strategically sending
their catalogue to stylists and editors
worldwide. check their website.
Interview with Sarah Littasy by Tiffany Godoy
photography – Guenther Parth, Justin Smith
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STYLE & THE FAMILYTUNES Berlin, 2002
SHARP CUTTINGS OUT OF VIENNA
Is there downtempo-fashion ? Or downdressed beats ? Never mind. Anyhow there is a fashionlabel for the downbeats, more precise, G-stone Recordings´ ( Kruder&Dorfmeister´s label ) affilitated label cuttings run by Sarah Littasy and Martin Ginzel. Sarah (“Born as carrot redhead in vienna 1976 – successfully battled through my mothers spirale...“) already started with the first K&D releases in the mid 90ies to transport her fashion education into action - as designer for coverart and accompanying merchandise goods and produced ´98 first costumized pieces for G-stone. End of ´99 the foundation of cuttings is decided. Septemeber 2000 official launch of the label. Mid/End April 2001 the new collection is available over the website, “ 13 pieces mainly made from Crêpe de Chine, one size, comfortable cuts, officially women only, but 60 percent are Unisex Pieces.“
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WALLPAPER MAGAZINE_International, 2000
CUTTINGS EDGE
Riviera women has moved north this
season, so cast off that perma-tan look
in favour of a new freshness.
Romantics at heart, Austria´s cuttings
designers Sarah Littasy and Martin
Ginzel have adapted the KISS rule:
keep it simple, stupid.
Leave co-ordinating shoes with
handbag with lipstick to those with
space in their diaries -
with clothes llike these, you´ll have
better things to do with your evenings.
Words - Jen Ford
Photography – Jimmy Backius
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FLAUNT MAGAZINE Los Angeles, 2001
Article Preparation by Porochista Khakpour for Flaunt Magazine,
answers written by Sarah Littasy
>From: sarah littasy
>Subject: here they come...
>Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001 14:15:00 +0000 (GMT)
> oh my god...sitting here in the bangkok internet cafe
>and its too much, feel sick already....
>i wanted to tell u more about the actual concept...
>if i wrote too much bull or anything unclear u can
>reach me via phone here in bangkok
>0066 9 7787453
> all the best sarah
1. Your age? In your own words, what do you do ( job-wise ) ?
My lifetime reached a quarter century in april. yesterday someone
introduced me as a fashion designer, which is not what i call myself.
Iam an artist who studied textile print and design in vienna. Currently
Iam doing artwork, merchandise development, artdirection for gstone
recordings, costumedesign, filmprojects, and expanding my
skills in various creative areas.
2. Tell me about how you got the idea for Cuttings, and why those colors,
those fabrics, etc.
I already started to develop merchandise for g-stone during
schooltime, and because it was hard to find good readymade pieces, I
produced the first custommade t-shirts & sweaters 1998. In late 1999
this led to the idea that martin ginzel ( we met in school ) and me
would create a whole collection.The concept is very simple, we just
pick favourite pieces from different wardrobes and influences
surrounding us, and relaunch them in new colours and materials. Why
these colours and fabrics...There should be something for every taste
and agegroup. Fabric wise it was important to give the same piece a
different look and feeling through the change of material. f.e. the
suitpant would look sportive or very elegant. Most pieces are unisex
and very easy, comfortable to wear. Some very sexy and feminin.
There are no rules...
3. Why is it called Cuttings?
To find a name wasn´t easy , because we wanted to use something
that would fit any other project like music, art, film, design etc.
One day my daddy gabor just came up with the missing link....
5. Give me the latest news/developments on Cuttings. What's next for you?
After the launch of the 1st Edition in 2000, we had a big down and
found out it just wasnt our goal to enter the world of fashion with all
its rules. I love fashion but in the same time there so are many other
interesting things. The fashion editions are more a portfolio than
industry collections, pieces are only made to order and I design for
other companies.
Through great backup from various people who believed in Cuttings
vision we launched the 2nd edition in 2001, 12 uni-sex pieces made of
Crepe de Chine, dyed by hand in my kitchen.
2002 I designed the Honey edition for Tosca´s remix album, including
a delicious video... Lots of new plans...maybe fashion show
organsisation, music video production, everything could happen.
Right now Iam in bangkok producing for the first time, made to
order, every single piece will be unique. morocco is on the list too....
6. Do you do everything? Is this a one-woman project?
Let's say iam the big mama, I keep an eye on everything sometimes
even too close, Martin used to be the big brother - 1st and 2nd
edition we designed together, and i guess Richard will be always some
sort of grannie watching how we grow up. But there a many family
members, who help and support....all alone would be a nightmare...
7. What is Richard's role in all this?
Without Richard Cuttings would have probably never seen daylight,
his trust and patience, the allover support from g-stone for the 1st
edition made us create something special...and made it much easier
to work on the following projects.
8. Richard mentioned you two used to be boyfriend-girlfriend. What was that
like, working with an ex?
The work on the honey video and artwork was our "ex&ex try out
session" and i think we managed it quite good, I always brought some
nice girls...
9. Describe Richard to someone who's never met him.
These kind of questions....one of the most important people in my life
10. Why did it make sense to link the clothing line to Tosca?
For Tosca´s Suzuki album it was obvious to produce the bathing
gown set, Cuttings first piece ever; the honey edition was part of the
whole "Different tastes of" project....it´s not sure yet if there will be
some production, maybe the tosca necklace will be released.
11. Is that you in the poster pictures with Martin? And are you on the
"Different Tastes of Honey" album cover also?
Yeah u got me...
12. What else do you do?
I love to travel and meet different cultures, good food,
dance and scream, fight with my brothers, movies, etc.
13. Any additional comments about Cuttings
Cuttings is a playground for creative people. The idea is to realise all
different kind of projects without thinking of sellin it to the industry in
the first place, rather to create from the heart and spread a feeling...
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THE ABUJA INQUIRER Nigeria, 2004
DISCOVERING SELF THROUGH THE ARTS
Interview with Sarah Littasy by Anule Emmanuel
Everything is said to have its time and season.
There is time to mourn and time to celebrate.
Only recently, the country again made history to
celebrate its 44th independence anniversary.As
critics would say, it was a period of sober reflection
considering the mood of the nation surrounded
with economic hard times.
At the prestigious NICON Hilton Hotel
Abuja, The Oracles Artworld took to
stage a show that chronicled the
journey of the soul, the Nigerian nation,
„Exodus“, to celebrate Art that seeks to
invoke a new quest for a genuine
national rebirth.
The Abuja Inquirer’s Anule Emmanuel
was at the show and spoke with one of
the organizers.
What’s your name and what is the Oracles all about?
I am Sarah Littasy from Vienna,
Austria.The organisation is a vehicle of
Art, which expresses the intent’s of
God’s heart to men through various
forms of arts and influence, thereby
provoking men to realisation of his God
giving potentials. The vision is to help
men is this immediate society. Nigeria
to discover his purpose, restoring the
identity to him and thus increase the
amount people involved in the creation
process, which reduces the rate f crime,
unemployment, low self esteem,
corruption and other social vice.
Art is the strongest motivating force of
influence in the world whether positively
or negatively. It may not be drastic, but
as long there is a consistent audience, it
is sure. Therefore we seize this
opportunity to take advantage of the
power of Art to change the people of
the world for good.
Why have you chosen to perform today, is it
to patriotically mark Nigeria’s 44th
independence?
The play itself is much more than that
because Uchenna Iloka who is also the
President of Oracles Art World wrote
the play one and a half year ago. That
was when he came up with the idea of
„Exodus“, the journey of the soul.Today,
Independence Day was chosen to
promote national rebirth, to promote a
new awareness for Nigerians for their
own nationality and tradition, how they
are conscious where they are coming
from and where they are going to.
So, it is a good opportunity to stage the
show in Abuja because it is the capital
city where people from different
background, the government and
society would experience once again
Nigeria’s true culture.
The Oracles Artworld debuted in 2002 in
Ekpoma in Edo State where it also
presented the same show. How do you
really promote your whole show to gain
publicity?
You know, the organisation has a large
crew who work together and all of
them believe in the dream of making it a
success. I was not with them back in the
days when they started.I only joined
them in this particular show. But, I am
sure they set up their team who usually
take style to promote it with posters,
flyers and mouth propaganda to let
people know that something different is
going to take place.
But how did you get involved in the show
all the way from Austria?
I met Uche in Vienna in April this year.
There is a Nigerian musician who lives
in Austria called Aladin; he was the one
who introduced Uche to me. So, he
explained me the whole project and was
so passionate about it. I come from a
creative side of life, I work in the music
industry, and I do art and creative
promotion for music artists like the
packaging of Cds, Video production and
merchandise design. When Uche
approached me and asked if I could
come and assist him with the design of
the costumes for the show, I said, if I had
the time and money, I would come.
I had wanted to come to Africa but was
looking for a good opportunity. I never
wanted to come as a tourist and so was
waiting for the right connection. My
main role in the project was to pass the
message across, to create the
awareness, which I did in Lagos and
other parts of Nigeria. I would tell
people I came all the way from Austria
to support this group, what can you do
for them?
I was here to represent The Oracles
Artworld in Europe and Nigeria and
over my own platform called
„Cuttings“. It is a keyword for creative
contributions internationally. Cuttings is
about adding creative direction,
promotion, communication and
socialization. We bring all these
different aspects together and I am like
the head. It is my business to bring
people together and connect them with
each other. You know someone who
has a problem and you know someone
who could solve this problem, it’s all
about connectivity.
Back to the show, what specific message
does the play intend to portray?
As the name implies, Exodus, the journey
of the soul was meant to show how man
was raised, like in the beginning, you see
Adam and Eve. Man was raised from
perfection to imperfection back to
perfection that was the basic idea. It
explains that with the present state of
Nigerian economy backed with bad
leadership, the country can still change
for good.The setting combines with the
Benin kingdom to show the origin of
Nigerian culture and when the white man
brought his own kind of religion into this
country. It’s all about communication in
the beginning and opening up for new
horizons and dimensions...So people learn
from each other, depicting African-
American slavery scenario. The whole
show is part of historical and religious
settings.
How were you able to bring together this
large crew of young people as your cast?
I understand a lot of them schooled
together and have been friends to
Uchenna Iloka, Oracles President. Uche
did tell me that every one of them who
crossed his way was like a divine
relationship. In fact, when I saw them, 40
of them in number, I was really amazed
because they are quite young people who
have great artistic potentials in them.
Within this period, most of them have
their examinations to write in school.
Combining rehearsals with reading is very
challenging.
But how does the organisation get sponsorship?
When I first met Uche in April, he knew
he wanted to stage the show on 1st
October. He also knew how much the
whole thing would cost, his expectation
about sponsorship was really high, but,
at the end of it, no sponsor came up.
Frankly, it was self-financed.
NICON for instance, contributed
immensely because we had to let them
cut down the fee about 30 percent for the
venue, which they accepted. The reason
was simple; they understood the vision of
the show and knew it wasn’t profit
oriented.
I believe the whole thing was successful
due to our strong beliefs into a higher
energy. At every point, we were into
prayer, as I understood it doesnt matter
in what form of god we believe in,
everything is possible as long as we
contribute something positive.I got to
know the beautiful aspects of christiantity
through the oracles family, and found
they are very close to my own religion,
love&art.all is one.
I would say that even though the show
was low budget, we were able to come
up with a beautiful presentation.Nigerians
should come to the reality that these
kinds of groups need support because it is
a way to bringing out to perfection some
hidden talents that would enable our
future generation to be self employed
rather than depend on the government.
As Uche would say, „Your abilities
need responsibilities to expose their
possibilities. DO what you can with what
you have where you are and someday,
any day, you will be all that God has
made you to be.“
What is your perception about Nigerians
attitude towards Arts?
I feel Nigerians are very curious. It is
interesting because from what I have seen
so far, the people are very humorous and
creative in terms of being inventive like
the way the live. They are beginning to
open up the cultural aspect of creativity
that will finally transform into the
performing Art. Even the attendance at
this show in itself is wonderful. I waited to
see how the audience would react to the
play and it was quite encouraging.
Nigerian audience even take part in the
show especially when they see something
amusing.
Is the Oracles Artworld only into
performing art?
The organisation majors in the fusion of
music, dance and drama as a vital tool in
carrying out our purpose. The creative
combination of the various forms of arts
results in an exquisite montage that
leaves an indelible mark in the minds of
the audience. Artworld exploits this
medium in carrying out her dreams which
invoices all forms of music ranging from
African traditional to Negro spiritual,
from Rhythm to Blues to Negro, from
Orchestra to Jazz. Poetry and Prose, as
they are very captivating, are not left out.
Artworld also develops Fine Art,
Cartoons and Videogames and many
more.
Alex Osifu, Nigerian popular film actor was
at the show and did feature some talk before
the presentation. What role did he play?
He was like the big eye that watched over
the whole show. Alex just felt it was a
good thing to identify with such
determined and young talents. He is well
known Nigerians would like to attend
shows that he is featured. I would say, he
was more like a back up to the success of
the presentation; his presence was
actually what mattered.
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