Archive for September, 2009
all that glistens is not gold September 29th, 2009
Opinions tend to be split about bamboo hoop earrings, but I’ve always been an appreciator. Love them or hate them, the gold and silver plated versions can be seen illuminating youth centres, high streets, and night busses across the capital - but these unique wood versions by New York based Good Wood NYC are yet to cross the pond. Good Wood NYC was founded in 2007 by illustrator turned jewellery designer Kerri O’Connell with the sole ambition to earn a little extra cash. Two years later and her portfolio includes rings, necklaces, and pendants - and she’s secured a string of distribution contracts with local and online retailers, as well as several guest collaborations - including artist and illustrator kaNO [not the British one].
For more information, and stockists, check their website
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echale picante September 28th, 2009
So often we see classic brands bastardised in the name of innovation, but these gallon bottles of Tabasco - like the latest squeezy Heinz Tomato Ketchup - buck that trend. Granted it isn’t innovation per se, and unless you own a taqueria Lord knows what you’d ever do with that much Tabasco sauce, but nevertheless I can’t stop the burning desire to own them…
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coca loca September 28th, 2009
Continuing their ongoing tradition of collaborating with fashion desiners in recent years [including Patricia Field and Roberto Cavalli], Coca Cola Light is launching a range of limited edition bottles designed by famous Italian fashion houses. The bottle shape will - as ever - remain untouched, but the designers, including Moschino [above], Fendi [below], Versace, Etro, and Feretti, have come up with eye catching outers to hug the signature bottle’s world famous curves. The project is in aid of the Abruzzo charity, which funds scholarship’s for young women effected by the devastating earthquakes in Italy last summer. The bottles were unveiled at a fashion show in the the courtyard of Milan’s Palazzo Reale on September 24th, and a limited number are now on sale, until 4th October…
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wood you? September 27th, 2009
As part of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong illustrator and toy maker Michael Lau’s Gardener Series, Nike are releasing a collaboration between Lau and Stefan Janoski. The design echoes the shoes worn by his latest characters [below], and along with other products designed especially for the 10th anniversary, the Zoom Janoski will become available on the last day of his CSBOOTH17 exhibition [details above] at the Michael Gallery in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.
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a shameless plug September 27th, 2009
Put simply, this is functional design innovation at it’s absolute best. The market ready Folding Plug, designed by South Korean student Min-Kyu Choi has been turning heads at this year’s Royal College of Arts Graduate Show - and is set to change our lives. Yes I’m putting my head on the line by saying that, but the simplest ideas are often the greatest - and the Folding Plug exemplifies that statement. Amazingly, when folded flat the plug is only 10mm wide - the same as a MacBook Air - and the design was inspired by Choi’s realisation that The MacBook Air is the world’s thinnest laptop ever. But in the UK, it still use the world’s biggest plug. To unfold it, the two live pins swivel 90 degrees, and the plastic surround folds back around the pins so the face of the plug looks the same as a standard UK plug. With a bit of luck this design gem will earn Choi a tidy packet, and make the rest of our lives more convenient at the same time…
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i stay geeked up September 23rd, 2009
This track is simply too dope to be ignored. The hook is overly catchy, and the neon video equally attractive. At the very least you have to give the New Boyz props for a) sporting skinny jeans in a hip hop video [even if you hate them], and b) getting cool kids across the globe triumphantly proclaiming I’m a jerk…
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live young September 23rd, 2009
Evian’s collaborative relationship with fashion designers began in 2008 with a special edition bottle designed by Christian Lacroix. 2009 saw a Jean Paul Gaultier edition hit the shelves of selected gourmet retailers, and this year the iconic French bottled water brand is collaborating with an icon of British fashion design: Sir Paul Smith. Adorned with Sir Paul’s characteristic colourful stripes painted in organic ink, the iconic glass bottle is given a playful and vibrant character through this stunning collaboration.
Watching the video [below] gives you an insight into the life and world of a very down to earth and insightful individual – and offers a glimpse of the studio that inspired the Paul Smith stripe, and obviously the latest Evian collaboration. Sir Paul himself proclaims life is about living young, being useful, and enjoying yourself everyday. Who better to collaborate with an equally iconic brand, whose mantra and slogan is Live Young?
Available from selected retailers - including Selfridges Food Hall - from November…
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give it to me right September 2nd, 2009
Complimenting the earlier post shouting the virtues of Ms Dynamite’s recent work, here is her great cover version of Melanie Fiona’s amazing Give it To Me Right. The combination of Melanie’s smooth vocals and Dynamite’s distinctive flow is a seductive and catchy version of a track that is already taking the world by storm…
Listen here
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are you gonna bang though? September 2nd, 2009
Carnival 2009 was graced with good weather and a great atmosphere. Yes clouds covered the sun at various points, and there was the ubiquitous madness you’d expect, but by and large it was another great year - added to by the string of guest appearances that graced the stages. While JME opted for an afternoon in the cinema instead of the streets of west London, the likes of Bashy [above,left], Dynamite [above, middle], and Gracious ‘Napaman’ K [above, right] gave impromptu performances at Rampage. The Migraine Skank was always going to be big at this year’s carnival, and Gracious‘ performances on both Sunday and Monday didn’t disappoint… but it was Dynamite who got the trees shaking. It was Dynamite at her best, and buoyed by garage classics as well as grime transition tracks [including Lethal B's POW – the fact they even played this was testimony to the Sunday cowd], the hyped crowd welcomed Dynamite like the true legend of Uk music that she is. Her performance of Bad Gyal smashed it. To hear the full version, click here. Elsewhere the sounds were littered with other funky guest appearances, including Egypt, and Funky D [who performed Are You Gonna Bang, see video below].
Lastly, to anybody who got hold of one of the 250 capicú stickers distibuted on Sunday, thanks for sticking to your word and logging on…
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