Nature's Dish

Nao Tamura's leaf inspired silicone dishware is flexile, rolls up for storage and is oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Birds of a Feather

Trend Union's, Fall Winter 11/12, trend presentation uses birds as the inspiration for the season.
They have an inspiring take on the texture's and color's of birds and translate them into beautiful textiles and silhouettes that have a hint of whimsy or fancy.

Coincidentally, I just bought Andrew Zuckerman's newest book, entitled 'Bird', where he showcases more than 200 photographs of nearly 75 different species of birds. What feels very modern about his photographs is the juxtaposition of the birds against a stark white background in order to showcase the personalities and extraordinary details of his subjects. The book is available on Amazon.

Wicker Thinking

I'm not usually a type of person who enjoys wicker. For me, it conjures up thoughts of bad Easter baskets and the imprints left on your thighs after sitting it your grandmother's lawn chairs. But Lise Bech's baskets have me reconsidering my previous opinion. She lives and works in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, where she grows a wide range of willows that she uses to create these very modern baskets.

Opera, Your Suite in Nature

The Opera, "Your Suite in Nature", is a new take on a camper hitched to the back of your car and has me thinking of summer expeditions.

Project CRYSTALLIZED™

A chance to bee creative and win big!

CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements has partnered with the 4^th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards, co-hosted by Tim Gunn and InStyle,

to create a unique category dedicated to crystal innovation, titled “Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements.”

This collaboration inspires handbag designers to incorporate crystals as a creative ingredient, resulting in one-of-a kind, luxury designs.

The FIVE best designs will be chosen by a panel of judges including InStyle, Carlos Falchi, Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade New York and Lisa Smilor of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

These five selected designers will have access to CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements to execute their final handbag for the annual awards ceremony on June 16^th where the final winner will be announced.

The winner of the “Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements” category will receive a crystal sponsorship with access to crystal and Swarovski know-how.

It will also be featured in several CRYSTALLIZED™ channels and communication tools in the US and internationally.

Submission Requirements:

- Sketches of bags must incorporate CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements
- Sketches must include the silhouette type and which materials (e.g. lambskin leather, suede, PVC, canvas, etc.) and CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements used
- Please be as detailed as possible including measurements, prospective swatches, hardware, embellishment and color palette where applicable

To Apply to the 4^th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards:

http://www.handbagdesigner101.com/handbags?m=signup&page=register

Attached is the Color Card, as well as several options of CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements

For additional information and crystals, visit: www.swarovskicrystallized.com

Applications will be Accepted until April 15, 2010 and Open to All

Woodworkout

At ISPO (Europe's largest sport & outdoor tradeshow), this week, I came across a lot wood detailing - both real and synthetic.  I have to say that the out come in even the most common items is an amazing beautifully luxurious feel.  I am especially fond of the dumb bells by Hock.  The Germany based brand looks at everything as an expression of beauty.  Their products include leather sand bag weights that are hand sewn with heavy whip stitching.  I also like how wood texture is being combined with really artifical brights as in the Salomon FreeSkis.  However, the execution and old world charm of the full wood inlay ski by Volkl is undeniable.

Man Shops Globe

The Sundance Channel held a premiere party for a fantastic sounding new show featuring Keith Johnson, (show above with UK textile artist, Becky Oldfield) buyer-at-large for specialty retailer Anthropologie. The invite-only event was held at the Rockefeller Center Anthropologie Store this last Tuesday.

The show, which premieres Wednesday, October 7th, follows Mr. Johnson as he seeks out the best each country has to offer. Having been to many of his stops myself, I have to admit that he totally has my dream job - the St. Ouen Flea Market in Paris, the Kapalicarsi Grand Bazaar in Istanbul and Piet Botha's Craft Shop in Cape Town! Check out the clips of the show by clicking on the Man Shops Globe headline above or go to www.sundancechannel.com it looks great!

The site also offers up this as a bio for Keith, in case you like me were not familiar with his background: "Keith Johnson's passion for art, antiques and travel emerged in childhood as he accompanied his father, an art dealer, on excursions through Europe. His current role as Anthropologie's buyer-at-large is driven by Johnson's early experiences and boundless curiosity. He spends most of the year abroad in search of decorative antiques and found objects to be sold in Anthropologie stores and serve as inspiration for in-house design, as well as gifted artisans to create original works."

"Johnson's relationship with Anthropologie began in 1994 when his partner Glen Senk, now CEO of parent company Urban Outfitters Inc., became president. Senk asked Johnson to find decorative antiques and found objects for the women's lifestyle retailer's first store. As Anthropologie grew so did Johnson's responsibilities. He now acquires decorative antiques and found objects for 123 Anthropologie stores in the United States and curates the art gallery in Anthropologie's Rockefeller Center location."

In this ever shrinking world I have long had an interest in the preservation of cultures thru art and design. I think this might be the start of new awareness - however, the words "inspiration for in-house design" can be a red flag esp. when it comes to a mass merchant like Anthro.

Eitherway, I can't wait to see how it all translates in to the stores.

Use Apples - wikiHow

Use Apples - wikiHow

This made me chuckle, my grandmother used to make entire families out of carved apple heads (see #3). I think my mother might even still have a version of my grandfather a la shrunken apple head!

Beach Clean Up

As I signed up for my local beach clean up this past week it reminded me of this amazing jewelry line. Why you ask...well there is an awesome story here. Last fall, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at these gems when they were just taking shape in the hands of Designer Barbara de Vries. It is completely unimaginable that she creates this stunning jewelry from plastic that she finds along the beaches of the Bahamas.

Each piece of jewelry is one of a kind as each fragment of plastic is unique after being shaped and molded over years, even decades in the ocean. The pieces mimic nature with their stone, coral or salt patina. Totally gorgeous!!

A little about Barbara:

Barbara de Vries has been a critically acclaimed designer for thirty years.

She grew up in Amsterdam and became a fashion model in Paris and London, working for Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Yves Saint Laurent, before studying fashion design at the Royal College of Art in London.

In the eighties she had her own collection in London selling worldwide to stores like Harvey Nichols, Seibu, and Neiman Marcus and her clothes appeared in publications like Vogue, The Times, Harpers Bazaar and numerous Fashion-TV shows.

After moving to New York she became Director of Design at Calvin Klein where she launched the CK Collection.

Recently Barbara started to collect beach plastic after attempting to clean the plastic litter off her favorite beach in the Bahamas.

After so many years in the ocean, she says, the shapes and colors are often extraordinary and inspire me into giving them a second life as a pair of earrings, a bracelet or a necklace. Each piece evolves from it’s original shape and I am really just the recycler.

I love the pieces, the color, the textures, the shapes - all of it! And incase you are thinking maybe you can find your own beach treasures...go to http://www.oceanconservancy.org to sign up for your local beach clean up!

LoomLab

Ok, it's been a while...too long prehaps...we've had a lot going on! Hopefully our followers will forgive us! So...here's a little eye candy that comes along with a good dose of brain food...straight from the creator...(and now I have to brag...) my onetime assistant, the fabulous Jane Henry!













*LOOMLAB*

"scarf design inspired by innovation and imagination

pushing creative boundaries

capturing the pulse of the present


Los Angeles designer Jane Henry will launch LOOMLAB this fall. Drawing from her database of visual thought, her scarf designs are inspired by her fascination with modernization and technology.

LOOMLAB was hatched to elevate the scarf market to an entirely new level. Jane envisions the laboratory at LOOMLAB as a springboard for inventive design and experimentation with technology, design, and materials."

Go Jane!!! stay in touch with LoomLab on facebook! and check out the Jane Henry interview on BobbinTalk.com!

Scratch & Sniff - Vanilla, Chocolate, Sandalwood, and Musk

Finally! A rag mag worth it's price tag! And an angle TMZ can't possibly scoop! (Why didn't someone think of this sooner?) Scratch and Sniff hunks! Vanilla, Chocolate, Sandalwood, and Musk - this is apparently what Taye Diggs smells like according to People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue on news stands NOW! He says as part of his daily regimen he layers on the essential oils - yum! Gossip Girl's Chace Crawford smells like a fresh mowed football field (my hormones are going teenage on that one!), and contrary to expectation, Michael Phelps doesn't smell like chlorine but like L'Homme YSL. Hmmm, wonder what a sweaty David Beckham really smells like?

Start Now!!!

Why not, get a head start on your holiday shopping now. That way you can spend the weekend boozing it up with old high school pals or helping Dad clean out the gutters.

So, here's a gift suggestion...they are on my list...hint, hint. Ralph's Rugby Line has some pretty cool socially responsible collaborative gift items this year. A Rugby rugby shirt that 50% of the proceeds go to a new fund to benefit up can coming social entrepreneurs, a exclusive "FEED" bag which you should all know about by now (if not visit feedprojects.org), and my favorite...the above pictured Tom's shoes featuring all the cool iconic touches we love about Rugby. As with all Tom's shoes, for every pair bought a pair is given to a child in need - Amazing, give 2 gifts for the price of 1! So how's that for some real feel good retail therapy?!

Let there be Light

Inspired by traditional Indian water vessels, Tom Dixon's Beat pendant lamps are made from handcrafted brass. The interiors are shiny and hammered while the exteriors have a black patinated finish. Installed as a group, they are quite dramatic.

Twinkle Twinkle

In 1966, as a token of gratitude for American aid during World War II, the Republic of Austria donated 11 iconic Swarovski chandeliers to the world famous Metropolitan Opera House. In July, Swarovski removed the iconic chandeliers, shipped them back to Austria and refurbished each and every crystal. This process included using the latest technology to replace over 50,000 custom-made crystals.
They have now been re-installed and the chandeliers will be unveiled at the The Metropolitan Opera House's Opening Night Gala, in celebration of their 125th anniversary, tonight, September 22nd.

Fashion Blog

39th & Broadway is a new fashion blog "devoted to fashion insiders who work in the industry and need a place to gossip, vent and network." Anyone can contribute their story so I'm curious to see whether the blog will be a good resource or turns into a moan-fest....

New Menswear Line

The fall lines have hit the stores and new to market is the menswear collection named after its designer, Richard Chai. His preppy clothes take a modern spin on cardigans, peacoats, etc. Richard is the brother of Eddy Chai (an owner of the East Village menswear boutique Odin) so it's only natural that his clothes will be sold there as well as Barneys.

Esty is Ecstasy!

I was recently turned on to this ebay type sight by my girl Mimi. It is amazing! You probably already know about it...but if you don't I almost hate to give it away!!! But lucky you...here it is. You don't bid on things, but it is mostly private artists and craftsmen that list their wares in similar, but much cooler way, as the big auction site.
The merchandise is handmade, beautiful, and surprisingly inexpensive! You can search by spinning a globe for goods world wide, or by catagorie, or artist profile.
Above are examples are a bird and berries giclee print on canvas from modernarteveryday, and copper bird earrings by Mimosa in New Zealand. Also, check out KiraFerrer, a jeweler working in Maui.
And please don't hate me when your checks start bouncing...we're all in the same boat here!

Soia & Kyo

Soia & Kyo's Fall 08 Outerwear range gives a nod to British classics while updating the silhouettes with use of oversized trim and asymmetrical collars.

Mazda Kazamai

Mazda will be unveiling its "sporty, compact, crossover concept vehicle" at the Moscow International Automobile Salon next month. Kazamai, which means "swirling crosswinds" in Japanese, is meant to “deliver exciting driving dynamics, frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions.”

Outdoor Lighting

I'm digging the architectural simplicity of the System 45 Lighting Collection. It is available in three sizes, three different fabrications and has an adjustable head the can be directed three different ways.

Wild Horses

"Love"is one of the gorgeous photographs I came across at the exhibit, "The Wild Horses of Sable Island" photographs by Roberto Dutesco, in early June at 13 Crosby Street in lower Manhattan. I believe it's been there for a while now, but it's been haunting and inspiring me since. I truly love the imagery and even more so the romanticism of the sea that drifts into my mind whenever recall my 3 visits which I am reminded of by the postcards and poster size flier I picked up there.
I had never heard of Sable Island before, but apparently a herd of nearly 450 of these beautiful wind worn horses have been making a home there. Their lineage is of survivors of any number of the over 275 shipwrecks recorded since 1583. Horses being transported from Europe, Africa, or the local "Acadian" wild horse to southern parts of the new world.
The herd bands together in families of 40-50, comprised of a dominate male, a couple of females and their youngsters, with males banished to form small "bachelor" herds.
I am saving up and plan to make my first serious photography investment on one of these beauties, or maybe one of the surfboards printed a collage of the images. "Love" is really how I feel about them...but then again I am a "horse-person".

Fabric-ated Auto

BMW and BMW Group DesignworksUSA threw out the auto building rulebook when they came up with the BMW GINA Light Visionary Model (their new concept car revealed recently in the BMW museum in Munich). According to Autoblog, "The outer skin of the auto is made entirely out of textile fabric that's pulled taut around a frame of metal and carbon fiber wires. The skeleton of the car is controlled by electro-hydraulic devices and can actually move and change shape beneath the fabric skin. For instance, the headlights of the concept can be exposed or hidden by the car's skin just like blinking eyes, and the hood opens from the center as the fabric parts to expose the engine. This idea extends to the interior, where BMW designers have made visible only those instruments that are required at a certain time....."

Glitz in the Garden

Want to add some glamour to your favorite plants? Check out the gold and silver metallic planters from Sprout Home.

Fore!

Check out these pics of the newly expanded Sempachersee Golf Club in Lucerne, Switzerland.

iPhone Envy

The iPhone App Store went into overdrive last week, unveiling more than 500 applications for iPhone users. The New York Times decided to test drive the new kids on the block and came up with their eight favorites. To see their list click here.

Having a Tech Geek Moment

One of the new applications that you can get on your iphone or ipod touch is Pandora, which is a free, online, streaming radio experience. It allows you to create your own music stations simply from a band or song you love. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and it will scan its entire library of almost a century's worth of popular, new, old and obscure songs to find songs with interesting musical similarities. These songs will make up your radio "station". You can create as many "stations" as you want and can even refine them so they truly represent your individual love for music.

You Can Banq on It

Housed in a former bank, Banq restaurant, with its Asian-inspired menu has recently opened in Boston. The architecture firm Office dA (pronounced to rhyme with "Bah") designed an undulating birch plywood ceiling that gives the dining room a modern cave-like appearance.....suddenly the idea of being clubbed over the head and dragged into a cave seems appealing......

The Enertia

Brammo Motorsports, an Oregon-based company, has designed an all-electric, plug-in motorcycle that takes 3 hours to charge, has a 40+ mile range and goes an upward of 55 mph. In addition to the fuel economy, The Enertia, also has low emissions. Due out in the Summer/Fall, this eco-vehicle promises ultra performance and allows you to feel environmentally conscious while zipping around your urban environment.

Inspiring Bathroom

Sometimes the way a room looks has the ability to remind you of someone. Well, this bathroom reminds me of my friend CDB. I spotted it on Emma's Blogg and thought that this could easily be a room in her home someday.

Lounging Around

I received an email from Kami Gallaher, at Spa Cushion, telling me about her company's newly designed chaise lounge cushion that allows you to comfortably lay in the sun or get a massage while laying on your stomach. The design has one opening for your head, which allows for breathing and ergonomic neck placement and two openings for your knees, to allow relief from pressing into the chaise. The cushion also has a flip over pillow for when you want to lie on your back. According to their website they will soon have a floating version, perfect for your pool....so go ahead and get lazy in comfort.....