Six Sweet Rides From Hot Wheels and Just Born.

Just Born, Inc., the makers of Easter Peeps and such candy favorites as Mike and Ikes and Hot Tamales, has teamed up with Mattel's Hot Wheels for a limited edition collection of six super sweet rides. The miniature vintage cars and trucks feature the candy company's products and logos.

Louis Vuitton Designs Carbon Fiber Luggage for the Revolutionary BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid.

Buy a BMW i8 and you not only get a sleek, sexy, plug-in hybrid with gullwing doors, but also a trunk full of luxurious luggage. Louis Vuitton has teamed up with the automaker to create a tailor-made set of luggage for the new revolutionary vehicle.


above: The revolutionary BMW i8 plug-in hybrid features gullwing doors

The innovative collection of luggage comprises two travel bags, a business case and a garment bag. To ensure optimal use of space, the luggage items have been tailor-made to fit perfectly into the interior of the revolutionary BMW i8.



“BMW and Louis Vuitton share both a profound appreciation of tradition and a commitment to constant further development,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The use of CFRP in the revolutionary BMW i8 sports car is indicative of an intelligent lightweight construction philosophy. And Louis Vuitton has demonstrated a similar belief in innovation, aesthetics and lightweight design in creating an exclusive luggage collection tailored perfectly to the new BMW i8.”



The understated carbon-black of this luggage range matches the colours of the BMW i8. Its sophisticated look comes courtesy of the unmistakable checkered Damier pattern – a Louis Vuitton hallmark – and a laser-etched Louis Vuitton signature. Black and electric blue used in the microfibre lining take their cue from the trademark brand colours of the BMW i8 and bag handles are made from dyed natural leather, a sign of Louis Vuitton quality. All items in the collection come with leather name tags and the iconic Louis Vuitton padlock with the exception of the garment bag.




Patrick-Louis Vuitton, Head of Special Orders at Louis Vuitton and great grandson of the House’s founder, says, “This collaboration with BMW epitomises our shared values of creativity, technological innovation and style. Our craftsmen at Louis Vuitton have enjoyed the challenge of this very special project, using their ingenuity and attention to detail to create a truly made to measure set of luxury luggage. This is a pure expression of the art of travel.”




Inspired by the visionary design of the BMW i8, the bags and cases – like the sports car’s innovative passenger cell – are made entirely from carbon fibre. This particularly lightweight yet extremely sturdy high-tech material has been used by Louis Vuitton to create a special textile. It provides great robustness and strength, and as such is made for the rigours of travel – no matter how long and arduous the drive.



The exclusive luggage pieces created by Louis Vuitton fit snugly into the BMW i8. The Weekender GM i8, with both hand and shoulder carry straps, is custom-designed to go into the boot (trunk), while the Garment Bag i8is a perfect fit for the rear shelf of the BMW i8. The sturdy hardshell Business Case i8 which is also ideal for carrying laptops, matches the shape of the rear seats; while the small Weekender PM i8 is designed to rest on its surface.



The Louis Vuitton luggage series will be available upon request in a selection of Louis Vuitton stores worldwide (Munich, Milan, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles) starting April 1st 2014.

About the BMW i8:





The BMW i8 is the most progressive sports car and is the BMW Group’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle and the second model from the BMW i brand. It is a 2+2-seater boasting visionary design and intelligent lightweight engineering. As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 unites the advantages of innovative electric drive and the latest combustion-engine technology. The upshot is an extraordinary driving experience that delivers the dynamics of a sports car (0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds) along with fuel economy and emissions figures of a small city car (2,1 l/100km / 49 g CO2/km). This means not just purely electric emission-free driving around town but also sporty performance on inter-urban routes. The athletic personality of this revolutionary sports car is patently manifest in its design: classical sports car proportions, spectacular gullwing doors, clean, minimalist lines and a low-slung silhouette all imbue it with its powerful, dynamic shape. The sporty character of the BMW i8 exterior makes a seamless transition into the interior’s future-focused design.

all information and images courtesy of the BMW press group

Heineken Does Denim. Neighborhood Collaborates With The Brand For The Heineken100 Program.

Heineken, the world's most international brewer, debuts their exclusive denim collaboration with Japanese brand NEIGHBORHOOD for the #Heineken100 program, an exclusive seeding program that celebrates Heineken's "Man of the World."



Overseen by #Heineken100 Creative Director Chris Gibbs (owner of West Coast shop UNION Los Angeles), the indigo denim, rigid narrow jeans include exclusive Heineken green cross-stitching, a custom green leather label, and Heineken-printed label with personalized packaging.





"Similar to Heineken, NEIGHBORHOOD is an international brand that truly believes in providing consumers quality, and is at the forefront of strategic lifestyle partnerships," says Belen Pamukoff, brand director of marketing, HEINEKEN USA. "NEIGHBORHOOD's dedication to this collaborative project has provided the #Heineken100 program a unique offering like no other."



"When working with Heineken on the partnership for this year's program, NEIGHBORHOOD was one of the first brands that came to mind thanks to their signature denim collection, " says #Heineken100 creative director Chris Gibbs. "Both Heineken and I wanted to expand the horizon of this year's products, and also work with a brand that had international reach but selective distribution."

Announced earlier this year as the creative director for the 2013 #Heineken100 program, this is the third partnership under Gibbs' direction.



Prior to the debut of the #Heineken100 X NEIGHBORHOOD denim the brand also released their joint KILLSPENCER backpack in October, and two collaborative chukka boots in September 2013 with acclaimed designer Mark McNairy (all shown above).

Heineken plans to debut their final #Heineken100 collaborative project with iconic artist Eric Haze during the Art Basel Miami Beach fair in December 2013.

"For this project, I wanted to use contrasting stitch colors to evoke different emotions-especially Heineken's signature green," says NEIGHBORHOOD designer, Shinsuke Takizawa. "I am proud to share a product that not only showcases the brand quality, but also highlights a part of my culture with a niche audience that genuinely appreciates it."




In its fourth year, the #Heineken100 influencer program identifies and celebrates various tastemakers across the nation that represent Heineken's "Man of the World." The collaborative products are exclusively available to the 100 individuals on the #Heineken100 list.

Previous collaborations include: Mark McNairy saddle shoes, a Public School camouflage duffle bag, a Tsovet watch, Android Homme sneakers, and tote bags designed by fashion duo Dee & Ricky.

Video footage of Chris Gibbs and NEIGHBORHOOD discussing the #Heineken100 partnership:


Information and images courtesy of PR Newswire and Heineken

A Sweet Treat For Your Feet. Karl Lagerfeld X Melissa Ice Cream Heels.

Fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld teamed up with Brazilian shoe company Melissa for four new styles, one of which is this whimsical ice cream cone-heeled shoe named the Incense. Available in three color combinations, the black or white pump is embellished with a glittery ice cream cone in two colors.


above: Karl's initial sketch of the shoe

“This is one of the most exciting collaborations that our company has ever started” says Paulo Pedó, Marketing Director of Melissa. “Karl Lagerfeld, the most iconic designer of the 21st century, has widened his kingdom by joining the world of Melissa. Lagerfeld’s great talent, synonymous with couture, will be translated into a shoe line, expanding our consumer base and making his brand more accessible for all”, complements Pedó.

Black With Rasberry:




White with Pistachio:




White with Rasberry:




Very satisfied with the collaboration, Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of the KARL LAGERFELD brand, says “Melissa has been great in translating Karl’s inspirations and designs in genuinely fun and fashionable products that many women will be very happy to wear”. We are thrilled about the launch of the Karl Lagerfeld brand in Brazil through his collaboration with Melissa. He will produce mini-collections for four consecutive seasons.



Price $213.58 USD, Buy them here.

Learn more about the collaboration and see all the styles here

images courtesy of Melissa and ASOS

My Nose, My Stekkerdoos. Studio Job + Lensvelt to Launch Job Office at MOST.

MOST is excited to announce that in the Sala del Cenacolo, the fresco room at MOST (The Natonal Museum of Science and technology in Italy) , Studio Job and Lensvelt’s latest collaboration will be launched.

Continuing from the 2011 Job Cabinet (shown below), this new line for home and office will now also includes tables, low cabinets and lamps.

above: the 2011 Job Cabinet is available at Lensvelt

To promote the new collection, they have cast a gold nose and are placing it upon images of famous people.






The cooperation between Lensvelt and Studio Job started in 2011 with the development of Job Office. In 2012 the Job Cabinet won the Wallpaper Design Award and the Elle Decoration International Design Award. During the 2013 Milan Design Week, Lensvelt will dedicate a solo presentation just to Job Office.



A new body of fresh, fun and focused office & home furniture will be presented in a highly monumental context. Visit them at Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia!



Products to be unveiled: Job Buffet, Job Desk, Job Table, Job Desk Lamp

images and info courtesy of MOST and Lensvelt

Gucci Goes Manga. The Italian Brand Collaborates With Illustrator Hirohiko Araki For Window Displays and SPUR Magazine

Italian brand Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini and renowned Japanese Manga artist, Hirohiko Araki, have collaborated to create special store window displays featuring the Japanese artist's illustrations and Gucci's 2013 Cruise Collection.





Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’








Araki has created an exclusive Manga (Japanese comic strip), inspired by the collection and a story that will bring the windows of Gucci's worldwide direct store network to life in January and February. The story is also featured in Japan's SPUR Magazine.



Some sites and blogs are confusing this collaboration with Gucci's previous first collaboration with the Japanese artist in 2011 and posting the wrong illustrations and window displays. Araki worked with the Gucci brand in September 2011 when they collaborated with Spur for an exhibit of Gucci’s 90 year anniversary that featured Araki’s illustrations. Because the exhibit was only featured in Gucci’s Shinjuku store, this time around, the partnership is on a global stage.



Entitled “Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci,” Araki's Manga tells the adventure of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a keepsake from her mother’s Gucci collection. Propelled by the mystery behind her vintage treasure, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. Echoing the sensual color palette and graphic undertones of Giannini's Cruise collection with symbolic references to the House's iconic Flora pattern that has been reinterpreted in a number of the collection’s signature pieces, Araki's extraordinary technique gives a three dimensional effect to his characters.







Spur Magazine of Japan reports:
The illustrative story entitled Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci, tells the story of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a vintage treasure from her mother’s Gucci collection. Inspired by the mystery behind the piece, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. The result is a stunning collection of art. Heavily influenced by the cruise collection, expect to see Gucci’s historic flora pattern strongly referenced. As Giannini has noted, ‘I am quite sure his window installations will stop people in their tracks in cities around the world as they immerse themselves in the fabulous fantasy world he has created.’

Images of Gucci Manga Window Displays (courtesy of SPUR Magazine):







Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’

images and information courtesy of Gucci, and Spur