Cray Cray Cantilvered 7" Tall Platform Biopiracy Boots & Shoes From Iris Van Herpen X United Nude

United Nude collaborates with fashion designer Iris Van Herpen for their wildest shoes yet. This is Van Herpen's 9th consecutive collaboration with the brand and this is the first time that two, instead of just one, designs that graced the runway are being offered by United Nude.

Aston Martin Unveils 2015 Black and White Carbon Editions Of The DB9.

When it comes to pure car body styling, the Aston Martin DB9 has always been one of my favorites. Now, it's even sexier in two new special editions, Carbon Black and Carbon White.

Style and visual drama are the special editions hallmarks as they perfectly emphasize the timeless GT’s sporting nature.






The new Carbon Black accentuates the 183 mph DB9’s 6.0-litre V12 potential through a strong dark theme underpinned by a unique combination of lightweight carbon fiber features. Meanwhile, the contemporary Carbon White special edition creates a dramatic visual effect with the carbon fiber and dark elements contrasting strongly against the Stratus White paint and accented caliper color.







Inside, a strong black styling theme with a choice of accent colous in line with the caliper shade showcases carbon fiber details and new black hardware.




Striking exterior additions for both Carbon Black and Carbon White editions include carbon fiber side strakes, black window surrounds and a black diffuser, reinforcing the powerful visual themes.





The cars have details like embroidered headrests, a bang & olufsen stereo and carbon fiber door handles. Bespoke sill plaques with the Carbon Black or Carbon White logo, communicate the cars’ rarity, too.




Of course the styling changes don’t alter the DB9’s inherent grand touring capabilities, qualities that make it the world’s most admired and desired GT.

Today’s DB9 features the modern AM11 V12 engine which uses ‘Gen4’ VH architecture and hardware, tuned to suit the character of a classic GT. The result is an engine with effortless torque of up to 620 Nm and peak power of 517 PS.

Prices for the special edition DB9 Carbon Black and Carbon White models are available on application at any of Aston Martin’s 147 dealers.

Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “The classic DB9 Carbon Black and daring DB9 Carbon White special editions give this timeless GT a fresh and highly desirable new appearance. Meanwhile, the exciting details that define N430 should leave no one in any doubt about the car’s motorsport roots. Bold graphic treatments and the option of vivid colour combinations conjure up clear visual echoes of the race circuit.”



Specs:
year: 2015
make: Aston-Martin
Model: DB9
Engine: V12
Horsepower @ RPM:517 @ 6500
Torque @ RPM: 457 @ 5500
Displacement: 6.0 L
0-60 time: 4.6 sec.
Top Speed: 183 mph

all images and info courtesy of Aston Martin

J&B Commissioned A Tattoo Artist To Ink 25 Limited Edition Bottles of Scotch.

The idea to tattoo the bottles was devised by French design studio Button Button as an unusual way to commemorate J&B's heritage.

Drug Lined Coasters by Artist Nir Hod Will Get Any Party Started.

Inspired by artist Nir Hod's series of oil on mirror paintings entitled The Night You Left, Hod bottles the recurring themes of introspection and longing contemplated in this body of work into a functional object: a set of four mirrored coasters, lined with digitally printed white powder.




The paintings that inspired the coasters:


above: Nir Hod, 2007 and 2001, The Night You Left, oil on black mirror

Decadent and eye-catching, the coasters are backed with black velvet and are housed in a sleek black box.




Available in two different sets of four (black or gold) for $95 or in two special limited edition sets (red and pink for valentine's Day) for $180, the 4" x 4" mirrored coasters give the 3D illusion of having freshly cut lines of cocaine.




The title of the editioned set, The Night You Left, suggests a lonely narrative, a moment of solitude when one might turn to drugs not for glamour or excitement, but for revelry and longing. “There is a certain magic in loneliness,” Hod explains, “you have to be alone to create.” He adds, “It’s not about drugs or glamour—it’s about the inside world, where you can dream and love and seek a greater truth—it’s about a feeling of being connected to something so human.”

buy the Black or Gold editions here

Limited collectors editions in red and pink are available at the PK store from Paul Kasmin Gallery

Vanhulsteijn Designs 9 Special Edition Japanese Lacquer and Gold Leaf Bikes for Sotheby's.

The Urushi Bicycle Project consists of 9 exclusively designed bicycles for Sotheby’s by Herman van Hulsteijn. Sotheby's approached the Dutch designer after seeing his unusual bikes on the internet with their distinctive curved frame. Herman van Hulsteijn suggested designing a tailor-made bike for them using an ancient process that had intrigued him for years.

Resurrect Your Workout With Limited Edition Zombie Bells.

Onnit's Zombie Bells are four different limited edition, fully functional kettlebells made of chip-resistant iron with enlarged handles that are cast in wonderfully goulish faces of the undead.




Hand sculpted from real human skull dimensions these collectors limited edition Zombie Bells are functional embodiments of undead iron. Perfectly balanced and ideally proportioned for swings and fitness lifts, Onnit is including FREE Zombie Kettlebell Wristguards for the 1.5 pood (54lbs) and 2 pood (72lbs) editions to ease the arm pressure for heavier overhead training.



The four different sizes, weights and faces (shown below)can be purchased individually or as a set

MegaDead (72lbs):


GhostFace Thrilla (54 lbs)


Staple Head (36lbs)


Brain Goblin (18lbs)







Buy them here.

Limited Edition Haunted Beauty Vampire Barbie Is Goth and Gorgeous.

Designed by Bill Greening, this frightfully chic creature brings a new level of gothic glamour and haute couture horror to the vampire lore. “We’ve had vampires in the BC line before,” Bill says. “But I wanted to do a version a little more spooky and gothic, something the collectors have been asking for.”

Last year, Bill Greening created the Haunted Beauty Ghost Barbie shown below, which is now sold out, but can be found on ebay for upwards of $500+:


Haunted Beauty Vampire™ Barbie® comes alive with so much bold color and intoxicating drama she practically grabs you by the throat! Drink in her gorgeous nocturnal glory as she swathes herself in a delicious fashion drenched in deep, rich, bloody red.



This is one vampire who does show up in photographs. She dazzles from every angle, dressed in a red charmeuse and black chiffon gown, with elaborate jeweled accents at the neck and red-and-gold trim on the empire waist. Her opulent, floor-length coat of red shantung features full sleeves and a spellbinding, face-framing collar. It’s an “essential fashion element,” according to Bill. “Her long red coat is perfect for those chilly nights in the crypt.”



Lustrous raven locks provide a striking contrast to the unearthly pale complexion on her Glimmer (Louboutin) head sculpt. Crimson lips and painted white “fangs” emphasize her fierce vampiric look, while black eyeliner and smoky shadow highlight her hypnotic golden eyes.



Haunted Beauty Vampire™ Barbie® doll’s sensational ensemble would earn raves on runways around the world. But this mysterious stunner prefers the darkness of moonless skies to the glaring lights of fame, as she searches for romance that will stand the test of time. “It’s a story of a long-lost love, tortured soul, and timeless beauty,” Bill says. “A creature who has looked centuries to find true love.”



Price: $100 (limit of 5), buy her here

Doll Details
Body Type: ModelMuse™
Skin Tone: Peace
Facial Sculpt: Glimmer/Louboutin
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Eyelashes: Painted
Customizations: Necklace attached to dress
Included with doll: Shoes, ring, doll stand.
For the adult collector.

Why Do I Blog About Barbie Dolls?
I think some of my readers may wonder why I blog about some of these Barbie Collectibles, but dolls, like most anything else, can be artfully designed. The Barbie Collectibles, which are made for adults, include fashion design, sculpting, make-up and in some cases, interesting marketing and packaging.

Just to give you an idea of the difference between the mass-produced $13.99 Mattel Barbie Halloween 2013 Doll and this $100 one, take a look:


So, as long as they keep designing beautiful Barbies, I will keep blogging about them.

images and info courtesy of Barbie Collector

Fenway Boots! LL Bean Gives Away 50 Made-To-Order Boots Created With Fenway Park Rain Tarp.

Outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has revealed the most innovative version of its signature product: the Fenway Bean Boot. Made of upcycled Fenway Park tarp from the 2012 season, the one-of-a-kind boots will be made-to-order for a select number of lucky Red Sox fans who engage with L.L.Bean on Facebook and other channels.




The opportunity to win has already begun. When fans can visit Facebook.com/llbean to share their favorite Red Sox moment, they are entered for a chance to own a piece of baseball history. Submissions will be received through Sunday, October 20, 2013.



Company founder Leon Leonwood (“L.L.”) Bean believed in the reuse of materials long before the concept of “upcycling” came into vogue. The one-of-a-kind Bean Boots put the rain delay tarp that covered the Fenway Park infield in 2012 – the 100th anniversary year for both Fenway Park and L.L.Bean – to great use as the upper material of the weatherproof rubber soled boots.



“This project brings together two of L.L.’s favorite things: Bean Boots and baseball,” said Steve Fuller, Chief Marketing Officer for L.L.Bean. “As a season ticket holder, L.L. loved the Red Sox and he would be delighted to see the Fenway tarp put to use in a way that fans can enjoy.”


above: The LL Bean logo is at the center of the tarp that protects the field at Fenway Park during its 100th season.


above: The 100th anniversary L.L.Bean rain tarp photo via @mdanubio4 on Twitter.

Originally named the Maine Hunting Shoe, the popular Bean Boot has seen a variety of style changes since its introduction in 1912, all remaining true to the original and still handcrafted in Maine. Early versions had a red brick sole, reintroduced for the 100th anniversary of L.L.Bean, and today’s collection includes an assortment of styles for women and men such as waxed canvas and shearling-lined leather.

Each of the 100 limited-edition Fenway Bean Boots will be custom made for lucky recipients at L.L.Bean’s manufacturing facility in Brunswick, ME.

“These unique boots are just one of the many ways L.L.Bean has demonstrated their innovative spirit throughout our partnership,” said Troup Parkinson, Red Sox Senior Vice President. “From the 100th anniversary tote bags, to The One Fund Boston Tote, to these Fenway Bean Boots, they continue to highlight new ways of bringing our two New England brands closer.”



Last month, L.L.Bean announced a contribution of $114,000 to The One Fund Boston following the sale of 3,500 limited edition totes also made from the 2012 Fenway Park tarp (shown above). The One Fund Boston totes sold out in just over a day with 100% percent of profits benefitting the cause.

Share your favorite Fenway Park moment with L.L. Bean to enter to win one of 50 pairs of made-to-order Fenway Bean Boots, handcrafted from the 2012 100th anniversary Fenway rain tarp.



Find out more about the contest and learn how L.L.Bean upcycled the Fenway Park infield rain tarp here

Fifty winners will be selected at random and notified on October 21. Additional ways to win – including on campus at select Northeast colleges – will be announced. Follow @LLBean for more details.

*All contest entries are moderated and will appear in the gallery within 24 hours of submission*