Architect Zaha Hadid Designs Unique Bottle & Box For Leo Hillinger's Icon Hill Wine.

Leo Hillinger presents an iconic wine with packaging created by an icon herself. On October 4th of this year, at the Albertina in Vienna, Austrian winemaker Leo Hillinger unveiled his exceptional red wine blend, the 2009 Icon Hill in a precious bottle and box created by Pritzker-winning architect Zaha Hadid.

"With the unique design and the ICON HILL ​​is optimally presented. Powerful and intense it is drawn from the creation in its spell. Zaha has perfectly embodied in the wine bottle shape."-- Leo Hillinger

Zaha Hadid, above, says of the design:
"The elongated volume of the bottle has been derived from the profile of liquid droplets. A continuous spatial curve was then projected onto the bottle’s surface, defining areas for the concave indentation and suggesting the waves created when droplets break a liquid’s surface.

The concave indentation and the bottle’s surface have the same curvature, enabling a set of bottles to interlock and be perceived as singular whole. A smaller indent and volume has been created at the base of the bottle for correct handling and to accommodate any tartrates.

To achieve the precision and accuracy required for production, the shape of the bottle was created using NURB-based CAD software. The bottle manufacturer directly implemented this 3D master geometry to produce the cast iron moulds for the glass forming process."

The Reviews
If you are wondering whether or not the wine is as good as the bottle, it has received a rating of 95/100 from Falstaff, the ultimate Austrian wine guide.



Falstaff chief Peter Moser who tasted the wine in advance and gave the following critique:
"Deep ruby ​​garnet with purple hues, subtle edge whitening. In the nose with fine Kräuterwürze backed mature heart cherry fruit, a hint of dark berries, spices in the background and nuances of fine wood, a delicate hint of nougat, multifaceted bouquet that develops well with air. On the palate, complex, extraktsüße dark fruit, prominent and well-integrated tannins that give the wine length, hints of blackberries and ripe plums, pleasant acidity that for vitality provides, salty minerality on the finish holds good, disposes of secure aging potential, fine cherry fruit in Rückgeschmack. If one were to fully enjoy this wine at this youthful stage, it is advisable to decant the bottle for a good two hours." (optimum eating ripeness 2016 - 2030)

and from René Gabriel:
"The color is a deep dark red with black core. On the nose the wine is fresh, cool and seems so very precise, fruit and seasoning are very harmonious with black berry fruit, smoky Brazil tobacco, licorice and black pepper. ICON HILL ​​displays a beautiful concentration. On the palate it is creamy, with dark caramel, prunes and ripe, balanced tannins stützende. This is not a wine that comes as a new multi-bomb wine, but considered his future and first in terms of class and harmony. Its beautiful balance we must here assume a potential that is loose and overheating of the first 10 years. His most beautiful ripe to eat I expect in about three to four years."



Only 999 bottles of ICON HILL are available. The ICON HILL ​​is available at 99 euros per bottle in all Leo Hillinger retailers and online www.leo-hillinger.at.

Architect Zaha Hadid Designs Wild, Innovative, Limited Edition Nova Shoes For United Nude.

Pritker Prize winning architect Zaha Hadid teamed up with Rem d Koolhaas of United Nude to create Nova, a $2,000 limited edition haute couture shoe available in Black, Silver or Rose Chromed Vinyl and Carbon Fibre.



Zaha Hadid and UN’s Creative director Rem d Koolhaas have been talking about shoes since they first met years ago. Hadid, an architect with a passion for shoes, and Rem D, the original shoe architect, agreed to collaborate on the design of a shoe with no pre-conceptions and ignore all the rules to create an entirely new form of shoe.


above: Zaha Hadid at the launch of the shoe at L'eclaireur, Paris

The result is quintessentially Hadid. The revolutionary design of the NOVA shoe combines innovative materialization and ergonomic considerations with the dynamism of Hadid’s unmistakable architectural language to convey an inherent sense of movement; revealing the experimentation and invention of Hadid’s process through every stage of design and construction.

The NOVA Shoe in Black Chromed Vinyl and Carbon Fiber:






United nude’s advanced shoe engineering and hadid’s remarkable design have combined in a most revolutionary shoe, for which an entirely new way of shoe making was invented. Techniques such as injection- and rotation molding, as well as hand-molded methods, such as vacuum casting, were combined.




In fact, the NOVA is among the first shoes in history to employ rotation molding, which is the only molding technique that allows for such a smooth and seamless result.



above: The Nova Shoe launch at L'eclaireur, Paris

The upper of the shoe combines metallic chromed vinyl rubber and is lined with the highest quality Italian kid nappa leathers. The hidden platform and heel are composed of fiberglass and the outsole is made of rubber.

The NOVA Shoe in Rose Gold Chromed Vinyl and Carbon Fiber:






“United Nude’s collections are provocative yet sensual. Rem D Koolhaas’ unrelenting experimentation at the cutting edge of fashion never fails to capture our imagination.” explains Hadid. “I have always appreciated those who dare to experiment with materials and proportions. Our collaboration with United Nude reinterprets the classic shoe typology; pushing the boundaries of what is possible without compromising integrity.”

The NOVA design incorporates intricate striations juxtaposed with dramatic realignments, establishing a direct formal relationship with the shoe’s primary structure and expressing the dynamic forces applied by every step of the wearer.

The NOVA Shoe in Silver Chromed Vinyl and Carbon Fiber:






Guided by her 30 years of experience working with complex structural principles on all scale levels, Hadid has developed an innovative cantilevered system that allows the staggering 16cm (6.25 in) heel to appear completely unsupported.

The rhythmic, articulated transformation of the shoe’s composition encapsulates the seamless integration of materials, inventive engineering and highest standards of comfort. As Hadid’s most recent expression of this symbiotic association, the NOVA shoe design transcends the disciplines of fashion and architecture.

The making of the shoe:




“Zaha consistently reinvents the program with her own ideas and interpretations. Her visionary creations are often unexpected, yet reinforce their origins,” says Koolhaas. “I could not resist the challenge to work with Zaha. We gave ourselves the greatest degree of experimentation and used the latest digital design and manufacturing technologies to create one of the most innovative shoes ever produced.”



Credits:
Design: Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher
Design Team: Maren Klasing, Maha Kutay, Woody Yao

The shoe, in sizes 35 to 40, will come as numbered limited editions of 100 per color and is available only at very select stores such as L’eclaireur in Paris and both the Zaha Hadid design and United Nude webshops.

Wonderglass: Collaborative Modern Chandeliers By Zaha Hadid, Jaime Hayon, Nendo and Nao Tamura.

Wonderglass is a new international company with headquarters in London and in Venice, dedicated to the production of glass chandeliers, created by the best-known designers on the international scene.



Using glass and light, Wonderglass transcends the boundaries of tradition to experiment with exclusive, avant-garde working techniques resulting in the creation of bespoke items and macro-installations. The hallmarks of the company are innovation, artisanship, the magic of design and colour, versatility and originality meshed with unparalleled Italian craftsmanship. Wonderglass is a network that blends renowned Italian artisan traditions with the vision of famed designers of our times, such as Zaha Hadid and Jaime Hayon.

Wonderglass embraces the traditional technique of glass-blowing, using its special recipe to transform it into a sensual, innovative product: though focusing firmly on contract and project it has not forgotten the world of limited editions.



For the official launch of the brand, Wonderglass in Milan drew upon the time-honoured experience of Venetian master glass-blowers and the contemporary touch offered by artists and designers of international renown, capable of interpreting the beauty of glass in a spectacular, innovative manner paired with the most advanced technological research on lighting.

The Wonderglass products showcased at the 2013 “Salone del Mobile” trace an imaginary journey through Venice, reflections of light are multiplied on the waters of the lagoon, while unexpected shapes amaze with their intricate creativity. Jaime Hayon stages a contemporary carnival with traditional masks, Nao Tamura encounters a multitude of buoys floating on the horizon while Nendo (Collaboration Bisazza–Wonderglass) uses light to describe the appearance of shadows lurking behind the hidden corners of Venetian “calle”, whereas Zaha Hadid (Collaboration Established & Sons–Wonderglass) creates a flock of crystals. Wonderglass chandeliers transport us into a fantastic, enchanted world of marvels.



Thanks to the work of an audacious creative network of artists and designers combined to the longstanding expertise, Wonderglass is able to satisfy all your dreams by bespoke pieces and outstanding creations.

Wonderglass is a unique and necessary actor for a bespoke business in particular where both the glass as a material and the project itself require high level of technical skills.

Flow[T] by Nao Tamura





The reflections of the Venetian cityscape glistening on the evening water hints at an imaginary city below the moving surface. There is a border between the world under and the land above. In the city of Venice, where the real world and fantasy coexists, this chandelier is the embodiment of the beauty of dual worlds.

‘Flow[T]‘ is a contemporary chandelier inspired by the colours of the Venetian lagoon and customised to the desires of each owner. Each piece enjoys its own shape, and in multiples, they create a sculptural display of lighting.

Designer Nao Tamura:


Product Specifications:
Light Emission - Direct
Dimensions:
S1: Ø257mm, H240mm
S2: Ø110mm, H153mm
S3: Ø98mm, H454mm
S4: Ø210mm, H448mm
Materials: Blown Glass
Colours: White, Blue/Green

Black Bat by Oki Sato of Nendo, a Collaboration between Bisazza and Wonderglass




A chandelier reminiscent of a colony of bats hanging upside-down from a tree branch or the ceiling of a cave. Evenly-spaced glass shades blown by Murano glass artisans enclose LEDs, and cast their light downwards. Bases can be connected to create a large colony, or removed to make a smaller one.

Designer Oki Sato:


Product Specifications:
Light Emission - Direct
Dimensions:
S1: 6 Lights Ø600mm
S2: 10 Lights Ø900mm
S3: 14 Lights Ø1100mm
S4: 18 Lights Ø1400mm

Materials: Blown Glass and Stainless Steel
Color: Black
Bespoke dimensions and colour variations can be specified.

Masquerade by Jaime Hayon




Subdued yet playful. A collection of characters inspired by the masquerade ball, the new chandelier from Jaime Hayon nods to Venetian heritage, the epicenter of glass artistry. The colour palette is understated, setting up a contrast to the lively menagerie, while subtle variations create visual interest and depth.

Designer Jaime Hayon:


Product Specifications:
Light Emission - Direct
Materials: Blown Glass
Colours: Amber

Swarm Chandelier by Zaha Hadid, a Collaboration between Established & Sons and Wonderglass





The Swarm Chandelier is a composition of black crystal volumes suspended in dynamic forms. The intricately layered spatial composition of the chandelier presents itself as a unified whole; it does not presuppose any proportional system, nor does it privilege symmetry.

Designer /architect Zaha Hadid:


Product Specifications:
Light Emission - Projected
Dimensions:
L: 2500 x 2400mm, Maximum Height: 4000mm
Materials: 16000 Crystals
Colours: Black
Bespoke dimensions and colour variations can be specified.



Wonderglass