Shoes have long been the subject of fetishes, books, art and tradition. From henna tattooed feet to bound feet to shoe designers like Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo, footwear is of interest to both shopaholics and penny pinchers. Whether you have a closet full of $500 shoes or just one pair of Birkenstocks, shoes are worn by just about everyone.
That's what makes Liza Snook's Virtual Shoe Museum such a delight to peruse. Initiated in 2004, she began a long search began for designers, photographers and publishers connected to shoes. Soon, her mailbox was filled with loads of material on fantastic shoes, art and design on shoes.
Then, with the help of Taco Zwaanswijk of Interactive Affairs, who designed the site, and Bart van der Ploeg of Resolume, who programmed the database and created the content management system, they've created a site you should check out.
Searchable by everything from the designer's name to the focus, use or style, the site is filled with imaginative and beautiful designs. Even sculpture. Be sure to look at the 'extreme' section.
Below are a few of my favorites:
Above: Landscapes shoes 2 by Jared Steffensen
Above: Leg by Judith Wiersema size: 110 cm (height) The original is made out of wood. Leg is limited to seven (7/7) exclusive reproduction/copies. All seven reproductions are made in aluminium or bronze: white, black, gold.
Above: Off the hooks. 2004 by Alexander Fielden (photo by christian fielden) Material: latex, leather, aluminium and steel.
Above: Michael Brown's Dildo Shoe
In the artist's words
"This Dildo shoe is a womens shoe, based on a ballet last, hand made. The inspiration for the shoe, is the sex industry, and sex toys. As you can see, from the heel, it is based on of course a dildo, or anal toy. It was inspired also from the late 2007 trend of 'fetish'.
The straps upon the forefoot, are made from black patent leather, and egg shell finish cream. to create a stunning contrast. The spikes are in two lengths, and can be interchanged, with just screwing them off and changing them.
The selfmade heel is in high quality resin. So if need be... the heel can be used..."
Above: Eelko Moorer's D.I.Y. Overshoe Comes with frame, instruction sheet and a sticker sheet.
Fans of Project Runway will recognize this design challenge set forth by Levis as the one that took place on this season's Episode 9 titled "Even Designers Get the Blues".
Above: Levi's SVP of Design Caroline Calvin explained the challenge to the designers as Tim Gunn looked on.
The challenge? To create an iconic denim look that captures the spirit of the Levi's 501 legacy. In addition to the Project Runway episode, the challenge was opened up to the public via the web.
Although the deadline for submissions has passed, you can still vote on the entrants which also automatically enters you into the sweepstakes to win a Levi's 501 gift certificate. The top 20 submissions will be announced on February 21st. Then they go into another final selection before choosing the winning entry. The winner actually gets his or her design produced and sold on levis.com
The final pieces designed by the then remaining 7 challengers on Project Runway:
..and the winning design shown above right.
So, how's the public doing?
Below are just a tiny sampling of the many entries. It's clear that there's no lack of talent out there. There are literally hundreds of these beautifully rendered, wonderfully- if not interestingly- designed entries. I'm showing a mere fraction of them here.
Sure, there are some crude drawings with brilliant ideas and some sophisticated drawings of horrendous designs. But I just wanted to give you a small example of the many talented people that are participating. Forgive me for not crediting the following drawing/renderings. Please go to the website to see who is behind these and the hundreds more.
LAUNCH OF $1,000,000 COLLECTION OF FIVE LUXURY SPIRITS BOTTLES
In an extraordinary travel retail launch, Bombay Sapphire is to unveil Revelation - five handmade crystal bottles individually decorated with diamonds and sapphires, and priced at $200,000 USD each.
Bombay Sapphire, owned by Bacardi, is the fastest-growing gin in the world. Three leading names in luxury and design – Baccarat, Garrard and Karim Rashid – have joined forces with the brand to create its new luxury project.
Above: The launch at London jeweler Garrard's.
Bombay Sapphire unveiled Revelation, the first of a five piece collection of handmade crystal bottles individually decorated with sapphires and diamonds. Inspired by Bombay Sapphire, three leading names in luxury and design - Garrard, Baccarat and Karim Rashid – collaborated to create the Revelation crystal bottles, priced at US$200,000 each.
Revelation was launched at Garrard in Mayfair, London, where to celebrate the event one lucky guest walked away with the ultimate Bombay Sapphire accessory, a stunning sapphire necklace.
Above: designer Karim Rashid
Created by one of the hottest designers in the world today, Karim Rashid, each of the five Revelation bottles has been handcrafted in France by Baccarat, the pre-eminent creator of the world’s finest luxury crystal. The bottle has been cut into the shape of a giant gemstone with 10 principal facets, representing the 10 botanical ingredients used to create the complex and refined taste of Bombay Sapphire. Each Revelation bottle is truly unique with its own individually designed stopper decorated with sapphires and diamonds set by the oldest jewellery house in the world, Garrard.
The limited edition Revelation bottles will be launched at five major international airport locations – starting with London Heathrow Airport (via World Duty Free) around 27 March to coincide with the opening of the new Terminal 5 and subsequently New York JFK Terminal 4 (DFS Group), Dubai International (Dubai Duty Free), Singapore Changi (DFS Group) and Sydney (The Nuance Group).
Above: Artist rendering of the airport display of Revelation at London Heathrow Airport's new terminal 5
One Revelation bottle will be exhibited at each of the five international airports for two to three months before being securely transported to its new owner anywhere in the world Above: Artists' rendering of the Nuance Group's display at the Sydney Airport In Australia.
Recognized around the world for its striking translucent blue bottle, Bombay Sapphire has showcased the world’s finest glass creations for the last 20 years. The Bombay Sapphire Prize is the world’s biggest annual glass award and the Bombay Sapphire Designer Glass Competition is one of the top design contests for emerging designers.
Profits from Revelation will benefit the travel retail industry’s chosen charity, The Smile Train, which provides life-enhancing cleft surgery to children in poor countries.
The World, A series of man-made Private islands in Dubai representing the world map, created and developed by Nakheel was just finished last month.
Nakheel, one of the world's largest property developers, laid the final stone on the breakwater for The World on January 10, 2008. The last rock was one of 34 million tonnes of rock that were used to construct the 27 km breakwater which surrounds the 300 man-made islands that make up The World. The World team was on hand as the last rock was placed at 8:00am that morning by Director Hamza Mustafa.
Above: An actual aerial shot of the completed islands
This historic moment marked the completion of the first phase of one of Dubai's most talked about landmarks, which included land reclamation requiring 320 million cubic meters of sand dredged from the sea and the creation of the breakwater that surrounds the 9km wide and 7kms long island destination. The next phase involves handing over islands to developers for construction and building of infrastructure.
The Master plan:
from their own press release:
Last week the final stone on the breakwater for The World was placed and reclamation work was completed – exactly to schedule. With reclamation completed on time, Nakheel will be moving onto phase 2 of the development of The World. Islands are being handed over to individual developers who will shortly begin construction work on the individual islands. These islands are sold by invitation every year to carefully picked developers who will bring creative experiences to the island destination.
The World will become one of the most exclusive tourist destinations on the planet. From 2010 more than 40 luxury resorts will start to open. Different world class brands and names will offer fine dining, spas and luxury boutiques, idyllic vacation homes, spectacular marina, yacht and beach clubs and scuba diving, snorkeling and dive centres.
How big are these islands?
The islands will range from 150,000 square feet to 450,000 square feet in size, with the average island measuring approximately 300,000 square feet. The average distance between islands is 50-100 metres, with an average depth of water surrounding each island at 8-16 metres.
How much to buy an island?
Prices of islands on The World range between $10 million to $45 million approximately
Below are images of the dredging and creating of the islands:
Photos upon completion:
FACT SHEET
* The World involves the creation of over 300 man made islands that are designed to represent the world map
* The vision for The World project was provided by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister and was officially released on September 21, 2003
* The islands will be built in the shape of the world map and consist of four protective breakwaters on the outer perimeters to provide shelter from long and cross-shore waves. The inner breakwaters will be a submerged reef and the outer breakwaters will be above water
* Located just off the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, The World is located 4km off shore from a point halfway between Port Rashid and The Palm, Jumeirah
* Construction of The World commenced in September 2003, after many years of research. The project is scheduled to be completely raised from the sea in 2008.
* Investors will have the freedom to create their own personal vision on the islands for private or commercial use, whether it is for leisure, residential or tourist developments. The 300 islands will be offered for sale on a freehold basis to selected investors only
* Nakheel will hand over the islands to the investors once the land has been reclaimed in 2008.
* The World will measure approximately 9km in length and 7km in width. It will cover over 9,340,000 square metres, and will add 232 kilometres of beachfront to Dubai’s coastline.
* All of the islands will range from 150,000 sq feet to 450,000 sq feet in size, with the average island measuring approximately 300,000 square feet
* 326 million cubic metres of sand will be used to form the islands
* 32 million tons of rock will be used to construct the breakwater
* The islands prices range from US$ 10 million - 45 million
* The average distance between islands is 50-100 metres, with an average depth of water in the navigation channels of at least 5 metres
* The World will be a sophisticated network of islands - Nakheel will integrate a series of waterways, canals and lakes to enhance the overall design
* All 300 islands will only be accessible by marine or air transport, with world-class marinas to berth boats, yachts and cruise liners. 2 mainland marinas will service The World. 4 hub islands in The World will service the islands.
* Construction on The World is round-the-clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
* The main Contractors for The World are Van Oord ACZ Marine Contractors Gulf FZE - Dubai who are responsible for land reclamation, dredging works and the breakwaters. This is the largest project Van Oord has undertaken in the region
* The jumbo trailers being used to build The World can handle 20-25 thousand cubic metres of sand at any one time and require a water depth of at least 12 metres to operate.
So what will life be like on these islands? Here's a peek at one development underway, Coral island (accompanying description courtesy of Nakheel):
A hideaway of sea, sand and sky, Nakheel proudly brings you its first private island development within The World. Introducing Coral Island, an exclusive residential and resort sanctuary that elevates escape to an art.
Coral Island promises a one of a kind setting that creates the ideal hideaway for indulgent island living. Located in the North American quadrant of The World, the island is close to major transportation hubs and is only a 15-minute boat ride to and from Dubai’s mainland. Coral Island is a unique combination of absolute privacy and proximity to everything The World offers. Be part of an island community that is perfecting paradise. Overlook a pristine beach, enjoy five star amenities and visit a vibrant marina area providing indulgent comforts and conveniences. Exquisitely designed homes will be available for those seeking an island escape with private beachfronts in a secluded cove setting.
Coral Island offers visitors and residents a diverse range of pampering experiences and amenities designed to make the island a luxury escape.
Stroll the boardwalk and indulge at the island’s restaurants, beach club or many shops. Unwind on the private beach or with a delightful spa treatment.
Retreat to your incomparable beach home; enjoy the views, sounds and comforts of home. An island hideaway that invites you to escape to the good life.
Coral Island will take approximately three years to complete with a target date for residents to move in of 2010.
Nakheel is one of the world’s largest privately held real estate developers, and a key player in realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for living, business, and tourism.
Nakheel is developing an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across a range of sectors - residential, commercial, retail, and leisure. Nakheel’s developments spread across more than two billion sq ft of land, and its projects are projected to be worth US$60 billion. Upon completion Nakheel’s waterfront projects will have added more than 1000km of shoreline to Dubai’s coastline.
Nakheel’s portfolio currently includes The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The Palm Deira, The World, Waterfront, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Furjan, International City, Dragon Mart Complex, Dubai Promenade, and Dubai Design Centre.
Nakheel is a key entity within Dubai World. Dubai World is one of the world’s largest holding companies and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai government across five continents and more than 100 countries.
Further information can be found at www.nakheel.com.
Below are 2 videos about the World project from you tube. Both are older promotional videos.
