If It's Hip, It's Here (Archives)

Denmark's Anne Black Launches Her Ceramics & Jewelry In The U.S.

Copenhagen-based ceramist Anne Black graduated from Kolding School of Design in 1996 and was told to "go find a real job." Fifteen years later, she and her husband Jesper heads up a multi-million kroner enterprise with production facilities in Vietnam and a porcelain brand that's second only to Royal Copenhagen. Except Anne Black's contemporary and playful designs are entirely crafted by hand, using natural materials, and the company's approach is decidedly personal, fair trade and earth-friendly.

Now Denmark's top independent ceramic artist and designer, Anne Black has become a household brand name in Scandinavia and renowned across Europe. And so she is ready to take on the U.S.A.

With simple forms and delicate, understated graphical decorations, Anne Black creates unique and personal collections that are contemporary, yet classic, clean and distinctive. A product of the minimalist Scandinavian design tradition, the Anne Black collection includes jewelry, vases, cups, bowls, trays, knobs, and other home decor. Entirely manufactured by hand, using natural materials, each product reflects the designer’s respect for a classical material, porcelain, as well as an earth-friendly approach to production.

A few of her tabletop pieces from her varied collections:

And a glimpse at some of her jewelry which includes finger rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets:

All design and concept development takes place in Copenhagen, where Anne Black is based. Today, products are manufactured by hand in Hanoi, Vietnam in a workshop developed in partnership with DANIDA, the Danish International Development Agency, and in accordance with fair trade agreements.

Shop Anne Black

For U.S. Sales and Marketing Contact: Tina Vennegaard, Terra Firma/Los Angeles at 310-745-1040 or by email at tina@terrafirmaagency.com.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Body Paint Project

The Breast Cancer Awareness Body Paint Project is an ongoing series designed and created by Michael Colanero with the first survivor, model Cindy Papale (shown below), to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer causes.

Body artist Keegan was brought onboard and painted all but one of these women [the "tribute" image with the twin towers was painted by Lucianne Ungerbuehler]. To come up with the imagery, Keegan and Colanero would talk with the survivors, get a feel for their personality and collectively come up with a theme. Once the theme was decided upon, Keegan would then paint a base image on the models using a combination of hand painting and airbrushing.

Michael then took the photos which he digitally manipulated as shown below:

The following images are of 15 actual Breast Cancer Survivors. They intend to have a total of 50:

These images are available for sale on cafepress and all profits from the sales currently go to The Kristy Lasch Miracle Foundation. The foundation helps women under the age of 30 with medical related expenses who are battling breast cancer. Kristy was diagnosed at age 22 and lost her battle at 26. The Foundation is in her memory. Please note that The Kristy Lasch Foundation is not affiliated with this project beyond being a recipient of their donations.

Please Shop for Fundraising Products at:
http://www.cafepress.com/BCABPP

Follow the project on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/BCABPP

Behind the scenes videos:
http://www.YouTube.com/BCABPP

Full Series on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncommonstock/sets/72157615502729662/detail

Jen Aniston's Sex Tape For SmartWater

Mocking some of the most popular youtube videos, Jennifer Aniston, playing dumb about social media, stars in one of her own. Puppies, Dancing Babies, Double Rainbow and a kick to the crotch help create a virus- er, viral video for the bottled water owned by Glaceau.

I just wish it had ended with her riding bareback saying "I'm on a horse"

Nick Georgiou Turns The Printed Word Into Art. Old Books & Newspapers Become Sculpture.

Artist Nick Georgiou of Tuscon, Arizona puts old books and newspapers to good use by crafting them into three dimensional sculptures and ornately framed wall art. His human faces, flowers and animals made of rolled up newspapers and old book pages will have looking at that previously read paperback in a different light.

402 Redbud Trail is a modern residence designed by Cottam Hargrave in the wooded hills of Austin, Texas. The project, whose sale was handled by the Kush group, was designed for a family of five with multiple living areas. With few gadgets, the house focuses on permanence and craftsmanship. It is sited to capture the views from the rear of a steep site that is accessed from the bottom.

Award-winning 5-star Phuket resort Indigo Pearl has just opened a cutting-edge designer spa, most unique for its suspended treetop room providing mid-air pampering.

Modeled on the boyhood vision of internationally renowned designer, Bill Bensley, who is responsible for the entire resort’s raw-industrial meets sensual-chic styling, Coqoon Spa takes guests on a ‘journey of discovery and healing’.

It is set amongst lush tropical rainforest as the resort’s very own ‘Garden of Eden’ and uses a banyan tree as the hanger for its signature treatment room.

Coqoon Spa features six deluxe treatment rooms as well as an exclusive ‘Coqoon Suite’ complete with private pool, rain shower, steam room, sauna and Vichy shower available for private hire for up to 3-days. It comes complete with a spa butler for ease and convenience of multiple treatments throughout guests’ stay.

The ‘pièce de résistance and must-try for all spa enthusiasts is ‘The Nest’ – a luxurious spa suite suspended midair and accessed by a flying bridge, allowing guests to get up close and personal with nature.

Coqoon Spa is adorned throughout in silvery-blue palms and hues of plumbago. It takes the typical ‘zen’ approach to spas and gives it a lively / unusual twist with industrial touches and a fresh colour scheme. Its treatments menu is steeped in Thai tradition whilst embracing holistic ideals in the pursuit of better health and wellness.

On offer is a range of aromatic body treatments, scrubs and wraps, Anne Semonin facial treatments, hand and foot care, and beauty treatments. Rare plant essences, Andaman elixirs and Thai herbal spices excite the senses and rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit, administered by highly qualified therapists ensuring guest comfort and privacy at all times.

This wellness journey extends to the privacy of guests’ own accommodations with custom-designed ‘D-Buk’ spa suites, where individual experiences can be tailored to suit special requests and needs – with spa executives designing an individual treatment programme which is both enjoyable while also meeting specific goals and objectives. These can incorporate diet, exercise, activity, rest and relaxation with spa treatments to ultimately rejuvenate mind, body and spirit.

In celebration of the Coqoon Spa opening, Indigo Pearl is offering the “Coqoon Revival” package, a delicately designed package to revitalize and nourish body and soul available at THB 22,500 net from now until 15 April 2011.

The acclaimed 5-star Indigo Pearl is a fusion of modern architecture and Thai tin-mining heritage next to Nai Yang Beach, just 10 minutes from Phuket International Airport. The resort has been hailed as a design masterpiece by global media publications and boasts easy access with direct flights to Phuket from almost everywhere in Asia.