Marimekko X Converse - 13 Styles And Many Are On Sale!

Original Marimekko patterns from the 1960s created by the well-known Finnish textile mill are applied to some Converse favorites in this special collection. The signature prints are paired with such classic Converse styles as Jack Purcells and All Star Hi and low tops.



Right now, about half the Marimekko Converse kicks are on sale. Here's a look at the 13 shoes in the collection:













Each pair of the 13 different styles comes with a matching cinch bag made in the Marimekko pattern, like those shown below:




Just Reduced Merchandise at Converse + Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more


click on the above logo to start shopping.

A Luxury Watch That Looks As Though It Could Hop, The HM3 Frog By MB&F.

above: The newest HM3 Frog is the Chocolate frog. Red gold with Chocolate PVD coated titanium in a limited edition of 10 pieces

MB&F presents Horological Machine N°3 Frog. Haute horlogerie is (usually) a very restrained and serious business; however one of Maximilian Büsser main goals in creating MB&F was to bring a child's sense of awe and sense of playfulness into high-end watchmaking. There is no doubt that with the HM3 Frog, MB&F have certainly achieved that goal.

The protruding eyes of the (amphibian) frog enable it to see in many directions without having to turn its head. The bulbous domes of the HM3 Frog have the opposite, but no less important, feature of enabling the time to be easily seen from many angles without having to turn the wrist. The Frog differs substantially from HM3 in that it is the aluminum domes that rotate under the sapphire crystals in the Frog, whereas it is the hour and minute hands that rotate around their respective stationary cones on HM3.

The HM3 Frog is available in Grade 5 titanium with blued rotor, a limited edition of 10 in chocolate PVD-coated grade 5 titanium with red gold rotor, or a limited edition of 18 in black PVD-coated zirconium with purple rotor:


Rotating domes of this size and shape posed MB&F with a number of technical challenges. The hour and minute domes are machined from solid aluminium - chosen for its optimal strength to weight ratio. The domes weigh in at just over 0.5g. They are milled first from the outside and then the inside to arrive at a paper-thin wall thickness of just 0.28 mm, which reduces their energy requirements to an absolute minimum.

Even the fabrication of the semi-spherical sapphire crystal domes was incredibly demanding and only recently even possible at all. This is due to the fact that any slight imperfection in the sapphire might introduce a disconcerting magnification effect. The sapphire has to be shaped and polished to be perfectly uniform.



The Frog's unusual method of indicating time necessitated the development of a new gear train for the HM3 engine. This was because the aluminum hour dome of the Frog rotates in 12 hours compared to the 24 hour revolution of the HM3 hour hand. And as the oversized date wheel is driven from the hours, the gearing driving the date had to be reworked as well.



The Frog may portray the time in a playful manner, but there is nothing but serious and meticulous attention to detail and care regarding the fine hand-finishing of the high-tuned engine purring within its lightweight high-tech titanium or zirconium case.

A close inspection of the case is rewarded with carefully thought out detailing including a figure 8 engraved around the domes that mirrors the form of the display back(revealing dual ceramic bearings); distinctive clover-head white gold screws; and an engraved arrow discreetly indicating the easy to read over-sized date.


above image courtesy of ablogtoread

If the viewer's gaze manages to break away from the obiculate indications, it is likely to be arrested by the brightly-coloured 22K gold battle-axe winding rotor or the intricacies of the thoroughbred movement beneath.

the original HM3 in Grade 5 titanium with blue rotor:


The limited edition of 18 in black PVD-coated zirconium with purple rotor:



a limited edition of 10 in chocolate PVD-coated grade 5 titanium with red gold rotor




Case
Grade 5 titanium/blue 22K gold rotor; limited edition of 10 chocolate titanium/22K red gold rotor; limited edition of 18 black zirconium/purple 22k gold rotor
 Screwed-down crown. 
 Dimensions (exclusive of crown and lugs) 47mm x 50mm x 16mm
. Number of case components = 53.

Movement
Three-dimensional horological engine designed by Jean-Marc Wiederrecht/Agenhor
. Powered by a Girard-Perregaux base. 
Balance oscillating at 28,800 bph
 22K gold battle-axe shaped 'mystery' automatic winding rotor. 
Hour and minutes information transmitted via ceramic ball bearings to rotating domes. 
Number of jewels 36 (all functional)
. Number of components = 304.

Functions
Hour and day/night indicator on one dome (aluminium dome rotating in 12 hours). 
Minutes on second dome (aluminium dome rotating in 60 minutes)
. Date around the movement.

Dials
Rotating aluminium domes, stationary hands
Sapphire crystals
Domes and both display backs with anti-reflective treatment on both faces
. Domes for indications in aluminium, 0.58g

Price ranges from $82,000 to $100,000 USD

And you gotta love the Horolobot!:

all images and information courtesy of MB&F

Visit MB&F for more information

California Shaped Desks and Coffee Tables By J. Rusten Studio

The California Series of desks and coffee tables by Jared Rusten of J. Rusten Studio are functional and fun handcrafted wood tables whose tops are shaped like the state of California.


above: prototype on the left, finished table on the right

The wooden top is made of salvaged Claro walnut (native to CA) and the base is salvaged white oak, treated with a vinegar & steel solution to produce the charcoal/ebony staining.







The prices are as follows:
Large Desk $2,950
Medium Desk $2,350
Medium Coffee table $2,250
Small Coffee table $1,650

you can purchase the pieces online here or you can mail a check to him at:

J. Rusten Furniture Studio
P.O. Box 40755
San Francisco, CA 94140

Jared Rusten creates modern, solid-wood furniture, sculpture, and artwork under the appellation: J. Rusten Furniture Studio.


above photo by Neil Barrett for Taylor Stitch

The studio was founded in 2003 with a mandate to advance the craft of woodworking, explore new and challenging solid-wood furniture designs, and construct beautiful, compelling, singular, and enduring objects.

The studio/workshop is located at 2815 23rd St. in San Francisco’s Mission District

See more of his fine wood furniture here.

New Ad Campaign For Sharpie Markers Features Talented Fans.

Four new print ads featuring some talented people who can wield a Sharpie marker like nobody's business is part of a new Back-To-School marketing campaign from the famous permanent marker brand. Sharpie® has announced a makeover to its website, new product packaging, a new back-to-school product line-up, and launches its “Start with Sharpie” campaign – a multi-channel effort, the centerpiece of which is a series of national print and digital ads featuring some of Sharpie’s most passionate fans and their Sharpie® creations.



clockwise from top left: Cheeming Booey, Mark Rivard, Marirose Weldon and Erica Domesek

With nearly two-million fans on Facebook and an active roster of advocates known as the Sharpie Squad, Sharpie didn’t have to look far to find candidates to appear in the ads. Ultimately, the brand selected three Sharpie Squad members, along with a newcomer, teen singer and songwriter Marirose Weldon, who uses Sharpie Liquid Pencils to write her lyrics.

Each Sharpie fan appears in one of four unique print ads, along with the project they started with Sharpie:

• Cheeming Boey



Known as the “coffee cup artist,” Cheeming’s work has been displayed in galleries nationwide. In his ad, Cheeming demonstrates how a Sharpie Pen and a simple paper cup can be combined to create something truly inspiring.





• Mark Rivard



Using skateboards as his canvas, Mark’s designs have appeared in sports commercials and galleries worldwide. Mark demonstrates how he uses Sharpie Mini markers to create coveted custom boards.




• Marirose Weldon



At just 16-years-old, Marirose is already penning a name for herself in the music business with the recent release of her debut single, “I Want Love.” Marirose uses Sharpie Liquid Pencils to craft lyrics she hopes will propel her career to the next level.




• Erica Domesek



DIY expert, author and creator of P.S.- I Made This, Erica’s creations are inspired by some of the biggest names in fashion. She has been featured in top entertainment and fashion media, and both her website and her book feature several Sharpie DIY projects. In her Sharpie ad, Erica breathes new life into a standard-issue pencil case using new Stained by Sharpie™ fabric markers to create a chic purse.





The full-page ads also include an adjacent 1/3-page ad with a QR code where readers can click to view videos showcasing the inspiration behind each project. The ads will appear in Seventeen, Teen Vogue, Us Weekly and other magazines targeting teens.

“Sharpie has a long history with celebrities and autographs, but this year it’s all about the fans and the inspiring ways they are using our products,” said Sally Grimes, global vice president of marketing for Sharpie. “This is about real people with an authentic passion for our brand – people who started something with Sharpie and, as a result, are getting a jump-start on making their own dreams a reality.”

Sharpie Cinema
In a brand first, Sharpie will also employ cinema advertising. The ads, scheduled to appear in July and August in major movie theaters nationwide, will echo Sharpie’s TV spots airing simultaneously on national network and cable TV stations, including the CW, MTV, FUSE and Nickelodeon. Sharpie TV spots include “Will You Marry Me?”, a proposal scenario featuring the Sharpie Pen, and “What Would The World Look Like Without Self-Expression?”, which leaves viewers to ponder a world without creativity. In addition, Sharpie will run interactive digital display and video ads on sites including Alloy, AOL, MTV and HULU.

The ads, developed by Draftfcb Chicago, will harness the power of advocacy to show the world what can begin with Sharpie and a little imagination.

Another part of Sharpie’s back-to-school effort is a re-designed, socially optimized website – still found at www.sharpie.com. The site features a new, more user-friendly community experience where fans can create their own unique profile, upload and share their Sharpie projects, easily navigate the full product portfolio via an interactive color wheel, view how-to videos and Sharpie fan galleries, as well as engage with Sharpie on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the Sharpie Blog.



Start Something on YouTube™
Never one to shy away from bold statements, Sharpie will provide its fans with a one-of-a-kind platform to showcase their work when Sharpie stages a one-day takeover of YouTube’s home page on Saturday, August 27. The takeover will feature an interactive mosaic of consumer-submitted artwork -- all the unique items that fans have started with Sharpie. Thousands of Sharpie images will combine in pixilated imagery to create a statement where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. To be part of the takeover, visit www.sharpie.com.



“The YouTube takeover will give consumers and the rest of the world an opportunity to see what fans have started with Sharpie,” Grimes said. “From the YouTube takeover to the new website, packaging, product line up and more – we’re aiming to drive a deeper overall consumer connection, one that only Sharpie can provide to our loyal fans.”

For more information on Sharpie products and the new campaign, please visit www.sharpie.com.

The Shisha, A High End Hookah From Porsche Design Is Smokin'.

This high-end hookah or luxury bong (depending upon what one plans to smoke out of it) has been designed and created by the Porsche Design Studio. A modern version of the popular Middle Eastern hookah pipes, the Shisha combines aluminum, stainless steel and glass with the timeless and unique design approach of the luxury brand.

Already under criticism from health organizations in the UK, the Shisha was designed as part of the Porsche Design World Collection which will be available at Porsche Design stores worldwide at the end of July and exclusively at the newly opened Porsche Design shop-in-shop at the world famous Harrods department store in London, Knightsbridge.

Porsche today said that the Porsche Design Shisha was an object of 'cultural value.'

'Our brand has very strong roots in the Middle Eastern market,' said a spokesman.

'Our brand is very much international and in doing our World Collection (which also includes tea cups and chopsticks) we decided need to include cultural goods from and for the Middle Eastern market as well.

The firm said it was part of their plan for 'global thinking and unifying cultural backgrounds.'

Harrods, where the Porsche pipes are sold, was acquired last year by the Qatari royal family, who also own 10 per cent of Porsche.

Made in Germany, the Shisha stands 55 centimeters tall and shows discreet branding on the aluminium (aluminum) top.


The long flexible tube is made out of TecFlex material, which is also used for the classic Porsche Design TecFlex writing tools:


The Porsche Design Shisha retails for 1.350,00€ and can be bought in their online Porsche design store.

This is not the first smoking paraphernalia that Porsche studio has designed. Their P' 3613, a tobacco pipe made from forty-year-old Bruyère wood has cooling ribs cut into the material along the lines of the famous air-cooled Porsche boxer engines create a thermal effect that cools the pipe bowl to a pleasant temperature:


They have designed other versions of pipes, lighters, cigar cutters and holders which you can see here.

The Porsche Design World Collection is dedicated to a united global community and consists of a number of exclusively designed products. Besides the Shisha the assortment contains chopsticks, a tea and soup set as well as a few fashion items such as a jacket, polo shirt and a silk scarf.

The lately opened 55 square-metre shop-in-shop at the world-famous department store Harrods in London offers the full range of Porsche Design products. It is situated in the opulent surroundings of the Knightsbridge store’s vision and sound department at the 3rd Floor’s Millionaires Gallery.

Porsche Design Store at
Harrods Ltd.
87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL
Great Britain

About Porsche Design:

Porsche Design is a luxury brand with a particular focus on technically inspired products. The Porsche Design brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The products stand for functional, timeless and purist design, characterised by their technical innovation. The product portfolio includes watches, sunglasses, luggage, electronic products, a men’s fragrance line as well as sports apparel and a fashion collection for men and women. All the products under the brand are designed at the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See (Austria) and are available worldwide in the company’s own stores, franchise stores, shops-in-shops, high end department stores and exclusive specialist retailers.

Information courtesy of Porsche Design and The Daily Mail