With Packaging Like This, I Don't Care What It Smells Like - Shigenobu Twilight

Shigenobu Twilight by Anicka Yi & Maggie Peng

This is the first handcrafted scent by NY artist Anicka Yi and architect Maggie Peng. The fragrance is inspired by the Fusako Shigenobu, former leader of the Japanese Red Army, who was believed to be in exile in Lebanon for many years after orchestrating some of the group's most political statements.



Yi and Peng have chosen cedar wood as a central theme of this fragrance's narrative, as cedar is highly regarded in Lebanon as a national emblem. The scent uses three different kinds of cedar wood as its base note, along with violet leaf and nutty heart notes, and top notes of yuzu, shiso leaf, and black pepper. The packaging for this hand-distilled fragrance is made of raw cedar wood, each bottle uniquely (and painstakingly) hand-cut by the creators in architectural geometry, encasing a 10ml glass bottle of liquid within.



all info courtesy of oogabooga

Shigenobu pics by Noah Sheldon.

$160.00 a bottle, with refills for $80.00
buy it here.

Talkative Tote Bags From Jessica Kagan Cushman

The daughter of renowned furniture designer Vladimir Kagan, Jessica Kagan Cushman, was initially introduced into the fashion jewelry realm with her popular engraved fossilized mammoth ivory and resin word bangles. Now she's expanded her line of whimsical and wearable creations to include clever tote bags that have just as much to say.

Her cotton canvas totes (Statement Totes) and coated canvas totes with patent trim (JKC Logo bags) play off of popular cultural phrases, text phrases, and take not so subtle knocks at expensive designer handbags in their phrases and /or design. Ironically, though, these aren't cheap.

The cotton canvas tote bags come in two sizes, the smaller is $45.00, the larger $70.00:

My other bag is Prada:

My other bag is Fendi:

My other bag is Hermes:

My other bag is Louis Vuitton:

Does this bag make me look fat?:

This bag makes me look rich and skinny:


The coated canvas bags with patent trim (JKC logo totes) are much pricier starting at $130.00 and up to $325.00:

WTF (what the fuck):

OMG (Oh My God):

LOL (laugh out loud):

Morsus Mihi (Bite me):

Chocolate or death:

Keep calm and carry on:


Never, never, never give up.:


She also has a series of clutch purses in real snakeskin (hot pink, red, black, gold, silver or python) that feature reproduction scrimshaw drawings that strongly resemble Fornasetti images or with plaques whose options include: Wasp, "Bitch", "Bite Me" and "If you can read this you're too close"


There's plenty more to see at her site.


>shop for her totes as well as her bangles and clutches here.

Photographer Steven Klein Brings Out Madonna's Best For 2010 Dolce & Gabbana Ad Campaign

above: Madonna with Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce

We've seen the buffed bicepped cougar shilling for everything from Pepsi to Louis Vuitton.

But to see The Material Girl in the latest Dolce & Gabbana ads shot by well known fashion and editorial photographer Steven Klein is to see her in her most appropriate element yet. The newest campaign has the Italian singer exuding Sicilian sensuality, not unlike Italian film legends Sophia Loren, Monica Vitti and Gina Lollobrigida, to advertise their Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

She doesn't look overly styled or even overly sinewy, but instead very sexy and surprisingly beautiful as she does dishes in a kitchen that looks straight out of a small Italian village.

Exclusive in this week's Italian edition of Vanity Fair is the worldwide preview of the Dolce & Gabbanna new spring/summer 2010 campaign:





The following text is from Dolce & Gabanna's blog:
Madonna's private life is seldom out of the papers but this new Dolce & Gabbana campaign is unlike anything you have seen before. Exit the paparazzo, these shots by Steven Klein reveal much more than a grainy stolen picture, they showcase an intimate, real aspect to the ultimate icon's life.





In keeping with Dolce & Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2010 collection's emphasis on Mediterranean heritage and classic Italian sensuality, the mood isn't unlike a film from the days of Italian Neorealism. Madonna herself recalls the strong, raw sensuality of the iconic actress Anna Magnani - showcasing when soft sensuality meets bold authenticity.

More images from Steven Klein:





As Dolce & Gabbana's spring/summer 2010 collection returned to its Italian roots, evoking its strong heritage and revisiting iconic pieces such as the corset (the designer's finale was composed solely of corsets) it seemed only fitting that Madonna, who embodies both the strong sensuality of the brand and who shares an Italian heritage with the designers should be the one to showcase the Sicilian inspired collection.




above: the finale of the runway show was comprised of only corsets

In the stills below, from Italian films of the past, you can see the strong resemblance in mood and styling:

above: Italian film beauties Sofia Loren, Gina Lollabrigida and Anna Magnani

above: Monica Vitti is said to be Madonna's favorite actress

In the Vanity Fair Italy feature, Stefano Gabbana discusses the campaign and why Madonna was the perfect match: "She loved the collection," he says, "...she is passionate and impressively knowledgeable about Italian cinema," (Monica Vitti is her favourite actress and we see the resemblance)."

Photographer Steven Klein has worked with Madonna many, many times for editorial shoots, ad campaigns and personal projects. He even has a series of short films that feature her. Be sure to see those and more at his site here.

all Madonna images courtesy of Dolce & Gabbana, Steven Klein and Vanity Fair.