If I Were A Baby, Here's How I'd Like To Roll. The Aston Martin X Silver Cross Surf Carriage.

Launching in April is one special, and pricey (£2000), baby carriage. The Surf Aston Martin Edition Pram, a collaboration between luxury sports car brand Aston Martin and high-end baby brand Silver Cross, will be issued in a strictly limited edition of 800 and sold exclusively through Harrod's.



For generations, Aston Martin and Silver Cross have represented the finest in British design, engineering, craftsmanship and luxury. Each combines a peerless heritage at the very forefront of their field with a commitment to innovation; a determination to uphold the greatest traditions of British engineering excellence in the contemporary age.






Now the legendary sports car marque and the company that invented the modern baby carriage have come together in a unique and unprecedented collaboration. Issued in a strictly limited edition of just 800 pieces, the Silver Cross Surf – Aston Martin Edition is a modern masterpiece. It marries prowess with luxury to create a truly exceptional environment for baby, perfect for parents who insist on giving them the very best from day one.







Each pram will come with its own certificate of authenticity and an engraved brushed chrome plaque to confirm that it is one of a limited edition.

Details:
• Surf – Aston Martin Edition chassis finished in anodised aluminium and magnesium alloy
• Surf – Aston Martin Edition seat unit finished in luxurious Alcantara® and leather
• Surf – Aston Martin Edition carrycot finished in Alcantara®, performance fabric and leather
• Alcantara® harness and buckle protector pads
• Performance fabric hood and apron
• Winter footmuff with windproof performance fabrics
• Sun shade and rain shield
• Folding detachable shopping basket
• Suitable from birth
• L98cm x W58cm x H92-100cm
• Chassis 7.5kg, Body 3.8kg

Price: £2000

The Surf Aston Martin Edition is exclusively available at Harrods (Regrettably, this product is non-exportable.)

Art Nouveau Clovers by Raphael Kirchner In Honor of St. Patrick's Day.

A little art flashback for you in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

Here's a look at the beautiful series of "A Quattre Feuilles" or "Clovers" created in 1899 by Austrian Art Nouveau artist Raphael Kirchner (1876 - August 2, 1917).



Produced in postcard format, like the majority of his work, these were printed as color lithographs (both green and violet versions were produced) with metallic pigment (the hearts and titles are in gold) on card stock.






images courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

Some of the used postcards can be found for auction on Ruby Lane or Ebay.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Chairs, Clothes and Objects Made Entirely Of Paper By Vincent Tomczyk.

the above chair is made entirely from paper

Artist Vincent Tomczyk likes working with paper because, in his own words, "my art requires me to be part craftsman and part engineer." His clothing, chairs and other objects crafted from various types of paper and foamcore are hard to discern from the originals because the likenesses are uncannily realistic.

Below are selections from his Versisimilitudes and Virtu Collections:


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Americana, paper jeans, 2011, paper, canvas, silk and nylon thread, 15 x 9 x 11 in.


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Shirt and Tie, 2010, Mulberry and various other papers, 23 x 30 x 4 in.


above: Vincent Tomczyk, William S. Burroughs, Diptych, 2012, printed paper and woven paper, 23 x 14.5 x 1 in.


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Wallet, 2011, Paper, nylon thread, 4 x 3 x 0.5 in. (folded)


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Paper Eames Chair LCW, 2012, Various papers, hand painted, 22 x 23 x 28 in.


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Ubiquitous, 2012, foam core, 22 x 20 x 32 in., Private Collection


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Black Swim Cap, 2011, Painted coated paper, canvas, glass beads, 8 x 10 x 3.5 in.


above: Vincent Tomczyk, Bergère, 2012, Various papers, 26 x 26 x 36 in.

Artist's Statement:

My art centers on objects to stimulate visceral connections. These compositions represent biographies of people, experiences and interpretations of intangible ideas. Although my work can be categorized as realism, my intention is to distill the emotion of an object, then through expression, reconstruct it into my view of its essential self - free of function.

As an artist working primarily with paper, my art requires me to be part craftsman and part engineer. I learned a lot about how to construct things by working at my father’s side, in his workshop. I’m compelled to produce work that is visually poetic by using a medium that defies perceived limitations.

I am currently working on a series of paper chairs. I am interested in how personal chairs can become over time - almost taking on the characteristics of their owners. Chairs provide a sense of dignity - from hand carved stools in Africa, to thrones in Europe. Conversely, chairs are ubiquitously a part of our public and social lives, bringing humanity together in small groups or en masse. - Vincent

Upcoming exhibition:
Gallery 825 / Los Angeles Art Association
Solo Show: Vincent Tomczyk / OVERLOOKED... May 4 - 31, 2013
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 4, 2013, 6-9 PM
825 N La Cienega Blvd Los Angeles CA 90069

Vincent Tomczyk

Wine In A Handbag. French Wines In Chic Packaging. What A Great Idea.

Wine in a box is so tacky, despite the improvement in many of the designs. A fresh way to serve up wine in a box are these smart "Bag-In-A-Bag" white, red and rosé wines from Vernissage of Sweden. French wines packaged in stylish looking handbags - a fabulous idea for birthday parties, Bridal Showers, Fashion Shows, concerts, picnics, conferences and more.



Packaging French wines into a case that looks like a chic handbag, complete with tap or spout was such a clever design, it won the 2010 "Most Innovative" in the Carton Awards 2010 and a prestigious gold award in the Pentawards, the world´s largest packaging design competition.


The White: 2011 Chardonnay Viogner from France
Vernissage has a young, fresh and aromatic bouquet with hints of fruits such as apple, citrus, pineapple and vanilla. The flavour is dry, flowery and very fruity with the essence of pear, citrus, tropical fruits and vanilla.

Vernissage makes an excellent aperitif, but goes well with flavourful fish and shellfish dishes, especially with Asian influences of lime and ginger.


The Red: 2010 Syrah Cabernet Sauvigon from France
Vernissage Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark red wine. Inviting fruity scent with notes of spices, tones of ripe berries, black current, blackberries and herbs as well as chocolate and barrels. Goes well with red and white meat, pasta, poultry and aged cheese.


The Rosé: 2011 Syrah Rosé from France
The French Vernissage Syrah Rosé is a lively and fresh rosé wine from the region Pays d'Oc in southern France. With a hint of raspberries and blackberries in the flavor, it has a herblike finish. The generously fruity aroma has notes of wild red berries. Vernissage Syrah Rosé is perfect as an aperitif, but is also suitable for fish, seafood or light chicken salad.

The Bag-in-Bag wine Vernissage has taken both wine-lovers and the press by storm, in Sweden as well as internationally. The successful project was created by Takis Soldatos, Oenoforos, in cooperation with Sofia Blomberg Art Direction & Design. The result is elegant design combined with high quality wines from the French wine region Pays d'Oc.



The thought behind Vernissage is a playful approach to the curious and modern wine consumer. At the same time, a woman´s touch has propelled the Bag-in-Bag wine from the practical to the elegant.

Vernissage Wines