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Machine Girl:
Sneak Peek At Iguchi's Gorefest


Noboru Iguchi's MACHINE GIRL
(KATAUDE MASHIN GÂRU)

Noboru Iguchi's Machine Girl (Kataude mashin gâru) trailer has been floating around You Tube and Facebook. Some think it's real, others a spoof. It was my friend Greg who first sent me the trailer. I couldn't just let it be and had to do some research.



Oh, it's real. It's gory. And it's hilarious.

Here's some info for you:
•The screenplay for Machine Girl was written and directed by Noburo Iguchi.

•Yoshihiro Nishimura is responsible for the movie's special effects, special make-up effects, and molds.

•Yûji Shimomura is its action choreographer. (Shimomura himself directed Death Trance.)

The movie stars Yashiro Minase as Ami:




•Here's a synopsis for Machine Girl from the Fangoria article "Fever Dreams returns to Japan for MACHINE GIRL":

"Machine Girl is about a teenager named Ami who sets out for revenge on a gang of bullies who tortured her little brother to death. She winds up losing an arm along the way, and replaces it with a high-powered gun [see the pre-production still below], à la Rose McGowan in Grindhouse.

But she doesn't stop at one limb; Ami continues to lose body parts and replace them with more weapons (and tempura!) including the drill bra (doriru bura) seen in the pre-production still (prior to making the actual working props) below. (courtesy of Yoshihiro Nishimura.]"



Here are some newly release stills from the film which releases in 2008.





Production Company: Fever Dreams
Distributor: Nikkatsu (2007) (Non-USA) (all media) (sales)
Special Effects: Nishimura Motion Picture Model Makers Group

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Marc Newson's New Watches for IKEPOD Unveiled. (UPDATED)


above: The Yellow Gold Solaris Ikepod watch

NEWS: This post has been updated to include the Solaris collection of Ikepod watches, introduced to the line in December, 2008.

The Solaris collection, by designer Marc Newson is available in seven different versions. Five of which are ceramic, with one white gold and one yellow gold version. All are unisex in size and feature a round face in a square bezel.

White Gold:

White Ceramic:



Black Ceramic:



Original post continued below:

Ikepod brand watches, unveiled their newest collection by designer Marc Newson (above) at Design Miami just this past week (December, 2007).


The new collection consists of three lines. The Horizon, the Hemipode and the Megapode.The following descriptions and information were provided by Ikepod.

Horizon Collection


The Horizon wristwatch forgoes all complications in favor of pure design. The unique dial creates the optical illusion of appearing convex, thereby emphasizing the three dimensional volume of the IKEPOD case. This new collection works as an elegant dress watch in platinum for men, and in solid rose gold for women.


The Horizon wristwatch makes reference to the “event horizon” in astrophysics, literally meaning the edge of a “black hole” – the moment when gravity becomes infinite, when both time and space disappear. The timeless beauty and simplicity of this wristwatch, juxtaposed with its reference to the mathematical end of time and space, underscore the poetry and fleeting nature of timekeeping itself.

Hemipode Dual Time Collection

The iconic hemispheric shape of the IKEPOD watch is the inspiration for the name of this classic Marc Newson chronograph. The Hemipode embodies all the essential values of the IKEPOD philosophy: design integrity as well as technical functionality. Most chronographs offer a stopwatch function to time a lap around the racetrack or a jog around the park; this model also offers a second time zone function controlled by an eccentric off-center pusher.


The watch is designed for someone on the move who reads what time it is in Tokyo, but also needs to see what time it is back in Paris. The Hemipode is the epitome of how IKEPOD redefines the classic wristwatch, a design which will look even better in twenty years than it does today. Where as a design or fashion watch is destined to lose its allure, to choose the Hemipode is proof that one is attuned to an avantgarde statement of sophisticated taste.

Megapode Chronograph Collection

The largest and most technical of the IKEPOD Collection, the titanium Megapode provides the time, the day, a chronograph function, as well as a unique circular slide rule for complicated calculations. This is a watch that can compute fuel consumption for an aircraft or a way point for a pilot who needs to calculate range and distance.

A rugged and sturdy sport watch, this is the timepiece one would wish to have during an offshore passage at sea or a helicopter flight over the Alps. The unique and highly technical dial is the result of calculated and deliberate design. This wristwatch is a visual tour de force; never has so much information fit onto a watch dial without clutter, the result is a perfect balance of function and design.

Conceived by revolutionary industrial designer Marc Newson, the IKEPOD wristwatch banishes all that is unnecessary in order to reunite man and machine with the design authority and organic power of the ultimate surfboard, a classic sport car, or a racing multi-hull. IKEPOD combines economy of gesture, pinnacle technology, and sensuality of materials in ways that challenge connoisseurs to embrace not only a singular timepiece but also a bold set of values.

Foremost among these is independence from the conventions of traditional wristwatch design. Hewing to the great modernist principles of ‘truth to materials,’ and unity of form and function, IKEPOD rejects gratuitous ornamentation in order to highlight simplicity of form. It transforms what has previously been a strictly two-dimensional object into an organic, sculptural volume that functions in all three dimensions. By deliberately blurring old distinctions between front and back, it achieves a new level of harmony with the body of its wearer. Thus, while traditional watches employ “lugs” to attach a watchband to a case, the IKEPOD case and band join together in a single uninterrupted whole. By forgoing clasps and cumbersome articulated buckles in favor of a single discreet nipple, IKEPOD offers intimate fit, fluidity, and ideal balance on the wrist. Nothing superfluous comes between wearer and watch.

The IKEPOD approach is weighted with integrity. When the design process strips away all excess, what remains? Unrivaled quality and purpose. And so IKEPOD employs only inspectiongrade platinum, red gold, and titanium, sculpted to the highest standards possible by Swiss craftsmen. The dials provide information without pretension or conceit. And the IKEPOD band, unlike any other, is molded from a soft and flexible scented rubber, thereby defying the traditional definitions of sport and dress watch. In its startling difference, IKEPOD demands intelligence and daring from its wearer, and declares individuality the most exclusive form of luxury.


Visit their site.

Find an Ikepod retailer near you.

The Porsche of Kitchens. Literally.

Porsche Design Group and Poggenpohl Möbelwerke GmbH present their first co-designed kitchen P’7340. The kitchen is distinguished for its innovative framework, purist styling and high-quality materials. Kitchen appliances maker Miele & Cie. KG will be the exclusive supplier of all fitted electric appliances.



Back in October 2005, Porsche Design and Poggenpohl signed a co-operation agreement for the purpose. Says Roland Heiler, Managing Director of the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See: “Our studio already had long-standing experience in designing kitchen and home appliances as well as furniture. In Poggenpohl we have found a partner capable of implementing our idea of what a modern kitchen should look like.”



With their new kitchen, both companies intend to live up to the trend that shows an increasing number of men displaying an interest in ‘kitchen and cuisine’. “In recent years, kitchens have turned into event and representation areas frequently equipped with audio systems”, explains Elmar Duffner, Managing Director of Poggenpohl. “Our co-operation with Porsche Design enabled us to design a kitchen whose sleek and functional design language specifically addresses male customers.”

The new kitchen will be on display as a show kitchen and sold in Poggenpohl studios around the world as of spring 2008. It will be available in the USA as of summer 2008. Aluminum profiles of different sizes, which permit individual styling, constitute the basic framework of the new kitchen. Within the aluminum frames, customers can position cabinet elements any way they like. The result is a modular, spacious and extremely versatile system of frames and carcasses that deliberately integrates clear spaces into the overall design concept.


Above: the Cooktop

The use of aluminum, a material typically used by Porsche Design, gives the kitchen an innovative and technical look as the material lends a high degree of originality to the surfaces of both the furniture carcasses and the frames. The frames come with integrated lights that directly and diffusely illuminate the worktop and the surroundings, respectively. Another material used is glass, which – painted unobtrusively on the rear side and available in a satin or glossy finish – embellishes the front surfaces or fills the frames. Using aluminum and glass for yet another product, Porsche Design once again adheres to its philosophy of combining sleek design language with the finest materials.



The two wood varieties available for the front surface design provide an eye-catching contrast with these cool materials. Customers can choose between Driftwood, a heavily brushed type of pine that feels quite natural to the touch, and Dark Oak, a finely brushed type of dark oak. The unsealed, textured wood surfaces create a very natural and cozy atmosphere, enhancing the precision of the technical materials – glass and metal – even further.



Thin worktops crafted from satin-finished glass or black granite convey an impression of elegance and lightness, which is rounded off by their alignment with the carcass.


Above: automatic coffee maker

A special highlight of the Poggenpohl Porsche Design kitchen is the fact that all cabinets can be opened without handles: A gentle touch of the finger, and pull-out elements and drawers will open magically thanks to built-in high-precision systems, while a light push suffices to make them all withdraw and, over the final centimeters, go back automatically into their original position. An innovative mechanism enables the graceful movement of doors and flaps: Gently touching the front face will activate a spacer pin that mechanically moves a door or a flap a few centimeters forward. The absence of handles further emphasizes the uncompromising, purist and aesthetic appeal of the furniture. However, for completeness’ sake and as an alternative to the handleless solution, functional bar-handles crafted from brushed aluminum are also available.


Above: the audio visual system

In addition to multi-functional lighting systems harmoniously integrated into the sleek overall concept, the kitchen also boasts a high-tech audio-video system. The module has a purist appeal thanks to the aluminum-titanium colored, anodized aluminum frame with its ultra-glossy surfaces in back-painted glass. The electronics of the built-in LCD module are installed behind glass to protect these delicate components against dirt and splashing water. The module itself does not require a ventilation system and features an innovative, extremely small sound system whose plug-and-play solution offers options for both analogue and digital connections.

As all electric appliances and furniture elements in the Poggenpohl Porsche Design kitchen form a unified whole, kitchen appliances maker Miele & Cie. KG will be the exclusive supplier of all appliances – from ovens to steam cookers to dishwashers. In design and styling, all appliances are made to match that of the materials used in the kitchen. The electric appliances are operated via sensor keys instead of buttons and feature user-friendly dialogue displays.
source:architonic

Poggenpohl
Germany
Phone +49-(0)5221/381-0

A Purse With Prestige?
Leiber, Hermes & Prada Top The List



Want to impress someone this holiday season?
Then clearly the way to do it is by giving (or sporting) a Judith Leiber, Hermes or Prada handbag.
Can't afford those? Well then there are 23 others on the list. Read on...

NEW YORK, NY--(source: Marketwire) -

High net-worth consumers rated Leiber the most prestigious handbag brand in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com).




Leiber's handcrafted bejeweled creations --a few of which are shown above (click pn them to enlarge)-- were praised by respondents as perfect show-stopping accessories for that special occasion. The brand scored highly with women over age 45 and those with net worth in excess of $5 million. Hermes and Prada handbags were ranked second and third, respectively.

One of my personal favorites of Leibers' this season: The Karma Buddha Crystal handbag:

Above: Karma Buddah in multi colored Austrian crystals with gold accents. Includes matching satin gold coin purse and double sided mirror. Length: 4.6", Height: 5.4", Depth: 2.6". Imported.
JU-M28541
* Ships within 1 business day (M-F 9-10)
* Made in USA
price: $3895.00
Buy it here.

"Handbags have evolved from utilitarian accessories to coveted collectables. Not only do today's wealthy women want to communicate their sense of style and sophistication, but also their individuality. By carrying a handcrafted handbag, they show they can afford to be uniquely exclusive," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.

One of the classic and most prestigious handbags of all time is the Hermes Birkin Bag:



Looking for an authentic Hermes Birkin Bag? Look here.
Or at Hermes, of course.

"Individualization and customization is a trend that is popping up in a range of diverse categories and serves to separate the mass-class from the truly wealthy," Pedraza added. "Our 'voice of the high net-worth consumer' surveys from the impartial Luxury Institute provide important endorsements for luxury brands and the consumers they serve."

Following are the 26 handbag brands that were rated in alphabetical order (with links to their sites):
1. Bottega Veneta
2. Brighton
3. Burberry
4. Chanel
5. Chloe
6. Coach
7. Cole Haan
8. Dior
9. Dolce & Gabbana
10. Dooney & Bourke
11. Fendi
12. Ferragamo
13. Furla
14. Gucci
15. Hermes
16. Kate Spade
17. L.A.M.B.
18. Leiber
19. Longchamp
20. Louis Vuitton
21. Marc Jacobs
22. Michael Kors
23. Miu Miu
24. Prada
25. Ralph Lauren
26. Yves Saint Laurent

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 783 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $305K and average net worth of $2.2 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings, reviews and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.

Where to get some of these fabulous handbags without paying full retail?

Try these:
Ebay, of course.
Bluefly
eluxury
Karen Kooper
Euro Bella Collections
Good Cost
am pm fashion
Unusual Threads
smart bargains
Rodeo Drive Resale
efashionhouse

Can afford them even at a discount?
Then rent one here at Bag Borrow or Steal.

Funky Find Of The Week:
Banpresto's Face Bank



The Banpresto Facebank is a delight for kids and grown-ups alike.
A little tabletop bank that actually 'eats' pennies.
Don't believe me?
I have video proof:



Available in red, blue or grey.

So, where can you get this cute little guy?
Yes, he's made in japan but he's available to purchase for only $30 bucks here.

Please donate

C'mon people, it's only a dollar.