Ego Lifestyle's New Galaxy Collection. Another Addition To the Luxury Notebook Line

Mention luxury and laptop and most people think Tulip's Ego Lifestyle Notebooks. As they should. Portable laptops with built-in chrome handles covered in exotic skins and lacquers, as well as studded with diamonds. But now, they've come out with yet another luxe edition, the Swarovski crystal-studded Galaxy Collection.

As their own press release reads:
"Glitter and Glamour. The Ego-Galaxy collection has a glittering appearance as it is embedded with hundreds of Swarovski crystals. The leather on the skins originates from Italy and has been treated with a special laser technique, resulting in a unique decorative pattern. The Ego-Galaxy collection contains four samples: orphine (set with transparent-, opal- and champagne-coloured Swarovski crystals), cosmos (with green-, purple- and emerald-tinted Swarovski crystals), celestial (with the spring colours of 2008, yellow-, opal- and sea green-coloured Swarovski crystals) and aura (white and purple tinted cow skin, with deep purple coloured Swarovski crystals)."


Above: One of the new Swarovski-studded paisley leather Galaxy Collection notebooks by Tulip Ego. Sold exclusively through www.ego-lifestyle.com



About us (in their own words)
The company, established in 2003, is engaged in the design, production, distribution and marketing of luxury lifestyle products. To that end, Ego Lifestyle works closely together with leading international companies and organisations in the fashion, luxury and lifestyle sectors.



We came up with a totally simple idea a few years ago: a notebook that you can carry like a bag. The idea was transformed into a full-scale and unique project and after years of research and development we are proud to present 'ego': the world's most luxurious notebook and portable dvd player in one.

Cornerstones
The Ego brand has been built around three main cornerstones, (1) Easy Going (easiness of use), (2) Luxury and Design and (3) Mobility. These cornerstones form the basic elements around which each Ego product is build.




Focusing on optimal user experience, Ego concentrates on keeping close control on all of its activities. Therefore, each Ego is handmade in their own European Ego ateliers from the finest handpicked and superior quality materials.

Heritage
Ego has strong roots in development and marketing of electronic technology. Ego Lifestyle B.V. originated from Tulip Distribution and International Holding that was entitled to the exclusive rights of the Tulip brand from Tulip N.V., Europe’s leading computer manufacturer in the 70’s. Tulip N.V. still holds the first European license of Microsoft Corporation.

Building on this past technology know how, Ego started developing independent activities in 2002. Founded by Huub van den Boogaard, the Ego concept engendered immense press attention from all over the globe as turning the market around.

Completely breaking with traditional design and use of computers, Ego became the first to integrate luxury materials and groundbreaking design into highly functional handmade luxury electronics.

Each Ego is a unique handmade lifestyle piece of electronic jewellery equipped with the latest proven technology.



Handmade
Every ego is manufactured at our high-quality atelier using dedicated craftsmanship to make sure that every ego is unique and features unsurpassed excellent product quality and finishing. Completely personalised to match your desires, it could be your ego.

Changeable skins
The notebook's changeable skins mean you can always make it match your successful contemporary lifestyle by simply changing the outer skin using the clever locking mechanism. The skins are available separately in leather or with a lacquer finish.

Our design team selects only the finest quality materials to ensure every ego meets the highest standards of excellence.

Truly personal
The current world of mass production triggers the desire for exclusivity and personalisation. Ego enables fulfilment of this desire by offering a large selection of choices in finishing, artwork, fabrics and the finest quality leather. Unique, because every ego is handmade at our own high-quality atelier.

Ego Lifestyle B.V. is located in an historical building in Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.


Above: their least expensive cover.

Above: a special diamond studded cover that sold for $30,000.

Below are just some of their exotic skins and leathers (click on pic to enlarge):





Diamond and Platinum Collection


Ego Diamond & Ego Platinum, a remarkable lifestyle piece of electronic jewellery equipped with the latest proven technology.

The skins of the Ego Diamond & Ego Platinum are made of superior quality leathers. Ego features a broad selection of leathers that can be selected to create the ultimate personal luxury experience. All skins are set with gold ornaments set with sparkling diamonds.

Based on the Ego Signature, the Ego Diamond and Ego Platinum provide you with the ultimate personal experience. Like an haute jewellery piece, both the Ego Diamond and Ego Platinum can be tailor made to your specific desires. Use of materials like 18 carat white gold, polished platinum, and Top Wesselton V.V.S. 1 quality diamonds make the Ego Diamond and Ego Platinum articulate luxury statements.

Truly unique, as the skins can be encrusted with a gold or platinum logo, letter or initial set with diamonds. The Ego Diamond carries your personal signature on the inside on the spacebar.





Limited Editions

Monique Colligon


An exclusive fusion of unique fashionable design and ultimate functionality.
Ego MC, when haute couture meets technology.

Following its roots, Ego joined forces with famous Dutch Couturier Monique Collignon to establish the ultimate link to fashion. This cooperation resulted in the Ego MC, a completely personalised electronic fashion statement.

With outer skins specially designed by Monique Collignon with the Collignon logo embossed in four different colours and leathers, the signature of Monique Collignon on the keyboard, the special limited edition number and name engraved in two 18 carat white gold ornaments and the personalised handwritten card by Monique, the Ego MC is a fusion between haute couture and luxury electronics.




Jan des Bouvrie
Ego by Jan, the premium luxury notebook designed to embody your expressive style.
A fusion of two revolutionary brand synergised into a unique cooperation ego by jan.
Dedicated attention has been given by jan des bouvrie to add functional design to the already revolutionary design of the ego notebook.




Special handpainted/ airbrushed and signed Spiderman edition by artist Andy Davis:


Please visit their site for technical specs and additional information.

Buy any of the above ego notebooks here.

Update: Their newest Ego for Bentley:




available in various colored leathers, learn more here.


And then you've got to check out their hip versions with sayings and more here.

Ego Lifestyle B.V.
Parade 15
5211 KL 's-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)73 692 95 00
F +31 (0)73 692 95 09
E question@ego-lifestyle.com

Kudos To Some of My Fave Artists: Karin Jurick, David Buckingham & Scott Rench

Karin Jurick
Congratulations to my dear friend and talented painter, Karin Jurick on her being chosen as a finalist in the competition for "People & Figures" by International Artist Magazine Competition!  Her painting "Strictly Pedestrian" was chosen as one of the featured pieces in the Dec/Jan issue.


   

Above: Karin Juricks' Strictly Pedestrian Visit Karin's site here.

David Buckingham Congratulations to another good friend and talented metal artist, David Buckingham of Buckingham Studio, Los Angeles. Some of his fabulous wall-mounted 3D soldered metal letter art was commissioned for the masthead of William Safire's column in today's New York Times Magazine !

   

Above: screen grab from NY Times Magazine online

 Of course, the online version screws up the colors, but in the actual magazine they look great and more like the original seen here:

   

Visit David's site here.


Scott Rench One of my favorite multi-talented artists is Scott Rench whose work finds it's way into and onto some of the most interesting shows and collaborations. Right now he has many pieces in the fabulous Fragiles Porcelain show at Design Miami as well as a T-Shirt for sale at the ultra hip Threadless and he has even created one of the now sold out everywhere limited edition bottles of Bong Spirit Vodka.


Above: Some of Scott's pieces in the Fragiles Show

   

Above left: Scott's Threadless T. Buy the t-shirt here. Above right: Scott's artwork on the Bong Spirit Vodka Bottle

   Visit Scott's Site here.

Viktor & Rolf Turn Fashion On Its Head With An Upside Boutique In Milan.

My friend Betsy Wills asked me if I'd ever been to the Viktor & Rolf boutique in Milan. I told her I hadn't and asked her why. She told me that her husband, a talented builder, was going to be creating an upside down room in their new home, like that in the Viktor & Rolf boutique in Italy.

So, I had to check it out, of course.
Wow. If you've never been to the Dutch designers' Viktor & Rolf Boutique in Italy, it's quite unusual. The entire store is designed upside-down.

That's right, the floor is on the ceiling, the ceiling on the floor.

The outside window displays have chandelier's sprouting from the floor and even their store signage on the windows is upside-down.

The only thing right side up are the clothes and prices, of course.

It's really amazing as you'll witness by the following photos. Just looking at them makes me a little sick to my stomach, but not as much as the prices for their clothes do.











So, if you find yourself in Milan, toss back a few Dramamine and go on in to see this unsual example of visual merchandising,architecture and interior design.

More Viktor & Rolf

Check out this video about A Year In the Making Of A Fashion House

Viktor & Rolf: Because We're Worth It.
A film called FASHION DISSECTION, Narrated by Tilda Swinson.

Tilda Swinton explains that Viktor & Rolf are like scientists who are not disturbed by surface or sensation but rather calmly dissect and deduce fashion organisms.



Buy the dvd here.

Other Viktor & Rolf Posts to enjoy:

•Viktor & Rolf Say "NO" To Fashion


•Viktor & Rolf's Barbican Exhibit With Side By Side Comparisons of the Dolls & Fashions With The Runway Models

Pirelli Makes More Than Tires: Pirelli Films, Calendars, Clothes & Watches

When you think of Pirelli, you probably think tires. Or Tyres, depending upon your country of origin. But there's more to Pirelli, the company and the brand than just some cool 20" dubs.




Pirelli has chosen film via Internet to promote its brand and business activities.

After the successful first edition, the new Pirelli short film, Mission Zero , will star Uma Thurman and be directed by Kathryn Bigelow of Strange Days and Point Break fame.

The Call was the first short film by PirelliFilm, directed by Antoine Fuqua, (King Arthur and Training Day), features John Malkovich and Naomi Campbell.


Watch The Call here.

The new short film Mission Zero is based on hair-raising chase scenes, but only the final scene of the clever plot will reveal the solution to a series of unexplainable events that happen to the star. Director Kathryn Bigelow gave a realistic interpretation of the script and added great emotional and psychological tension to the action scenes.


See Mission Zero here.

Now, About That Pirelli Calendar...
Those of you familiar with the annual Pirelli calendars should know that the 2008 one, shot by Patrick Demarchelier is out and can be seen here.

The 2008 Pirelli Calendar
The thirty-fifth edition of "The Cal", the first ever realized in Asia, is an exceptional visiting card to bring the world of Pirelli to the public of the Orient.



The 2008 Calendar is set entirely in Shanghai: the picturesque streets of the old French Concession, the splendid gardens of the former British Legation, the mysterious and sensual atmosphere of forbidden China, the convulsive Nanjing Road and the characteristic tea houses constitute the background for the camera shots that will grace the coming months.



Theme
The twenty-three intense portraits recount the pomp of ancient China, with its splendour and the colours in which the Oriental myth of female beauty “perfection, purity, grace - is searched out. "Very often I find Western people seem to go for the more cliché Chinese faces: long hair, slanted eyes. All that has changed I think. Many Chinese women are graceful; I think we have an inner grace that's more rare than you find in the West," affirmed Maggie Cheung, the well-known Chinese actress.



The Photographer
Patrick Demarchelier, the influential maestro of portrait photography, who for the second time authors the celebrated almanac (his first Pirelli Calendar was shot in 2005 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) said: "The casting was a fascinating mix between the West and the Orient: an interesting group of faces."

How the Pirelli calendars began:
The Pirelli Calendar testifies how our group has always been able to compete effectively with the world's leading industries in the area of communications.

The Cal dates back to 1964, when the Marketing Department of Pirelli Ltd in the UK decided to issue a Calendar for their top U.K. customers as a gift for the closing year. In fact, the Pirelli Calendar project had been born one year earlier, in 1963, with Terence Donovan but it was never published.

Wish you could see all the past Pirelli Calendars? there have been several books published of Pirelli's calendars over the years:



And it doesn't stop there.


PZero is a line of clothing and accessories for men and women from Pirelli.

Their own press release:
Pirelli enters the world of clothing design with the PZero project.
Leaving aside fashion formulae and seasonal tendencies, in two years of research a group of experts has come up with a selection of unique styles. Archetypes successively developed in variations of colour and materials, in order to concentrate the functions of several items and accessories into a single piece.

 

PZERO: CUSTOM-BUILT DRESSING
The name of each model has the suffix PZero: code name of the Pirelli tyres of the same name, invented in 1987 for the Ferrari F40 saloon. This was a real first, developed from Formula One radials for use on ordinary roads.
The “custom-made” Pirelli quality is constant in any area. In fact, the description Pirelli gives its tyres, “highest performance coverings” will cover this clothing design project perfectly too.


One of the most fun items is their line of watches for both men and women. The band emulates a tire (tyre). Take a look at a few of them:



Water-proof diving watches,, chrono, analog, date.... many styles for both men and women:



They even have them with diamonds for bling loving motor enthusiasts or ballers.

Shop for pirelli clothes, watches and more for men and women here.

More about Pirelli

Bandages For The Heart. And Finger. Alyssa Dee Kraus' Unusual Jewelry.

Thanks to my hip friends over at NOTCOT, I can share with you some very unusual jewelry designed by Alyssa dee Kraus. Below are her "Bandages For The Heart". Made in 18k yellow gold or sterling silver, each has a genuine deep red garnet on the backside representing a drop of blood.

A portion of each sale of the "Bandages For The Heart is donated to a charitable cause.



Please click on the text below to enlarge and read more about her concept.




In addition to the bandages, she makes Wedding Band(aid)s in 18k yellow gold and sterling silver. Each is also punctuated with a deep red garnet representing a drop of blood like the bandages.



Very cool, huh?
Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so, both rings are already sold out.
However, you can still buy the bandages from her site.


In addition to these, her jewelry designs are both unusual and stunning.
To learn more about Alyssa and her work, check out her site here.