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Funky Find Of The Week: The Whippet Bench by Radi Designers


above: The Whippet Bench








above: Resin Lacquered Whippet Bench in blue, gold and grey


above: Solid Revolution Resin Whippet Bench (residing outside a Tokyo bank).


above: the whippet bench at Design Miami, 2012



Product information: “whippet” bench, 2000 by radi designers

Producer: Galerie Kreo (buy it here)
Limited edition of 30 pieces and 5 Artist's proofs. - Numbered & signed pieces
Lacquered resin - various colors
Dimensions: Depth: 29,1 inches (74 cm), Length: 59 inches (150 cm), Height: 23 inches (58,5 cm)

Radi Designers

Boucheron Celebrates 150 Years With Some Serious Goodies




2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the Parisian jeweler, The House of Boucheron, and to celebrate they have created many unusual, special and limited edition items. Here are just a few.


Above: The Reflet XL Limited Edition Watch:
"Our 150th anniversary has been the opportunity to revisit the Reflet watch, which rose to fame thanks to a system of interchangeable bracelets for which Boucheron filed the first patent in 1947. The limited-edition Reflet XL is intended for men of sophisticated taste who appreciate beauty, and for collectors. It revisits a modern classic with its imposing 45mm case, the largest Boucheron has ever made, and the unique oscillating weight by Girard-Perregaux."--- Boucheron CEO, Jean-Christophe Bédos,


Above: The Hommage de Boucheron watch by luxury horologist Richard Mille

And for the women:


Above: These new Ellipses Anniversaire Watches are made in conjunction with Girard-Perregaux for the 150th anniversary. Available in white gold or pink gold, in strictly special editions with the following stones:

:Versions: Round, white gold, 119 diamonds (1.643 carat) and 52 blue sapphires (1.16 carat)
Round, white gold, 77 diamonds (0.975 carat) and 64 yellow and orange sapphires (1.18 carat)
Round, pink gold, 35 diamonds (0.52 carat), 85 blue sapphires and 51 pink sapphires (2.60 carats)
Square, pink gold, 191 diamonds (1.68 carat)

A series of Vertu phones (there are 7 in all):

Above: A collaboration with Vertu resulted in the Signature Python and Signature Cobra mobile phones

According to Boucheron CEO, Jean-Christophe Bédos, they "decided to celebrate this anniversary with Boucheron Enchanteur, a collection of Fine Jewellery that is a hymn to 150 years of history, expertise, sensuality and daring. This collection, which took over 12,000 hours to complete, is the quintessence of the talent and skill of Boucheron’s artisan-jewellers. Inspired by our seven founding values, it is a collection of seven parures on the themes of daring, magic, sensuality, mystery, danger, curiosity and gourmandise. After being presented in Paris, this Fine Jewellery collection will travel the world, visiting Moscow, Tokyo, Hong Kong, the Côte d’Azur, London and Dubai."

The pieces are show below, in sketch form on the left and final form on the right:









To commemorate the occasion, there's even a chocolate snake necklace topped off with a 20.08 carat fancy brown tinted yellow diamond.



A collaboration with Parisian Chocolatier La Maison du Chocolat yielded this necklace that plays with Boucheron's commonly used snake motif. The necklace is coated and decorated with real chocolate which covers the chocolate gold skeleton.



Visit the site here.

Dolls For Big Boys and Girls: The Dude, Hitchcock Barbie, Even An Obama Doll.





The 2008 International Comic-Con is coming to San Diego in mid July (the 23rd- 27th). The biggest comics and pop culture event isn't only for sci-fi and anime nerds anymore and the four day memberships are already sold out. Every year at Comic-Con, several companies release limited editions of their products or introduce what they think will be hot sellers for the upcoming holiday season. This year they have everything you'd expect; hot tv show action figures from such hits as Heroes and Adult Swim, sexy japanese anime dolls and yes, more Star Wars products.

However, in addition to releasing the usual plethora of action movie genre dolls like Iron man, Flash and the Incredible Hulk, there are some unusual (and might I say, hip) action figures debuting that will conjure up nostalgia for the 30+ crowd.

Celebrating Alfred Hitchcock's classic film, this incredible Mattel Barbie Collector's doll features the Hitchcock heroine being attacked by a trio of fine feathered foes, just like Tippi Hedren in the movie:


Stands about 11 1/2-inches tall. Available for pre order here.

Don't miss The Dude-- Unemployed! A Comic-Con Exclusive Action Figure of The Dude from The Big Lebowski. Dressed in his bathrobe and slippers, he stands 8-inches tall and comes with loads of hilarious accessories: sunglasses, robe, White Russian, milk carton, ID card, and genuine cloth rug!


Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski is a real laid-back kind of guy. He enjoys "bowling, driving, (and having) the occasional acid flashback." In the classic film Big Lebowski,this humble pacifist and his bowling buddies become entangled in a web of embezzlement, supposed kidnapping, and alcoholic laced hijinks!

Also making their product debuts at Comic Con, Big Lebowski Urban Achiever 8-Inch Figures Series 2 Set:

Lebowski figures available for pre-order here.



From the cult-classic film Reservoir Dogs, the movie that launched Quentin Tarantino's career, comes this exciting set of Action Figures:

It includes 5 articulated characters with connecting display bases: Mr. White, Mr. Orange, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Pink, and Mr. Brown. Each stands 7-inches tall and includes various cool accessories: gun, sunglasses, base, and more. (Subject to change.) Order these dogs now!

In 1973, one film redefined the horror genre and created an instant pop sensation. From one of the most terrifying films of all time, comes this Exorcist Spider Walk Regan 7-inch action figure. Regan balances on her head and hair to recreate the notorious Spider Walk scene.

Regan comes with a detailed staircase display base and multiple points of articulation, including a ball-jointed neck, swivel forearms, and swivel legs. Pre-order the creepy freaky Exorcist Regan doll here.


Get your dragon suit ready. If you wanna be like Jimmy, that is. From his launch with The Yardbirds to his raving success with Led Zeppelin, nobody riffed like Jimmy! This Jimmy Page 7-inch plastic action figure comes all decked out in his signature dragon suit, complete with double-necked guitar, speaker cabinet, and amp. Grab the legendary rocker now, in all of his guitar-god glory!

An action figure you can believe in! The 6-inch tall Barack Obama action figure brings you young America's favorite political son in genuine plastic.

Sporting 8 points of articulation, this figure can help show the world who you believe deserves their vote! Pre-order Obama here. And yes, a John McCain action figure that you can pre-order here arrives in August as well.


And believe it or not, A Dexter action figure is coming soon.

Clearly, I am not too old to play with dolls.

Other upcoming odd but perversely appealing toy releases worth noting:

Steiff is releasing a Mohair Buddha Bear. Now, if that doesn't tell you that Buddhism has permeated mainstream society, I don't know what does (yes, I'm still waiting for Buddha Barbie).


Above: The 9-inch tall Buddha Bear is made of brass-colored mohair and his facial expression, posture, and aura were inspired by classic Buddha figures. He is 5-way jointed and his legs are slightly bent. This enables him to sit in the lotus position in which energy can flow freely. His belly is somewhat large and his nose, mouth, and claws are embroidered with gold-colored thread. The corners of the black eyes are hand painted in order to give his expression depth and dignity. Limited edition of 2,008 pieces. $249.99, available for pre-order now.

Especially random: The Desperately Seeking Susan Minimates 2-pack:

Above: Return to the 1985 classic that introduced Madonna to the big screen with this Desperately Seeking Susan Minimates 2-Pack. Featuring Susan (Madonna) and her pseudo-double Roberta (who was played by Roseanna Arquette), these comical figures include the ultimate 1980s fashion styles and the film's signature skull hatbox! Designed and sculpted by Art Asylum, each 2-inch Minimate features 14 points of articulation and a world of possibilities. Available in October. $9.99. Pre-order them here.

Mattel's Barbie Juicy Couture Doll:

above: From the Gold Label Vintage Reproduction line, this gift set featuring Dolls styled in the high fashion of Juicy Couture. Complete with all the accessories a couple of girlfriends would need to live the Juicy Couture lifestyle. $119.99 Available for pre-order now.

Medicom's LOST Kubricks!
From ABC's hit series, Lost comes these cute little Kubricks that are just too fun to resist. This display case of 24 pieces includes an assortment of 7 different character, each individually packaged in a blind box. The assortment may include the following characters: Locke, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid, Charlie, Hurley.

$189.99 pre-order them here.

2008 Comic Con website.

Botanist Designer Series: Benches That Give Back


Eight icons of design have joined forces with Orange22 Design Lab to launch the firm’s Blank Canvas Project. Super high-profile designers, including Yves Behar, Karim Rashid, Milton Glaser and Massimo Vignelli, have created new editions of Orange22’s indoor-outdoor, eco-friendly Botanist furniture.



Above: original Botanist Benches

Orange22’s original Botanist line features intricate surface patterns cut with water-jet technology. Each sleek, metal form begins its life as a Blank Canvas.


Above: the "Blank Canvas"

“We designed the structures to be strong and versatile enough to sustain any pattern we could imagine,” says Orange 22 founder Dario Antonioni. “Now, the industry’s most celebrated designers will do the dreaming. Consumers are embracing design more and more each year and now with the Blank Canvas program they purchase furniture products with the knowledge that they too will be making a difference.”

2008 Blank Canvas Participants:


Botanist matches each designers royalty to a foundation or charity of their choice. Pictured below is each bench and the designer's choice of charity.

Yves Behar - Fuse Project, San Francisco:



Margo Chase - Chase Design Group, Los Angeles:



Milton Glaser - Milton Glaser, Inc., New York:




Kahi Lee - Kahi Lee Lifestyle, Los Angeles:



Karim Rashid - Karim Rashid, Inc., New York:



Joe Ricchio - Ricchio Design, Seal Beach:



Massimo & Lella Vignelli - Vignelli Associates, New York:



Claude Zellweger - One & Co, San Francisco:



The Designer Signing and Silent Auction of the above benches was held in NYC on May 18th, 2008. But unsigned versions are for sale in various sizes where Botanist benches are sold (google them).


About Orange 22:
Founded by Dario Antonioni in 2000, the Los Angeles based design lab creates and fabricates mass-market and limited-edition objects and furniture, brand-defining retail environments, residential interiors and design concepts licensed for mass production. The studio furniture has exhibited at the most prestigious international design shows in New York, Paris, Cologne and Milan.

Orange22

125 West 4th St. #102
Los Angeles CA 90013

The Botanist Designer Series site.

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