Kenzo and Vans Present Their First Collaboration. A Peek At The Sneaks.

Kenzo and Vans have collaborated for the first time: from May to July, three capsule collections of Vans shoes will be available. First up is the Era skate shoe, revisited by Kenzo’s designers in seven different colours, and available mid-May in both men's and women's models, with prices starting at €90 ($119).




“We grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and we’ve been fans of Vans since we were very young: we have so many pairs of their shoes that it would be impossible to count them”, explained Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, Artistic Directors of Kenzo since July 2011 and also founders of the American label Opening Ceremony.




The three collections will be on sale in Kenzo’s boutiques, on Vans’s website and at a selection of retailers such as Colette, Harvey Nichols, Bosco Milan and Lane Crawford.

Kenzo
Vans

The Fiat 500 by Gucci Promoted With These Four Short Films By Various Directors.

About a year ago, I gave my readers a good look at the Fiat 500 by Gucci (and the chic matching accessories).

Now, Gucci's Creative Director, Frida Giannini, and Fiat invited Jefferson Hack (Editor in Chief of Dazed & Confused and AnOther Magazine), NOWNESS, Olivier Zahm (Editor in Chief of Purple Fashion magazine), Franca Sozzani (Editor in Chief of Vogue Italy), and Alexi Tan (Film Director) to produce a short film with FIAT's 500 by Gucci as the inspiration.

The results are the following four short films of varying lengths starring the 500 by Gucci seen through the eyes of some of the most visionary creatives in the world today.

Vogue presents "Reverse to Perfection" for Fiat 500 by Gucci Reverse to Perfection, a film by Francesco Carrozzini where luxury recaptures its place:


Purple presents "Polaroid Papillon" for Fiat 500 by Gucci, a film by Olivier Zahm featuring Betony Vernon at the Museo Casa Mollino, Torino:


"The Race", a short film by Will Davidson. The Fiat 500 by Gucci, an exhilarating embodiment of Italian spirit stars in The Race - a short film exclusive to Dazed directed by Will Davidson:


"Assembly line", a short film by Chris Sweeney. Chris Sweeney's film for the 500 by Gucci fuses two power houses of Italian design with a playful twist that brings the 500 to life in a completely unexpected way:



Get a good look at the Fiat 500 by Gucci and some matching accessories.

500 by Gucci

The QLOCKTWO W. Biegert & Funk's Beautiful Wall Clock Is Now A Wristwatch.

above composite image © If It's Hip, It's Here



I blogged about Biegert & Funk's QLOCKTWO wall clock some years back. A beautiful wall clock that literally spells out the time in words in several different available languages and colors. Since launching the QLOCKTWO, Biegert & Funk turned it into a tabletop alarm clock version and now, a wristwatch.



above: the original QLOCKTWO wall clock and QLOCKTWO Touch Me tabletop alarm clock by Biegert&Funk.


The new QLOCKTWO W:


In a square there is a grid of 110 letters. When the stainless steel button or black button on the bezel is pressed, words light up in unexpected places which describe the time.



The high-quality brushed stainless steel case (or black) measures 35 x 35 mm. The watch is available with a 24 mm rubber or leather strap. QLOCKTWO W shows next to the time also the calendar date or even the seconds.

QLOCKTWO W is available from autumn 2012 in the versions polished, brushed or black stainless steel respectively in the languages German, English and French.






the press release:
Biegert & Funk presents the world‘s first wristwatch in words at Baselworld

For the first time, Biegert & Funk is exhibiting a completely new kind of wristwatch, the QLOCKTWO W, at Baselworld. QLOCKTWO W does not show the time with hands or digits. Time is indicated on this purist watch as readable text, turning it into a statement: “It is half past nine”. The square watch face has a uniform grid of 110 letters. When the stainless steel button is pressed, words light up in unexpected places which describe the time. The initially random order of the characters lends this wristwatch a mysterious aesthetic. “QLOCKTWO W makes you aware of the moment. Showing the time becomes an interesting experience for the owner,” explains Andreas Funk from the design duo Biegert & Funk.

The basic shape of the QLOCKTWO W is, like all QLOCKTWO® variations, a square. The design is minimalist and precision crafted, its form reduced to the essentials. The high quality brushed stainless steel casing measures 35 x 35 mm. The watch comes with either a rubber or leather strap.

Together with the time, QLOCKTWO W also displays the calendar day or seconds. “It is operated by a single push button and could not be more simple: one push to display the time, two for the calendar day and three for the seconds,” says designer Marco Biegert. QLOCKTWO W will be available from autumn 2012 in two variants, natural stainless steel or black, at a cost of approx. 550 euros.

You can purchase QLOCKTWO wall and alarm clocks here.

Don't forget to check out Biegert & Funk's original QlockTwo and other beautiful wall clocks.

The CUBEBOT Robot Lounge by David Weeks, Quinze & Milan and AREAWARE.

Cubebot (2012), qm foam, 250 x 160 x 180 cm

David Weeks, the award-wining American-based designer, Quinze & Milan, the innovative Belgian design company and AREAWARE, the New York City based producer of unusual design objects, have joined forces for MOST.




At twenty times his original size, the lounging Cubebot sculpture in QM FOAM will put a smile on your face and provide a comfortable spot to take a break.






David Weeks' sustainably harvested wood Cubebots for AREAWARE:



MOST SALONE BY TOM DIXON
MOST is a new destination instigated by Tom Dixon which will turn the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan into an ambitious environment for innovation and culture. MOST delivers a diverse group of leading global brands and young designers who will be located in the extraordinary historic spaces of the museum. This collision of technology, culture and design is set to be one of Milan's highlights during Salone del Mobile 2012.

The Kudo Solar Charging iPad Case for All Apple iPad Versions

The iPad is amazing, but this makes it even better. The KudoCase for iPad, iPad 2, and the New iPad 3rd Generation are pulling the plug on wasted power by using new solar ink technology to convert outdoor and indoor light into usable energy to continually charge the Apple iPad. Whenever light is shimmering around you this solar powered iPad case is charging your battery.



It may be a little confusing to what the actual brand name of this cool solar charging iPad case is since it began life as the Lilypad and then became the KudoCase. And now it's being sold (unbranded) by various gadget stores.



Solar KudoCase iPad in Black (for versions 2 and 3):









The KudoCase Solar iPad Chargers (original and a version for the iPad 2 and 3) are an innovative concept using new solar technology to convert indoor and outdoor light into energy to charge the iPad. For the average user the solar case can boast an impressive 12 - 13 days use on your iPad (versions 1 and 2)!

This KudoCase for iPad 2 and 3 has all the features the original solar case by Kudo has. Indoor/Outdoor Solar Power giving you up to an average 10 days of use. An extended battery, USB Power-out charger, HDMI, Whistle Locator, Multiple Stands and the automatic Sleep/Wake feature built in. This durable case is one you can be proud of with a housing made from biodegradable grain and the worlds only indoor operating organic solar panel.

Features
• Solar Power - New solar ink technology, works with outdoor & indoor light.
• Results will vary but the average use is 10 days with 2hrs iPad use per day with average light.
• HDMI port built in - watch your iPad on the big screen.
• Automatic iPad Sleep and Wake built into the flap.
• USB Power Out - Charge your phone, bluetooth, camera... directly off the solar case.
• Battery backup - High capacity 10A battery built into the case to store excess energy created by the light.
• Keyboard Stand - Angle the iPad at a comfortable 15 degrees for easier typing.
• Movie Stand - Position the iPad into a landscape movie / receipe angle.
• Durable protection - Protect the iPad from any angle.
• Thin, only 7/8" total thickness.
• Whistle Locator - Cant find the iPad? Simply whistle and the case will beep to let you know where it is.
• Environmentally Friendly - Kudo To You!

The worlds only organic solar panels.
Housing is made from biodegradeable grains.
Every online purchase includes a planted tree with the Arbor Day Foundation.


$189 USD, buy it here

Or for 10$ more, you can buy it unbranded from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Solar Kudocase iPad for original version is available in black or grey here.

Sneak Peek At Armani's Costume Designs For Lady Gaga and Her Upcoming Asian Tour.

Giorgio Armani is pleased to be collaborating once again with Lady Gaga. The designer has created a select number of looks for the artist’s Born This Way Ball tour, which kicks off in Seoul on April 27th. The Asian tour will then move to Hong Kong (May 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th), Tokyo (May 10th), and Singapore (May 28th). The tour will culminate with performances in Australia and New Zealand.



The custom Giorgio Armani wardrobe created for Lady Gaga is characterized by extreme forms and futuristic materials – latex, metal, studs, PVC – crafted with couture savoir-faire. Each outfit is completed with detailed, other-worldly accessories.



The first design includes a black bodice made of tubular PVC elements connected with metal studs, with mirrored metal inserts to define a curvaceous design. The ensemble is highlighted by a matching headpiece, robotic thigh-high boots, and exaggerated gloves ending in mirrored nails.



Another look is created via a shiny black grid-patterned PVC bodice with matching headpiece and embroidered ankle boots. Highlights include shoulders outlined by a play of sharp spikes, black Swarovski jet crystals and flowing fringe, creating a moving architecture.




On the third black bodice, transparent Plexiglas, black crystals and luminous studs create a Cubist composition of abstract guitars. The matching headpiece follows in the shape of a keyboard; the boots are black vinyl.




The final design is a long tunic with leg-o-mutton sleeves made of skin-toned latex. Luminous PVC elements create flashes of synthetic light inside the garment. The same avant-garde lighting is featured on the triangle decorating the chest, on the headpiece, and on the platform of the matching latex ankle boots.




“Collaborating with Lady Gaga is always an exciting experience for me. I admire the way she uses fashion as a scenic element and as a means to build a character," says Giorgio Armani."She is an artist of many talents and great intelligence. Creating stage costumes for her is a stimulating and creative exercise."

Giorgio Armani began his collaboration with Lady Gaga on the occasion of the 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony, when the artist wore a series of outfits specially designed for her. Subsequently, he dressed her in select looks for the Monster Ball tour in 2010, as well as for a number of red carpet events and other special occasions.

all images and information courtesy of Giorgio Armani

Buy Lady Gaga downloads and CDs here