Urban Vinyl is created with art sensibilities in mind, so sculpt and design are the most important ingredients. It’s a blend of art and toys and it’s struck a chord with toy collectors and art lovers alike. In order to appreciate Urban Vinyl you enjoy it for what it is.

It all started in Hong Kong with a man named Michael Lau in late 9os working in advertising. He was employed by a music group named Anidoze to create the cover art for an upcoming album. Instead of a 2-D design he created an original action figure and photographed it.  The key trend setter were the “The Gardeners”, 12 inch vinyl figures represented a modern positive lifestyle. No violence or drugs, but tattooed, pierced, and wearing clothes that the urbanites were wearing at the time. They struck a very strong cord with everyone who saw them.  It’s really been in the last 4 years or so that the explosion of artist figures has taken off. Few books dedicated to the cult are Vinyl Will Kill & Super 7  Here is some of the popular cult collectible.

Designer Toys and limited edition . MichaelLau-art.com, Kid Robot , Strangeco , Friends with You ,Critterbox ,Rocket World, Sweaty Frog ,Tranimals,

Urban vinyl figures are designed primarily by illustrators, graffiti artists, musicians and DJs from urban areas .

Kid Robot

Qee bear

Michael Lau: short film 

Tokidoki

“The limited production run, status and reputation of the artist, high production values, method of distribution,  number of moving parts, number of colours … they are more like affordable sculptures by an artist, (or) fine art multiples …” by Jeremy Ville

HAPPY FASHION LIBRARY 

As a start in 2012, let’s make a good resolution… to enjoy reading about fashion!!! And prove that Fashion is not only about gossips and hit bag. My choice is something funny here. This is my list of books  Sociologie de la mode , Penser la Mode and Paris Vs New York .

PARIS VS NEW YORK

What do you like better, French croissant or donuts? Camembert or Cheesecake? Eiffel tower or Miss Liberty? Anna W or Karl L?  Amélie Poulain or Carrie Bradshaw?. Varham Muratyan is a French graphic designer/ art director, who after a long journey to USA, came back with mind full of cliché and little anecdotes. He has published a lovely book where he compares Paris and NYC through a series of bright and lively graphics. So delightful read…

Here are some reviews of other books from VIIIZ

My second choice is something which gives indepth analysis of fashion industry.

« PENSER LA MODE » by F.Godart.

Last year, I met Frédéric Godart in order to talk about his books, and thanks to him, he give a complete in-depth analysis about Fashion. Frédéric received his PhD in Sociology from Columbia University in the City of New York, and is now works as an Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at INSEAD Paris, 4th top rank business school of the world. He also regularly collaborates with IFM (French Fashion Institute) of Paris. His research focuses on the dynamics of creative industries. More specifically, he covers fashion design, fashion modeling, and watch making. He also explores the impact of formal and informal social networks on creative performance, as well as the role played by stylistic choices and brand prestige in the formation of firms and customers’ identities.

He has published his research in a wide range of academic peer reviewed journals and in several edited books, in English, French, and German. Additionally, Frédéric wrote a book on the structure and culture of the fashion industry, Sociologie de la mode (A Sociology of Fashion), which an extended English translation (forthcoming at Palgrave-MacMillan) is in preparation. He makes easier to understand all fashion history through the industrial revolution but also how fashion comes from street and informal fashion groups, on a timeline from Antiquity to nowadays.

His second work named “ Penser la mode”, “ How to think fashion”, if ever fashion could be. Though as he likes to say, is totally following the explanation started in the first book. Because Fashion is often only comparing to appearance, in his second book, Frederic is using quotations and text from philosopher such as Platon, Rousseau or Nietzsche, to analyze the eternal dispute between Fashion and thought. Indeed, in order to prove the full compatibility of Fashion and reflection, he highlights 4 themes: Chance, aesthetic, morality and science. A book you can devour or just keep reading in many times, focusing to a period or a theme. But there is a thing for sure; in 2012 you will shine in society!

Happy new reading year !

FREDERIC GODART :

« Sociologie de la mode » (Paris, La Découverte, 2010)

« Penser la Mode » (IFM, Edition du regards, 2011)

VAHRAM MURATYAN

« Paris Vs New York » (10/18 Edition) He first launched his own blog www.parisvsnyc.blogspot.com .

It is undeniable that the loss of attraction of wrist watches has risen sharply and Mobile phones have turned into our time pieces. As a result there has been a decline in sales of mid  segment and  only the luxury and vintage niches indicate steady figures.  Nowadays its not merely for ‘just a product’ , but a product giving rich sensorial, emotional and meaningful experiences by designers, R&D department and marketers to (positively) influence the experiential impact in their products. Based on our research ,selected few designers who have brought a new dimension to the horology market. These time pieces represents contribution to era of New design and are definitely the shapes and design which create a complete emotion and desire to buy.

Designers like Philippe Starck ,  Mutewatch AB, Denis Guidone, Michael Young, Werner Aisslinger, Shin Azumi, Ross Lovegrove, Scott Wilson, SANAA, Ross McBride, Naoto Fukasawa, Karim Rashid, Industrial Facility, Uniform Wares, David Ericsson, Crispin Jones, Yves Behar, Achille Castiglioni, Ziiiro, William Andrews, Tokujin Yoshioka, Braun, Emotion lab , 666 barcelona , Nooka watch are some of the finest eg .

]]> http://studiothirstycrow.wordpress.com/2012/01/04/watches-shapes-and-emotions/feed/ 1 studiothirstycrow philippe starck (2) philippe starck AL100111 karim-rashid-for-alessi Karim-Rashid-for-Alessi-2 Michael Young british designer MY03-05c Celeste, designed by Hong Kong watch brand Ziiiro tells the time with colour2 Celeste, designed by Hong Kong watch brand Ziiiro tells the time with colour Japanese designer Shin Azum (2) Ross Lovegrove for issey miyake (2) All around the world by Crispin Jones for Mr Jones Designer Crispin Jones Ross Lovegrove for issey miyake Ross Lovegrove for issey miyake (3) Yves Behar of San Fransisco studio Fuseproject issey_miyake_trapezoid issey_miyake_trapezoid (2) Skew is a wrist watch designed by Tokyo-based designer Ross McBrid marc jacob toywatch too late MASH-UP turns all the rules upside-down because it remixes the styles Denis Guidone Kaos is the first of two new watches by Milan designer Denis Guidone idea-takumi-hexagon-white_2 takumi-icon-pentagon_1_1 857136003081-2 phosphor-watches-instructions_4 odm-illumi-pink-1 nooka-watch-zub-zirc-glow-1_2 nooka-watch-zub-zirc-glow-3 nonlinear-slip-watch-7_2 issey-miyake-twelve-blue-black-1 tendence watch TendenceTitaniumGreyyellowbasel mutewatch-red-5 mutewatch-red-2 666-barcelona-John' watch from 666 Barcelona has an extra long leather strap which wraps around the wrist countless times (3) 666-barcelona-John' watch from 666 Barcelona has an extra long leather strap which wraps around the wrist countless times Barcelona studio The Emotion Lab have designed a watch that displays the phases of the moon http://studiothirstycrow.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/eyewear-shapes-and-emotions/ http://studiothirstycrow.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/eyewear-shapes-and-emotions/#comments Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:38:18 +0000 studiothirstycrow http://studiothirstycrow.wordpress.com/?p=1426 ]]> SEXY EYEWEAR // AMAZING DESIGNS

Avant-Garde ,Optical Opulence , Afterlife Fashion .

Eyewear is one of the finest medium to express the potential of style and beauty . Searched for two visionary designers totally justifying this medium,  Moss Lipow and Linda Farrow , their contribution stands a complete visual treat.

“No other accessory gives you as much power to control the persona you project,” says Moss Lipow, a true visionary of our industry, named as top 10 new Emerging Designers in 2010 ,  his recent project contribution were recycled glasses made from concept of recycling by re-using components of a dismantled CT hybrid to make one-of-a-kind haute couture accessories.  Moss came out with a new book in 2011 ” EYEWEAR”  a complete visual history of glasses from history, as well as from his personal collection. An  interesting read on, what was once a purely practical apparatus has grown into a multi-billion dollar global industry. 

Linda Farrow

Since 1970 this woman has changed the way people see the world through her glasses, she has created art worthy for a museum. Known for its unprecedented range of sunglasses and exciting designer collaborations that include brands such as Dries Van Noten, Raf Simons, Rodarte, Bernhard Willhelm, Chloe Sevigny , Jeremy Scott , Alexander Wang , Matthew Williamson , House of Holland etc .Farrow and her collaborators stamped many of the shapes and styles of frames since the 70′s Including the avant-garde wraparounds that were Yoko Ono’s signature 70′s look , 80′s, 90′s till now.With a steady stream of coverage in the world’s most prestigious fashion publications, frequent celebrity sightings (on the likes of Kate Moss, Chloé Sevigny, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kanye West, Agyness Deyn and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and many unaccountable people looking good because of LF.

New ideas , right emotions, great feelings and making a sparkling desire to buy. This emotional aspect in design, captures a perfect  personality in a product. United Nude and Melissa, both are a shoe company work on edgy new design , absolutely fresh to look,  the designs are an inspiration to emotions and reflect what we are .

PLASTIC DREAMS For nearly 30 years, Melissa has been working hard to design eco-friendly fashion footwear. They have achieved beauty through their design; shoes are made from eco-friendly mono materials that can be easily disassembled and recycled, Production is 100% efficient, with 100%-of-materials-used and no excess waste. Here are some hot designs made in collaboration with  IRMÃOS CAMPANA , GAETANO PESCE,  J. MASKREY, JEAN PAUL GAULTIER,  VIVIENNE WESTWOOD,  SALINAS, PEQUENO PRÍNCIPE, ALEXANDRE HERCHOVITCH,  JASON WU, WALT DISNEY, RONALDO FRAGA, ZAHA HADID etc.

United nude

United Nude is the first architectural footwear brand started by nephew of architecture mastermind Rem Koolhaas. This Dutch designer launched United Nude in 2003 with Galahad JD Clark. Nude is a branding and design company that serves as a creative force and hub for interaction between architects, fashion designers, magazine editors and photographers. The products are about clear concept, elegance and new ideas. Below are some designs in Collaborations with  IRIS VAN HERPEN, ANTOINE PETERS, K-SWISS, 223 , DR.SKY

SHAPE SHIFTER , PAPER SHAPER are few keywords for this artist.

Reading  through the knife and carving as intangible routes thrive discovering quicker fluidity, material and history by eroding into the ether. It is complicated but Beautiful process to travel through.

The book’s intended function has decreased and the form remains linear in a non-linear world. But by altering physical forms of information and shifting preconceived functions, new and unexpected roles emerge. This is the area Brian currently operates in.  He is an American artist and has become a popular contemporary artist through Internet. He can also be called as the ” Paper Shaper ” . He edits,  dissect all communicative objects such as books, maps, tapes and other media and transforms its content to new meanings or interpretations.

Physical and tangible quality of the book is maintained with high level of data being shaped into physical art is indeed a great work .

Finally after 2 years , the prestigious Cranbrook Art Academy (  popular as the American Bauhaus , that boasts of alumni’s like Charles & Ray Eames to name  a few )  in Bloomfield Hills , Michigan  re-opened the Cranbrook Art Museum to visitors couple of weeks ago .

Walking past the grand foyer ,  the museum building by Eliel Saarinen is surrounded by the magnificent Cranbrook gardens & its sculptural fountains. One cannot stop but notice the amazing mix of contemporary architecture draped in the beautiful natural landscapes.  With 22 million $ spent in expansion and renovation, the museum provides the 20,000 sq feet new wing added to host exhibitions. The new wing openly showcases 6000 permanent art collections of Cranbrook including rare works of Andy Warhol & Roy Linchestein.

The exhibition No Object is an Island: New Dialogues with the Cranbrook Collection is a pure visual dialogue of 50 contemporary artists & designers . Watch out for exclusive posts on some of the inspiring artists from this exhibition.

How do you make an omelet light and ten­der on the out­side but rich and creamy inside?

The Art and Science of Cooking  , a cookbook by Dr. Nathan Myhrvold, Chris Young and Maxime Bilet.

This Book is an excellence and extravagance of  Mr. Myhrvold. A billionaire mad scientist with a culinary bent, who got his first Ph.D. at 22, and degrees in mathematical economics and theoretical and mathematical physics , spent 14 years as Microsoft’s technology guru. He’s almost certainly the only man to have discovered Tyrannosaurus rex fossils. Won the Memphis, in May barbecue championship and studied quantum physics with Stephen Hawking.

“You are what you eat” , this book is one of the most brilliant work in Food Art . A perspective captured to appreciate in what we eat is  beautiful and an Art itself.

Photo credits  from "Modernist Cuisine "

With the start of the school year, it seems that there is pins and needles in Fashion‘s legs. Indeed, some big fashion brands new ad campaigns are mixing music and choreography to bring a happy fizz in the direction.

So, Lanvin last video plays contrast and irony, staging two dressed up ladies and two very distinguished gentlemen’s who keep a straight face dancing on “I know you want me” of Pitbull. Moreover, Albert Elbaz makes a brief appearance, which reinforces the offbeat humour of the video.  The result is very entertaining. So sweet, so chic. In another style, the new Chanel’s make up campaign named « Shades parade » is a small music all show. It uses French polished nailed fingers to dance and swing while you watch the last make up color range. The video was directed by the talented moviemaker Aline Bonetto, who was the assistant of Jean Pierre Genet for « Amélie Poulain ». And on a snap of fingers, she presents all the code DNA of the Maison Chanel (pearl’s necklace, mirrors and scales…) and succeeds to takes us to Broadway, making us also swinging on our armchairs…

Showcasing below is an analysis of a collective trend and ad campaigns in past few seasons. Brands have followed these rules well  ,and seems to be adding an extra touch and special popularity over the internet marketing very well.  Every click is a worth Hit.

Lanvin  Campaign

Prada  Campaign

Roberto Cavalli Campaign

Gucci Campaign

YSL Campaign

Agent Provocateur Campaign

Missoni  Campaign

Miu Miu  Campaign

TOD’s  Campaign

Gareth Pugh’s s  Campaign by ShowStudio

Jean Paul Gautier Campaign Kokorico / JPG / Martin Solveig 

This ad’s choreography have been realized by the most famous Spanish’s choreographer “Bianca Li”

Dior  Campaign 

Perrier  Campaign 

” Confidence is the sexiest thing a woman can have. It’s much sexier than any body part . “Aimee Mullins, Amazing people .

Appointed as the latest L’oreal Paris spokesperson, Aimee is astonishingly amazing Athlete /Model / Actress / Superwomen . Her impact on modern society and influence on future generations is undeniable. Her film debut was a starring role in the highly acclaimed film by contemporary artist Matthew Barney, The Cremaster Cycle , first presented in the US at the Guggenheim Museum in 2003. Cremaster 3 is “an astonishing work of creativity,” and she became a muse to Alexander McQueen ,walking the runway in his London show using intricately carved wooden prosthetics . Her likeness has been immortalized in exhibits at institutions such as the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the NCAA Hall of Fame, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tate Modern, the Track and Field Hall of Fame, and the Women’s Museum, where she is honored for her contribution to sport among the Greatest American Women of the 20th Century.  She is the symbol of power to create and empowering herself , She is wonderful ! .