Coming Soon by Yohji Yamamoto

Yohji Yamamoto will launch Coming Soon, a new super casual collection comprised of clothing and accessories aimed at both men and women in the younger consumer demographic. Having signed a 10-year licensing deal with Sinv S.p.A. to manufacture and market the line worldwide through its own showrooms and distribution network, the pieces will forego Yamamoto's signature label. According to the Japanese design icon, the idea is to create one's own stylistic message through the benefit of anonymity. 
Coming Soon will hit stores starting in July. According to Yamamoto chief executive officer Keizo Tamoto, 10-year projected sales figures are expected to be more than 200 million Euros, or close to $300 million with distribution divided between Europe (60%), Asia (30%), and the U.S. (10%). www.coming-soon.com

Colorama by Pierre Hardy

Pierre Hardy presents a set of new futuristic sneakers. Entitled Colorama, the hi-top sneakers come with an multicolor design. They are available now at the Pierre Hardy store in Paris, Dover Street Market in London, Isetan in Tokyo and Barneys New York. Via Hintmag.

High Fashion Protection

We are in a state of perpetual war – with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In the present context, this fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption. Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied. An expanding archive of branded myths and icons feeds this fear. Designer Gas Masks is an attempt to visualize this state of mind. Because it is only by first acknowledging and then challenging fear that we will all be able to breathe a little easier.

Download your Kelly!

Stop fantasizing about owning the much-worshiped Hermes Kelly bag and get one of your own! This is even better than buying it from the boutique because you actually get to customize it by choosing the pattern.

While it’s probably not exactly what you had in mind when dreaming of the status bag, this DIY tote is still officially branded by Hermes!

The print-out bags can be cut out and designed to match any outfit you have… although I don’t suggest putting anything heavier than a cheque inside. I’d also avoid any time of adverse weather, that includes mild winds and any type of rain… or humidity for that matter.

Very cool that they’re embracing the DIY movement, but I’m actually surprised they aren’t offering a contest in conjunction.

That would be a really great way to engage with the brand! If Hermes offered me the chance to win a Kelly or have my design go into production, you bet I’d be busy designing for Hermes all weekend!

The CouchSurfing Project

The CouchSurfing Project is a free international Internet-based hospitality service, and currently the largest hospitality exchange network. As of April 2008, it had more than 500,000 members in 226 countries and territories. From various indicators it can be estimated that many members were actively using the website, with 40 percent offering their couches to host travelers (with another 22 percent saying "maybe" and others who are traveling at the moment). Members use the website, initially designed by founder Casey Fenton, to coordinate accommodations. It features extensive profiles, and uses an optional credit card verification system, a personal vouching system, and personal references to increase security and trust. There are many other features on the site, such as interest discussion groups, meeting functionality, live chat and more.

Flat Shoe

The EIN/TRITT shoe concepts shows how modern technology can take shoe manufacturing to the next paradigm. Flat Shoe patterns with reinforced parts get folded and fixed by the consumer. Production and shipping costs are significantly reduced. From an aesthetic point of view, it has a very geometric and architectural form that’ll definitely grab you some attention.

After Party Shoes

If you’re thinking of going out "dancing all night" (and who isn’t, as the party season approaches?). Then don’t be scared about wearing your sexiest high heels on the town, because a clever company has come up with an idea that’ll save all of our soles at the end of the night.

After Party Shoes are a stylish new concept in footwear:  flat ballerina pumps with a revolutionary split sole design. Designed to fold neatly in-half and fit into a small pouch – they’ll fit snugly into most handbags.

With more than 20 different designs and styles all at £25, After Party Shoes will offer instant relief from the pain of killer heels whether you are working, shopping or partying.

 

iPhone, iPhone Nano and iPhone Shuffle

Rumors are flocking that Apple is working on cheaper variants of the iPhone. The idea is not new to the Apple company, just like the iPod Shuffle and iPod nano players were launched after the more expensive iPod to meet the demand of people who wanted a cheaper solution. Technology research analyst Shaw Wu says “Apple needs to round out its iPhone product line at lower price points (similar to iPod) if it expects to replicate the success of its iPod with sales of 100 million units.” Wu also added that he has received news of: “lower cost iPhone prototypes for release at unspecified future dates” from his sources in the market.

Tie - Ups

The new Tie-Ups are actual demonstration that in the world of fashion objects there are still many ideas to be realized. The belt-object has always been linked to some traditional features that identify and define it. The materials, for example: "belt" is traditionally a leather or fabric object, with a metal buckle for fastening. The stylistic associations are a natural consequence: a leather belt will be better matched with a classic wear, while a fabric belt will be preferably associated to a casual style. Tie-Ups overcome all that: rubber and plastic substitute leather, fabric and metal, and they can be accompanied with any style. In the world of fashion objects it's time to turn over the page.

Mr. Toledano - The Principle Of Provocation

The photographer and artistic director Phillip Toledano or Mr. Toledano, as he is known, was only two years when he got his first camera. Now, around 40 years old, the British artist residing in New York, derives extraordinary conceptual visions from American society. His work, with its exuberant surfaces, evoking the world of advertising, have a disturbing and frightening quality, like a silent penetrating scream, can be seen between May and June in Miami and at the Photo Biennial in Greece.

Re - Shirt Story Store

The Re-Shirt is different from its used compatriots in that it has a story to tell. It all starts with a T-shirt that someone associates with a special memory: an important career step, an unforgettable football match, a demonstration in Guatemala, the feeling of an entire stage in their life. These shirts are collected, quality inspected, and put on display at www.re-shirt.net. When one of these shirts is purchased, it is given its very own orange Re-Shirt Label, a number is printed on it, and it begins a new registered life. Every future owner can now document the experiences they have with their Re-Shirt online and continue the story of this piece of clothing.

unlike.net- The Guide of Berlin

An intimate, inspired, under-the-radar destination for opinion-makers and taste-traders. This is where diverse paths intersect, united by a passion for living and exploration.

unlike.net conveys the city’s most treasured locations, events and urban themes, capturing the spirit of life on the go: through the intricate architecture of clubs, shops, restaurants, galleries, parks, museums… helping you feel at home wherever you are.

unlike.net is the definitive city guide for the mobile generation. It’s where experiences are shared, styles are formed, and ideas are accelerated. unlike.net offers a fresh perspective, reinventing the city guide for the 21st century.

Protect Your Largest Organ by Marc Jacobs

It wasn’t just women rushing to grab the “Protect The Skin You’re In” shirts. Marc Jacob’s skin cancer awareness campaign extended to men as well with a collection of “Protect Your Largest Organ” T-shirts. The t-shirts were initially available for $20, but they are harder to find now. They include the models’ name on the right arm and sell for $35 at Marc Jacobs boutiques. Men who participated in stripping down for skin cancer awareness include Brandon Boyd, Rufus Wainwright, Jason Thompson, numerous other male models and Marc Jacobs himself. 

Vivienne Westwood + Melissa

Brazilian shoe brand Melissa is known for high-profile collaborations, but it’s never pulled in a partner quite like Vivienne Westwood. Fashion’s dowager queen of punk has made a pit stop in São Paulo this week, unveiling her new line over brunch this afternoon to a crowded room of fashionistas. Molded from Melissa’s signature plastic, the key style is a high-heeled Mary Jane in a range of primary colors. For those with a fear of heights, there are flats in black and maroon. If not a fashion revolution, the designs are bound to lead to at least a mob scene when they hit store shelves in Brazil this season.

Learn more at www.moreproof.com/jackie/www.melissa.com.br.

Spike Lee Collaboration With Nokia Film

Filmmaker Spike Lee has linked up with Nokia to direct a movie made with cell phone footage from everyday people in what he calls the democratization of film. The film by Nokia Productions will consist of three acts. An "assignment" for each act will be announced online and people will then have four weeks to produce their submission.

The film's theme will evolve around the way music tells the story of humanity, and people can submit text, music, video or images at certain times between now and August 21 to www.nokiaproductions.com. Nokia will choose 25 submissions, then people can vote online for their favorite for a top 10 from which Spike Lee will then choose the winning submission from each act.

Momaboma's Paper Vintage Bags

Momaboma is an Italian company that creates really beautiful, retro, vintage bags. The bags are made out of paper from recycled glam magazines from the 1950’s and 1960’s and other material such as old vinyl records. The carefully-chosen paper is then processed with resin, polypropylene, vinyl and glue and the result are those really pretty retro bags.

Muji Chronotebook

Have you found yourself writing as small as you can, between two events, just to squeeze something in? There never is enough space between those rigid lines in a day-planner. This is why some of us have abandond our pencils altogether, and begun to schedule our days via iphone, and computer. At Muji, they have simply changed the nature of the day-planner into an organic process. Now you can literally schedule your day "around" a certain time. With Muji's recently-awarded Chronotebook design each page starts with a two simple circles, am and pm, waiting to let your day grow, rather than shrink.

Bloomframe by Hofman Dujardin

Designed by Amsterdam Architect Hofman Dujardin, Bloomframe is an innovative window frame which can extend to a balcony. Its design gives the possibility to use the surface of an apartment to the maximum. Bloomframe can be added to new or existing buildings. With the push of a button, the window will open down and extend its length to a balcony. Bloomframe is still on prototype stage, hopefully they will have different colours or style when develop into product.

Banksy - One Nation Under CCTV

The graffiti artist Banksy has pulled off one of his most audacious stunts - an enormous protest against Britain's surveillance society painted just feet from a CCTV camera.The guerrilla artwork appeared on a wall above a Post Office yard off Oxford Street in central London on Monday morning. It features a boy in a red jacket painting the slogan "One Nation Under CCTV" in stark white capitals. His actions are filmed by a policeman next to a barking dog. The secretive artist's achievement is made more impressive by the fact that the piece is several stories high - meaning he had to erect temporary scaffolding before slipping away unnoticed.

Banksy frequently touches on political issues in his work. Last month a Banksy-style painting depicting two children pledging allegiance to supermarket giant Tesco appeared on the wall of a north London pharmacy. It was interpreted as support for the growing campaign to ban free plastic bags. He has also painted several works on the walls of Bethlehem, including one of a dove of peace wearing a flak jacket.

Famously secretive, Banksy is believed to have only given one newspaper interview, although he has left various clues indicating he is a secondary school drop-out who was born in or around Bristol in 1974.

Forget Shops - Onitsuka Tiger Unveils Trainer Vending Machine

It was bound to happen. Following in the footsteps of cigarettes, hot meals, and a lot of wierder stuff, your favorite sneakers will be available in a vending machine in case you run out suddenly. Onitsuka Tiger is Japan's original sneaker brand made infamous by its appearance in Kill Bill. The creative minds there have made a vending machine for trainers available to those in the London area on Carnaby Street. If you're in the area on the 14-16th April, you may have a chance to win a pair from the machine. Go check out this stunt for your self, and make sure you have crisp bills for the machine.

Customize Your Fendi Baguette

I already ordained it Simply Fab, but I think the Fendi Paint-Your-Own Baguette Tote may have just gotten Fabber. In celebration of the Fendi Baguette's 10th Anniversary, the Italian fashion house asked big names like Scarlett Johansson, Kim Cattrall, Marchesa designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, and Project Runway Season 4 contestant Chris March to each customize their own Fendi Baguette. The products ” Marchesa's has black and white hand-embroidered feathers on it ” will be sold for $2,500 each on eLuxury.com starting April 17, and the proceeds will be donated to the designer's selected charities.

Louis Vuitton Canton Road Maison

Louis Vuitton, the icon of luxury and an industry innovator in combining lifestyle with luxe, art and intellect, opend its largest Maison outside of Paris at 5 Canton Road. This represents an important milestone in the brand’s history, as well as reinforces Hong Kong’s position as the fashion capital of Asia.

The 5 Canton Road Maison’s design spells a novel note to illustrate the House’s legacy of travel culture and tradition of flawless craftsmanship through fashion and style-forward architecture.The transformation starts at the dazzling LED-screen façade, the first and largest (measuring 800 square metre) for Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific, created by renowned Japanese architect Kumiko INUI. The designer utilizes the Malletier’s iconic Damier pattern as motif to reincarnate a checkered-stone relief, overlaid by back-lit transparent glass squares to double the visual illusion. This is seen subtly to resemble a Louis Vuitton checker board taking on a different appearance during the day and night. At night the facade “dissolves” into patterns of light, thanks to the animating and illuminating LED lighting program.

This ingenious 4-leveled, 1749 square-metre plan also befits an array of firsts for Louis Vuitton Asia Pacific, prominently exemplified by the LED screens in store, the longest “bag bar”, the largest watch and jewellery salon and being the first with two private VIP rooms.

Stockholms Tunnelbana

The Stockholm Metro, or Stockholms tunnelbana, is the metro system in Stockholm, Sweden. The system has three main lines and one hundred stations, 47 of which are subterranean and 53 are aboveground (surface and elevated) stations. Stockholm’s metro is well known for its decoration of the stations; it has been called the longest art exhibit in the world. Several of the stations (especially on the Blue line) are left with the bedrock exposed, crude and unfinished, or as part of the decorations. At the Rissne station, an informative wall fresque about the history of Earth’s civilizations runs all along both sides of the platform.