Currently viewing the tag: "accessories"
Alessi's fresh take on one of the oldest kitchen appliances
The mortar and pestle is one of the most ancient utensils in the contemporary chef's arsenal, and Eero Aarnio has given the classic grinder a makeover. Using smooth, playful curves reminiscent of his popular '67 Ball Chair, Aarnio redefines the generally clunky mortar with a short cylinder base and a polished, ergonomic pestle.
Aarnio designed this piece for Alessi, saying of his work there, "I approach product design from two different angles: firstly, from a study of the possibilities that new materials bring to the design process and secondly, through creativity based solely on feelings, which in turn brings you closer to art and endless possibilities." The "Aroma" will debut with the Alessi Fall/Winter 2011 collection in August.
A master of needlepoint designs exclusive belts for everyone's favorite Olympics-inspired retailer
Inspired since 2007 to bring color to corporate America with whimsical belts looped around the waists of businessmen, Washington, D.C. Tucker Blair is now teaming up with New York-based retailer, Opening Ceremony. Their collection of belts for men and women is a perfect marriage of Tucker Blair's artistry with embroidered leather belts and Opening Ceremony's emphasis on creativity.
Among the collection's five designs is a particularly fitting belt featuring various colorful flags. This international motif references Opening Ceremony's mission of celebrating the work of designers and artists abroad. The other designs include a standard leopard print, an eye-catching geometric pattern and perhaps the most adventurous, quirky white rabbits prancing across a black scene.
Beginning 15 July 2011, snag one of these snazzy, limited-edition needlepoint belts at Opening Ceremony's New York and Los Angeles locations or at Ace Hotel in NYC. Otherwise, visit Opening Ceremony's website to purchase one online for $110.
Seven of the latest and greatest ways to get the most out of your bike this season
With spring on the way and summer right around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with some long bike rides? Since you've already picked up a bike from our seasonal bicycle guide, we've put together a brief list of some of our favorite accessories for your spring pedaling.
Conceived with the sporting cyclist in mind, Brooks' B15 Swallow Select saddle was originally patented in 1937. This reproduction brings back the timeless design of hand-hammered copper rivets paired with a rich organic leather that breaks in for an ergonomic, customize fit sooner than other standard leather saddles. Although its minimal silhouette and aggressive design was originally intended for the avid road cyclist, this saddle also performs quite well for the ride-to-the-office-and-then-to-the-pub cyclist. Dropping in June, the B15 Swallow Select will sell for €190.
Linus Bikes' Market Bag is the ideal addition to any grocery-getter. The traditional panniers firmly secure to any rear bicycle rack with just a few brass snaps, making them easy to take off too. Constructed with tough waxed canvas and oil skin leather, the super-durable bags roll up neatly when not in use. The pair come with one adjustable shoulder strap for mobility and in multiple colors for $130.
Another new product from Brooks—who've dominated the cycling world since 1866, by the way—the Islington Rucksack is a 2011 release obviously designed with the cyclist in mind. Constructed of sturdy water-resistant cotton and vegetable tanned leather, this pack has more than enough room for picnic supplies or a soccer ball for a relaxing weekend in the park. The innovative shoulder harness design allows for the straps to adjust to cross the chest or waist for added stability while riding, and coated cotton will scratch with prolonged use, lending an appealing patina. Grab it for €300.
Specialized's S-Works Prevail is the ultimate lightweight road helmet. Built with patented Kevlar-reinforced construction and designed with incredible ventilation, it keeps domes safe and fresh. It's the lightest on the market and so aerodynamic that you may just go faster with this puppy. Our favorite feature has to be the simple Mindset micro-dial fit system with height adjustability that makes for a perfectly comfortable fit for any-sized noggin. Available for $230.
Made in NYC and designed to soften the harsh blow of an east coast summer, Outlier's Three Way Short is constructed of four-season fabric woven in Switzerland by Schoeller Textiles to produce an extremely breathable material to keep you cooler in the heat, resist stains and dry fast. These sleek shorts have an 8.5" inseam landing just above the knee for a classic (think Gold Finger-era James Bond) and comfortable fit. Perfect for keeping you looking sharp even after the commute, trip to the beach or a friend's BBQ, they represent summer style up for grabs in multiple subdued colors for $128 a pop.
Princeton Tec's new Push bicycyle light delivers 260 degrees and 68 meters of visibility, powered by a 100 lumen vessel light with up to 63 hours of burn time. Small windows on the side emit flashing red lights to keep drivers notified of your presence, while the powerful LED illuminates the way. In addition to an easy on/off switch, an ingenious bar mount mechanism easily detaches to prevent the little gadget from getting permanently "borrowed." All this in a tiny package costs just $32.
Small and portable, Avenir's Mini Tool is accented with wood and has everything a bike enthusiast needs. From hex wrenches to a chain tool and even a phillips head screwdriver, this multi-tool is the ultimate cyclist pocket gadget. It's a great buy for the buck at just $14.
Fannypack hats for the pint-sized
Turning the classic fanny pack on its head, Cap-Sac Kids' new Zippy Cap is designed to give children the freedom to roam around hands-free while carrying essential supplies, like crayons or a note from Mom. The lid sports a sturdy zipper and a fuss-free Velcro closure that makes it easy for kids as young as four-years-old to operate.
Like the adult version we fell for a few years ago, the cap is made of 100% nylon and available in exciting colors such as Bubblegum Blue, Pinky Swear and Lemon Twist. A silly way to stay practical, Cap-Sac Kids sell online for $13 each.
More than meets the eye from ties handmade in an East Village living room
Working out of an East Village apartment, Curie Choi and Beverly Liang meticulously craft their collection of "man enhancing" ties under the label C. Chauchat. The name, borrowed from German novel "The Magic Mountain" and its otherworldly temptress Madame Chauchat, also translates to "hot cat" in French. Much like their ties, the well-considered choice is both playful and has depth.
By layering sheer fabric over opaque prints, the duo create a look that's subtly complex. A gauzy black tones down a vivid jungle print, but even there faint inflections, like a pale paint splotch or muted stripe, show through. Employing a "special insane hand collaging" technique, Choi and Liang even produced a tie that features four layers of fabric—silk chiffon, tulle and two different printed cottons.
When designing, the pair constantly think about what looks good on a man and how the tie fits into his world, but they use feminine fabrics and techniques from dressmaking. This "women's take on masculinity" is inspired by the stylish men in their lives. While they appreciate refined dressing, the ties are meant as an everyday accessory, not a showpiece.
Now in their third season, their latest collection was inspired by a "dandy on vacation," presenting an assortment of rakish styles that channel Op Art, magic eye posters and David Hockney paintings. Also look out for a collaborative collection of scarves, ties and bow ties in Rober Gellar's Fall/Winter 2011 season.
Each made by hand, the C. Chauchat ties and bow ties sell worldwide for $155-180 from Strasburgo in Japan, as well as from Creatures of Comfort, La Garçonne and Assembly in New York.
See more images after the jump.
Bold color remixes in an up-and-coming Japanese label's latest accessories
Underlining Masataka Matsumura's somber Autumn/Winter 2011 collection for GiulianoFujiwara, an assortment of colorful accessories adds a "rebellious kick" to the line's sleek styling and distinct minimalism. Leather shoes with wedged rubber soles and artisanal Italian finishing give the collection a slightly punk vibe, while illustrating the brand's fondness for smooth curves and sharp corners.
Matsumura's knack for experimenting with color (particularly noticeable in his Spring/Summer 2010 collection) affords him the freedom to experiment with bold details. The sunglasses' hint of visible color completely changes the mood, perfectly outlining the frames' retro shape for a PowderPuff-meets-steampunk effect. While some will see echos of recent Prada accessories, others might wonder if Miuccia has met her match.
Line shoes with lambswool to warm feet all winter long
Urban living means you don't always need all the trappings of a technical boot, but if your city-slicker shoes are lacking in warmth, you may want to consider the instant coziness an insole can add. Some of my favorites are a pair hand-felted by a family friend but lacking time for a crafternoon, I was happy to find these 100% lambswool versions at NYC's Cowboy Shoe Repair.
Made from cuddly fleece, the wool layer is bonded to a latex rubber layer so that they stay put inside shoes. I'm not sure why it is exactly that the German's excel at foot care products, but the Polar model is one of several that the maker Tacco offers on their site. Pick it up directly from Tacco's site for €3 or from Shoe Hardware for $5.
Colorful scrunchies reinvented in Maharam fabric by a crafty Ohio mom
Last but not least in our series of limited-edition collaborations, the Maharam and Cool Hunting hair scrunchie (or Ma-hair-am Scrunchie, as we like to call it) is the upshot of a typical late night at the office when we were sourcing the items for our pop up shop with the Gap. When CH editor Ami Kealoha whipped out a scrunchie to keep her hair back, it sparked a nostalgic conversation about the beloved hair tie that ruled the '90s.
"Wouldn't it be great to make scrunchies out of Maharam fabric?" was all it took for us to reach out to the NYC textile legend. Once they were on board, we tapped the woman who made over 100 scrunchies to hold up my side ponytail for all of fifth grade (aka my mother Debbie), who whipped up a batch of the fabric-covered hair-ties for us.
A fourth generation family-run business, as the major fabric supplier for much of NYC's fashion and furniture industries, Maharam is a perfect example of one of NYC's enduring brands and a great fit for the project.
Despite the infamous scrunchie episode of "Sex & The City," we're here to tell you that girls in NYC do wear them. A well-made throwback and the perfect stocking stuffer to add a little splash of colorful fun, the Maharam and Cool Hunting scrunchies sell online and in our pop up with the Gap for $6 each.
Our video on surfer-jeweler Jill Platner
As longtime fans of Jill Platner's nature-inspired jewelry, we waited a few years to find the right moment for documenting the artisan's creative process and studio. This video catches up with Jill at her Crosby Street space as she works on her current collection to learn more about how she started and what informs her work.
Woodworking scraps-turned-fashion in Navajo-inspired necklaces
The side project of CH contributor Mike Giles and his girlfriend Judy Lawrence, Miju jewelry is a peek into how the two mix Mike's furniture design with a creative Montreal-based partnership. For Fall/Winter the duo created "Manha"—an 11-piece assortment of laser-cut wood gems.
Of the Native American-inspired collection, one of our favorites is the "T-Bird necklace" (also available as a brooch). Taking the classic Thunderbird silhouette, the duo then added detailed etching for geometric texture and an overall appealing design. Painted either gold or a combination of red and blue, the necklace hangs at a perfectly situated place across the collarbone, allowing for full visibility that works with a variety of necklines.
Each piece in the collection is made from solid walnut—remnants from other designs Giles creates in his Montreal-based woodworking shop, Furni. The Manha collection sells online from the Miju Etsy site, with prices starting at $36.
Live crab vending, sound sculptures, an app for healthy food shopping and more in our week's worth of links
1. Paris vs New York, A Tally of Two Cities
A recent NYC transplant from Paris copes with culture shock by creating a lovely blog of simple graphics showing how the cities compare and contrast. Pitted against each other are Le Pain, La Peste, Le Tip and more in this friendly feud.
2. New York: Portrait of a City
From heavenly images of Grand Central to Scorcese and DeNiro on the set of "Taxi Driver," the series of images published by Photo District News is a sneak peek at the just-launched book "New York: Portrait of a City." The work of Taschen and former Photo District News executive editor Reuel Golden, the love letter is a top-to-bottom look at the city as told by a cast that includes some of its earliest residents and some of the world's finest artists. (Philip-Lorca diCorcia's "42nd Street" 1996, pictured above.)
3. ShopWell iPhone App
A new app allows you to easily comparison shop at the grocery store, searching its exhaustive database just by scanning a barcode. Results include nutrition info, personal reviews and alternative options.
4. Haslinger Collection of Vintage Heuers
Selectism gets a preview of sale by Bonham's upcoming auction of Arlo Haslinger's near-mint collection of 1960s-1980s watches, most of which were featured in his seminal book Heuer Chronographs. Highlights include the 80 vintage Heuer chronographs from Haslinger’s personal collection and a TAG Heuer 1/1 limited edition watch signed by Jack Heuer with proceeds benefitting Green Cross International. Check out Hodinkee's video to learn more about the collector and the brand's racecar heritage.
5. The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Vanity Fair shows an excerpt from the new coffe-table book "The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back," featuring rare photos of the set and annotated behind-the-scenes details.
6. Bringing Colour to Life: The Making of the Pixma Campaign
A behind-the-scenes look at how the creative team at Dentsu made sound sculptures for a recent Canon commercial, this video is a HDSLR and sound sculpture nerd's dream-come-true. For those who just want to see more pretty pictures, there's plenty of slow motion footage of the neon-hued paint splatters too.
7. Live Crab Vending Machine
Whether dispensing ramen or safety, there's not much vending machines can't do. Now in addition to one in Japan that sells bananas, this video shows how a Chinese inventor came up with a way to automate crab sales by keeping them at temperatures that cause them to hibernate. A sign on the machine promises three free crabs if you get a dead one.
8. Richard Chai x Snarkitecture
The latest in the Building Fashion series (collaborative pop-ups pairing architects and fashion designers) sees rising fashion darling Richard Chai hang his clothes in a futuristic cave that art and architecture duo Snarkitecture hand-carved out of white architectural foam.
Italian sports car design meets luxury horology in this new collaborative watch
by Meehna Goldsmith
With echoes of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4's sexy curves, the Parmigiani Bugatti Super Sport watch is the latest high performance collaboration from the opulent French watchmaker and Italian sports car manufacturer. Working together since 2001, Parmigiani and Bugatti have created several successful timepieces, including the 2004 Bugatti Type 370—a revolutionary watch that rests on a diagonal axis so drivers can read the time without having to turn their wrist.
Designed for Bugatti's 100-year anniversary, the sleek Super Sport borrows the 370's well-fitted design while adding even greater aerodynamic styling by mocking the Bugatti Veyron's streamlined wing. Like all of their watches, the Super Sport draws on Fibonacci's Golden Ratio, using the mathematical formula's spiral lines to create a perfectly-proportioned watch.
Another design feat, flipping the mechanical components of the watch onto a vertical axis allows drivers to keep focus on the dial. Though the concept seems simple, the difficulty of configuring the dial's direction against the watch's movement makes it a triumph of engineering. By developing a 90-degree time setting system and integrating a system of double pinions with bevel gearing, Parmigiani again dramatically transformed the possibilities for watch design.
While the watch has subtle Bugatti branding, the details speak more to the renowned design of the company, beginning with the shade of orange used on the watch hands, indexes and power reserve. Other signals include train wheels cut to resemble car wheels—visible through the piece's six sapphire crystals—as well as balance and escape wheel bridges formed to mirror the Bugatti oval.
All 337 individual parts of the watch are produced in-house at Parmigiani, with the exception of the Hermes crystals and band. Produced in a limited edition of 30 pieces in 18kt white gold, the Parmigiani Bugatti Super Sport retails for $259,000 at selected authorized dealers around the world.
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