Although subprime mortgage meltdowns x global recession has most likely slowed consumer spending as well as the opening of new shops, over the years flaghship stores from some of the biggest brands out there have drawn reference to successful retail spaces of Bape and their architectural masterminds Wonderwall. However, this movement is much more then just a notion embodied by large successful brands. The task of creating a heterogeneous product among the sea of product has looked to design to ensure shoppers are offered a special retail experience. Allen Benedikt covers the likes of Alife LA, OriginalFake, Supreme and Union NYC as well as the designers behind their flagship stores.
Typical skateboard deck graphics are screen printed or heat transferred. Alphanumeric went a step further and used a new hi gloss treatment giving the deck an amazing shine effect. Coupled with Alphanumeric’s subtle logo hits and timeless aesthetic, the end product is nothing short of incredible. If this technique has been used before we haven’t seen it, and no this isn’t a slick deck! Available this spring with the re-launch of Alphanumeric.
We’ll be back online shortly, thank you. The message of a new teaser released on Silly-Thing’s website. Silly Thing is a life style company from Hong Kong. From clothing to music, they do it all. The video releases no dates or information other than the 3-D Silly thing logo rotating against a white screen. Although it’s not much it does show progress and bring hope to those anxiously awaiting its new online debut. View the full teaser now at silly-thing.com.
In an attempt to appease the post-war housing boom facing America, the Case Study Houses was an experiment bringing together leading architects to design efficient and sustainable housing. The Skate Study House revisits this previous theme under a different premise. Regular skate decks and components are transformed into everyday household items and furniture in an attempt to make efficient and flowing designs. The installation was masterminded by Etnies founder Pierre Andre Senizergues and Gil Le Bon de Lapointe and will be on display starting January 28th at Colette.
Wonderwall is a Japanese interior design firm headed by Masamichi Katayama. Their most famous work includes all the Bape stores as well as other stores such as Uniqlo. The Shibuya Bape store opened for business a few months ago but if you haven’t been there or experience it for yourself, you can check out these pictures posted here. The Shibuya Bape store features a multi-color LED system for the stairs.
Source: High Snobiety
Although most will agree the current hip-hop movement has taken a turn for the worst, Legends of Rap keeps the past relevant and in check with their set of 32 trading cards. Anybody whose a somebody and shaped the world of hip-hop can be seen from Fab Freddy 5, Whodini, LL Cool J, Sugar Hill Gang, DJ Red Alert among others. Each card includes a caricature version of the artist along with important background info on the back. Available for sale
Charles and Ray Eames, the married couple that has contributed to many fields including industrial design, furniture design, art, graphic design, film and architecture would travel around the world collecting local folk artifacts. Among the objects they acquired was a wooden figure of a black bird from the Appalachian region in the Eastern United States. This figure would often appear in many photographs of Eames’ living room starting from the 1950s. Vitra will be now be reproducing this 11 inch tall figure for people to purchase. Available at inhabit and hhstyle.
I remember a few years ago, NikeTalk was a haven for some unreal sketches of visionary shoe designers. The names have eluded me now, but some guy I remember scored a gig with FILA as well. Nike has initiated the Future Sole Design Competition for budding high school students to submit their designs in hopes of becoming a new footwear designer for Nike. The contest begins January 1st, 2008 and wraps up May 15th, 2008. A full list of information and rules can be seen here.
Former Dior Homme frontman Heidi Slimane teamed up with cutting edge Japanese brand COMME des GARÇONS to engineer and design an intricate and creative series of furniture. Each pieces yields an interesting array of different uses and methods. The collection was created for high-end London boutique Dover Street Market.
Info: O’logy
Shinsuke Takizawa recently revealed a skate deck by Japanese design group 7Stars. The deck features the intricate detailing of a motorcycle set against a natural unpainted deck. The unorthodox multi-motor bike stretches the entirety of the board. No word on availability yet however 7Stars have their own webstore with the possibility of the board showing up there. The design group 7Stars is also behind a Nike SB Dunk Low which released earlier this month.
Wahl has had a long heritage in making hair grooming products. Started in 1911 by Leo J. Wahl, the company makes various grooming products such as trimmers and shavers. MHI has recently worked with Wahl on a set of luxury clippers. The set includes professional quality clippers and a waterproof barber cape both embossed with DPM: MHI Sikh camouflage pattern. Available now at dpmhi.com for 100 GBP.
Hong Kong based skate shop 8FIVE2 just released two new skate decks as part of a collaborative project. The two collaborating members include skater Kien “Donger” Lieu/Fiberops and Lodown Magazine. Kien Lieu is considered by many as one of the most promienent Asian American skater in the world and well known for his huge ollies while Fiberops has carved out a proper niche with their rockabilly style garments. Lodown magazine is a lifestyle publication which encompasses various elements of skate, graffiti, music and sports. Both decks are currently available at 8FIVE2 in both 7 7/8” and 8”.
Image: HYPEBEAST
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