Category Archives: Design

French modernist residence, Villa Savoy, joins LEGO® Architecture series

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Famous Parisian modernist-style country house, Villa Savoye, is the newest landmark to join the impressive LEGO® Architecture series.

Designed by Le Corbusier in the 1920s, and situated on the outskirts of Paris, Villa Savoye is the first French landmark to be added to the inspirational range. The villa itself is the perfect embodiment of Le Corbusier’s ‘Five Points’ construction principles, featuring a fusion of modern architecture and nature intended to create harmony with the woodland surroundings.

The fifteenth model to join the LEGO Architecture series, this interpretation of Villa Savoye was designed by German architect Michael Hepp in collaboration with the LEGO design team. Just like the real thing, the set features columns, functional roof space, open floor planning, long horizontal windows, and a free façade.

The LEGO Architecture range features ingenious recreations of well-known landmarks and works of important architects from around the world. Full of inspiration for future architects, engineers and designers as well as fans of architecture, the series is stunningly presented. Each set contains a booklet which brings the story behind the building to life, featuring exclusive, archival history, information and photographs about each iconic building, its design origin, its architect and its architectural features, as well as step-by-step instructions on construction. Travel the world of architecture by collecting all the sets in the range.

Become an expert with these Villa Savoye facts:

* Villa Savoye was originally built as a country retreat on behest of the Savoye family (at a cost of 900,000 Francs), but fell into disuse after 1940, entering a state of disrepair during World War II. After being passed on to be property of the French state in 1958, and surviving several plans of demolition, it was added to the French register of historical monuments becoming the first modernist building designated as a historical monument in France, and also the first to be the object of renovation (from 1985 to 1997) while its architect was still living.
* At the time the project started on site no design work had been done on the lodge and the final design was only presented to the client in June 1929. Although construction of the whole house was complete within a year it was not habitable until 1931.
* The house, designed as a second residence and sited as it was outside Paris was designed with the car in mind. The sense of mobility that the car gave translated into a feeling of movement that is integral to the understanding of the building.
* The four columns in the entrance hall seemingly direct the visitor up a ramp. This ramp, that can be seen from almost everywhere in the house continues up to the first floor living area and salon before continuing externally from the first floor roof terrace up to the second floor solarium.
* Throughout his career Corbusier was interested in bringing a feeling of sacredness into the acts of dwelling such as washing and eating. At the Villa Savoye the act of cleansing is represented both by the sink in the entrance hall and the celebration of the health-giving properties of the sun in the solarium on the roof which is given significance by being the culmination of ascending the ramp.

The LEGO 21014 Villa Savoye is available for purchase from 1st August in LEGO brand retail stores, LEGOLAND Stores and online at http://shop.lego.com/. Aimed at ages 12+, the product measures Measures 3.6” (9.2cm) tall, 7.5” (19.2cm) wide and 6.9” (17.5cm) deep, and has a RRP of £59.99.

For more information about LEGO Architecture visit http://architecture.lego.com/

Adam Andrascik Spring Summer 2013

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“the collection draws it’s inspiration from the couture shapes of the 1960’s , combined with an ongoing fascination with the work of Lucio Fontana’s ‘slashed’ canvases, and the development of textile techniques and finishing unique to the label.’

On Tuesday morning I headed over to see Adam Andrascik round the corner from Somerset House. The shows was held in a room with the models standing around its edges so the audience could walk up, take photos, admire the clothes and drink champagne!

Sadly, this was the time my camera chose to run out, so I had to make some quick sketched of the collection to give an idea….

The collection made up of clean, elegant clothing. Shirts and A-line skirts featured in a futuristic but feminine a style, as we have seen in a lot of shows over this S/S13.

Classic shapes and silhouettes at the front of the garments give way to bellowing sheer fabric at the back, creating a twist to familiar cuts.

Shiny and sheer fabrics mixed together to create each look. This, combined with the models swept back hair, dark eyebrows and clean make up created a futuristic and alien feel.

Adam Andrascik S/S13 collection, is beautiful, wearable and sophisticated. Perfect for the modern day woman.

http://adamandrascik.com/

Fashion Fringe. Final Show London Fashion Week S/S13

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The finale to London Fashion Week S/S13 was Fashion Fringe, a platform set up to help young design talent to display their collection.

As a design student myself I am always glad to see young designers being helped by those already established in the industry, and i know and appreciate how much work and dedication goes into making a collection and starting up a business.

For Fashion Fringe ten young designers are chosen from thousands and those ten are then whittled down to three. The winner is then announced at the end of the show.

This years finalists were Haizhen Wang, by Haizhen Wang, a graduate from Central Saint Martins who has previously worked for Max Mara, Boudicca and All saints before establishing his own label in 2010. Wangs S/S13 collection is inspired by architect Santigo Calatrava and Japanese amour. It featured precise lines and had echos of both femininity and masculinity. 3D digital printing was also used on the collection adding a futurist feel to his work.

Teija by Teija Eilola. Eilola, a graduate for RCA and previously head of women’s wear at Ted Baker. Her S/S13 collection “All that is Solid” was feminine and sophisticated with soft, earthy colours and luxurious fabrics swishing down the catwalk. The trench coats and outwear had exiting cuts and shapes with with large silhouetted sleeves. Personally this was my favourite collection and I loved the contrasted use of draping mixed with pattern cutting.

Vita Gottlieb, by Vita Gottlieb, a Fine Art Graduate from Central Saint Martins set up her label in 2012. You could never tell but she has no formal fashion training and has instead taught herself.  Her Fashion Fringe S/S13 collection is entitled “The night garden” and is an explosion of cultures and textures coming together, with interesting silhouettes  and bright colours making her collection stand out. With amazing fabrics and shapes Gottlieb’s collection is truly unique and beautiful.

As the last show of S/S13 there was a sense of excitement in the air and as the show ended everyone waited with baited breath for the winner to be announced. Each designer was so different and each collection so powerful it would a hard decision to make.

This year Christopher Bailey, Chief Creative Office of Burberry was judge of the competition and presented the awards.

In the end he chose Haizhen Wang collection. As Wang came on to collect his trophy, made by jewellery designer Jessica McCormack, it was clear as he lifted the trophy over his head in triumph how ecstatic and happy he was to have won.

It was a lovely end to a great fashion week, with everyone looking forward into the future for new young talent and a whole new generation of designers.

Peter Aspden & Bettany Hughes debate luxury & culture at the V&A Museum

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 Thursday 6th September, 3.45pm
 V&A Museum
What does it take to create something of note? 

That is what Frost went to find out.  Arts & culture commentator Peter Aspden and award-winning historian Bettany Hughes were a great match together. The bounced off each other perfectly. Peter noted iconic moments in history – Elvis Presley singing Hound-dog to an actual hound dog, Michael Jackson – and Bettany, just back from a trip to Albania funded by Lord Rothschild,  certainly knows her stuff. Things I found out from her during the debate: it took 18 years to build the pyramids and they were made not by slaves as is popularly thought, but by citizens of Egypt for the gods.

While Peter said we should not be beholden to the past, Bettany said: “we live with the past, it is in everything we think and do”.

It was a lively debate with lots of good questions being asked. Chivas Brothers hosted the event at the beautiful Victoria & Albert museum. Chivas Brothers certainly know about good things taking time. Their whiskey takes 20 odd years to make. I saw one bottle which was thirty years old. They started making whiskey in the 1800s. They are now in the top 3 whiskey makers in the world.

The debate also raised the point that one of the reasons a 21-year-old whiskey is such a luxury is that the moment you drink it 21-years is gone.

If whiskey does not have an age statement then it is three years old, as whiskey has to be at least three years old.

Other things I learnt:

“Did you know that most of us only live for 800 months?” A.C Grayling.

The Taj Mahal took 25 years to build

Alcohol is an Arabic word.

Symposium  means “drinking together”.

What do you think?

London Art Fair Returns

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London Art Fair, the UK’s largest art fair for Modern British and contemporary art will return to the Business Design Centre, Islington, between 16 and 20 January 2013. The 25th London Art Fair will feature galleries presenting the great names of the 20th century as well as exceptional recent works from established artists and emerging talent.

 

 

Highlights will include:

 

Main Fair

Galleries from across the UK and overseas will exhibit work by artists covering the period from the early 20th Century to the present day. Museum quality Modern British art will be presented alongside contemporary work from the best leading and emerging artists.

 

Art Projects

Established as one of the most exciting sections of the Fair, Art Projects captures a snapshot of the current practice and concerns of contemporary artists.

 

Art Projects is a curated showcase of the freshest contemporary art from across the globe and will feature large-scale installations, solo shows and group displays from selected galleries.

The Art Projects Film Programme will host a selection of experimental film and video work.

 

Photo50

A showcase for contemporary photography that highlights the richness and diversity of photography today, Photo50 will feature 50 works presented in an exhibition curated by Nick Hackworth of Paradise Row Gallery.

 

 

London Art Fair tickets will be on sale at £12 (plus £1.50 booking fee) in advance, including a copy of the 2013 Fair Guide (to be collected at the Fair). Tickets on the door are £16.

 

For a full list of galleries and the latest London Art Fair news visit: www.londonartfair.co.uk

You Are Awesome | Book Review

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Craft has had a huge resurgence in recent years. The craft industry is big business. In fact the U.S. craft and hobby industry was worth $29 billion in 2011. But to talk about money takes away the beauty of it. As pay packets dwindle and the cost of living keeps spiraling, people are finding out how joyful it is to make your own things. Whether that be jewellery, clothes or furniture. Which brings me to the book in question: You Are Awesome.

I love everything about the book. From the design, the craft projects, the weight, the author, the concept.

You Are Awesome is a collection of 21 simple craft projects for adults and children with a fresh, contemporary edge. It was written by Abbey Hendrickson who writes the excellent blog, Aesthetic Outburst. This book is hours of entertainment. The concept is that you are awesome (yes, you are) and that you should make the things in the book and give them to someone else who is just as awesome. The step-by-step craft projects are easy and range from a cross-stitched screendoor to a laptop toy made from a cardboard box.

This beautiful book makes a great present, for yourself or anyone else.

Following on from the well received State of Craft, published by Cicada in 2011, You Are Awesome is a beautifully packaged little book that will appeal to advanced hobbyists and curious craftnovices alike.

Buy You Are Awesome: 21 Crafts to Make You Happy

Abbey Hendrickson writes a blog called Aesthetic Outburst documenting her life in an old farmhouse in rural New York. In between DIY disasters, childcare catastrophes and cultural consumption, Abbey makes some fantastic and funky craft projects, which she sells through her Etsy shop. You Are Awesome is a collection of 21 clearly explained step-by-step craft ideas by Abbey Hendrickson. The projects are deceptively simple to make, but have a contemporary freshness that will appeal to seasoned crafters and novices alike. Each one captures the warmth and humour that Abbey herself radiates and which makes her blog so popular. There is nothing more rewarding than making things yourself. Things to live with and things to give to people you love. Let’s revel in the joy of handmade. Crafting is awesome!

Apple Bring Out New Macbook Line

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Apple are bringing out a new range of Macbook computers months before competing devices with Microsoft come out.

Apple have added faster chips and sharper displays. The thinner, lighter Macbook Pro computers have high definition screens. The Macbook Pro will have seven hours of battery life and up to 768 gigabytes of flash memory.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook revealed the new range at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which began today. Apple also announced a new version of it’s mobile software iOS 6, which includes new features for the voice-activated Siri service.

Last year’s event was hosted by Steve Jobs before he died in October. Jobs introduced Apple’s iCloud service.

This conference, which lasts from June 11-15, will allow CEO Tim Cook to reveal his vision for Apple.

Storm Launch New Range | Preview

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I love watches. It must run in the family as my dad has well over 100. The first ever watch I bought was a Storm watch, it was silver with a big purple face. So it is fair to say I am a fan of the brand. I went along to The Sanderson Hotel to check out their new range.

Storm are always have cutting edge designs. Their watches are well made and beautiful to boot. Storm is the only recognised British watch brand on the market today. Storm is still quite young, it was launched in 1989. Their range has expanded to include not only watches but also jewellery, bags, eye wear, sleepwear and fragrances. All of which is sold in 45 countries internationally. Well, it’s enough to make you feel proud.

I will be honest and say that I did not know that Storm did perfume, but they do, for him and her. The packaging is slick (like everything with Storm) and the smell of the Touch and Electric are both divine.

The Touch gift set is only £19.99 for 100ml fragrance and 150ml of shower gel. It smells the right side of tropical with lemon, green leaf and tropical fruits on the top note with a blend of white jasmine, cedar amber and brown sugar. The make version runs along the same lines but is a but different with patchouli and sandalwood, ginger and lavender. Makes me want to eat it….

Another thing I love about Storm is that I am not allergic to any of their jewellery. I really love men’s watches on women, I am partial to a chunky watch, but love a slimmer, elegant one for evenings. I have chosen some of my favourites from the range. Which was a hard thing to do, as I love them all!

Featured watch: Atlas

Bion. £99.99

Black Out

Dualon

Elody Gold

A multifunctional timepiece with a pearl dial, sparkling crystals and stainless steel case and strap. The Elody is Storm Black’s Newest gem. It has Swiss movement and Storm Black’s signature Onyx set in the crown. This watch is perfect if you want a bit of luxury in your life. Price is £279.99 – £319.99.

Excalibur

Limited Edition with only 5.000 piece available worldwide. Has a wonderful fully exposed watch face showing it’s mechanisms. Also water-resistant up to 50m. Silver: £369.99

Kelli

This is very in at the moment. It embraces this seasons colouring blocking trends. Has cut away strap. £99.99

Trilogy

This is another limited edition piece. Only 3,000 made. It has 3 time zone, raised face, leather strap, stainless steel case and is water resistance up to 50m. Perfect for travellers. From £169.99

It is the Olympic year and Storm is a British brand, so it makes sense for the Nexon to have the colours of the British flag featured in the polycarbonate links in racing stripe form. RRP £109.99

The Una also has patriotic style. These stylish watches can be bought in red, white and blue. £69.99 – £84.99.

Storm also does some great bags for men and women.

And some great jewellery.