MATT MURPHY DESIGN

2011-10-10T16:04:00.001-04:00

LAND, MARFA TX : NOTHING BESIDE REMAINS SERIES : SARAH CAIN

Los Angeles-based artist Sarah Cain's practice focuses around connecting painting, sculpture, and architecture. Creating site-specific paintings that respond directly to their environment, Cain investigates physical, emotional, and psychic space.

As part of Nothing Beside Remains, Cain has created a site-specific installation for the first floor of the former Masonic Lodge entitled Forget me not. A series of new paintings, this installation explores, in both concept and imagery, the forget-me-not flower - a Masonic symbol later co-opted unknowingly by the Nazis. Conceptually, Forget me not deals with themes such as belief systems and doubt, double meanings and faith.

2011-09-30T14:19:00.001-04:00

REVOLIGHTS

LINK

2011-09-27T22:00:00.002-04:00

THE HOUSES OF PICASSO

Nice collection of his homes here. The blog also features detail photos of Paris, Italy, etc.

2011-09-26T06:01:00.002-04:00

DUCATI SOGNO CAMERA DETAIL

VIA : Chromeography

2011-09-26T05:15:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

YSL S/S 2011

VIA: of great importance

2011-09-24T18:43:00.004-04:00

DE VERA

Years ago I discovered a little shop in San Francisco that stood out for its presentation, juxtapositions of old & new, and overall high-wattage wow-factor. De Vera, Frederico De Vera's first shop, became a regular stop every time I found myself in SF and always inspired with a mix of fanciful and precious objects. Today, the SF store is closed but two locations remain in New york - one on Crosby Street in Soho, and now on 81st at Madison. Take a look next time you pass by.

New York TImes

2011-09-22T17:42:00.002-04:00

ROOT CASES

With the overwhelming popularity of the iPhone, it's hard to find a way to make yours stand out from the crowd. This was the challenge I faced when trying to find a way to protect my phone with an off-the-shelf case. Neither my mobile provider nor the Apple store provided enough variety for my taste, so I went looking online.

After much searching, I found a unique solution, whose elegant design and use of unorthodox materials was a perfect fit. Root Cases has created their own niche, using various types of precision-cut wood to create beautiful and out of the ordinary cases for the iPhone (and coming soon for the iPad and MacBook Pro). The cases are cut to fit like a glove and don't add any extraneous bulk. Great attention has been paid to the details, including cut out replicas of the + and - volume buttons and the top power button.

The cases come in walnut, zebrawood, wenge and bamboo. I opted for the bamboo and love the look of the light wood against the cool dark glass of the phone's faceplate.

Root Cases also has an eye on the environment, planting a tree in a non-forested area for each case they sell.

2011-09-21T07:02:00.015-04:00

BENTLEY MULSANNE

The new flagship Mulsanne is a remarkable car in that's it's the first Bentley-engineered all-new car in 80 years, and it shows in its power, mass and opulence. It's a giant car, but sporting & respectful of the brand's heritage. Think back to the Bentley 8s of the 30's, which were enormous, with locomotive 8-liter engines. Inside, leather, wood & luxuriously purposeful, not ostentatious, instrumentation. They were imposing cars and had more of an aura, less of a polished flash. It's fun to play 'let's order a new car' ... The new Mulsanne looks best in person, in a dark color or else it's a little scary, and in my opinion looks best without it's lower grill, body trim, and B-pillar in polished chrome. The change emphasizes the car's face, playing up the 50's inspired lights and enhancing the grille. Loosing the rear chrome visually sets the car lower on its rear axle and reduces the car's apparent mass. Inside, matching a black leather dash surround with black-anodized trim console and steering wheel trim cleans up what can be a busy, over-the-top interior. Dark green leather fills the the cabin with black walnut trim. I always think cars look best with use - this big expensive thing needs to be enjoyed, driven, and loved.

2011-09-14T06:41:00.002-04:00

SHIAPARELLI PARASOL, 1937-40

Made from Bast fiber and bamboo.

VIA: Ye Olde Fashion

2011-09-10T19:58:00.011-04:00

FUTURE PORSCHE 914

I've always loved the 1970's 914 for it's distinctively odd shape and spartan aesthetic. I find the original car quite beautiful. The car was an early project of Ferdinand Piëch's, now VW Group's Chairman. Dr Piëch is a luminary of the automotive world, a brilliant engineer and a true visionary, a hero of mine. The 914 was Porsche's entry model - it was never an über-performance car (that's the 911), more of sporty commuter or weekend runabout. If this car were resurrected into today's Porsche lineup, it would again be an entry-level model sitting below the Boxter, and priced around $40K. It could be an electric car, or with a mid-mounted turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. If it was kept light enough, the car's power-to-weight ratio with a 4 cylinder engine would deliver great performance and efficiency. To compete in the US market though, the car would probably need a 6 cylinder and carry a price closer to $50k. In either case, the car would embody Porsche's core ethos of pure performance and engineering excellence.

2011-09-03T18:20:00.001-04:00

HERRLICHT WOOD GLASES

Berlin-based designer Andreas Licht spends about a week handcrafting each pair of eyeglasses—from the lens holder to the signature four-pronged pin that enables the ease of swapping out lenses. Sculpted from several thin layers of wood and assembled using Japanese joinery techniques, the Herrlicht collection comes in maple, cherry, walnut or fumed oak in a variety of retro-inspired styles—every element of these frames (including the screws!) is made from wood. Quite durable, the frames have a slight flexibility and light weight that make them effortless to wear ... Due to the high demand and limited run of the collection Herrlicht is exclusively sold at 1010 Optics in New York City and Brillenschneiderei Yves in Berlin. Each pair is pressed to indicate style, wood-type and serial number. Prices start at $1,500.

VIA: COOL HUNTING

2011-09-02T01:02:00.000-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

VIA: The Sartorialist

2011-08-25T00:29:00.002-04:00

1934 VOISIN C25 - WINNER 2011 PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE

In 1933, the Voisin C24 Aerodyne was displayed to the public at the Paris Auto Salon. The art-deco design mated with French curves rocked the industry. The vehicle was full of unique and non-traditional features. Under the hood was a six-cylinder, sleeve-valve engine breathing through twin Zenith or Stromberg carburetors. It was good for over 100 horsepower. There was a four-speed manual gearbox with overdrive on two of the gears. The body was constructed of aluminum and built atop a steel chassis. Drum brakes and leaf springs could be found at all four corners. The goal was to produce over twenty examples, but only two would ever be built and one was given a C25 chassis. The C25 included shock absorbers, sliding roof, and other features

VIA: CONCEPTCARZ.COM

2011-08-24T22:36:00.005-04:00

REDDYMADE DESIGN WEBSITE

A new ID and website for the multifaceted New York-based Architecture, Interiors, Furnishings, and Exhibition design firm.

Reddymade Design is an award winning boutique-style design studio founded by Suchi Reddy in 2002 and based in New York city. Her extensive years of experience in renowned architecture firms served as a platform to launch a practice that integrates the vision of the overall concept with the beauty and the precision of the detail. The studio creates unique and tailored designs based on considered responses to the opportunities of the particular design problem.

The process of design is first and foremost a work of collaboration withthe client, the site, and the program to create an intelligent concept.

The studio’s signature is its ability to create luxurious and beautiful modern spaces. A keen eye and rigorous attention to the quality of light, in combination with the feel and effect of texture, materials and color informs every design decision to create the “nature” of every space.

Reddymade Design’s portfolio encompasses a wide range of project types ranging from retail boutique design for stores such as Henri Bendel, and Jimmy Choo, high end commercial projects in landmark buildings such as Lever House, and large and small high end residences all over the world.
LINK

2011-06-29T10:59:00.005-04:00

KIMBERLY MC DONALD

Amazing jewelry from the very talented Kimberly McDonald. Here, giant opal shards are framed in fine diamonds to create unforgettable earrings.

2011-06-29T10:51:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

2011-06-25T08:15:00.002-04:00

RAINBOW HOUSE BY AB ROGERS DESIGN

The Rainbow House is a magical oasis on a busy road filled with people and noise. When you step through its front door, you enter a parallel universe of fun, colour, movement and sensuality, leaving the ordinary world far behind.

The Rainbow House, London from Ab Rogers Design on Vimeo.

2011-06-14T12:00:00.003-04:00

THE FUTURE BY AIRBUS

2011-06-11T10:21:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

VIA: The Sartorialist

2011-06-11T09:58:00.005-04:00

SANOMAGIC WOODEN BICYCLES

A ninth-generation shipwright, Sueshiro Sano has been making exquisite wooden products since he was in elementary school. But in 2008, drawing inspiration and technique from a lifetime of shipbuilding, the woodworker produced his first bike constructed entirely of mahogany, including frame, fork, seat, seat post, handlebars/stem combination and even rims. Using mahogany lends flex and responsiveness in a way no metal frame can, which in turn gives riders an elevated sense of control and increases pacing possibilities. A number of Sano's prototypes have been raced professionally, excelling in both ideal and inclement weather. In the three years since starting the project, Sano has handcrafted 11 of these fully wooden bicycles, making improvements that shave the average weight of his full builds down from 11 kilograms to around eight.

VIA : COOL HUNTING

2011-06-10T13:46:00.006-04:00

2013 PORSCHE CAJUN

The upcoming Cajun is a 3-door version of Porsche's extremely successful Cayenne. Between their new best-seller, the Panamera, the Cayenne, and next the Cajun - Porsche will have reinvented itself as a brand and company - and as the most profitable car maker in the world. Little known outside of car-circles is the fact that Porsche has a storied and important past with 4-wheel drive and Rally racing, an especially brutal off-road type of sport. I think the new Cajun will play up its compact size, aesthetic DNA, and Sport heritage and possibly become Porsche's most popular model, especially as it will price out in the $50K range.

2011-06-01T23:33:00.000-04:00

2011-05-31T12:19:00.001-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

VIA : The Sartoralist

2011-05-30T12:50:00.004-04:00

LOUISE BOURGEOIS : THE FABRIC WORKS

Fabric played an important role in Bourgeois’s life. She grew up surrounded by the textiles of her parents’ tapestry restoration workshop, and from the age of twelve helped the business by drawing in the sections of the missing parts that were to be repaired. A life-long hoarder of clothes and household items such as tablecloths, napkins and bed linen, from the mid-nineties Bourgeois cut up and re-stitched these, transforming her lived materials into art. Through sewing she attempted to effect psychological repair: ‘I always had the fear of being separated and abandoned. The sewing is my attempt to keep things together and make things whole’.

VIA : HAUSER & WIRTH, LONDON

2011-05-30T12:29:00.005-04:00

RYOJI IKEDA @ THE PARK AVENUE ARMORY

3 Gigantic projections, multiple kiosk screens, and a techno-mechanical sound piece echo dazzlingly in the massive 19th Century Drill Hall, one of the largest interior spaces in New York. On view through June 11.

LINK

2011-05-28T16:53:00.001-04:00

VIA : The New Manhattanite

2011-05-27T08:40:00.004-04:00

SHAGREEN MONOCULAR c.1770

Early personal optical devices are always a favorite for their eccentric shapes and intricate detail. Here, a collapsable monocular is beautifully housed in a brass body, and skinned with tooled leather and shagreen, and protected in a cylindrical leather carrying case. See more of this piece HERE, and discover more from the University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences.

2011-05-27T08:07:00.006-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

For Hermès, Fall 2011 heralded the the departure of Jean-Paul Gaultier and the arrival of Christophe Lemaire.

VIA: Style.com

2011-05-27T07:33:00.005-04:00

CZYTELNIK BOOK DESIGN

This is one of a series of jacket designs for the Polish publisher Czytelnik's series by John Steinbeck, designed by Jan Mlodozeniec, and published in 1956. Poland, communist until 1990, had strict laws regarding graphic design, especially in the 50's. The oppression produced an especially rich subculture of poster and book design, classifications somehow less regulated. Read more HERE and HERE.

2011-05-21T14:05:00.003-04:00

GIO PONTI FURNITURE

Gio Ponti, was a prolific Italian architect, publisher, and designer - and his furniture is remarkable. These beautiful chairs were produced by Singer & Sons in the 50's, and just came up for auction on ARTNET.

2011-05-20T23:28:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

From Gucci via : The Sartorialist

2011-05-19T13:32:00.007-04:00

NEW AMSTERDAM PAVILION, BATTERY PARK

It opened May 14, and I really love it. The surfaces look clean and the playful shape is evocative of [potentially cliché] Dutch objects - clogs and nun hats come to mind. This manages to not be cliché, and still communicate its origins through shape and detail. The building's human scale, quizzical form, and gravel surround help to create a pleasant café atmosphere.

See an earlier post HERE.

2011-05-19T09:31:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

VIA : The Sartorialist

2011-05-19T08:53:00.003-04:00

IF FOLDING BIKE BY MIKE SAUNDERS FOR PACIFIC CYCLES

"Most people prefer large wheeled bikes, in part due to ease of pedaling. So when I designed the IF-Mode, I thought about combining the benefits of small folders with full size bicycles, keeping in mind the innovation and value people expect from their personal tools. The IF Mode combines large wheels, ease of near instant folding, compactness, and clean design. Like luggage, it rolls anywhere. Its monoblade wheel mountings, enclosed transmission and uncluttered aesthetic offer a radical new image of what a bicycle can be." - Mark Sanders

LINK

2011-05-18T11:51:00.003-04:00

ANISH KAPOOR 'LEVIATHAN' AT THE GRAND PALAIS, PARIS

Dedicated to artist Ai Weiwei, who has been wrongfully imprisoned by the Chinese for criticism of the regime. Fantastic piece by Kapoor, especially in the grandeur of the Grand Palais. Nice video tour by the Telegraph UK HERE.

2011-05-18T09:48:00.005-04:00

1958 RIVA TRITONE TR62 "VIA"

The luxury Italian boat maker Riva secured its status by building sublime speedboats - luxury hotrods for the water. Here, a restored '58, built for Prince Rainier, with a jewel-like enameled mahogany hull and glistening metal. Nice story here.

2011-05-16T09:45:00.005-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

Alexander Wang's very nice use of contrasting materials and cut to create a sophisticated, elegant ease.

VIA: Style.com

2011-05-16T09:16:00.006-04:00

WEARSTLER STAIRCASE

Reminiscent of Scarpa, this staircase in Kelly Wearstler's beach house

looks great.

Wearstler designed the central staircase as precisely as a constructivist sculpture. The bleached-walnut stairs, organized as a teetering stack of boxes, are topped with a graceful brass railing.

VIA : Elle Decor

2011-05-15T12:38:00.002-04:00

1926 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM 1 [10X] EXPERIMENTAL SPORTS TOURER

Designed to test a new performance-oriented open touring design, and altered over years with weight-saving modifications and extensive road testing. This is one of the company's most storied and important vehicles, and just came up for auction. Beautiful!

2011-05-15T09:58:00.003-04:00

INVISIBLE SHOE BY ANDREIA CHAVES

Made of a 2-part construction, an interior shoe of leather with a flexible metalized nylon skin.

VIA: Yatzer

Andreia Chaves

2011-05-13T12:48:00.001-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

Via The Sartoralist

2011-05-13T12:42:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

From Celine via The Sartorialist

2011-05-13T12:34:00.002-04:00

LOOKS WE LIKE

From Preen via The Sartorialist

2011-05-10T14:25:00.002-04:00

LAND ROVER DEFENDER PRINT AD

Clever and evocative print campaign for the Defender, by Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R.

2011-05-10T10:45:00.004-04:00

LAND ART AUCTION BENEFIT AT PALIHOUSE, LA

For the LAND auction, this past May 5th, at Palihouse in LA, we had the opportunity to rethink the tried and true black and white step and repeat sponsor wall - the wall where attendees have their photos taken. Fortunately, only the LAND logo was to be used, so we created a giant 12' x 12' wall to brand the space and event; in this case with the same color scheme as the invite. The contrasting colors of the wall were composed to also work in black and white photos. Together with Palihouse, Casa Dragones sipping tequila, and a notable collection of artworks generously donated by prominent artists, the event netted over $250,000 for LAND.

2011-05-07T16:21:00.007-04:00

FUTURE MERCEDES-BENZ G-WAGEN - THE SUPERLUXURY SUV

The G-Wagen, or Geländewagen, is an anomaly in the automotive world as one of the longest-running production cars. Introduced for military use in the late 70's, then for civilian use in '79, the car survives today as a cult object that is largely unchanged from its introduction over 30 years ago. Aside from its ingenious mechanical set up (triple individual locking differentials, long suspension travel, vault-like construction) the car looks out of time, a purpose-built machine from the world's largest luxury car maker. From a marketing perspective, the car is essentially in a class of its own. Yes, there is a Range Rover, or tuner versions of lesser MBZ SUVs, but the G-Wagen is its own special thing. Rumored to remain in production through 2015, MBZ just released the 'final edition' of the truck, and claims there will be no more. I don't believe them, because the luxury market's thirst for exclusivity and niche will grow - the G-Wagen DNA is too precious to discard. So, instead - I think MBZ might reintroduce the range in a forum more tailored to road use, while maintaining the current car's distinctive boxy and planar look, more refined mechanicals, and with a super-luxury emphasis on the interior, as these trucks will fall in the $150,000 - $200,000+ range.

Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Official Site

2011-04-28T23:07:00.006-04:00

DOYALD YOUNG FILM

Doyald Young was a extremely talented logotype designer who recently passed away. This short film on Lynda.com offers a glimpse into his nuanced and hand-crafted approach to sculpting logos and letterforms. I had the pleasure of knowing this kind, wise, and elegant man. Although we spent limited time together, his impact on me was lasting. His love of process and attention to seemingly unimportant detail always produced unusually balanced and solid work that is still a pleasure to view and work with. View his website to see his fonts and books HERE.

Click HERE to enjoy the film (41 minutes). Every click of the film also donates money to an Art Center College of Design scholarship fund - so please share the link with your friends and colleagues.

2011-04-19T11:04:00.005-04:00

LAND ART AUCTION & BENEFIT PARTY

Los Angeles Nomadic Division will host another great party in LA, Thursday, May 5. There is a collection of art available from an impressive roster of A-list artists including John Baldessari, Matthew Brannon, Tom Burr, Sue de Beer, Shannon Ebner, Barnaby Furnas, Luis Gispert & Jeff Reed, Amy Granat, Karl Haendel, Dennis Hopper, Glenn Kaino, Terence Koh, Hanna Liden, Nate Lowman, Olivier Mosset, Raymond Pettibon, Richard Phillips, Rob Pruitt, Amanda Ross-Ho, Agathe Snow, James Welling, and Jennifer West, among many others.

Browse the works, and bid online by clicking HERE.

2011-03-22T18:04:00.003-04:00

THE ISLAND EBOOK

On December 3, 2010 LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division) and OHWOW organized the island: a one-day, dusk 'till dawn exhibition during Art Basel Miami Beach. Seventeen artistist created site-specific installations on Flagler Memorial Island located just a few minutes from the mainland in Biscayne Bay.

As the exhibition has now disappeared, ghostlike and mythical, into the Miami landscape, LAND invites you to view the THE ISLAND EBOOK - a digital publication created by LAND to bring you back to the island.

CLICK TO VIEW

2011-03-22T15:03:00.005-04:00

NIGHTSAC™

Introduced in 1995, the NIGHTSAC was one of the first bags Matt Murphy designed for his first collection. Inspired by seed pods and footballs, and in response to non-functional women's evening bags, the collapsible 4-panel design conceals/expands to a volume large enough to hold a pair of flats + a wallet and other essentials. The bag dangles unobtrusively from the wrist or hand, the shape echoes the body, can also be clipped to another bag if desired.

Available at YEOHLEE NEW YORK, $540 in black calfskin with solid white bronze hardware.

2011-03-22T11:16:00.002-04:00

NEW AMSTERDAM PAVILION, BATTERY PARK

Designed by Amsterdam-based architect Ben van Berkel of UNStudio, the Battery Bistro is set to open this spring. A purpose-built pinwheel folly set directly in front of the Battery Park Ferry building, this sculptural object will provoke conversation and provide food and visitor information to millions of people who annually travel on the ferry and visit the park. A gift from the Dutch government in honor of the 400-year anniversary of Henry Hudson's arrival to New York Harbor, the 5,000-square-foot pavilion's distinct personality is a welcome addition to the area's evolution. Nice work.

2011-03-15T08:37:00.006-04:00

MAYBACH COUPE / CONVERTIBLE

Maybach needs a car to parallel with the Bentley GT and Mercedes CL, in the $250,000 range. Maybach has prestige, luxury and technology to spare, but the cars are maybe a little dull. A big V12 2+2 with trick folding roof and personality could work well, and evolve into a 4-door, using the same successful strategy Bentley used with the GT, GTC and Flying Spur.

2011-02-26T12:27:00.003-05:00

MAISON DE VERRE PARIS

Recently restored by Robert Rubin & beautifully photographed by Todd Eberlie, the Maison de Verre is a masterpiece of 20th Century architecture. Designed by Pierre Chareau, the property is unusual as it was designed for a doctor as a live/work space with clever movable screens to change the interior from public to private. The Maison de Verre - "House of Glass" as it is called, makes extensive use of industrial glass for the façade and interior creating a sort of luminous machine that is at once curious and seductive.

WSJ : 'The Court of Modernism"

2011-02-22T13:29:00.006-05:00

MM VINTAGE @ YEOHLEE NEW YORK

We are happy to partner with Yeohlee in New York City to provide vintage Matt Murphy accessories. The Yeohlee store is on 25 West 38th street, between 5th & 6th Avenues. Inventory is very limited and in many cases these are unique pieces, often featuring our hand-cast sterling or solid white bronze hardware components. Here, the URBAG, available in a selection of colors, $740.

2011-01-27T17:25:00.006-05:00

OH WOW + RAFAEL DE CARDENAS

The OH WOW bookstore in NYC designed by Rafael de Cardenas, and a shelving system by the designer for the OH WOW pop-up shop during Art Basel 2009 [top]. Great use of integrated graphics and fixtures to create a space. Nice work.

2011-01-27T16:59:00.003-05:00

THE ISLAND, ART BASEL MIAMI

ID, Print, Digital invitation & collateral.

LINK: LAND

LINK: OHWOW

2011-01-20T09:12:00.003-05:00

LE CITIZEN HOTEL, PARIS

Poster/advertisement for the hotel

2011-01-20T08:46:00.003-05:00

LE CITIZEN HOTEL, PARIS

"Dreaming facing the canal Saint-Martin. Designed by Christophe Delcourt, Le Citizen - a boutique hotel of 12 rooms - combines 1950's colors (beautiful blue!) and Scandinavian lines. The menu for room service and restaurant is bento boxes from the the renowned Japanese restaurant Usagi ... Rooms from 149 €."

LINK: Le CItizen Hotel, Paris

LINK: Christophe Delcourt

LINK: L'Express Magazine

2011-01-14T12:56:00.005-05:00

FASHIONING FASHION : EUROPEAN DRESS IN DETAIL, 1700 - 1915

Live in LA? Then this show at LACMA is a don't-miss. A survey of unbelievably constructed garments and accessories showcases rare craftsmanship and materials from a newly-acquired collection by the museum. The purchase of the collection by Michael Govan, LACMA's new director, is perhaps controversial as it was fashion; but all concerns dissolve walking the beautiful show - buying the collection was a smart idea both for the museum and as an exhibition - it's a crowd pleaser. Beautifully curated by Sharon S. Takeda, the show is grouped into sections and cleverly showcased with a theatrical system of crates that act both to display the objects, and to humanize the gigantic gallery.

LINK: LACMA

2011-01-14T00:25:00.003-05:00

1952 FERRARI 212/225 BARCHETTA

This car given to Henry Ford II by Enzo Ferrari, and said to have inspired the Ford Thunderbird. I love how the texture of a simple stitch line softens the feel of the car.

2011-01-13T13:28:00.003-05:00

SATYA TWENA FINE MILLINERY

Happy to work with this new brand of fine millinery. Here, we developed a signature logo and branding system to complement the range of styles the company offers, as well as packaging and promotional solutions. The circular shape references the hat box packaging, and acts as a memorable business card shape to reinforce the product.

SATYA TWENA

2011-01-13T13:09:00.006-05:00

ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE BUSINESS BOOK

Happy to be included throughout this new book from Entrepreneur Magazine and author Ciree Linsenman. In it, every aspect of planning, founding, managing, and running a business is discussed including Online & Brick & Mortar examples.

"...his streamlined website profiles his best work in several areas, giving an airy feel to his brand. Because he doesn't have a standard brick-and-mortar location, the site serves as his representative in the areas of graphic, branding, and handbag design ... The site's slick style creates a seamless transition from one discipline to the next."

2011-01-13T11:41:00.006-05:00

JEEP GRAND WAGONEER

Just announced is that Jeep will reintroduce the Grand Wagoneer in 2013.

The truck fell out of production in '91, leaving a hole in the US luxury SUV market that was filled by the Cadillac Escalade, Range Rover, Land Cruiser/Lexus LX, and MBZ GL. The new truck will be a big, proper 7-seater. The old model was recognized with a boxy look, tall greenhouse, lots of chrome and ersatz wood liberally applied inside & out. The new model might use a strip of carbon fiber and/or 2-tone paint to provide the textural variety and warmth the fake wood lent in the original truck, part of its distinctly American charm. The Wagoneer will be a sort of stand-alone luxury brand for Jeep, and if successful might spawn a smaller luxury SUV model in the future.

VIA: JALOPNIK

2010-12-05T17:25:00.004-05:00

BENTLEY MULSANNE WAGON/ESTATE

For over-the-top family outings. The new car is gigantic in person, opulent, and fantastic - with an incredibly powerful V8. Converting the body to a wagon would be complex, but would produce a remarkable car, the ultimate prestige hauler.

BENTLEY MOTORS

2010-11-29T13:20:00.003-05:00

THE ISLAND, ART BASEL MIAMI 2010

[New York Times]

ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH that bacchanal disguised as the Western Hemisphere’s most prestigious art fair, takes place Dec. 2 to 5. Once again, there will be a dizzying whirl of glamorous dinners, hush-hush viewings and after-hour soirees — a Herculean scavenger hunt crammed into four days. To help, here are 10 must-do spots to schmooze, party, dine and, oh, see art.

1. OFFSHORE

White walls are so Chelsea. Kick off your shoes, lather on the sun block and go native on “The Island,” an islet in Biscayne Bay that is being turned into an off-the-grid art spectacle. Fifteen artists including Terence Koh, Hanna Liden and Luis Gispert are doing site-specific projects in the foliage, sandbars and water.

A motorboat will whisk guests from the Mondrian hotel. “We wanted to create this feeling of being stranded on a deserted island that’s in unique contrast to the fanciness and luxuriousness of the fair,” said Shamim Momin, the curator at the Los Angeles Nomadic Division (or LAND), which organized the show with Ohwow, an arts collective.

Flagler Memorial Island; nomadicdivision.org. On view Dec. 3 from 4 to 8:30 p.m., followed by party on the Mondrian’s dock; invitation only.

2010-10-23T01:43:00.002-04:00

LAND & CAF BENEFIT NOVEMBER 17

Purchase tickets here ($300 / $50)

2010-10-13T02:19:00.005-04:00

FUTURE AUBURN SPEEDSTER

Auburn was a great American car company, producing a range of world-class cars until the company's close during WWII. Perhaps their most famous car - if not one of the most iconic cars of the 30's era - was the Auburn Speedster, introduced in 1935. The car was a sensation, and with its flamboyant shape embodied the energy and sensuality of the time. In our time of polarized economies and conspicuous consumption (the gigantic $400,000 Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe in the bottom image) its fun to fantasize about an over-the-top reincarnation of the Auburn Speedster for now. It might be tall, like the original car, with separate fenders and lots of chrome. This is a statement car with 2+1 seating, a low windscreen, V12, giant wheels, scalloped suicide doors, and lots of drama.

2010-10-12T22:52:00.004-04:00

NADA ARTIST BALL, HALLOWEEN NIGHT

If you're in New York City for Halloween, come to the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) Artist Ball, with excellent talent, a beautiful venue (conveniently located in Manhattan), and what will surely be a lively collection of great people and inspired costumes.

Tickets from $105 - $510, very limited space. Premium priced tickets, if available at the door the night of the event - book your tickets early HERE.

2010-10-12T13:38:00.004-04:00

FACEL VEGA

There have been many cross-continental car collaborations, my favorite is the Facel Vega. A French company founded in '39 originally manufacturing aircraft components, then car bodies for other companies, then its eponymous cars - made in France and powered by giant Chrysler V8 engines. A well-dressed French citizen with an American heart. Fantastically expensive and powerful, the marque was a favorite of Pablo Picasso, Eva Gardner, Ringo Starr, Tony Curtis, and the famous British racing star Sterling Moss. The car shown here is the Facel Vega II c.1962. Sadly, like many exotic things, the company folded in '64, mainly due to its introduction of an unreliable smaller car called the Facellia. It is a great pleasure to run into any Facel Vega in person - the car's proportions, detailing and almost magical presence make it remarkable.

2010-09-29T21:19:00.004-04:00

MOZILLA SEABIRD CONCEPT PHONE BY DESIGNER BILLY MAY

As a self-admitted hardware geek, I had to wipe the drool from my mouth when I saw the Mozilla Seabird concept phone designed by Billy May. In a traditional open-source fashion, May created the idea based on user community feedback in terms of features, form and function. Seabird has all three, as you can see in the video overview: It’s a phone from the future. While the technology used for Seabird impresses, what stood out even more for me is how Seabird illustrates the growth of the smartphones as the central device in our lives and how such a device will become even more useful.

May’s semi-crowdsourced concept is really trying to break the biggest confines of today’s handsets: input and output. Look at any phone today and these are the two most constraining aspects. The Seabird concept tackles the input challenge with projected keyboards and infrared signals. Why? Today we’re essentially stuck with small keyboards, which, while they’ve improved over time, still keep most of us from typing at a healthy clip.

New keyboard technology, such as that from Swype is helping to speed our typing on handsets, and voice input is becoming a solid secondary input method as well. I’m generating most of my text messages with Google Voice Actions, for example. But for serious text entry, we’re using external keyboards with our phones or simply using other devices like a netbook or notebook. May’s personal website emphasizes this point:

The Seabird, on just a flat surface, enables netbook-quality interaction by working with the projector’s angular distortion to delivery interface, rather than content. With the benefit of a dock, each projector can focus individually on either interface or content at laptop levels of efficiency.

Seabird also approaches the output problem (getting pictures and video off the small screen) with pico projectors, plus a dock, similar to the docking functionality found on many of today’s laptop computers. Pop the device on a dock and instead of viewing information on the small screen, Seabird projects a higher resolution image on a flat surface. Granted, one would need a relatively dim room to make this work, but it’s a clever use of existing technology to break the smartphone out from its handheld limitations, although pico projectors and additional sensors would challenge battery life.

The Seabird phone is definitely a conceptual idea: Mozilla has squashed any thoughts of actually building the Android-powered device. So don’t expect to see such a handset at next year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Even though the phone itself will likely never appear, it is a safe bet that future phones will leverage some of the technologies found in Seabird. And newer solutions could evolve to take the place of a projected keyboard or display as handsets evolve, and that’s the key word: evolve.

From a hardware perspective, smartphones are gaining faster processors with multiple cores, more memory, faster mobile broadband, greater storage capacity and larger displays, but what good is all of that technology if users are constrained by small screens and keyboards?

VIA: GIGAOM

2010-09-27T13:43:00.006-04:00

ADVERTISING IN ITALY 1964-1965

I found this book at the London Terrace Flea Market and haven't been able to put it down. The cover, in a modified computer font, is what struck me; but I soon discovered the brilliant interior which includes highlights from every industry of the period - the standout being Olivetti, with their beautifully innovative products, print and marketing campaigns. There was certain simplicity, directness, and optimism of the era that is inspiring.

2010-09-26T18:18:00.007-04:00

2010 JAGUAR XJ

An early post of this blog was a sketch of an idea for a future Jaguar XJ. I've since spent time with the new car and saw one driving around the city yesterday, and I just find it so odd, unsexy - so not Jaguar. The proportions remind me of a puffed up Audi C5/A6, and the wheels look disproportionately small, especially in the rear. The swept up vertical tail lamps - maybe the new cars most distinctive feature - emphasize the awkward volume, especially in the 3/4 view - it has an almost van-like quality to it. The original XJ, with direction from Sir William Lyons, founder of Jaguar, introduced a classical 3-box sedan/saloon shape that looked distinctive from its introduction in '68 through to '09 when it was replaced with the current car. I understand the want to push forward, especially in the high-stakes luxury sedan market (Mercedes S-Class. BMW 7, Audi A8) but in this incarnation the aesthetic language just seems discarded - it scans as soulless. Jaguar was to me always something unique with a storied past rooted in racing engine engineering with an aeronautic flair - real machines that cosseted occupants in a cocoon of leather, wood and metal. The XKE felt like a gentleman's spaceship; the 80's XJ like a taut personal motorboat. The cars always felt a bit fanciful, different and special. Sketch of my version of the XJ.

2010-09-12T13:37:00.011-04:00

AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNERS AT HOME

Happy to be included in this book by Assouline for the CFDA. The space is 3/4 work/living, and 1/4 private; the studio space has an integrated kitchen and converts for work, studio space, entertaining, etc. Photo by Jon Heil.

2010-09-12T12:26:00.010-04:00

THE DREAM HOTEL FAÇADE

It might look like an extension of the beloved Maritime Hotel, but the north facing façade of the former Covenant House shelter adjoining the Maritime Hotel is actually the new Dream Hotel. Built in 1966 by Albert C. Ledner, the 5-foot diameter portholes were an inventive solution and created a distinctive graphic and maritime theme that still looks fresh. The Dream's update is respectful, yet separate, from the Maritme Hotel's original building. Nice work.

2010-09-12T11:56:00.004-04:00

THE APARTMENT

Identity and website for the Vancouver Gallery, hosted in curators Lee Plested and Erik Von Muller's apartment.

LINK

2010-09-01T12:49:00.006-04:00

MM ARCHIVE : RICHARD TYLER, CONCEPT CURE, 1996

Fitted luggage for the Concept Cure Buick Riviera by Richard Tyler. 9-piece luggage kit in custom metalized leather to match the car's upholstery. The set had a rockstar 'roadie' look to emulate Tyler's rockstar following, and included a jewel case, make-up case, and separate cases for gowns and shoes, as well as a matching FIELDBAG™ featuring our hand-cast sterling silver hardware. The curve of the small and large case was inspired by the car's shape, which for the time was quite progressive. The shape also helped to lock the set together like a puzzle when it was installed in the trunk, to prevent movement.

2010-08-31T09:05:00.004-04:00

WWD: PAINTING THE TOWN : CURATOR SHAMIM MOMIN MAKES HER MARK IN LA

In March, art curator Shamim Momin commissioned 57 contemporary artists, from Terence Koh and Nate Lowman to Sue de Beer, to create works inspired by rock ’n’ roll posters for an exhibit during the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Tex. Now, Momin, director of the nonprofit art organization Los Angeles Nomadic Division, has recruited the same talents for a new show of poster-based works, “The Secret (Still) Knows,” on display at the Lab in Culver City, Calif., through Aug. 16. The project was celebrated Wednesday night with a benefit co-hosted by François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, John Baldessari and James Franco, among others, at the home of collector Eugenio López Alonso, president of the Jumex Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports contemporary Mexican art. And tonight, there will be a cocktail party in honor of the show at the Sunset Tower in Los Angeles. But this semiconventional trajectory — hang art in a gallery, celebrate with a fancy fete — isn’t typical of Momin’s style. Since moving to the West Coast after 12 years at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, where she co-curated the 2004 and 2008 biennials, Momin has avoided confining works to four walls. Instead, she’s taken advantage of Los Angeles’ urban sprawl, displaying pieces everywhere from Videotrons on the Sunset Strip and a sidewalk in downtown to a chicken coop. “L.A. has become increasingly relevant in the contemporary art world,” Momin says. “It is part of our mission to do things all over the place and grow L.A. as the center spoke.”

In the case of the chicken coop, novelist Ben Ehrenreich read a short story in front of caged foul at a home on Mount Washington in Los Angeles designed by artist Jorge Pardo. Another time, Mexico City-based artist Moris laid portraits of illegal Mexican immigrants on the sidewalk in front of a downtown museum and encouraged passersby to smear their footprints on them. “It adds a lot to being able to access different audiences,” Momin says of her method. True to the nomadic spirit of LAND, Momin’s approach is reaching far beyond the confines of Southern California. Organizers in New Orleans, Detroit, Paris, Norway, Italy and the Netherlands have already expressed interest to her about producing similar projects. “That’s really exciting to me, because I like it when other people think that way, too,” Momin says. That’s not to say that she advocates taking all artwork off the walls. “It’s better to have art than not,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with putting up a piece if you have space.” On the other hand, “There’s plenty of things that can engage what the city and locale is about. I think that’s important.”

2010-08-29T14:00:00.003-04:00

LAND BENEFIT PACKAGE

Invitation poster, response card, and benefit programs for the Los Angeles Nomadic Division (LAND) benefit. We used 3 different galaxies as the backdrop for the theme and Shakespeare quote, "I do wander everywhere", from A Midsummer Night's Dream.

2010-08-19T15:12:00.006-04:00

MM ARCHIVE : RUNABOUT™ TOTE, 2005

Soft construction gets its shape from a Plic™ double gusset that also forms the base. The detail creates structure, it also reduces the apparent volume of the bag when it's worn, helping the wearer feel lighter - it's a largish bag but it doesn't feel like it is. Double handles give options, they also create a nice detail when they drape and aren't in use. Shown in midnight metallic supple Italian lambskin.

This design available through our PRIVATE COLLECTION service. From $1200.

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2010-08-15T13:50:00.004-04:00

1931 DAIMLER DOUBLE-SIX 50 CORSICA DROPHEAD COUPÉ

Winner of the '06 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Fantastic proportions with a menacing grace - the hood alone is 10 feet long and under it is an impossibly complex V12.

LINK

2010-08-02T20:36:00.003-04:00

THE SECRET (STILL) KNOWS

On view at LAB Gallery through August 16.

This image from an interview with the show's curator, Shamim M. Momin, from Luxetigers.

2010-08-01T19:00:00.005-04:00

MICRO ART - ART IMAGES IN A HIDDEN WORLD

Microscopic photos by Dr. Lewis Wolberg, a psychoanalyst. I'm not sure where or when I found this book, but my copy is dog-eared and filled with note paper - the book is a wealth of inspiration. A few copies are available HERE.

Selected images are:

1. Bat hair

2. Fish scale

3. Sponge spicules

3. Tremolite

4. Rochelle salts

2010-06-30T00:41:00.006-04:00

LE CITIZEN HOTEL, PARIS

Identity & Branding.

Interiors designed by Christophe Delcourt. Located on the Canal St. Martin, in the Tenth, just off Republique.

Opens Fall 2010

LE CITIZEN HOTEL

2010-06-29T23:57:00.002-04:00

LAND + CALVIN KLEIN

2010-06-29T14:13:00.006-04:00

MM EYEWEAR PACKAGING / POINT OF PURCHASE

Purchase the glasses HERE

2010-06-29T12:57:00.005-04:00

SEL MAGIQUE SOFT PACK DESIGN

A lighter weight, less expensive packaging solution for the brand available in 2 sizes.

Have you tried the salt yet? Buy a 4oz size HERE - just $9. It really does make a difference with anything you make.

2010-06-29T12:47:00.002-04:00

THE SECRET (STILL) KNOWS : OPENING RECEPTION JULY 10, 6-8PM

2010-06-16T08:59:00.005-04:00

MM + VOGUE EYEWEAR CFDA CAPSULE COLLECTION

Tuesday, June 22 7-10pm.

If you'd like to attend, send us an email HERE. Space is limited.

2010-06-16T08:50:00.002-04:00

2010-06-10T12:52:00.002-04:00

LOS ANGELES NOMADIC DIVISION BENEFIT

The first annual benefit for LAND, held over two very special nights.

Tickets from $250 - $25,000. Purchase yours HERE.

2010-06-10T12:42:00.003-04:00

LAND : INVITE OVERVIEW

Founded in 2009 by Shamim M Momin, Los Angeles Nomadic Division has created a remarkable 10 opportunities for artist exhibitions, collaborations and exhibitions from '09 to the present. Click the image above to see all the invitations.

2010-05-22T20:47:00.002-04:00

LOS ANGELES NOMADIC DIVISION BENEFIT

The first annual benefit for LAND, held over two very special nights.

Tickets from $250 - $25,000. Purchase yours HERE.

2010-05-22T20:23:00.003-04:00

ISO™ TOTE FOR THE WHITNEY MUSEUM

A special gift for patrons at the $250 Friend membership level. Our classic tote in heavyweight 100% eco-produced cotton, with dual interior pockets, and an outside embroidered Whitney logo. What's eco-produced cotton canvas? Its recycled fabric which is woven from recovered cotton that would otherwise be cast off during the spinning, weaving, or cutting process. A little detail that helps conserve resources.

Become a Whitney Museum member today HERE.

See a range of eco-produced cotton canvas colors HERE.

2010-05-21T10:01:00.006-04:00

MM VINTAGE : OVERNIGHT, 2000

A client's bag from our Fall 2000 collection, this one in black calfskin with solid white bronze hardware. The bag has a 'fillet' type closure with expanding gussets that allow the bag to open wide and/or can pop-out of the sides to increase the overall volume. It folds completely flat for storage. This bag is rare, we made just 66 pieces in this special leather.

This design available through our PRIVATE COLLECTION service. From $1895

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2010-05-21T09:19:00.006-04:00

MM COLLECTION

Each piece made-to-order in the supple Italian lambskin color of your choice, priced $95 to $825. Exceptional detail, incredible function, timeless style.

Download the COLLECTION linesheet here.

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2010-05-21T08:58:00.007-04:00

CREATIVE GROWTH : TO THE BONE OPENING JUNE 4

2010-05-21T08:34:00.006-04:00

PLIC™ MESSENGER

The MESSENGER is a client favorite for many reasons : luxurious butter-soft Italian lambskin, function, versatility, lightweight, can be worn at the waist or on the shoulder - and it looks great with anything. This one is our client's third bag in 4 months, all in different colors, shown in a soft-metallic candy blue.

$475, made-to-order in the supple Italian lambskin color of your choice.

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2010-05-18T15:34:00.007-04:00

MM PRIVATE COLLECTION, 2010

We just completed this specially commissioned bag for collector Ann Schaffer as part of the ICI benefit, featuring the artwork of Carter. The bag is a classic tote, in a custom color butter-soft napa leather with Carter's artwork embroidered across 3 panels using 55,053 carefully placed stitches. The bag features a zip closure with an interior pocket system, and our hand-made, hand-cast solid white bronze hardware.

ICI Independent Curators International

Carter via Salon 94

This design, without artwork, available through our PRIVATE COLLECTION service. From $1450

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2010-05-16T13:36:00.004-04:00

MM ARCHIVE : METRO™, 2006

This is the second-generation METRO from our S/S 2006 collection. Made in Italian lambskin, the bags were available with a hand-painted base, done in a rubberized white paint - inspired by 2-tone buoys.

This design available through our PRIVATE COLLECTION service. From $1450

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2010-05-13T09:29:00.005-04:00

MM VINTAGE : CRESCENT, 2005

A friend and longtime client stopped by the studio with her CRESCENT from 2005, in olive lambskin - wearing well and showing a nice patina.

A true day-to-night bag - it can be worn like a messenger bag at the waist and across the body, then cinched tight to transform into an evening bag. The Strapocket™ feature keeps the bag looking clean. Featured in the Assouline book,'American Fashion Accessories' by Candy Pratts Price.

This design available through our PRIVATE COLLECTION service. From $1200

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