Big names in fashion.....that are "affordable"?

For the last five years or so, we have been seeing a general growth trend in the collaborations of mighty names in fashion with mighty names in departmental clothing. Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Victor & Rolf and recently appointed Madonna, a big name in entertainment, have all been enlisted by Swedish company H&M. British company, Topshop has procured the assistance of Kate Moss and even Australian companies such as Portmans and Sportsgirl have enlisted independant designers such as Willow and Alice McCall.

Recently in Australia, and just in time for the launch of L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2007, Stella McCartney for Target. This partnering of independant designers for mainstream manufacturing companies seems to have not only boosted sales in the companies, but the exposure and popularity of the designers.

Is this then the end of designer ready-to-wear? Or are we just suckers for labels?

Where art thou Helmut Lang?

It is a name, not just a brand that represents inventive elegant design, in fashion. A name that will indeed stand the test of time, that is if it's not being "re-made" by a bunch of people claiming to not "try to reproduce him". The brand "Helmut Lang" is owned by the "popular" US sportswear label Theory. It's intentions are to re-produce the label to be "contemporary", "directional and affordable". Would this raise more than an eyebrow on Mr Lang's face?

In a recent Vogue article, when asked where she shops in New York, French Vogue Editor in Chief, Carine Roitfeld replied, "I have no more shopping rituals since Helmut Lang closed". Will this "re-make" of the label truly understand the spirit of Helmut Lang? We will just have to wait and see.

Droog Design

Rag Chair

Tejo Remy making use of the old rags, piled them up with steel strips bundle it together are definaitely a great way to recycle materials.

Crispy Treats

Best Cupcakes in New York

These cupcakes are made with soft golden sponge or chocolate cake. Each one is topped with a swirl of pastel colored buttery vanilla frosting that melts in your mouth like ice cream and adds a touch of sprinkles.
Each US$1.50 and it's limit 1 dozen only.
Delish!

The Magnolia Bakery
401 Bleecker Street
New York, NY. 10014

Living the Lightly way

In a world where cold and mundane mass produced products dominate the surroundings we live in. It is a renewed inspiration to see personal and memorable touches in living products such as Melbourne based design house, Lightly.

Lightly endeavours to evoke senses, memories and personal touches with it's products and attitude. It currently produces living product ranges, from pillows, furniture to recently launched napkins. Collaborating with Tsar to make limited edition rugs to exhibiting in Denizen Gallery, California, is one of it's facets Lightly is about.

Truly one to watch out for.

Click 'Lightly' under favourite links for more information.

Bloody More Water.......

'Another Bloody Water' I hear you say? Don't we have enough bottled water on the market as it is? Evian, San Pellegrino, Mount Franklin and even the AUD$3.50 Fiji water. Yes you heard it right. Over $3 for a bottle of water, plain H2O.

It is true that each brand has it's own special features, but at the end of the day isn't it all about the marketing, design, shape of the bottle and taste? Well with the market filling to the brim with bottled water, 'Another Bloody Water' has a quirky twist on it's bottles. It is a clear, minimalistic, clean designed bottle with graphics that portrays humour, banter, honest and refreshing information about what they are and who they are.

'Another Bloody Water', it's refreshing and witty.

Rub the tummy.

Lucky Beer

Let's talk about the bottle, this jade coloured glass beer bottle has an image of a buddha on it. The purpose of that is to bring out the happiness and the luck to everyone who drinks it, as the buddha is about purity and always being honest, that's why the buddha always has the big broad smile on his face.

And of cos, it's Australian owned and brewed, a very zen boutique beer.