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Cosplayers usually design and build costumes and props. Well, this cosplayer doesn’t need it. Just paint it on the body. My Retrenders buddy Steve Jang sent me this YouTube video a few months back. It was on my I’ll watch later, but I finally got around to it and was blown away. Artist/Model Kay Pike is known for her detailed body paint of superheroes on her naked body. She is taking superhero body paint to the next level.
Fashion friends interview each other at Google, model Martha Hunt and designer Jason Wu talk about the changes in the fashion industry. Jason discusses the future of not just the design elements, but using social media, the fast changing technologies and the future of the brick & mortar retail segment.
The NBA playoffs are in full swing as we speak and being from the Bay Area, I’m huge Dubs fan. NBA basketball fanatics with deep pockets should check out this expensive NBA toy art figure collection from MINDstyle and toymaker/designer CoolRain. Over the years, South Korean artist CoolRain has designed his very distinctive toy art and this NBA figure collection reflects that. These figures cost a whopping $10,000USD each and stand around 7 foot tall. The NBA stars include: Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Kobe Bryant, James Harden and Lebron James.
Mattel Hot Wheels has released several 1:64, 1:43 and 1:18 scale “Back to the Future” AMC DeLorean cars, now this summer June 2016, Hot Wheels will be releasing a limited production run of the 2016 Hot Wheels Elite 1:18 Ultimate Edition Time Machine. This elite edition will feature LEDs, sound effects and extra car parts, so “Back to the Future” fans can make all 5 versions of the AMC DeLorean time machine from the series.
Meet Hollywood prop maker Andrew Ainsworth. You might ask, “Who is he?” Well, he’s the creator of the most iconic character helmets in film – the original Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet.
LEGO announced and showcased lots of cool stuff at Toy Fair 2015, and here’s another one – the Star Wars TIE Fighter 75095. Look for this high-end detailed model around May 2015 at the MSRP of $199.99USD.
I’m not very adept in growing any assortment of plants or flowers. It seems every type of vegetation in my house or in my cube just ends up being kaput. Though when I saw the Electree, there wasn’t any apprehension in wanting this especially when knowing that it would be very difficult for this to die on me. Designed by Vivian Muller, it’s a bonsai sculpture with 27 movable solar panels acting as leaves that is able to charge many different mobile devices. Not only will this look good in any room, it’s also wonderfully inventive and functional.
For more on this Smartphone tree, go to: Vivian Muller – Electree.
Mimobot have always made USB flash drives hip and sexy with great collabs with licenses like Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and DC Comics. Now here are some other neat USB flash drive designs.
Mimobot x Emily the Strange
MSRP: $14.95USD – 8GB / $19.95USD – 16GB / $34.95USD – 32GB / $59.95 – 64GB
Your wall in room is to plain. Add some retro video game inspiration with this Donkey Kong Shelf by designer Igor Chak. What a conversation starter – it looks vintage with it’s pixel-inspired creation and is made made from carbon fiber. The shelf supports up to 60 pounds of weight.
Do you find yourself working around the house, in the garage, or behind a bar…in need of a rugged, stylish piece of utilitarian art?
Moore & Giles, a purveyor of leather and fine goods, has created another fashionable find for the urban or rural worker bee.
Leather Work Apron in Baldwin Oak
This vintage-inspired leather apron works not only as a fitting homage to the craftsmen of yore, but also serves as a truly functional piece of urban “uniform.” Think bartender (ahem….”mixologist”), woodworker, or clothing salesman!
Are you looking for a summer outfit? You might want to check out Banana Republic’s new capsule collection with designer Trina Turk for Summer 2012. The Palm Springs’ inspired collection will have around 60 pieces from swimwear to jewelry. The prices will range from $34.00USD to $150.00USD. The collection will hit Banana Republic stores this week on June 7th, 2012.
For more info go to: Trina Turk.
Walking around San Francisco, I have noticed a shift from the classic staple of sleek aviator-type shades to a thicker, bolder, and (some may say) “geekier” eyewear.
SF-based eyewear company, Mayfourteenth, has melded a classic 60s look with modern details and materials. The look is a fresh, summery (and springy) take on urban eyewear….locally made, and nationally sported.
French designer Jean Paul Gaultier and Diet Coke collab on a bottle. It will not be sold in the US so get it on eBay.
Marni – 54 piece collection – Spring 2012
Like Target’s designer collab with Jason Wu, H&M has one up their sleeves – a collaboration with designer Marni. 54 pieces in this set – mix and match. Go to: Marni @ H&M.
Every time I read about Uniqlo I turn greener and greener with envy. There is an absence of Uniqlo stores over here on the West Coast though they’ve greenlit both a San Francisco and a Los Angeles flagship for the finite date of…eventually.
I like Bass shoes. I like Rachel Antonoff’s clothing. The two combined reduces me to a puddle of goo on the floor asking the store clerk for a size 6.
I was a huge fan of their Spring/Summer 2011 Collection with their reworkings of Bass classics in fresh colors and prints that could be styled up or down depending on one’s mood. The collection exuded a feminine and whimsical sensibility on American classics and whispered treasured memories about a time already gone. Personally, I grew up wearing black and white saddle shoes and remembered scuffing them up on the playground and getting terribly tan under the sun. Of course whenever I returned home my mother would complain about the state of my shoes and my unladylike behavior.
On Saturday at midnight, I hit up the Target website to get my Jason Wu fix. Of course, 80% of the items were already sold out, but luckily I was able to score the Sleeveless Chiffon Navy Floral Dress with Gold Belt. My online experience was smooth as there were no gaffes, hiccups, or failures. This was a great surprise as The Great Missoni for Target Debacle of 2011 was an excruciating experience filled with crashes, errors, slow page loads, and most painful of all – items disappearing from cart en route to checkout.
Fashion designer Anke Domaske creates a new fabric for clothing apparel makers – it’s made out of milk protein – called Qmilch.
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