NIKEiD Studio Tournament

by Josh Rubin

To celebrate the 2006 football games in Germany, Nike will honor their favorite designs that come out of the NIKEiD Studio in NYC. Each week a "team" will be selected by Studio staff and will consist of the best 11 sneaker designs created in the Studio that week. The creator of each designed sneaker will receive three referral cards to the NIKEiD Studio and one of the 11 designs with be named "Player of the Week" and will receive a complimentary visit to the NIKEiD Studio (free shoes!).

On 10 July 2006, a "Team of the Tournament" will be named, consisting of the best 11 designs created since the tournament began on 9 June. The creator of each design will receive a complimentary NIKEiD Studio experience. One of the 11 designs with be named "Player of the Tournament" and will be allowed to create the ultra-exclusive NIKEiD AF1 low.

CH has the exclusive on this one so stay tuned for each week's picks over the next several Fridays. This week's winners are pictured above (click to zoom).

Timothy Schreiber

by Ted Cahill

Timothy Schreiber used an interface design technology originally developed for the film and motion graphics industry to conceive and produce these sleek new carbon-fiber chairs. Like the game theory discussed in the newly released edition of Game Set and Match II that involves the interactive exchange of 3D prototypes via email with producers across the globe, Schreiber's design process points to a new era of collaborative design that is mediated through software, no longer requiring face to face meetings. The prototypes eventually turn into the product itself after rapid e-dialogues, which result in rapid manufacturing. Aside from the innovative design process, these chairs are also really gorgeous to look at and would be a welcome addition to almost any home or office aesthetic.

Denimbirds Underwear

by Ami Kealoha

Yoko Ono might not know it, but she is, apparently, the embodiment of Denimbirds philosophy. The newish women's clothing line–little sister to famed Swedish denim label Nudie Jeans–has a few words about the infamous artist/Beatles wife on its glossy, bird-themed web site: "For John Lennon, Yoko Ono was a real bird – independent, strong and with a free spirit." Clothing," it continues, "should be fun and creative, a way to feel free in body and soul." Perhaps with that enigmatic message in mind, designer Maria Erixon has included in Denimbirds' 2006 Spring/Summer collection eight different pairs of (don't worry, non-denim) underwear. The hip-hugging briefs come in a variety of different colors and prints, including–keeping with the 1960s theme–paisley and a few flower-power worthy florals. For those who like it simple, there are four solids to choose from, too. (They're available for €35 from Kitchener) . There are also ladies' tank tops in similar styles, so underclothes aficionados can mix and match.

by Anna Oberthur

New York Daze

by Wendy Dembo

I don’t know where Daze finds the time. In the last two weeks, he curated a show with Mass Appeal editorial director Sacha Jenkins, had a solo show at Midoma, painted a mural for Nike to help launch the World Cup, and tomorrow, 17 June 2006, the Daze-curated “New York’s Own” opens before he heads of to Italy for two solo shows the following afternoon.

“New York’s Own” is a mind blowing collection of works by old school and newish artists including: Charlie Ahearn, CRASH (pictured right), Todd James, KAWS, Richard Kern, Mark Kostabi, José Parlá, Pink, Ricky Powell, Terry Richardson, Stephen Powers aka ESPO and many more amazing artists. Get there early, it's going to be a mob scene.

Banned from Television 7, features the too “hot” (thanks Paris) for TV art of Rammellzee, Ron English, Cycle, Won, Ryan Michael Kelly, Sacha Jenkins SHR and Daze. Co-curated by Jenkins and Daze this show deals with “sexual repression, hate, ageism, racism, war” and a whole bunch of other “isms” that one sees on TV. The artists work in a variety of mediums from photography, painting to aerosol.

For this solo show at Midoma, Daze focuses on different aspects of his life, his work and growing up in NYC. He presents us with varying urban imagery, like scenes of elevated trains, the Staten Island Ferry, as well as a triptych called “Afrolistic,” which “reflects my interest in the black exploitation films of the 1970"s, which were so influential to me then and now.” A must see. Info and a flyer after the jump.

The North South Project

by Ami Kealoha

The concept of eco-chic is steadily spreading across the fashion and design worlds, as retailers are responding to consumers' rising demands for ethically and environmentally conscious products. But most companies tend to tout their eco-friendliness without providing adequate information as to exactly how their practices help the environment or promote production and trade in the developing world.

Not so with North South Project, an initiative that brings design collections produced in the developing worlds to Northern markets. Toronto-based designer Patty Johnson works with partners in the African nation of Botswana and Guyana in South America to design, manufacture, and market products like wooden furniture and woven baskets, lights and garden furniture. Their work highlights the techniques and materials that are unique to each culture and take into consideration the impact that the designs will have on the region's community and economy.

The project's booth at the recent ICFF show was the only one showcasing design from the developing world, a clear indication that more collaboration such as this is needed to give substance to eco-chic.

by Stephan Paschalides