Brazilian Girls: Nugroove vol. 4

by m ss ng p eces

On the heels of last week's Brazilian Girls that marks their latest album's release. Crossing multiple genres, representing a mutli-culti mix of ethnicities and with lyrics in five different languages, the New York-based band resists easy definition. Since last October, Cool Hunting Video has followed the quartet to the studio, caught live shows, and visited backstage, capturing candid, behind-the-scenes moments with the burgeoning group. The resulting video is a portrait of a band that's as eclectic as the musicians themselves. Like always, but especially for this installment, headphone use is recommended.

Snakeskin Wallabees

by Josh Rubin

Aside from the occasional camo, most Wallabee colorways are subtle deviations from classic. These, made from dyed Python skin, are anything but low-key. Designed by Boston-based Soldier Design in collaboration with Tannery co-owner Tarek Hassan and Clarks Footwear they were a concept started back in 2005. Eventually 15 pair were made and they went on sale today at The Tannery in Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA (in-store only, not on their site).

The Tannery
11A Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
+ 1 617 491 0810

Jaime Hayón

by Leonora Oppenheim

Designer, artist, illustrator, and ceramicist Jaime Hayón's upcoming solo exhibition and seminar at London's Design Festival are must-sees. Jaime’s forms are decorative, fluid and sensuous and his objects and products always have a luxurious feel—whether a highly glossy vase, a smoothly polished metal lamp, or deliciously upholstered leather chair. This year he won Elle Decor's Best Bathroom award for his beautifully seductive designs produced with ArtQuitect (pictured far left, click images for detail). He also received rave reviews at the Milan fair this year for Showtime (far right), his new line of furniture for Bd Ediciones de Diseño, which highlight Jamie’s flamboyant side with oversized upholstered armchairs and a bold blue cabinet with many different legs. For Jaime the key is diversity—why just have four legs all the same when you can have 20 legs, all different?

After working in LA, Paris, Hong Kong and as head of Design at Fabrica (Benetton's communication research center in Italy) for several years, the Spanish Designer is now based in Barcelona, but will be in London for the Design Festival. His show opens 23 September 2006 and runs through 14 November 2006 at The Aram Gallery and he will be taking part in the Festival Design Talks at the Old Truman Brewery on 20 September 2006. Visit the festival website to reserve a seat.

Madhouse Munchies

by Ami Kealoha

Like other Vermont food products before them, Madhouse Munchies potato chips are naturally scrumptious, made with gourmet ingredients, and comparatively healthy. Made with mono-unsaturated canola oil, kettle-cooked and certified vegetarian, the snacks are trans fat-, hydrogenated oil-, and cholesterol-free, and significantly lower in saturated fat than their competitors. Their trademark slogan, “super crispy, really good,” is simple and true. We recommend the Mesquite BBQ, Sea Salted and Vinegar, and Creamy French Onion flavors over the original Sea Salted flavor—slightly boring in comparison, although impressively containing only three ingredients. Backed by a funky website and an honest “Madhouse Creed” of beliefs (printed on the bag), the company has an all around country-quality charm.

Check out their website to find a store near you that carries them or to order some chips directly from Vermont (starting at $1.25 for a small bag).

by Todd Thomas

Patek Philippe Cobra Watch

by Watchismo

The year was 1958 and in a fresh spark of innovation one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious watch companies—Patek Philippe—designed the Cobra watch, unique for its unusual time display and aggressive profile. Time is displayed through two graduated linear openings showing the hour and minute marks which are printed in a spiral on rollers, thus eliminating the traditional dial and hands.

The Cobra, like many other Patek watches, was designed by the renowned watchmaker Louis Cottier, who is perhaps best known for inventing the practical World Time system (a dual dial watch with two crowns that permits the wearer to set each dial to a different time zone).

The Cobra's high production cost prevented it from being produced, and this functioning prototype was the only one known to have been made. The fact that this watch never quite had its moment in the sun makes it an obscure but inspirational model of futuristic design.

More images here, click above photo for detail.

By Watchismo and Todd Thomas

Also on Cool Hunting: Watchismo

Agora II

by Wendy Dembo

Last Friday, Agora II, an interactive dance performance or "a choreographic game for one thousand bodies," previewed at the empty pool that has recently been repurposed for performances in Brooklyn's McCarren Park. The performance is interactive in the modern sense of the term, in that there are videos, live drummers and flashing lights. But you also have performers that ask you to hold their arm tightly and to not let go, or whisper sweet nothings into your ear. I was transfixed by the Butoh Rockettes as they slowly moved about. The pool is an amazing setting to be in and you get a different eye-full from every end, deep or shallow.

Also, if you get the player ticket (which you really should), you get a very little costume and a small part to play in the performance. Everyone is encouraged to join the disco dance finale. By the end, even the teenage girls—who were at first too cool for school—were dancing too.

Agora II
13-30 September 2006
Wednesday-Saturday at 8pm
McCarren Park Pool
Brooklyn, NY 11211 map
tel. +1 718 388 6309