Cool Hunting
| 12 January 2007view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Matthew Herbert: Nugroove vol. 6
by m ss ng p eces
Matthew Herbert, one of the U.K.'s most lauded, often overlooked and hardest-to-categorize electronic musicians grabbed major attention last year with the release of Scale, a critically-acclaimed album that includes over 700 samples of ambient noises like birds, gas pumps, breakfast cereal, coffins, mobile phones and babies crying, as well as voice mails left on "Herbert's Hotline," a phone he set up for the project. Cool Hunting Video's 61st episode shows Herbert making field recordings inside caves and up in a hot air balloon, among other unconventional locales, sits down with the innovator in NYC for an interview and catches his live show at Irving Plaza. We also get DJ and BBC Radio 1 host Gilles Peterson's take on his fellow countryman, as well as some words from Maurice Bernstein, co-founder of the New York dance party turned label and PR firm, Giant Step. The result is an exclusive look at one of the most influential musicians of today and his idiosyncratic approach—in the studio, knee-deep in the ocean and live on stage—to making music.
Ren Clean Skincare
by Tim Yu
I've been using the Multi-Tasking After Shave Balm from UK-based Ren Clean Skincare for the past couple weeks. A non-greasy formula, the balm is well balanced, neither too thick nor too thin. It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling healed. The smooth-action dispenser is well-designed, dispensing a perfect amount for use in one pump. The balm is unscented; all Ren Skincare products do not use synthetic fragrances, petrochemicals, sulfate detergents, synthetic colours, animal ingredients or parabens. Ingredients in the after shave, which is suitable for all skin types, include biosaccharide to reduce inflammation, peppermint leaf extracts to cool and tone the skin, and pumpkin fruit enzymes which help prevent ingrown hair. Several of Ren's superior products are available from Details For Men.
Studio On Fire 2007 Letterpress Calendar
by Ami Kealoha
Every year for the past five years Minneapolis-based designer Ben Levitz has been making letterpress desk calendars featuring the work of five designers he hand-picks from around the globe. Ben asks each to come up with images for two of the months and he takes care of the rest, resulting in a wonderfully eclectic mix to keep you inspired throughout the year. The just-out 2007 edition is the first he's produced since leaving his corporate job to head his own firm, Studio On Fire, and includes the work of Colorblok, Brian Gunderson, Rinzen, Plain Gravy and Faile. Opening with Ben's own Phoenix rising from fire (pictured above right) for January, an appropriate way to start the new year, other designs range from LA-based duo PlainGravy's retro New Wave graphics (they're the ones behind the controversial “Pharrell Can’t Skate” tee) to the masked girl by Berlin's Rinzen. All provide a modern contrast to the finely detailed, tactile quality of letterpress, which is flawlessly executed on Ben's vintage Heidelberg machines. Limited to an edition of 1000, you can order a calendar ($30 plus shipping) by sending an inquiry to info [a] studioonfire [dot] com. See more images here.
Classickicks Vans
by Ami Kealoha
Made using a 100% wool fabric that features a pattern by textile designer Liora Manné (like the Classickicks Reversible Hoodie), these new Classickicks Vans are set to drop tomorrow 13 January 2007. Limited to an edition of 200 pairs each, both Slip-ons and Chukkas have a Classickicks logo on the heel and sockliner, come in a custom box and are available in sizes 4.5 to 13 and cost $100 each. Mail orders will be accepted over the phone (+01 212 979 9514) starting Monday, 15 January 2006. Click image for detail.
Volivik Chandelier
by Ami Kealoha
Made from Bic pens by Madrid-based design studio enPieza, the Volivik chandelier pays homage to "the movement of Charleston fringe and the rhythm of Baroque patterns...the shape of a bulb, [and] the Bic ballpoint pen as an 20th century design." The transluscent version does what chandeliers due best, refracting and casting delicate patterns of light onto the walls and ceiling. Limited to an edition of 30, each lamp costs $1000.
via Inhabitat
