the-affair

by Lost At E Minor

Out of East London, the-affair is not just another t-shirt label interested in fashion. They do a good job blending social commentary and design to create a statement that goes deeper than the typical tee.

Exploring themes like the futility of religious intolerance, Muslim Jesus (above left) just looks like another image of Jesus, but take a closer look and you'll notice that Islamic crescents make up the image. Their MiniLuv t-shirt (above right) is another take on our present cultural paradigm. Taking references from Orwell's 1984 and the Ministry of Love, the t-shirt comments on the Big Brother attitude of late.

Each design is printed on American Apparel t-shirts and limited to a run of 200, so head over to the-affair quick and get yours for £25.

Ballistic Nylon Clarks

by Tim Yu

From the trusted cobblers at Clarks comes a new and somewhat unnecessary version of their Desert Boots. Made of Ballistic Nylon, this limited edition variety can withstand shrapnel or anything else you do to it. Maintaining the flexibility and comfort Clarks are known for, the Ballistic Nylon material adds a bit more weight than the original, but at least your feet will be protected.

Purchase them at C. Point for ¥22,000

via Hypebeast

Atelier Van Lieshout: Furniture

by Leonora Oppenheim

The London creative scene is keeping us on our toes. No sooner than we recovered from the excitements of the 2007 London Design Festival, it was time to get revved up for the London art fairs. We experienced Pulse London and the enormity of Frieze (more to come on that), but we started out at Design Art London, the organizers of which had clearly made a strategic decision to exclude themselves from the Design Festival and jump in with the art crowd.

There have been indicators of the ever-growing appetite for "design art," as we saw with the popularity of Established + Sons show and the Size + Matter Installation, but there is no surer sign of this trend than when the bold Dutch art collective Atelier Van Lieshout roll into town. Having enjoyed great popularity around Europe over the past few years London is finally catching up with AVL's radical work.

While the Hayward Gallery recently showed an AVL installation and the Albion Gallery represent their art, it is the Carpenters Workshop Gallery that have brought AVL's limited edition furniture to London. Showing at Design Art London and in the CWG space are several pieces that allude to the complex allegorical, utopian and Machiavellian themes that run throughout Joep van Lieshout's work.

The furniture forms are varied, but linked by the running concept of "Slave Cities," which imagines a "futuristic dystopian metropolis." They range from a small welded steel table tracing the map of the Slave City's infrastructure, to an enormous board room-style table called the Urban Plan table, to Bad Furniture, a relatively sleek and functional chair. The deliberate contradiction between AVL's handcrafted, lo-tech approach to furniture design and the industrialized environments it portrays makes their work challenging and intriguing.

We couldn't resist including a few images from AVL's web archive as well. Below, frrom R-L: Mobile Home for Kröller-Müller (aka The Master and Slave Unit), Bonnefanten Cart (designed for museum visits), Uritory (a unisex urinal)

Atelier Van Lieshout: Furniture
10 October-24 November 2007
Carpenters Workshop Gallery
2 Michael Road
London, SW6 2AD map
tel. + +44 20 7384 2211

Prepara Herb-Savor

by Letizia Rossi

Although it's common knowledge that fresh ingredients yield the best results when cooking, the organic locally-grown herbs I bring home from the farmer's market always seem to wilt the second I close the refrigerator door. Replacing the old tin can-and-plastic bag method, Prepara's Prepara Herb-Savor prolongs the life of fresh herbs for up to three weeks keeping them encased with the ends submerged in water. (I've got a healthy crop of Italian parsley, mint and marjoram that's going on four weeks thanks to the Herb-Savor.)

With a slim design, it fits comfortably in most fridge doors or narrow spaces and its sturdy construction means it will stand up to bangs and drops. A transparent plastic case allows for monitoring, a removable stainless steel basket makes it simple to wash the herbs and a rubber plug enables you to easily refill the water base. Also great for asparagus, the Herb-Savor will allow you to splurge on lots of fresh herbs even if you don't know when you are going to get around to making that salsa, bruscetta or mojito.

Available online at Sur La Table for $30.

Ubiq Fall/Winter 2007

by Tim Yu

Japanese brand Ubiq always comes up with head-turning, sometimes offbeat designs when it comes to their footwear. The latest 2007 Fall/Winter collection is no different. My favorites from the group have to be the Braska and Bernadette models.

A mid-cut boot, the Braska (right) is not as clunky as most urban hiking alternatives. The most innovative feature is the gator-like fleece sock appended to the top of the boot. It features a draw string pull cord which allows the wearer to control the fit around the ankle. If you're stepping into some thick stuff, just fasten it tightly around the ankle to keep snow out and warmth in. The patent leather tongue adds style and a playful touch that fits in better on the streets than the trail.

The Bernadette boot (left) follows suit with the latest football (soccer) design, moving the enclosure—in this case a zipper—on a bias. Low, with a fairly round shape, it features the same Vibram sole and suede upper as the Braska. The zipper enclosure, leather laces and a support strap near the ankle ensure a snug and protecting fit for your feet.

The Braska, ¥19,950, and the Bernadette, ¥22,050 are available at Flauge, each in three different colors.