Airstream x MINI Cooper S Clubman x Republic of Fritz Hansen

by Ami Kealoha

For someone like myself who grew up traveling in converted buses, this new Republic of Fritz Hansen-designed Airstream and coordinating modified MINI Cooper S Clubman doesn't look exactly practical, but it does look dreamy. At 6.8 meters long (about 22 feet), the Airstream trailer makes for a relatively compact way to make a road-trip luxurious—for fans of both sea and sun.

Incorporating neoprene, acid green accents, floral prints and furniture by the Republic of Fritz Hansen, the trailer brings a playfully modern feel to the classic American concept. Designed for surfers and other watersports enthusiasts, details like a floor made to look like a boat deck and two surfboard halves that function as shelves are kitschy nods to its purpose. With one side of the trailer opening into a deck for sunbathing or lounging, the vehicle offers a spot to relax after a day of adventuring.

The Clubman itself gets some updates too in the form of a tow package and a roof rack that holds a Republic by Fritz Hansen surfboard. By removing the rear seat, the truck becomes a spacious storage compartment customized to hold diving gear, including flippers, a mask, wetsuit and oxygen tanks.

Those in Milan can check it out in person during design week. See info below and more photos after the jump.

Update: For MINI's own content on the project, including videos, contests, interviews, party pics and more, check out the MINI Space page devoted to it.

Airstream x MINI Cooper S Clubman x Republic of Fritz Hansen
Interni Design Energies
Through 27 April 2009
Universitá degli Studi di Milano
Via Festa del Perdono 7
Milan, Italy map

GURP for Mother Earth Contest

by Bailee Wolfson

Starting today, 22 April 2009, Mimoco's GURP, or GreenBot USB Recycling Program, launches a three week long video contest to celebrate its green mission and we're happy to be on board to support it. With a goal of recycling old or unwanted USB flash drives in return for gift certificates towards a Mimobot (the designer drives that Mimoco makes), it's an easy and rewarding way to help stop the glut of electronics waste.

In addition, Mimoco's CEO Evan Blaustein announced that for every video submitted, Mimoco will help save 1,000 square feet of rain forest. The grand prize winner will be chosen by three judges, one each from Notcot, Inhabitat and Cool Hunting, and will receive an 8 GB Mimobot flash drive of their choice. To enter, submit a minute-long video about how GURP recycles your flash drives. The contest runs until Mother's Day, Sunday, 10 May 2009.

Get your cameras rolling and visit Mimoco for more information on both GURP and the Mother Earth contest.

Reference Library x Apartamento Magazine: Everyday Life Objects Shop

by Brian Fichtner

Although last night was the official start to the Milan Design Week, travelers who arrived early on Monday were treated to a good old fashioned pop-up shop party thrown by Andy of Reference Library and the folks from Apartamento Magazine. In true guerrilla fashion, the Everyday Life Objects Shop features rough and ready display fixtures designed and assembled on-site by the British designer Max Lamb, who will also be on hand throughout the week crafting made-to-order designs. In addition to an eclectic mix of merchandise flown over by Andy, the shop showcases a selection of kaleidoscopic hot air balloons in candy colors by Bertjan Pot, recent designs by the NYC studio Rich, Brilliant, Willing. (who also participated in our own temporary boutique), clothing by Slow and Steady Wins the Race and a stellar selection of vintage books, both odd Americana and rare design titles pilfered from a Milanese bookseller.

More pictures after the jump.

Three New Green Skincare Lines

by Ami Kealoha

One of the simplest ways to make every day Earth Day is to incorporate some of these new skincare products that make it easier to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. Free of parabens (an ingredient already banned in Europe for its health risks) and other harmful additives, using these products not only helps save the earth while providing a host of benefits to skin but, to our minds, there's no reason to be applying toxins to the largest organ of our bodies.

Wholearth
Launching today, longtime environmentalist Danny Seo's Wholearth is one of the greenest, and most luxurious lines we've ever come accross. In addition to using 100% post-consumer recycled plastic for all product packaging, they also stick to a strict “no ingredient” ban list, meaning no parabens, petrochemicals, sulphates, silicone nor talc.

Instead Seo had to get creative, using such organic ingredients as apple juice, lemon oil, bergamot, cocoa butter, lavender flower and even an enzyme extracted from Kimchi, as an alternate preservative. “As a Korean myself," says Seo, “I love the fact the national dish of Korea is the hero ingredient in our product line." We tried the Wholearth body wash ($22), which exfoliated without stripping the skin and the body lotion, which left our skin silky without being greasy. The line has a light, lingering scent, minus the patchouli.

Wholearth also marks the launch of the first ever USDA-certified organic fragrance ($65), available in three scents, made from ingredients like cassis, davana, rose, ginger, coriander and vanilla.

Starting today, the products are available in all Anthropologie stores. Check out the website for future locations.

by Ariston Anderson

Sponge
Originally developed by an OB/GYN seeking to make products safe for mothers and their unborn babies, Sponge products feature the most pure and highest quality ingredients. Since the initial idea, Dr. Costas Tynpanidis has gone on to collaborate with Athens universities to develop new safety tests without harming the environment and has introduced several more products to the all-organic line.

The process of making Sponge products starts by meticulously and laboriously extracting the vitamins, antioxidants and nutrients from plants without the use of chemicals. Resulting products, like Krema Imeras ($110), a hydrating anti-aging day cream with a light texture and subtle scent, come with the assurance that they're neither hurting you nor the world.

All Sponge products are available on their website.

Caudalíe Pulpe Vitaminée
This new line from Caudalíe uses high concentrations of anti-oxidants, including to combat the early signs of aging. Like all of their products incorporating polyphenols from grapes as a main ingredient, the Pulpe Vitaminée is free of parabens and other nasty additives, but it does include energizing ingredients like ginger, royal jelly, echinacea, lifting fern and ginseng.

The emulsion ($60) is available from Space NK, along with the cream (also $60).

Milan Design Week 2009: Superstudio Piu

by Brian Fichtner

Milan Design Week is in full swing and while last night's press preview at Superstudio Piu in Zona Tortona was a slightly tamer affair than in previous years, the work on exhibit holds promise for an exciting week ahead. The line-up at Superstudio changed somewhat this year, though standard bearers such as Tom Dixon and Moooi returned with a host of new designs.

Moooi's installation was a more modest affair compared to last year's sprawling display. Newcomer Prooff, the office furniture company launched by Studio Makkink and Bey, takes the prize for best exhibition display. Foscarini's "Infinity" multi-media display (top), with video by Massimo Gardone and music compiled by Francesco Morosini, was an unexpected delight. Nika Zupanc, who last year stole the stage at Moooi with her Lolita Lamps, created a most charming (if quirky) installation, "I will buy flowers myself."

Check out the slide show above for images of some highlights.

Plus Minus Dining System

by Karen Day

Managing food proportions can be a tough battle, but the Plus Minus (±) System by Soo Kwon helps keep things balanced and even adds a little humor to the often frustrating situation.

Both a simple and inexpensive solution, the Plus Minus (±) System is a series of stackable bowls and plates that allow the user the option of a regular or smaller-sized portion. Each etched with either a plus or minus sign, when the small portion dishes stack up they build a long and lean tower whereas when the regular portion stacks, the tower becomes short and fat. The irony is a clear reminder of how much we are consuming while helping us fight temptation.

The Plus Minus (±) System is still a prototype, but proves that managing our diets doesn't have to be a stressful experience.

Ceres Environmental Park

by Lost At E Minor

The Ceres Environmental Park in Brunswick, Melbourne is a little inner-city oasis and is as close to a hippie commune as anything found in the city. Not-for-profit and sustainability are the keywords here, and the park plays host to regular events from live gigs to programs about everything related to the environment.

The café provides ridiculously healthy food, sustainable innovations are in action on every structure and building, with accompanying explanations and it's also wonderful just to browse around the large, relaxing site. Especially popular is the bike shed, where for a small membership fee, the tools and experts are then available to help repair bikes or even fix up one of the carcasses.