Anniel Sport Shoes and Bags

by Karen Day

Originally designed for performers in Italy's piazzas, the family-run label Anniel Sport has been producing extremely pliant ballet and gymnastics shoes in streamlined silhouettes since 1976.

The rubber-soled shoes gained popularity in Japan, setting off the idea of using them as streetwear and spawning even more styles and colors. Today, the collection consists of shoes and handbags in saturated jewel tones and buttery-soft Italian leather.

While still more or less under the mainstream radar, the brand exhibits at smaller tradeshows such as Bread & Butter in Berlin, Pure London and Salon Premiere Classe in Paris and sells at independent boutiques like Pico in Copenhagen and Kiss Polly in Genoa, Italy, building slowly on their cult status.

Shoe styles span diminutive lace-up flats to fringe moccasins to knee-high boots, all with a distinctively effortless aesthetic. The recently added collection of bags has a similar feel, keeping the quality of the craftsmanship as the focal point.

Babelgum Metropolis Art Prize 2009

by Karen Day

Global web video hub Babelgum is hosting the world's biggest contemporary art competition, seeking out artists who speak to the spirit of their urban culture-themed Metropolis channel, where you can also find our Cool Hunting Video series. Focusing on the idiosyncrasies of a city, Babelgum's Metropolis channel covers the urban environment and its fashion, art, design and culture sectors.

Open to artists of any medium, entrants must submit a either a video about their work or a work of video art itself with a running time of under five minutes.

Winners, determined by a panel of judges that includes Cedar Lewisohn and Isabella Rossellini will see their work displayed on NYC's Times Square jumbotrons with one of them taking home $20,000. Open now, the contest closes 18 October 2009.

Andrea: Naturally Purified Air Filter

by Brian Fichtner

Andrea, a natural air purification system, looks like a futuristic prop in Steven Spielberg's A.I., not something you'll soon be able to purchase online for the cost of an iPod Touch. Created by industrial designer Mathieu Lehanneur and Harvard professor David Edwards in 2007, Andrea was one of several concepts by the designer to be featured in MoMA's critically-acclaimed exhibition, Design and the Elastic Mind. It also earned the distinction of Invention of the Year in Popular Science in 2008.

Essentially, Andrea exploits and hastens the process of plant filtration with a whisper-quiet fan that draws air into the vessel, propels it through the leaves and root system and out through the water into the room.

According to the manufacturer, common household plants—Peace Lilies, Red-Edged Dragon Trees, Spider Plants and Aloe Vera—make for the best performers.

With an effective range of roughly 350 square feet, Andrea works for most any room in the home or office where the threat of stagnant air or noxious gases are a concern. Thanks to its altogether pleasing form and a base that mimics ceramic pottery, this 21st century device manages to look quite traditional—a bonus for those averse to the gadget aesthetics of Sharper Image products.

Andrea will reach the U.S. market this October with a suggested retail price of $200. It will be available through online retailers Amazon, Hammacher Schlemmer and Frontgate

Trunki Kids Ride-On Suitcases

by CH Contributor

by Julie Wolfson

Trunki creator Rob Laws admits he never completely grew up. The childhood troublemaker and dyslexic found refuge in making things and came up with the idea for animal-themed suitcases that kids can ride on as a college design student. Struggling to find an idea in the luggage department, Laws ended up in the kids area looking at riding toys.

After several stops and starts and a less-than-successful appearance on the BBC's Dragon's Den ( a prototype broke on camera), Laws finally launched Trunkis in 2006. Not only super-cute, these little hard shell suitcases help make traveling with kids less of a hair-pulling experience for parents. Kids can pull their Trunki by the leash or even more fun ride on their Trunki. The suitcases were originally only available at one store in Bristol, then took off across England and now sell in more than 30 countries and win numerous design awards.

The new Harley Lady Bug and Tipu the Tiger feature two carry handles and are available for pre-order for $60. The original pink Trixie, and blue Terrance are $50. Check their site for online retailers.

To learn more, check out this documentary by Orange about Rob Laws and the Trunkis journey.

via My Gloss

Gagosian Boutique

by Evan Orensten

We got a sneak peek at the new Gagosian retail space which is set to open in the next week in New York City. Designed by Dan Rowen Architect/MNDesign in collaboration with Gagosian Gallery, the spare, bright space successfully feels more retail than gallery.

The space focuses primarily on the publications, posters and accessible artist editions that the powerhouse gallery creates from its many shows at its galleries around the world. For those looking for something more exclusive, a few tempting items are also available: A 1953 Bibliotheque from the Maison de la Tunisie, Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris by Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, Sonia Delaunay and Nicolas Schöffer and a few pieces from Marc Newson's incredible marble furniture series.

There is also a small lounge which features video art and a complete archive of the gallery's publications which will be available to the public. Downstairs is the only U.S. location of Other Criteria, the London-based art house created by Damien Hirst, Hugh Allan and Frank Dunphy and Jason Beard that makes accessible limited-edition books, posters, accessories, t-shirts and more.

Gagosian
988 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10075 map
tel: +1 212 744 9200

email: shop [at] gagosian [dot] com