Cool Hunting
Brian Fichtner
Hailing from the suburban flats of western Michigan, Brian was plucked from academia and thrown into the world of design retail by an eccentric shop owner in Ann Arbor. He later migrated to New York, where he worked for such notable shops as Totem Design, Troy, and the sanctuary of high design, Moss. After eight years in the design industry, he left to pursue freelance journalism. A self-proclaimed food lover, an aspiring eco-boy, a wistful romantic, and an eager traveler, Brian is obsessed with growth through relentless discovery.
Recent Posts by Brian Fichtner
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Digby and Iona: Fall 2008 Collection
After a few unfortunate years of influence from designers turned would-be lumberjacks, we're finally witnessing a shift away from flannel shirts and mukluks. Digby and Iona recently released its Fall 2008 collection of intrepid jewelry inspired by themes from the American Civil War and British Imperialism. Comprised of several sections, including Elements of Disguise, Instruments of Pursuit and Means of Retribution, the series forms...
After a few unfortunate years of influence from designers turned would-be lumberjacks, we're finally witnessing a shift away from flannel shirts and mukluks. Digby and Iona recently released its Fall 2008 collection of intrepid jewelry inspired by themes from the American Civil War and British Imperialism. Comprised of several sections, including Elements of Disguise, Instruments of Pursuit and Means of Retribution, the series forms...
Bradley Price: Angle Parking
For the forthcoming ICFF in New York, Brooklynite Bradley Price was one of eight designers selected by Bernhardt Design to be featured in the ICFF Studio, a new platform for showcasing prototypes during the furniture fair. Bradley's design, "Angle Parking," is a clever take on the ubiquitous—and often boring—bookcase. By skewing the angle of the bookends to 45°, the shelving can accommodate 12½" deep...
For the forthcoming ICFF in New York, Brooklynite Bradley Price was one of eight designers selected by Bernhardt Design to be featured in the ICFF Studio, a new platform for showcasing prototypes during the furniture fair. Bradley's design, "Angle Parking," is a clever take on the ubiquitous—and often boring—bookcase. By skewing the angle of the bookends to 45°, the shelving can accommodate 12½" deep...
Tokyo Kamen
It’s hard to imagine Manhattan’s Upper East Side as a hotbed for contemporary design, but the museum shop at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is not only one of the best museum shops I’ve ever seen, it’s also one of the best destinations for great design in the city. Gregory Krum, the museum’s Director of Retail, has spent several years curating an impressive collection...
It’s hard to imagine Manhattan’s Upper East Side as a hotbed for contemporary design, but the museum shop at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum is not only one of the best museum shops I’ve ever seen, it’s also one of the best destinations for great design in the city. Gregory Krum, the museum’s Director of Retail, has spent several years curating an impressive collection...
Noon Solar Bags
When I first stumbled upon Noon Solar bags at the Museum of Arts and Design exhibit Beyond Green in 2006, these innovative solar accessories were in the early stages of development—in need of a little refinement and perhaps some venture capital. Fast-forward two years and Noon Solar has become a stellar brand with bags befitting Fifth Avenue and downtown alike. Apart from the ability...
When I first stumbled upon Noon Solar bags at the Museum of Arts and Design exhibit Beyond Green in 2006, these innovative solar accessories were in the early stages of development—in need of a little refinement and perhaps some venture capital. Fast-forward two years and Noon Solar has become a stellar brand with bags befitting Fifth Avenue and downtown alike. Apart from the ability...
BCXSY: Golden Glory
Eindhoven-based designers Boaz Cohen and Sayaka Yamamoto operating under the studio name BCXSY, are creating some very concept-driven products. Their latest collection, Forever!, attempts to define the indefinable through a series of objects touching on preciousness, the nature of death and immortality. One part of the Forever series that caught my attention was Golden Glory. A story of appropriation, the designers altered generic plastic...
Eindhoven-based designers Boaz Cohen and Sayaka Yamamoto operating under the studio name BCXSY, are creating some very concept-driven products. Their latest collection, Forever!, attempts to define the indefinable through a series of objects touching on preciousness, the nature of death and immortality. One part of the Forever series that caught my attention was Golden Glory. A story of appropriation, the designers altered generic plastic...
Ghostly Swim: Interview with Sam Valenti
For years, Ghostly International, the indie juggernaut of Avant-Pop music, has been redefining the record industry with innovative collaborations and a brand awareness that puts most labels to shame. On 21 April, the fruits of their latest collaborative efforts paid off in the release of "Ghostly Swim", a 19-song compilation made exclusively for Adult Swim and available for free download. The kicker? Ghostly mascots...
For years, Ghostly International, the indie juggernaut of Avant-Pop music, has been redefining the record industry with innovative collaborations and a brand awareness that puts most labels to shame. On 21 April, the fruits of their latest collaborative efforts paid off in the release of "Ghostly Swim", a 19-song compilation made exclusively for Adult Swim and available for free download. The kicker? Ghostly mascots...
Interview with Maarten Baas
The most talked about exhibition during the Salone del Mobile was that by Maarten Baas. Set within the chaotic mess of a working auto garage in the Zona Tortona, the show covered works to date, along with a preview of new collections for Contrasts Gallery and Established & Sons Limited. The choice of space initially felt to me like a commentary on the hyper-produced...
The most talked about exhibition during the Salone del Mobile was that by Maarten Baas. Set within the chaotic mess of a working auto garage in the Zona Tortona, the show covered works to date, along with a preview of new collections for Contrasts Gallery and Established & Sons Limited. The choice of space initially felt to me like a commentary on the hyper-produced...
Farm
Staged in an immaculate, white gabled space in the Navigli neighborhood in Milan, Studio Job recently previewed their latest monumental work in conjunction with the Eindhoven-based designhuis. The installation, called Farm, draws inspiration from traditional farming economies of the Dutch lowlands, and is composed of twenty-four cast bronze objects and six pieces of Palissander wood furniture. Continuing the leitmotif developed in last year's Homework...
Staged in an immaculate, white gabled space in the Navigli neighborhood in Milan, Studio Job recently previewed their latest monumental work in conjunction with the Eindhoven-based designhuis. The installation, called Farm, draws inspiration from traditional farming economies of the Dutch lowlands, and is composed of twenty-four cast bronze objects and six pieces of Palissander wood furniture. Continuing the leitmotif developed in last year's Homework...
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