1952 Summer Olympics - Helsinki

image credit: http://www.timelifepictures.com

Space Tourism - Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic (part of Richard Branson's Virgin Group) is aiming to be the first space tourism company by providing space flights.

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo:

Plans for "Grand Paris"

The President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy requested for a team of 10 world renowned architects to dream up a vision for the future of Paris, "Grand Paris." Here are some of their ideas:

http://www.lefigaro.fr/culture/2009/03/12/03004-20090312DIMWWW00505-grand-paris.php

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/2080999/Nicolas-Sarkozy-plans-for-Grand-Paris.html

Vadim Repin - Classical Violinist

Vadim Repin is currently one of the most famous violinists in the world. He has played under conductors such as Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Pierre Boulez, Riccardo Chailly, Charles Dutoit, Michael Tilson Thomas, Valery Gergiev, James Levine, Kurt Masur, Edo de Waart, Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Ricardo Muti.

Johnny Thunders Interview

Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols together with Johnny

Here's an old interview with the rock guitarist Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers) :



credit: http://www.rockstar.it , http://www.lamette.it

Music Videos

Brigitte Bardot & Serge Gainsbourg: Bonnie & Clyde:



Some of my classic rock favorites:

Poison - Fallen Angel:



Van Halen - 5150:



Def Leppard - Hysteria:



Aerosmith - Angel:

Cool Boats

The XSR48 is often referred to as the ‘Bugatti Veyron’ of the sea. The boat produced by British-based XSMG Marine, is capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph with real race boat handling.

XSR48, £1.2-1.3 million, by XSMG:



Wally Boats:

Interview with James of "The Mod Revival"

James is behind "The Mod Revival." In his blog he shares his love towards fashion and music among many other things. I highly recommend his blog. James resides in Brooklyn NYC and he often posts great street style photos from NYC. Another great feature is his "Classic Clip of the Week."

Here's an interview with James:

Explain style?

I call it "Euro nerd chic" where I like to represent different era's on a given day. I'm a huge fan of the Teddy boys, Mods, classic 50's and 60's Americana, the post punk/new wave era of the late 70's and early 80's all the way up to the detailing and quirks of present day Milanese and Parisians.

Ideas behind blog?

I feel music and fashion are so connected, I wanted to dwell on that further. A Brian Jones being a musical genius and a fashion icon of his day amazes me so much I want to show something like that as well as find people and things in New York City I felt represent my everyday influences and different styles New York City offer.

Worst fashion mistake?

The 90's in general. Up until that decade, men generally knew how to dress and wore clothes that fit them properly but the 90's gave way to ill fitting looks and practically ruined an entire generation in America. Most of what you see now in offices around the country are men (and tons of women too) who could care less about their appearance, not realizing that most times a) other people judge you based on your looks and b) your career can be held back because of it.

Guilty pleasure?

Women seen wearing pencil skirts, riding boots, heels or a great fitting button up shirt. It drives me mad everytime.

What do you find sexy in the opposite sex?

It pretty much goes back to what I said about my guilty pleasures but when a woman carries off grace and elegance along with it (sometimes a lit cigarette can add to that effect), I can't imagine many things being sexier than that.

Personal style quirk?

Planning out my looks for the week, either by typing it down in my phone or just in my head or matching my socks to my shoes, rather than my trousers. I feel naked when wearing a blazer with no pocket square and intentionally not matching but "coordinating."

Never caught wearing?

Squared toed shoes. I recently had an argument with friend of mine who thinks it's okay but he'll soon learn....or maybe he won't.

When I was in high school, I wore?

Let's just say tons of fabric, refer back to worst fashion mistake......

I build my daily outfit by.....

My mood b/c it varies from day to day and usually my outfits reflect that and sometimes I build it around what shoes I want to wear.

Always dress best for....

My dad. I know I have some sort of style but I always feel like filling his shoes is a never ending quest and for my future lady. You attract what you like and I feel when you dress well, not only do you attract better quality of woman but the ones who are most intimidated just because you dress well are ones you likely shouldn't be with in the first place.

Plans for this year and next?

Wardrobe wise I'd like to incorporate more black similar to how the British have done for so many decades, along with always trying to enhance my style IQ and take more risks. Hopefully we'll see more American men be more comfortable on their skins and take the leaps that European men (and women) have absolutely no problem taking.

Paramount bar in London - Tom Dixon

Artek's Head Designer, Tox Dixon has designed the new Paramount 360 bar on top of the landmark Centre Point Tower in London. The bar is a unique blend of 60s retro and futurism. The club is considered to be the hottest new venue in London.

Tom Dixon at the Artek flagship store in Helsinki

source: http://trendsupdates.com/paramount-bar-by-tom-dixon-for-the-classy-drinkers

http://www.taloussanomat.fi/kauppa/2008/10/05/tom-dixon-sparraa-artekia-rohkeuteen/200824984/12

Charles W. Cushman - 1940s Colour Photos

A street hawker on Leather Lane in London

This photo was described as "South Ferry bums, on a bench at noon hour" Bums?!

These amazing colour photos were taken by Charles W. Cushman, an alumni of Indiana University and amateur photographer. His photo collection can be found here.

Take Ivy '82

Japanese magazine, Men's Club "Take Ivy 1982" - Brown vs. Cornell.

Credit: http://heavytweed.blogspot.com

Zaha Hadid - Neil Barrett Store in Tokyo

Neil Barrett's flagship store in Tokyo designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

credit: http://atcasa.corriere.it/

“Take Ivy” by T. Hayashida

Japanese photographer, T. Hayashida, travelled throught northeastern America in the late sixties stopping at each Ivy League school to document the style of that era.

The result is the book "Take Ivy." The images above are scans of some of T. Hayashida's photographs from the book.

recommended links :

http://www.ivy-style.com/

http://thetrad.blogspot.com/

photo credit:

http://slamxhype.com/fashion/take-ivy-book-by-thayashida

Famous Italian Cities

Vintage + army surplus

Here are some great sites to check out:

http://www.monstervintage.com/

http://www.vintagetrends.com/

Architects - Bow ties

Lloyd Wright

Le Corbusier

Revell

Saarinen

Anyone also noticed that most of the famous architects used to wear bow ties rather than ties?

credit: www.toronto.ca , www.egodesign.ca , www.gpaulbishop.com , www.worshipworthy.com

The Nabaztag

I recently purchased one of these. They're really great! Nabaztag means "rabbit" in Armenian. The Nabaztag is a Wi-Fi enabled ambient electronic device. It can receive mp3 files and messages as well as preform the following: read the news, weather forecasts, stock market reports etc.

The official website is to be found HERE.

Captain Abu Raed

Yesterday I went to see Jordan's entry for the 2009 Oscar race "Captain Abu Raed." The movie tells the story an an aging airport janitor, Abu Raed, who is mistaken as an airline pilot by children in his local neighbourhood after finding a discarded pilot's hat.

Raed starts telling fantastical stories of his journeys to far away places to offer a ray of hope to the poor children of his neighbourhood. The movie is extremely touching and beautifully filmed introducing the viewer to the beauty of historical Amman. All the actors were outstanding! I highly recommend this movie!

Excerpts from the movie along with music from the film composed and conducted by Austin Wintory; performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony and Lisbeth Scott:

Prague & Istanbul

This is a photo I took in Prague of the beautiful "Dancing House" (completed in 1996. Commissioned by ING) by world renowned Canadian architect, Frank Gehry and Yugoslavian-born Czech architect Vlado Milunić. The site of the current building was originally occupied by a Neo-renaissance building from the end of the 19th century. That building was unfortunately destroyed during the 1945 bombings and its remains were removed in 1960.

The building is meant to reflect a woman and a man dancing together hence the name "Dancing House." It is located at the corner of the embankment Rasinovo Nabrezi and Resslova street.

The roof of the building houses a French restaurant "La Perle de Prague" with spectacular views. Other tenants include various multinational companies.

This is a photo I took at the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. This is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that are to be found beneath the historical city.

The Basilica Cistern provided water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings located on the First Hill. After the Ottoman conquest in 1453 it continued to provide water to the Topkapi Palace, the primary residence of the Ottoman Sultans.

Self Edge x Dry Bones x Superfuture Jeans

• 16oz Japanese Selvedge Denim (Exclusive Fabric)
• Pure Indigo Dyed Cotton - Ring Spun - Right Hand Twill
• Cotton Poly-Core Stitch
• Military Grade Canvas lined rear pockets
• Hidden Rivets
• Button Fly
• Dual-Tone Superfuture "Rep Bar" Stitch
• Straight Fit (slightly slimmed down)
• 
  

The collaboration jeans can be found at the Self Edge webstore:

http://www.selfedge.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=410

These jeans were made in collaboration with Japanese denim brand, Dry Bones and the Superfuture Forum. Members of the forum actively took part in designing the jeans. To further involve the online community, everyone who buys a pair is welcome to document how they break in on the superfuture forums. The best looking pair will win a free pair of any jeans on sale at the Self Edge store.

Interview with Kiya Babzani, proprietor of Self Edge in San Francisco:

1) Could you tell us how the idea was born to create these jeans?

The Superfuture forum wanted to create a jean where it was partially designed by the users of the forum, it was a great project because the users would give input on design and slowly the jean began to take on a life of it's own as it changed from sample to sample. In the end we wanted a heavy weight denim made into a classic straight slim cut with great details that would resonate with the Superfuture denim community.

2) Could you tell us about Dry Bones and Superfuture and how they were involved?

Superfuture mostly gave the ok on the project and allowed Self Edge and the Supertalk members to do the project as they pleased. Dry Bones gave input on the fit and the patch artwork, which was finally designed by the famous JimmyC of Superfuture.

4) What other jeans (makes, brands) would you consider to be your favourite ones?

My current favorites are Real Japan Blues, aka RJB, which is a company owned by Flat Head but is far newer. They've only been around for a few years, but they're proving that their fits and denim are going to be around for a long time, they're putting out amazing jeans and shirts at the moment.

Classic Architecture Part 2

Johann Pachelbel's Canon in D Major:

Recycling Oil Rigs into Luxurious Hotels

Morris Architects took the first prize at the second annual Radical Innovation in Hospitality Awards.

The Gulf of Mexico has around 4,000 oil rigs in various sizes that will be decommissioned at some point during the next century.

Morris Architect's plan is to convert these oil rigs into luxurious eco-friendly hotels and spas.

It is extremely expensive to work on oil rigs. The architects proposal is to ship the pre-fabricated rooms to the oil rig as standard shipping containers.

View of the interior of the rooms

* 300+ guest and luxury suites
* Conference facility and ballroom for events
* Fitness center and spa
* High end dining, shopping, and entertainment
* Rooftop infinity pool
* Pro shop and launch for water-based activities
* Gaming casino and stargazer lounge
* Dive bell and scuba training
* Boat launch and boat slips for visitors


credit: Jetson Green, BLDGBLOG, TreeHugger and Curbed

Classic architecture

Helsinki

Vienna

Prague

Vienna

Europe is known for its breathtaking architecture. I thought I'd share with you a few beautiful photos that I took last summer in various European cities.

To create the suitable atmosphere here is the "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss: