Tag Archive for: design

Just in time to herald the impending Year of the Rabbit, Franck Muller and Tokyo-based streetwear label #FR2 have jointly unveiled the #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard. This marks the first collaboration between the two brands, and sees Franck Muller adopting the distinctive design language of #FR2 on its trademark Vanguard watch. The result is an edgy, fashion-forward timepiece with a dial anchored by #FR2’s iconoclastic rabbit motif, sitting a mid the signature numerals and tonneau case of Franck Muller.

The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard bridges Swiss luxury watchmaking and Japanese street fashion by melding the elements from each universe, complete with its creators’ signature touches. This is immediately apparent on the dial, where Franck Muller’s timeless yet avant-garde aesthetic has taken on street style sensibilities. A matte white dial base starts things off by establishing a high key aesthetic, upon which black hands, markings, and appliqué indices lie.

The high contrast, monochromatic look comes complete with a delightful quirk at seven o’clock. Here, Franck Muller has situated #FR2’s provocative Fxxking Rabbits motif in lieu of hour markers, with one rabbit’s red eye providing the sole spot of colour on the dial. In the dark, the #FR2NCKMULLER Vanguard also offers an idiosyncratic twist. Super-Luminova has been selectively applied such that the skeletonised obelisk hands, indices and graphical motif leap out from the dial in the absence of light.

The stark, bold design extends to the rest of the watch. This includes Franck Muller’s tonneau-shaped Vanguard case, which has been rendered in a new carbon and glass fibre composite – a first for the brand, and one that will be reserved for Southeast Asia – exclusive models only. To create the light yet strong material, carbon powder and glass fibres are combined, before the resulting mass is impregnated with a bonding resin. The mixture is then baked at 150 degrees Celsius for three hours under 200 tons of pressure, to finally yield a composite that can then be machined into the necessary components. Due to random variations in how the mix are compressed, every watch case will offer a unique pattern of striations. The final touch here is the white nylon strap, which has been emblazoned with black text in a typographic style that will be familiar to street fashion aficionados.

Franck Muller’s work with #FR2 is a rare example of the Swiss watchmaker’s collaboration with external brands, which has been limited to a small, select group of partners. “#FR2’s founder Ryo Ishikawa isn’t just an iconic figure in Tokyo’s streetwear scene,” shares Sharon Lim, CEO of Franck Muller SEA. “As the creative force behind Fxxking Rabbits, he has adopted a muti-disciplinary approach to his label’s creations while maintaining a fiercely independent spirit. These are values that we believe in and identify with at Franck Muller, which makes this Southeast Asia Exclusive a natural collaboration. Of course, the product that we have come up with speaks to that.”

The #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard is a limited edition of 800 pieces, and is available across Southeast Asia and Australia since 6 January 2023.

About #FR2

#FR2, also known as Fxxking Rabbits, is the brain child of Ryo Ishikawa, an elder statesman in the world of Japanese street fashion who’s perhaps best known for founding fashion imprint Vanquish. Following its establishment in 2014, #FR2 quickly attracted a following with its signature rabbit and “Smoking Kills” motifs, as well as its products’ bold photographic prints. Along the way, Ishikawahas also set the brand apart with provocative campaign images – which he personally lensed – and tongue-in-cheek approach to fashion. From hoodies and candy-dispensing disposable cameras, the brand offers an eclectic range of apparel and objet d’art that’s arguably the most intimately Ishikawa’s yet.

Japan: Courts and Culture: The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace

Japan: Courts and Culture: The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace

This exhibition explores British royal encounters with Japan over a period of 350 years.

From samurai armour sent to James I in 1613, to a Coronation gift for HM The Queen in 1953, Japanese treasures have reached the British Court through trade, travel and treaties.

Each object on display reflects materials and techniques particular to Japan. Uniquely, many were commissioned or presented by the Japanese Imperial Family. Together, they reveal the ceremonial, diplomatic and artistic exchange linking the two courts of East and West.

… an exquisite, intricate, truly diverting parade of treasures ★★★★

THE TELEGRAPH

The Royal Collection holds some of the most significant examples of Japanese art and design in the western world. For the first time, highlights from this outstanding collection are brought together to tell the story of 300 years of diplomatic, artistic and cultural exchange between the British and Japanese royal and imperial families. The exhibition includes rare pieces of porcelain and lacquer, samurai armour, embroidered screens and diplomatic gifts from the reigns of James I to Her Majesty The Queen. Together, they offer a unique insight into the worlds of ritual, honour and artistry linking the courts and cultures of Britain and Japan.

Explore the Exhibition

Description

This splendid and understated armour was sent to James I of England by Tokugawa Hidetada, third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who ruled as the second shōgun of the Tokugawa dynasty from 1605 to 1623. Some sources have suggested that the armour may once have been owned by Takeda Katsuyori (1546 – 82), a daimyō who had fought, and lost, against Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Tenmokuzan in 1582.

The armour is of the body-wrapped (dōmaru) type, which hinges around the body and fastens on the right. The ‘pumpkin-shaped’ helmet (akodanari kabuto) is signed by Iwai Yozaemon, one of the main armourers to the ruling Tokugawa family. Armours by Iwai Yozaemon in other European royal collections indicate that this was a popular diplomatic gift from the Tokugawa family, easily available from a regular and reliable source.

The helmet has a very wide, almost flat neck guard (shikoro), small turn-backs (fukikaeshi) and visor (mabizashi) decorated in gold lacquer with stylised clouds. The akodanari helmet has prominent vertical rivet lines and is lacquered black. A raised area at the back of the helmet bowl may have been designed to accommodate the chonmage, the samurai hairstyle which consisted of a shaved pate with the hair oiled and tied at the back of the head in a queue. This distinctive form of helmet was extremely popular during the Muromachi period (1392–1573) and the traditional style would have appealed to the Tokugawa family who were conservative in their tastes. The face-mask (sōmen) has a fearsome appearance, although the whiskers have possibly been trimmed over the years.

Much of the armour is laced in red and blue silk in a chequerboard pattern. The lamellae (kozane) are individual pieces of iron lacquered and laced together – a technique known as hon-kozane (‘true’ kozane), which creates a more flexible armour.

Continuing the conservative style, the shoulder guards (sode) are very large for an armour of this period. The solid iron upper areas of the cuirass () are decorated with gold lacquer dragons whose red lacquer tongues chase stylised clouds, possibly symbolising the Buddhist pearl of enlightenment, on a black lacquer ground. The rims (fukurin) and other metal fittings are of engraved and pierced shakudō and gilt-copper alloy. Interestingly, the small fittings to secure the cuirass have a discreet motif of a paulownia (kiri) leaf, an imperial symbol later adopted by the Tokugawa family. The sleeves (kote) are decorated in a similar fashion and have fine, though faded, silk with auspicious motifs and areas of iron mail. The greaves (suneate) are decorated with further stylised clouds in gold lacquer on black.

Text adapted from Japan: Courts and Culture (2020).

Provenance

Sent to James I by Shōgun Tokugawa Hidetada, 1613

This is one of the ‘two varnished armours’ given to Captain John Saris of the East India Company at Edo on 19 September 1613. Saris returned to Plymouth with the gifts in September 1614, but no account of their delivery to James I survives. The pair were almost certainly the first Japanese armours to arrive in Britain. By the mid-seventeenth century, they appear to have been separated, for only one was recorded at the Tower of London in 1660. The present armour was stored in a lacquer box in the Armoury at St James’s Palace, where it was inventoried in 1649–51 by the Commonwealth government for the posthumous sale of Charles I’s possessions. At that time, it was described as an ‘Indian Armor’ and purchased by Major Bas on 23 October 1651 for £10.

Following the Interregnum, the armour was returned to the Royal Collection, but confusion about both pieces’ provenance abounded. The armour at the Tower was for example described in 1662 as a present to Charles II ‘from the Emperor Mougul’, in India. As late as 1916, the present armour was confused with another in the Royal Armouries which had in fact been given to Philip II of Spain in 1585. At that time, it was in reality mounted on the wall of the Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle, with other Japanese items from the Royal Collection.

Source & Photos: ROYAL COLLECTION TRUST

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

It instantly brings back memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings used to charge to the summit in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event, aka the “Race To The Clouds:” Audi is presenting the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist Ken Block. The all-electric one-of-a-kind car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

Dynamiq goes behind the scenes of the 50-metre GTT 160’s timeless design

Dynamiq presents the video encapsulation of what the revolutionary GTT 160 model is all about.

The short film includes statements from Dynamiq, the expert naval architects at Van Ossannen and the cult design guru Claudio Pironi, the mastermind behind GTT 160’s exquisite interiors.

The avant-garde, all-aluminium 49.5-metre vessel represents what Dynamiq thinks is essential for modern superyachts – cool looking, efficient, and focused on a healthy lifestyle. The GTT 160 is aimed at today’s active owners who can’t imagine their holidays without gourmet cuisine, sport, and well-being.

It’s a yacht for owners who like to spend most of their time on deck, in the open air and close to the water, as well as those who want to experience different destinations or cross the Atlantic quickly to enjoy endless summers in the Med and Caribbean on a more manageable and economical size of yacht.

 The GTT  160 is complete with bespoke, minimalist interiors by Claudio Pironi, which maximize space and allow you to feel luxury regardless of where you choose to sail.

About DYNAMIQ

Dynamiq was founded in Monaco in 2014 by experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov, who assembled a ‘dream team’ of world thinkers, engineers and naval architects to turn the next-generation superyacht concept into reality. “I simply believe we can propose something better that offers owners more choice: versatile yachts perfect for any occasion, whether it’s relaxing family cruising, vibrant deck parties and exploring the remotest destinations. Fast but with ocean-going range, easy to order and customise with top world brands,” says founder and CEO Sergei Dobroserdov. Dynamiq is the first company in the superyacht industry to introduce an online configurator, allowing the yacht to be easily and transparently customised down to the last detail. Dynamiq unveiled its first launch, 39m Jetsetter, at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show to wide acclaim. The following project, the GTT 115, was developed in conjunction with the renowned design firm Studio F.A. Porsche and successfully unveiled at the 2017 MYS.  The GTT 135 Stefania (41m), will be delivered in autumn 2021.

Dynamiq has established the most advanced approach in the industry; the yacht can be completely configured online with all necessary extras and options.

Prices and delivery dates are available online at www.bedynamiq.com.

DURAVIT – D-Neo Monochrome

This is now

D-Neo is as versatile as it is single-minded. With its clear-cut styling, each individual piece of the range will always appear to be perfectly positioned. The new Oak Terra finish color imbues the furniture with a subtle yet expressive effect. No matter what design trend is pursued for the bathroom as a whole, the holistic nature of the Monochrome world will always stand out.

Available in numerous design options, D-Neo offers furniture that perfectly complements any bathroom. Circular mirrors from the Light + Mirror range provide indirect light that guarantees pleasant, optimum illumination of the washing area. The series is rounded off by the matching range of faucets, characterized by the unmistakable narrow, vertically positioned handle.

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The interplay between the new Oak Terra furniture finish (35) and the generously sized oval above-counter basin (600 x 400 mm) lends the washing area an air of contemporary solidity. The combination of a wall-mounted D­Neo toilet and the A.1 actuator plate by Duravit underlines the coherent character of the range.

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Complementing the round above-counter basin, the D-Neo faucets impress with their clear-cut and geometric character for an understated yet expressive effect.

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The D-Neo washing area is rounded off with the large, circular mirror which provides indirect lighting to ensure pleasant illumination of the washing area. Additionally: oval D-Neo above-counter basin (600×400 mm) and D-Neo faucet.

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The clear-cut design of the wall-mounted D-Neo toilets is consistent with the harmonious overall design of D-Neo. Fitted with Duravit Rimless® technology and optionally available with the antibacterial HygieneGlaze ceramic glaze for the last word in hygiene and comfort.

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The consistency of the D-Neo series can also be seen in the amount of storage it offers. Here the semi-tall cabinet in Oak Terra (35) affords ample space.

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The oval above-counter basin from the D-Neo series including matching D-Neo faucet.

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The D-Neo vanity unit with the handle in diamond black and two drawers offers adequate storage, even in small rooms.

Duravit AG
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. The company is active in more than 130 countries worldwide and stands for innovation in the fields of signature design, comfort-enhancing technology and premium quality. In cooperation with an international network of high-profile designers such as Philippe Starck, sieger design, Christian Werner, Cecilie Manz and young talents such as Bertrand Lejoly and Kurt Merki Jr., the company develops unique bathrooms that enhance quality of life for users on a sustained basis. Duravit’s product portfolio comprises sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and shower trays, wellness systems, shower-toilets, tap fittings and accessories as well as installation systems.

LUXURY GIRLS ROOM DESIGN

Bunny-Shaped Bed Your Kids Room Needs

A striking girls’ room that finds its balance through the textures and the blush pink color, where every detail makes the design.

Luxury girls room design was inspired by the fairytale story Alice in Wonderland. Circu has created this magical luxury girls’ room design where each corner of this room was designed to create a unique environment where children can live all the time in a world full of wonders where everything is possible and imagination is the key. The main inspiration for the design of the room came from the cartoon character, Alice in Wonderland. Trying to make a fabulous environment the element that gives the main emphasis is this Bunny Bed combined with other characteristic elements of the Alice in Wonderland theme.

With its bunny-shaped ears, this luxury girls room bed provides a place where the little ones can enter into a fantasy land where he/she can explore their wildest dreams while being fascinated by the beauty of nature. With a soft velvet finish, this luxury kids’ bed also has a fun feature that is a LED Light in one of its ears that allows the little girl to read her favorite fairytale stories at night. The soft pink color of this luxury kid bunny-shaped bed is combined with a lovely gray wallpaper with a touch of blush pink and LED lights that help to set the tone of the room into a more magical space in the luxury girls room.

Creating the perfect luxury girls roomCloud Nightstand is a kids’ furniture product inspired by Pixar’s Short film “Party Cloud” and it is the perfect storage item for dreamy bedroom decoration. With a creative and playful design, It features 1 drawer and a decorative suitcase to provides extra storage to the kid’s rooms. Atomic Round Chandelier was inspired by the molecular composition of the atom as a nod to the atomic age and race to space mid-century era. DelightFULL’s designers created a round set of spotlights all arranged to look like the non-conventional molecular forms

For last, but not least, give texture into the luxury girls room design with the Cloud Rug. Give your kid’s bedroom to design a warm and comfortable feeling with CIRCU’s Cloud Rug. Every little boy or girl dreams about their wonderland and this rug is the ultimate decor piece to complete such a magical place. Cloud rug is made of artificial sheep wool, acrylic, and polyester.

Paying attention to every single detail, we have organized every corner so that in addition to meet the needs, this luxury girls room design also guarantees ‘A life in the world of wonders’ with the help of this bunny-shaped bed that every kid’s room needs for sure!

Bringing together the Emirate’s heritage and its pioneering spirit, the Middle East’s first 25hours Hotel is set to open soon in Dubai. Find out more about this hospitality masterpiece and get to know its amazing interior design by Woods Bagot.

Ready to make an impact in Dubai, the 25Hours Hotel will give its visitors the perfect Dubai’s lifestyle experiences while offering an amazing interior design concept.

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Bringing together the ancient traditions of the Bedouins and Dubai’s progressive spirit, the interior designers at Woods Bagot – the leading international design studio with footprints in Dubai and Abu Dhabi – have crafted a journey through time, creating the perfect spaces for the 25Hours Hotel.

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What was asked of Woods Bagot wasn’t simple, and the company did an amazing job, avoiding the same cliches that are so easy to implement in this kind of interior design project, instead, it created an innovative concept.

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The interior design of the 25Hours Hotel is decidedly contemporary, carefully considered, and impressive as a whole. Traditional and modernity are balanced masterfully in each space, creating a true Dubai lifestyle experience

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The 25Hours Hotel is destined to become a hub of sorts, where travelers and residents will be able to interact with local cultural heroes and entrepreneurs who will soon find a stellar alternative for their remote-working needs at the hotel. This is a unique experience that certainly gives this Hotel a unique factor.

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With a paint and pottery studio, podcast recording room, and record decks, 25hours Hotel dials up its commitment to offering an intimate and authentic experience of Dubai’s bustling creative scene. Add all of these traits to Wood Bagot’s amazing interior design work and this will certainly be another great exclusive experience in Dubai.


Cabinets Boca do Lobo bl cabinets 750

Located in the city of Design, London, Rafael De Cárdenas elevated the contemporary design to the next level with Glebe Place Residence, by mixing novel styles, gathering together such dissimilar traditional Portuguese pieces and modern design. Still, the distinguished and top interior designer guarantees the most harmonious environments with this ambitious interior project designGlebe Place Residence by Rafael De Cárdenas is way more than a platform of design, it has its own personality keeping most of the original details intact.

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Featuring modern furniture and fine craftsmanship pieces, the astonishing six-bedroom residence was renovated to evoke timeless luxury, balancing contemporary classics with the home’s historic character. A restrained palette of Portland limestone, hardwood, and natural materials is punctuated by vibrant accents of turquoise, fuchsia, brass, and deep purple furnishings from modern European and American designers.

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Rafael De Cárdenas recreated several different rooms, each one with its own classic touch. One of the three contemporary dining rooms has a special Portuguese reference completing the whole ambiance with the perfect piece of art, D. Manuel I Cabinet from Boca do Lobo’s Limited-Edition Collection.

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Designed by Rafael De Cárdenas, the modern dining room is filled with luxury furniture pieces: a gigantic cream marble contemporary dining table and large upholstery modern chairs which gives the possibility to the room, to be more than a dining space. It can perfectly be a place to have an informal meeting with the closest professionals or business partners. The blossom rose wallpaper gives life to the walls and colour to the room delighted with classic hue and textures like beige, old greys, and dark woods.

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Right beside the entrance door, D. Manuel Cabinet was chosen strategically by Rafael De Cárdenas to expand the space and cut the contemporary design of the rest of the pieces. The cabinet surface has a copper leaf finish, with a sophisticated black lacquer gradient applied on the outside. Its legs are made from solid mahogany and are crafted to a traditional and handmade form, finished in high gloss black lacquer.

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Manueline Style was an inspiration for Rafael De Cárdenas due to the sumptuous and composite Portuguese style of architectural ornamentation, incorporating maritime elements and representations of the discoveries brought from the voyages of Vasco da Gama and Pedro Álvares Cabral, two of the most renamed discoverers in Portugal history.

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