28/04/2012
Twins peak?
The massive rise in IVF treatment can't be entirely to blame, because twins are popping up everywhere (see below). But might our double dip recession mark the apex of the twin trend currently consuming the worlds of fashion, design and the media?
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02/04/2012
Hackneyed? The art of ideas: is conceptual art a con?
In his recent book, Con Art (Why You Ought to Sell Your Damien Hirst While You Can), art critic and former curator Julian Spalding predicts that the conceptual work of artists like Hirst will soon become worthless. But “is conceptual art a con?” asked Channel 4 News, ahead of its preview of the forthcoming Damien Hirst ‘retrospective’ at The Tate Modern.
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31/03/2012
Homespun food in London’s East End
From Clerkenwell to Spitalfields, from Hackney to Dalston: homely dining experiences are happening. Home produced, homemade, handcrafted and locally sourced foods are appearing in the cafes, delicatessens and restaurants now springing up throughout the East End of London.
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19/03/2012
Extreme shoes: sculptural design in footwear
Shoe designs are becoming more extreme – and more expensive. Following on from ‘It bags’, ‘It shoes’ start at around £700 and are priced at up to £2000 or more. But don’t expect more beautiful, better quality shoes for your money, more often than not you will simply be paying for a designer label (though perhaps ugly is the new beautiful?) Lesser known brands may be cheaper, but are also using more advanced manufacturing technology, including computer-generated and architectural inspired designs, to help them stand out from the crowd. Customers will have to judge for themselves whether designs are flattering, easy to walk in or worth the money. Or perhaps they are simply destined for the curiosity cabinet? Meantime, here are some examples of some of the more aesthetically interesting of next season’s sculptural shoes:
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14/03/2012
Inudstrial piping: tubular pipework in design
Recycled metal pipework and plumbing parts are appearing in the most unexpected of places and have been spotted as components in everything from decorative tableware and objets d’art to home furnishings, lighting and public sculptures. Here are some examples of pipe inspired design:
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04/03/2012
Storytelling and accessibility in classical music
Much like church congregations, the audiences at live classical music concerts have been dwindling over the past decade or so. In an attempt to regain public interest, concert organizers have been trying to jazz up their offering with unusual new formats and entertaining diversions, including the following:
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01/03/2012
Matt Bryden's Poetry Map
StyleCurious featured Matt Bryden has created a map of poems based upon his unique collection of travels and experiences around the world. He plans to continually update the map with new poems and will shortly be adding sound - so you will be able to hear him reading the poems by clicking onto the location markers on the map. See below for a larger version of the map with a full list of poems, together with Matt's personal introduction to this groundbreaking project:
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25/02/2012
Private salon-style fashion presentations
As videos of fashion shows become almost instantaneously available on the web, designers are inceasingly opting for private salon-style events, exclusive shows and presentations to promote their collections to important clients and members of the press.
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25/02/2012
Couture comes to London
In the past, those looking for the ultimate in creatively designed, handcrafted style would inevitably go to Paris, which has generally been known as the capital of couture. However, the UK is rapidly becoming a world class centre of excellence in all areas of design and craftsmanship. UK manufacturers are becoming much more geared to small production runs, a propos of the eclectic tastes and individual requirements of the high end customer. As old-style clothing factories close down, new ateliers owned and staffed by highly skilled fashion graduates are being set up. And couture is coming to London…
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14/02/2012
Bee and honeycomb inspired product design
Outbreaks of the devastating
Colony Collapse Disorder have alerted us to the fragility of the eco-system and the importance of bees for pollinating wildlife (and food crops). The plight of bee colonies has given rise to renewed interest in the art of apiculture (beekeeping) and inspired a host of bee-inspired art, design and textiles.
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