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A builder of fragrance
2008-05-17 19:47:00
It is a sweaty day in February, and Ellena is taking stock of his myriad inspirations, at the charming 25-acre Kumarakom Lake Resort on the shores of Vembanad Lake. All the rooms are cobbled out of the region?s 200-year-old teak cottages (tharavadu). His face is all nose, a tapered sensor whose nostrils tingle and flare with the same emotion that plays in most people?s eyebrows. They flare as he talks about the truffles in his freezer, procured in a furtive daylong transaction with all the drama of a drug deal. ? Columnist Phoebe Eaton of the New York Times describes perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena's journey to Kerala looking for inspiration for Hermès Un Jardin après la Mousson. Read more in Liquid Assets.
More About: Style , Fragrance , Builder

Clean Well Ginger Bergamot Foaming Hand Wash ~ scented body products
2008-05-17 19:34:00
Clean Well?s Foaming Hand Washes are nature-based, germ-fighting cleansers that make use of botanical essences in a two new, intriguing ways. First, they feature scents created by the well-known natural perfumer Mandy Aftel of Aftelier. Second, they introduce a component called Ingenium, ?a patented formulation of essential plant oils proven to kill 99.99% of the germs that make you sick.? According to Clean Well?s website, the primary antibacterial ingredient in Ingenium is thyme oil, a natural substitute for triclosan or other chemicals. The other ingredients in the Foaming Hand Wash include aloe, white tea, and oat extract as skin conditioners and ? oops! ? a dash of sodium lauryl sulfate as lathering agent. The Hand Wash?s fragrance, however, is completely natural. I had a hard time choosing one scent, and in the end I bypassed Lavender Absolute and Orange Vanilla in favor of Ginger Bergamot, in an effort to step beyond my usual floral-sweet tastes. Real bergamot oil and ginger...
More About: Products , Body , Style , Clean

Yohji Yamamoto and BFC?s Harold Tillman receive University of the Arts in L
2008-05-17 00:27:00
Yohji Yamamoto and BFC's Harold Tillman receive University of the Arts in London awards The University of the Arts in London has conferred Honorary awards to the recently appointed chairman of the British Fashion Council Harold Tillman, and the Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. Tillman, who succeeded Marks & Spencer's Stewart Rose as the BFC chairman earlier this year, is a fashion entrepreneur who's wealth of experience in the industry includes Lincroft Clothing Company, revitalising Alders, and more recently, the acquisition of Jaeger in 2003, which has spear-headed to its new position as a global brand. He began his career as a tailoring student at the London Collage of fashion in 1962. Yohji Yamamoto, one of the most famous avant-garde names in fashion, launched he first collection in Tokyo in 1972. By the 1980's he had built an international empire, with store in Paris, London and New York. Most recently, he became the first designer allowed by the Chinese government t...
More About: In the News , The Arts

Laura Love Rose Jewelry
2008-05-16 17:48:00
Laura Love Rose is emerging as a world class jewelry designer whose collections exhibit a sophistication and a worldliness seldom seen in new designers. Her jewelry is reminiscent of the classic elegant pieces created by renowned international houses. I'm a nature-lover from way back, and I've really been enjoying the current trend of nature-inspired jewelry. Sycamore Leaf Pendant From the exclusive American Leaves Collection, a beautifully crafted 18k gold Sycamore Leaf, distinguished by both its detail and delicacy. Approximately 1.5 inches in length. $575 These designs not only perfectly-shaped leaves, but the seed pods and twigs from the trees, as well. I found very little information about this jewelry designer, and you know how well I like to provide a little history about the artist and the jewelry. So I guess I'll have to let her jewelry speak for her. Beech Leaf Pendant A beautifully crafted 18k gold Beech Leaf, distinguished by both its detail and delicacy. ...
More About: Jewelry , Style , Laura

Gerard Darel Midday Midnight Saint Germain Crazy Bag
2008-05-16 09:14:00
Gerard Darel Midday Midnight Saint Germain Crazy Bag This gorgeous Midday Midnight Saint Germain Crazy Bag by Gerard Darel is sure to become a hot item for summer. A celebrity favorite, this outrageously oversized bag is fashioned in calf-skin leather and features outside zipped pockets and interior compartments. In such hot colors as red, purple, and green you'll definitely get notice a mile away. This bag is sure to carry you anywhere, and anytime, day or night. Shown in purple, it's available at shoprumor and sells for $895. This bag is just so hot, don't you think?
More About: Glam

Lazy Thursday poll ~ is it a good year for fragrance, so far?
2008-05-16 01:28:00
I thought 2006 was a great year for niche fragrance, maybe not so wonderful for mainstream perfumes. In 2007, the pendulum swung: I thought it was a fabulous year for mainstream fragrances; the niche showings were perhaps not so interesting. This year is not even half over so perhaps it is too early to start kvetching, but other than a few isolated bright spots, it seems like a dull year all around. I was looking this morning at the (considerable) list of fragrances we're expecting to launch between now and the end of the year, and there are really only a few I'm excited about. What do you think? Good , bad, indifferent? And are there any upcoming launches you are really excited about? Note: image via the forums at Images de Parfums.
More About: Style , Poll , Thursday , Fragrance

Schmap for the iPhone and iPod Touch
2008-05-15 23:39:00
When we first learned about Schmap digital travel guides a couple years back, we loved the concept but were frustrated by the lack of options for Macs. With their new beta version for iPhones and iPod Touch es, they've one-upped themselves by providing their interactive maps in a format designed to take advantage of the device's unique capabilities. Using the gyro feature and either a city guide or local search, when the phone or iPod is horizontal it displays (much like Google Maps) a split-screen with mapped locations on one side and a dynamically-updated list on the other. It also embeds info, just like Google Maps, enabling users to click through to websites and phone numbers or to look up the address using the local widget (to find directions, for example). While it's a little confusing to have to scroll lists using two fingers, the resource is a great way to find a coffee shop in a strange city or discover any number of useful or fun places.
More About: Iphone , Ipod , Glam

Vladmasters
2008-05-15 21:45:00
On a recent visit to Blue Bottle art gallery and store in Seattle, I picked up an amazing set of View Master reels. Now normally any old set of View Master reels is enough to get me excited, but these actually caused me to jump up an down a little bit. The Vladmaster disk sets were created by a Portland artist named Vladimir, who started creating her own reels from second-hand View Masters in 2003 by interpreting stories by Franz Kafka. After learning how to create 3-D photographs, she built miniature scenes, photographed them and glued the resulting images into custom-printed reels. Originally, the Vladmasters were viewed like short films in theaters, where accompanying music would follow the images and a clanging bell would instruct hundreds of people to click their View Masters simultaneously. Each of her creations can be purchased in a small paper folder that can be taken home for your own private viewing pleasure. The sets contain four Vladmaster reels and a mini disc with ...
More About: Glam

Ecsostype Giveaway and Discount
2008-05-15 21:20:00
A while back CH brought you news of the very slick and very beautiful Ecsotype leather bags, cleverly designed by French/Aussie duo Sabine and Christian Pound. Well, get excited because this dynamic powerhouse have just re-launched their website with a brand new operating system which not only makes it look better, but also makes it far easier to use. In addition to providing their entire range, the new site will feature a blog by Sabine (French) and Christian (English) chronicling the life of the brand, the duo's design inspiration and their current obsessions. To celebrate the re-launch of Ecsotype's website the Pounds are having a giveaway. Simply sign up for their newsletter to be in the running for a free (in-stock) bag! If that's not enough Ecsostype are also giving a whopping 20% discount to CH readers valid until 30 June 2008. Just log on and enter the code CH-RL.
More About: Glam , Discount

Muto: An Ambiguous Animation Painted on Public Walls
2008-05-15 20:06:00
Blu has created one of the most incredible stop-motion animations I've seen. Painted on walls in Buenos Aires and Baden over this past winter, the piece features a black-and-white creature that morphs into various blobby forms. Starting off as a multi-armed monster, it constantly shifts with the most consistent tropes involving head changes—from spiky to cubed to round, etc. and sometimes devouring/birthing itself. There's also plenty of other mind-bending evolutions involving things like crawling teeth and creepy bugs. It gets even better when the creature(s) interact with the surrounding details, crawling into corners and snatching pieces of paper off the wall with a frog-like tongue. via Dreamers, thanks Schatz!
More About: Animation , Public , Glam , Walls

Prada Linea Rossa Thong Sandal
2008-05-15 19:44:00
Prada Linea Rossa Thong Sandal I live in my Havaianas in the summertime (did you know there's even a Facebook group for such devotees? Yeah...er, me neither) but these Prada thong sandals make me want to reconsider that! They combine the classic flip flop style but with a chic twist - adding gold leather detailing, black velvet and an adjustable ankle strap all on a rubber sole. Saks have limited their stock to three pairs per customer every thirty days, such is the demand. As weird as that might sound for $295 thong sandals, I can't say I'm all that surprised - stocking up on these babies seems a pretty good idea to me!
More About: Style , Prada

A little eye candy
2008-05-15 18:13:00
Jamie Dornan for Dior Homme, directed by Hedi Slimane before he left Christian Dior. The music is For Lovers by Wolfman + Pete Doherty.
More About: Style , Candy , Eye candy , Eye-candy

Melissa Flagg Daisies, Laulena & Sadie?s ~ new perfumes
2008-05-15 17:48:00
Melissa Flagg has launched three new fragrances: Daisies (shown) ~ "Inspired by the scents of orange blossom groves in Southern California.... Daisies perfume was named after the heady blossoms of Daisy Mandarin Oranges. Notes of orange blossoms, jasmine and orchid." Laulena ~ "Captures the aroma of Hawaiian flower blossoms... Inspired by the tropical fragrances of Oahu, Laulena is composed of Chinese orange blossoms, Asian nectarine blossoms with hints of lemon and juicy pineapple." Sadie 's ~ "Inspired by the captivating scents of springtime... Sadie's perfume is composed of flowering Sakura cherry blossom and plum blossoms with a hint of Asian white tea." Melissa Flagg Daisies, Laulena & Sadie's are available now at Beautyhabit, $42 each for 3.75 ml perfume oil.
More About: Style , Perfumes , Melissa

Thierry Wasser to be house nose at Guerlain
2008-05-15 17:34:00
Perfumer Thierry Wasser will be the new house nose at Guerlain, a position that has been unfilled since the retirement of Jean-Paul Guerlain in 2002: "This appointment upholds the Guerlain philosophy of entrusting its olfactory creations to a ?nose?, a tradition that has been followed for almost 180 years,? Guerlain ceo Laurent Boillot said in a statement. ?Five generations of Guerlain perfumers have produced an incomparable body of know-how, illustrated by bold creations, unique in the history of perfumery.? (via cosmeticnews) Wasser has created two fragrances for Guerlain, Iris Ganache and Quand Vient La Pluie. Other fragrances to his credit include Christian Dior Addict & Christian Dior Addict Eau Fraiche, Diesel Fuel for Life for Her (with Annick Menardo), Fendi Palazzo (with Annick Menardo), Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani Diamonds, Gres Caline & Gres Caline Night, Kylie Minogue Darling & Kylie Minogue Sweet Darling, Lancome Hypnose (with Annick Menardo).
More About: House , Style , Nose

Kenwood Porcelain Jewelry
2008-05-15 17:17:00
Jewelry Technique: Nerikomi Kenwood Porcelain is a collection of ceramic jewelry handmade from colored clays. The various patterns seen in the multicolored disks are created by layering and manipulating slices of colored porcelain to form a block or loaf of patterned clay, a technique called Nerikomi. Double Disk Earrings in Blue Sky blue patterns on smooth matte porcelain. 2" drop on sterling silver earwires. $21 Through a masterful manipulation of the clay, delicate, organic, and often complex patterns are created in the block of clay, which is then sliced to shape the disks. After firing, the disks are tumbled in water to create a smooth matte finish that are then used to create jewelry that is very affordable. The disks are strung on tough waxed linen cord to make a necklace, or are fitted with sterling silver earwires, surgical steel posts, or base metal clip backs to make earrings. Porcelain Squares Necklace in Blue Shades of blue on smooth matte porcelain. Each disk i...
More About: Jewelry , Style

Jess Cartner Morley declares Louboutin?s Rodita sandals the shoe of the sea
2008-05-15 15:21:00
Jess Cartner Morley declares Louboutin's Rodita sandals the shoe of the season Jess Cartner-Morley is talking about the Louboutin Rodita, a shoe that has gripped the nation's fash mags: "What may look to you like a brightly coloured zip sewn on to an implausibly high heel is, in fact, the shoe of the season." As high fashion plays a cat-and-mouse game with the masses designs become more and more outlandish and although I have to agree that my shoe tastes have become more eccentric I really don't see myself teetering about in 5-inch heels all summer! For those of you who have unlimited funds and a driver to ferry you around these shoes retail at £405 from Net a Porter.
More About: Style , Sandals , Shoe , Jess

Ugly Shoe of the Week: Zalo ?s Taco Dog loafers
2008-05-15 14:30:00
Ugly Shoe of the Week : Zalo 's Taco Dog loafers Now, I love dogs. I even em>have a dog. So, in my world, dogs rock. Would I want to wear pictures of dogs on my feet, though? That would be an "Oh, hell to the no!" I wouldn't wear these shoes even if they didn't have the embroidered puppies on the toe and heel (I actually thought they were slippers when I first found them, but no, they're apparently meant to be worn in public), but with them, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. The $180 price tag, however, suggests "cry" is probably the correct response...
More About: Style , Ugly , Loafers

Leather t-bar shoes with bow detail from Dorothy Perkins
2008-05-15 14:17:00
Leather t-bar shoes with bow detail from Dorothy Perkins I couldn't decide whether to show you the grey or black versions of these Dorothy Perkins t-bars, so I've decided to throw caution to the wind and show you both. Either would make a good work shoe, with the little bows at the bottom of the t-strap adding a little bit of fun to the look. In the black colourway, the bow is in contrasting pink, while the grey shoes are all the same colour, which makes it hard for me to decide which I prefer. They're £40 from Dorothy Perkins, if you're better at decision-making.
More About: Shoes , Style , Leather

Faith?s ?Abox? almond toe jersey pumps
2008-05-15 14:07:00
Faith's 'Abox' almond toe jersey pumps "Jersey pumps". Now those even sound comfortable, don't they? As for how comfortable they'll be in real life, well, I couldn't say for sure without trying them on, but the fact that they have a low, concealed wedge heel is good news, giving your poor old feet that little bit more in the way of support than you'd get from a pair of flats. These are casual but very chic, and would look great paired with a summery skirt or pair of shorts. The jersey fabric is even more apparent in the grey version, and both colours are £25 from Faith.
More About: Faith , Style , Pumps , Almond

Topshop#?s ?Romance? platform sandals
2008-05-15 13:59:00
Topshop#'s 'Romance ' platform sandals In the mood for romance? Topshop clearly are, and just to prove it, they've created these fanciful pom-pom platforms, in a soft grey leather. These are the second pair of pom pom shoes to come to my attention recently, and the small platform, slingback and big embellishment somehow all add together to make a sure that's different and slightly quirky, while still managing to be wearable. I love them, but I suspect they won't be to everyone's taste. What do you think of them?
More About: Style , Sandals , Topshop , Platform

Tokyo Art Beat Artist T-Shirts
2008-05-15 13:50:00
Attentive readers might remember Tokyo Art Beat when we covered them way back in 2005. For the uninitiated, TAB is a website covering art events, reviews and creative jobs in the Japanese capital. The free service is run as a nonprofit, but occasionally they offer a limited run of exclusive t-shirts designed by local artists. The third edition is currently on sale, and it features designs by Alexander Gelman, Shantell Martin (above left), the Dainippon Type Organization, Ayako Ookubo (above right) and Tomoko Konoike (above center). Shirts are currently discounted to ¥2500 (about $24) and available until the end of May. Additionally, a New York version of the site recently launched, serving the same essential function with an NYC-centric perspective.
More About: Artist , Glam , T-Shirts

Steeped with history: Regent Street
2008-05-15 13:01:00
Steeped with history: Regent Street As a bustling hotspot for London’s thriving shopping community Regent Street has always been steeped in high street history and designer goods. In pictures: Regent Street hot spotsTherefore it comes as no surprise that since the architect John Nash designed and founded the street back in 1811, as a compliment to the ‘party’ Prince Regent, millions of shoppers have adorned the pavements in search of the perfect purchase.  Hustle and bustle: Regent Street is renowned for its shopping cultureIt took over fourteen years to complete Regent Street. It was declared a masterpiece of its time; instantly recognisable as the centre of London’s social scene. Bars and shops including the Café Royal have hosted talents such as TS Elliot and Oscar Wilde. The buildings escaped unscathed during World War I although the Nash Terraces were demolished. However in 2001 Regent Street was finally brought back to life with a major redeve...
More About: History , In the News

Jungle Priestess Ipod Holder
2008-05-15 08:06:00
Jungle Priestess Ipod Holder Inexpensive, and absolutely adorable the Jungle Priestess Ipod Holder by Free People will protect as well as accent your new Ipod. Fashioned with floral embroidery and lined with a floral print it features a clasp closure for added security. Fits a standard sized Ipod, and measures 4 1/2x3 and sells for $28. Easily attaches to handbags or clothing, so you'll never have to leave home without it! Cool...
More About: Glam , Jungle

Belle by Sigerson Morrison Gladiator sandals
2008-05-15 05:36:00
Belle by Sigerson Morrison Gladiator sandals Looking for some gladiator sandals that aren't to strappy but are value for money? Then try these Belle by Sigerson Morrison Gladiator sandals on for size. The t-strap features cracked metallic leather which gives a great illusion of animal skin, and finished off with white patent leather trim. On paper it's a great modern shoe that would look great this summer with its light colour and $325 isn't too much to ask for a pair of Sigerson Morrison's.
More About: Style , Sandals , Belle

Irregular Choice ?Buckle My Shoe? sandal from Office
2008-05-15 04:52:00
Irregular Choice 'Buckle My Shoe ' sandal from Office I guess these Irregular Choice heels are trying to be some kind of offshoot of the Chloe look, what with their thick, grey cross-over ankle strap and contrasting chunky red heel. This, I could handle. But then they've gone and added a mega-oversized buckle (eek), a multi-colour toe strap (yikes) and a contrasting white platform (errr). They don't come cheap either, at £75 from Office. I'd have to say 'irregular choice' is about right... I won't be choosing them to stash in my wardrobe, let's put it that way!
More About: Style , Sandal

Nike Flywire
2008-05-15 01:32:00
Nike's newest and most exciting innovation presented at the Sportswear Exhibition at a new Nike space called Cable 8 in Beijing had everyone talking. Named Flywire it entails the use high-tensile Vectran threads (stronger than Kevlar) which cut down on weight of the product yet adds stability. What's particularly unique about the new technology is that Nike's found a way to use it in both their footwear and apparel lines. The technique not only adds a totally new kind of support but also an original graphic look to the product. The Air Max 90 Flywire features seamless construction and Flywire threads in strategic spots lend support but not weight. In fact, it's the lightest Air Max 90 ever. Flywire also shows up in the new Windrunner with Vectran threads throughout the chest and shoulders. At a mere 119 grams, it's less than half the weight of the next lightest Windrunner. More images after the jump. Keep a close eye out for Flywire in many upcoming Nike products, it's truly a...
More About: Nike , Glam

I like my perfumes to be rooted in a form of reality?
2008-05-15 01:10:00
There is a short film on the Hermès website of perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena talking about his inspirations for the Kelly Calèche fragrance. He recalls... ...a visit I made to the place where the Hermès leather is stocked...and what surprised me with all these leathers was their smell. They were all flowery to different degrees. It was very far from the approach that chooses to give leather the pungent smell of smoke, like Russian leather with the smell of birch. Smells that are really very hard. It wasn't that at all. The smells were supple, delicate and flowery. To find the film, click on the bottom left orange square on the navigation bar at the upper right hand corner of the screen, then click on the picture of Jean-Claude Ellena. In French, with English subtitles (and I found the subtitles were cut off until I minimized the film screen). Many thanks to Bela for the link!
More About: Reality , Style , Perfumes , Form

Touch NY
2008-05-15 00:58:00
Almost all of the 14 artists and studios invited to be part of the Touch Design recycled-materials exhibit of products happening this weekend in NYC are Latin American, most notably Brazilian—something that could indicate where the pioneering trends in this area are coming from in the near future. Besides Estúdio Manus and Domingos Tótora (two names that have been getting more press recently) other up and comers/participants include Tatiana Sperhacke, whose website shows a skirt made from plastic spoons, art made from found natural material by Thomas Beale and the surprisingly delightful manifestations from Blindesign. Touch NY Opening reception: 18 May 2008, 7-9pm 18-20 May 2008 Honey Space 148 11th Avenue New York, NY 10011 map no phone
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Gabriela Sabatini Latin Dance, Malin + Goetz Perfume Oils ~ new fragrances
2008-05-15 00:57:00
Argentine tennis star Gabriela Sabatini will launch Latin Dance , a new fragrance (and the thirteenth to join her line), next month. The fruity floral scent for women includes notes of kiwi, papaya, pomegranate, bamboo, lily of the valley, hibiscus, orchid, orchid, woods and amber. Gabriela Sabatini Latin Dance will be available in 20, 30 and 60 ml Eau de Toilette. (via cosmoty.de) Malin + Goetz's series of hand-poured, hand-labeled perfume oils, previously available only in-store, are now available online. The fragrances can be worn alone or layered: Vetiver ~ "this beautiful subtle vetiver is both modern and dynamic"; with notes of bergamot, clove, cedarwood and vetiver. Cannabis ~ "synthesizes sexy green cannabis and spicy extracts for an uplifting intoxication and general aphrodisia"; with notes of figs, pepper, orange, lemon, sandalwood and patchouli. Lime Tonic ~ "synthesizes natural citrus notes of fresh lime to effectively uplift and offer general well being; it's modern a...
More About: Perfume , Style , Fragrances

Chi-cocoa Scentsation ~ this fall in Chicago
2008-05-15 00:40:00
A group of volunteers over at Perfume Posse is pulling together a Chicago shopping trip scheduled for Saturday, September 13th: Join us in Chicago this fall for an incredible, decadent day of fragrance and the Universe?s favorite food: CHOCOLATE! Patty and March from Perfume Posse will be with us as we spritz, sniff and sample our way through some of Chicago?s finest fragrance departments and boutiques, with many stops to sample chocolate throughout the day! Special Guests: Neil Morris!! Liz Zorn!!! They?ll both be at the Event to showcase their magnificent fragrance lines. This informal gathering on Saturday, September 13 will feature stops at L?Artisan, Chanel, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, CO Bigelow, Nordstrom ? and more. You can read more about the event at Perfume Posse, or follow updates on their forum. If you'd like to attend, you can RSVP to chicocoascentsation (at) gmail (dot) com.
More About: Style , Fall , Cocoa