Sneakercon Recap: Lev’s KAWS Collection

On Sunday Vinyl Pulse posted a few shots gathered on the ‘net of Lev’s (Toy Tokyo) personal KAWS collection which was exhibited as part of Sneaker Con in NYC. We were left wanting more. Thankfully Sneaker Con has delivered with a set of closeup shots of Lev’s KAWS treasures including early figures and oh-so-hard to come by kicks.

via: Vinyl Pulse.

SOPH. Hong Kong Opening

SOPH. is the latest Japanese heavyweight to enter the Hong Kong market as an upcoming space foreshadows a new opening next to the current NOWHERE location. Rumors state the space will be open within the next month, stay tuned for more details as well as any potential opening releases.

Shinganist by Usugrow 2010 May New Releases

The Shinganist by Usugrow collection from Upper Playground continues as we see a handful of new releases for May 2010. Shown are four different styles from this latest batch, all taking on the familiar black/white/grey hues and the artwork we’ve come to expect from Japanese artist Usugrow. These new releases can be purchased directly through the Upper Playground webstore.

Photography: Hypebeast

Propaganda- Ed Bernays

Madsaki x CLOT x Disney Project Preview

Madsaki previews what looks to be an upcoming project between himself, Chinese Streetwear brand CLOT, and Disney. Previewed are two different prints, each playing off CLOT’s Alienegra pattern. Stay tuned for further details in the coming days.

via: hypebeast.

OriginalFake x Lance Armstrong x Oakley 4th Anniversary Frogskins

In a continuation of the OriginalFake 4th anniversary, the latest collaboration item to be unveiled is a limited edition run of Frogskins created in association with Oakley and Lance Armstong. The trademark “XX” motif is replicated over the entirety of the frames which will release only at the OriginalFake Aoyama store in Tokyo on Saturday, May 29th.

Via: Medicom Toy

MEDICOM TOY Exhibition 2010 “Like A Chess” 400% BEARBRICK

Beyond the usual use of plastics in its construction, MEDICOM TOY BEARBRICKS constructed of wood have come to represent some of the BEARBRICK line’s most sought after release. Another addition to the small but well-documented line of wood-based BEARBRICKS is this “Like A Chess” version slated for release on July 3rd, 2010 during the MEDICOM TOY Exhibition 2010. The BEARBRICK features a chessboard pattern alternating between light and dark squares.

Medicom Toy Mickey Mouse Shoeless Version

Continuing their Mickey Mouse VCD series, Medicom Toy have again worked with Mickey and his iconic outfit to produce this unique figure that sees the world’s most famous mouse without his shoes. The toy is available for purchase from today through select stockists.

Pantone Hotel Opening in Brussels

Opening in the Brussels’s Sint-Gilles area, the Pantone Hotel has just opened. The project is an initiative by the Pantone global colour authority who have worked in collaboration with a group of British developers to produce 59 affordably priced rooms in stylish, colorful designs, created by architect Olivier Hannaert and interior designer Michel Penneman. Each of the seven floors have been decorated using different color palettes to enhance its guests’ emotions, indeed the rooms are also patterned from one of seven distinct pantone colors.

Via: superfuture

L5 Remote

First previewed back in January at CES and now finally available for purchase, the L5 Remote transforms iPhones or iPod Touches into all-in-one clickers for any home entertainment system, putting the end of playing hide-and-seek with remote controls in sight.

Using a simple plug-in accessory and companion app, within minutes you can program your very own touch-screen remote to channel surf, play DVDs, record with DVRs or operate almost any other IR-controlled device.

The L5 allows for arranging and assigning buttons—while banishing those that get in the way—with drag-and-drop simplicity. Since it's not powered by Wi-Fi or a separate power source, you can simply plug it in and go.

Download the free app on iTunes or from L5's website, where you can also order the hardware ($50).

Long Island City: ‘Greater New York’ Opens at PS1 MoMA through October 20, 2010

In a recent discussion with writer Jonathan Lethem at Cooper Union, Patti Smith was asked if it was possible for young artists to come to New York City and find the path to stardom that she did. In response, Smith told the crowd, “New York has closed itself off to the young and the struggling.” On Sunday, May 23, PS1 MoMA opened the third iteration of its quinquennial celebration of emerging artists who live and work in New York – Greater New York – which will run through October 20, 2010. This year’s show features some 68 artists which marks a steep fall from the 160 artists in the 2005 edition, perhaps adding some truth to Smith’s words.

via: artobserved.

Kozyndan “And Then There Were None” Exhibition

Los Angeles-based artists Kozyndan will be bringing their popular artwork to London for a special show opening next month. Being held within the Nelly Duff Gallery, the exhibition will mark the duo’s first ever solo showing in the UK. Titled “And Then There Were None”, the pop-up show will only be around from June 3rd to the 5th. If in town, be sure to swing by.

Nelly Duff
156 Columbia Rd Shoreditch
London E2 7RG

Via: Animal

MoviePeg

With the invention of the iPad, extended viewing on the iPhone may seem like an already-outdated notion, but for anyone forced to work on a smaller screen MoviePeg is an essential accessory.

Whether for propping up iPhones for viewing an actual film or just to keep it upright while following a recipe or taking a picture, the little portable stand (made from recycled materials) steadies the iPhone for a totally hands-free situation.

With Apple selling the iPhone docking station separately, MoviePeg makes a great (and less expensive) alternative for desktop display. Available in six colors, MoviePeg sells online for $7.

Dark Shop

Known for architecturally-inspired shoes based on iconic structures—from Eames chairs to Stealth bombers—United Nude's new Manhattan flagship embraces a similarly radical design concept.

More evocative of nightclub than shoe store, the Dark Shop's all-black interior and a curved, pulsating LED light wall lay the frame for the sculptural shoes on display.

Enhancing the otherworldly feeling of the store, a dark sculptural mass—an abstraction of a Lamborghini Countach—greets customers as they enter the space. Its atypical form is the result of the brand's signature lo-res design process, which "makes existing objects even more beautiful by envisioning them with 3D software in a lower resolution."

Designed by United Nude's creative director, architect Rem D Koolhaas (nephew and namesake of the Dutch starchitect), the store reflects the brand's vigorously forward-thinking attitude. Koolhaas hopes the theatrical boutique will allow people "to fully understand the brand and get the total United Nude experience."

After occupying a small space in Manhattan next to its former sister brand Terra Plana on the charming Elizabeth Street for a few years, United Nude now has a dramatic store that measures up to the high style stakes of its futuristic shoe designs—on Noho's burgeoning Bond Street no less.

via: coolhunting.

Menilla: New Website UP!

Menilla, a talented designer and one of the fantastic winners of Aarting's designer series 1 toy release has just launched a new website featuring his work. Go check it out!

www.menilla.com.mx

Very Bravo

Mauro Gatti is a fantastic Italian artist and he finally got time to launch his own online store. Very Bravo is open for all toy addicts over the globe!

Phillips EnduraLED Light Bulb

Philips takes the wraps off its new 12-watt EnduraLED light bulb, meant to replace the standard 60-watt incandescent.

The form factor of the EnduraLED is similar enough to the standard bulb that it will fit in the same places and fixtures, and the quality of light is designed to be similar, though the EnduraLED draws a fraction of the power and will last some 25 times longer.

Source

MINDstyle: Manny Pacquiao

Vinyl toy creators MINDstyle preview a new design under its P.O.P. Collection for Summer 2010. Familiar in appearance, this first development comes in the form of world-renowned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. The toy features playfully exaggerated details of the superstar brawler, with his native Philippines recognized via vibrant boxing trunks and the “Pacquiao” name placed on the belt line. A release can be expected come this Summer season.

Thorsten Brinkmann

Via Kunstagenten Berlin

Solid Gold iPad

We’re surprised it took this long! Created by Stuart Hughes, this iPad will set you back $189,000 and you better hurry since the price of gold is at an all time high, this thing could be well over $200K before you know it. Investment?

Via LikeCOOL