Archive for March 6th, 2009
she’s one of a kind
Our friends at CANVAS (Arlington Forbes) have collaborated with designers Gantimur (Gana) Meissner, Yuval Appelboum to produce a beautiful one of a kind, courier bike.
here’s the skinny:
“This particular style is inspired by French newspaper courier bicycles of the late 1950s&60s. These so called Porteurs were commonly seen ushering down the narrow cobblestone alleys and boulevards of Paris.
The re-conditioned, lugged, straight-gauge CrMo frame is from a 23inch Nishiki Kokusai. Back in the days, this model used to be Japans first successful attempt to compete with high-end European bike manufacturers. The original owner bought the frame we used in 1971. He once rode it from Malibu to Monterey. In the late 80’s, he converted it to a streamlined, brakeless 3speed creating a look that closely resembled today’s fixed gear bicycles that have recently ignited a global counter cultural movement.
Maybe it is because of that tightly knit fabric of global cultures that we created an American product with a re-conditioned Japanese frame to comment on a particular element in French culture.
We created a unique vehicle that combines modern cues of fixed gear bicycles, traditional elements & functional features for everyday life. With our creation, we cater to the casual rider who appreciates locally manufactured products, shares our love for details & stories that are captured with our products.” CANVAS
list of components:
re-conditioned 23inch lugged, straight-gauge CrMo Nishiki Kokusai frame, with internally routed shifter-cable and copper-plated & artificially aged & brushed finish
custom-built, machined, and hand-polished aluminum rack with laser etched wood platform
vintage tan-wall tires
custom anodized H+Son deep Vs laced to classic, hand-polished Sturmey Archer 3Speed coaster brake rear hub and drum brake front hub
custom anodized Nitto Promenade bars with custom bar-end adapters & Nitto Deluxe stem
polished Soma bar-end front brake
polished DiaTech bar-end friction shifter
custom anodized Sugino cranks
British-racing green Brooks B17 Special Saddle
honey leather Brooks straps
MKS touring pedals
MKS toe clips
Izumi track chain
hand-stitched green Toshi leather handlebar wrap
cost: $4500
avaiable at: CANVAS
photos by: Nathan Barbour
As a creative, I am addicted to books about art and design. Grand Stand II is an incredible addition to our collection here at the studio. If you can find it, BUY IT!
Grand Stand II is the definitive resource on contemporary stand design worldwide. This double-volume publication, presents nearly 200 show-stopping brand and corporate fair presentations, scales ranging from small to large, with stunning photography accompanied by commentary including company profiles as well as information about the designers. The expansive scope of projects depicted from cover to cover reveal the increasing importance of fair stand design today and how designers play an essential role in visualizing the identity of brands into captivating corporate presentations.
Comprised of a durable high-density polyethylene fiber, Tyvek has seen some integration beyond its conventional uses as shipping envelopes with some brands integrating it into a more fashionable sense including Rick Owens and PAM a few seasons ago. Although the material can be cut and folded, it is both tearproof and waterproof making it a perfect candidate for these latest series of bags designed by Stefan Diez for his wife Saskia. Two-styles based on some traditional models include a solid-looking Boston bag. The line of bags called Papier will be shown at Parisian space Rendez-Vous.
Source: Today and Tomorrow
the green depot
The much-anticipated Green Depot finally opened its doors three weeks ago on Manhattan’s Bowery. Given the current economic climate (and the grim predictions concerning consumer spending freezes), it seems pretty risky for any new retail venture start up, but environmentally-focused stores/products seem to be one of the few exceptions. Reuters recently reported that despite the despite the recession, four out of five Americans are still buying green—even at sometimes higher costs.
Amongst the usual cleaning supplies, energy-efficient light bulbs and low-VOC paints, we spied some seriously fresh furnishings, especially in the lamps and fixtures department. The Nest Pendant Lamp, made by XY Decor, is a beautiful tangle of shaved maple strips (also available in walnut), while the Florid Pendant Lamp utilizes the same materials for an altogether different effect with the wood strips undulating in and out like delicate ribbons.
Another favorite is the exclusive Scaffolding Floor Lamp, designed by New York-based artist/designer Rodger Stevens. Stevens constructed the wiry body from carefully-picked scraps of exotic wood, all cast-offs from an eclectic range of sources, including demolition projects and piano manufacturers (also available as a desk lamp). What we love so much about these lamps is how they simply demonstrate that good design and eco-mindedness can exist on the same level.
The Green Depot
222 Bowery
New York, NY 10012 map
tel. +1 212 226 0444
