Metallic obsession

I’m seeing metallics everywhere these days, specially copper. This collection of copper candelabra by Tel Aviv-based Aqua Creations looks lovely.

Rose Li collection by Aqua Creations

I often day dream about my ideal home, and usually the kitchen emerges as the top spot for obsessing over. Today, I came across this black metallic kitchen and it’s just so industrial-chic! And just look at that sci-fi-inspired hood?

Minà Kitchen by Minacciolo

Minà is the new concept for the multi-functional island by Italian brand Minacciolo, where tradition meets cutting edge technologies, refined details and high quality craftsmanship. The surfaces are fit for induction cooking while the work tops are made from original materials such as pewter or galvanised steel, brass, concrete and lime mortar, in various colours and personalised designs. Did you notice the hot pink knobs that provide just a splash of brightness?

As impressive as this looks, I’m not sure how easy it would be to live with such huge black objects in normal apartments. I reckon, if you have a huge space, say a barn somewhere in the countryside with cement screed flooring, this would be perfect.

Campana Brothers’ Brazilian Baroque show at David Gill Galleries, London

Brazilian designer duo Campana Brothers (Fernando and Humberto) are presenting their Brazilian Baroque show at David Gill Galleries in London. The limited-edition collection features chandeliers, candelabra and furniture. Inspired by the rococo baroque style of the 17th and 18th centuries, the items on display are heavy on gold and bronze decoration. Some of the motifs that can be seen are keys, leaves, cupids and crocodiles with very delicate filigree work.

Aleijadinho Candlestick

Lupa Chair

Filigree details on coffee table

Basoli Table

Did you know that Humberto is a lawyer by training and Fernando is an architect? They both gave up their professions to experiment with design, producing their first cult-hit piece – the Favela chair in 1991 – which was made out of wood scraps found in a Sao Paolo slum. I interviewed them in 2010, when I was working on Harpers Bazaar Interiors Arabia, and I have to say, the two of them are amazingly down-to-earth.

They’ve also recently designed a shoe collection for compatriot footwear brand Melissa.

Fernando and Humberto Campana

 

The Brazilian Baroque exhibition runs till June 15 at the following address:

David Gill Galleries,

2-4 King Street, (corner of Duke Street), St James’s,

Tel: +44 0 (20) 3195 6600

Reiko Kaneko’s latest bone china collection

British-Japanese designer Reiko Kaneko has unveiled her new Spring collection and true to her signature style, it stays refined with a subtle quirky twist. Take the Drippy Egg cup, for instance. The unsightly drip marks have been turned into decorative details and the Angler plates are absolutely gorgeous. We love having friends over for dinner and these will be such a cool idea to present canapés – mini kebabs, shrimps on tiny crostini or little portions of bean salad. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?

Angler plate

Drippy Egg cup

 

Louis Vuitton Travel Books

Louis Vuitton is launching Louis Vuitton Travel Books – a travel journal-meets-sketch book – to keep you company on your upcoming holidays. The label commissioned four artists to interpret their travel inspiration through four cities – London, Paris, New York and Easter Island – using such mediums as illustration, graphic design, collage, contemporary art and even manga.

New York by French artist Jean-Philippe Delhomme

New York by French artist Jean-Philippe Delhomme

London by Japanese artist Natsko Seki

Paris by Congolese artist Cheri Samba

Louis Vuitton Travel Books

Photo credit: Eric Cowez/Louis Vuitton

My favourite is the New York edition. I’m a sucker for funky stationery and can’t resist picking up such items on my travels, specially beautifully crafted notebooks. The collection is available from Louis Vuitton Island Maison bookstore at Marina Bay Sands  and retails at S$86 each.

B1-38, B2-36 Crystal Pavilion North, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands

Tel: +65 6788 3888

Karim Rashid’s award-winning Ottawa collection

The Ottawa collection by Karim Rashid for Danish brand BoConcept has won an honourable mention in the 2013 red dot design awards. Karim Rashid and BoConcept will officially receive the award at the red dot gala on July 1, 2013 in Essen, Germany. The winning collection will also be displayed at a four-week special exhibition at the red dot museum in Essen.

Ottawa collection by Karim Rashid for BoConcept

When I first came across this collection last year, I was surprised to know that it had been designed by Rashid because it’s such a sharp departure from his signature “blobject” (a term he allegedly coined by him) style. The Egyptian Canadian designer is known for his pink candy-floss aesthetics and this collection pleasantly surprised me. It’s so grown up and so sophisticated, non? Congratulations to him and the BoConcept team!

When I interviewed him (he was my first star designer interviewee) for the first time a few years ago, he confessed without any hesitation that he only ever wears pink and white. Seriously, how many men can work a candy-floss pink suit? I was totally in awe and until a couple of years ago, I still had the Swarovski crystal-filled pen that had been designed by him specially for the media event. What can I say; I was young and impressionable.

Karim Rashid

I bumped into a few more times at other design events, where he had been deejaying, on which I’ll only say that I prefer his design prowess to his musical talent. And even though he’s a bit of an “I, me and myself” personality, he’s really sweet and speaks very well.

BoConcept has two retail stores in Singapore:

#03-33/36, 112 Katong

112 East Coast Road
Tel: 6636 3118

 

04-01/02/03 Paragon

290, Orchard Road

Tel: 6736 0777

Zaha Hadid wins the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award 2013

Dame Zaha Hadid has been announced as the winner of the 41st Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award.

Zaha Hadid

Photo credit : Dave M. Benett/Getty Images/Veuve Clicquot

Created in 1972 as a tribute to Madame Clicquot, the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award champions the success of business women worldwide who share the same qualities as Madame Clicquot: her enterprising spirit, her courage and the determination necessary to accomplish her aims. It is the first international award created specifically to recognise the contribution that women have made to business life and is now regarded as the “Oscar” for female entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Veuve Clicquot owes its extraordinary reputation to a remarkably modern woman: Madame Clicquot. Married in 1798 to François Clicquot, owner of a Champagne business, and widowed at 27, she took control of the business and was one of the first women to lead a company of men. Proud and strong-willed, she always demanded “only one quality, the finest.”

Here’s raising a toast to Ms Hadid with a glass of what else, but Veuve Clicquot!

Charlotte Olympia + Tom Binns = Punk magic

There are times when I feel an aching need for certain things, like my world would come to an end if I didn’t have them. That’s exactly how I felt when I came across this punk-themed six-piece collection that’s a collaboration between London designer Charlotte Olympia and jewellery designer Tom Binns, one of Mrs Obama’s favourite jewellery labels.

Punk Pandora clutch in pink

Punk Pandora clutch in black

Anarchy Kitty flats

Dolly Riot platform pumps in silver

The collection was designed to coincide with the opening of the Costume Institute Gala’s annual exhibition on punk movement’s influence on fashion at MET museum in New York. If you’re in Singapore, you can read about the exhibition in the next issue of  SO/HO magazine out in June. I really love the Punk Pandora clutch in pink and the Anarchy Kitty flats. Normally, I don’t like platform pumps; they just look too clunky, but the Dolly Riot pair is just rad! Agree?

The collection is available from charlotteolympia.com