From gravity-defying swim spots set atop skyscrapers to illusive infinity pools, prepare your inner daredevil for a dive and make a splash in one of these unique pools of endless blue…
Have a great weekend, everybody!
For more, take a look here.
Tags: Holiday, Hotels, Inspiration, Luxury, Swimming Pools, Traveling, Vacation
August 30th, 2013
“ When you become an adult you often have to limit your creativity – I mean, you can still be creative if you are working in a system – but if you do creativity that is only connected to pleasure, then you make big electric trains and you seem to be either a child molester or a big kid. I am a little bit of a big kid. It’s a subject I talk about with Björk a lot. Sometimes she says, “I think it’s time you should move on to something more adult,” and I think she’s right because she is very smart and she’s generally right. But if being adult is becoming cynical or pretentious then I prefer to stay immature.”
The cinematic maverick talks childishness, horror stories, his son and a general dislike for Tarantino movies..
Read the full interview to find out why here.
Tags: Filmmaker, Inspiration, Interview, Michel Gondry, Talk
August 22nd, 2013
Recognizing that cooking today is very different from that of our grandparent’s time, American activist and author Michael Pollan puts forth his latest book titled ‘Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation’. Exploring a range of culinary topics such as the joy of making soufflés that rise to why bacteria are needed in fermentation, he also returns to the conundrum of why people now spend less time preparing food from scratch and more time reading about it or watching cookery programmes on television.
“He describes the remarkable transformations that take place in the humble saucepan, where fibres are broken down, seeds softened and rendered edible, plants detoxified, and flavours brought together from far-flung taxonomic kingdoms.”
Read all about it here.
Tags: Book, Cook, Cooking, Culinary, Eat, Food, Gastronomy, Michael Pollan
July 15th, 2013
From a scientific approach in Bueno Aires, to potion makers in New York. to an industry veteran branching out on his own, a new breed of dedicated perfumers honour past traditions as much as they push forth with pioneering scents. Representing a new generation of modern innovators, artisanal perfume makers rely on a acute set of senses and expert knowledge of their craft- bringing forth contemporary and alternative expressions of smell…
Watch all about it here.
Tags: Art, Artisanal Perfume, Monocle, Nose, Perfume, Perfumers, Scent, Smell
July 12th, 2013
For the surfing aficionados amongst you, enjoy this charming little parody of the long-board craze that has taken over Montauk. Filmed on an old camcorder in that wobbly, washed-out 60s sensibility and voiced over by an entertaining, witty man, the midday treat will have you dreaming of Hawaiian summers and languid days out in the sun..
Via here.
Tags: Kook Paradise, Longboard, Surfing, Video
July 8th, 2013
Works of Calder on Nowness.com
Take a peek into the wonderfully inspiring world of renowned sculptor and artist, Alexander Calder in this rare footage from Herbert Matter’s 1950 film ‘Works of Calder’. “Renowned for his ability to “sculpt with air,” Calder dedicated his seven-decade career to observing the complex nature of movement, pioneering kinetic sculptures, called mobiles, which prefigured the work of a diverse range of contemporary artists.”
Via here.
Tags: Alexander Calder, Art, Inspiration, Mobiles, Sculpture, Works of Calder
July 3rd, 2013Described as a ‘curious Savile Row’, N.Tyler’s flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands is a dream come through for any dapper gent who has his pulse on the finer things in life. Likened to a modern-day shrine for menswear connoisseurs, the 150m’ boutique is a richly put-together space that well reflects the N.Tyler’s British roots and modern, sophisticated sensibility. Designed by multi-disciplinary creative agency, UPSTAIRS_, founder Dennis Cheok talks us through the inspiration and intricacies of the store, challenges faced and personal thoughts on menswear..
What was the main consideration(s) when designing for the N.TYLER boutique at MBS?
N.Tyler is a Savile Row-inspired menswear label defined by contemporary cuts and modern silhouettes.
For their inaugural flagship boutique located at the prestigious Moshe Safdie-designed Marina Bay Sands, we were given carte blanche to translate the dynamic of the brand into a lifestyle-inspired retail environment.
We wanted to communicate a sense of luxury, along with a nod to the fashion label’s British aspirations and, more quintessentially, to the craft of tailoring.
What were some of the sources of inspiration?
Inspired by the controversial works of British artist Damien Hirst, we’ve created a modern-day shrine for the menswear connoisseur.
We wanted to expose the artifice of recreating something so traditional within a modern and foreign context, and craft a unique brand experience out of that synergy.
How did the design team translate the essence of N.TYLER to its interiors?
The design process became a curious and slightly crazed exercise in abstracting the peculiarities of a traditional English Row House, with the intention to create a series of highly charged & meticulously art-directed experiences. Within the long and deep shoebox floor plate, we have created a linear spatial sequence that guides visitors through a Row House and into its 3 archetypal spaces.
The Front Hall is the first thing one sees as one enters the store and it also serves as an immersive backdrop for the evolving displays. The Salon is the centrepiece and contains a bespoke tailor’s pedestal and dressing rooms, while the Stair Atrium is a transitional area where one makes his final transactions before leaving the store.
We fervently dissected, curated and reconfigured them all as total, holistic, full-scale environments, each with its own authentic details and grandeur.
What was the greatest challenge(s) faced?
This project required a dramatically intricate approach to traditional ornamentation. The number of furnishings we had to source for and the degree of customization went way beyond what we had expected.
Because of this, we had to exercise a great deal of restraint with regards to materials and colours. All surfaces were spray-painted in neutral greys and set against a raw concrete background. Brass accents also create the desired air of sophistication.
The creative freedom we enjoyed ultimately led to a result that fully lived up to our expectations, both in terms of overall quality and detailed specifications. The only regulations and restrictions we had to consider were those that applied to the safety procedures of the Mall.
Tell us more about the features and key highlights of the store.
We designed every single element from the walls, to the furniture, right down to the shoeshine stand – even the vintage furniture and lighting pieces were dissected and re-finished.
Every single detail within the space is created as a nod to the fashion label ’s British origins, or more quintessentially, the craft of tailoring- from the herringbone patterns on the floors, to the doors studded with thousands of sewing thimbles, and finally, the centre-piece for the boutique –a bespoke tailor’s pedestal anchored beneath a dramatic, carved mirrored ceiling vault.
We also created dissected “archways” as a spatial narrative through the shoe-box floor plan. Interspersed with floating dreamlike galleries of fragmented pedestals and truncated carved legs, the result is a bespoke retail experience we call “The Curious Savile Row”.
What are the key emotions you would want the end consumer to feel when experiencing the store?
As a design studio, we’re constantly seeking a good story, one that lends the brand its definitive quirk and personality.
For N. Tyler, we wanted to craft a brand experience that not only is distinctive and a concept-driven representation of the fashion label, but also one that is deeply steeped in the brand’s roots and heritage.
How would you describe N.TYLER in three words?
Tailoring. In. Style.
What was the most expensive fixture?
The material palette was a mix of humble, honest materials (like timber and concrete), contrasted with what is considered more premium, luxe accents. (like marbles and polished brass).
However, the most costly aspect was not so much the materials, but the extensive manual labour work involved. Countless man-hours went into crafting the intricate ornamental woodwork for the walls and ceilings.
Are there any standout designer pieces you’d like to mention?
We are especially proud of all of the vintage furniture pieces that we have sourced, refurbished and finished with new paintwork and brass hardware.
We also love the bespoke pieces we designed for the space – the tailor’s tool plinth and shoeshine stand, the “Dissected Chesterfield” chaise lounge, and the “Dissected Stair” counter with its brass-work baluster.
How long did the entire renovation works take?
The entire fit-out was completed within 6 weeks, which was a real feat considering extensive detailing involved.
Based on your design ethos, what are, in your opinion, key aspects of menswear every man should appreciate and understand? (eg. cut, material etc…) And why?
The further I come along of age, the more I start to appreciate the quality of material, cut and workmanship. These are after all, the basic qualities of a well-dressed individual.
It’s only when the basics are covered, do we begin to explore territories like proportions and style, in order to find our own personal voice.
Of course, the process is never as linear in reality. It’s exactly like design, actually.
What do you think is a key item every man should have in their wardrobe? And why?
A simple, yet well-cut blazer can take you to many places.
What does personal style mean to you?
The ability to use dress as a tool, and create something personal out of it.
About UPSTAIRS_
UPSTAIRS_ is a multi-disciplinary creative studio that explores the realms of art, fashion, graphics, and space. Constantly seeking a good story and melding emotions and rational pragmatism in their designs, the company seeks to build a full-fledged think tank with diverging capabilities. UPSTAIRS_ has worked on projects ranging from retail to F&B to hospitality to branding to product design to art installations, theatrical sets and fashion.
N.TYLER is located at 2 Bayfront Avenue #B2-118, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
Tags: Boutique, Dennis Cheok, Design, Flagship Store, Interior Design, Interview, Marina Bay Sands, MBS, N.Tyler, Upstairs
June 30th, 2013
A 6.5km swimming competition that traverses the channel separating the Turkish city’s Asian and European banks, the Bosphorous Cross Continental is an annual contest started in 1989 that draws over 1,000 participants from 42 countries. Here, Istanbul-based photographer Andres Gonzalez captures some picturesque shots of this one-of-a-kind swimming contest.. Itching for a dip, guys?
Via here.
Tags: Andres Gonzalez, Bosphorous Cross Continental, Competition, Istanbul, Sports, Swimming, Turkey
June 24th, 2013
Working religiously and tirelessly behind canvases, brushes and oils during the Cultural Revolution in China is a group of brave artists who quietly banded together during a repressive period. Showcasing their works for the first time in an exhibition titled “Light Before Dawn: Unofficial Chinese Art 1974 to 1985″, the three distinctive schools of artists, each with a distinctive style will display more than 100 paintings and sculptures.. Heroic artisans out there, this will surely pique your interest.
Find out more here.
Tags: Art, Asia Society, China, Cultural Revolution, Culture, Inspiration, Light Before Dawn
June 17th, 2013
To mark the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a major exhibition will bring together a spectacular array of dress, uniform and robes worn by the principal royal party. Works of art, paintings and objects used on the day will also be on display to recreate the atmosphere of that extraordinary occasion.
In particular, sketches by British couturier Norman Hartnell, whose design for The Queen’s Coronation Dress, considered to be his masterpiece of royal couture, is immortalized in an intricate drawing. In watercolour and bodycolour over pencil, it shows in detail the full-skirted gown with its tiers of rich embroidery terminating in a wide multi-coloured border.
Something you wouldn’t want to miss if you were in London..
Visit the site for more information here.
Tags: Art, Buckingham Palace, Coronation Day, Costume, Dress, Fashion, Insipration, Norman Hartnell
June 10th, 2013
