The holiday shopping season may be over but there’s a new book out that just might make it onto our early year “must-have” list. A beautiful hardcover release from Assouline, “Pioneers of the Possible” honors twenty of the world’s most inspiring women, spanning the last century through today. Part photo tome and part history manual, the book profiles 20 women who have made a lasting contribution to society, whether through social activism, spiritual guidance, or artistic creativity. The profiles include stories on everyone from Ella Fitzgerald, Frida Kahlo, Simone de Beauvoir and Wangari Maathai, to Estée Lauder, Helen Suzman and Zaha Hadid.
Author Angella Nazarian – who previously penned 2009′s “Life as a Visitor” (a compelling memoir and poetry book – inspires again, celebrating the collective fearless spirit of these extraordinary women, while the accompanying artwork and photography serve to further promote their impact and stories. It’s the type of book that will look good on your coffee table, but will make you feel good once you pick it up and delve into its pages.
“Pioneers of the Possible” features more than 100 illustrations over 160 pages and is available in hardcover now at select Assouline boutiques worldwide and online.
Got five minutes to spare this weekend? Then check out this hilarious clip that landed in our inbox this week. The poolside video features actor and musician Jason Schwartzman interviewing his pal Ben Kweller about his new record, “Go Fly A Kite.” Watch for a cameo from a well-known Olympian, who’s landed a new gig as Kweller’s “stunt double.”
Ben Kweller’s new album, “Go Fly A Kite,” will be available in stores and online on February 7 via The Noise Company. In the meantime, check out his chat with Jason Schwartzman below:
The latest offering from Native Union and Colette is this limited-edition retro handset. Limited to 213 copies, the David Turpin design is aptly rendered in Colette’s classic black and blue colourway and is compatible with the iPad as well as all mobile phones.
For those unfamiliar with Colette, the Paris-based shop is the ultimate destination for everything current and cool; including Corduroy issue VIIII (available in-store and online now). Opened in 1997, the boutique stocks a diverse range of products and brands from Alexander McQueen to Nike, making it a French institution for both tourists and Parisians alike.
This collaboration with Native Union marks the growing popularity of simple technology. Despite critics pointing to the pretentiousness of walking down the street while talking on an “old-timey” phone, we’re sort of partial to focusing our experience with technology. Users no longer have to simultaneously tweet, text, and check their email, while trying to have a phone conversation. After all, multi-tasking is only efficient to an extent. The handset is available for pre-order now through the retailer’s online shop for approximately $45 US. Would you pick it up? (pun intended)
The “Inside-Out” furniture series is the latest creative endeavor from innovative design firm Minale-Maeda. Founded in 2006 by Mario Minale and Kuniko Maeda, the pair was brought together by their similar approaches to design. Minale-Maeda works to strike a balance between utilitarian function and cultural expression, all while remaining true to the cultivated skill of quality craftsmanship. The duo’s work has been exhibited in museums (Tools Galerie, Paris) and design shows (Design Miami/Basel) all over the world.
While the pieces in the “Inside-Out” series are indeed stunning, it is the ideology behind the furniture which makes the series so remarkable. The series was designed with the intention that consumers would make each piece themselves, making it truly a “Do it Yourself” project of the most creative kind.
For amateurs wary of building an entire piece of furniture from scratch, never fear, as the series incorporates characteristically crude design elements, such as brackets, into the overall silhouette of each piece. The simplicity of the overall form is accented by the brackets which bring an overall sense of interest to each piece.
Once plans have been purchased, all that is required is minimal length cutting and drilling. No specific variety of lumber is required either, really making each piece one of a kind. And Minale-Maeda is taking the concept of green-living to another level with the “Inside-Out” series. All materials are sourced locally by the consumer, consequently reducing the environmental costs associated with transportation and storage. It makes for a winning idea both in conception, design and overall experience.
When we first met Lissy Trullie some three years ago, she was the epitome of the New York “it” girl: part-time musician, part-time DJ, occasional fashion model and full-time muse. Whether she was spinning at a party, tearing up the stage or helping her friends design a clothing line, Trullie’s effortless cool and authenticity was evident to each audience. Now, it’s time for her to take center stage.
Trullie announced this week that she’ll be releasing her self-titled album on March 6th 2012. Produced by John Hill (Santigold, M.I.A., Shakira) and David Sitek (TV On the Radios, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars), “Lissy Trullie” is the follow up to her critically acclaimed debut EP “Self-Taught Learner.” The first single, “Madeleine,” is a lush and arresting introduction to the album, which fuses a brisk punk foundation with memorable pop choruses that are at once dark and swirling. Trullie’s voice and presence is commanding throughout; with her elastic singing, she comes across at times like a modern-day Chrissie Hynde. Expect to see a lot more of Trullie in the coming months as she promotes the new disc. In the meantime, listen to “Madeleine” below:
