It has been nearly thirty years since the era of moped decadence, and
yet at the roots, there is a renewed interest. Though you might not
know it yet, a moped-inspired sub-culture is taking form all across the
country. Chicago's most revered branch of moped riders, cleverly named Peddy Cash,
has helped spear head the trend since its inception. The members of
Peddy Cash, for the most part, occupy the Chicago neighborhoods of
Ukraine Village, Wicker Park, and Logan Square. The fifteen immediate
members of Peddy Cash are considered to be part of the elite riders in
the city, however they only make up a handful of the 30-40 serious
moped riders springing up across Chicagoland. Peddy Cash is one of
sixteen official branches recognized by a national organization called
the Moped Army.
The Moped Army, which was founded in 1997 in Kalamazoo, MI, is a
resource for moped enthusiasts and has 10,000 registered users on its
website. 291 of those members are directly connected to registered
branches that range from major metropolises like the moped gang Mission
23 in New York City, to smaller areas of America like the branch Motion
Left from Elkhart, Indiana. Mopeds, not scooters! There is a very
serious deference. A similar trend has also been spotted down-under. by Drew Hudson
Is it just us or has any one else noticed that
fashion shows have become football-stadium-sized mega events? Gone are
the days when a select group of media and buyers would be invited to a
designers salon to view a collection over a quiet flute of champagne.
Nowadays it's a case of bigger is better with shows being staged at
enormous, public, iconic venues such as museums and art galleries,
complete with special effects and an adoring audience packed to the
rafters. Ladies and gentleman, the super show has arrived. Photographer
Simon Procter captured these extraordinary images from the shows
presented by world's biggest houses such as Christian Dior and Chanel,
which featured in V magazine last month. by Lisa Evans
While it’s a little fantastical Balenciaga’s fabulous shoot, which was featured in the New York Times magazine for its trend on platform shoes is a perfect metaphor for the hotter-than-hot label. Photographed by Miles Aldridge, the image features two Godzilla sized Balenciaga-clad-feet stomping aggressively on a cityscape complete with freeways and cars. Following in Godzilla’s formidable footsteps, Balenciaga takes over the world! Indeed. by Lisa Evans
A few months ago we featured the "light up your life" trend... that was only the beginning... Light keeps on illuminating our life in surprising ways. A new example comes from Johanna Hyrkas,
a Finnish designer/architect/artist who puts poetry on the floor with
her light carpet. It isn't a disco dance-floor but it will enhance the
complexion of your pedicured feet, your Chihuahua or your children.
What more could you want than to be able to walk in the light...by Yvan Rodic
It's solid as a rock and smart as a sensor. Indoor rock climbing has seen a huge rise in popularity over the last few years. With the addition of this digitally responsive wall unit, it's about to attract even bigger fans. Each climbing hold is embedded with a sensor which registers your hand and feet placement. Digiwall keeps track of your movements and registers the pattern in which you climb. This information can be used to develop technique and monitor progression. The digi wall also lends itself to interactive games, competitions and exercises. Each hold can also play a musical note as you climb. We wonder if the Titanic theme would play if a person was to slip all the way down. by Billy T
Harley Davidson bikes are more than the engineering masterpieces you hear roaring along minutes before you actually see them, the bikes and their enthusiasts are a culture within themselves. Advertising guru's, Carmichael Lynch has created this brilliant campaign which pays homage to the Harley Davidson culture. The image which almost look like drips of motor oil on canvas, reveals itself to contain the very parts that make up this legendary motorcycle. It's the anatomy of the Harley that speaks to its devotees in this amazingly effective ad. by Andy G
Punching in a location on your car navigation system can result in an
airbag going off in your face as you hit a tree. Not a good look. Well
it took thousands of accidents exactly like this before someone thought
they would conserve air bags and lives by inventing a voice command operated GPS.
No need to take your eyes off the road to enter locations, simply call
them out and the pre programmed locations will appear and navigate you
there. "Computer, HOME" "Computer, McDONALDS DRIVE THRU", "Computer,
JENNY CRAIG" - Computer says No by Andy G
Takahiro Miyashita's design studio Number Nine is becoming well known throughout the U.S, due to its hip new store in Tribeca, NY. Miyashita has a slightly angst edge when it comes to his designs. From skull shaped rings through to the Fuck You Hoodies featured here, the Japanese designer is no stranger to controversy. The Fuck You Hoodie comes in both a Black and White reversible version. How many times can you say fuck you? Well check out the Hoodie and start counting!. by Lisa Evans
If you're a man and you have a penis, then you have done this before. If you say you haven't, then you are a liar. Made famous by Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs (precious!), the old dick in the legs routine is a universal favorite. Antonia Boutique in Milan has developed an ad which clearly defines the boutique as a woman's only store. As Shawn Twat (Shania Twain) once said, "man I feel like a woman" by Andy G
Naomi
Dean is a cutting edge young designer who is no stranger to success.
Her participation in both the Milan Furniture Fair 2005 and the
Birmingham Furniture Show gained her notoriety and spread her work
extensively through the world's biggest interior design and furniture
magazines.
Taking a look at her brilliant wardrobe
design, we can see why the spotlight is pinned on this young creative
designer. The
incredibly space efficient wardrobe is a two piece
split design which fits into itself nicely. With rich aesthetics
gracing the outside face, reminiscent of a high end display
cabinet, the wardrobe hides an array of secrets within. The front
facing pulls forward to reveal a rack, interior space and bottom level
shelf space. Perfect for interiors with limited space, Deans piece is
as efficient as it is beautiful. by Billy T
It's like a giant Macy's parade, but not. 21st Century Airships builds the world's most advanced airships for both leisure travel and promotional material. The Airships can be custom made to accommodate just about any print. The ships features include an internal cabin for pilot and passengers, a hybrid diesel-electric power system with a low noise profile, the amphibious ability to land on and take-off from water plus internal illumination for spectacular visuals during night time flights. These airships look great in the night sky from both within and on the ground. The future looks equally as bright for 21st Century Airships with a projection system under delevopment for projecting text or full color video, making the airship a gigantic flying movie screen. by Billy T
Celebrity impersonators are a dime a dozen. There would have to be at least 1600 Elvis impersonators in L.A alone. This fresh approach to celebrity doubles is as funny as it is cute. These mini-me versions of Beyonce, Jay-z, Missy Elliot and a selection of other world famous singers bear a remarkable likeness to their pop idols. The little Cher model was pulled from the shoot at the last minute. She was 47 years old herself. by Andy G