GRITTY MEMORIES

Laura Lobdell Jewelry

A silver-cast hospital bracelet, bitten candy heart and cigarette butt for an unsentimental Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day jewelery designer Laura Lobdell, known for casting found objects like champagne corks and matchsticks in silver, created four new pieces, which each come accompanied by hand-painted cards.

A more gritty version of Margiela's hospital bracelet, the Four Letter Love Cuff says "I found you and you have made a big impression on me!" An immortalized cigarette butt reads "You are the one, no ifs ands or butts about it." Another favorite, the candy heart with a bite taken out of it, becomes a sweetly abstract charm.

INSPIRATION... KINDA

Kora-Krit Clothing

A Brooklyn artist's futuristically-patterned line of limited edition tees, hoodies, leotards and more

Bangkok-born artist Korakrit Arunanondchai originally created his wildly-colorful, limited-edition clothing label Kora-Krit as an extension of his digitally-influenced art. Working chiefly with silkscreen printing, Arunanondchai intended for visitors to his gallery shows to wear the pieces for a fully immersive and visually seamless experience.

The RISD grad (now based in Brooklyn, NY) takes up various themes in his work, but considers them all to have a shared feeling. He sees his layered compositions as a fortunate glimpse of a fleeting moment, like "a bunch of kids playing basketball" who appear to fight and dance as they bump into each other on the court. But in Arunanondchai's amped-up world, the scene plays out at an even faster tempo and is possibly "happening in the sky."

The current collection borrows strong graphic shapes found in video games, particularly the letters X and O, as well as triangle and square shapes. Printed on neon fabrics, the choice links the apparel back to his black light art installation on the same subject.

LEGO'S @ BARNEY'S HUHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Dee & Ricky continue their LEGO creations with a new interchangeable ring, produced in collaboration with Max & Maggie. The ring is made from Sterling Silver and includes several interchangeable LEGO pieces, including a sunflower, cactus, and scorpion with a faux diamond. They are now available at the Barneys New York online store.

Deep Sea Diving Burried Treasure

Nektar de Stagni Accessories

More oceanic themes are popping up or rather are becoming more eye-catching as the trend continues to heat up. Nektar de Stagni’s collection of necklaces and rings is called “Snakes and Pearls,” and the designer uses bits of coral, as well sea sand, pearl and bone to create pieces that exude mystery (what is it about the ocean that creates that affect??)

Wear Your Weight Around Your Neck

Today we came across some fantastic new accessories by a new Italian accessories brand. Cor Sine Labe Doli presents their new series of ceramic bow ties. The bow ties are built by traditional ceramicists in the medieval town of Marostica. They present a nice line-up ranging from navy blue to metallic gold, as well as some nice colorways with structure, underlining once again the material used.

Art is Life: Nathan Sawaya

Nathan Sawaya “Brick by Brick” at Agora Gallery NYCA

Artist Nathan Sawaya makes his solo debut in NYC with “Brick by Brick”, a show comprised entirely of LEGO bricks. The artist explores the limitless possibilities of the childhood toy, going as far as to create a life-sized “self-portrait” (seen after the jump.) The exhibition opens today, March 23, and runs through April 13, 2010 at Agora Gallery.

Where'd You Get Those?

Nike Dunk High SB "Skunk"

An interesting new Nike Dunk Hi SB has surfaced. The “Skunk” Dunk comes with different green tones on the upper and a purple Swoosh. Furthermore the upper material has an interesting effect, and looks to be imitating grass, and a stash pocket has been placed on the inner side of the tongue. A skunk is on the inner sole of the sneaker, revealing the inspiration of the sneaker. So far no word on the release of the sneaker, but we will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Apparently the Dunk Hi was designed by artist Todd Bratrud and is part of the April 2010 releases, as a Quickstrike.

Peek-A-Boo: Adidas Original "Hide and Seek" Stan Smith 80s TF

An interesting theme making its way into the adidas Originals 2010 spring/summer collection has been their “TF” line. The TF line is based around iconic classics which feature a transformable upper. The initial drop has seen highlights that include the Superstar and the Stan Smith 80s seen here. In its original form, the Stan Smith features a high-top profile in which the upper can be un-zipped and removed to create a low-top version in a different color. We expect this concept to continue on with further releases but for the time being, the Stan Smith 80s TF is available now at select retailers.

Always Keep Your Finger on the Trigger...

Or in this case the trigger's on your finger or on your neck...

Definitely unisex the Trigger ring, part of Ken&Dana’s Gun Collection project features a real steel gun trigger mounted on a sterling silver ring. A dangerously powerful statement piece. Available atken&dana store online.

Sushi Anyone??

Dominic Jones Accessories

Accessory designer Dominic Jones‘ latest creations are featured in the March issue of Vice magazine. He’s evolved from studs and punk looks from last year to necklaces that speak to the oceanic cycle of life and death. It’s a theme Alex McQueen explored with his spring 2010 collection, too. And in general it seems to be part of a new direction in fashion of getting cozier with our animal roots, even if that mostly means wearing them as adornment, whether dead or living.

Alex and Chloe "Trinity" Collection

For Spring/Summer 2010 Alex and Chloe launch the trinity collection as their interpretation of various religious symbol with hints of punk rock making the pieces slightly esoteric. Take a look on the next page for a closer look a the pieces available at their online store.

Dead or Alive: Keith Haring's @ It Again

Keith Haring x Patricia Field

WHEN DID U FIRST FALL IN LOVE WITH HIP-HOP

As I sit at work in this cold steel building drawing and designing away, I can't help but to groove to the tunes that are flowing through my headphones. I've gone through eminem, jay-z and now the impeccable Lauryn Hill. AND THEN, this song comes on, it reminds me of why I fell in love with hip-hop and most importantly Lauryn Hill. Keep It Tight! I remember back in the days when my Aunt had all the tightest hip-hop cds out. She had this one mixtape by DJ Scribble and I remember on that cd there was this one song by this female mc named Lauryn Hill. I swear I played that song to death. I think I went as far as recording onto a tape so I could play it all day. It was true Love. Unarguably she is and forever will be the tightest female mc/vocalist, hands down! She fed us great music and left us at her peak. It angered me, though, now looking back on it, I think I can understand why. Never give people too much of something because they may be unable to handle it and in turn uninterested. NAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! In all honesty it was that dread N*gga that messed her mind up. SMH!

This is why I fell in Love with Hip-Hop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD94z-nqSgo

LEGO'S R KILLING THE GAME

It no longer is about who can build the tallest building or who can build the most elaborate city, boat, etc. It's NOW about who can build the flyest ready to wear gear. Check out how Lego's are impacting the world today!

Studio XXB Challenged a group of designers to use the limitations of the LEGO block and create prototypes to be shown at the BrickWorld Exhibit . New York designer KaraRoss created a stunning version on her signature clutch for the occasion.

LEGO has been appearing in all sorts of unlikely applications from watches to cameras, bags and belts, to usb sticks, mobile phones and even cupcakes. Our favourites include a recent ad for hot fashion house Lanvin, which used colour-spray guns made from LEGO in a recent campaign and adorable LEGO fashion show video by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac which cast LEGO figures as fabulous high fashion catwalk models.

While LEGO is still one of the top children's toy brands, it is spontaneously morphing into a credible street brand, adopted by Gen Y hipsters who still nurture happy memories of playing with the blocks as kids. It's part of a bigger trend, which has seen other iconic mostly 80s brands such as Reebok enjoy unexpected revivals.

Art is Life - Andrew Taylor

I found this on my co-workers blog. DOPE!!!!

What if We All Rocked What We Ate?!?!?!?!?!

Yea thas right Diggy Simmons rocks a $90 Romeingpanda, Gummy Bear Three finger ring. Dope idea but for $90 I think I'd rock them in my belly.

check out more Gummy Gear at www.romeingpanda.com

Art is Life - Judy North

Judy North

Judy North studied painting at the Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles Calif. and at the San Francisco Art Institute in San Francisco, Calif. She taught at Bennington College in Vermont, the University of Califirnia at Davis and the San Francisco Art Academy in California. She is a Louis Comfort Tiffany Grantee, and a Marin Arts Council Grantee. She has had many solo shows and been in numerous group shows throughout the country. She has been featured in Artweek, and many other publications. She is a member of the San Francisco Museum of Art Artists Gallery.