We found this “Chair Dress”–a chair fitted right in a women’s dress. The chair inflates itself as the wearer walks, then can be sat on comfortably for about 10 seconds until the chair deflates.
This is pretty cool especially for those long shopping hours when you can only wish for moment to just rest awhile. We just hope they produce these in other colors as well. 
After having seen such beautiful vignettes in the past years of one of our favorite design shows, this year’s show broke our hearts. The lobby was a bit too plain and the displays were not as mind-blowing as we hoped they will be. Is it because of the economic crisis or is it because we expected too much?
Manila FAME is open to the public on 18 April 2009.
No matter how cheery we think we are, let’s admit it, we all have our morbid fascinations. It’s like looking at gory accident scenes, that even if it makes us sick, we just need to take a peek. But how about having that sense of morbid right in your living room? Wouldn’t that be something?
And that something are in fact lighting fixtures that are made to resemble a hangman’s noose. The fixtures, which are aptly called Noose Lights are the from the fanciful mind of designer by Ana-Maria Pasescu Stewart. Made of tough ropes with the power cable woven in the middle, with the height easily manipulated by a metal pulley for that touch of realness.
For sure, these noose lights would be the conversation piece for many dinner parties to come, and who knows it just might come handy one of these days. But we’re not giving you any ideas… 
photo from dezeen.com
from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/05/garden/05fabric.html?_r=1
Check out the newest material for sculpture!
Parisian designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec unveiled another innovation in the field of design. Tagged “Clouds”, the material is a sculptural fabric that may be linked together and bent in infinite ways to form a bigger piece. The result is a cloud-like form with varying gradation, benefiting from its 3d profile. The piece may be hanged from the ceiling to create interest in the room.
It has started. Yesterday, March 05, marked the start of two of the biggest furniture shows in the Philippines—Manila Now and Cebu X—which brings together some of the finest home furnishing companies and furniture manufacturers and suppliers.
We were able to visit Manila Now during its opening and at first blush, it’s turning out to be one well-organized event, different from the past Manila Nows that we’ve seen, and maybe it’s helped that it is now being hosted in what’s is now Manila’s premier exhibition venue, SMX. But more importantly, this year’s Manila Now is showing really exciting trends that is sure to propel the country in new directions in the world of design.
And with SMX as the new home of Manila Now, there is obviously more floor space to showcase the works of our local design talents. SMX’s second floor function rooms have been likewise transformed into halls of delight showcasing the products of some of the biggest names in furniture including Locsin, International and Designs Ligna. The mini-designers’ gallery out in the hall, puts faces to both the names and works of talents such as Eric Paras, Ann Pamintuan, among others.
We’ll be sharing photos of both Manila Now and the equally exciting Cebu X bringing you right in the middle of the action, or at least what is the next best thing to being there yourself. So that’s definitely something to watch out for in the coming posts. But for now, just keep your breaths bated.
A walk at Southbank, Queensland
The Ideas Festival was started in 2001 to present ideas, promote public debate, and to foster and celebrate innovation. This year, the Festival is proudly presented by the Queensland Government as part of the Q150 celebrations, with Griffith University as a major sponsor.
The Ideas Festival covers a broad range covering five streams of IDEAS: I- nvention and innovation, D- evelopment and design, E- cology and ethics, A-ction and advocacy, S-elf and society. New ideas, old ideas in new manifestations and the exchange of ideas across sector, across industry, across generations and across the room make this fest.
The Festival presents local, national and international speakers, alongside thinkers, doers, makers and observers. It aims to to provide Queenslanders with access to and exposure to diverse ideas; present, celebrate and debate the quality ideas and inventive work of government, business, academia and community; and promote Queensland locally, nationally and internationally as an innovative, diverse and forward thinking place.
For more information on the festival, log on to www.ideasfestival.com.au. We loved the flash video created by artist Sue Loveday of the Brisbane design studio, Designfront, using found objects.
Karim Rashid, a well known designer of all sorts–interior, furniture, product and fashion is going to take Singapore by storm. Come March 11, 2009, he will be giving a furniture design forum entitled “DESIGN Shaping the Globalandskape” as part of Singapore Expo’s Furniture Design Showcase leg. To be held at the Foyer 1, Level 2 Conference D, E & F of the Expo, the forum promises to be educational both to design students and professionals.
Student rate for the forum is $30/pax (10% discount for 10 pax or more) while for non-members of the Singapore Forum (meaning us), it will $60/pax (10% discount for 3 pax or more).
The Furniture Design Showcase will also unveil Singapore’s up and coming young designers.
Check out http://www.singaporefurniture.com/ for more info.
DOD <3 The Metal Lamp!
(Red, fiery and fun, this makes a great valentine’s present for lovers of design and whatnot. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. )
METAL PETAL Table Lamp
Winner, THE EDGE 2009 Commercial Award for Best New Release by Kristian Aus
Autumn Products
NSW Sydney
Phone: 02 9566 4380
Mobile: 0407 952 643
Email: contact@autumnproducts.com.au
URL: www.autumnproducts.com.au
An important category (read: commercially viable!) the winning Metal Petal Table Lamp can be oriented in several ways to allow the user greater control over the level of light. Made with powder-coated steel, it is designed for easy moving and repositioning. It is designed by Kris Aus of Autumn Products, a small, Sydney based design consultancy that aims to produce work that is fun and provokes a smile.
Kris makes pieces that bring a fresh take on traditional objects to the marketplace. Another entry from Kris is the Anemone (shown below), a stool that doubles as an ice bucket, umbrella stand or as general storage. The works appeal to the design minded and to the everyday person. In general, the products are friendly, approachable and curious in terms of style, texture and materials.
THE EDGE at the Australian International Furntiure Fair was truly an inspiring experience. As promised, here are some of the winners of the Awards (Thanks Uli Hasel!):
STACK-IT Stool
Winner THE EDGE 2009 Concept Award for Best New Prototype by Luke Leenders
Bach Industrial Design
NSW Glebe
Mobile: 0401 249 196
Email: luke_leenders@yahoo.com.au
Since his graduation in 2003, Luke Leenders has been working for a Sydney based joinery company. In his spare time, he designs and constructs furniture prototypes, including chairs, stools and light fittings. Recently, Luke has been using computer aided manufacturing techniques such as CNC routing to develop design prototypes.
Stack-It Stool, (one of DOD’s faves!) requires minimal components, no screws or glue. The design is said to be compatible with any sheet material, e.g. recycled plastic, eco-ply. A flat-pack- design that nests efficiently. Made Down Under by designer and is available from the designer.
TABLE AND SEATS
Winner, THE EDGE 2009 Student Award for Best New Work by a Student, Jacob Wong
Lidcombe TAFE
NSW Sydney
Mobile: 0416 724 888
Email: Jacobi.designs@yahoo.com
Jacob Wong is a Furniture Design student at Lidcombe TAFE. These pieces are made from GVA White Birch Plywood, foam, and fabric. (Actual photos of the prototypes will be available next week. But since we wanted this out, we show you the rendition. It is the concept that counts!)
ZEOPOD.01 Pouf
Winner THE EDGE 2009 Green Award for the Most Sustainable Product by Wilma van Boxtel
Deseos Design
WA Swanbourne
Phone: 08 9384 6610
Mobile: 0431 919 632
Email: Wilma@deseosdesign.com
URL: www.deseosdesign.com
ZEOPOD.01 is a low seat made of biodegradable plastic. The shape is inspired by natural seedpods. There are two sizes, medium 620Ø and large 720Ø. Zeoform (Zelfo), eco-foam, eco-wool. Made in Australia by Zeoform and is available from www.deseosdesign.com.
Wilma van Boxtel is a Dutch industrial designer who has made Australia her home. Deseos Design, Wilma’s business, specializes in developing attractive and functional products for commercial success while using sustainable practices.
