Holiday Wish List

Things I want more of in 2010:
(clockwise from top left)

Model Kerry Degman
Tom Ford Films
Hotels Designed by VHM
Model Natasha Poly
Lady Gaga
True Blood
Glee

From our blog to yours, The Aesthetic Omnivore wishes you a beautiful holiday season and a gorgeous 2010.

Design News - Helsinki: World Design Capital of 2012

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) announced that the title of World Design Capital belongs to Helsinki for 2012.  The Finnish capital beat out southern Dutch city Eindhoven as well as 44 other cities from 27 different countries in the competition at the World Design Congress held in Singapore last week.

The WDC awards this prestigious title to cities that utilize design as a key element in improving social life, as well as cultural and economic impact.  Helsinki Mayor Jussi Pajunen responded to the news accordingly "Helsinki has a vibrant design tradition but we also know that we must go further, beyond the edge of our limits and test the boundaries of design. The WDC project is an important step in this process and will help Helsinki to put design in a truly unique position in our society.”

Helsinki's idea of "Open Helsinki - Embedding Design in Life" is the concept of the celebratory design events scheduled for 2012. (source: IceNews)

Making news this year is the WISA Wooden Design Hotel in Helsinki's harbor

fantasticsmag

FANTASTICSMAG is a web-glog dedicated to style, culture, fashion and the fabulous personalities that make it happen.

FANTASTICSMAG describes a "glog" as "all the best parts of a glossy magazine with the immediacy of a blog and no annoying pile on your coffee table."

Be sure to check out all their original content, fashion pages, feature stories, interviews and cover gallery.  They're one of the best sources for online editorial content, relevant fashion spreads, and up-and-coming models and photographic talent.

www.fantasticsmag.com

Photography above by JASON OBROTKA

Watch Out: The Future of Watches

Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti 370  

Benjamin Clymer of the watch blog Hodinkee.com has compiled the ultimate luxury watch list.  Sparing no expense, you'll find materials from carbon fiber to diamonds and see how these brands are shaping the future of the watch market.  Check out some of these works of art:

 Maître du Temps Chapter One

 

Cabestan Winch Tourbillon Vertical

The Urwerk 202

GreubelForsey Quadruple Tourbillon

 

Linde Werdelin SpidoLite

Armin Strom Blue Chip Skeleton

 

Pita Barcelona Oceana

Avant-garde: GQ Germany

A look at some of the most extreme and avant-garde fashions and accessories of the season.

 

 

 

 

GQ Germany
Karim Sadli 
Styling: Jason Farrer, AJ Abualrub and Joan Pedrola

Go Forth!

"America (Go Forth)" directed by Cary Fukunaga 

Poem by Walt Whitman

Song by Final Fantasy

 

"O Pioneers" directed by M Blash

Poem by Walt Whitman

Photographs by RYAN MCGINLEY
Ad Agency Wieden + Kennedy 
Go Forth! Levi's

Update: Contributing Editor / Matthew Edelstein

...make the man

They say "the clothes make the man."  I tend to disagree and think that you'll find a man's real personality in the details.  Below are some "Hidden Treasures" that showcase great accessorizes for today's man.

Fall's Hottest Accessories - brought to you by Details Magazine:

Sweater by D&G, pants by Banana Republic, belt by Ralph Lauren, watch by Longines. Gloves by Ugg Australia, bag by Louis Vuitton.

 Watch by Piaget, belt by Etro, shoes by Prada, boots by Jil Sander, gloves by Dsquared.

 

 Bag by Bally. Pants and shoes by Tommy Hilfiger. Socks by Emporio Armani.

 

Eyeglasses by Ray-Ban, gloves by Steven Alan, agenda by Giorgio Armani, wallet by Bottega Veneta, vintage leash.

 

Blazer and pants by Burberry London, shirt by Burberry Prorsum, scarf by Dunhill, belt by Martin Dingman, umbrella by Burberry.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JESSICA CRAIG MARTIN
STYLING BY MICAH JOHNSON
GROOMING BY SOUHI FOR DE FACTO
DETAILS NOVEMBER 2009

M.I.A.: Matthew Edelstein

Matthew Edelstein's well-known blog, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, seems to have gone missing!!!

The former Details fashion editor's pioneering editorial site seems to be down at the moment.  We can only hope things are back up and running soon!!

Some CE/Matthew features on other blogs:

models.com

jc report 

the malcom

worship worthy

Blog Spotlight: suspect no concept store barcelona

A great blog with an interesting perspective on design, fashion, and products.  Check it out and let them know The Aesthetic Omnivore sent you.

enjoy: suspect

Paraty Perfection: Marcio Kogan's Ultimate Beach House

Located on the coastline of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil you'll find the preserved Portuguese colonial and Brazilian Imperial town of Paraty.  Previously home to one of the richest gold mines in the world, Paraty is now a popular tourist spot because of it's charm and ideal tropical climate.

Though much of the original architecture and historical districts remain, the area has been touched by clean lines and modern simplicity.  

The Marcio Kogan Architects (known for their ultra-sleek but textural designs) are responsible for this two-box structure that is cantilevered off the side of a mountain - both juxtaposing the surroundings but also becoming one with nature.  

With an open floor plan and open-doorway living, the design brings the inside on and outside in.  With extensive, rooftop gardens and 20th Century furniture, the home is a showcase of modern luxury and design.

Photos By: Nelson Kon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paris Street Art - Montmartre

Montmartre Paris France - 

Known as the last remaining village in Paris and seated high above the city, the charming area of Montmartre is home to many painters and artists.  A one-time home of the greats like Picasso, Renoir, and Monet, the city continues to be home to many charming streets peppered with various forms of gorilla artwork.  Check out some of the great images I captured during my last trip to Paris:

 

 

Designer Profile: Yayoi Kusama

Growing up in an oppressive Japanese household, self-described "obsessive artist" Yayoi Kusama suffered from mental and physical abuse as a child.  Her obsessive thoughts were often suicidal in nature, but it was the hallucinations she experienced as a little girl- nets, dots, and flowers which covered every surface- that later defined her art and ultimately, saved her life.  "If it were not for art, I would have killed myself a long time ago", Kusama has often said.  Her ubiquitous and now famous polka dot motifs have covered everything from everyday household items to pumpkins and naked assistants.  With the November 2008 sale by Christies New York of one of Kosama's works for $5.1 million (a record for a living female artist) and a blockbuster exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery this year, her presence is felt more than ever, and her influence is clearly evident in a recent stroll through the trend-setting boutiques of Aoyama.

10 Corso Como - Aoyama

 

Comme des Garcon - Aoyama

 

10 Corso Como - Aoyama

Aoyama Photos Courtesy of Blake Kuwahara - Focus Group West

Les Puces (The Fleas): Paris Flea Market

My travels recently took me to the beautiful city of Paris.  As some of you may know, a trip to this great city wouldn't be complete without a Sunday afternoon at the flea market.  With merchandising that would rival major boutiques, Le Puces is full of great people & great finds.