Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

LeSportsac × BEAMS / Spring 2015

BEAMS Japan have collaborated with LeSportsac on a new bag line with a clever synthesis of a Native American motif and the BEAMS 'Jacquard' logo.   The range covers everything from the Extra-Large Weekender to knapsacks to card holders.  These lightweight, versatile and easy to maintain bags have the LeSportsac DNA that have made the company a fashion juggernaut in the late 70's, 80's and 90's.  BEAMs Co., Ltd, founded in 1982 continues to innovate with clever products and collaborations such as this.

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Leica M-P Edition 'Safari'

The extremely limited M-P Edition 'Safari' from Leica is finished in exquisite and durable olive green enamel and is resistant to fingerprints, chemicals, solvents and UV light; the iconic 'Leica' brand script etched atop the camera body.  All of the exterior metal body parts are machined from solid brass.  It's so exclusive, you won't even find the usual red Leica 'Dot' logo on the front.

This modern digital instrument, meant for amateurs and professionals alike, is absolutely drenched in heritage paying homage to the fabled Leica brand as the leader in serious photography equipment.  The M-P Edition 'Safari' comes with a beautiful leather strap and memory / credit card holder.

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Audi at the Geneva Motor Show 2015

The 2015 Geneva Motor Show opens this week, where Audi AG debuts the new R8 and R8 V10 Plus, along with other concepts like the Prologue Avant, a (possible) glimpse into the future of the vaunted A9 platform currently under development.

R8 / R8 V10 Plus / R8 E-Tron

Quite possibly the most thoroughly resolved of its development, the new R8 pulls the new body panels even tighter around its now famously aluminum chassis, it appears to be leaping forward even at rest.  Front and rear aero is cleaned up considerably, rear exhaust exits are now further integrated into the rear diffusor along with the rear heat vents.  The side 'blades' are now visually 'woven' into the body panels giving it a more lengthened appearance; the belt-line, greenhouse, rear haunches and nose now look like they were carved from a single solid ingot.

The R8 offers a 601 bhp 5.2 liter V-10 only for now, with a new V8 coming online later in the production cycle; this is counter to traditional rollouts that had initially offered a V8 with the higher output V10 following.  The E-Tron version is a fully electric version with an achieved 280 mile range, giving production a green light.

Prologue Avant Concept

The Prologue Avant is the next concept variant to bow giving a possible preview to the much discussed A9 program. The coupe received positive reviews at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, and this latest offering expands the range of ideas brought forth from Ingolstadt as the new flagship platform continues to be developed.  Prologue Avant increases the scale of Europe's most popular upmarket form factor (estate / shooting brake)  for transcontinental travel in comfort with the preserved drivability, usability and fuel efficiency of traditional platforms vs. SUV's and crossovers that are more popular in the US.

RS3 / RS4 / RS6

Audi RS returns with facelift programs for its RS estate cars, new front and rear facias, interior finishes and wheel options for 2016.

TT / TTS

The long-popular TT coupe is all new with re-proportioned grille, an innovative instrument cluster with integrated navigation and information, and a harder edge throughout while keeping the classic 'teardrop' shape that was inspired by the streamlined Auto Union speed record cars of the 1930's.

R8 LMS

The LMS program for 2016 focuses on safety, to meet the latest GT3 competition regulations for enhance integrity of the driver cabin on impact.  A new insulated floor and rear diffusor allow the use of a smaller (yet still quite large) rear wing with no increase in drag. Audi plans to enter the works LMS at Nürburgring and Spa endurance races later this year.

R18 E-Tron Quattro

Audi's legendary prototypes, piloted by Tom Kristensen (recently retired), André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer and Allan McNish have dominated FIA WEC (World Endurance Championship) for over a decade; this latest version of the prolifically successful LMP1 car looks to beat back the challenge of Porsche, Toyota and Nissan for the 2015-2016 season.  Audi and its R18 have led the industry in diesel / hybrid / electric technology development on the racetrack with the adaptation of such systems for road car use.

Images ©Fourtitude.com / G. Achorn / Audi AG

PRADA Women's FW2015: "Infinite Palace" By AMO

For the Prada FW 2015 Women’s fashion show, AMO converts PRADA's existing Milan show space into a series of chambers or 'Enfilade' where openings are aligned creating a journey of experiences and variations on a theme referencing the style of 16th Century Mannerism. 

Expanded metal grating denotes spatial transition between the rooms as well as concealing/complimenting the industrial lighting above while key zones of the 'runway' floor are marked with industrial diamond plate inserts of various shapes.  The audience seating is arranged at each room's perimeter creating an intimacy as the models pass through. The muted color palate in varied degrees play light and shadow within the space and contrast (whether intentional or not) the dynamic and static participation of model and audience.

Images ©OMA/AMO

Upcoming: 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island

Ok, just take a moment.

Are you drinking it in?  

All done?

You are looking at arguably the most beautiful thing on four wheels; the 1971 Lamborghini Miura SV.  This example, chassis No.4884 formerly owned by notable Lamborghini authority Joe Sackey (www.joesackey.com) is documented as the very first SV model imported to the United States.  The SV model, slotted between the standard P400, S and J (Jota) competition models was fully restored by the renowned Gary Bobileff of Gary Bobileff Automobiles between 2005 and 2006.  The Marcello Gandini-designed (he penned the car at age 27) Bertone body all but physically defines the term "supercar", which the Muira is credited with being the first mid-engine configured road car.

This concours car will be going on the block in March at RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction.

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Corner Pack: Bent Corner Shipping Boxes

Noticing that a lot of retail shipping box designs require layers of tape and serious tools to get into them, Pratt student Chenchen Hu developed the Corner Pack. Designed as a packaging system that has labels that are easy to read and flaps that are equally as easy to open, what gives this design its edge is a unique folding shape. 

Although the boxes look fairly conventional and rectangular, the design is varied slightly to include flaps and folds that mean the box can be assembled without the need for extraneous fasteners. When it comes time to open up one of the Corner Pack cardboard boxes, it's as simple as lifting the topmost triangular flap to reveal the contents inside. In addition to being easy to open, this design also makes it apparent which end should be facing up. -- Laura McQuarrie

Sustainable Sculpture: Enrico Marone Cinzano

Sustainability, honesty and purity are the core elements of the forward looking creations of Enrico Marone-Cinzano.  Created with up-cycled lumber from dismantled chalets around the Piemonte region of northern Italy, these pieces are deceptively sturdy and purposeful everyday sculptures for modern living.  Furniture and lighting alike are often framed with blackened industrial steel that has been discarded and repurposed.  The Swiss Pine (Pinus Cembra) is known to be rot and insect resistant, given its former life as part of chalet structures in many cases dating back to the 1700's.  The wood is finished with old-world techniques and non-toxic materials in keeping with the holistic and sustainable ethos that EMC stands for.  These and many other manufactured and bespoke pieces are available by request.

Follow @enricomc

Images ©Enrico Marone-Cinzano