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Crystal City Mind Reflects A Changing Europe

treats — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:52:37 +0000

The giant black monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey taught us to be weary of mysterious structures that look out of place. But even though it was made by the Germans, there’s no reason to fear this curious Crystal City Mind creation that will be popping up all over Europe.

The 3D design project, curated by Coordination and Diephotodesigner.de, was originally placed all around the streets of Berlin as a way to “reflect” the chaotic changes that the city has gone through over the last 20 years. The jagged construction of polished steel and black matte surfaces will be making a special appearance at London’s design week, where it will be on display from September 18 to 21 at the Dray Walk Gallery, after which it is expected to tour the rest of Europe. Check out its reflections of Berlin below.

[Yatzer]

Giant Mechanical Spider Attacks British Building

treats — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:20:51 +0000

This year, it seems like high-rise buildings have become the new platform for art stunts. As of Monday, a building in British city Liverpool became the stage for French company La Machine to dangle a giant mechanical spider. Dubbed “La Princess,” the 50 foot long, 37 ton arachnid appears to be climbing Concourse House, a building that is currently scheduled for demolition.

The ~~eyesore~~ artwork is also capable of moving. According to one of the engineers, all the spider needs to come to life is music and lights. Citizens have been busy pointing-and-shooting with hopes of capturing the first movement of princess spidey, but the creature is scheduled to come to life tomorrow morning when it will stretch its legs out to double its size. To get more acquainted with the monstrous creature, watch the video below…

[BBC]

UFO Art Project Takes Flight Over Poland

treats — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:11:35 +0000

While Americans were getting psyched over fireworks on the 4th of July, people in the Polish city of Gdansk were taking flicks of this flashing-light saucer that hovered over their heads during the annual Festival of Stars. New York designer Peter Coffin, along with London’s Cinimod Studio, built the 23 foot-long alien craft as part of a project called “Untitled (UFO).”

The one of a kind air machine is powered by 6 kilowatts of energy, controlled by SMS text messaging technology and features 3,000 LED lights. Somebody needed to teach those X-Files aliens how to stunt. To see the flying beast in motion as the Polish saw it on the 4th, check the video after the jump.

[Cinimod Studio via Slippery Brick]

Brand Profile: Yves Saint Laurent

treats — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:15:02 +0000

Today marks the tragic loss of fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent. Over the past 40 years, the French designer helped change the face of women’s fashion by introducing capes, sweaters, trousersuits and blazers'an upscale, professional look that has now become his legacy. He’s even credited with the first usage of pants in a women’s runway show.

Even if you’re not the high-fashion type, Saint Laurent’s influence is all around us: Kanye saw Vegas on acid through his glasses on “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” and the iconic YSL logo crossed the border into streetwear when the typeface was parodied by the Chicago boutique St. Alfred. In 2002, Laurent sold the brand to Gucci, where the brand continued trailblazing women’s fashion and introduced its men’s line. After the jump, take a look the smoking-hot Kate Moss from this year’s Spring/Summer lookbook, and some of the new menswear. R.I.P. YSL.

[Click on an image to view full size]

Ratatat’s Lo-Fi Electro Returns On “Shiller”

treats — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:02:07 +0000

Americans normally have piss-poor taste in electronic music. On a mainstream level, fans have always insisted on keeping their guitar-based rock completely separated from synth and sample-driven dance music. Still, the underground has no shortage of innovative acts, notably Brooklyn-based instrumentalist duo Ratatat (made up of Mike Stroud and Evan Mast), who have been winning since 2003 with a unique mix of gritty guitars and lo-fi electronics.

The duo has dropped two studio albums, plus full remixes of each with vocals from folks like Young Jeezy, Jay-Z and Bun B. With their third album LP3 set for release on XL Recordings this July, their newest single “Shiller” shows their more melancholy side. Listen to the full song below.

Ratatat “Shiller” (2008)

[Gorilla vs. Bear]

Justice Gets Gangster In The “Stress” Video

treats — Fri, 02 May 2008 20:14:22 +0000

After the vibrant, artsy look of their last two videos D.A.N.C.E. and DVNO, Parisian electronica duo Justice take a decidedly different direction with their newest video for their throbbing synth banger “Stress.” The Romain-Gavras directed clip, which recently premiered on Kanye West’s blog, follows a group of young delinquents (all rocking Justice’s cross logo on their jackets) as they rage through the streets, fighting pedestrians, destroying cars and generally causing mayhem. Sounds like Grand Theft Auto meets Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. Brace yourself for the destruction after the jump.

Justice “Stress”
from â€ (Downtown Records)

[Pitchfork]

Related:

- Justice’s New Clothing Line Surfaces

Brand Profile: Real Real Genuine

treats — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 17:27:00 +0000

Photo: SlamXHype

One brand that doesn’t skimp on authenticity is Real Real Genuine. No, really'RRG is their name, fine denim and leather shoe craftsmanship is their game. Founder Richard Hobbs (formerly of Pepe Jeans, Mecca USA and Alphanumeric) launched the company late last year and has already earned a wealth of fanfare for his limited pieces. But the exclusivity of RRG isn’t about keeping up with the streetwear-jones’'all the the denim is individually numbered, so none are exactly like the other. They’ve got something for everyone with styles range from loose to skinny. Buy your own pair of Real Real Genuine jeans at Complex’s own Platinum Club store in NYC (1079 6th Ave at 41st Street). See a few shots from RRG’s spring 2008 line after the jump.

Public School Is The Next Brand To Watch

treats — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:00:07 +0000

Photo: Freshnessmag

Besides being one dimensional, fashion statements are just too clichÃ©. As those “rebellious” motorcycle jackets peel off into the sunset, New York’s it-designer Dao-Yi Chow is makng noise with Public School’s conversation pieces that speak volumes.

The former creative director of Sean John, and owner of Miami’s retail store, Arrive, pushes the limits of fashion with his line of premium leather jackets (varsity, trench coats), hoodies, and T-shirts, a throwback to New York’s grittier heyday without a web of zippers. They are like what Ethan Hunt would would wear'impossible designs made possible. Built-in ski-masks on hoodies, detatchable gloves, classic kangaroo pockets, all the way down to simple thumb slits (you know the way you’d hook your fingers on your belt tabs), Chow bridges the gap between form and function.

Public School’s utilitarian approach to streetwear trumps the maturity of button-ups. The latest trend the burgeoning brand is humping these days: suspenders. Those corny straps grandad uses to keep his oversized waist band from sagging are this year’s cardigan, also patterened by Nudie Jeans, John Varvatos, and Corpus. This fall/winter, when it’s time to go back-to-school shopping (college students, at least), like KRS-One said, “You must learn.” See more styles from Public School after the jump…

(l to r) Public School perforated leather jacket (from February/March 2008), grey Belmac pants with suspenders.

Mach Schnell

treats — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 19:11:54 +0000

Heading to Berlin to check out one of the coolest capital cities on the planet? Check out our guide to the best sneaker and clothes boutiques in Germany's reunified, revivified, revved-up big 'burg. Now is the time on Sprockets when we shop… so click here.