IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HAMPTONS

Take an unparalleled photographic journey through the Hamptons. The best-known residents of this exclusive cluster of towns open their personal albums and invite you to see the Hamptons—their way. Calvin Klein, Julian Schnabel, Patrick Demarchelier and Peter Beard are just a few of the people who share their visions of one of the most unusual getaway spots in the country. More than a playground for the rich and famous, the Hamptons has an incredibly diverse community. Fishermen and year-round locals have coexisted for more than a century with artists, writers and actors, making this small piece of Long Island so alluring.Combining photo archives and beautiful shots from famous vacationers, In the Spirit of the Hamptons captures the past and present, the mix of culture, stunning beaches, exclusive homes, day-to-day small-town life and the people who have made the Hamptons such a unique place.

Double Cross Vodka

Double Cross, is a new luxury vodka with great packaging. The Double Cross Luxury Vodka out of Slovak Republic was awarded a Gold at the 2008 Packaging Design Awards.

Bottega Veneta Cosmetics Case

Bottega Veneta's Matte/Shine Cosmetic Case - Patent and matte woven leather give this classic woven leather a chic shade

Dior - Extreme Gladiator Platforms

Dior's Extreme Gladiator Platforms is touted as the next it shoe. The shoe featured in sex and the city is built from Smooth grained leather and features an Open toe, Contoured bands over vamp, top of foot, and around ankle, Round silver metal studs throughout connect bands in patch-like construction, Ankle band secured to top of stiletto heel with round stud, Adjustable ankle strap with logo-engraved buckle, Smooth grained leather lining and insole and a Leather sole with rubber heel pad

Ferrari California

Ferrari’s California - named after the 250 GT California from the 1960’s - uses a 4.3 liter engine which allows it to go to from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour in four seconds. The Ferrari California will be available towards the end of this year after its official launch at the Paris motor show in September.

Strata Tower

Strata Tower is a new luxury residential building in Abu Dhabi. The building designed by New York-based architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote is scheduled for completion in early 2011. Asymptote used state-of-the-art, advanced computer modeling tools to create the tower’s curvaceous and innovative design, including a cantilevered exoskeleton structure that allows generous amounts of light to bathe the building’s interiors.

Arper Leaf, Aston & CATIFA 60

Arper continues to distinguish itself in the furniture sector with consistency , creativity, original product lines, elegance and versatility. Arper will present new luxurious products of 2008, Catifa 60 (design by Lievore, Altherr, Molina) and new variations on the existing collections designed by their and Jean-Marie Massaud’s studios at the ICFF in New York. (17/20 May)


CATIFA 60 (top image) (Lievore, Altherr, Molina)
New from Arper for 2008. Further enriches the already extensive Catifa range. The same sinuous, soft lines that already give Catifa chairs their distinctive look, but with a new shell that make them even more practical. The Catifa 60, conceived by the Lievore, Altherr, Molina studio, is available in three heights (low, medium and high) and has been designed for executive rooms, offices and conference rooms. The Catifa 60 chair is available in soft polyurethane with leather or fabric covering, in a choice of colours, and can be fitted with covered armrests. The base is available in 5-star version on castors, swivel or with tilt mechanism, or in 4-star aluminium version, swivel or with repositioning mechanism.




ASTON (Jean-Marie Massaud)
The Conference version of the chair presented in 2006 and designed by the Jean-Marie Massaud studio is now available in more variants. The version of Aston with low backrest is in fact now also available with four-legs steel base, more suitable for the home, or with cantilever frame, also in steel, which is ideal for offices. Available with a wide choice of leather or fabric coverings, the Aston shell (in three heights: low, medium and high) is padded with polyurethane, providing comfortable support for the whole body with its wrap-around forms. The base is available with central swivel structure in shiny aluminium, or painted aluminium for the version with low shell, as well as in cantilever and four-legs version.




LEAF (Lievore, Altherr, Molina)
The Leaf range is complemented by a comfortable polyurethane cushion, available for all versions: chair, stackable chair, lounge chair and, from this year, also available for the chaise longue. Even more comfort and originality for a seat that stands out due to its natural inspiration and its adaptability to every type of space. Produced in steel with painted finish suitable for outdoor use, in white, mocha or green, Leaf is also available with a choice of two types of cushion, depending on the seating: polyurethane for outdoor use, with a decorative effect that echoes the motif of the metal structure, or in soft leather for indoor use. The chair also comes with a chrome finish. From today, the cushion is also available for the chaise longue.

re-design Yaz's iconic birth control case

Yaz the oral contraceptive has launched an exciting contest to redesign their iconic birth control case and is looking for aspiring designers to carry out this redesign. About the Contest:

Launched by Nina Garcia, Project Runway judge and fashion guru, along with Step Up Women's Network and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the contest gives aspiring designers the chance to put their talent to the test.

"The design challenge we're posing is a fashion transformation unlike any other," said Garcia. "We're taking an iconic accessory—the birth control case—and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into their purses."

Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of Garcia, Step Up Women's Network, and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will receive a $10,000 prize to invest in his or her career dreams, via enrollment in design classes or for the purchase of special design materials and software. The contest winners will be announced around the time of Fashion Week in fall 2008.