Even if you’re not planning a trip to Paris in the near future you should definitely check out the Colette Department store. Paris is renowned for its boutiques, shopping and fashion stores, and Colette is no exception. Named after the 19th Century French novelist Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, the department store is one of the most cutting-edge shopping spaces in Europe.
A funky and very cool mix of fashion, beauty, cuisine, culture and style, a visit is an experience in itself. Now a quick trip across the Channel to the Continent might not be on your agenda but what you must visit is the website. A fantastic visual experience of colour, design and French cool. The eShop has got everything from the latest fashion, street vintage and design to beauty, literature, music and art.
This has to be one of the coolest websites around. Coolhunting is an independent web page dedicated to art, culture and design. Daily updates bring you features on ideas and products that have to do with the world of fashion, technology, design, art, museums and culture.
The name Coolhunting is a marketing word from the 90’s that makes reference to a breed of marketing professionals know as coolhunters who were responsible for monitoring and reporting on changes in cultural trends.
The website also features weekly videos that spotlight the people behind the designs, giving you an inside look at the creators behind them. Some of the more popular topics include accessories, travel, New York, MoMa, technology and furniture.
Even if you’re not searching for anything specific it’s full of cool and interesting reviews on design products, museum exhibitions, music releases and fashion updates.
No not the charming English countryside but the Swedish Pop-Rock group. Kent are relatively unknown outside Scandinavia where they have enjoyed huge success and popularity, but with only one album in English they have found it difficult to corner the British and US markets. Shame really because they are genuinely very good.
This song Quiet Heart is one of my favourites from the album Hagnesta Hill. If you’re a fan of groups like Keane and Coldplay you’re bound to like Kent.
Ten points for cool and originality I say! Actor and MC Mos Def has released his new album The Ecstatic in the form of a t-shirt. The album cover is featured on the front of the t-shirt, the playlist and track listing on the back, and an individual download code on the hang tag. Definitely an interesting and thoughtful concept. Let’s see if it sells!
Available from the 7th of July, it will set you back $40 dollars and can be purchased from Downtown music. The album itself is described as catchy, with funky beats and clever word play. I just hope the t-shirt fits.
When it comes to mobile phones it seems everyone has a favourite. But now that the tables have turned and Nokia has brought out the new Smartphone N97 to challenge the iPhone, which one will you choose?
As the competition hots up it seems that both companies are aiming to out do each other in the software department. But is it all necessary? For example, iPhone has a piano!!
This is an amusing comparison from the BBC that highlights the selling features of both phones. I’ve still no idea which one I’d choose. Do You?
With the recent launch of Liam Gallagher’s new clothing range Pretty Green comes the revival of the classic parka, classic trench coat and suede desert boot. Gallagher insists that it’s nothing crazy, just plain blacks and browns. “Anything I put out won’t be shit. It’s gonna be good. Know what I mean?”
When it comes to telling it how it is the Oasis front-man certainly doesn’t beat around the bush. “If you ever see me in a pair of pointy shoes drive over me. That and spray-on-jeans.”
This is a fantastic TV commercial for the Boston Bruins, a hockey team from the NHL in the States.
There are plenty of these types of commercials around and to be honest this one has probably been done before, but it’s very clever and highly amusing. It’s also one in a series of ads with the same theme, which you can check out when you finish watching this one.
The punch line is “Never date within the division” and at first you’re unsure of what’s actually going on, but when you realise it’s very funny.
The commercial also won the April gold medal for best film on the Ads of the World website.
Ancient Greece and Rome have always inspired film makers, and none more so than the tale of the 300 Spartans. 300 the film, adapted from the graphic Frank Miller comic, is without doubt one of the best modern versions, and definitely a favourite of mine.
What I’d like to know, though, is when are they going to give us a sequel??
If anyone knows anything, please tell!! Here is a clip from 300 that just blows you away.
Urban Angel is a contemporary art gallery specializing in urban and modern artwork, with a varied mix that incorporates stencil work, sculpture, contemporary and street art. Now it’s not every man and his dog who can afford to purchase quality artwork, but Urban Angel offers something for people of all tastes and budgets. And at the very least, it’s worth checking out their website for some quality examples of urban art.
They offer works from up and coming artists, as well as fully established ones, and provide a non-biased service for sellers and buyers alike.
I’ve always been a big fan of Banksy, mostly for his originality, but also for his brazen cheekiness. This photo is of one of his works on the West Bank barrier in Bethlehem. The security barrier has received international condemnation and has been declared illegal by the United Nations.
Banksy’s stencil depicts a young girl patting down an Israeli soldier and is one of six new pieces by the UK artist. Hats of to Banksy I say!
