Hussein Chalayan

February at the design museum see the first comprehensive presentation of designs by the twice named British designer of the year and now creative director of Puma, Hussein Chalayan. The exhibit showcases 15 years of experimental fashion from the designer including work such as; ‘Afterwards’ which explores the theory of ‘wearable, portable architecture’ where furniture literally transforms into wearable garments and Airbourne which sees the use of the latest LED technology in the creation of a dress covered in Swarovski crystals and 15,000 LEDs. These are among the vast collection of work from Chalayan which is impressive and technically astounding. This exhibit is enjoyable for the fashion designer, the architect and offers something for everyone no matter what your creative medium may be. So get down to the Design Museum before the 17 May and see if first hand. www.designmuseum.org

mydeco.com

Ever since the scary days of ‘changing rooms’ it seems everyone thinks they can be an interior designer and not always with the best results but now thanks mydeco.com it has got a little easier and safer. The site aims to make home design easier and more fun by letting you choose from a wide range of brands and products and even lets you try them before you buy it..well virtually. With some serious technical mastery mydeco.com will let you build and design a 3d version of your front room, fill it with the items available from the site, you can then save it, print it off, compare it to other peoples or buy the items, you can even create mood boards, so get those creative juices flowing and log on to www.mydeco.com

Deptford Cafe

If you go down to Deptford today you would find a Cafe that is not what you would typicaly expect from a south-east London eaterie. The cafe is housed in a 35 tonne 1960’s train carriage with an exterior that has been handpainted by Studio Myerscough, the café is part of a regeneration plan for the area that includes a creative industries market and art galleries. The cafe fills the length of the carriage with custom painted tables and chairs throughout and a decking area out the front which may not be great at this time of year but will no doubt be packed come summer. They are committed to sourcing local ingredients and use only sustainable farmed coffee and all the food is home made so dont expect the normal fare you would to come across from the train snack trolley in this carriage. www.thedeptfordproject.com

Fiat 500 by Diesel

Fresh off the forecourt from our friends over at Diesel comes a four wheeled collaboration with the people from Fiat which sees the creation of the Fiat 500 Diesel. 10,000 of these cool little cars will get the Diesel makeover, which includes exclusive details such as Diesel branded alloys and a Diesel Denim Interior. You can customise and build your car online now at fiat.co.uk and for more information about ‘i-am’ and our work with Diesel, read our Diesel Case Study

Alexander Girard Plyprints

‘i-am’ are loving these Alexander Girard PLYprints, these reissued versions of Herman Miller’s 1970’s silk screened graphic prints are hand screen-printed on sustainably harvested plywood panels using water based inks, using plywood that could otherwise not be used to to grain imperfctions. There are 6 different prints to choose from, each is guaranteed to brighten up your walls and give it a touch of 70’s Brady Bunch cheeriness and at the same time your doing your part for the environment, what’s not to like? For more information visit scp.co.uk

Bread and Butter 2009

It’s so close we can taste it, or maybe that’s the Tapas! Once again its time for ‘i-am’ to head over to the worlds leading street and urban wear event; Bread and Butter in Barcelona. Everyone in the business of High Street Fashion flocks to Bread and Butter with around 90,000 visitors from over 100 countries. Showcasing around 900 brands, you could say its quite a big deal! Unlike any other event Bread and Butter reflects the culture and brand philosophy of its exhibitors giving them free reign to express their brand direction with their complete versatility, just our cup of tea! Bread and Butter runs from the 21-23 Jan and marks the fashion kick-off event for 2009 within the industry. Let us know if you will be there too and we will look out for you!

www.breadandbutter.com

Monocle Shop

‘i-am’ have been a fan of Monocle Magazine and were happy to hear that they have just opened up their first shop in London’s Marylebone. Monocle has been in print from early 2007 stating itself as ” a briefing on global affairs, business, culture and design”. Their petit shop measuring only nine sq m contains the full Monocle range of products that have been created with design brands such as Comme des Garcon and Porter, a select number of products chosen by the editors and the full back catalogue of the magazine for those that have missed out. ‘i-am’ are please to see that the Monocle brand was able to re-creating the exclusivity and quality that is synonymous with the magazine in a retail environment. www.monocle.com

Image Technique

Image Technique are one of the leading signage businesses in the UK.

They design, manufacture, install and maintain signage for many of the biggest names in UK retail. But
they are more that that, they are the good guys in a world that is not good enough. Image are the Black sheep of their industry; the considerate ones in a sector that does not care enough.

‘i-am’ have worked collaboratively with Image for years and have grown even closer through the process of helping them with their branding. Below are examples of the work ‘i-am’ have done with image technique including their brand new website.

For more information and a look at the website visit www.imagetechnique.co.uk

Cuba Bar Istanbul

If you want to sample a Cuban experience in Istanbul ‘i-am’ recommends a trip to Tunel and you will be drawn inside The Cuba Bar by the pumping Cuban beats . The bar’s light-hearted holiday vibe is helped along by the bright, back to basics interiors utilising all natural materials. The exposed brickwork and flashes of colour transport you from the streets of Tunel. This is undoubtedly helped along by the vast number of Havanna themed cocktails on offer – from Mojito’s to Caribeno’s and Soldadors the bar staff are more than happy to whip any patron up some Cuban spirit. Vamanos!!

Future Map 08

‘i-am’ will be heading down, en mass, to the Future Map 08 showcase. We want to be the first to see the twelve hotly tipped new cool kids in visual arts and design. This annual exhibition, held by the University of the Arts London has gone to great lengths to pick the best from the rest and showcase the future in art, design, fashion and communications. See ya down there..David Roberts Art Foundation, Fitzrovia before the 23rd December to experience some of Londons future of creativity. www.davidrobertsartfoundation.com