If beauty, as they say, lies in the eye of the beholder then taste finds its origins in the tongue of the creator, whether Michelin star chef or local chip shop fryer.  It is much the same when concerning aesthetic preference in design - each style is produced by blending a unique combination of visual spices with the fundamental elements to result in a particular flavour or tone - and, like renowned restaurants, tastes become quickly established and reputations are consequently built.  Traditionally, the Swiss prefer one dominant, sharp flavour with very little seasoning or variation - a dash of upper-case here and a sprinkling of right alignment there - whereas the Dadaists enjoy invoking a cacophony of previously experienced aromas.  Regardless of the style of optical cuisine, the industry tends to rely on a similar methodology:  Eat here once and, if you enjoy it, please come again.
(more…)

Elaborate spectacle and a sense of dramatics is always a consideration in design, especially at prestigious gatherings such as the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. This year, many design houses are going to further lengths to inject an encapsulating character into their spaces and the use of materials and production methods result in visuals that cater for a broad design palette. These spaces come into their own when housing the parties that pepper the week’s relentless schedule and the Established & Sons midweek event was one billed as not to be missed.

(more…)

Universally themed exhibitions always err on the side of risk.  When dealing with topics that affect such a wide audience, the element of danger lies in making assumptions about a global subject, especially one as personal and ambiguous as love.  It came as a welcome surprise to discover that Love Design, a celebration of intimate or heartfelt products curated by Exquise Design, part defied the romanticised normals and part treaded old ground.

(more…)

Diesel’s outlook and flair touches every area of the globally admired brand and their recent collaborations with Patrizia Moroso and Foscarini are no different. An air of confidence and glamour exudes from the exhibition space within the company’s spacious penthouse on via Stendhal, prevented from appearing overly self-assured by an obvious grunge authenticity and what seems to be a genuine lust for the darker side of life. The collection’s title, ‘Successful Living from Diesel,’ is somewhat tongue-in-cheek and pokes fun at the swarms of suited businesspeople plaguing the shows of the bigger names in the interiors industry, searching for status within their wares.  A mark of success, Diesel may only be to some, but the claim of “living” cannot be challenged.

(more…)

In a drastic attempt at diversification the low cost airline Ryanair has taken on a multi million shipping contract with Zurich Swine, one of the largest suppliers of pork in all of Europe. When confronted with strong scepticism at such a move, Ryanair spokesperson C.A Madden said that the company was more than able to juggle such a large commitment without any expense whatsoever to the regular air flight passenger. Though this seems to many, somewhat at odds with the Ryanair’s recent and controversial introduction of the Safety Ham. Mr Madden replied that the Safety Ham is not, as it is being claimed, a cheap way of transporting meat around Europe, but on the contrary is a very sophisticated, and very necessary piece of equipment, ensuring a considerably safer journey for all involved.

(more…)