Saturday, December 17

Beam & Anchor, home to Portland's artsy scene




Beam & Anchor , created  by Robert and Jocelyn Rahm, Portland-based artists and designers, will open in Spring 2012. Beam & Anchor is a home to makers, artists, upholsterers and carpenters who work in the top floor and is retail space on the first floor which features curated items from both new and vintage sources. Local makers and artisans contribute to the curious mix of furniture, art, household items, and miscellaneous blend of rediscovered and reinvented objects.






Tuesday, December 6

Dark Gareth Pugh makeup line for M•A•C



London-based style subversive Gareth Pugh infuses his shadowy, esoteric vision into an exclusive collection for M•A•C.  Check the new line at maccosmetics.com and learn more about Gareth on my previous posts gareth-pughs-dark-side and halloween-proper-gareth-pugh. Also read a full interview about the new line at dazeddigital.com

Tuesday, November 15

Geishas & Haute Couture, Dior by Patrick Demarchelier




The famous Rizzoli Bookstore will launch this upcoming December the Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier book containing more than one hundred iconic gowns from the entire era of Christian Dior haute couture; including dresses designed by Dior himself and those of his successors, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, and John Galliano. Each of these portraits were shot by French fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier.




Sunday, October 23

Chanel Shade Parade, so iconic.



So well thought out, every detail is iconic Chanel. I was in a taxi today and it caught my eye, the hand going down the famous Chanel stairs, without seeing the logo I knew it was Chanel. Great creative showing the brand's shades Dragon, Black Pearl, Inattendu, Particulière and Orange Fizz.

Saturday, October 15

Perrier Jouët alive in Jo Lynn Alcorn's paper



The art of Jo Lynn has found her own canvas, paper. Now adding a new dimension to the French Perrier Jouët bottles and presentation. Adorably feminine, delicate and fresh like champagne bubbles. You have to visit the site www.perrier-jouet.com an enjoy the experience.


You can learn more about her amazing creative process at www.jolynnalcorn.com








Tuesday, October 11

Karl Lagerfeld & his Crystals for Orrefors




After designing Coca-Cola bottles, the restless Karl Lagerfeld now is creating his first line of crystal products with Orrefors of Sweden. Always with paper and pencil at hand to draws whatever comes to his mind at any given moment. Learn more at orrefors.com/karllagerfeld Read my previous post about Lagerferld's collaboration with Ruby Helmets at ellauniverse.ruby-helmets



“I am a black-and-white person. Some grays, some dirty pinks, not flashy pinks. I have never been obsessed with color, I cannot explain why. I wanted to become an illustrator as a child. Black-and-white always looks modern, whatever that word means.”_ Karl Lagerfeld, discussing his new collection of glassware for Orrefors, in an interview published in Architectural Digest October 2011.


“What I enjoy the most 
is doing something 
I've never done before".


Wednesday, October 5

Steve, The Creative Mind of Our Generation



Before & After Steve. 
He taught us to Dream Big & Not Stop Until Done.
He changed our lives with his Vision, not only once but many times throughout his life. 


We will miss you. 
Send Steve one last email to rememberingsteve@apple.com

My vintage Apple treasury collection in memory of Steve: etsy.com/treasury/ellauniverse/i-will-miss-you-steve

Open
This treasury had 1064 views, 387 clicks, 92 admirers and 83 comments in only 10 hours.

The ones who see things differently...

They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them,
About the only thing that you can't do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world,
are the ones who do.


Wednesday, September 28

Now you know that my drink is Lemon Drop


Following my previous post on Lemon Drop and after a memorable trip to LA now I have to learn how to make one!

1 part Absoult Citron
1 part Triple Sec
1 part fresh lemon juice
Mix, shake, strain into a sugar rimmed martini glass, et voilá!

Sweet & Sour, like the good things in life... mmmm yellow Diva!



Saturday, September 24

Ladurée macarons now in NYC Upper East Side



Maison Ladurée, the famed centuries-old Parisian macaron shop and now global chain, opened its first US store on Madison and 70th on August 30th and has plans for another one soon in Soho. Visit Laduree and follow them in facebook MaisonLaduree


The small storefront is tastefully French style with a long counter displaying chocolates, the famed macarons, and small pastries and sorbet, while nooks and crevices offer collections of candles, collectors edition boxes, and towers of macarons.

Ladurée, which first established a tea room near the Place de la Concorde in 1862, is said to have originated the French macaron as we know it: not the little round cakes, but the idea of sandwiching a pair with a filling. That happened some 60 ago. Read my previous post about macarons.

Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue (71st Street), (646) 558-3157, open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6. Macarons in 15 flavors are $2.70 each; chocolates, $10 and up; ice cream, $8.50.

Thursday, September 22

We can all make a difference. Ideas are welcome.

I am looking for a cause, something that would inspire me and others! and I will create a non-profit or similar. I love children around the world... a better future... a better and healthier world. Share with me some ideas!! And I will make it happen!!
We can all make a difference. It is time. Please leave your comment below.

Saturday, September 10

Finally the Prius is not the only Hybrid Spaceship! Meet Ora-Ïto's UFO and EVO



Fench product designer Ora-Ïto created two hybrid cars: The “UFO” & the “Evo mobil”, both inspired by the iconic ‘DS’ and ‘Traction Avant’ cars from Cit­roën. He build these sculptures combining the dream of the formal and the future of technology. So, they are not real cars, well... anyways I don't know if I am looking to the future of the interpretation of the future in the past. Visit his design and architecture studio at ora-ito.com




Learn more at ora-itoevo-mobil and ora-ito/evo-mobil


Friday, September 2

Heal the food chain, go back to basics



Johnny Kelly produced an animated video for Chipotle, the Mexican food chain, to support its efforts towards responsible food production. The entire stop motion piece was shot on a table top that is cleared off halfway through the video to make room for building the factory. Originally trained as a graphic designer, Kelly is an innovative creative and animation director. Learn more at nexusproductions/johnny-kelly






You can watch more steps of the production at flickr.com/photos/johnnykelly/sets

Saturday, August 27

Ella Universe's New Website powered by Muse

I used the new software Muse A new free beta by Adobe. It's the best ever invented for graphic designers that hate code like me!! 
Check it out!! http://ellauniverse.com/

Friday, August 26

PLAYTYPE, a Ludic Physical Store about Type




The Danish design firm e-Types opened the concept store Playtype in Copenhagen fully dedicated to typefaces. This temporary "physical store" will be opened until the end of 2011.


The Playtype concept store was launched in conjunction with the revamp and redesign of Playtype.com. Located in Copenhagen’s Vesterbro, the store is the physical manifestation of the online shop – and then some.




Created as a place to further our typographic practice, the store provides a street level entry to typography - it is a place to share our passion with the general public and a place where our designers can experiment with their craft outside of the studio.


Aside from type, the store continuously features new editions and products created by e-Types alongside friends and colleagues in the design and art world.

Monday, August 22

Dana Tanamachi's Nagging Doubt and her chalk




Dana Tanamachi is a graphic designer and custom chalk letterer living in Brooklyn, New York. After hours, Dana moonlights as a custom chalk letterer, creating large-scale chalk installations in New York City.  She also applies her chalk lettering to a wide variety of uses for publications, packaging, and apparel. Wath her work! Visit danatanamachi.com





In June 2008, Dana moved to New York City and began working at SpotCo designing posters for Broadway shows. Currently, she works at Louise Fili Ltd, a NYC-based studio specializing in logo, package, restaurant, and book design. Visit Louise Fili and  Louise-fili studio