July 9, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill |
The US Government has recently authorized a bill that allows eligible countries to trade debt for forest conservation pledges. Indonesia is one of the first to take advantage of the program, having the total of their US$30 million forgiven in exchange for conservation. This is the largest agreement for conservation ever reached. The agreement mandates that Indonesia put forward US$30 million over the next eight years into a trust fund for forest conservation and restoration work. The work could not come at a better time, as the Sumatran rainforest have been depleted by about ninety per cent, due to logging and clearing for agriculture.
July 7, 2009 | New Fashion | by Katriane Hill |
Philippe Starck, the famous interior and furniture designer, is a mess of contradictions as of late. Famously stating that ‘Design is Dead’ and announcing his retirement from design, he went on to launch an eco line of mini wind turbines. Now Starck, who admittedly never left the design world, has made another faux-pax while incredulously stating in Florence at the launch of his new eco-conscious line that he ‘will never be idiotic enough to do fashion’. Read more
July 2, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill |
TYIN Tegnestue, a humanitarian design organization from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, are the planners of Soe Ker Tie, the aptly named Butterfly Homes that sit in the village of Noh Bo, on the Thai-Burmese border. The bamboo built homes, completely assembled on site with sustainability in mind, was the brainchild of architecture students who were made aware of the lack of space for Karen refugee children living in Noh Bo. Read more
July 1, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill |
Mass Studies, a Korean architecture design firm, constructed the Air Forest for Denver’s annual Dialog:City, a meeting of minds to create interactive products for urban areas. The Air Forest is made to work with, and not against, its environment, allowing for wind, weather, and the sun to shift it. The easy set-up (all that is required to do is set the anchors) and interactive light display inside the 35 hexagonal pillars allows for shade, visual texture, and a mimicry of the surrounding environment. And because it’s not a permanent adjustment, we may well see the Air Forest at concerts and festivals in the years to come.
July 1, 2009 | New Products | by Katriane Hill |
Kent and London, darlings of the sustainable design world, have come up with an adorable concept. Their FSC-certified chest of drawers is perfect in a bedroom or a play room, and each letter, patterned after vintage printing blocks, has its own drawer. The design house, which currently has a shop in Whitstable Harbour, Kent, prides itself on custom-ordered work and their ability to do ethical business.
June 27, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill |
Dakine, in partnership with Project Blue, has created the Dakine Oceana backpack, a revolutionary piece of equipment that is every hiker’s dream. Made completely from PET recycled bottles and PVC-Free, Dakine’s backpack boasts a waterproof pocket, a fleece pocket (for glasses), an insulated pocket, and enough storage to take with you on any adventure. For every Oceana backpack bought, Dakine will donate US$2 to the Surfrider Foundation.
April 15, 2009 | New Trends | by Katriane Hill |
A recent study by the writers of Treehugger have come up with surprising differences between the EU and American policies on food and food additives. A list of foods banned in Europe (including chlorinated chickens, Bovine Growth Hormone, Stevia, genetically modified foods, pesticides, food contact chemicals, and a planned ban on food dyes) are still regulated — and accepted — by the FDA in America. Read more
April 15, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill |
Nuno Erin, a relatively new company founded in 2006, is known for an interest in relationships between people and their environment. The touch panels, which are made from wood, foam, and thermo-sensitive fabric (available in 18 inch and 24 inch models) are a means to replacing drab walls with an intriguing heat-sensing, light-changing perspective. The panels react not only to body heat, but to changes in atmosphere (such as temperature and light). Think of a mood ring, only bigger, and for adults.
April 13, 2009 | New Trends | by Katriane Hill |
After the introduction of the Tesla Roadster, an electric sportscar that had the hearts of car enthusiasts and enviro-geeks pumping, Tesla took their time to unveil the Tesla Model-S, the soul of electric engineering. Starting at $57,400, the Model-S can go from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds and can travel up to 300 miles on a single 45 minute charge. The aerodynamic precision and beauty of the Tesla Model-S will be in direct competition with BMW and Mercedes, while the Roadster was competing with the Porsche. Expect this model to hit the mass-market in 2011, with America giving federal credit for those who can afford this model.
April 13, 2009 | New & Cool Architecture | by Katriane Hill |
This year, the Lower East Side Girls Club (in partnership with high-profile local developer, The Dermont Company) will break ground on a new project: a 30,000 square foot mixed-use arts and community building on the corner of 7th Street and Avenue D. It is the first and only Girls Club Facility in New York City, and will ‘triple the program’s capacity’, according to the Girl’s Club website. Read more
April 9, 2009 | New Fashion | by Katriane Hill |
Fashion maven Vivienne Westwood has partnered this season with Melissa, a non toxic plastic shoe brand based out of Brazil, to bring us these interestingly sustainable shoes. The style, which is reminiscent of Westwood’s signature punk look, is so fashion-forward one might forget that the shoes are not only made out of MEFLEX (a revolutionary breathable, non-toxic plastic material), but are a hundred percent recyclable. For the vegan fashionista, these shoes are cruelty free and devoid of animal testing. And for the socially responsible, the factories that produce the shoes recycle 99.9 percent of their waste and water, and pay their workers above-average wages.
April 9, 2009 | New Design | by Katriane Hill |
Studio Shulab debuted the Light Pot at IMM Cologne 2009 and immediately struck a chord with environmentalists. The half lamp, half plant pot is designed to ‘grow’ with the plant, as the telescoping LED light and shade move higher as the plant grows bigger. It hasn’t reached shelves just yet, but will be stiff competition for the Aerogarden, a similar product with a somewhat disappointed following.
April 7, 2009 | New Eco | by Katriane Hill 
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Nestled in the hills of Napa Valley, Bardessono is the newest creation of eco-developer Phil Sherburne and architect Ron Mitchell. Completed just seven weeks ago, the luxurious inn and spa is currently pursuing Leed certification and includes rammed earth walls, water treatment systems, and solar and geothermal energy systems. The buildings were built to pay homage to the land, and include recycled cypress wood for the windows, doors, and floors. Read more
April 7, 2009 | Cool Travel | by Katriane Hill |
China’s government has adopted a new plan that would enable it to become the expert in hybrid and electric cars. The plan, which would allow for more subsidies for cars in China, would also lower air pollution levels in Beijing and Shanghai, two cities that are smothered by the dirty air. The government has already taken steps to make room for more than a million electric or hybrid vehicles (including buses) on the roads. And because most commuters who live in the big cities almost never leave the city, the electric grid companies have been ordered to build fueling and charging stations all over suburban areas. While the desire to improve environmentally is appealing, many wonder why China doesn’t also allot for better — and safer — public transportation.
April 5, 2009 | New Trends | by Katriane Hill |
The makers of Häagen-Dazs want to join the eco-movement as well, it seems. The ice cream giant recently revealed Five, their new line of pared-down ice creams. Flavors like mint, ginger, coffee, vanilla bean, and passionfruit are touted by the makers as having less fat than its contemporaries, and each flavor has five ingredients — skim milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks, and natural flavors. Critics have one complaint: why not organic milk or a milk that doesn’t contain the bovine growth hormone?
What hasn’t gone plush these days? Now you can make yourself into a Plush Person or just buy one of these Marvel Superhero Plushies and indulge that fantasy you’ve always had but never sated.
As greater focus has turned to sustainable, ethical meat, unicorns are starting to make sense as a protein source for humans. Unlike other meats, unicorns become more tender as they reach the end of their natural lifespan, so the meat is harvested only after they’ve died of natural causes. Guilt free meat full of sparkles, giggles, rainbows.
The Hatton hotel epitomises Melbourne cool. Those who value design, location, and luxury will find The Hatton the perfect Melbourne base. Read more
Lisa Fiore’s work is subtlety conceptualized and incredibly painted, offering a calm, clean and neatly designed image, while also possessing haunting, conceptual ideas. She works within still life and landscape narrative. Read more
Beijing-based band Hanggai write original songs in the traditional folk styles of their Mongolian ancestors — throat-singing, horsehair fiddles, lutes — spearheading an Asian version of the old-time revival. Though it’s only through the digital age that the rest of the world can access this beautiful music, it makes you want to slow down and reflect on what we’ve lost as a species. This stuff makes every flavor of the month indie band seem vapid and meaningless.
This is Australian fashion designer Emma Mulholland’s second collection ever (if you count her graduation show) and she has pulled it together like a pro. The colourful collection makes strong references to surf culture and throws in touches of rave, tribal and psychedelic influences. Read more
We have a Contribute Section through which you can post onto LAEM under your name about your favourite pop culture discoveries. So help spread the good word about those talented peeps doing talented things. They win. You win. We win!
Mixing the feel of British spy meets Russian guard meets 60s Madison Avenue, we love the utilitarian sexy style that is Client. This UK-based clothing line has taken the idea of ‘uniform’ and put their own modern twist on it. They also embrace sustainability with their pieces, and adhere to strict local and made to order manufacturing. Select Client outwear is available for purchase in the Lost At E Minor Store Read more
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