Designer : Catherine Wong

[Press Release]

Inspired by the brilliant inventions of Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin in the 19th century, the Tambour Mystérieuse embodies peerless watchmaking genius: with the finesse of a conjurer, this Louis Vuitton montre à complication somehow completely conceals its own mechanism. The hands hover on an astounding system of transparent sapphire discs; no trace of the watchworks is detectable by the eye. Prowess beyond compare, causing time to float as if by some other-worldly bewitchment.

This is a first in the luggage master’s history: a timepiece entirely created, developed, and assembled in the Louis Vuitton watch-making workshops in Switzerland. Perpetuating the prestigious institution of traditional craftsmanship, every element of the calibre “LV115” is rigorously handmade, a technical masterpiece of 115 components. The unprecedented power reserve, too, stands as testament to pure watchcraft virtuosity: 8 days – 8 hours. A tip of the hat to this lucky number, this timeless talisman. Three models have materialized: the first, a resolutely technical creation of clean, minimal lines; the second is classic, sophisticated, accented in brown or gray; the third, a supremely feminine model radiating an aura of jewelled artistry. Though such a triptych may cast the semblance of a silhouette, only the owner of the Tambour Mystérieuse holds the key to the true identity of the timepiece. For, to ensure each Tambour is unique in the world, Louis Vuitton provides a thousand and one ways to claim it as one’s very own.

From a vast spectrum of possibilities, each personality summons its own reflection; yellow, white, or red gold or platinum…diamonds, rubies, or sapphires…brilliant or baguette cut… Reminiscent of a conductor nightly bringing forth a new symphonic spectacle with his baton, the owner of the Tambour Mystérieuse weaves a myriad of choices into an original composition, in which sameness and conformity shall never hold a place. And for the ultimate chic, the watch’s oscillating rotor can be inlaid with one’s own initials, golden marquetry on an unseen sapphire heart. It is far from a mere accessory; the Tambour Mystérieuse is the very breath of a lifestyle.

Lastly, as homage to such extraordinary watchcraft, Louis Vuitton has conjured a case that itself is pure originality: a genuine trunk, prepared exclusively for the Tambour Mystérieuse in the historic Louis Vuitton workshops in Asnières. All the traditional practices are honoured in its making, every standard that has meant the longstanding success of the brand. This tiny treasure chest can also be personalized, from the choice of leathers to the lining’s colour; even the legendary LV lock, with a wave of the wand, can have a number matching that of other luggage pieces brought to life by their Monogram maker.

It is a passion for excellence that has drawn such acclaim for Louis Vuitton in the very exclusive world of fine watch-making. Only an elite few – chronometer connoisseurs and luxury timepiece aficionados – will capture the magic, the exceptional savoir-faire of the Tambour Mystérieuse.

From : Louis Vuitton

Designer : Mae Yokoyama

Diabetes Jewelry
Diabetes jewelry is a neckpiece and rings for administering insulin through the skin via a nano-engineered patch. The Diabetes Neckpiece is a wearable applicator device to apply Nanotechnology Victoria’s NanoMAPs to the skin. NanoMAPs are small (10 x 2mm) circular discs which have an array of micro needles on their surface. They allow for pain-free delivery of insulin to the body, replacing syringes. The Diabetes rings are designed to keep the nano-engineered insulin patches against the skin once they have been applied.

Arsenic Jewelry + Water Vessels
Leah also developed a neckpiece and water vessel for purifying water of arsenic and other contaminants. The neck piece is a receptacle that carries mesoporous iron oxide (Fe2O3) which can remove arsenic from drinking water. The Arsenic Water Vessel is used in conjunction with the neck piece and contains specialized filtration devices to ensure that the purified water is safe to drink. The jewelry and water vessels are designed for people in transit in countries where arsenic is prevalent in found water, such as India + Bangladesh.

The Arsenic and Diabetes projects were both exhibited as part of Liminal, an exhibition at RMIT Gallery in November 2008; in.tangible.scape.s in Belgium; and will be on display at the Levitas exhibition at Gallery fortyfive downstairs from 11-21 March 2009.

Designer : Leah Heiss

When you look beyond Vestalife’s products, competitive iPod speaker docks are driven by function and lacking in character and emotional appeal. The Firefly’s organic, flowing lines and evolved geometric shapes give it a unique attitude and personality. When closed, the Firefly design uses negative space to dissect its overall shape into three distinct sections. The bold breaks and gaps give the design a layered look and hint at the promise of kinetic transformation as the system is opened.

Vestalife Firefly

The metal rings on the base, front, and rear of the Firefly add a refined, sophisticated feel. Angled, hidden hinges allow the Firefly speakers to open, not just to the sides, but also moving slightly forward, in a welcoming and embracing posture. In front of the iPod dock, there’s a subtly-curved, touch-sensitive volume control. With the speakers open, a “billboard” area is revealed on the center face of the Firefly. The Firefly will come with interchangeable faceplates to allow for personalization. Factory customized faceplates will also be featured in limited edition models of the Firefly.

For the Jewelbox, the RKS design team was inspired both by the velvety, rich textures used in the Ladybug and by the famed Fabergé eggs. A symbol of the height of luxury, Fabergé eggs are known for their artistry, rich detail, and for the promise of a hidden surprise. In this case, the hidden magic is the opening of the Jewelbox to reveal the speakers and the iPod dock. The touch-sensitive power and volume controls give the Jewelbox a friendly smile whether opened or closed. The speakers are designed to accommodate factory-changeable graphics for special edition models.

Both the Firefly and Jewelbox were created to bring distinctive design and style to your music listening experience. “RKS is thrilled to be working with Vestalife, a company that truly understands the value and power of emotion to connect with consumers and build brands,” said Tom White, RKS Executive Vice President. “We look forward to working with Vestalife in the coming years.”

Designer : RKS Design for Vestalife

From the website:
Xsmall machines have been designed to satisfy a public of young managers and career women, highly-evolved and urban consumers who live in major cities and in small homes, but who enjoy a dynamic lifestyle. Accustomed to optimizing space and time, the “new yuppies” favour functionality and essentialness in the appliances they buy, without having to surrender anything in terms of design, high performance and quality.

They spend much of their time away from home but this does not stop them creating a “homely nest” in which to enjoy quiet moments of personal pleasure: “islands of relaxation” within their frenetic and stressful daily lives. The selection of objects within the home is the result of a curiosity that drives them to try out the latest products the market offers, in a search for that something extra that makes them feel they are riding the crest of the wave.

The new automatic Xsmall machines are like small, light and compact jewels, in which are enclosed all of Saeco’s technological know-how. Characterised by an ergonomic design and rounded, sinuous forms, the Xsmall espresso coffee machines are the result of a project conducted by BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the German consultancy studio with which Saeco has worked in close collaboration for a number of years.

The new Xsmall machines are the smallest on the market in the automatic machines sector.

Thanks to the ease with which the various compartments can be extracted and to the compact design, they are perfect for small spaces to provide an extra touch of style in the smallest and most modern kitchens.

The Xsmall range has the added benefit of providing a simple and intuitive interface; all it takes to make a perfect espresso is the press of a button.

Designer : DesignWorksUSA for Saeco

Text from the website:
Bajca is the new “Smile Keypad” for people who cannot do without “emoticon”. With a simple USB connection Bajca connects to the computer, adding 16 emotional keys that represents a different “smile” each one: finally each emoticon is found in one key, apart from before where a combination of keys had to be used in order to create the same emotion. New collections of Bajca will permit a large amount of expressions on the web. The keys can also be used to create personal jewelry to wear and show: everyone representing our emotions of everyday life! Designed by ADRIANO DESIGN for PROGIND, Bajca’s idea arise from connecting deeply the virtual with the real life. Bajca is the instrument that “make real” the emotion- a digital translation of every sensation- telling the story of everyday life; spoken, touched and wear every day.

Bajca is a new keyboard with sixteen keys to communicate the same number of different emotion/ actions. The keys can be replaced with others having different graphics and meaning. The keys can also be used to make emotional “jewels” to be worn, given away and exchanged. What may seem an ironic and playful game for teenagers is actually much more. It is the tool, the “pen”, for contemporary communication; a universal and empathetic communication based on small plastic “buttons”.

Designer : Adriano Design [ProductPage]

Designer : Charles Windlin

Designer : Joel Williams and Anthony Mapstone

Often ring tones are irritating for the others and if you want use vibrating-call that is not always useful if the phone is far from you. Wearing the phone, vibrating-call is more practical because it vibrates on the hand. I think the gesture of shaking the thumb and pinky to call is natural for the people. You can have the phone always ready to use, and putting microphone and speaker very close at your ear and mouth is possible use it also in noisy places. You can continue to catch objects or use a pen. Another more serious reason to use it, is for people that have fear of electro smog from mobile phones. Separating the microphone and the speaker is possible to adapt them according the personal shape of human cranium and to keep the electromagnetic field far from the head. Touchscreen equipped with “Voice Activated” and “Hands Free” software to dialing, picking up and hanging up the line.

Designer : Massimo Marrazzo