Named after an ancient Tokyo district known for its association with lacquer artisans, products from Amadana juxtaposed traditional Japanese craftsmanship with the most up-to-date high tech appliances. The result is a product that is futuristic in design yet strangely familiar in appearance.

On December 1st, Amadana, in conjunction with cellphone service provider NTT DoCoMo and electronic giant NEC, will launch N705i Series cellphones. The phone, designed by Amadana and produced by NEC, will have a multi-spectrum feature. This allows the phone to use in 3G FOMA system within Japan or 147 nations that use GSM system. Amadana members Tycoon Graphics oversaw the information display elements while music producer Towa Tei (formerly of the group Deee-Lite) created ringtones and audio elements.

The N705i will be available in 4 different colors: Amadana White, Amadana Black, Ultimate Orange. The 4th color, Brownish Wood, with real wooden inlay will be a limited edition, with only 5000 produced. Of which 20 will be available at Honeyee.com.

» via: Honeyee.com

» Amadana x NTT DoCoMo x NEC - N705i

A mix master to the fashion industry, Pairs DJ Michel Gaubert been creating tunes since the late 70s, at popular Parisian night clubs, where he met the likes of Lagerfield, Kenzo, and Mugler. Then came the requests to produce runaway musics for fashion shows. Because his friendships with numerous designers, his comprehension of their works, Gaubert is now the most sought after music producer in this unique niche.

Recently, fashion accessory label Longchamp collaborated with Gaubert in the development of a mini collection. One that fits the roving lifestyle of creative sound engineer, like Michel Gaubert himself.

The MG by Longchamp Collection include 8 distinct products, such as high tech bag for all your gadgets, CD case that can hold 64 CDs, and wheeled board case for all your electronic gears. Each composed of high quality coated canvas, trimmed with premium cowhide leather, printed with exclusive graphic that is available in black and white.

The collection will be available exclusively first at Colette in Paris on December 3rd, and subsequently available at Longchamp boutiques worldwide at the end of January 2008.

» Longcahmp

» Colette

Flustered because you can’t find the right gift for the upcoming holiday season? How about this simple shaving kit from Baxter of California. Included in the pack are a Baxter Super Close Shave Formula (10 oz/300 ml.), an Baxter After Shave Balm (4 oz./120 ml.) and a travel size shaving brush, with real badger hair brush head and aluminum handle. Available at finer men’s grooming retailers, such as Freemans Social Club (NYC) and Arrive (Miami). A simple yet original gift idea for the holiday season.

» Baxter of California

French fashion label Marithé+Francois Girbaud, along with Belgian architect Jeroen de Schrijver, recently devised the most recent addition to Marithé+Francois Girbaud’s CONSTRUKT exhibition series, which centered on the merging realms of fashion, architecture and design. Curated by Formavision, this fifth and newest installment, titled CONSTRUKT 5 - Moment of Impact, revisit some of the most violent natural events known to men: eruptions, crashes, and explosions. Long associated with destruction and finality, these occurrences are the catalysts to new beginnings many times, a statement De Schrijver attempted to convey through this installation.

The exhibition featured large scale sculptures, composed of honeycomb cardboards, measured over 7-foot in height and 10-foot in width. Along with these large scale artworks, smaller sculptures, created from stainless steel, marble, and cardboard are also on display. De Schrijver utilized methods better known in architectural modeling - laser and/or water jet cutting, to create each of the work. The sculptures also shared another commonality, the process of layering, which is a direct reference to Marithé+Francois Girbaud’s “Non Surgical Surgical Lift” technique, an unique multi-layering process which permits articles of clothing to be assembled in various ways. The patented technique was recently put to use for Marithé+Francois Girbaud Autumn/Winter 06/07 collection.

» Marithé+Francois Girbaud
» Jeroen de Schrijver
» Formavision

» Art. Lebedev Studio

To promote environmental conscious and the preservation of nature for the next generation, Sony created a special line of Graphic Splash VAIO FZ-Series notebook. Adorned with 4 distinctive, vibrant graphics inspired by nature: Caribbean Water, Clay Earth, Spotted Life and Bloom, all to serve a reminder of the fast disappearing natural wonders all around us.

Aside from the special visual aspect, Sony also implemented several unique programs centered on the notebook computer. First, Sony will donate 1% of every Eco Edition sale to the environmental preservation group. Buyers can also trade in their old computer for a rebate towards new Sony products. Second, Sony added eco-conscious features, such as easy-to-recycle material, packaging made mainly from recycle materials, and minimize footprints in the environment.

Sony VAIO Graphic Splash - Eco Edition notebook will be available for a limited time only.

» Sony VAIO Graphic Splash - Eco Edition