According to Creativity, an advertising and marketing industry publication, New York-based Psyop, the much lauded multimedia design firm with acclaimed works such as Happiness Factory for Coca-Cola, just agreed to be acquired by Fortissimo Capital, an Israeli private equity firm for US$ 10 million in cash and US$ 20 million in stock. Though Psyop declined to comment on the acquisition, under the new deal, the involved parties will receive an additional $14 million in cash and stock if set goals are reached within 3 years. In addition, Psyop will set up a R/D division within Israel to focus on proprietary software and tools. The deal will be finalize in June.

» Psyop
» Fortissimo Capital
» Creativity Magazine

To celebrate the unique collaboration seen during the showing Issey Miyake’s The Wind Collection - one inspired by Dyson technology and engineering sketches, at October’s Paris Fashion Week. Dyson launched a special line of Dyson DC16 handheld cleaner, adorned in a special color chosen by Issey Miyake for their Dyson A-POC range. The special edition will also feature all of the special characteristics found on the regular DC16 model, including the Dyson patented Root 6 Cyclone technology which doesn’t lose suction or clog, Dyson’s famous ergonomically design, and lifetime washable filters. When asked about the special project, the founder of Dyson, inventor James Dyson reflected “I’ve long admired Issey Miyake’s approach to design; experimenting with new technology, materials and production methods and redefining the possibilities of design. It’s been great to join forces on such an exciting and unconventional project.”

The Issey Miyake + Dyson DC16 handheld cleaner is currently available for purchase at Dyson’s online store.

» Dyson

» Issey Miyake

Since her debut in the 1995 Kids, a compelling film about adolescence, peer-pressure, drugs, AIDS, and sexual promiscuity, actress Chloë Sevigny became a household name within the independent film circle. What is little known is her interest in fashion. She was even a fashion intern at the new-defunct teen magazine, Sassy, in 1992.

For the coming Spring/Summer 2008 season. The indie-film queen will introduce her first ever collection with the Opening Ceremony, the trend-setting boutique in New York City which just recently opened its outpost in Los Angles. The inspiration for this debut collection stemmed mostly from Sevigny’s years as an awkward teen while growing up in Darien, Connecticut, an affluent neighborhood just outside of New York City. The well-rounded collection includes ready-to-wear pieces such as black mesh t-shirt, mini & knee length skirts, bomber jacket. Also included in a line of accessories: ankle zipped boots, motorcycle caps composed of recycled music cassette tapes, and eyewears made by UK-based Linda Farrow.

The collection is currently available at Opening Ceremony and will be available at selected boutiques, such as Colette of Paris, beginning this month.

» Opening Ceremony

» Colette

For the coming season of Spring/Summer 2008, luxury house Louis Vuitton, under the direction of designer Marc Jacobs, collaborated with another celebrated icon of the contemporary art world - Richard Prince, the controversial American artist both loved and loathed by his peers. To set things in motion, Louis Vuitton will introduce a new advertising campaign for this new collection with the participation of 6 super models and fashion photography duo Mert and Marcus. Check out this short film directed by Zoe R. Cassavetes for a behind-the-scene look at the process.

» Louis Vuitton - Spring/Summer Campaign 2008 Film

Scottish-born industrial designer Neil Poulton teamed up with computer peripherals LaCie in creating a new addition to LaCie’s hard disk collection.

Clad in highly polished black finish, the new drive closely resemble the mysterious monolith in Arthur C. Clarke’s sci-fi classic, 2001. A single blue LED indicate the drive’s operational status in an otherwise, nearly silent performance. Capacity space starts from 320GB all the way to 1TB.

» LaCie

» Neil Poulton