Cover Show

brand eins 

Sagen, was Sache ist

I love the layout, I love this magazine, I love the theme.

Not only that the leading theme, communication and pr, is important for me personally at the moment, the cover is just totally perfect for the headline without being too obvious. I haven't read it yet, but will do so tonight. One of the very few mags worth a subscripton. 

Art of music

The artist-collective "Friends With You" (you must check out their parade at Miami Art Basel 2006 ) launched a CD with their signature kawaii art work. The sound matches the art perfectly - irony is the essence of both. 

Whereas some girly girls just scream "Cute!" when seeing the FWY-pieces, there is much more behind the smiling faces. Playing with the symbols of "feeling happy", it almost too happy - it gets frightening and showing that a certain level of happiness is just unreal. On the other side, their art is a form of easy entertainment that does, at all, make you feel good. Of course it needs a lot of humor to like (and maybe understand) this. What is great about the collective: Its very authentic, I it when I was at their store in Miami Beach - even the salesperson is a piece of art (and really friendly).

The music itself is questionable - but having Otto von Schirach on the compilation is promising - I have seen him performing in Hamburgs Golden Pudel Club a couple of time - quite experimental. 

Well, this is art.

Best of beauty

Clear coolness - simplicity is the key.

Some perfect beauty products.

"Shimmer Palette" by ck Calvin Klein

The first impression might not be special, but it's worth a second gaze: The four brown-gold tones blend gently - the contrast comes from the black frame. The transparent coverage let it almost appear like a framed picture with a passepartout. It's about the details. This is an absolutely glamorous product (golden powder) in a super simple packing - what a great contrast.

Nivea Creme

The ultimate classic, filled in a tube, not the regular round box. The super strong brand makes it easy: You know from the first glace what's inside this tube. There is nothing decorative, nothing superfluous, just the brand name - Nivea - and what's inside - Creme. Here in Germany it was sold with a blue cap that I find even more perfect. 

Fragrance "Amazing Grace" by Philosophy

A very classic bottle  that doesn't appear male or female itself. Yet it immediatley gives an impression of femininity and softness - a proof for the power of words and typography. The word "Grace" written in a classic typo says it all: A fragrance for women who want to smell elegant, but without overpowering it. So how do you think will it smell? It's floral with a hint of musk, which suits the design perfectly - the clarity of the liquid underlines the freshness.

YSL "Sweet Lipmarker" Lipstick

I think this lipstick isn't sold anymore. Which is a shame. I love the idea behind this: Transforming a normal, essential everyday product that is already reduced to its function - like a pen or marker is - into a high-fashion beauty product. Using a pen as a lipstick is so obvious that no one adapted it before. So the design influences also the use - a true innovation with a fine design.

Which beauty-designs do you like?

This is about beautiful, stunning, cool and creative things.

From art to design - your eyes (and brain) will love it.