A thoughtful selection of the latest lifestyle and design news, plus the creatives who are championing boundary-breaking fashion
Photography courtesy of Lasvit
1. Magma Vase by Maxim Velčovský for Lasvit
Unveiled at Design Miami earlier this month, the Magma Vase is part of a unique series of avant-garde, sculptural creations by Lasvit’s Creative Director Maxim Velčovský. Aligning its showcase with the ‘Blue Sky’ curatorial theme of the 2024 edition of Design Miami, the Czech glass manufacturer presented three bodies of work within the same exhibition with two of the Magma vases taking centre stage.
Velčovský states the sculptural works pay homage to the influence of post-modernist designer Borek Šípek, while reinterpreting the visionary’s unique perspective through his own contemporary lens. With each vase boasting an organic beauty, thanks to the expert craftsmanship behind each piece, the bulbous silhouettes take stimulus from the raw and transformative power of molten rock, Velčovský comments.
Alongside the vases, the brand also displayed Herbarium Radiant – a new type of glass that utilises repurposed waste developed by Lasvit’s Head Designer, Maria Čulenová, and Head of Lighting, Jan Formánek. The glass consists of rare lanthanide oxides that have been extracted from recycled electromagnets, blending them into the glass composition. While this innovation brings new circularity to the art form of glassmaking, it also allows users to capture certain, specific shades of colour resulting in vibrant and ethereal hues. Once again, it alludes to the continuous future-focused mindset of the Czech glassmaker and how the artisanal team seamlessly bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, all while focusing on a superior, design-led aesthetic.
Photography by Gareth Williams
2. Tanqueray No.TEN X Alessi
Award-winning, ultra-premium gin Tanqueray No.TEN and Italian design firm Alessi have teamed up just in time for the holiday season to unveil a limited-edition cocktail gift set. Promising to elevate home bars, it features a bottle of Tanqueray No. TEN and Alessi’s high-gloss stainless steel Parisienne cocktail shaker, along with the sleek Stirrer and Quadri Combo Jigger advised by Oscar Quagliarini and designed by Giulio Iachetti. Each is finished in an exclusive copper colourway honouring Tanqueray No.TEN’s signature bottle accents and the copper stills used to create the revered liquid.
The release of the gift set builds upon Tanqueray No. TEN’s history of supporting design, including its recent partnership with Alessi at Milan Design Week 2024. Alessi’s legacy is a reflection of the measured and evocative design principles that have made it an icon. Since its inception, Tanqueray No. TEN has inspired the artisans behind the bar to elevate their craft. This Christmas, spoil cocktail-drinkers or design lovers with this exquisite set or perfect your own cocktail-making skills. It’s bound to be a hit.
The Tanqueray No.TEN X Alessi kits will be available at thebar.com
Photography courtesy of Henry Holland Studio
3. Double-Sided Glassware by Henry Holland Studio x The Singleton
Cocktail lovers and whisky connoisseurs unite! Henry Holland Studio has partnered with premium single malt Scotch whisky brand The Singleton to create a unique glass design that merges two forms into one. Referencing vintage 1950s glassware through his contemporary design lens, Henry Holland has combined a martini glass, ideal for whisky based cocktails, and a snifter glass – a shape that amplifies the complex aromas of The Singleton when enjoyed by itself.
Produced by an independent glass blower in South London, this exquisite design reflects Holland’s playful style with glass ‘trails’ swirling around the outside of the glass – one in The Singleton’s signature teal and another in amber to resemble the pouring of the whisky itself. ‘The making of this glass involved 12 to 15 stages with three people working on the same glass at the same time,’ explains Henry. ‘The level of craftsmanship and luxury behind these pieces is impressive which also reflects the huge amount of time, skill and dedication that goes into the making of The Singleton.’
With the slow and meticulous crafting of glass aligned to the making of a premium whisky, this collaboration pays homage to the expert artisans behind such creations. ‘What these mediums teach you is patience, whether you have it or not, and understanding that good things take time,’ Henry continues. ‘The focus on slow craft and dedication all being driven by the pursuit of pleasure is something that really spoke to me and I wanted to connect both whisky and glass making to demonstrate this.’
Available to buy as a pair alongside a bottle of The Singleton of Dufftown 15-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, this limited-edition set makes for a perfect Christmas gift. Cheers!
Photography courtesy of &Tradition
4. Massif by Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition
With its name being the French translation for a mass of mountain peaks, the Norwegian design duo felt inspired by the natural landscape when creating the Massif bar stool for Danish design house &Tradition. With its angular form and structured base giving it a sense of stability and strength, the vertical legs and elliptical seat and base combine to create a statuesque statement that works in both classic and contemporary settings.
Designed in three colour variants, the stool is also offered in two heights – a feature that alludes to the undulating silhouettes of mountainous regions. ‘With the name Massif derived from the solid, totem-like expression throughout the object, there is also something about the elevated discs that make us think of mountain plateaus,’ explains Espen Voll.
The stool’s uniformity also makes it applicable to home, workplace and hospitality interiors. Be it a restaurant bar or kitchen counter, the oak seat and powder coated steel footrest exude sophistication while bringing an inherent practicality to the space. ‘The initial idea sprung from an ongoing barstool study in our studio, looking for new and strong shapes while ensuring both the seat and footrest were equally represented,’ says Torbjørn Anderssen.
‘There is a wide disc which supplies foot support – almost like we’ve raised a section of the floor and put it on four legs.’ Paying homage to the design sensibility of the Oslo-based studio, this collaboration showcases the beautiful results that occur when function and form seamlessly blend together. And, with the festive season soon to be upon us, these captivating stools provide handy seating options for larger groups of guests.
Photography by Mikael Niemi
5. Pelata by Finnish Design Shop
To mark its 20th anniversary, Finnish Design Shop is bringing the fun back to functionality with Pelata, a whimsical collection of sculptural games and objects designed in collaboration with some of Scandinavia’s most celebrated studios. Unveiled during this year’s Helsinki Design Week, Pelata – the Finnish word for ‘play’ – reimagines familiar games, such as labyrinths, backgammon and ring toss, for the next generation.
Bringing together the creative minds of Anderssen & Voll and TAF Studio, alongside Studio Tolvanen and Kaksikko, it celebrates the joy of the everyday. ‘We wanted to create something that blends seamlessly into your home but still sparks conversation,’ says Teemu Kiiski, CEO of the Finnish Design Shop.
In an era where design often hides behind glass or is displayed on a plinth for admiration, Pelata actively invites interaction and challenges the boundaries between object and art. For instance, TAF Studio’s backgammon board game doubles as an elegant serving tray, Huippa by Kaksikko is a modern take on the classic ring toss, while Metsäpallo, a forest-inspired bowling game by Studio Tolvanen, nods to the Finns’ connection to nature.
With each piece, the collection honours local materials and Nordic craftsmanship, while embracing the joyful simplicity of play. These aren’t just games; they’re conversation starters, the sort of pieces you leave on display to bring family and friends together for a good time. Striking a perfect balance between tradition and modernity, with the launch of Pelata, Finnish Design Shop turns ordinary moments into unforgettable ones. So, this holiday season, get ready to roll up your sleeves and let the games begin!
Photography by Beppe Bordel
6. Alessi Tales
In a delightful twist of creativity, Alessi’s iconic corkscrews – Anna G. and Alessandro M. – have found themselves reimagined with vibrant new identities. Three renowned figures across fashion, design and art celebrate the anniversary of Alessandro Medini’s beloved designs.
The Italian design house is no stranger to playfulness. To honour three decades of Anna G. and nearly ten years of Alessandro M., Alessi invited fashion designer Arthur Arbesser, graphic visionaries Studio/Temp and artist Fulvia Mendini to breathe new life into these cherished figures.
Each creative added a fresh new twist to the iconic pieces and experimented with bold new palettes and structures, made possible by AlkiPaper. This innovative, biocomposite material delivers a textural and biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics, lending structural reinvention to Alessi’s much loved corkscrews.
Photography courtesy of Bottega Veneta featuring the brand’s latest fanzine
7. Fanzine by Bottega Veneta
Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta has launched the fifth edition of its coveted, limited-edition fanzine. Revealed alongside the brand’s Winter ‘24 collection, the book—which is available free-of-charge at Bottega Veneta stores around the world—offers readers a backstage pass into the label’s creative universe.
More than just a glossy look book, the fanzine aims to be a celebration of collaboration, inspiration and artistry, offering fans an insight into the creative world of Bottega Veneta’s Creative Director Matthieu Blazy. Available in several eye-catching covers, the fanzine features campaign photography by Alec Soth shot against the breathtaking landscapes of Utah and Nevada.
Photography courtesy of Bottega Veneta featuring the brand’s latest fanzine
Plus, readers can expect behind-the-scenes shots from the shoot, a flashback to the brand’s On the Rocks installation from Milan Design Week, alongside exciting artist collaborations. A beautiful and creative scrapbook of creativity, it features the works from talents like Lithuanian photographer Vytautas Kumza and Detroit-born collage artist Judy Bowman—it’s a conversation starter for design and fashion enthusiasts where every page invites readers to join in on the conversation.
What’s more, the fanzine comes with a postcard set featuring more of Soth’s atmospheric shots, as well as an embroidered patch that nods to the folklore of Utah’s deserts. Tucked inside a slipcase designed to mimic the charred wood flooring of Bottega Veneta’s Winter ’24 show space, the fanzine is bound to appeal to collectors and fans. Grab one before it’s gone.
Photography courtesy of Buchanan Studio
8. The Studio Collection by Buchanan Studio
Buchanan Studio, a London-based firm led by husband-and-wife Angus and Charlotte Buchanan, works across disciplines. Showing why the studio’s creativity knows no bounds, the pair brings imagination, eclecticism and a distinct aesthetic to their designs, which span commercial and residential interiors, event and set design, creative and art direction, alongside furniture offerings.
Now, Buchanan Studio is adding new additions to its Studio Collection, first launched in 2021, with the introduction of additional Studio Chair fabrics and materials alongside the debut of the Studio Footstool. A testament to the studio’s vision, their latest endeavour reflects the couple’s well-honed taste and meticulous attention to detail.
Handmade in England, with an emphasis on supporting local makers and time-honoured craftsmanship, each piece embodies the studio’s unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity. Fusing traditional and modern influences with theatrical flourishes of colour and pattern, the Studio Collection is set to bloom this summer with these thoughtful new additions.
Photography courtesy of ©︎ ISSEY MIYAKE INC
9. Creative Session by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake and Ronan Bouroullec
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake, the high-concept, minimalist brand loved by fashion-forward architects and art enthusiasts alike, is launching a collaborative project, entitled Creative Session, with French artist and designer Ronan Bouroullec on Monday, 5th August, in the UK. Further items from this Creative Session will launch in October and November 2024.
The brand’s Autumn Winter 2024/2025 collection, Immersed in the Wilds of Creativity, was first presented in January 2024 at Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Exploring the translation of creative material into clothing design, the collection aims to look at the relationship between a concept and its actual realisation.
Bouroullec’s expressive, abstract drawings serve as the inspiration for Creative Session, where his perfect balance of colour, line and form is beautifully integrated with Issey Miyake’s signature pleated fabric. First launched in 1993 as his Pleats Please line, the Japanese designer – who sadly died in 2022 – had developed an innovative garment pleating process, crowning him the king of pleats.
Translating the white space of the original artwork into the form of a garment, Bouroullec applied vivid colours and delicate brushwork on a range of easy-to-wear pieces – from the geometric RB_DRAWING COAT poncho reflecting the liveliness of Bouroullec’s original work, to the playful designs of RB_DRAWING PRESS SHIRT, the new collection brings punchy colours and freedom of movement in true Issey Miyake style.
Photography courtesy of Hunza G and Smythson
10. Hunza G x Smythson
Transport yourself to the sunny Mediterranean with the newly unveiled Hunza G and Smythson bespoke notebooks. Marking the London-based swimwear label’s 40th anniversary, the brand joined forces with Smythson on a vibrant collection of iconic Chelsea notebooks, perfect for summer journaling or documenting personal adventures.
Bound by a shared heritage and a penchant for travel, the collaboration comprises three bespoke notebooks with a splash of cheerful summer colours we can’t get enough of – Bubblegum, Lime, and Orange. The bold palette is reminiscent of signature Hunza G Original CrinkleTM colours and pays homage to summer landscapes and blissful vacations.
Handcrafted in leather, each Chelsea notebook features a gold-stamped, vacation-inspired phrase – Project Sunshine, Making Waves and The Hot List – to evoke nostalgia and playfulness. A functional companion to capture your thoughts, ideas, and creative inspirations throughout a life well-travelled, these notebooks promise to stand the test of time while also evoking the feeling of a breezy summer day.
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