MUJI fits in my apartment!!

So...I need this bed. Seriously. [I suffer from "small apartment" syndrome. My studio is "Tokyo-sized."]

Is it at the flagship Muji Store on 42nd Street? Sigh....

“Because there is complexity in purity. Elegance in plainness. Intricacy in streamlining. Richness in reduction. Depth in minimalism. Surprise in uniformity. Innovation in re-use. Cool in the avoidance of cool. And there is true sophistication in simplicity.”

Literally translated, Mujirushi Ryohin, MUJI’s original name, means “no brand quality goods.” I heard they put labels on everything the minute they hit the Big Apple!!

Thoughts, Candy?

Daniela Gregis FW08/09

Loving these looks for the upcoming cold season from Daniela Gregis (summer's Master of Linen). Although, I pass on that hat in the first photo. What is that?

Successful Chanel Advertising?

Is the above ad selling Chanel eyewear or the art of the Chanel tattoo? I spotted one commuter on this morning's 6 train who bought into the body modification message. Maybe Candelaria Cruz, Chi Chi, or Chloe Clamdigger? Or maybe a rabid olympic fan who went to a discount tat artist? Disturbed.

Playing with Paper: Mary Janes

So many deadlines - hats to block, dolls to sew, papers to shuffle and re-shuffle. It's during these times that I take a little break and pick-up something completely different. I've been thinking of taking a shoemaking class, but not before I complete my millinery courses. For now, I'll have to make do with making paper pairs. This book will show you how.

For other paper projects, how about one from Hermès? For your very own Kelly Purse, follow this post from the amazingly generous Summer Allen-Gibson of Design is Mine.

Shiseido Vintage Advertising

I came upon these beautiful vintage advertising images from Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido and just had to share...

More lovely examples here and here from flickr user tomish*'s.

Speedo/Comme des Garçons Swimwear Collaboration

Imagine if I showed up poolside in this:

It would be one thing if I proceeded to swim a medley of freestyle, backstroke, breast stroke, and butterfly. But I'm in the pool a lot because I'm in love with this class where we do aerobic kicks and drills in the water (ala that Bill Murray pool scene in Lost in Translation). My favorite part is where we use those noodles to stay afloat while pretending to be seahorses. Cool, right? Don't knock it until you've tried it.

So, I don't think the LZR Racer that Speedo and Rei Kawakubo designed for the '08 U.S. Olympic swim team will be appropriate. I like the non-olympic styles - I can envision a seahorse wearing these (especially that first collection). Alas, still not available in the states!

2008: Third Collection (Current)

2007: Second Collection

2006: First collection

Dior SS09 - millinery confections

Time is just going by so fast! Images from the Spring and Summer 2009 haute-couture collections shook me out of the lassitude that has been, so far, characteristic of my Summer 2008. Shake! Shake! There's work to do!!!

Aren't these hats from Dior just beautiful? And I'm one to avoid the animal prints.

Photos by Jean-Luce Huré for The New York Times.