japanese telecom giant kddi’s lifestyle + fashion cell phone brand iida has just presented its latest model, the rather fab light pool. created by designer tsuboi hironao, interactivity with the user’s senses and surroundings is at the core of his design concept. as a result the cell phone features a striking shell with 22 triangular-shaped led lights that illuminate in 100 different patterns. check all technical specifications [here]. the light pool cell phone comes in white, pink and black, and is available and operational in japan only.
if you’re into hi-tech as much as we are and you’re cavorting around southern japan, don’t miss out on this cool and intriguing exhibition at the ycam [on until jun 6]. it’s called desire of codes and focuses on the work of seiko mikami, a japanese artist who’s creations reflect the gradually transforming relationship between information technology and sensory perception in artworks. the exhibition’s theme is the state of a society in which programming languages, genetic codes, personal information, and even matters of individual interest and taste are being converted into codes.
the desire of codes show is built around a new installation and also displays two related new works. the centre piece consists of three different pieces. one consists of a wall installation of objects responding to the movements of visitors, there’s a laser projector equipped with 6 robot arms that follow the audience’s every movement, and a big screen is installed that resembles an insect’s multi-faceted eye. cool, huh? location: 7-7 nakazono-cho [downtown].
asics has just launched for women by women, a shoe collection that has been conceived by an all-women team. inspiration for the sports-inspired ballerinas was found in the brand’s own gymnastics shoes. as to make consumers part of the project and add a poetic touch, the team e-mailed girlfriends across the planet asking them ‘where do you want to go?’. this very question is printed in the sock lining of the left shoe [the one usually on display in stores] and only upon requesting the right shoe would buyers be able to view a series of answers.
the asics shoes have been named after the paris neighbourhoods of châtelet and plaisance as a pointer back to the origins of ballet, and will be available as of this month in japan and taiwan only.
like the rest of the planet, we’re following closely what’s creatively cookin’ in japan. one of the latest collabs that caught our eye is that of popular fashion label alfredo bannister and artist taku anekawa. the two have created two striking pairs of birghtly-coloured sneakers for women and matching tote bags. the limited-editions items will be exclusively available at alfredo bannister boutiques across japan from february next year.
with its ever growing collection of astonishing fashion brands, oki-ni is one of our fav online retailers. having a keen eye for sharp style, quality and detail, it’s no wonder it increasingly sources all things cool and japanese, accomodating increasingly savvy audiences across the planet.
in order to better inform them of product news from the land of the rising sun and to give a clear overview of what’s in store, oki-ni now launches the yushutsu page! mind you, to enable japanese customers to find their fav brands, the whole website can be accessed in japanese by next month!
this month prime swimwear brand speedo kicks off a retail offensive in japan, opening a string of stores and shop-in-shops in kyoto, sapporo and the latest one launching at hankyu department store [3rd floor] in osaka on wed - mar 25. location: 1-27 chayamachi [umeda].
