HBL Analysis: Rupert Sanderson x Ellermann Flower Boutique

Carnation Pink by Ellermann for Rupert Sanderson

For the launch of British footwear designer Rupert Sanderson’s latest shoe – designed exclusively for Asia and named after the city of Hong Kong – he collaborated with Hong Kong flower boutique, Ellermann.

DeLight

WGSN-homebuildlife recently spotted this multi-functional light stand at Hong Kong's Design Mart.  Designed by THREE PLUS TWO DESIGN, the integrated container at the base of the light stand can offer storage for stationery, be a flower vase or even a mini fish tank. Each is priced at HK$680.

HBL Retail: HMKM to design Galeries Lafayette's China store

Galeries Lafayette's flagship store on Boulevard Haussmann, Paris

London design consultancy HMKM have been chosen to design French department store Galeries Lafayette's launch in China, with the new store due to open in early 2013.

HMKM were selected following an international design competition which saw four top consultancies compete for the commission. HMKM's managing director, Alison Cardy, said of the news: "After a number of years of working with Galeries Lafayette in their Boulevard Haussmann flagship store, we are delighted to be trusted with creating the appropriate iteration of their Parisian spirit in the dynamic Chinese market."

Fujitsu Iris: a transparent tablet

This new concept for a transparent tablet is by Liu-Wei, Yao Kai-Chi, Hong Ruei Hong & Cheng Ya-Fang for Fujitsu. Called Iris, it presents a number of convenient features enabled by its transparent screen - from navigating the streets ahead of you to scanning documents and translating text right in front of your eyes.

The sliding bar allows the screen to be split for two users at once, and it would also be ideal for interior designers - generating instant and interactive floor plans.

[via Yanko]

HBL News: Steve Jobs resigns as CEO of Apple

Today, Apple’s board of directors announced that Steve Jobs has resigned as Chief Executive Officer. The board also named Tim Cook as the new CEO. Jobs has been elected Chairman of the Board and Cook, previously Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, will join the Board immediately.

HBL Analysis: The A-Z of Japan

A for Akita, from the A-Z of Japan by Yoriko Yoshidahas

Japanese artist Yoriko Yoshidahas has created The A-Z of Japan, an illustrated book which depicts the Roman alphabet through Japanese customs and culture.

Louis Vuitton: Architecture and Interiors

Louis Vuitton: Architecture and Interiors provides a complete guide to Louis Vuitton’s retail spaces, designed by renowned architects such as Shigeru Ban, Zaha Hadid and Kengo Kuma. The book will include information about all the brand’s retail spaces, over 300 illustrations and unpublished sketches, as well as interviews with designers Peter Marino, Christian de Portzamparc and Jun Aoki.

Quirky at Bed Bath and Beyond

This week, product designers from Quirky, the company that crowdsources product development, have taken over the store window of the Bed Bath and Beyond at 620 Sixth Avenue, to showcase the concept and promote the company's upcoming television show. Passersby can tweet their ideas to #QuirkyAtBBB and see their ideas designed in a workshop setting in the shop window.

Cork couture: Anna Grindi interviewed by the New York Times

Anna Grindi's non-woven cork fabric; image via New York Times

Italian designer Anna Grindi spent more than a decade developing a non-woven fabric using cork, reports the New York Times. Once she had hit on a winning formula, she opened her own store dedicated to products made using the fabric - located in Tempio Pausania, Italy. Named after the Latin word for cork, Suberis is now four years old and has recently begun stocking Grindi's latest innovation: cork tiles for interiors.

Here&(T)here by Fabrica

Here & (T)here by Fabrica

During Milan's Salone del Mobile this year, Secondome presented a new series of sculptural objects called Here&(T)here by Italian design studio Fabrica.

Here & (T)here by Fabrica

A series of eight pieces by various artists, each is made from a combination of oak and glass, and will be available in a limited edition of 30 pieces. The sculptures are an unusual hybrid of function and art, and follow the scientific direction of our spring/summer 2012 macrotrend Laboratory.

HBL Exhibitions: Paris-Delhi-Bombay at Centre Pompidou

Draps-peaux hybridés (2011) by ORLAN « Hybridation des drapeaux indien et français avec sequins » © Adagp, Paris 2011

Indian society is explored from the viewpoint of both Indian and French artists in the Centre Pompidou's current exhibition, Paris-Delhi-Bombay, which runs until 19 September. Works from fifty artists are on display, with two-thirds created specially by the artists after visits to India for that purpose.

3D Knitting Machine by Borre Akkersdijk

Collection from robertanderson on Vimeo.

Appropriating a technique typically used in mattress production, Borre Akkersdijk has created a collection of 3D knit garments that are essentially "ready made". The garments are created on a knitting machine that produces a round tube of fabric with seam allowances that are ready to be sewn. The fabric is also filled with a "filler thread" that gives it an extra presence and tactility.

Watch the video above to see how the fabrics move and sit on the body; subscribers can see more fashion and industrial design crossovers here.