Get the Picture?

It is amazing what can be done when the old world decides to propel itself into the 21st century. We see modern remakes of classic films (i.e. The Pink Panther, Pride and Prejudice, etc.), fashion movements from the 1970's and 80's making a come back (oh joy), and even musical legends being transformed into radio hits all thanks to remixing.

La Fondation Cartier - the contemporary art foundation and cultural arm of the famous French jeweler, has done just that - and not in a small way. The Fondation has turned its iconic building in the heart of Paris, as well as its garden into a living exhibition - a dedication to urban art - graffiti.

Opened on the 7th of July and extending until the end of November, "Ne dans la rue - Graffiti" (which literally translates to "Born in the street - Graffiti") has ignited vast amounts of interest and surprise by elevating the mostly illegal practice to the ranks of art. 

Born in the streets of New York in the 1970's, graffiti has very quickly become a global phenomenon, found in the streets of most cities around the world, and each unique to the artist.

The exhibition, according to la Fondation Cartier, is an attempt to define the realm of graffiti all while fully accepting its highly dynamic and volatile nature and encouraging the public to look at the urban world differently.

I'm sold, yo. 

http://fondationcartier.org

A Marvel of Engineering

When you think of Marc Newson, what comes to mind first? His work with Philippe Stark? His design of the Qantas First Class lounge in Sydney? Whatever your answer may be, I'll bet it wasn't his jewelry.

 

Adding to his already extensive list of creations and extraordinary designs, Marc Newson and the iconic French jeweler Boucheron collaborated on this one piece - a giant diamond necklace. 

Referred to as a "Big Bang of diamonds" by none other than Karl Lagerfeld's muse, Lady Amanda Harlech, the work of art is almost a greater feat of engineering, if anything. 

The necklace itself is a combination of diamonds and sapphires that look like a series of fireworks, but what is even more amazing is that the shape is actually based on fractal theory. Newson plays with the notion of shapes and similarities in nature comparing the fundamental shapes in his necklace to those found in broccoli or the romanesco. 

Vegetables and mathematics aside, this necklace is truly breathtaking both for its physical beauty but also for its extraordinary inspiration.

This simply confirms what I've been saying all along - buying jewelry is a perfectly natural thing. 

If the Shoe Fits...

I guess charity is on my mind these days, because I have yet another philanthropic outlet I would like to share with you.

Blake Mycoskie is the founder of a company called TOMS Shoes - and the premise is simple: for every pair of shoes you buy, they will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. 

This started in 2006 when Blake traveled to Argentina and found that many children he had befriended had no shoes for protection. Since its inception, TOMS has donated over 140,000 pairs of shoes and the number is growing. 

If that's not enough of a good reason to take a look at TOMS, do it for the Gilligan-esque espadrilles which are seen on the pages of many glossy magazines these days. They come in a wide array of colours, will hardly burn in a hole in your pocket, and look great with a pair of shorts and a tunic.

 

Looking good and feeling good all at the same time.

www.tomsshoes.com

Luxury....there's Spending and Giving

There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause, changing someone's life and knowing that you have made an impact. Combine that with some amazing fashion spreads, beautiful travel editorials and the perfect dosage of celebrity stories, and you've got the winning box - Box Magazine, that is. 

I've admired this publication for quite a while now and as it happens Box is a magazine which looks good enough to be a coffee table book, but has the content to really keep its reader interested through to the last page.

What really sparked my interest in this magazine, I'll be honest, is not the very trendy and sleek packaging (though it certainly stands out), but the ethos behind the publication. Box Magazine believes in the luxury of charity, the elegance in giving back to the world and helping children in need. The founder of the magazine initially set out to raise awareness in exclusive circles about his philanthropic interests, and what better way than through a lifestyle publication that not only surpasses most of the glossies out there, but also one that elevates philanthropy to an actual luxury?

Box does what most cannot which is feed the body and the soul...and of course put those fabulous shoes I spotted on page 24 on our feet.