Tokyo-based studio WOW enlisted designer Marc Newson, and a team of veteran woodworkers, blade-smiths, and lacquer specialists to create ‘aikuchi’, a near-perfect sword that epitomizes the expertise of the long-established japanese craft. Limited to an edition of 10, these $300,000 Aikuchi swords are a contemporary art piece that is the culmination of a Japanese sense of beauty, traditional craftsmanship and innovative design. Read more
We all know the famous LV monogram. It’s been used on their exceptional leather goods since 1965 and is now recognized as a global symbol of luxury. Since its inception, it’s been produced, officially, in a myriad of interpretations by the brand (Stephen Sprouse, Murakami, etc). It’s also been produced -unofficially- in bad copies, good reproductions, fine art, on cars, even on houses. To celebrate what is almost 50 years since the mark’s design, the brand has asked Christian Louboutin, Cindy Sherman, Frank Gehry, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Newson and Rei Kawakubo to take inspiration from the iconic Louis Vuitton Monogram and create their own limited editions. Read more
On Saturday night, 44 special design items were auctioned at Sotheby’s Jony and Marc’s (RED) Auction to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa. Brought to you by Marc Newson, Bono & Jony Ive, the event raised an incredible $12,883,000 USD (more than double that when you add the Gates’ Foundation donation) with many items going for far above the estimate. Read more