Europe. Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood SS17

October 6, 2016 | Design & Culture by Ed

Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood is a love affair between those two designers both in fashion, and in life. It’s the second season where Andreas fully leads the main-line of Westwood’s punk-empire, and it’s madly good. Inspired with European cultures, Kronthaler took a glance at Slavic symbolism, and sent out a model wearing a voluminous, straw garment which might be a dress (or a coat). Heavily ornamented bustier necklines were exaggerated, too, but this time the direction turned to Marie Antoinette times and pre-revolution France. The model in a drifty, multi-coloured frame was an abstract vision of a woman at a typically Dutch market stall. It perceivable that the creative director is intrigued with Old Europe’s contrasts and history – he cleverly delivered those accents in a humorous, very dramatic way. But the collection isn’t only about the past. It smartly moves the topic of feminism (and femininity), so something that still triggers so many intense discussions in few European countries. A jersey dress with trompe l’oeil illustration of naked body, or a violently ripped skirt which exposed spring-summer 2017 swimwear were the most thoughtful, yet catchy looks.

Berlin: Hamburger Bahnhof

November 6, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

–Body Pressure– Sculptures since the 1960’s examines the many different approaches to the human figure in contemporary sculpture through a selection of works from the collections of the National Galeries in Berlin. Free of any exhibition architecture, the expansive Historic Hall is transformed into a light-flooded “sculpture garden”. Often fragmented and abstract the figurative sculpture of the present always negotiates our contemporary social and cultural context.The Historic HallFriederike Pezold- The New Embodied Sign Language According to the Laws of Anatomy, Geometry and Kinetic- 1973/1976Paul McCarthy- Michael Jackson and Bubbles- 1997-1999Duane Hanson- Lady with Shopping Bags- 1972Ryan Gander- The Artwork Nobody Knows- 2011Martin Kippenberger- Martin, Into The Corner, you should be Ashamed of Yourself- 1989Hamburger Bahnhof, one of the National Galleries in Berlin, is a huge concentration of modern art by the most famous artist like Marc Quinn, Marina Abramovic or Andy Warhol. With it’s amazing space and architecture, the museum is Berlin’s biggest modern art highlight! Always you can find here a fantastic exhibition just like the Body Pressure that is currently happening. During your next time travel to the Germany’s capital, don’t forget to visit Hamburger Bahnhof!
Anselm Kiefer’s LILITH AM ROTEN MEER
Andy Warhol’s ELVIS
Ernst Bloch’s DAILY INTO THE BLUE

Tuscany: Villa Mangiacane

August 12, 2013February 2, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Derived from its ancient name meaning “great dog”, the Mangiacane Estate has been producing wine for centuries, and making the visitors feel like in paradise for years! Here I am for some vacations in warm Tuscany in Italy! The Villa Mangiacane is located in a small town 20 minutes away from Florence, in an amazing place, from where you see even the Basilica of St. Peter! From my huge, huge, huge balcony I see a large Italian forest, whole olive farm and grape orchard, that are used everyday in producing best quality olive oil and wine! Of course the very local wine can be tasted in the Villa’s restaurant and I assure you- it’s delicious.
This magnificent hotel has two beautiful pools, one in a Byzantine style, and other much more modern; there is the main building and the second, one much more beautiful and luxurious, the Villa, that contains of around 10 suites and few penthouses… It’s all a real Dolce Vita, having in mind that you have Portofino, Sienna, Florence and Bologna all in your are!

Munich: Toshi Restaurant

August 9, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

The Toshi Restaurant in Munchen, Germany, is a top Japanese Cuisine restaurant in the whole Bavaria region! Known for highest quality products of raw fish and ingredients straight from Japan, amazing service and very detailed cooking skills are in this beautiful, minimalistic space!
The biggest highlight of the restaurant is for sure the Shabu-Shabu (Wagyu beef that you boil in broth with shitake and other strange sounding veggies…) and overally the selection of Wagyu. But, not forgetting of something more simple, so sushi, the rolls, maki and nigiri are just mind blowing! Everything is done in such a masterpiece state, you just don’t want to end your meal!

Berlin: Hotel Das Stue

July 25, 2013July 25, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Here I am in Berlin, in a new found hotel called Das Stue- one of the most prestigious Design Hotels in the world! And I should say I am pleased. It’s really hard to find a good, hot spot in Berlin. But this one, just few steps from the Berlin Zoo. There are two Spanish restaurants by mister Paco Perez- The Casual and Cinco. Not really good, but the design upinterior here is mind blowing! You will find here the coolest furniture by famous designers kept in strong colours!
The rooms are really luxurious- the shampoos are by Diptique, and all rooms have Led TV/computers. And it’s all accompanied with Jan Kath floors and Arne Jacobsen armchairs…the biggest feature of the hotel is the view of zoo and the localisation. It’s just next to Kadewe and the most expensive stores! Definetly, Das Stue is the moments hottest spot in Berlin!