Byredo 1996 by Inez & Vinoodh

August 22, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

“This Christmas I worked with Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin on the special text for their exclusive perfume gift. Inez and Vinoodh are two of the most prolific photographers working today, and a dynamic duo who also created a son together. I met them at their son’s birthday party last year, and boom – my being tall got them talking. You never know where life may take you. The fragrance was inspired by one of Inez and Vinoodh’s photographs – ‘Kirsten 1996′, which Ben Gorham of Byredo took as inspiration for the woody, oriental scent. The perfume came in a cedar box and a pink paper, inscribed with the inscribed with the professional musings of yours truly.” Byredo, a famous fragrance label that is produced in France, is launching a collaboration perfume with photographer Inez & Vinoodh. The fragrance is called 1996 and is created and inspired from all the travels they been too. Collected into one scent, which is a mixture of between fashion and warm wood. But, what is interesting, the perfume was first to be created just like a gift to the photographer duo, but after people exploded in the web, Byredo decided to launch the fragrance within the Byredo Parfums collection!

Biarritz: Harotzen Costa

July 5, 2013August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Located in Guethary that’s between Biarritz and St. Jean-de-Luz, Harotzen Costa is a port restaurant full of Basque culinary secrets. The interior is very raw- the tables where made from sterilised stone and wood that gave a minimalistic and sharp feeling. With a mind blowing view on the coastline of Pays Basque, Bidart and Barritz were both seen.
The cuisine is typical basque on with a Asian fusion twist- like for example a dorade tartar with soya sauce and nori salad. But, if talking of the main courses a highlight you won’t forget for a long time, is the Cote de Boeuf by Goya. Why Goya? Because it’s the best farm family who produce the best beef in whole Basque territory! And the 48h written under the title doesn’t mean it was marinated for this period of time… It means, that after the cow was killed, it traveled to the restaurant for two days! How complicated is that?
The meat was the best quality but didn’t taste as good as they were saying- it was like eating a raw beef without any sauce nor authentic taste- very natural. Or maybe too natural? The desserts were fine but a bit over done. This a restaurant just for one time, but it’s still worth a visit!

Biarritz: SUPER

July 2, 2013August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

RETROSUPERFUTURE or shortly SUPER, is a fresh eyewear label from France known for it’s vintage styled shades and amazing printing of inside part in their frames! When I saw them yesterday in INTHEMIDDLE in Biarritz, I fell in love with all of them. From classic black sunglasses to white ones with marble inside part, there is a huge selection from which we can choose.
All of them are of course hand made in Italy and are worn by Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. And what most excited me about them, were… The printed boxes in which these sunglasses are kept!

Biarritz: Zadig & Voltaire

June 30, 2013August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

Zadig et Voltaire is a French label with pretty low priced clothes that are a mix of rock&roll and Parisian Chic. The clothes are good quality and their boutiques are placed all around the world… But my favourite and most used (shopping!) is the one in Biarritz! With a double floor, walls decorated with Zadig photography full of travelling and many other cool things… It’s just like the brand- very cool! And the campaign that is inside with Jamie Bochert is mind-blowing. There was also this Pamela Love X Zadig et Voltaire collab that was for jewellery. Pamela (the NY based designer of super trendy jewellery) created an amazing collection with snales, skull, butterflies and so on… This collaboration is very sharp and comfortable. Just like the last on, with Gaia Repossi!

Biarritz: Thom Browne X Dita

June 28, 2013August 30, 2014 | Design & Culture by Ed

These mind blowing sunglasses, handmade in entirely Japan and taking inspiration from architecture and machinery of the mid-20th century, these come from Thom Browne in collaboration with California-based eyewear manufacturer, Dita. When I saw them, here in Biarritz, I was like wow! They look really amazing! And this vintage appeal… They are both in white and black- unisex.