In Tao Nyeu’s first picture book Wonder Bear, the dreamy landscape and abundance of fantastical creatures are sure to captivate the imaginations of not only the intended age group of three to five year-olds, but adults as well. Wonder Bear tells the story of two children and the magical top hat wearing bear they befriend. The boy and girl are introduced to peculiar yet friendly flying monkeys, dolphins, octopi, and a multitude of other creatures that emerge from the bubble-blowing bear’s hat. Free from the limitations of text, the book’s bold, colorful illustrations and loveable characters invite the viewer to construct their own unique story. Wonder Bear is a wholly original vision of the author, who cites a delicious, yet “very odd looking gummy bear” with magic powers, as her inspiration. The former graphic designer created Wonder Bear for her thesis project as a graduate student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Nyeu is currently working on a second picture book also to be published by Dial Books for Young Readers. 

TAGS: Reviews, Book Reviews, Things We Like

The film plays at the Savannah Film Festival October 27 and 29th as well as at the Santa Fe Film Festival December 3-7. More here.

TAGS: Reviews, Film Reviews

Ever wish you had a reliable food guide for your travels that was based on tasty dishes, rather than some elite system of recognizing star chefs? Well, The Miele Guide, sponsored by the German home-cooking appliances manufacturer of the same name, is releasing its inaugural issue this October, calling itself Asia’s first truly independent restaurant guide—they do not accept any advertising, sponsorship, or free meals for their reviews. The 2008/2009 edition will rank and feature in-depth profiles of Asia’s top 20 restaurants, plus a select list of other top restaurants, categorized by country, city, and cuisine. To reflect the tastes of the 16 Asian countries included, information has been compiled through several rounds of rigorous judging. The first opinions were gleaned from 84 of Asia’s most influential and respected restaurant critics, food, and wine professionals, while the second round is decided by public voting on Miele’s website, which includes Chinese and Japanese versions to encourage greater participation. Next year the site plans to include Korean and Thai. Once published, The Miele Guide will be slim, minimally designed, and affordable. 

TAGS: Reviews, Book Reviews, Things We Like

If you get a chance, you should definitely check out this debut feature by director Lance Hammer. It’s an official Sundance selection. Here’s a synopsis from Sundance’s Caroline Libresco:

BALLAST is one of those rare films that maximize the medium through an aesthetic of understatement. Every frame is deliberately and beautifully composed, every cut artfully and economically executed – not only to transmit a quietly gripping story but to reveal characters’ layered emotional experiences and the specific textures and sensations of their locales. Because it is grounded by three exquisitely nuanced performances, it’s not surprising that BALLAST is the product of intensive collaboration with local nonactors organically connected to the material. First-time director Lance Hammer is a distinctive voice with a remarkable sensitivity to the topography of human relationships and a powerfully cinematic social-realist vision.

Here is a list of screenings around the country.

TAGS: Reviews, Film Reviews

This trailer looks very apropos for the times. Michelle Williams performance is said to be heart wrenching and well deserving of an Oscar. I can’t wait to check this out. Wendy and Lucy screens at the New York Film Festival before a winter run at the Film Forum in New York.

TAGS: Reviews, Film Reviews

Behind the label KLING by KLING, is a girl named Karolina Kling with dreams as big and bold as her designs. She started studying product design and graphics at the University of Gothenburg, before turning out a clothing collection as her final work. Riding on her success, she moved to London and produced two more collections—I Scream and V I R U S. Prints and patterns are always central, “even if I’m getting more and more dressed in the cuts of the styles,” explains Kling. Due out this fall, her third collection, The Land of Dreams, is built around characters from Karolina’s own daydreams whom she’s named. The style is a little bit of Japanese street culture with elegance, craziness, and fantasy—a place Kling says is between dreams and reality. With duvet covers, pillows, and wall vinyl in the collection, she’s also incorporating interior design to help highlight the feeling of being surrounded by the patterns, “like you’re inside the Land of Dreams.” Working as a freelance pattern designer she’s also worked for various labels such as Nudie, H&M, and Libero. Lookout for her patterns to appear in the shoe label Cheapo, in Spring/Summer 2009. 

TAGS: Reviews, Product Reviews, Things We Like

CBGBs RIP

For the next 7 days, the streets of New York City will play host to over 1000 live acts as music venues, nightclubs, and empty lots on the Lower East Side fill up with the cacophony of unsigned hype. If you’re feeling as overwhelmed by the deluge of information as we are, it might help to keep your eye on the prize and focus on a couple of acts to catch in-between trying to dodge the crowds of badge-wearing college radio DJs. To keep you on the straight and narrow, we’ve put together a list of 5 of our favorite female (or female fronted) acts to check in the next week:

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TAGS: Events, Reviews, Music Reviews, Things We Like

Victorian Mourning Dress, Givenchy Fall 2006, Naoto

Growing up Asian in Houston, going Goth was part of my coming-of-age destiny. I was listening to The Smiths by the age of 10, my first concert was The Cure, and I definitely had a “black” period that ended as quickly as it had begun. With Halloween right around the corner and dark and frilly Fall fashions finally hitting the streets of New York City, the release of GOTHIC: Dark Glamour tomorrow couldn’t be better timing.

Beautifully illustrated with fashion editorial, street, and runway photography, this book explores the influence of the gothic aesthetic on fashion through the ages. Exploring everything from Rei Kawakubo’s Dress becomes Body becomes Dress collection from Comme des Garcons’ S/S97 collection, to ‘70s British album art and Japanese cosplay Goths in Yoyogi Park, the book takes on a broad range of creative culture that has borrowed from the gothic aestheic. In addition to a select discography and bibliography, GOTHIC features interviews with fashion designer Rick Owens, gothic rockers Sisters of Mercy, and photographers like Sean Ellis.

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TAGS: Reviews, Book Reviews

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to all those old skate decks once they’ve cracked, withered, or snapped, you’ll find your answer in skater-cum-designer, Hiroshi Ito.  Finding inspiration in the piles of discarded decks at skate shops, five years ago Hiroshi started making his sketches into an array of unique and wearable accessories. Well past 1,500 decks used, Ito repeats the same process—rigorous removal of grip tape, cleaning, drawing his design, finely sawing through the seven plys one by one, and finally sealing with a Japanese lacquer for a smooth, presentable finish. Through Harvest, Hiroshi continues to find plenty of use for the pile of over 500 decks currently sitting in his atelier in Tokyo’s quieter East end. Restless imagination has led him past the exhausted ‘skate chair’ of ‘skate-design,’ to more artistic sculptural works. One of his signature pieces, a skull made from a painstakingly accurate cross section of layered decks, sold for 150,000 Yen (about US$1,400). Ito’s creative designs evoke the limitless creativity of skateboarding. He is open for custom orders. Look out for upcoming collaborations with Burton and FTC. http://www.harvest-re.com

TAGS: Reviews, Product Reviews, Things We Like

Leather Freehands

Our friend, Coolhunting’s Josh Rubin has started a fantastic new company called Freehands. The company produces flip-back fingers so you don’t have to take your gloves off when you have to use your cellphone in the winter. With the season right around the corner, this might be the perfect gift for someone you know that just can’t tear themselves away from their cells - or just like to keep their hands warm. Leather gloves for $40, and Stretch gloves for $30 at Freehands.com.

Stretch Freehands w/ Magnet Detail

TAGS: Reviews, Product Reviews