LVMH launches luxury online magazine NOWNESS!

My design driven sister, Minna, has just made me aware of the FAB new online magazine NOWNESS. Brought about by French firm LVMH, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, it is an online magazine that promises

“To blur the lines between editorial and promotional content in a ‘beautiful’ way.”

I find the simple minimalistic design of NOWNESS refreshing and clean-cut. Its contents range from art fashion and photography to architecture and design (all my most favouritest things!)

I was drawn to the post about Copenhagen, as a bestest friend is out there and I always wonder what she is getting up to in this city that I know nothing about, but which she has fallen in love with. ‘Secret Cities:Copenhagen’ talks of the architecture, furniture, food and fashion of the city; focussing mainly on the unique fashion designer Camilla Stærk, who grew up ‘in the creative hub’ of Copenhagen and celebrates her hometown art and design heritage and her past influences on her present designs. The photography, by Simon Ladefoged, is stunning and makes me want to fly to see my little friend right away!

Above top is the Karen Bixen Museum - Copenhagen

Above is pieces from Camilla Staerks AW/10 collection 'Skin Deep'

Bring Back The Old M&S Packaging!

Has anyone seen the new M&S packaging design for their ‘Food To To’ range.....Crap! It’s taken an apparent ‘fresh approach’ on the old designs. I think it looks infantile and unsophisticated! Marks and Spencers is a highly sought after brand which is considered to be consistent and dependable. Although looking at them now I don't feel that the old "Food To Go' designs were revolutionary they were definitely 'simple yet effective', maybe this was due to the brand itself?? The original matt cardboard sandwich box, gave off that organic rustic feel, where, as a VERY intelligent bessie of mine says....."who wants a cartoon shrimp looking at you as you eat your prawn pasta!"

However M&S have gone to great strides to improve their green credentials as recent surveys have shown that less M&S food packaging can be recycled than any of its main supermarket rivals. They say that their aim is to ensure that all packaging can be easily recycled or composted by 2012.

I am all in favour of maximising the amount of packaging which is recyclable and becoming a greener person and greener country, but when one of the top brands in the country starts characterising their ceaser salads one must realise they have gone a bit wrong!

Generally the sporadic change of packaging design is good: it keeps the brand fresh, up to date and current. However, M&S, as a brand, to me symbolise sustainability, reliability and good quality healthy food. The packaging needs to keep this image of distinction.....Bring back the old design!

I'm RED-y For The Summer?

I spent Monday walking through Hyde Park, ‘peddle-lowing’ across the serpentine and drinking wine in Jean Nouveles striking all-red structure set beneath the lavish greenary of Kensington Gardens (Nouvelle believes red and green and the most complimentary and interesting of colours!)

"You walk past the park. You look. You catch the red between the trees. What is it? Sails? A circus? Something. You don't know what, so you have to look."

- says Nouvelle, the French architect who is talking about the summer pavilion he has created for the Serpentine Gallery. What inspired this rhapsody in red?

"It was that moment, when the summer sun catches you full in the eyes and, as you blink, the world dissolves into red."

We sat in the red hammocks under the commanding and impressive red steel fram, feet dragging on the red rubber floor. Red ping pong tables (red bats and balls!), red chess sets and red tables and chairs, given by the awe inspiring alasdhair willis at Established and Sons, even the cafe is red, with red smeg fridges (LOVE!).

There is something about this pop up, gone before you know it architecture that is so appealing to me. It makes it exclusive, almost a limited edition visit, perfect for the summer and you come away feeling relaxed and happy.

(Photograph: David Levene for the Guardian as my camera had broken on my night out the night before!)