The Transformation from Fonderie 47 on Vimeo.

Have you guys seen this incredible video making its rounds?

This inspiring team is trying to bring light to a subject so dark and real in our world today. They are refashioning AK47 assault rifle into pieces of jewelry. According to their site, they are “a company dedicated to providing powerful means toward a stable and prosperous Africa free from the fear of assault rifles.”

I am really, really hoping they succeed in this endeavor.

I really love projects that take traditional cultural pieces and re-envision them in a new modern light. I was particularly drawn to this collection because my father is from a Peranakan family. I grew up seeing the originals strewn all over my grandmother’s home. Like anything that you grow up with, you never really see the value or its beauty until it’s no longer in front of your eyes.

via Farm

2011/03 Ji Lee from CreativeMornings on Vimeo.

Lately, I’ve felt bogged down by the details and not doing enough creative thinking as I would like.

Enter Creative Mornings, a monthly breakfast lecture series started by Tina Roth Eisenberg of Swiss Miss fame. Sometimes, all you need is to see what drives others creatively…

I found this one by Ji Lee (Creative Director of Google, now Facebook) about the importance of personal projects to be particularly apropos and inspiring.

Do you ever play that “what’s your look for the season” game? It’s one I play quite frequently with the bestie (who is a fashion buyer) and it drives her bonkers. Only because sometimes, I’ll just make stuff up and say ridiculous things like “My look this season is Marie Antoinette meets the Virgin Suicides in Texas”… you can understand why it can drive her a little cuckoo.

Well this time around, I can seriously say that now that fall is here, I want my Fall wardrobe to reflect See by Chloe’s Fall 2011 collection. First of all, Fall is my all time favourite season to dress, hands down – all that layering! Secondly, this collection is totally me. I love the colour palate, the wispy, delicate prints mixed with detailed chunky sweaters over thick tights, layered with long coats…I love this time of year!

Via Anchor Divisienne

Florian Schmid, a  German industrial designer, is the brain behind this incredible product, Stitching Concrete. With these stools, Schmid really plays on the juxtaposition of the ideas of hard|soft. It is completely the type of design project that really whets my design appetite. Using a new fabric called Concrete Canvas, this material combines the flexibility of fabric with the hardness of concrete.

According to the material provider’s website, “Concrete Canvas (CC) is a flexible cement impregnated fabric that hardens on hydration to form a thin, durable water proof and fire proof concrete layer. Essentially, it’s concrete on a roll, all you have to do is JUST ADD WATER.” Swoon. I love.

Via Honestly WTF via Design Boom

Fans are one of those objects that well designed ones are pretty few and far between. Unfortunately, when you live in a place that has such hot summers such as Toronto, one cannot avoid getting one. I could not help but be completely captivated by this one handcrafted by Polish designer, Witold Szostak.

According to his Etsy bio, Szostak’s intention is to “present a few special things which are entirely handmade. My main concern has been to make products of highest quality of craftsmanship as well as of materials (stainless steel, teak wood, ceramic, porcelain).”

This particular piece comes at the hefty price tag of $7,800 USD but given the incredible craftmanship, 150 W Bosch engine and size (95cm x 95cm/ 37,5’’x37,5’’); I would say it is completely justified.

Via Szostak’s Etsy Store

Passion Of The Craft [Trailer] from THIS IS BANDIT on Vimeo.

Passion Of The Craft is a short documentary about just that.

BANDIT, a strategic ideas agency in Copenhagen, work with clients daily that don’t understand the real link between the lives of the consumers, and their brand. So they started on a journey to find like minded individuals in fashion, branding, media, photography, marketing and design.

The result is 10 frank and open conversations with 10 influential people in modern culture.

I don’t know about you, but I so want to see this…

Via adistinctivetaste

All this August rain is bringing me down…. but then I always have Fall fashions (my favourite dressing season, all that layering!) to look forward to. As usual, Anthropologie never disappoints as I want everything!! How beautiful & lush is this shoot. It already makes me yearn for the crisp coolness of September.

I have to say, I really feel Anthropologie (and all of the Urban Outfitters Inc. brands in general) do such a good job of their branding and image. They somehow stay true to their image & message from season to season but yet their campaigns always feel fresh.

A disclaimer: I used to work for the wholesale division of Free People so maybe I am a little biased but truthfully, I’ve been a longtime fan even before ever working with them.

Calligraphy, or just the art of writing in general is such a dying art, isn’t it?

Via Beautiful Type