MAVEN WATCHES – Minimalist Timepieces

Maven is a modern and minimalist watch brand inspired by its birthplace, Hong Kong. Surrounded by the city’s natural landscapes and urban architecture, the team of young entrepreneurs and designers created a collection that harmoniously blends the contrasting yet coexisting aspects and complexity of its birthplace. The result, the Urban Nature Collection, which includes two series, produced locally in Hong Kong by experienced craftsmen.

The Enduring Series features a genuine marble stone dial, with each watch carrying its own, unique birthmark. Defined by its beautiful marble face and modern aesthetic, the Enduring series features a high quality Swiss Ronda 762 movement embedded in a 316L stainless steel case.

The Artisan Series, in contrast, focuses more on the combination and construction of Hong Kong’s modern architecture and dynamism, creating a range that perfectly matches natural colours and earthy tones.

Maven will be spearheading the pre-launch of its Urban Nature Collection on Indiegogo, launching February 22nd, giving you the chance secure early bird discounts and pre-release purchases.

MAISON & OBJET – ‘Le French Design’

While people immediately recognise Scandinavian design, French furniture design is somewhat nebulous. Maison et Objet has therefore decided to change this and celebrate the values of French Furniture.

Maison & Objet Paris is one of the biggest interior design events in the world. For this year’s edition, the fair has initiated an ambitious operation titled ‘Le French Design, no taste for bad taste’ in an effort to pay tribute to the values on the French furniture industry. Twenty-five exhibitors will partake in the plan to generate public awareness of the ten core values - identified by the ‘Valorisation de l’Innovation dans l’Ameublement’ (VIA) - that characterise French design. “The public has a general idea of what defines Italian, German, Scandinavian and Japanese design, but have a much less clear picture of what constitutes French design,” says Jean-Paul Bath, VIA’s executive director. “The idea is to get a concrete idea of what French design actually represents, both from the designer’s standpoint and our industry’s intrinsic expertise.”

Artists have long played a key role in raising the profile of a city or nation. And by supporting home-grown designers in defining the values of French furniture design, France seems to be on a mission to expand its cultural cachet - beyond fashion and food. Celebrating local talent certainly is part of a more general shift towards patriotism, but Maison & Objet’s operation is not the only sign of the nation trying to boost its international appeal. Station F - set to launch in Paris in April ‘17 - is the world’s largest start-up campus gathering a whole entrepreneurial ecosystem. So for a nation more renowned for its heritage and holiday destinations, furniture and tech might soon help the ‘grande nation’ get an upgrade.

STEPHEN & LEO CHI - Chi and Chi Studio, Taiwan

Chi and Chi is a Taiwanese design studio that was founded by brothers Stephen Chiu Chi Hung and Leo Chiu Chi Tat in 2013. Formerly full-time designers for other studios, the two Hong Kongese brothers decided to set up their own studio, driven by a desire to develop a better understanding of products’ lives and to work more closely with manufacturers. “The meaning behind an object should come first – its story, its interesting facts and its uniqueness,” says Stephen.

The duo pays close attention to the relationship between people and objects. Taking inspiration from everyday – often forgotten or ‘normalised’ – objects, Chi and Chi aim to create and redesign objects with content and purpose; with simple functions in their essential forms; that look nice, work well and make someone’s day happier.

The Polygon watch – the studio’s signature piece – is a modern 24-sided analogue timepiece. Each side of its unusual faceted case corresponds to an hour of the day. The watch is designed with geometric features and made with precision engineering and careful hand polishing. Unlike the usual round and smoothened contours of regular watches, Chi and Chi’s Polygon watch preserves the ‘edges’, thereby presenting the time in a distinctively different yet aesthetic way.

For Chi and Chi, working closely with its manufacturers is an integral part of the creative process, and the studio had initially struggled to find a watchmaker able to produce the Polygon’s geometric silhouette. “At the beginning, several manufacturers turned us down because it was too difficult to make,” explains Stephen. “We almost needed to redesign the whole watch.” Instead, the studio has now successfully launched its second edition of the Polygon series.

“The reason we set up the studio is to have a better understanding on product life, not merely to design an object. We can work closely with manufacturers, create something cool with clients and have more interaction with the customers.”
 

Meanwhile, Chi and Chi is partnering with brands and creatives on designing new products set to launch in early 2017, including tableware and home accessories. Make sure to scroll down the page to view a personal selection of the brothers' favourite works of art, artists and products as well as the things that inspire them.
 

@chiandchico 

chiandchi.com

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The composition of images below is a personal selection of Stephen and Leo Chi's Favourite Works of Art, Favourite Products and the things that inspire them.

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by Clay Mahn

Arne Jacobsen, Tongue Chair

Harry Bertoia, Silver Teapot, 1940

On Kawara, Date Painting(s)

Lucie Rie, Conical Porcelain Bowl

Floris Hovers, CARtools

Sabine Finkenauer, Sculpture-sample, 2010

Designed by Dieter Rams 

Paul Winstanley, Art School 16, 2013

Harry Gitlin,Table Lamp, Model T9, 1951

Marcel Breuer, Cesca Side Chair (model B32), 1928

Josef Alvers, Never Before a, 1976

Bruno Mathsso, MI 1050 Wall Unit

Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, Cripsis, 2013

Tadao Ando - Architect

Designed by Naoto Fukasawa 

Sori Yanagi, Spoon

Izziyana Suhaimi, Reaching for equilibirum

Molded Pentray by collaboration brand "PH" (HIGHTIDE and PAPIER LABO)

Kaj-Franck, Kilta

Walter De Maria, Tryth / Beauty Series

HORACE – The New Way of Grooming

Mint-flavoured Whitening Toothpaste by Marvis - LEARN MORE

Safety Razor Set by Mühle - LEARN MORE

Natural Shave Kit - LEARN MORE

Hand-picked Selection by Horace - LEARN MORE

Over the past few months, Paris has increasingly become a place of exciting encounters for us. During our last trip to Paris, we had the chance to sit down with Thomas Cerkevic and Jonathan Andrès, founders of premium leather goods brand RSVP. Our latest discovery is Horace – a new grooming and lifestyle destination that develops and offers daily essentials for today’s men.

“We’ve seen that to men, buying grooming products is an unpleasant experience,” says Horace co-founder Marc Briant-Terlet. “We develop and find the best products and make sure men are fully informed to make their decision.”

Horace carries a well-curated and well-considered selection of items, with products covering the entire grooming spectrum, from safety razors and shaving creams to hair treatments, cleansing gels and body moisturisers. Alongside some of the industry’s most trusted men’s grooming brands like Dr. Bonner, Baxter of California, Murdock London, Ren and Mühle, Horace also offers its own line of high quality care products, which currently includes flavoured toothpicks, a Binchotan toothbrush and a natural exfoliating face puff.

But Horace goes beyond just offering quality grooming products and a hassle-free service – Horace lets you order via messenger, offers re-order alerts and delivers within three hours in Paris.

The brand is adding a great layer to its experience. Its magazine and how-to guides are absolutely on point; they’re nicely written with the right advice, the right amount of humour, personal touch and insight. Our favourite articles include ‘How to rebalance your dry skin’ (how to) and ‘Why it’s time to shave it off’ (editorial). Go and see for yourself – the guys are doing great work.

RAIN WU - Architect and Artist, London

Rain Wu is a London-based, Taiwanese architect working across various fields of art and design. With a specific interest in material development, speculative narratives and interactive spatial experiences, her work impressively ranges from drawings to set design, building design, art installations and curation.
We’ve had the chance to meet Rain at this year’s London Design Biennale where she walked us through her latest project – Eatopia – and talked to us about her future plans. 

Rain Wu is the Designer in Residence 2016 at the Design Museum, London.

Rain Wu graduated from MA Architecture at Royal College of Art and has worked at a number of architectural practices including Carmody Groarke in London and Sou Fujimoto Architects. Her architectural background has informed her way of critically dissecting subjects and assembling them in a coherent and relevant manner. She has not only lectured and exhibited internationally, but has also collaborated with professionals from different disciplines to continuously explore architecture's versatility in art and design.

London’s first ever Design Biennale took place at Somerset House in September. In response to the Biennale’s inaugural theme – Utopia by Design – Rain Wu and designer Shikai Tseng teamed up with chef Chung-Ho Tsai to create a utopian dining experience for Taiwan’s offering – Eatopia. Surrounded by cast tree trunks and woodland sounds in a forest-like installation, we had the chance to immerse ourselves in this unique, culinary experience of Taiwan’s cultural collision. Rain and Shikai are currently planning a world tour for Eatopia.

Looking towards the near future, Rain will host a series of events and public programmes as the Designer in Residence 2016 at the Design Museum, London. For her residency, she wishes to explore new ways to engage audiences and find a way to reimagine the traditional exhibition format; possibly by imagining new approaches to experiential storytelling. The residency – which explores the theme of “Open” – coincides with the opening of the museum’s new John Pawson-designed building in Kensington in November. 

@ranwu_

rainwu.net

eatopia.tw

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The composition of images below is a personal selection of Rain Wu's Favourite Works of Art, Favourite Place, Products and the things that inspire her.

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Anthony Gormley - Block (2016)

Carmody Groarke - The Filling Station

Anton Alvarez - Alphabet Aerobics

COS x Sou Fujimoto - Forest of Light

James Shaw and Marjan Van Aubel - Well Proven Chair

Eva Hesse - Right After

Junya Ishigami - Kanagawa Institute of Technology

Mona Hatoum - Grater Divide (2002)

Waterfall Petit

Untitled

Junya Ishigami - Table

Andrew Mowbray - Charcoal Dice

Odires Mlászho - Transformations

Egon Schiele - Torso (1913)

Cerith Wyn Evans - White Cube

Junya Ishigami - Cuboid

Isa Genzken - World Receiver

COS x Sou Fujimoto - Forest of Light

Olafur Eliasson - Riverbeds

Mona Hatoum - Untitled

Carmody Groarke - Studio East Dining

YSTUDIO - Handcrafted Ballpoint Pen

Founded in Taiwan in 2012, Ystudio’s pens have become a staple piece in our office. For us, the studio’s ballpoint pen not only stands out for its quality and aesthetic, but also for the story it tells; designed and crafted to be lifetime stationery piece.
Seeking to design stationery objects that link past memories with modern life, Ystudio’s copper, bronze and brass pens are made to last a lifetime – with the thought of being passed down from generation to generation.

'In the hands, the brass, with the intense golden yellow, is gradually mild, deep with the ages, and piles up forefathers’ works full of wisdom; the feel, a bit heavy, always reminds us that we should honestly be responsible for every character we have written down.'

Founders Yi and Yanko believe in the value of simplicity. With a considered approach to object design – one that has a meaning; one that is intended to trigger people’s imagination; and one designed to be a part in people’s lives – each of Ystudio’s pens is hancrafted by local, Taiwanese craftsmen using traditional manufacturing techniques under the scorching heat in a furnace.

RSVP PARIS - Handmade Leather Goods

Introducing RSVP Paris. During our recent stay in Paris, we sat down with RSVP founders, Thomas Cerkevic and Jonathan Andrès, to find out more about the guys’ vision and to take a first-hand look at their beautiful range of premium leather goods. We met the two entrepreneurs in their studio, which is located in a former book-binding workshop in the 11ème arrondissement.

Seeing a new start up venture into the leather goods market is perhaps not an all-together new phenomenon, but these guys really know their trade. After working for some of the world’s leading luxury brands for more than 5 years, Thomas and Jonathan decided to develop leather goods that are of ‘True Quality’ and ‘True Price’.

“We only make leather goods, but we make them right.”

Founded in Paris in 2015, RSVP creates premium quality leather goods - handmade in France from A to Z. Thomas and Jonathan have worked alongside most of their suppliers for years. They have gained their trust, and vice versa. Handmade by expert artisans, their products are all crafted in Franche-Comté and Touraine. Naturally, their products are made from Grade-A leather, which is sourced from high profile French tanneries that either belong to or work with major luxury brands.

Opposed to an industry standard with horrendous markups of up to 12 times from atelier to customer, RSVP is fully transparent on costs and margins and has implemented a markup structure of max 2 times. All costs and margins are displayed on the website.  

“Since we value ham over spam, every item we make is limited to 100 pieces.” Each of RSVP’s products is therefore numbered from 1 to 100 – and once a series is sold out, it’s off the market. Make sure to head over to their website and have a look yourself. 

SEEM SOAP STUDIO - Product Design Duo, Paris

Mathilde Lehmann and Valentine Sée are the founders of Paris-based Seem Soap Studio. After completing individual studies in Strasbourg and Geneva, the two young women decided to open their own studio in 2015 after crossing paths in Paris. We met the trained plastician and product designer in Paris to talk about their work, their approach to product design and the importance of everyday objects.

Mathilde and Valentine are fascinated by working with functional everyday objects that seem often forgotten. Experimenting with natural colour pigments, various moulds and 3D printed shapes, the duo approaches the everyday mundane in completely new ways – often bridging the gap between design, art, sculpturing and functionality.  

What had started as an experiment, ended up in their first collection, which the studio launched at Paris Design Week in 2015. Taking a new approach to soap, the duo questions and explores the function of this, often unnoticed, object, reimagining it as a sculpture that adopts new states as time passes. Seem Soap’s four collections – Songe, Patience, Vertige and Paradoxe – apply this careful consideration of product design. Made with a vegetable soap base and formulated with natural ingredients and pigments, the artisan soaps are not only fragrance and allergen-free, but also ergonomically shaped to fit your hand with ease. Mathilde and Valentine make up to twenty soaps per day by hand in their Paris based studio.

Today, soaps are everyday objects; and their shapes have developed into something quite standardised. We wanted to push the boundaries of new approaches in conception and production.

Seem Soap have recently been added to the selections of WallpaperStore*, Papier Tigre and the London Design Museum and have launched an exclusive collaboration with Emily Marant. 

@seemsoap

seemsoap.fr

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The composition of images below is a personal selection of Mathilde and Valentine's Favourite Works of Art and the things that inspire them.

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Thevoz Choquet for Bloc Studios - Marmo Domestico Collection N°1 (2015)

Ladies & Gentlemen - Scales & Folds (2015)

Delpozo SS15 Backstage (2014)

Studio Swine, Hair Highway (2014)

Henri Matisse - Formes, PL. IX (from Jazz, 1947)

Hella Jongerius - Gemstone Tables (2013)

Aude Pariset and Juliette Bonneviot - Last Spring/Summer IV (2015)  

Éléonore Delisse - Day & Night, Lights (2015)

Gustaf Nordenskiöld - Beardrops, Ceramics (2011)

Louise Zhang - Slosh Samples (2014)

Dephine Coindet - Modes et usages de l'art (2015)

Delpozo, Resort 2017 Collection (2016)

The Getty Museum - Los Angeles

Celia Hannes - Emissaire, Glass Objects (2013)

Botanical Gardens, Geneva

Camille Henrot - Sculptures Massées (2011) 

Tomas Alonso - Lines & Waves, Marble (2014)

Epiforma - Meanwhile Curiosities: A Conceptual Representation of Time (2015)

Pierre Charpin - Oggetti Lenti, Vases (2005)

Anny Wang - Treasures (2016) 

Button - "Déboutonner la Mode" (2015)

Philippe Jarrigeon - Baccarat, Harcount Bday (2011)

Bruno Peinado - Sans titre, Looking for a certain ratio (2014)

Hermès - Les facéties de Pégase

George Byrne - Hotel Pool (2015)

Karina Bisch - Arlequine (2015)

HAECKELS – Organically Crafted Seaweed Skincare

Introducing Haeckels – organically crafted wild fragrances and seaweed skincare harvested from Margate’s coastline.

Haeckels was founded in 2012 by filmmaker and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges. Disillusioned by the production ethos of many larger skincare companies, Dom set out with the aim to create simple, handcrafted products that truly embodied his surroundings – Margate’s heritage and natural coastline. Over the years, Haeckels has grown from a passion into a business; taking on members of staff whilst staying true to what the brand was founded upon: to play an active part in the local community, conserve marine life and craft simple yet potent natural products.

By using plants and herbs, which are indigenous to England we make products which help to heal, care and scent the body.

Haeckels has now set up their Margate lab, tucked away in the back of their first ever store. The lab is busy and fully working product development and production lab, where the brand’s perfumes are mixed, bottled and sealed by hand.

Haeckels’ natural products are all handcrafted, locally distilled and formulated using locally growing botanicals that offer the very best anti-oxidant properties. Hand harvested seaweed forms the base ingredient of all products in their skincare range, which is based on the tradition of Thalassotherapy; a treatment that uses ocean water, seaweed, ocean mud and marine minerals to enable the body to replenish, re-mineralise and revitalise.

Two of our favourite products are the Seaweed / Carrot Seed Facial Serum and the Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream. The former is a concentrated hydrating facial serum rich in botanical oils. Boosted with carrot seed, this natural source of vitamins B and C is an excellent lightweight, non-greasy and rapidly absorbing serum to nourish, tone and moisturise your skin. The Eco Marine Extract Facial Cream is a daily moisturiser containing potent doses of a powerful wrinkle active, which strongly stimulates the production of structural skin proteins. Rich in omega 3, this anti-inflammatory and protective antioxidant not only hydrates your skin but improves the appearance of fine lines and skin elasticity. Haeckels not only have a beautiful philosophy, but the brand around Dom Bridges makes simple high quality products that are crafted with full passion.