TREND SPARK!

TREND SPARK! Week 9 | 16.11.2007

TREND SPARK!	By Alexandra Suhner, London Editor \| Week 9 \| 16.11.2007
Music Spark!	Shop Spark!
Kylie Minogue's latest single cover features a very eighties graphic style which is yet another transformation of her look. The exhibition last year in London at the Victoria and Albert Museum highlighted her ever-changing wardrobe and amazing collection of costumes, and I find this new look quite interesting, as it makes her look younger and sparkier than ever. It reminded me of the May 2003 British Vogue cover of Kate Moss, inspired by David Bowie. The style looks new and interesting and can certainly be paving the way for a new art direction trend, all about flash, spark, and color. Photo via www.kylie.com Kylie at the V&A >> read	MUJI, the Japanese minimalist brand, is opening its American flagship November 16th in New York's Soho. This will be their first non-concession store in the US. Famed for clothing, stationary, and home wear, the products are all very affordable and totally branding-free. In fact, their name stands for "No Brand Quality Goods". My favorite MUJI products are all the travel-size containers, they even have little kits of scoops and funnels to help you transfer creams and lotions from the real packaging into the travel miniatures. So useful! "MUJI is simplicity - but a simplicity achieved through a complexity of thought and design." MUJI 455 Broadway, New York, NY 10013 \| click for map
Gift Spark!
Christmas is approaching fast and that is when the panic starts to set in...Who to buy presents for, how much to spend, when to go shopping. Last year I took the easy way out and made a donation to Doctors Without Borders on behalf of my whole family. They REALLY didn't need any more stuff. This year, I am going to have to buy, so for the Trend Spark! readers I am going to feature a new great present every week. The best part is, it will be something you can actually buy online, a great way to avoid the mad Christmas riots. This week's Gift Spark! is "New Shoes:Contemporary Footwear Design: Contemporary Footwear Design" a book by Sue Huey and Rebecca Proctor. Most of my friends will know that books are my favorite present to give, usually books that are related to art or design. It's a cultured, substantial present and if chosen right, means you actually gave some thought to what the receiver would like. "New Shoes" is for any shoe obsessive, especially one interested in contemporary shoe design (ie: they buy a lot of shoes). Another favorite of mine is "Life's a Pitch" by Stephen Bayley and Roger Mavity. Definitely a work-related book but very interesting and well-written. Available from: www.amazon.com \| www.magmabooks.com