HAPPY FEET

Nothing beats a musical for escapism, no other genre embraces surreality as openly and with such ardor. The glamour, the dancing, the sequins – every element designed to transport us from the world of reality and into something heightened and fantastical. When the chips are down this breed of fantasy becomes even more alluring. Who can stay sad when they see dancers glide across the screen with unparalleled grace? The very sight is a pick-me-up, a little burst of happiness that makes you want to try the moves for yourself.

DRAWN TOGETHER

Raf Simons has a habit of setting the bar when it comes to referential minimalism. Each season he delves into new territory while working within the same strict set of constructs and each season he surprises us all with something fresh and innovative. Regardless of whether or not the end result palatable one has to respect Simons’ masterful approach to designing. His collections are cohesive and deceptively simple – precise cuts, muted colors and uniformity are constants. For Spring( Jil Sander Mens S/S 10 Slideshow) he delves into a look that is boldy optimistic and filled with a downright infectious sense of whimsy.

THE APARTMENT

While the NY Times feature on the building modified by architect Ab Rogers and gallerist Libby Sellers focuses primarily on its function as a design showcase for young British talent the pictures accompanying the article tell a different story. Rather than feeling like a cold storage space for high design the entire space seems inviting and homey. Dare we say it – the term “dream apartment” springs to mind. From the quirky chic Adrien Rovero tables to the simply beautiful Tomas Kral embellished glass jars holding a single flower – every design element within the space seems completely natural. It is as though the spoils of a particularly decor conscious international voyage were laid out for all to see.

SENTIMENTAL REASONS

There are two sides to every issue of Vogue – the snobby chicer than thou side and the optimistic and fun-loving side that makes fashion seem not only accessible but palatable. For every deadly serious icy editorial there is a singularly lovely image of a girl smiling while wearing the kinds of clothes you want in your life. Lately the chief purveyor of these utterly enjoyable bits of sweetness and light has been Norman Jean Roy, a photographer whose cheerful and upbeat vision of the world echoes that of legendary purveyors of perfection like Slim Aarons.

CRAFT WORKS

The phrases “great design” and “expensive” often go hand in hand. There is an unspoken rule whereby all finely crafted, well designed, beautiful things seem somehow out of reach for the majority. Few people have the kind of resources that makes shelling out thousands on an object d’art possible but surely there is a medium point between exorbitant and Ikea. For decorators looking to add a touch of the unusual without going deep into debt, Artecnica is an especially welcome treat. The store’s commitment to providing unique lamps, clocks and other staples at modest prices is admirable, not to mention convenient. While a variety of designers have lent their expertise to the pieces featured the most compelling creations belong to Tord Boontje. His dangling lamps with their floral cut-outs and folds are nothing short of impressive and with the world in need of a little light right now, what could be better?

FIT TO PRINT

Body art is one of the more interesting and dynamic areas of cosmetic expression. When you take the boundaries of traditional makeup it opens up the opportunity for maximum creativity. There is something exciting about seeing a bright blue splash of color against the forehead or words scrawled all over someone’s body. The effect is jarring but it always catches the eye. Among the artists pioneering this breed of beyond the lines cosmetic expression is William Lemon III. Lemon’s energetic ’skin printing’ can be seen everywhere from Beck’s funky video for ‘Gamma Ray’ to the ads for MAC cosmetics. The designs run the gamut from tattoo-esque to completely abstract but no matter the aesthetic there is always something wonderful about the free-spirited way in which Lemon embraces color & pattern on the skin.

THE GOOD EARTH

Origins are one of the easiest things to forget when looking at jewelery  – who wants to think about mining or hunting when taking in the beauty of diamonds and pearls? While unaltered rawer stones have become fashionable in recent years the perfect fusion of design and nature remains rare. The juxtaposition between the two elements has the potential to create an incredibly desirable final product but the trick lies in the balance between two. Luigi Scialanga ( Luigi Scialanga Jewelry Slideshow ) is a master of balance, his unique jewelry designs are streamlined and elegant while retaining an organic sensibility. The gold of his curved necklaces was wrought into its serpentine shape but it looks as though it always existed in exactly that form. Likewise, the stones in each piece are just gritty enough to seem culled from the earth rather than taken out of a glass case or safe. Whether its a ring with a mottled gold overlay that looks like a honeycomb or an amber necklace that looks like its dripping rather than dangling – each piece harks back to the granduer of nature.