At this year's IMM Cologne, Italian furniture design company Lema collaborated with Raw Edges designers Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay who founded their studio in 2007 with the aim of creating soulful and yet, ironic, objects (such as this unusual commissioned piece, to create a unique piece.
Lema, who has long created shelving systems and bookcases for the home has been closely following the evolution of market and consumer needs, especially given the evolution of the library in a modern world that is increasingly oriented towards paperbacks and e-books. Yael and Shay have worked on the concept of the book as an object and as material, which transforms its function and reinvents itself. From these two companies comes a new collaborative effort: The Booken, which is simultaneously a table, shelf and library.
"We were inspired by the fact that people do not re-read the novels that are so often on the shelves," says Raw Edges. "Most books are usually read once and not re-read, and then we thought, why not use the volumes as if they have a plan? Of course you can always remove the book and read it, but at the same time the books take on a new role. "
And that is why the designers chose the name Booken. In English, the suffix 'en' applies in furnishing the material names to identify those with which objects are made. Following this concept, the book becomes the constituent material.
The essence of Booken is captured in two parallel tracks supported by legs on which rest several wooden slats that echo the classic form of the bookmark. The books are literally "hanging" transforming the library from a vertical element to a horizontal element.
"For us it was definitely a challenge from the conceptual point of view," says Angelo Meroni, chairman of Lema. "But at the same time a fun and cool project that brings us closer to a different audience giving us, after collaborating with young designers like Nendo and Giopato & Coombes, a way to look at the future of design and creativity in the field of furniture."
Raw Edges Design Studio
Lema
source: Archiportale
The Booken Is A Table, A Shelf and a Library In One.
Star Wars X Nestle Coffee Machines Complete With Light Saber Stirrers and Mugs.
The Official Star Wars branded versions of products released in Japan just keep coming. After a line of eyewear and watches, now we move to the kitchen with tabletop coffee makers. Nestle Japan has collaborated with Lucas Films to release two Star Wars models of their Gold Blend Barista Machines. The limited edition tabletop coffeemakers come in two styles, each complete with light up light saber stirrer and porcelain coffee mug with icon.
The Dark Side:
The Dark Side/Empire model (limited to 3000 units) comes with two side panels, one that with the Star Wars logotype and the other featuring Darth Vader with the words "The Dark Side Is Strong With This One." A coffee mug with the symbol of the empire and a red functioning light saber as a coffee stirrer comes with the set:
The Light Side:
The Light/Alliance Model (Limited to 2,000 units) comes with two side panels- one with R2D2 and the Star Wars logotype, the other with C3PO and says "Thank The Maker." A coffee mug with the symbol of the Alliance and a blue functioning light saber as a coffee stirrer comes with the set:
Both CNET and Gizmodo knocked the items as silly Star Wars collaborative products not worthy of the official George Lucas 'stamp' but they also didn't show both side panels or even mention the light saber stirrers which are, frankly, awesome. 
Each set costs ¥9,800.
They can be purchased online here.
Or some Japanese sellers already have them on ebay.
Did you see these other new Star Wars products?
• Star Wars Eyewear: 
• Star Wars Seiko Watches:
The $50,000 Leica M9-P Edition Hermès. How It Was Made and What Comes With It.
above composite ©It's Hip, It's Here
The collaborations between Parisian house Hermès and Leica camera keep getting more impressive - and more expensive. This is the third time the brands have teamed up to create a special edition camera.
Launched in two different sets, one of which 300 are available, the other of which only 100 are available, the cameras are wrapped in Hermes' ‘Veau Swift' calfskin in ocre and finished in silver chrome and anodized silver. Below is a look at the luxurious camera and the making of it.
Limited special edition: The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès’
Following the Leica MP and the Leica M7, this is the third in a line of premium special editions of the M-System to be created in collaboration with the well-known Parisian house Hermès. The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' is being offered as a strictly limited edition. The limited numbers, unique product design and premium finishing with numerous extras make this a truly special edition in every respect.
The white-gloved unboxing of the camera:
Craftsmanship of the highest degree
The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' represents the quintessence of a long-standing tradition of master craftsmanship at both Leica and Hermès. So it is only logical that the handcrafted leather supplied by Hermès for the trim of the camera should be applied by hand. Absolute precision is the guiding principle in the construction of this masterpiece.
Luxurious leather by Hermès
The special limited edition Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' is extraordinary in every respect. The highlight is its ‘Veau Swift' calfskin in ocre, supplied by Hermès for the leather finish of the Leica M9-P camera.
This exclusive leather trim by Hermès determines the colour concept of the special edition and ensures a perfect tactile sensation. The fine and supple leather is applied not only to the camera body, but is also used for the shoulder strap included in the set.
Unmistakeable design
In collaboration with automotive designer Walter de'Silva, selected features of the camera body were restyled, including the top and base plates, the shutter speed dial, the multifunction wheel and the shutter release. In addition, the frame selector lever, the accessory shoe and the Leica script on the upper face of the top plate have also been omitted to further emphasize the unique status of this limited edition.
The camera is finished in silver chrome and its lens in anodised silver. In another true master stroke of the Leica factory, the two finishes are absolutely indistinguishable. All protective caps are also manufactured completely in metal.
A video of the making of the Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès:
AVAILABLE IN TWO SETS:
The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' - Set 1
This first of the two Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' sets comes in a worldwide limited edition of 300. In addition to the camera, the set includes a silver anodised Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH. lens.
The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' - Set 2
The Leica M9-P ‘Edition Hermès' - Série Limitée Jean-Louis Dumas, in a strictly limited edition of only 100 sets worldwide, is a memorial to the friendship between the former president of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, and Leica.
The camera in this set is accompanied by three lenses: a Leica Summicron-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH., a Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH. and a Leica APO-Summicron-M 90 mm f/2 ASPH., all featuring a stunning silver-anodized finish.
This unique collection of photographic equipment finds a fitting home in a hand-crafted Hermès camera bag that is available exclusively as part of this second set.
As an homage to Jean-Louis Dumas, the second set also includes a book with a selection of his pictures.
This photographic work in two volumes shows an entertainingly diverse portfolio of 200 black-and-white images captured by Jean-Louis Dumas with his Leica M-camera.
all images and information courtesy of Leica.
