blowing up

A perfect example of the innovative use of materials, balloon artist Rie Hosokai of Daisy Balloon is blowing up the fashion world as we know it. These delicate garments are made by inflating latex balloons and weaving them (by hand) in opposite directions to create a texture similar to fabric. Hosokai began her career as a florist but her latest ventures have diverged to include a range of wedding dresses. Despite the inexpensive materials and 24-hour life cycle these dresses are retailing for anywhere between $2,000 and $4,000!

To see more of her quirky work check out http://www.daisyballoon.com/

The Great South Wall

  

     

 

     

pinafore playsuit, white long sleeve crop top, diamanté ear cuffs - topshop

gold zip boots, buckle boots, tuxedo blazer, striped pants - zara

bowler hat - h&m 

I heart NY t-shirt - New York

gold cuff rings - asos

The Great South Wall extends from Ringsend nearly four miles out into Dublin Bay. It was the world's longest sea-wall at the time of its completion in 1786 and remains one of the longest in Europe.

At the seaward end of the wall stands the red-painted Poolbeg Lighthouse, standing in its current form since 1820, having replaced an earlier light-tower, which in turn replaced a 1782 light-ship.

The lighthouse is one of a formation of three. One of the other two lighthouses is located on the Bull Wall opposite, and the other on a wooden platform mid-channel.

The Poolbeg Lighthouse is painted red. The green lighthouse in Dublin bay is the North Bull lighthouse, a couple of yards off the end of the North Bull Wall, and another lighthouse sits out in the bay itself. Green is for starboard (right) and red is for port (left).

The wall was built originally to create a shipping channel into Dublin Port. It was once a station for an army gun battery whose function was to protect the entrance to the port. The gun turret was mounted in a 'half moon' shape, thus lending to the name of the swimming club. The Half Moon Swimming Club sits approximately halfway along the Wall and was founded in 1898. The clubhouse is referred to as 'the Wall', 'the Poolbeg', 'the Battery', or 'the Half Moon'.

Piece of peace

Piece of peace is a charity exhibit running at the Parco Museum in Tokyo. It features World Heritage Sites built with Lego blocks. Manufactured since 1949, Lego expanded the product range to include Lego Architecture in 2008. The Sydney Opera House edition ended up under our Christmas tree much to our delight! 


Kazuyoshi Naoe is one of the Lego company’s certified builders. He has supervised the construction of replicas of 40 World Heritage Sites from 27 different countries: the Pyramids, the ruins at Angkor Wat, Mont St. Michel, cultural heritage sites in Kyoto, the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, historical Vienna, the Sydney Opera House, Toshogu Shrine in Nikko and many more. Proceeds from sales at the exhibition will go towards UNESCO to help with the preservation of the real sites. 


Also featured in the exhibition is the exquisite creation of Japanese artist Rie Hosokai of Daisy Balloon. She used Lego bricks to create this astounding garment.

Lego...it's not just for kids.

Happy New Year everyone!