o.b session

Today Aerospoke is a flourishing manufacturer, making wheels for almost all types of cycling, and some products for other industries including horse racing sulkies and wheels used for custom machinery and engineering needs. People buy the Aerospoke wheel because it’s a winning product. Early private testing proved the Aerospoke had aerodynamic advantages over traditional spoked wheels. The success of Aerospoke is due to its loyal customers who spread the gospel via word of mouth and the Internet. This is the kind of success that can’t be bought with high-priced endorsements.

The latest project from Dr Romanelli has seen the surgeon team up with Medicom Toy and Sanrio. Reworking the iconic Hello Kitty, interpretated by a medical theme known all to well with Dr Romanelli’s work. In addition to the figure you are witnessing here, the project will also see 2 more figures and a collection of clothing.

With Astroboy coming back to theaters this October, it’s no surprise a toy line would follow — but getting that toy line from the always top notch Hot Toys makes it even better. As you can see here, there are not one but two handsome pieces coming down the line, and if you are a fan of the tiny superhero, these are sure to get your jets firing.

The first piece in the line is a 1/6 vinyl version (shown above), fully poseable and measuring in at 9 inches tall. Not only does he come with a set of interchangeable hands, arm cannons and extra boots, but he also has battery operated eyes for X Ray vision mode. What a badass. The version you see here is a working model, so it may change a bit before the release late this year.

The second figure comes suspended within his chamber and is 12.5 inches total. This one is due out around the same time. Pricing has no tbeen announced for either figure, but I would guesstimate them in the $100-$200 range. I hope the movie is as awesome as these toys are…

hahahaha

Holiday….weee hoooo

This threw me when I stumbled across it. As well as being a huge pop star, producer, fashion designer, fast-food restauranteur, and writer, Kanye West appears to be a prolific blogger.

Not unusual in itself and I seriously doubt many global superstars actually write any of their blogs themselves, but what is interesting is that Kanye’s blog has an overriding bias towards design.

I only became aware of the blog as I stumbled across what looks like a proposed/upcoming redesign (pictured above and below) by Californian Designer Long Tran over on Behance. A dramatic aesthetic improvement I must say, hope it comes to fruition.

The posts on the Kanye West blog all seem to fit within certain parameters, there’s a definite lean towards the ultra-expensive unattainables a megastar like Kanye would be drawn to, but mixed in with a smattering of edgier ’street’ stuff, presumably to keep it real.

This juxtaposition does jar a little, but by-and-large the posts are surprisingly good and well-informed. I guess it’s all part of the Kanye West brand; to promote him as a cooler-than-cool, discerning, lover of design culture. Recent posts have highlighted chairs by Cappellini (pictured above), a Toshiba / Electrolux vacuum cleaner called ‘Escargot’ (pictured above) and a Louis Vuitton & Takashi Murakami plush toy (below).