Today we came across a fantastic new concept for shoes that was spotted by Springwise - Toms Shoes.

“While traveling through Argentina, Blake Mycoskie came across canvas shoes that his feet took an instant liking to. He took the alpargatas–comfortable utility shoes that resemble espadrilles–reworked them a bit, and started TOMS Shoes.
Not just casual chic slip-ons that were spotted all over L.A. this summer, TOMS Shoes give new meaning to ‘two for the price of one’. For each pair purchased (USD 38), TOMS gives a pair to a disadvantaged child in South America. Materials and shoes are produced and manufactured in Argentina under strict ‘no sweatshop’ guidelines, ensuring fair labor practices and minimal impact on the environment. The shoes are available online and at a limited number of boutiques across the United States. Which leaves consumers in many other countries who’ll no doubt welcome feel-good footwear.”

It just shoes over and over again that companies that act human also do have more success. Great product and great execution.

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Here a new hanger that we came across by Okaeri. This one still fulfills its purpose, but at the same time when not being used, it becomes an art object. Its not space efficient, but that loss one can take for the new Okaeri Hanger. Let’s see if we see them soon in any restaurants, bars or homes around us.

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Ray is a table lamp that for once uses sunglasses the other way around. Switched off the entire lamp is covered in chrome and when turned on the glasses become see-through and let just the right amount of light through! The lamp has been designed by Element Design.

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Nigo, owner of famous japanese brand A Bathing Ape is always good for a surprise. Not too long ago Nigo showed us his camo Rolls Royce Phantom, but his latest toy just beats it all. Here you see now the new A Bathing Ape Bugatti Veyron. This car costs 1,2 Million USD, has 1′000 horsepower and is produced only in very limited numbers. The Bape version comes wrapped in a pink camo design! If you were worried not to be seen in your 1′2 Million USD car before, you can make sure that this make-over erases those worries. Pic via Pig.

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Here a fun practical accessory that we came across - the Pocket Watch Alarm Clock by Studioroom 906. The idea behind the clock is to give nowadays new value again to the pocket watch and at the same time to give it a save place at home. Once you put the watch in its case you can still use it at home and this time also as an alarm clock. The design is a nice contrast from old to new! Great idea for pocket watch fans and for people that maybe would like to get one, especially now that they know what to do with it at home.

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This great new Fake Riches Cabinet is the creation of designer Helen Waites. It allows your dishes to look like artwork when not in use, but makes simple white plates suddenly look exciting. The rack consists of a back rack and an overlying glass face, which is decorated with a blue pattern of the type seen on antique plates. When you place a white plate behind the pattern, they pop out and it gives the impression of you really having antique plates. Great idea. Via MocoLoco.

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Here a great new product we came across on the speaker market. This is functional kitsch; the wrong becomes the new right. By adding a function to an otherwise grotesque object, it acquires new aesthetic values, becoming an object of desire. Pun intended, this woofer holds the mids between an addition to your sound system and your loyal 4 footed companion. Available in a co-axial two way speaker system version [two dogs]. Of course this speaker-sytem, with it’s unusual set-up, is not to hold up against a high-end/high costs speaker system, but it’s engineered by a professional audio studio, and apparently sounds remarkably well, compared to your everyday speaker-system! More info and for purchase check here.

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To celebrate Italy as the new soccer World Champion, Nike has put together a really nice website consisting of old italian commercials. It does not stop here. They of course also made some goodies. They made 3 sneakers for this occasion in limited editions: Mercural Vapor, Nike Air Legend FG LE, Air Zoom T90 Supremecy. Also make sure to have a look at the great video on how the Air Zoom T90 is produced! All three sneakers come in gold and the iconic italian blue with 4 stars.

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Today we came across a exciting new book, by non-other than Paul Budnitz, owner and creative director of Kidrobot.

He presents with his new book, I am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion, a visual history of the phenomenon that has energized the toy world and the global art community. From plush fanged cyclopes to four-legged hamburgers, minivan/bunny crossbreds and strikingly realistic firefighters, the toys features in the book have all one thing in common: they are producted in small qunatities, which allows the artsts to design away from marketplace pressures to create mass appeal merchandise.

Now fashion designers, comic book artists, underground illustrators, graffiti and fine artists around the world have joined the designer toy movement, offering creativity to create remarkably innovative new toy designs. Featuring the works of artists like Frank Kozik, Dalek, Gary Baseman, Bounty Hunter and many more, I am Plastic: The Designer Toy Explosion is a stunning presentation of this unique cultural and artistic trend.

The book will be released this coming November and has 368 pages .It’s really great to flip through it and take in all the artistic work in this culture.

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Now already the next gadgets around the soon to come new James Bond movie, Casino Royale, are popping up. One of the more exciting ones is the Sony Spy Gear Set. It consists of a ultra portable Vaio TX, a Cybershot DSC-T50 camera, an aluminum carrying case and display privacy filters. On top of that you will receive an exclusive welcome letter and serialized glass photo certificate that corresponds with the Vaio notebook.

So, if you are either a James Bond fan, or need a new laptop and digital camera, this might just be the perfect set. It comes in a sleek black and you can be sure that nobody around you has the same one. It goes for 3′899 USD.

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