SOLE DXB: The review

Finally got around to posting pictures of the SOLE DXB Sneaker Summit at the Jamjar for those of you who couldn't make it, BUT I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of these events in Dubai. There were all types of people, from graffiti artists, skateboarders, sports enthusiasts, musicians, photographers... you name it! It was really a very energetic hub which brought all these artists together. Apart from that, it wasn't just a display type of exhibit, you could actually purchase what was displayed. One of the coolest stores in Dubai The Zoo Concept, was also there. I got to design a PUMA sneaker on the iPad they had set up, the Creative Factory is such a cool concept! Here's a little preview of the night.

All pictures belong to AnnaLikes

SNEAKER SUMMIT: SOLE DXB: Powered by Puma

Watch out for some interesting activation by PUMA in Dubai - SOLE DXB! It's a platform through which sneaker enthusiasts all over the UAE can communicate, sharing options and inspirations and setting new trends in the region. Initiated by two PUMA Creative Factory ambassadors - Hussain Moloobhoy and Kris Balerite, and designer Joshua Cox, SOLE DXB will be an event that explores elements that both influence and are influenced by sneaker culture, including music, skateboarding and photography. 

Hussein

Kris

Taking place on February 24^th, 2011 at the Jam Jar, SOLE DXB will feature the Middle East’s debut screening of the documentary ‘Mystery of Flying Kicks’, as well as live music performances, photography exhibition and sneaker collection showcases – all powered by PUMA.

Hussain and Kris of SOLE DXB are also ambassadors for the PUMA Creative Factory, which launched here in December. It's an iPad application that allows consumers to custom-create their own shoes and build their very own sneaker from an assortment of materials and fabric to make a one-of-a-kind pair, with only two being the same. Yours.

PUMA iPads will be available at the event for people to design, create and order their ultimate sneaker on the spot.

The SOLE DXB event will play a host to first PUMA Social Club, part of the PUMA Social lifestyle campaign, in the Middle East where the After Hours Athletes of Dubai will get a taste of their favorite sporting activities. PUMA aims to to create a space where friendly competition is fostered, and victory is not achieved in the form of a trophy, but sometimes a girl's phone number!

PUMA Social ad campaign in the USA

PUMA has also introduced the PUMA Life Scoreboard, an online mobile application designed to keep running tally on literally anything and everything! After all, life is more fun when you're keeping score ;)

“PUMA pioneered the idea of SportLifestyle and built our brand on having fun,” says Abdelhamid Oraibi, Marketing Manager of PUMA Middle East. “PUMA Social is the new sportlifestyle movement for now and the future. We want to celebrate the after-hours athlete who knows growing up doesn’t always mean acting like a grown-up.”

Entrance to the event at the Jam Jar is only by invitation. For all you sneaker heads attending, this is an opportunity to experience PUMA Social and PUMA Creative Factory at the region's first SOLE DXB event on the 24th of February at the Jam Jar! AnnaLikes will cover the event and post a follow up :)

365 Jars

UK Artist Kirsty Hall has embarked on a new project called 365 Jars, and released that many jars into the wild for people to find. These jars are quite regular looking canisters filled with Hall's art - pieces of her paintings, crafts and so on. She placed them around Bristol for people to find, a give-and-take gesture, she encourages people who find one to label the Jar # as 'Found' on her website www.365jars.com and keep the jar for themselves. It's the message-in-a-bottle evolution!

Kuksi Creations

Kris Kuksi has a obsession! He arranges characters and architectural elements in asymmetric composition to create these dramatic, insanely detailed sculptures. You know those toy soldiers your mom threw out when you were 6? Well he collects them along with miniature engine blocks and assorted debris to form these sets, which look more like shrines or little worlds to resort to, how crazy is that! Incredible!

Helvetica cookies

These are awesome! Helvetica Cookie Cutters made from acrylic and aluminum by Beverly Hsu.

Steve Jobs Monochromatic

Creative directors of Panorama, Italy's number 1 weekly magazine, approached designer Charis Tsevis of Tsevis Visual Design, and requested a white on white portrait of Steve Jobs illustrated with Apple's white products. He used about 300 of them to create the mosaic, and out of curiosity he put together a black version to see what it would look like. The team at Panorama liked both and decided to use one on the cover page and the other on an internal spread of the magazine.

White version

White close-up

Black version

Black close-up 

Cover

Internal spread

Source: Charis Tsevis on Behance

Slides & Grinds destroyed

If you're a skater or sculpture fan, you'd love these! Spanish designers Apparatu Xavier Manosa Ciria and Alex Trochut, created these ceramic skateboard decks, showing various forms of destruction. This project brings together street culture and contemporary sculptural techniques. From a more functional point of view, these skateboards can work nicely as coat hangers, wall hangings, even trays or table tops.

Bling it on!

Check out what Babybling's got in store for your toddlers this Eid! They've come up with very original ornamental flower pots made of AED 100 notes, these note "petals" can be handed out by parents to their kids, as "3eediya".  Their Eid collection also includes really cute glittery "3eediya" one'sies and bibs! Babybling will donate 50% of all profits from this Eid Collecion to aid the children in Pakistan who have been affected by the floods.

They've got a wide range of products from customized gifts, ready-made and DIY hampers, baby room accessories, trinkets and jewelry for both babies and parents. Babybling also offers party services, from the baby shower to a baby's first birthday. You can purchase Babybling products online at www.babybling.com or visit their boutique at the Village Mall in Jumeirah, Dubai.

source: www.expose-communications.com 

If he only knew

Andy Warhol's "Coca-Cola (4) Large Coca-Cola" sold for a whopping $35.36 million to an anonymous telephone bidder last night at Sotheby's robust contemporary and post-war art auction. The painting wasn't even in color

The Coke bottle went for $10 million more than had been predicted.

On a side note, I love this bottle, I'm not a big fan of Coke, but there's something about drinking the fizzy soda from a plain minimal glass bottle. It's one of those indestructible brands, when physically broken in thousands of shattered pieces, you can always recognize that it's a Coke glass bottle!

Source: www.nytimes.com

Leaves me pretty

Check out these Nylon Leaf Ties designed by Lufdesign, a creative solution to making unattractive zip ties a little more interesting. I love how they've used them to accessories the most random things other than wires and cables.

'Cause the Dice said so

These series of Dice are designed by Netherlands design studio Creative Heroes. Each face of the dice assigns activities, but unlike what we're used to, these one try to make you do good deeds. They got three different ones: kindness, eco and wellness. Check them out.

Ketchup Army

Many of you are probably aware of the MEGA toy trend that wooooshed the UAE. Here are characters quite similar called the Kidrobots. Heinz did their own take on these characters as part of the Dunny Series. Is this a new packaging opportunity? Could be!

Check out more Kidrobots on http://www.kidrobot.com/