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Alternative music Christmas cards by Piper Gates Design

Alternative music Christmas cards by Piper Gates Design

20 affordable retro tech gift ideas

20 affordable retro tech gift ideas

10 of the best retro alarm clocks

10 of the best retro alarm clocks

Categories / Art and Photography, Books, Music

Andy Warhol: The Record Covers, 1949-1987

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Warhol_covers

Everyone knows about Andy Warhol’s connection to music, but only now has it been brought together in one volume – Andy Warhol: The Record Covers, 1949-1987 by Paul Marechal.

Everyone from Count Basie, Tchaikovsky, Aretha Franklin through to Lou Reed, Diana Ross, John Lennon and the Rolling Stones have benefitted from Warhol covers – in fact, 50 covers were actually produced by the man, all reproduced here (front and back) alongside over 100 additional illustrations, related works and background.

For both music and arts fans, it’s a must. And it is available now in hardback for £30.

Find out more about the book at Amazon.co.uk

Categories / Design and Interiors

Sistrah T3 1930s table lamp

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Sistrah

Not 30s style, this is a genuine 1930s design – the Sistrah T3 table lamp.

The Sistrah lights were designed by C.F. Otto Müller in collaboration with Karlsruhe Technical College in 1932 and are still made today with the original tools. The light comes from a two-tier clear glass ‘bell’ and a glass hood, all mouth-blown in the traditional way. And that distinctive stand is made of solid, nickel-plated brass, while the heavy base is nickel-plated cast steel.

If you’re looking for that 1930s period look, this is pretty much perfect – and yours for £425.

Find out more at the Manufactum website

Categories / Gadgets and Tech, Men's Fashion

Softwear by Microsoft – 80s-style retro t-shirts

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Softwear

Microsoft continues its quest to get down with the kids, moving into the clothing game with the Softwear by Microsoft t-shirts.

Set to hit ‘selected’ stores in December, the range is described by Microsoft as "a clothing line that taps the nostalgia of when PCs were just starting to change our lives…". Or in other words, the 1980s. The range includes the two shirts above (certainly the pick of the range) and (more worryingly) a shirt featuring a mug shot of Bill Gates, along with some ‘celebrity’ designs by rapper Common.

If you want to check out the whole range, follow the link below. So far, we’ve no details of price or the specific stockists.

Find out more at the Softwear by Microsoft website

Categories / Design and Interiors, Gadgets and Tech

Meet Dieter Rams at London’s V&A

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Rams
Now here’s a rare treat – one of the godfathers of 20th century design is doing a ‘meet and greet’ at London’s V&A – Less, but Better with Dieter Rams.

We’ve featured numerous Dieter Rams products in the past, including the SK 55 stereo, the Vitsoe 620 chair and the Braun RT-20 radio. And he’s been widely acknowledged as the inspiration behind the majority of Apple’s designs.

Now in his late 70s, the designer will be discussing his ‘design ethos’ and ideas on the future of design. I suspect a few people in the field will be on the front row taking notes. The session takes place at the V&A’s Lecture Theatre on Friday 20th February 2009, admission is £8.

Find out more at the V&A website

Categories / Design and Interiors

Fritz Hansen 50th anniversary Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair now available in the UK

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Swan_50

We flagged this up a couple of weeks back, mentioning that we couldn’t find a seller or price. Well, now we know the bottom line for the Fritz Hansen 50th anniversary Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair.

If you missed it first time around, this is a re-edition of the 1958 classic for the 50th anniversary, this time offering swan-white semi-aniline leather upholstery, a pearl white base and sterling silver pendant, plus engraving with a unique number. That’s because this is being produced in limited numbers – just 1,958.

Utility Design is now offering the limited edition Swan for sale, priced at a hefty £5,712. And as this is a collectable, don’t expect them to be around for long.

Find out more at the Utility Design website

Categories / Women's Fashion

American Retro Cream Spotted Dress

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American_retro

Despite their name, American Retro are a clothing company whose designs rarely show off much in the way of retro looks. Favouring basics and casualwear, it’s a delight to see them pull off a more impressive dress with aplomb.

This Spotted Dress is a knitted woolen item that’s perfect for Winter, and a great way to wear wool for eveningwear. The clean, striking cream shade really makes the oversized spots pop out. The overall look gives a cute, chic sixties look that’s youthful and still sleek.

Get yours online from My Wardrobe for £200. Also available in grey.

Find out more from the website