Hasta La Ideas

Helium is a sofa set, which consist of 4 elements. They can be put together and create new spaces.

Got milk? Oslo-based FIN does. The “eco lux” fashion label has added milk-based fabrics to its toolbox of organic, environmentally-friendly textiles. Produced from surplus milk proteins, the fabric debuts in FIN’s spring/summer 2010 collection, a graceful assortment of flowing dresses, breezy separates, and urban-minded outerwear inspired by disarrayed pleats and parachutes. Pieces such as a dolman-sleeved gray jumpsuit and draped short dresses in a pavement palette are reminiscent of BCBG Max Azria’s spring 2009 runway collection but are made fresh in fabrics such as organic bamboo satin and “wild non-violent silk” and according to the company’s rigorous fair trade standards. Carbon dioxide emissions from the production of FIN garments are offset with climate credits purchased from Clean Development Mechanism, which funds renewable energy projects. But it’s probably best to avoid confusing carbon neutral with edible, as the components used to produce milk voile, while endowing the fabric with appealing softness and texture, “are not not intended for food.”

Previously on UnBeige:

Celebrating their 4th anniversary (almost to the day), online design retailer Charles & Marie have relaunched their site with a focus on improving the user experience, and a lot of what you don’t see — the back-end management tool for handling multiple languages, currencies and global fulfilment.

Aside from the revamped look and feel, the new interface provides customers with a slew of alternate browsing methods, and an intelligent use of facebook and twiiter, something we see poorly handled by companies on a regular basis. It’s no accident as CEO and founder Marcus Greinke is somewhat obsessed with technology; constantly trialing new applications, updating the C&M twitter feed, answering customer service inquiries via facebook and monitoring the sites performance from his iPhone.

If you’ve got a killer idea for a product but lack resources to realize it, Charles & Marie produce their own Quintessentials collection sold online and in shops like the MoMA store. They work with designers (some you might recognize), often assisting with manufacturing and sourcing to bring a product to market. If you think your idea is a good fit, they’re always open to proposals.

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“As a designer, I’m supposed to be provoking people’s reactions, and getting people to see things differently. I think more of us should be doing this. Because yeah, maybe guys are not gonna want to wear my stuff, but they’ll think that they can maybe wear something a little bit more than what they’ve been wearing. That’s the only way things move forward.”

-Fashion designer Thom Browne

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Standing out among the accessories in BoConcept‘s latest collection, this set of multicolored, polished aluminum storage boxes organizes items in bathrooms, kitchens or any spot needing tidying and prettying up. Each has a brilliantly-hued stripe subtly peeking through between the lid and base, available in orange, ochre, pink and purple with prices ranging from $33-80.

Also striking, a weighty green and brown glass bowl ($100) boasts a soothing wave motif, while a cushion covered in a pixelated flower pattern ($80) lends a contemporary Renaissance look. Both speak to the Danish brand’s refined mix of industrial, modern and luxury influences.

These items, along with more pictured after the jump, will hit BoConcept stores this autumn, which they’re fêting with the longest worldwide release party—a two month journey spanning 27 countries.