Hasta La Ideas

We made the perfect safari bag and a video on how to pack it

For our first Cool Hunting Edition travel experience we brought 24 friends and readers on safari in Zambia. Over the course of eight days, CH Zambia guests experienced the wonders and wildlife of Africa with a few surprises from our brand partners. More stories and videos here. Packing for…

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Full impact protection in a new line for photographers

Brenthaven, a leader in hardcore casing for laptops and devices, recently made the jump to camera bags in a collection that continues their focus on providing the best protection possible. The complete collection includes a lens case, holster, waist pack, shoulder case, messenger bag and backpack—just about the gamut of any photographer’s lugging needs. In our hands-on test of the backpack, the feature that stood out most was Brenthaven’s brand-new “BX2 Xtreme” foam that provides burly, lightweight padding for cameras and lenses.

The organization of the backpack includes a customizable main cavity with front and side accessibility as well as a top area for smaller stowage. Additional flat sleeves provide storage for smaller items and a side loop allows for tripod attachment. One novel design detail is the side access to a laptop sleeve separate from the main compartments.

The backpack is also built for the elements, with a stowable rainfly and gray exterior that resists water and keeps compartments cool. Overall, the pack makes a stellar option for multiple lens photographers looking for impact protection above all else. As an added bonus, all Brenthaven products come with a lifetime guarantee and are sustainably produced.

The BX2 Backpack can be found along with the rest of the collection at the Brenthaven online shop.

Images by James Thorne

Insight on the design process behind the enduring Danish bag brand

Danish bag-maker Mismo was founded 10 years ago by husband-and-wife duo Alexander Bach and Rikke Overgaard, before the notion of the minimal everyday bag became so popular. “I think the reason you might say we develop great bags consistently is because we have this very steady platform from where the design and idiom originates,” explains Bach, pointing out that the inspiration for each new line builds on what they’ve done in the past.

As many an experienced designer knows, there’s no such thing as a completely new shape or idea uninfluenced by what already exists. In this vein, Mismo’s design approach remains robust and contemporary and, at the heart of the pair’s creative process is the quest for detail and functionality. “Seriously, you could put us in a dark room for a few months, completely sheltered from what’s going on in fashion and we’d still crank out bags in line with what you see here,” says Bach with the straightforward and unapologetic frankness so typical of the Scandinavian sentiment toward design.

The spirit of its designers infuses Mismo bags with a real depth of pure function and stripped-down essentials, bags which shrug off frills in favor of continually evolving material selection and intelligent use of color. For Spring 2013, Mismo brings its own unique mustard yellow back into the fray, first seen in 2009 in a collaboration with Storm.

“It’s funny because brighter colors don’t sell well generally,” says Bach, revealing what’s perhaps a counterintuitive strategy for a modern designer. “The mustard color, for instance, we already know won’t sell well but it draws a lot of attention to what we’re doing and is authentic to who we are. Finding the right balance of colors is like creating your own painting. It’s a delicate process.”

The new line features interesting new materials for Mismo, which have been developed over a prolonged period of time. There’s a floral nubuck leather, which has been embossed with a botanical print before being hand-dyed and brushed for a more broken-in feel. There’s also denim sourced from Limonta that shares a similar perfectly worn feel to the touch.

Visit the Mismo website to find online and worldwide retailers.

An all purpose utility bag for the city dwelling outdoor enthusiast

Making expertly crafted products for city dwelling outdoor enthusiasts, NYC’s own Best Made Co. stands at the forefront of the return to our roots movement. “We operate in NYC,” says lead designer Hunter Craighill, “but we focus on the outdoors and the products that get people outside.” To further encourage this call to nature, Best Made is launching a new product each week for the forseable future. First up is the all purpose Gear Bag, made entirely in NYC of mostly American-made materials. Like all Best Made products, the sturdy carry all is attractive enough for the city but built for the great outdoors.

“[The bag] represents a direction we’re moving in, towards being a more full outfitter with apparel, gear and bags. It’s our first bag which we’ve made from scratch, which is exciting for us,” said Craighill. The stiff, three layer construction—heavy waxed cotton canvas outer, impermeable waterproof center and canvas lined interior—gives the bag its rigid form, while a ballistic nylon bottom, brass feet and kevlar handles work together to further its indestructible nature. With one full length exterior pocket and two interior pouch pockets, the all purpose bag features little more than one would need for a weekend away or day on the jobsite.

By using domestically made materials and constructing each piece by hand, Best Made appeals to the conscience consumer looking for something more than just another tote bag. “Part of what we’re doing is trying to produce products that are not disposable, not only because they work well but because you care about them,” said Craighill.

The Gear Bag is available directly from Best Made online for $240. For more information check their site or if you’re in NYC swing by the Best Made workshop friday afternoon’s from noon to six for open house.

Sarcastic Olympic souvenirs for those who are cynical about the games are now available at Dezeen Super Store, 38 Monmouth Street, London WC2.

Priced at £15 each, the bags and t-shirts sport artwork in a style similar to the much-ridiculed London 2012 graphics, with mocking phrases printed on brightly coloured angular shapes.

Dezeen readers can get 10% off any Dezeen Super Store purchase (excluding sale stock and Jambox) and enter our competition to win a designer watch worth £150 by downloading this flyer and presenting it at the shop.

See more products currently for sale at the store here.

Dezeen Super Store
38 Monmouth Street, London WC2
1 July – 30 September 2012

The products were created by Hackney-based designer Tobatron. Scroll down to see a map of all the Hackney creatives we’ve featured as part of Designed in Hackney and click here for more details about Designed in Hackney Day on 1 August.

Here is some more information from Tobatron:

While “that big event in London” is taking place, inject some reality into the proceedings with these limited edition souvenirs.

They are designed by Tobatron in Hackney- a mere javelin’s throw away from the “big event” itself.

All ranges are ethically produced and are made in conjunction with accessories designer Elaine Burke and www.khama.co.uk – a network of women’s community groups in Malawi.

By purchasing these products you are helping to offer support and sustainable employment for women in one of Africa’s poorest regions.

Tobatron is the alter- ego of artist and designer Toby Leigh, his clients include The Guardian, FHM, Sony, Playstation and Channel Four.

His work can be viewed at www.tobatron.com and other products designed by Tobatron can be viewed and purchased here.

Elaine Burke is a London based accessories designer specializing in ethical fashion production in Africa. She has worked as a design consultant for ethical brands and developed ranges for ASOS, House of Fraser and Whistles.

Her company Khama is a network of womens community groups in Malawi making accessories and collaborating with micro-finance charities to help women in one of Africa’s poorest regions.

Designed in Hackney map:

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Key:

Blue = designers
Red = architects
Yellow = brands
Green = street art

See a larger version of this map

Designed in Hackney is a Dezeen initiative to showcase world-class architecture and design created in the borough, which is one of the five host boroughs for the London 2012 Olympic Games as well as being home to Dezeen’s offices. We’ll publish buildings, interiors and objects that have been designed in Hackney until the games this summer.

More information and details of how to get involved can be found at www.designedinhackney.com.

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at Dezeen Super Store appeared first on Dezeen.