Hasta La Ideas

Cologne 2012: Chilean studio Great Things to People (gt2P) present this lamp covered in alpaca hair as part of [D3] Talents at imm cologne this week.

The Gudpaka Lamp is shaped into two hairy humps around two bulbs.

It was heat-formed from ABS plastic over an MDF mould, then covered with triangles of plywood on the inside and alpaca hair woven into alpaca felt on the outside.

imm cologne continues until 22 January. See all our stories about the event here.

The information below is from gt2P:

GUDPAKA lamp represents the concept of Digital Crafting in its maximum expression. It brings together manufacturing processes and production from both the field of digital and technological to that of the artisan and low tech. It is a game of opposites. Besides merging digital and traditional (in its manufacturing process), meets also the global and the local (in its design process), vegetable and animal (in its appearance), smooth shapes and flat faces (in its geometry), northern and southern (in the Chilean materials used).

The manufacturing process involved the development of a low cost mould of cut and routed mdf by CNC machinery for thermoforming the structure that supports the materials that converge on the lamp. The inner faces of Coigue plywood were cut by laser cutting machine as well as the alpaca felt strips. Then, the outer covering was woven by hand from wasted hair in the process of obtaining Alpaca wool.

Great things to people (gt2P) is a Chilean studio in a continuous process of research and experimentation in production, technical, functional and aesthetic terms always in search of new proposals.

Its interest in the systematization of geometric, spatial, natural or artificial phenomena by identifying their variables or relevant parameters (geometry, size, material, etc.) allows creating generative algorithms that can control the form and function.

This focus on the systematization of knowledge allows accumulating the learning of all the projects in a “library” of DNA or rules of design, which are used in each new project. These are reproduced as many times as necessary on the scale which is required, as in architecture, furniture, objects, or interventions in public space, thus creating standard methodologies for non-standard solutions.

That is how the concept of digital crafting was born, based on the implementation of digital design methodologies and the experience and the know-how of Chilean artisans, who feed and contribute to qualify each “generative algorithms” or DNA. Through this concept gt2P has succeeded in communicating its ability to investigate, explore and experiment with new materials and processes, and integrate technologies CAD/CAM with traditional techniques and knowledge.

South African hair culture and communities in a vivid book of photos

Like so many underdeveloped places, South Africa’s townships (often written off by tourists as undesirable and dangerous) have long been rich sources of legendary music and culture. As explored in British photographer Simon Weller‘s beautiful new book “South African Township Barbershops & Salons,” proprietors take great pride in designing their businesses, which function as much more than a place to get a haircut—in spite of their humble surroundings.

Signage alone speaks to a tradition of sign painting. Weller—with help from revered South African designer and book contributor Garth Walker—shows the effort put into personalizing salons, from the homemade graphics to a signature style of cut.

From “Judgment Day” to “Boys II Men” salons and those tucked behind the doors of shipping containers, Weller’s bright portraits sheds light on a rarely-seen side of the country, a testament to the hopeful spirit that remains in these communities even as they continue to suffer the effects of apartheid.

Interviews with store owners, sign makers and customers help flesh out the story, positioning the spaces as not just salons and barber shops, but as community centers for socializing, gossip, networking and other connection-making.

“South African Township Barbershops & Salons” sells from Mark Batty and Amazon.

Five expert tips for moisturizing your mane as the weather shifts

Whichever hemisphere you’re in, seasonal changes makes a good excuse to revive tresses that have suffered recent abuses. Doing a little something extra to up hydration, whether lacking from too much sun or radiator heat, can bounce hair back to its full glory. We checked in with Angelo David of the eponymous NYC salon to get a few tips on how to achieve luscious locks—most importantly, don’t go outside with wet hair and limit the use of products with alcohol and sulfates. Read on for a comprehensive plan to get the most moisture possible into your tresses.

Locking in moisture doesn’t always mean turning to lubricating products. David suggests a home humidifier to put moisture back in the air and your hair. We like Stadler Form’s William Ultrasonic Humidifier ($230), which can cover up to 1,000 square-feet of space (in spite of its compact size), fends off bacteria with its Ionic Silver Cube, and has a timer, a turntable mist diffuser and an integrated humidistat. The stylist also recommends running dryer sheets through hair to avoid static and tame flyaways. While I rather like the laundromat smell, The Laundress’ nontoxic, biodegradable and allergen-free dryer sheets are made from fragrant plants ($16) and make a more healthy choice.

Sometimes the right products can go a long way when you need more than just hair maintenance, but some serious help. David proposes beginning with the Pureology Hydrate Antifade Complex line. The shampoo has a “ZeroSulfate” guarantee and comes packed with essential proteins to rehydrate your scalp, while the conditioner mixrd jojoba esters and shea butter to replenish and soften hair. Both cleansers are scented with organic botanical blends and are designed to conserve color ($20 each for a 10.1oz bottle).

Applying Angelo David’s Zero Frizz Control cream ($20) to hair directly after washing seals in moisture without weighing hair down. The cream works best when hair is exposed to high humidity or dry indoor heat, making it the perfect year-round restorer. They also recommend styling hair with their large round brush ($55), made with a balanced amount of boar’s hair and nylon bristles to prevent breakage and stimulate the scalp—which will help hair grow as well.

Swedish designers Humans since 1982 have created a hair clip with eyes on to make the wearer look like they’re standing the other way round and wearing a niqāb headdress.

Called Hair Clip on Hair, the piece comprises a photograph of a woman’s eyes, attached to a metal clip.

This series of photographs is by Stockholm photographer Tim Meier.

The design is produced in a limited edition of 50 signed, handmade pieces.

More about Humans Since 1982 on Dezeen »

Dimensions: 105mmx 20mm
Material: photograph on metal

DezeenTV: Hair Clip on Hair by Humans Since 1982

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Bun Boxes by Émilie Voirin	Crazy Hair by Studio Marisol and CuldeSac	Hair jewellery by by Anna Schwamborn

Colorful scrunchies reinvented in Maharam fabric by a crafty Ohio mom

Last but not least in our series of limited-edition collaborations, the Maharam and Cool Hunting hair scrunchie (or Ma-hair-am Scrunchie, as we like to call it) is the upshot of a typical late night at the office when we were sourcing the items for our pop up shop with the Gap. When CH editor Ami Kealoha whipped out a scrunchie to keep her hair back, it sparked a nostalgic conversation about the beloved hair tie that ruled the ’90s.

“Wouldn’t it be great to make scrunchies out of
Maharam fabric?” was all it took for us to reach out to the NYC textile legend. Once they were on board, we tapped the woman who made over 100 scrunchies to hold up my side ponytail for all of fifth grade (aka my mother Debbie), who whipped up a batch of the fabric-covered hair-ties for us.

A fourth generation family-run business, as the major fabric supplier for much of NYC’s fashion and furniture industries, Maharam is a perfect example of one of NYC’s enduring brands and a great fit for the project.

Despite the infamous scrunchie episode of “Sex & The City,” we’re here to tell you that girls in NYC do wear them. A well-made throwback and the perfect stocking stuffer to add a little splash of colorful fun, the Maharam and Cool Hunting scrunchies sell online and in our pop up with the Gap for $6 each.