Creative mogul Pharrell Williams is known for knocking down the barriers between art, music, fashion and, now, high-end furniture design. His Eames-inspired Perspective Chair recently went on view in the prestigious art gallery Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris and made quite a statement—especially for a first time exhibitor.
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Ted Noten creates compelling, high-profile jewelry that strays from the beaten path of accessories design. The Amsterdam-based designer creates conceptual pieces including pearl adorned mice, pill-shaped wedding rings that are swallowed rather than worn, brooches made from a cut-up Mercedes-Benz and animals cast in acrylic handbags. As his manifesto declares: "Jewelry must be shamelessly curious."
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Designed by Shandor Gancs and Boyd Parry, Leopold has answered the prayers of fashion conscious Aussie men. The label's first brick-and-mortar store opened in 2007—right on Melbourne's City Square, between prestigious Collins Street and über-cool Flinders Lane—but it's quickly established itself at the forefront of the Australian menswear scene.
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Grab a pair of CoutureLab Home's Hand Hook set for some stylish and helpful wall art. Mimicking common hand gestures ("thumbs-up" and "OK"), the two pieces serve as functional coat hooks, while adding unexpected flair to any home. Buy the pair for approximately $297 at www.couturelab.com.

Tomas Overtoom has always loved the nightlife. A well-known DJ and events coordinator, the Dutch-born designer has always had a knack for dressing the part—defying the pitfalls of "smart casual" without ever looking overdressed. With such personal and professional taste, it's no surprise that Overtoom has combined his various interests to form a new line of menswear.
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Kokon to Zai designer Robert Risteski is helping to bring underground fashion to Amsterdam with Destinationshop. Working with independent fashion labels to create a monthly fashion installation, Risteski has built a place for people to spend time, try on new labels and discover inspiring new trends.
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Julia Menthel is an enigmatic German jewelry designer with a bright future ahead. Her collection skillfully mixes old world elegance with a hipster twist, creating jewelry that defies categorization.

Like many of her contemporaries, Menthel came to jewelry by way of fashion, having initially studied design in Florence, New York and London. She later designed accessories exclusively for Anne Klein and eventually became a jewelry consultant for Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, before moving back to her native Berlin to create her first solo jewelry line.
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Prova's skinny fringed scarf was inspired by the beautiful beading and craftsmanship seen in Native American clothes and accessories. This stunning detail work gives the piece a dual purpose: it serves as both a scarf and an interesting neck piece. Buy it for $339 at www.kirnazabete.com.

In 2008 we traveled to the most countries than in our seven year history. We started off January in Brazil to attend Fashion Rio and ended the year back in Brazil at Claro Rio. (If there was any doubt to Brazil's emerging status, its rise got full certification in 2008). Other highlights included a trip Down Under in April to attend Rosemount Australian Fashion Week (a fabulously organized event that's staking a claim on the global fashion calendar), a number of swoon-worthy parties in Paris, London and Los Angeles as well as our own blowout event in New York back in May.  read more »

In the wake of California's controversial move to pass Proposition 8 (which strips the right of same-sex couples to marry) and in light of the major Hollywood motion picture depicting the life and death of politician Harvey Milk (California's first openly gay public servant), citizens of the US have found themselves in the middle of a new culture clash. Fueled by the fire of injustice and determined to expand the breadth of universal civil and human rights, people everywhere have chosen to act by raising awareness about the queer community.

Amid this clamor, a group of independent gay arts magazines have gained momentum. As recently noted in New York magazine's article on their success, these flourishing publications champion the histories, art, culture and rights of the gay community. Unabashedly honest publications are forging the path of exploration, portraying the realities of these "counter" culture communities, while producing poignant and powerful work.

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