Fiat and designer Fabio Novembre have installed 20 life-size fiberglass replicas of the automaker’s 500 C compact car in Milan each with a tree planted inside. The cars are parked along the Montenapoleone, Milan’s epicenter for fashion and jewelry.
The project is called Per fare un albero ‘To make a tree’, and is a collaboration with the Municipality of Milan – Department of Design, Fashion and Events. The idea was to bring some summer shade to the popular stretch of sidewalk in the capital of Lombady. All the 500’s will be parked in their current location till the end of September [...]

Brazilian shoe brand Melissa has recently released in Milan, Italy, its newest model: Melissa + Zaha Hadid, a collaborative effort between the brand and the famous architect. The design of the sandal captivated Carla Sozzani, 10 Corso Como’s creative mind and a passionate art and design collector. 10 Corso Como, a unique mix of selling spaces grouped around a beautiful courtyard, is one of the most renowned concept stores in Milan. The 13.000 square-foot complex gathers everything from books and clothing to art, design and luxury goods. For the launch of the sandal, the store’s interior was completely remodeled: a [...]

In a store promotion that could launch a thousand thesis papers, the new Dirk Bikkemberg boutique in Milan has recruited local soccer deity Andrea Vasa (a defender for Milan’s local football club Brera) to set up camp and live inside the shop for an undisclosed amount of time. As part of his haibitation Vasa will sleep, eat, and even receive guests all while on public display. Inside the store there is also a makeshift weight room,  a luxury shower, and the Soccer star’s own books and posters adorning the walls.The concept behind this unusual setup is that shoppers will have [...]

Tinker.it!, a company dedicated to bringing creativity and technology together, is hosting an event on April 18th to design a piece of lighting using left-over materials.  Following the success of their Makers and Hackers event, the new Slow Lighting Event hopes to achieve similar results in a new field.  The event is a new spin on product design where the audience is expected to utilize the opportunity as a making day, not a teaching day.
The hosts hope the collaboration of innovative teams will yield fresh results despite strict restrictions on materials and time.  Instead of The best products will be [...]

Mini in partnership with Airsteam Inc. have created a one-off Mini Cooper S Clubman coupled with a trailer designed by Copenhagen based furniture brand Republic of Fritz Hansen. The concept will debut at the Salone del Mobile show in Milan next month.
Drawing inspiration from the outdoor lifestyle of surfing, the Airstream interior will feature, amongst others, new interpretations of Arne Jacobsen’s Egg and Swan Chair and a table set up with four unique Series Seven chairs.
The Mini draws inspiration from wetsuits and is painted jet black with lime green accents simulating neoprene stitched together.
[via carbodydesign]