ART BABBLE: Theresa Himmer - Denmark

Theresa Himmer, a young Danish/Czech artist and architect, born in Denmark and living in Iceland, has added a sparkling new spin on street art. Using thousands and thousands of mirrored plates, essentially large sequins (the same kind used for apparel), each lightly pinned individually onto buildings around Reykjavik, Iceland, she has turned this booming artist city into a magical, man-made landscape. Challenging the notion of man-made versus nature, The Glacier, The Waterfall and The Volcano are three installations constituting the Mountain Series, a loving tribute to Iceland.

Next stop on our list? Reykjavik!

FASHION BABBLE: Iris van Herpen - Netherlands

"Escapism Couture"

Last week, during the Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture F/W 2011/2012 show, 27-year old Iris van Herpen debuted her futuristic, over the top designs. She employs unusual fine handwork techniques and equipment for her work with materials such as smoked leather, rubber, plastic, metal, and polyamidic powder. Deemed the highlight of Paris fashion week, her works reflect that of Alexander McQueen, seemingly defying gravity with nebulous shapes and unearthly composition.

TRAVEL BABBLE: Tulum, Mexico

After hitting the beach in Tulum, head to Hartwood, located on the jungle side of Tulum Beach Road for a bite and appreciate the fresh local seasonal cuisine. Former Peasant Chef Eric Werner is behind the magic freshly prepared at Hartwood, not to mention Eric being easy on the eye is surely a bonus. The menu changes daily, depending on the catch and the markets for the day... take us away!

SHOW 2011 - Antwerp, Belgium

Almost 30 years ago, the famous alumni of the Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, namely the 'Antwerp Six' (Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dirk Van Saene, and Marina Wee) paved the way for a new breed of exceptionally talented students who will become the future drivers of bleeding edge International fashion. Last month, The Fashion Department of the Artesis Hogeschool presented its annual graduation show unveiling the most radical, shocking and progressive collections and installations. Undoubtedly, a new design era.

Check it out here.

Maurizio Anzeri - Italy

Maurizio Anzeri, the Italian born artist from the city of Loano, known for his series of eerie portraits or photo-sculptures, will be presenting his work this month at the Baltic and will mark his first solo show in a major UK institution. When travelling, Maurizio visits flea markets and collects photographs that are later transformed into pieces of art. His portraits maintain the quality of a photograph but are transformed into three-dimensional figures, prompting him to invent the term: ''photo-sculpture''. It is this three-dimensional element, achieved through embroidery and the form of intervention it brings that transforms the portraits into beautiful photo-sculptures.

July Four.

happy 4th!

White Accordion

Will I ever stop dying for an accordion pleat?