Norman Vilalta of Barcelona

Norman Vilalta is an Argentinian shoe designer based out of the shoe boom city of Barcelona. His aesthetics are describes as "progressive". Yet, he remains true to the classic Italian craftsmanship he learned in Florence, Italy. When I first saw these shoes I was struck by how beautiful the curvature is, a streamlined rendition of classic shoes. They are made in ready to wear and bespoke. The leather is superb and the subtle elegance of the shoe is truly eye-catching. The spectacular aspect of these shoes is that unlike other designer shoe brands and labels these shoes are still in low quantity production and very much an artisanal product that is hand crafted in a workshop just like in the old days. The beauty of an artisanal shoe is that it sings where another mass produced shoe merely walks.

Norman Vilalta is a name to keep your eyes on. I see big things coming form this workshop! These are Ferrari's for the feet.
                                       

What is "Sprezzatura"?

"Sprezzatura" is an Italian concept that incorporates elegance and nonchalance with art, fashion and design. It is the Italian counterpart of American "Swag". The idea of "sprezzatura", is that it is studied casual elegance along with personal flair and flamboyance. "Sprezzatura" is also very obvious in minimalist design and art. Beyond this, it is also way of life so ingrained into Italians, and in other Mediterranean people.

The " Pulcina" by Alessi is the best looking moka pot on the market

Alessi never seems to fail the senses. The "Pulcina", meaning chick in Italian, is one of Alessi's newest members of its already iconic moka pot family.

The coffee maker designed by Michele de Lucchi, was launched during the London Design Festival in 2015 and is an example of the brand's exploration of texture, weight, silhouette and lightheartedness. However, this is a functional coffee maker for a real coffee nerd as well as a piece of art.

Designer Michele de Lucchi collaborated with Illy Esspresso to conduct research on the optimal shape for the perfect esspresso maker. As Alessi states: 

"The “Pulcina” is the product of intense research into the optimisation of the shape of the Coffee pot in order to improve and enhance the organoleptic properties of coffee. Illy has identified the ideal shape that the water boiler should take to produce the perfect coffee. Thanks to the internal shape of its special heater, Pulcina automatically stops filtering the coffee at the right moment. This interruption helps to eliminate the eruption phase, the final filtering stage that generates a burnt and bitter aftertaste, ensuring that only the finest qualities of the coffee are preserved and enhancing its full-bodied and rounded aroma"
 ...(*Organoleptic...Huh?)

Artistically, the ribbed metal frame gives the coffee maker a unique silhouette that reminds the onlooker of a slinky toy or even a pixelated computerized image.

This is a ridiculously beautiful and functional object.

The price ranges from 80 - 120 US dollars. Here is the link to order :

http://store.alessi.com/usa/en-gb/catalog/detail/pulcina-espresso-coffee-maker/mdl02?ic=L3iWQQ%3D%3D&gclid=CjwKEAjw5vu8BRC8rIGNrqbPuSESJADG8RV0_28pBVYxjenak2r_17ybOUhe5J-btqNaT_oVPX4T3BoCWB7w_wcB