HiPSTER WAVE

SWATCH AND ITALIAN ARTIST LORENZO PETRANTONI COLLABORATE ON A SERIES OF DESIGNS DESTINED FOR ALL THE BEST-DRESSED WRISTS!

Swatch is excited to unveil a new collaboration with the internationally acclaimed artist, Lorenzo Petrantoni, whose work is known for combining a distinct graphic sensibility with an illustrative flourish.

This new series of five watch designs from Lorenzo Petrantoni confirms Swatch’s long-standing quest to identify and then work in conjunction with creative mavericks whose dedication to innovation and artistic excellence equals that of the famed Swiss brand. Previous Swatch collaborations, regularly unveiled since the mid-1980s onwards, have resulted in stunning time pieces from high profile visual artists including Keith Haring, Kiki Picasso, Alfred Hofkunst, Mimmo Rotella, Alesandro Mendini, Ivan Navarro and Jean-Michel Othoniel.

As part of The Graphic Designers Collection from Swatch, Lorenzo Petrantoni proposes five different designs which are all equally amazing. Using a stark palette of black and white, the artist’s complex array of illustrative patterns and motifs – which he achieves by reassembling cut-outs from old books, almost like a contemporary form of patchwork – are intricately printed upon the sleek silicone and plastic surfaces of the various watch designs. The quality of this printing process is incredibly precise, ensuring that every single detail can be minutely scrutinized and fully appreciated. Furthermore, each watch features the well-known Swatch logo printed on the inside of the plastic glass, creating a pleasing 3-D effect.

Born in Genoa, in 1970, Lorenzo Petrantoni went on to study graphic design at college in Milan, prior to embarking upon a successful career as an art director in France. Following a move back to his native Italy – which remains his base to this day – he has also evolved his graphic talents into the territory of illustration. His delicate and intricate creations take inspiration from the 1800′s and in particular from old dictionaries of that era, from which he retrieves long-forgotten images to reassemble and reinvent for an appreciative 21st century audience. Petrantoni’s work has, not surprisingly, been exhibited internationally and utilised throughout a variety of popular global advertising campaigns, as well as iconic magazines and newspapers.

Lorenzo Petrantoni explains his design inspirations: “The old and the new come together. Past and present, united in a unique project. This collection of five watches is the offspring of this perfect union. They were designed with decorations, characters and letters and symbols that date back to the 19th century. For me it has been a fascinating, surprising and original project. The idea was to give life to characters and objects from our past once more, while they are often forgotten in dusty bookshops, and to make them modern and aesthetically beautiful by using them for a young and stylish brand. Truly, there was nothing like a Swatch to welcome them into our times.”

HYPNOTIC EYE – $70.00: bit.ly/SwatchHypnoticEye

Woooooooooooooooo! The realness.

Press:

March 4, 2012 (Los Angeles, CA) Rapper-producer KOVAS (pro-nounced KA-VAS) and Art School Rebellion/Ghetto Beat Records is pleased to announce his newest track “Deed It Main” is on the soundtrack for the new Warner Brothers film Project X alongside acts like the AMG, A-Track, Amon Tobin and Waka Flocka, among others. The Todd Phillips (The Hangover) film, about three high-school seniors who plot to throw the ultimate party, opens this Friday, March 2, 2012.

“It’s an honor to have them choose my song for the movie,” notes Kovas of the track he describes as having dusty drums, scratched hooks, and east coast bop. “And since the film is about a teenager’s ultimate fantasy– throwing a wild party–making this track was extra fun.”

While most heads might be unfamiliar with Kovas, more than likely, he’s made music you’ve heard. A Brooklyn native, Kovas has worked with artists from M.I.A and Lady Sovereign to Justin Timberlake and Shakira. More, his music has provided sonic background for films like Prom Night, TV shows like American Dad, and video games like the Madden NFL series, to name just a few.

Following in the tradition of producers who can also spit like Prince Paul, Kanye West and Pharrell, Kovas is multitalented. In fact, he plays five instruments, sings, raps and engineers on most of his productions. As founder of the digital music label Art School Rebellion/Ghetto Beat, the versatile musician has amassed a catalog of production credits from chart topping recording artists and leading entertainment companies. In 2003 he produced the track “Attitude” for Nick Cannon’s self-titled album. In 2006, he remixed both “Fiddle with the Beat” for Lady Sovereign and “Hips Don’t Lie” for Shakira. He was commissioned for MTV’s Making The Band, EA Sports Madden NFL 09 video game and Cartoon Networks’ “Adult Swim.” His hit single, “Wax On Wax Off,” was featured on the Madden 09 Video Game & Soundtrack. And as if music isn’t enough, Kovas also voiced two characters in the Rockstar video game “Grand Theft Auto IV.”

Kovas made his debut in 2000 at the age of 16 as both a producer and artist on the Tommy Boy Records release, De La Soul featuring Kovas “Words and Verbs.” He began to compose music, pulling from his Latin/ French Moroccan heritage, as well as rock, punk, soul and hip-hop influences. In 2007, Kovas released his first solo EP, _The Arrogance of Youth_. In 2009, he released a follow up EP _Reagan Babies_.

Kovas might be the best-kept secret in hip-hop, but not for much longer. In March 2012, he’s releasing “The Stick Up,” a single he recorded with pal and rapper/ MTV-star, Andy Milonakis. “Milonakis is fierce on the mic,” says Kovas. “I think people will be pleasantly surprised.” Kovas’ mixtape entitled “The Come Up” will drop in April 2012.

A New Bar Set for Project Ethos
Three events in one push the envelope of exposure, entertainment and innovation

Los Angeles, CA – Project Ethos reached new heights Tuesday night with a cultural juggernaut of fashion, music, live art, and celebration for buyers, media and consumers – all captured on film.

The night began with an invite only meet and greet for participants to connect to industry guests like Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), Racked LA, Yahoo News, NBC, CA Apparel News, Magnet Showroom, Directives West, and Doneger Group among many more. Shortly after the meet and greet, over 1,200 attendees swarmed into the Avalon to witness live art installations from LabArt Gallery’s Sand-One, Jules Muck, and CYRCLE.

Without delay, the first runway show was underway with Luis Mendoza & Yesica Medina (LUICA), Ermelinda Manos (Ermelinda Manos), Janean Johnson (JaJo Couture), Wen Guo (Boditecture), and Danielle Pettee (Danielle the Dress Maker). LA based Hyper Crush took to the stage and hyped the crowd with their electro pop vocals and hard hitting club beats. Moments later, Melissa Velia (Melissa Velia), Edita Bandaryan (Edita Collection), Regina Marie Woods (G. Marie), Catherine Furio (Furio Apparel) and Johana Hernandez (GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez) graced the runway. It truly was a non stop version of Project Ethos that guests have been waiting for.

Partnering with Los Angeles based production studio United Motion Entertainment, Project Ethos had the cameras rolling for weeks leading up to and the day of the event. It truly was a production within a production. Episodes of behind the scenes and show footage will be released on ProjectEthos.TV in the coming weeks.

After the main event, an electric after party with Audi, Jin & Quinn, The Seems, an encore runway show and live art from James Haunt, kept attendees entertained into the late night hours. Haunt was energetic on stage painting models into a canvas created optical illusion.

The latest record from Velapene Screen (Chris Ghiraldi) is an LP that doesn’t disappoint. Velapene keeps his sound as rad as ever, staying true to his charming, catchy melodies and exquisitely programmed beats. Not only do you get lots of gifts from Ghiraldi throughout, there are a number of remixes by artists including Meat Beat Manifesto, Kero, Duran Duran Duran and Sense.

Three personal favorites by Velapene on the release include “Big Sand,” “Fins and Legs” and “What If They Can’t Trust You.” Favorite remix on the record goes to Sense’s “Breathe Again (Sense’s In, Out and Around Mix).”

Tracklist:

1. Brakes Are For Quitters
2. Superhero Ghost
3. Knees High
4. No Hunt No Game
5. My Beat
6. Breathe Again
7. Big Sand
8. Glass Eye Rewind
9. Breaks the Habit
10. Making The Meat
11. 5-iVE (Meat Beat Manifesto My Beat Remix)
12. Breathe Again (Kero Remix)
13. My Beat (Duran Duran Duran Remix)
14. A Drink In The Right Glass
15. Fins And Legs
16. Ghosty Eye Holes
17. What If They Can’t Trust You
18. Breathe Again (Sense’s In, Out and Around Mix)

Mastering by Keith Derek Jackson

Artist Notes:

This record was and is about exploring the creative process, there’s a subtle truth in creating something that drives you to create more. Creative cannibalism can work if it’s for fueling purposes. Changing my comfort zone and moving to the desert gave birth almost a full year of solid writing, late nights, love, friends, lies, truths, exploration and forward thinking all realized in a hot, dry, bleak and lonely place. This record wouldn’t have happened if not for a few simple moments in perfect position. I was also graced with some amazing remixes from some of the most talented musicians I’ve come to know and respect. Thanks for the contributions of extraordinary sound from Jack Dangers, Kero, Duran Duran Duran and Sense.

Thank you to Natalie C, Keith Derek Jackson, Digital Nimbus, The Centrifuge, Bill Youngman, Charlie Nicolls, Dj Rubrene, Big Picture Media, Rob Paterson, Glen Ganguzza, Regina Spektor, Jack Dishel, Threv, Damian Conti, Jill, Ciro, Alexis and Igloo Mag. Thanks for supporting at every chance and making this record feel like a gift and a piece of art to me. Wassim, thanks man, I’m glad we got to talking and crossed paths here. Natalie you are a trooper for sitting through 90 percent of the writing in our high rise apartment in the sky (with windows that didn’t open). Hey Leyland, I finally have some time to tell you to shave.