Around the world with Pixel Pancho, Sten Lex and more…

In April and May a lot of art has been going up around the world thanks to some of our favorite Italian street artists.

Pixel Pancho

Pixel Pancho in Puerto Rico | Image courtesy Pixel Pancho on Behance

Hailing from Turin, Italian street artist Pixel Pancho has brought his massive robots, inspired by 1950s sci-fi and Japanese anime, to the Americas.  First, he visited San Juan Puerto Rico for the Santurce Es Ley festival.  Then, it was off to the Museo del Chopo in Mexico City where, as part of the Concreto exhibition put on by Street Active Lifestyle Magazine, he created both a sculpture and a mural.

Pixel Pancho in Mexico City | Image courtesy Pixel Pancho on Behance

Detail of Pixel Pancho in Mexico City | Image courtesy Pixel Pancho on Behance

Pixel Pancho in Mexico City | Image courtesy Pixel Pancho on Behance

Sten & Lex and Ciredz

Italian street artist duo Sten & Lex created one of their signature pencil stencil portraits for the Katowice Street Art Festival in Poland.  Italian artist Ciredz was also there and contributed a standout minimal greyscale piece.

Sten & Lex in Poland | Image via Sten Lex Facebook Page

Ciredz in Poland

Jaz and Moneyless

Raised in Tuscany, Moneyless aka Teo Pirisi is known for his geometric sculptural interventions and pared-down black and white walls. He teamed up with Argentinian artist Jaz in Berlin for a piece that combines their two distinct styles.

Jaz and Moneless in Berlin | Image via Streetart News

Sun Set Solar Image Clock | Andrea Ponsi

It’s easy to take for granted that time, with its hours and seconds, is a natural idea. It’s only when we look back on a past without watches or clocks that we think about other ways of telling time. Eschewing a conventional round dial  Andrea Ponsi’s Sun Set Solar Image Wall Clock challenges us re-imagine how we visualize time.

Inspired by ancient sundials and a drawing by Le Corbusier, Ponsi’s goal is to provide a more concrete, naturalistic image of the day’s progression and the calendar’s cycle. In the absence of hour and second hands, the Sun Set Solar Image Clock indicates the hour of day and exact position of the sun with a red dot that travels a curving line representing the sun’s movement across the horizon. The Sun Set’s clock face is constructed from a perforated metal plate engraved with labels indicating months, hours and minutes. Made in Italy in a limited edition of 100 pieces, the clock is assembled by artisans in a Florentine workshop.  Once a month the horizon must be manually adjusted to correspond with the appropriate month and twice a year it is necessary to slide a bottom bar to account for Daylight savings time.

TBD | Want it? Grab it!

Sun Set Solar Image Clock | Andrea Ponsi

Bouchon Stool | Domitalia

What better way to enjoy a glass of Italian Prosecco than to sit on a piece of furniture inspired by sparkling wine? With a seat made from cork and metal legs shaped like the wire that holds a wine stopper in place, the Bouchon Stool borrows both its form and its materials from bottles of bubbly.

Taking its name from the French word for cork, the Bouchon is a bar stool that gives a fun twist to an iconic object. Created by Folco Orlandini and Andrea Radice, the ironic design incorporates recycled cork for a lightweight and eco-friendly seating solution. Available in two heights, the metal bases of the stools come in white, matte or outdoor finishes. Even better, the cork seat can be custom engraved with the name of a bar or a restaurant, just as a bottle cork carries the name of the vintner who produced it.

$ TBD | Want it? Grab it!

Bouchon cork seating | Domitalia

Bouchon cork seating | Domitalia

Felt Hat | Barbisio x Camo

Master hat maker Barbisio and fashion-forward label Camo have teamed up on a capsule collection of felt travel hats that are beautiful, versatile and selling out quickly.

Handmade in Italy from felted wool, the hats can be folded up and carried using the attached leather band. The high-quality materials and craftsman’s attention to detail follow in the Barbisio tradition while the relaxed, but still refined, silhouette captures the spirit of Camo’s fashion sense. Available in bordeaux, brown and mustard, the fedora hats are perfect for both men and women.  Whether styled with a sports jacket by a guy or paired with boyfriend jeans and a simple white tee by a gal, it’ll bring the nonchalant cool of Italy to your closet.

€ 180.00 | Want it? Grab it!

Felt Hat | Barbisio x Camo

Felt Hat | Barbisio x Camo

Felt Hat | Barbisio x Camo

Making the Camo Barbisio felt hat

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

Converse might be an iconic American brand, but considering its collaborative series with Missoni and Gienchi’s studded homage, it’s safe to say that Italian designers love the shoe as well. Now, for the Summer 2013 season, innovative streetwear retailer Slam Jam is joining the list of  Converse-loving Italians with the Slam Jam x Converse Jack Purcell Sneaker.

In a celebration of summer style, Slam Jam has updated the classic Jack Purcell silhouette with vintage nautical-inspired details including a red snap button closure and white rubber toe with a red “smile” design.  As part of the Converse First String line, the sneakers feature high-quality authentic materials such as a durable water-repellent navy canvas upper. Unique touches include the phrase “Summer Journey” (a play on the Slam Jam initials) embroidered on the sneakers’ tongue. If you love Converse sneakers as much as the Italians do, this is the next pair to add to your closet starting May 13.

€ 110.00 | Want it? Grab it!

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

First String Summer 2013 Jack Purcell Sneaker | Slam Jam x Converse

Sunday lunch with the family is a well know Italian tradition, especially when you are a child. I remember I was always happy to go to my grandmother’s house because I would get to eat her delicious Tiramsù. While every Italian will say that their grandmother’s Tiramsù is the best, I’m sure that my grandma really is the winner!

Tiramisù

How did Tiramsù  become such an iconic Italian dessert loved across the country and now even internationally? It probably has to do with the fact that Tiramisù represents draws on the traditions of the many regions of Italy.  The ingredients come from three important Italian regions: first, from Naples, strong espresso coffee; second, from Lombardy, dense and creamy Mascarpone cheese; third, from Piedmont, ladyfinger sponge cake cookies called Savoiardi (they were the official cookie of the court of the Duchy of Savoy).

Savoiardi

I remember that I was so excited the Sunday my grandma finally taught me how to make Tiramsù.  While the recipe is simple, most families have their own variation that is passed on from generation to generation. Generally, the preparation is easy. Tiramisù is composed of alternating layers of espresso-soaked Savoiardi and a cream made from Mascarpone cheese and Zabaglione (beaten egg yolks, rum or Marsala dessert wine and sugar).  The final touch is a dusting of cocoa powder.

Espresso, eggs and savoiardi cookies are some of the basic ingredients for Tiramisu | Image Marta Maria Fontana

While most people know the ingredients of this famous dessert, they might not be familiar with the history. In part this is because there is still debate on its origins. The most commonly accepted stories explaining the birth of Tiramsù might be better called legends, since both have been disproven by food historians.  One claims that Tiramisù was invented in the 17th century by pastry chefs from the Tuscan city of Siena in honor of Grand Duke Cosimo III De Medici, while yet another sees it as originating with Camillo Cavour, a hero of Italian national unification in the 19th century. However, the most interesting idea is that it was actually born in the 1970s in a restaurant in Treviso called Alle Beccherie. Either way, its history is hard to trace because it is such a national, rather than regional, dessert.

Tiramisu from Alle Beccherie

Alle Beccherie in Treviso

While my love for Tiramsù started with my grandmother, today I love it because it is fresh, tasty and easy to prepare. The strong flavor and dense texture of the Italian espresso-soaked sponge cake contrasts perfectly with the smooth and light Mascarpone cream. I also love the name which means both a pick-me-up and “make me happy!” I think it’s the perfect label since that’s exactly what Tiramisù does!

Tiramisù love! | Image Mitch Huang

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Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Staying true to its name, which means selfish in Italian, Lamborghini’s Egoista Concept Sports Car only has room the driver. With a bright orange cockpit and alloy wheels, it’s sure to grab the attention and envy of anyone who sees it.

Created in honor of Lamborghini’s 50th birthday, the Egoista’s design and speed were inspired by the world of aviation. The carbon fiber and aluminum cockpit is modeled after that of an Apache helicopter and includes a removable steering wheel and a glass enclosure with electronic lift, both of which make it easier for the driver to exit and enter the car. With its angular styling and exterior LED clearance lights its appearance has been compared to a charging bull and a jet fighter. Powering this tailor-made luxury car is a 600 horsepower 5.2 litre V10 engine.

So, if you have a few million dollars and are ready to leave your friends and baggage at the curb, you could speed off in this selfish new car.

$ TBD | Want it? Grab it!

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Egoista Concept Sports Car | Lamborghini

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Known for high quality hiking boots crafted in the Biella foothills, Italian shoemaker Diemme frequently teams up with other companies to produce truly standout limited editions. This season finds them working once again with Italian outerwear brand Stone Island for a limited series of low and high-top sneakers that feature a clean style with high quality details.

The two silhouettes, a high-top chukka and a low cut five hole sneaker, are available in multiple colorways, both of which feature a bright white rubber contrast sole. The combination of a satin weave and canvas body with suede reinforcements is sporty and elegant, while the high pigment colors are unexpectedly eye-catching.

$325.00 | Want it?  Grab it!

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

Spring / Summer 2013 Sneakers | Stone Island x Diemme

The aperitivo is a ritual in Italy, especially on spring and summer evenings. The breeze is light, the sky is clear, the streets are bright with flowers and friends and coworkers chat with drinks in hand. It’s aperitif time and, in Italy, most cocktails are made with vermouth. While vermouth might often take second seat to vodka, gin and rum, it is a major ingredient in many of the most popular drinks we order. As we sit here sipping on a Negroni, just one of the Italian vermouth-based cocktails growing in popularity around the world, we thought we would share with you some of the history of this legendary spirit.

Red Vermouth Cocktail

The History of Vermouth

Vermouth, invented in Turin by Antonio Benedetto Carpano in 1786, is a fortified wine flavored with many botanical ingredients including herbs, roots, flowers and spices. The word ‘vermouth’ comes from ‘Wermut’, a german word used to indicate a type of wormwood that was an ingredient for many drinks.  While originally it was used as a medicinal cure for stomach disorders and intestinal parasites, in the late 19th century it became an important ingredient for many cocktails.

A vintage Cinzano Vermouth Poster

Part of the reason vermouth has become such a mainstay of cocktail recipes has to do with its versatility. Vermouth is the ideal cocktail mixer, a great aperitif and also acts as a substitute for white wine in cooking. There have traditionally been two types of vermouth, dry and sweet.  While both have between 16% and 18% alcohol by volume, sweet vermouth has a sugar syrup added before the wine is fortified with extra alcohol.

Vintage Vermouth Advertisement

Famous Italian Vermouth Brands

The most famous Italian Vermouth producers are Cinzano, Carpano Antica Formula, Gancia and Martini. These companies export the vermouth all over the world to places such as Argentina, Brasil, Europe and USA.

Vintage Marini Vermouth Poster

Cinzano vermouth dates backs to 1757. The spirit is made with aromatic plants from the Italian Alps and 35 more ingredients. It became very popular among the aristocratic classes of Turin, including the Italian adventurer Giacomo Casanova.

Vermouth Cinzano

Cinzano Bianco Bottles

Carpano Antica Formula is the first red vermouth created by the inventor Antonio Benedetto Carpano in 1786 in Turin.

Carpano Antica Formula Advertisement

Carpano Antica Formula Bottle

Gancia vermouth represents a reinvention of the original vermouth recipe. Carlo Gancia used moscato (a sweet Italian white wine) as a base for the herb infusion in order to achieve a sweeter vermouth.

F.lli Gancia Advertising

Gancia Dry and Rosso Vermouth

Martini&Rossi is probably the most important vermouth company in Italy.  It is famous all over the world for its Martini brand of red and white vermouth.

Martini Vermouth Advertising

Martini Vermouth selection

Martini Perfect | Unique cocktail

Martini Perfect is the perfect mix of white and red vermouths. The recipe is as simple as you can get.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz dry white vermouth

The Perfect Martini

Smeg 500 Mini Fridge | Fiat x Smeg

When you think about Smeg, the Italian domestic appliances manufacturer and Fiat, the Italian automobile manufacturer, you might think they have nothing in common aside from the fact that they’re both Italian.  Well, the companies probably saw something we didn’t, because now the two have teamed up for an unexpected and fun project: a mini-fridge designed as the front of a Fiat 500.

Smeg 500 Mini Fridge | Fiat x Smeg

With a capacity of 100 liters, the mini fridge perfectly combines Smeg’s expertise and Fiat’s design and style. Are you wondering how it works? Easy, you just have to open the hood and set the instrument panel to control it. Then, enjoy your chilly ride!

Smeg 500 Mini Fridge | Fiat x Smeg

Smeg 500 Mini Fridge | Fiat x Smeg