Real Living Space

I’m sure all you design enthusiasts out there know superstar designer Karim Rashid.

Well, who wouldn’t? (We featured him several times in our magazine) The famous designer of the Oh Chair, amongst numerous other modern industrial design endeavors—and although I sometimes do not agree with is plastic-is-fantastic/let’s look to technology design philosophy—is also a genius at branding and marketing, namely, his own name (oops). And his trademark look is pink. Karim dresses in head-to-toe pink, preferably shocking pink, at all times, though he was in a muted baby pink when I spotted him at a design convention two years ago (oh but his wife was in hot pink back then, so same-same):

So it is no surprise that Karim designed Asus computer’s latest baby—this hot pink netbook with Karim’s trademark wavy/techno surface, and of course, hot pink shell:

Don’t fret, guys, there’s a black version for you if you think the pink one is too gay. Well, they hit it off with a Plains and Prints fashion show as well, highlighting the hot pink factor:

Thank you, Fashpack, for keeping me company back there.

If you’re not doing anything by the end of this week, you should really see PIFS’ (Philippine International Furniture Show) Manila Now furniture fair and exhibit at the SMX. Definitely a must-see if you’re a designer or a design enthusiast, since it’s one of the better-edited furniture and trade shows in the Metro. I bumped into young prolific designer Carlo Tanseco, where he exhibited his amazing, eccentric, but very beautiful furniture creations for Maze, and he mentioned that he’s itching for the market to veer away from traditional Tropical-Asian design. Not everyone veered away from the tropics at PIFS, but there were a few exciting pieces we spotted. Look out also for the showhouse-style booths by various PIID designers using pieces from PIFS exhibitors. Will post some pictures tomorrow.

Meanwhile, check out Manila Now at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City (near Mall of Asia). It’s open to the public (with an entrance fee) on Saturday to Sunday.