///BREAKING NEWS

Picture this: President Barack Obama joyfully biking along the streets on this typically Dutch carrier bike. On his way to do some groceries and promoting this alternative way of shopping. Take a bike instead of your car!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHVdAyFx2lI

(In this clip singer Wende Snijders on a De Fietsfabriek bike, singing this ‘Yes we can’ song. In Dutch we call this carrier bike a ‘bakfiets’, and De Fietsfabriek means: the bike factory)

The ‘b2O- bakfiets 2 Obama’ project is initiated by the owners of Dutch bike store De Fietsfabriek, Yalçin Cihangir and Dave Deutsch. Aim is to encourage Obama to improve his sustainability program.

To get publicity, an ambitious and enthusiastic documentary team is planning to make a bike tour on a special Obama ‘bakfiets’. Starting in the Turkish village Buyukcamili where owner Yalçin Cihangir was born and the factory of De Fietsfabriek is based. Biking towards Rotterdam harbor via Amsterdam, crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship. At the USA coast, the American media circus can get crazy and follow this theatrical parade towards the White House in Washington D.C. Hopefully with a warm applause of Obama himself!

In 2004 Yalçin Cihangir (picture above) and Dave Deutsch Read the rest of this entry »

///NEW PAGE

At the new FACE SPACE @ WALL OF FAITH page (check at the right) on Hiphonest.com we will create the ‘WALL OF FAITH’ by showing faces behind this group of Hiphonest inspirators and smart entrepreneurs. At the moment Hiphonest is inviting and selecting faces to start the WALL OF FAITH! First FACES posted soon! Interested in being part if this? Send an email to annouk.post@gmail.com.

///JOIN FACE SPACE on FACEBOOK

Aim of FACE SPACE on FACEBOOK is to show the world that the group of people who are part of the Hiphonest shift is growing and spread over the globe. We are on our way to a world in which sustainable thinking, design, fashion and business will make the difference. Core idea is that this shift takes place in the being and hearts of optimistic but critical creative’s. In fact we as human beings are in a Hiphonest global transition.

FACE SPACE follows the (YOI) philosophy that cultural shifts (and trends) are mostly made and spread by creative inventors with a feeler for change.

(watch the ‘old’  story of YOI: here)

By adopting this positive approach on the environment in their lifestyle, these trendsetters will set the tune for the bigger mass. By contributing their skills in design, writing, business, organizing etc to a better and more beautiful world, they are a big inspiration for the world. Check last posts Be part of the SHIFT 1. - SHIFT 2. SHIFT 3.

Join us today at Facebook : Hiphonest Face Space.

///FASHION/ART

In 2003 I visited New York City for the first time. Being overwhelmed by the magnificent energy of this city I started a street research for honest fashion. A handful of underground organic T-shirts labels and some re-vintage designers were the results. Not really a store for eco fashion yet.

Six years later (December 11-13 2009), two of my favorite Hiphonest creative’s, Meiling Chen and Abigail Doan, managed to organize a tempting art fashion performance, named -A weekend of ‘Fearless Dreaming’-.  This alluring event took place in the pearl of ecofashion stores, the beautiful House of  Organic/Ekovaruhuset.

This art fashion performance showcased artists & designers including Meiling Chen, Abigail Doan, Sara Hubbs, and Rob Strati. Artists presented their work and besides they offered on-site activities and dialogues about the notion of ‘fearless dreaming’ and its role in art, fashion, memory, and placemaking.

Weekend visitors to the House of Organic/Ekovaruhuset had the possibility to contribute to the collaborative experience by writing down ideas related to their own notions of ‘fearless dreaming. The documented text and portraits were displayed on the store’s walls as part of the ‘fearless dreaming’ showcase/installation exhibition.

(All pictures made by Abigail Doan check more here)

Meiling Chen created interpretive, hand-drawn portraits of the weekend’s visitors, while also encouraged guests to draw, map, and diagram their own dreams, memories, and visions of the future, etc.

Eco-fiber artist Abigail Doan created recycled fiber forms and textile maps as a means to stimulate dialogue about her own memories of a homespun upbringing on a small family farm and life today navigating the urban landscape.

As an extension of Meiling Chen’s design label, ‘Fearless Dreaming’, it is the collectives wish that visitors to House of Organic/Ekovaruhset will be encouraged to share and talk about their desires/dreams and create new possibilities for ‘dreaming fearlessly’.

///BREAKING NEWS

Personally, the good news is, that Hiphonest.com is mentioned on 3 different long-lists for the subcategories TrendWatcher of The Year 2010. I feel already very honored.. Since this writing is my dedicated passion! These different categories: UPCOMING TALENT / FASHION & DESIGN /DUURZAAMHEID (=SUSTAINABILITY)

So if you feel like promoting me or Hiphonest please send an email before 2 February to: ikstemop@secondsight.nl

THANKS Annouk

///INSPIRATION

Already joined a PechaKucha Night? Pecha what?? Well PechaKucha, drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of ‘chit chat’ started in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. Yesterday I had my first PechaKucha experience..and let it ‘rain’ on me.

PechaKucha has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide.  Concept is to present your story in 20 alluring images x 20 seconds. The understandability and flow in this presentation format provides you as a visitor the perfect dose on inspiration.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7dYYU3yea8O

One of the marvelous concepts was the RAINCAMPAIGN developed and designed by agency MisterWilson. Entrepreneur Bas Manders presented the RAINCAMPAIGN as an innovating, surprising environmental friendly outdoor advertising campaign. Using only rainwater.

One thing of for sure! Living in a city is a fertile source for ideas. This ‘shitty’ rainy climate in the Netherlands brings magic! And in Paris, the ‘city of love’, you can find these flirty ’streetharts’. The good news is that this RAINCAMPAIN supports the recovery of the rainforests. With every campaign they make for a client, like for example tire importer company Continental, a percentage will go to an international rainforest project which protects the rainforest.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjeus-xTpso

Stylish singing in the rain? Check Treehuggers article on ecobrella’s.