BOSTON MARATHON 2009

JASON PISANO

Jay Pisano Boston Marathon 2009

 Hello, my name is Jason and I am 36 and I have Cerebral Palsy. I joined this site about two-and-a-half years ago. Before joining Lovebyrd I had never dated a physically challenged girl, but then it happened. I found a girl I connected with, but over time our personalities clashed and the fact that we live far apart eventually ended this relationship.

I thought I would give up on Lovebyrd and just go back to looking for relationships for myself, but then I decided to give this site one more try. One day early this fall I was just searching to see if any local girl joined the site that was “my type”. Sure enough there was a new member who joined and it said she was from the next town from me, but come to find out she currently lives in the virgin Islands and is awaiting housing here. Her name was Nina and she was very pretty and sounded like we had a lot in common. I immorally sent her a little note and a few days later she replied! From that day we have chatted and talked on the phone daily for the past four months. We really developed a close relationship.

Last week Nina and her wonderful came to Rhode Island to visit me for a week. We both were very nervous to meet face to face. We hoped the chemistry we had chatting would be as great as it was on the phone/computer. To our surprise we clicked even better than we ever expected. We were together the entire 7 days. We went shopping with her parents, out to eat with my friends, and even spent a cozy New Year’s Eve together just watching TV and talking at my house. To be honest I think that was one of the best weeks of my live.

I never thought I could ever be so in love with a woman with a disability. I hope in the not to off future to ask Nina to get engaged. I know we will have our struggles and we will not be rich but I feel our love for each other will help us overcome all the obstacles!

I love you Nina and thanks Mr. and Mrs. Garcia for accepting me as I am!

Jason Pisano.

http://teampisano.blogspot.com/

 

* I have being blessed to be at Boylston Street, with my friend Diane. Jason was about to cross the finish line. I cannot describe my emotions as my tears were rolling down my eyes. From time to time, we have these encounters with these so-called special beings. I had my encounters. Jason thank you, for being so special. It was a pleasure meeting you. Success!

FUELING UP

 By Inside Track  |   Tuesday, April 21, 2009  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  The Inside Track

 

Photo by Matthew Healey

While 26,386 Boston Marathoners braved blisters, cramps and dehydration during their self-imposed 26.2-mile trek to Copley Square yesterday, hundreds of Hub boldfacers partied ’til the last soul crossed the finish line.

And wasn’t that nice of them?

The new entry into race route parties this year was the swish Mandarin Oriental hotel on Boylston Street where GM Susanne Hatje hosted Red Sox [team stats] big guns John Henry and Tom Werner, who popped in after the team took its fourth game from the Orioles 12-1; Bryan Koop of Boston Properties; Mass Sports Partnership chief Paul Foster; Union Oyster House honcho Joe Milano and Mandarin man Richard Baker who flew in from the Left Coast for the foot-race festivities.

Over at PR princess Marlo Fogelman’s shop in the 600 block of Boylston, she broke out the Narragansett beer, shrimp cocktail and lobster sliders from Eastern Standard and whoopie pies from Baker’s Best at her third-floor digs.

On hand for the Marlo madness were real estate guy Mark Goldweitz and his wife, Joyce; Boston Music Awards ace Chip Rives; high-flying Cape Air gal Michelle Haynes; city events cheese Tony Nunziante; Nokona Brand mainman Josh Fink; XV Beacon GM Amy Finsilver; actor/bon vivant Richard DeAgazio and many, many more.

At Abe & Louie’s, “TV Diner” host Billy Costa and rival “Phantom Gourmet” foodie Dan Andelman toasted the runners with Boston Common publisher Glen Kelley and car czar Herb Chambers at a bash thrown by Mercedes Benz .

Then, across the street, there was a smattering of names and faces who gathered on the windy rooftop at the Lenox Hotel for what was billed by the Saunders Family as “the Longest Running Party.”

Spotted amongst the crowd schmoozing Jeff, Tedd and Todd Saunders were: New England Patriots [team stats] linebacker Tedy Bruschi [stats]; Boston City Councilor and mayoral candidate Sam Yoon; state Sen. Sonia Change Diaz; hair honchess Adriana Sassoon; State Room sweeties Jim and Alina Apteker; Boston Ballet artistic director Mikko Nissinen; attorney Tom Dwyer; Newsie Janet Wu; and a few Maggie Inc. models.

Cheers to all!

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1166991

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT

 Marrow types

Section through the femur head, showing the cortex, the red bone marrow and a spot of yellow bone marrow. The white bar represents 1 centimeter.

There are two types of bone marrow: red marrow (consisting mainly of myeloid tissue) and yellow marrow (consisting mainly of fat cells). Red blood cells, platelets and most white blood cells arise in red marrow. Both types of bone marrow contain numerous blood vessels and capillaries.

At birth, all bone marrow is red. With age, more and more of it is converted to the yellow type. About half of adult bone marrow is red.  Red marrow is found mainly in the flat bones, such as the hip bone, breast bone, skull, ribs, vertebrae and shoulder blades, and in the cancellous (“spongy”) material at the epiphyseal ends of the long bones such as the femur and humerus. Yellow marrow is found in the hollow interior of the middle portion of long bones.

In cases of severe blood periods, the body can convert yellow marrow back to red marrow to increase blood cell production.

 

 Stroma

The stroma of the bone marrow is all tissue that isn’t directly involved in the primary function of hematopoiesis. The yellow bone marrow belongs here, and makes the majority of the bone marrow stroma, in addition to stromal cells located in the red bone marrow. Yellow bone marrow is found in the Medullary cavity.

Still, the stroma is indirectly involved in hematopoiesis, since it provides the hematopoietic microenvironment that facilitates hematopoiesis by the parenchymal cells. For instance, they generate colony stimulating factors, affecting hematopoiesis.

Cells that constitute the bone marrow stroma are:

• fibroblasts (reticular connective tissue)
• macrophages
• adipocytes
• osteoblasts
• osteoclasts
• endothelial cells forming the sinusoids

Macrophages contribute especially to red blood cell production. They deliver iron for hemoglobin-production.

 

 Bone marrow barrier

The blood vessels constitute a barrier, inhibiting immature blood cells from leaving the bone marrow. Only mature blood cells contain the membrane proteins required to attach to and pass the blood vessel endothelium.

Hematopoietic stem cells may also cross the bone marrow barrier, and may thus be harvested from blood .

 Stem cells

Main article: Mesenchymal stem cell

The bone marrow stroma contain mesenchymal stem cells (also called marrow stromal cells). These cells are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. Cell types that MSCs have been shown to differentiate into in vitro or in vivo include osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, adipocytes, and, as described lately, beta-pancreatic islets cells. They can also transdifferentiate into neuronal cells.

 

 Compartmentalization

There is biologic compartmentalization in the bone marrow, in that certain cell types tend to aggregate in specific areas. For instance, erythrocytes, macrophages and their precursors tend to gather around blood vessels, while granulocytes gather at the borders of the bone marrow.

 

 Types of stem cells

Bone marrow contains three types of stem cells:

• Hematopoietic stem cells give rise to the three classes of blood cells that are found in the circulation: white blood cells (leukocytes), red blood cells (erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).
• Mesenchymal stem cells are found arrayed around the central sinus in the bone marrow. They have the capability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, and many other types of cells. They also function as “gatekeeper” cells of the bone marrow.
• Endothelial stem cells

 

 Diseases involving the bone marrow

The normal bone marrow architecture can be displaced by malignancies or infections such as tuberculosis, leading to a decrease in the production of blood cells and blood platelets. In addition, cancers of the hematologic progenitor cells in the bone marrow can arise; these are the leukemias.

To diagnose diseases involving the bone marrow, a bone marrow aspiration is sometimes performed. This typically involves using a hollow needle to acquire a sample of red bone marrow from the crest of the ilium under general or local anesthesia. The average number of cells in a leg bone is about 440,000,000,000.

Exposure to radiation or chemotherapy will kill many of the rapidly dividing cells of the bone marrow and will therefore result in a depressed immune system. Many of the symptoms of radiation sickness are due to damage to the bone marrow cells.

 

 Examination

Main article: Bone marrow examination

A Wright’s stained bone marrow aspirate smear from a patient with leukemia.

Bone marrow examination is the pathologic analysis of samples of bone marrow obtained by bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration. Bone marrow examination is used in the diagnosis of a number of conditions, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, anemia, and pancytopenia. The bone marrow produces the cellular elements of the blood, including platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. While much information can be gleaned by testing the blood itself (drawn from a vein by phlebotomy), it is sometimes necessary to examine the source of the blood cells in the bone marrow to obtain more information on hematopoiesis; this is the role of bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

 

 Donation and transplantation of bone marrow

Main article: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Bone marrow harvest

It is possible to take hematopoietic stem cells from one person and then infuse them into another person (Allogenic) or into the same person at a later time (Autologous). If donor and recipient are compatible, these infused cells will then travel to the bone marrow and initiate blood cell production.

Transplantation from one person to another is performed in severe cases of disease of the bone marrow. The patient’s marrow is first killed off with drugs or radiation, and then the new stem cells are introduced.

Before radiation therapy or chemotherapy in cases of cancer, some of the patient’s hematopoietic stem cells are sometimes harvested and later infused back when the therapy is finished to restore the immune system.

The Anthony Nolan Trustplays a vital role with regards to finding donors. They connect one person, whose immune system needs a boost – with another person, who is prepared to share a little of theirs. Matching patients with donors.

Harvesting

The stem cells are harvested directly from the red marrow in the crest of the ilium, often under general anesthesia. The procedure is minimally invasive and does not require stitches afterwards. Depending on the donor health and reaction to the procedure, the actual harvesting can be an outpatient procedure or requiring 1-2 days of recovery in the hospital. Another option is to administer certain drugs that stimulate the release of stem cells from the bone marrow into circulating blood. An IV is inserted into the donor’s arm, and the stem cells are filtered out of the blood. The procedure is similar to donating blood or platelets.

It may also be taken from the sternum. The tibia may seem a good source, since it is very superficial. However, except in children, this bone marrow doesn’t contain any substantial amount of red bone marrow, but rather only yellow bone marrow.

In newborns, stem cells may be retrieved from the umbilical cord.

 

 Bone marrow as a food

Many cultures utilize bone marrow as a food. The Vietnamese prize bone as the soup base for their national staple phở; Alaskan Natives eat the bone marrow of caribou and moose; Indians use slow-cooked marrow as the core ingredient of the Indian dish Nalli Nihari; Mexicans use beef bone marrow from legs bones, called tuetano, which is cooked and served as filling for tacos or tostadas; it is also considered to be the highlight of the Italian dish ossobuco (braised veal shanks). Though once used in various preparations, including pemmican, bone marrow for human consumption in the United States has recently fallen out of favor as a food.

One fan of this delicacy is noted chef and author Anthony Bourdain, who has stated that if he were on death row, his last meal would consist of bone marrow. He considers the delicacy to be his number-one comfort food.

Bone marrow is a source of protein and high in monounsaturated fats.^{[citation needed]} These fats are known to decrease LDL cholesterol levels resulting in a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, prompting some to make bone marrow a dietary staple. The actual health effects of the addition of bone marrow to the diet remain unclear.^{[citation needed]}

Diners in the 18th century used a marrow scoop (or marrow spoon), often of silver and with a long thin bowl, as a table implement for removing marrow from a bone.

Some anthropologists believe that early humans were scavengers rather than hunters. Marrow would then have been a major protein source for tool using hominids, who were able to crack open the bones of carcasses left by top predators such as lions.

 

http://massgeneral.org/cancer/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1181

http://www.nature.com/bmt/index.html

MIKKO NISSINEN

Mikko Nissinen (born March 4, 1962) is a Finnish ballet dancer. He has danced with the Dutch National Ballet and San Francisco Ballet. He is currently the Artistic Director of Boston Ballet, a position he has held since 2002.

Born and raised in Finland, Nissinen started his training at age ten with the Finnish National Ballet School, continuing his studies at the Kirov Ballet School. His primary teachers were Jacobson, Damianov, Sokolov, and Terasveori. In 1978, he won First Prize at The National Ballet Competition in Kuopio, Finland. Launching his professional dance career at the age of fifteen, Nissinen went on to perform with the Dutch National Ballet, Basel Ballet and San Francisco Ballet, where he was Principal Dancer for nine years. After retiring from his performing career, he was Artistic Director for Marin Ballet and Alberta Ballet before coming to Boston.

VIDEOS

 

 

 

 

PLAYERS

ELAN SASSOON

 

Elan Sassoon, managing partner/chief operating officer of Mizu

 
There’s something to be said for that whole “destiny” thing. After a stretch in the movie biz, Elan Sassoon (yes, he’s the son of the legendary Vidal) proceeded to forge his own way in the beauty industry, launching a skincare line, running a chain of medi-spas, and developing a suburban spa concept called Green Tangerine. But he truly hit his stride with the practically concurrent openings of two Mizu salon locations: the first in Boston’s swank Mandarin Oriental Hotel this past October and the second only a couple of months later on Park Avenue in New York City. (Beverly Hills is the next market he’ll tackle.) But the thing that most intrigued us? Sassoon, the brains behind the business, doesn’t actually cut hair — though that may change, he’s quick to point out, when he opens up the 90,000-square-foot flagship “beauty academy” he has planned for Comm Ave.

http://stuffboston.com/supplements/2009/Players/Default.aspx

*Elan Sassoon styled by Adriana Sassoon at Sak’s Fifth Ave Boston.Head to toe.Loving it!

 

DIANE MANTOUVALOS

Diane Mantouvalos, principal of Andonia Public Relations, has traversed a diverse terrain of public relations and branding in Boston and beyond for over 15 years. In her most recent agency position as Vice President of Lifestyle & Entertainment at New England’s largest privately held PR concern, Regan Communications, she oversaw a myriad of clients including Celebrity Chef Todd English, Mohegan Sun Casino, and Entercom. 

 Best Buddies, New England Home ForLittleWanderers, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and The Boston Ballet. Her extensive experience in fundraising propelled her to Director of PR & Events for the The Improper Bostonian Magazine. she is credited with birthing and branding Boston’s hippest neighborhood and lifestyle destination, The Ladder District, attracting publicity from a host of national publications and dailies including The Wall Street Journal and Town and Country. Diane has launched some of Boston’s trendiest restaurants including Mantra, Saint and OM, working with star chefs Thomas John, Rene Michelena, Rachel Klein and Anthony Caturano. Her track record for publicity, edgy campaigns and powerful launches has produced a continuous demand for her vision and creative capacity from clients such as HBO, who retained Diane to host multiple Boston premiers of its now legendary hit Sex and the City and more recently, Entourage.

At various points in her career, Diane worked independently and entrepreneurially. In 1998, she co-founded Sudiko Marketing Group, an event marketing company, where she created dozens of fundraising event concepts in Boston, Newport and Nantucket for private and non-profit clients including Diane helped take the magazine to new heights with powerful promotions and strategic alliances. From there she soared creatively as an independent public relations consultant specializing in branding and image strategies for her clients. In addition to naming one of Boston‘s hottest restaurants, Mantra,She has represented and consulted for scores of clients, regionally, nationally and globally including, HBO, BBC America, Entercom Communications, XAR International, IdentityTruth.com, HavenGlam.com, Susan Elias Couturier, Barba Dermatology, The Anglers Resort, Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino, The Boston Bean, Mantra, Tangierino, Locke-Ober, Fugakyu, 33 Restaurant, Prezza, Copia, Saint, The Strategic Group of NYC, The Olive Group, Creative Events, Petzetakis GLOBAL, Amalia Photo Gallery of Athens, Jorge Photography Miami, Dateworking, Ciroc, Chivas Regal, Beefeater, Best Buddies Organization, The Hampshire House, One World Cuisine, Gipore, The Boston Ballet, The Beantown JazzFest, RoxComp, The Wang Theatre and numerous non-profits.

She has produced and chaired dozens of high profile fundraising galas, most notably Beantown for the Big Apple, a post September 11th fundraiser for 1000 donors at The Wang Theater. A Boston native of Greek heritage, Diane received her education from Boston Latin School and Boston University. She served as an Advisory Board member to the Metropolitans – a social fundraising arm of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts – which she led from 1994 to 1998.  Her devotion to children’s charities was reflective in her tireless fundraising for The Wang’s Young at Arts programs and her creation of Midnight Santa, a non-profit she founded in 1993 to adopt 100 inner-city families annually on Christmas Eve – delivering toys, clothing, bedding, computers and other gifts, typically out of reach.  She is also an unabashed women’s rights advocate.  During the 2008 presidential election, Diane led and branded a multimedia movement becoming an outspoken force against sexism in the media and corrupt election practices, garnering dozens of on-air and print interviews.  She is co-creator of the women’s political blog hireheels.com where she blogs daily on political issues affecting women.

WWW.HIREHELLS.COM

 

 

 

VERBAL ABUSE

SOCIETY AND MALE DOMINATED SOCIETY:

Although both sexes can be victims hundreds or thousands of years of male dominated societies have created negative attitudes towards women among many men, leading boys to grow up with a deeply en grained sense of entitlement that women will do all the work of looking after them, even if the woman is also going out to work. While some women are aggressive and dominating to male partners the majority of abuse in heterosexual partnerships, at about 80%, is by men.

Fundamentalist views of religions which have developed in male dominated cultures tend to reinforce these attitudes. All the major world religions historically taught the dominance of men over women. Thus the book of Genesis states “in sorrow thou shall bring forth children: and thy desire shall be be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Such ancient texts provide men with justifications for abusing female partners. Fundamentalist religious prohibitions to divorce make it more difficult for religious women to leave an abusive marriage. A 1980s survey of Methodist clergy found that 21% of them agreed that no amount of abuse would justify a woman’s leaving her husband.

Many older and some not so old children’s stories contain gender stereotyping, and music videos and computer games for children and teenagers have been criticized for continuing to portray men as aggressive and in control, while the females are there only for their sexual allure; women are portrayed as wanting to be chased and caught when they run away.

Legal systems have in the past endorsed these traditions of male domination and it is only in recent years that abusers have begun to be punished for their behaviour.

 

LOSS OF CONTROL:

 

Abusers may blame the the victim’s actions for causing them to lose control of their temper. It is often apparent however that they do not behave in that way with other people. When abusers smash up property in apparently random acts it often turns out that they avoid damaging their own belongings, and if law officers, called by alarmed neighbours, arrive the “uncontrollable rage” will be instantly switched off. At this point the abuser, who is calm, will often pass the blame to the victim, who is likely to be visibly disturbed.

 

VIDEOS

 

 

WORDS OF WISDOM!

 

may the sun

bring you new energy by day,

may the moon

softly restore you by night,

may the rain

wash away your worries,

may the breeze

blow new strength into your being.

may you walk

gently though the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. by Apache Blessing

 

 

“If women know how to be faithful to each other, perhaps we wouldn’t be governed by man.” AKS

 

Be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars.

In the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. by Marx Ehrmann

 

never

never

never

give

up by Sr. Winston Churchill

 

” Promise yourself, no matter how difficult the problem life throws at you, that you will try as hard as you can to help yourself. You acknowledge that sometimes your efforts to help yourself may not result in success, as often being properly rewarded is not in your control.”  by Raj Persaud

 

” Violent criminals often describe themselves as superior to others – as special, elite persons who deserve preferential treatment. Many murders and assaults are committed in response to blows to self-esteem such as insults and humiliation. (To be sure, some perpetrators live in settings where insults threaten more than their opinions of themselves. Esteem and respect are linked to status in the social hierarchy, and to put someone down can have tangible and even life-threatening consequences. “

 

 

I have never been aware before how many faces there are. There are quantities of human beings, but there are many more faces, for each person has several.
Rainer Maria Rilke

LAW Against Verbal abuse
Section 294 in The Indian Penal Code, 1860 [I.P.C.]

BILL CLINTON

Dear ADRIANA,Today, on Earth Day, I want to share with you the work we’re doing in the fight against climate change.In a video I just recorded, I speak about the urgent need to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the economic recession, we have a tremendous opportunity to solve both our environmental and economic challenges. We can do this through investment in green projects that save money and create jobs.My Foundation’s climate initiative is focusing on bringing these solutions to major cities around the world. Next month in Seoul, we will help bring together mayors from some of the world’s largest cities to share best practices in urban efficiency.Two weeks ago, we announced that my climate initiative is working with the Empire State Building in New York (you can watch a video here) to improve the skyscraper’s energy efficiency by up to 38 percent, greatly reducing its carbon emissions and cutting its utility bills by more than $4 million a year. We’re also working hard to deliver practical solutions for large-scale clean energy generation and for the prevention of deforestation.We’ll update you next month when the mayors convene in Seoul to learn from the shining examples of how cities around the world are working with my climate initiative to fight climate change.I know there are many requests for your attention this Earth Day. Please support the work of the Clinton Foundation — we need your donations to continue to find solutions for cities, clean energy, and forests.With best wishes, Bill ClintonP.S. Today staff from our offices in New York are helping to plant a community garden in Harlem. Everyone’s effort this Earth Day, and each day, adds up. Please do your part for the planet and support our work.                      New York Office: William J. Clinton Foundation • 55 West 125th St. • New York, NY 10027 Little Rock Office: William J. Clinton Foundation • 1200 President Clinton Ave. • Little Rock, AR 72201 http://www.mycommitment.org/node/1490

PHILIPPE STARCK

 

Philippe Patrick Starck (born January 18, 1949, Paris) is a French Product designer and probably the best known designer in the New Design style. His designs range from spectacular interior designs to mass produced consumer goods such as toothbrushes, chairs, and even houses.

He was educated in Paris at École Nissim de Camondo and in 1968, he founded his first design firm, which specialized in inflatable objects. In 1969, he became art director of his firm along with Pierre Cardin. 

Starck’s career started to climb in earnest in 1982 when he designed the interior for the private apartments of the French President François Mitterrand.

Starck has worked independently as an interior designer and as a product designer since 1975. Most notably, in 2002, he created a number of relatively inexpensive product designs for the large American retailer Target Stores.

His most recent notable designs include an optical mouse for Microsoft, yachts, and even new packaging for a beer company. He was commissioned to design the Virgin Galactic “spaceport” in New Mexico (Foster and Partners are its architects)^.

He made the exihibt Democratic Ecology with Pramac

Unlike most other New Design artists, Starck’s work does not concentrate on the creation of provocative and expensive single pieces. Instead, his product designs are of usable household items which Starck himself helps to market for mass production. His products and furnishings are often stylized, streamlined and organic in their look and are also constructed using unusual combinations of materials (such as glass and stone, plastic and aluminum, plush fabric and chrome, etc.).

 

PRODUCTS

Two of Starck’s designs include stylized toothbrushes (1989) and a sleek juicer dubbed the Juicy Salif created for Alessi in 1990. The Juicy Salif has become an affordable and popular cult item. In 2008 he created wireless speakers for the iPod and iPhone : Parrot Zikmu.

 

FURNISHINGS

Regarding Starck’s furniture designs, he is famous for his designs for the Italian manufacturer Kartell, many of which are made from polycarbonate plastic. World famous products he has designed include the transparent Louis Ghost chair, Ero|S| chair, Bubble Club sofa, and La Bohème stool. He has also been involved in the relaunch of the World War II-era Navy Chair in the U.S., designing a classic furniture collection around it.

The Bubble Club chair is featured prominently in the television series Boston Legal. A pair sit on the balcony outside Denny Crane’s office, where he and Alan Shore end each episode with a cigar and a glass of Scotch while discussing the events of the episode.

 

RESTAURANT INTERIORS

Among his interior designs for restaurants, Starck design the Felix restaurant-bar at the The Peninsula Hong Kong, a classic hotel facing the Hong Kong harbour on the Kowloon side. This design, located on the 28th floor, is known for several design features including the men’s washroom, which features urinals facing glass, and a spectacular view of the Kowloon cityscape.

An earlier design by Starck, now world famous, was for the Café Costes in Paris (1984).

 

HOTEL INTERIORS

In 1988, Starck was commissioned by famed nightclub impresario Ian Schrager, former co-owner of Studio 54, to refit the Royalton Hotel on New York’s East 44th Street. It was a design moment that has since changed the hotel industry; boutique hotels, where design is an important factor, became the industry buzz. However the Schrager hotels are also known for their celebrity and publicity orientations that attract attention to the hotels.

The Starck-Schrager design hotel partnerships continued in New York at the Paramount hotel, and then spread to Miami with the opening of the Delano Hotel  in South Beach in 1995, to Los Angeles with the Mondrian Hotel in December 1996 , to London with both the St. Martins Lane hotel in 1999 and the Sanderson hotel in 2000, to San Francisco and the Clift hotel, and finally back to New York with the Hudson hotel, with what is described as “Cheap Chic”.

The look and feel of Starck-Schrager hotels has been highly influential, including the approaches at Starwood‘s W hotels.

Starck also designed Jia, the first Philippe Starck-designed boutique hotel in Asia.

From 2007 until 2022, Starck is under an exclusive contract with nightclub mogul Sam Nazarian to design Nazarian’s new hotel brand, SLS Hotels. The first property, SLS Los Angeles at Beverly Hills (a massive renovation of the former Le Méridien At Beverly Hills), is currently scheduled to open on October 28, 2008, and will be entirely designed by Starck. The hotel lobby will feature unique Starck-designed display cases featuring rotating design items curated by gallerist Murray Moss.

From December 2007, Philippe Starck and his daughter Ara were involved in the redecoration of public areas at Le Meurice, Paris.

 

PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS

Through residential design company Yoo Ltd, Starck has been involved in the development of several properties featuring Starck interiors.

 

 WIND ENERGY

His work with the Pramac energy group, has produced a design for windmills that also function as wind instruments.

“

Ecology is not just an urgency of the economy and protection of our world but also creativity and elegance

”

He has created a personal power-generating windmill (L’éolienne individuelle Pramac) in polycarbonate resting on one platform in wood, that can be purchased for about 400 Euros (about $633). It is a design, but also functional, generating 20 to 60 percent of a home’s energy needs.

Why you should listen to him: www.starck.com

Philippe Starck is a legend of modern design. He’s known for his luxurious hotels and boites around the world — notably the Peninsula Hotel restaurant in Hong Kong, the Teatron in Mexico, the Hotel Delano in Miami, the Mondrian in Los Angeles, the Asia de Cuba restaurant in New York — designing the total environment from layout to furniture to linens.

But he has made perhaps his most permanent mark on design through his bold reworkings of everyday objects. In reimagining and rethinking the quotidian, he has produced some of the iconic shapes of the 20th century, including his leggy chrome juice squeezer , the reimagined Emeco aluminum chairs, and the witty Louis Ghost polycarbonate fauteuil.

When Starck turns his bold vision toward a chair, a shoe, a toothbrush, it’s clear he thinks deeper than the glossy surface.

 

* Before I started my studies in Interior Design at FIDM( Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandizing). I worked as a Docent for the French Trade Commissioner at The PDC( Pacific Design Center), hosting Philippe Starck’s exhibit.It was one of my inspirations.My super hero!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

DIDIER GOMEZ

 Didier Gomez began his career as an opera singer before branching out into the world of interior and product design in 1985 with his association with the architect JJ Ory. His expertise is highly acclaimed. Winner of numerous design awards, he has designed boutiques, large stores, restaurants, apartments, houses and head offices all over the world.

The quality of his work speaks for itself, with clients including Yves Saint-Laurent, Pierre Bergé, Carrousel du Louvre, LVMH, Bernard Arnault, Céline, Louis Vuitton, Galeries Lafayette, Vivendi Universal, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Pomelato, De Beers and L’Oréal.

DIDIER GOMEZ 

Began working with Ligne Roset some fifteen years ago. Both he and Michel Roset have since forged an enduring partnership based on a creative synergy. The number of creations for Ligne Roset seems countless, but numbering among the most successful are his upholstery collections. Feng, Opium and Fugue have become symbols of his sleek, contemporary take on classic urban style. Rue de Seine looks set to follow. Didier Gomez and Ligne Roset were awarded the ‘Nombre d’or’ by the Salon du Meuble de Paris, in recognition of their exemplary collaboration.

Ligne Roset, France’s premier modern furniture manufacturer will open its first ever boutique concept store worldwide in Austin, Texas to be located in the 2nd Street District, reflecting the “cool, urban energy of the trendy downtown locale“. The Ligne Roset Boutique will offer a collection based on their best-selling products and select design-forward pieces that are an iconic part of the brand. These smaller-scale selections created by some of the brand’s most sought after designers will offer consumers instant gratification that will surpass the delivery process. As many of you may know from our reviews on the outstanding designer furniture of Ligne Roset, many well known names in the business like Pierre Paulin, Pascal Mourgue, Didier Gomez, Peter Maly, Michel Ducaroy, Ronan & Erwan, and Bouroullec have contributed to the stunning collection of furniture and accessories geared toward the modern lifestyle. See the Ligne Roset Boutique collection here. 

www.didiergomez.com

 

* Before I started my studies in Interior Design at FIDM( Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandizing). I worked as a  Docent for the French Trade Commissioner at The PDC( Pacific Design Center), hosting Didier Gomez exhibit.It was one of my inspirations.