Inspired by Alexander McQueen’s incredible collection for 2010, we had a look into other fields of design, where new technologies such as digital printing on textiles and 3D printing of complicated shapes have a growing effect on the work of designers.
Welcome to a world of insects, micro-organisms, alien-like shapes and beautiful textures.
Above: shoe of the Alexander McQueen collection ‘Plato’s Atlantis’. |  Photo style.com

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Above are a few examples of  ‘Plato’s Atlantis’. McQueen created a new vision by mixing different themes like insects, aliens, robots and under water. The pieces show a lot of experiments with colours and digital prints as well as amazing textures and shapes. To get a real impression, you can watch the video here.
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The show also premiered Lady Gaga’s song ‘Bad Romance’. The video of the song (picture bottom left), where she also shows off clothes and shoes of McQueen’s collection, is definitely worth a look!
Photos style.com
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A place where McQueen’s fantasy creatures could possibly live, is the ‘Rainforest’ by Patrick Nadeau, who created this installation for Italian brand Boffi.
Corian structures are suspended from the ceiling, covered in living tropical plants, which don’t have roots but feed themselves only with the air moisture.
Photo dezeen.com
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This ‘breed’ between a stag beetle and a bracelet, clinging to the hand is from the spring collection 2010 by Valentino (right side).
On the left you see a kind of bone-structured bangle by Grasilver, who were exhibiting their “rare modernist scandinavian jewellery” at ‘The Dock‘ / London design festival 2009.
Photos grasilver.com, style.com
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Top: Daisuke Hiraiwa, who takes his inspirations from natural things like plants or shoals of fish, created this interesting lamp called ‘Petals’, which is actually made of perforated plastic spoons. He exhibited some of his work at this year’s ICFF.
Bottom: “The first time we saw Mercurio, it was as if some alien life form had descended upon us…” that’s what Within4Walls are saying about these suspended ‘cocoons’ radiating their light. ‘Mercurio’ is made of metal and pieces of crystalline resin (in different colours) which hold halogen light bulbs.
Photos mocoloco.com, inhabitat.com, within-4walls.co.uk
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‘Bio City‘ is an architectural concept by Stefan Shaw and John Dent. It was part of the recent evolo Skyscraper Competition 2009. Apart from its extraordinary shape, ‘Bio City’ contains interesting ideas for transportation and energy supply.
Photos evolo-arch.com
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This ‘creature’ is an amazing and innovative combination of art, nature, science and technology. The ‘Julia.MGX‘ chandelier has been designed by Peter Jansen (which you might also know from his ‘sculptures in motion‘ or the beautiful ‘Tulip‘ lamp). ‘Julia’ was launched in 2009 and part MGX’s E-volution collection. MGX is specialized in 3D printing techniques and works with designers and architects from around the world.
Photos materialise.com, b-fragile.com
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