ABOUT MAURICE AJANAKU

Starting out as a place to save and share his inspiration, Maurice Ajanaku has grown his online magazine, AJANAKU.com, into a internationally recognized online source for the latest creative trends in fashion, design, art, music, and more.

Today, AJANAKUs content is generated by Maurice Ajanaku himself, along with articles submitted by a team of global creative contributors who write about their own experiences in their own words. The contributing team work in the fields of design, fashion, advertising, marketing, publishing and photography. Recently, Maurice Ajanaku has ventured into producing numerous projects for Casio G-Shock, Heineken, and Property of... in both print and film.

Make sure to follow his latest project: The Wedding Chronicles

Innovatives

Control Your Lightbulb Via Your iPhone

BY 

We all know the mood light from Philips, which you are able to change the color according to how you feel. It was a matter of time before technology went a step further a took the standard lightbulb and upgraded it to become more interactive.  On Kickstarter we can find a project which sees them aiming to reinvent the lightbulb. Following trail and error they have finally settled on design, components and functionality and are able to present to us LIFX. To put it Lees verder »

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Innovatives

Inkodye by Lumi

BY 

Remember those days when you would print your favorite animation character on a transfer sheet and iron it onto a crisp white tee? Times have changed and now we have a grown up version called Lumi. The Lumi process is a revolutionary photographic print process for textiles and natural materials. The process is based on Inkodye, mixable, dilutable, water-based dyes, which develop their color in sunlight.

Available in only red, orange,  and blue, the starter kit holds the Inkodye, instructions, stencil, and negative to get you set on your way. The technique is very simple, you create a negative with and use the paint between the tee and the print. It’s that simple. They have already reach their goal on kickstarter, but can still use all the support.

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Innovatives Places

The Hotel of the Future

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Last Wednesday, July 4th, I had the opportunity to stay and celebrate the opening at citizenM’s latest addition to the ever growing family, citizenM London Bankside. If you have ever stayed at one of their hotels in Amsterdam, you, like me, will be blown away with the change they have gone through to give us a better experience then they already did. It all starts in the lobby, where you check in with an automated system in less than 30 seconds. Technology at its best!

After check-in, you then notice the change they have made to their lobby. Unlike the two hotels in Amsterdam and Schiphol, you get a sense of home. Comfortable couches, tables and chars to work, or a place to grab a snack. It truly feels like a home away from home, but with citizens like your self. The bar has kept their love for cocktails, and the service is perfect. Also in the loch we find the courtyard. It is the first time they have built their rooms around an inner courtyard, giving a nice open feel to the hotel and the lobby. But what has really taken the hotel up a level is the great interior styled by BRICKS.  Lees verder »

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Innovatives

Viral Social Media Experience

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While setting up a new retail chain in West Africa I have been busy trying to think of new ways to promote the brand during opening. What is it that makes a brands name spread over the world like wildfire? The answer is simple, the mix of viral and social media. You would need to create an event or brand experience which gets the consumers talking….. Social Media talking.
One such event was planned at last summers London Fashion Week by Blackberry. In celebration of the launch of their latest Blackberry telephone, they gave members of the public a chance to be a famous catwalk model, and star in their very own live show on the London Fashion Catwalk, by Blackberry.

How they did it? The transformed a space on High Street Kensington into a catwalk with no audience, giving fashionistas a chance to strut their stuff. But a catwalk with no audience isn’t lots of fun, so Blackberry used green-screen technology and transformed the space into a full-on catwalk experience, complete with a true fashion loving audience.

Blackberry would then film the fashion show and send it directly to the aspiring ‘catwalk-model,’ letting them share it with all their friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Therefore creating a unique viral clip for all those sharing it. A true Viral Social Media Experience.

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Innovatives

social media: bespoke as the master tailor

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With the explosion of social media, looking good has never been so easy. For sure you have all those fashionista blogs I mentioned in a previous post, but that is mainly aimed at girls between the ages of 15-25. They have it easy; the fashionista gets a set of clothes from H&M, Mango, Top Shop, or any high-street brand; she mixes the brands to make a set; takes a picture of herself; and there you go, style advice for the girls. Girls have it easy, but what about the men?

There are enough blogs out there sharing the latest in fashion, the latest collections, but it’s hard to find a place that advises you on style. What goes with what? Which colour tie should I wear with which shirt?

As Editor in Chief of Ajanaku.com, I try to share my experience and knowledge with my male habitants of the world, young and old. I do this by sharing inspirational images of fashion-minded men around the world, as well as tips concerning a subject: The Wedding Suit, The Perfect Tie, and so on. Is this enough? I don’t think so, as men are less generic than women, they search for tailored advice. Why do you think that there are still bespoke tailors for men and none for women in Europe? It’s because men like to have items that are made for them, sets them apart from the mass, fits perfect, and is a piece that can go for at least 5 years.

So where does social media come into this? How can social media be as bespoke as the master tailor? The first is a re-invention of the Fashion Doctor in all the men’s magazines like GQ. Where you would have to send in a letter or email and wait two editions to see if you made the cut, you can now tweet sites like MR. PORTER at set times in the week, and get a catered advice within a few min.  Imagine; you are at the point to head out to the office party and don’t know which tie goes with your pink-striped shirt and blue suit. You tweet your question to @MRPORTER, telling him the options, and 5 min later you get your answer, the blue tie!

It’s not only twitter where this service is available, but on facebook as well. Just follow the brand/person, and ask away. Once you start to get a sense of what rules apply where, you need not ask style advice, but just want some inspiration for what to wear, you could always turn to The Satorialist. A legend in photographing style-conscious people on the street, it is great for inspiration, but does not offer the scope of the different styles. This is where Pinterest comes in.

A digital pinboard, it offers people the chance to pin images found throughout the web, and therefore create a moodboard of images. As many individuals are ‘bespoke’ in their style, you just need follow 10 individuals, and you get a multitude of styles and inspiration. They would include images from site like The Satorialist, The Fashionistas, The Brands, and the blogs. Basically a central point for all that is fashion.

So what you waiting for? Oh yeah, at the moment Pinterest only works on invitation basis, so you will need to get a friend to invite you, or you can always send me an email and I will send you an invite. Have fun Pinning your style.


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Innovatives

The little printer

BY 

Our lives seem increasingly to be ruled by our social media accounts. I find myself checking into all my locations with Foursquare & Facebook, updating everyone on eat course I am eating at the restaurant, and checking what all my friends are up too. It doesn’t even seem to end there! I then start playing cross-words puzzles on my smart phone and read upon on the latest news and weather forecast. Will I ever be able to live without my phone?

Well this is where a little square shaped friends comes in. Imagine this: you are getting ready in the morning, rush down to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, and your latest mini-newspaper. This mini-newspaper is more than just news, it also has the latest Foursquare updates from your friends, the newest cross-word puzzle, and the latest gossip from your friends.

This little friend is the Little Printer from the guys at BERG Cloud. What started as a concept is turning into reality this year, and just asks that you have a smart phone and a wireless connection. You don’t even need to refill the ink to the Little Printer as it uses ink less thermal printing.

This is what BERG Cloud have to say about the little friend:

“Little Printer lives in your home, bringing you news, puzzles and gossip from your friends. Use your smartphone to set up subscriptions and Little Printer will gather them together to create a timely, beautiful mini-newspaper.”

The Little Printer will be a truly BIG Friend for me in 2012.

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Innovatives

Hidden Radio

BY 

As a married man every decision in the home has to be made together with the wife. Most of the times its the wife who gets her way, but there is however one section where I decide what happens. This section is the multimedia installation for the house. HD TV, Denon Amp, Sonos, Apple Time Capsule, are just a few things that make my home entertainment worth it. I do however have a  preference for hardware that is minimal in both design and function, so it was no surprise that I was immediately attracted to this hidden radio & Bluetooth Speaker on Kickstarter. Even though I am not a huge fane of most Bluetooth audio systems, this system is so beautiful in design and the effective twist top design, that I might need to change my opinion.

The first twist turns the speaker on, while raising the cap higher increases the volume, which makes this a truly simple design. This product is the result of industrial Designers John Van Den Nieuwenhuizen and Vitor Santa Maria hard work and $50K. They are still seeking some more support in the form of another financial investment of $125,000 via Kickstarter to get the Hidden Radio officially out on the market. If that investment is too high for you, you can just opt for a minimum donation of $99, and you’ll receive one of the first off-the-assembly-line Hidden Radios for your contribution.

 

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Brands & Shops Innovatives

Nuji, Online WIndow Shopping

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Nuji has not been around for that long, but has made a great deal of noise amongst those who have a love for beautiful objects. With the likes of Ajanaku, AnotherSomething, Nalden &
the189 tagging their daily finds, Nuji is now a source for inspiration and our own little private online shop. They recently restyled the website, and are welcoming you to unlock the new Nuji, and start
becoming one of the many inspirators at Nuji.

But what is Nuji? Nuji is your social wish list. Nuji helps you save and discover products you love from all over the web. You can save items you like from any online store using their simple bookmarklet. This helps you keep track of some of the great things you discover and want to purchase later. You are also able to follow people with similar taste and see what they’re discovering. This helps to find products you normally would never come across if you were surfing the net solo. With over 7,000 stores on Nuji, you can keep track of latest offering, from Urban Outfitters to Tenue De Nimes.

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Design Innovatives

Sealander

BY 

It seems going green has become more of a trend now than a must-do-to-save-the-world thing. One of the going green adventures one undertakes is conquering the great outdoors. The tent, backpacking, lighting a fire and the camping trailer must be both functional and on trend. And if you are camping next to a lake, the boat must also be up to scratch.

But what if you could combine your trailer with your boat? Then you are sure to be the most trendiest at the camping ground. Well, now you can with the Sealander. The Germans have done it again, coming up with a trailer small enough to be towed by your eco-friendly car, the Sealander can be custom configured with benches, tables, kitchenette and even a place to sleep.

But as you slowly lower it into the water, you mount its tiny motor and away you go. Okay, so it ain’t rough sea ready, but at least you’ll be able to pull of something truly unique on your next trip to the great outdoors. Just make sure you check the load capacity and leave your more horizontally challenged friends on shore.

VIEWS
Design Innovatives

Hermes vs Travelteq // iPad 2 Cases

BY 

As the iPad 2 continues to flood the market, and those with the first generation iPad are trying to  sell it off for as much as possible, companies have started to come with some great cases for Apples´  latest device. Like the original iPad, known brands have again started to sell cases that personalize the iPad 2.
I am a fan of cases that are simple and beautiful, and have fallen for iPad 2 cases from both Hermès  and Travelteq. The question is, which one is the best?Let’s start with the Hermès Swift (left), a slipcase that is available is the 10 different colours, including the iconic Hermès orange. The slipcase is made from calfskin leather and has the Hermès logo embossed in it.

If like me you are a person who loves the natural feeling of the iPad 2, then a simple slipcase is the thing for you. If you need a case that also doubles as a stand, then the Hermès Station (pictured above) is more your thing. The book-style cover, made from the same material as the Swift, is reminiscent of the original apple cover and is available in four colours. I love this simplicity of the Station and how the use of it emphasizes its material. But is this the only leather case that is both beautiful, functional, and easy to use?

I would have forked out the €580 for the Swift or even asked a €990 loan needed for the Station, but then last week I came across the new iPad 2 case from Travelteq. Travelteq is a company known for it’s bags and the materials used to make them, so it was no surprise to see such a great product come out of their workshop, that is made of Florentine Vachetta leather with high quality alcantara lining.

I love the detail put into this product, but don’t feel they really took the time to create something new. I feel as if they took the Apple iPad case, and just reworked it with the vegetable tanned Italian leather. Yes it is handmade, and I love that, but Travelteq is known for their innovation and innovating it is not. I do have to admit I haven’t held the case in my hand, so I could be wrong, but there is one big advantage Travelteq has versus the Hermes products, the price. Retailing at just €225, you don’t have to take out a double mortgage on your house to buy one.

That is what it comes down to, price versus quality. I do prefer a slip case instead of a book case, but I don’t believe in paying twice as much just because it has a French brands name embossed in it. So if I was to advise on of the three cases, the handmade Travleteq case is worth the €225, and by this time next year you would probably be looking for a new case for the iPad 3.

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