Mouches Pour Bal

Reviving the seductive language of 18th century artificial moles

The nearly lost courtesan art of clandestine communication, through the application of artificial moles, might just be experiencing a modest revival. Literally translated as “Flies for Balls,” Mouches Pour Bal are self-adhesive shapes that last swarmed women’s faces during France’s decadent 18th century court. Bell’occio, the San Francisco vintage shop known for reproducing rare merchandise by select ateliers has reissued the self-stick insignias in velvet. …

Q Designs’ Phone-Charging QBracelet

Never run out of power with this unisex piece of jewelry

A touch of fate brought together friends and business partners Alessandro Libani and James Kernan of Q Designs. Both transfer students to Massachusetts’ Babson College, the duo bonded over their entrepreneurial aspirations and shared love of tech, but it wasn’t until Kernan was on vacation that he came up with an idea for a product they would come to work on together. Kernan’s vision was …

Interview: Experimental Designer Kiel Mead

The NYC-based creative discusses his aim to enhance the human experience

Sponsored content: Capturing the spirit of the expression “one mans trash is another mans treasure,” designer Kiel Mead repurposes found objects into nostalgic gems. Born east of the Midwest, Mead relocated to New York to attend Pratt Institute. Transitioning from furniture design to jewelry, Meads cult classic Forget Me Knot ring was featured in the MoMA Design store even before he graduated. Experimenting with everyday …