pure desire...

PURE DESIRE

Casal de Rey rings have been sighted, and sought after, in Paris, Milan and Ibiza but their launch in the UK by ToBeTupi is the first time a specially designed and branded collection has hit the European market.

ToBeTupi is launching an exclusive collection of rings in the UK. Created by renowned Brazilian fashion designer Roberto Casal de Rey each ring has a unique style and personality.
Casal de Rey rings represent a fusion of eco-chic with top quality modern design. Inspired by a ‘salvage ethos’ Roberto collects buttons, beads, pearls, steel wire and semi-precious stones and transforms them into shining objects of desire. To see a collection of Casal de Rey rings is like stepping into an attic where each abandoned item has been turned into a jewel.




Well-known to Brazilian actors Roberto spent several years creating and selling clothes and accessories for the cast of soap operas and various other programmes produced by TV Globo, Latin America’s largest television channel. He also honed his talents by designing carnival sets, a role which allowed him to be both creator and interpreter of modern Brazilian culture.
Casal de Rey’s Preview Collection for Spring-Summer 2008 is available at Potassium http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk/

Casal de Rey rings represent individual vision in a world of the mass-produced. Innovative use of materials often rejected as ‘scrap’ give each ring a complexity which speaks to customers on a personal level. Faced with an intricate, woven topknot of multi-coloured stones and beads do you see the neon lights of Rio or the iridescent shell of a rainforest beetle? Visit Potassium and decide for yourself but be warned – to see is to desire. Brigitte Istim

Pure Envy Launch Event
Wednesday, 21 Nov, 6-8pm
Potassium
2 Seymour Place
Marble Arch
London, W1H 7NA
Tel.: 020 7723 7800

http://www.potassiumstore.co.uk/

RSVP: vip@potassiumstore.co.uk

Play list: Arnaldo Baptista’s solo work (former leader of Os Mutantes) +
20 minutes of the best 1980’s Brazilian rock & pop & punk +
Cool Brazilian music
Selection by Sonia Maia – ToBeTupi’s founder.

For more information about Casal de Rey Rings and ToBeTupi, please contact Sonia Maia at:
Tel.: 07910 550 173
tobetupi@yahoo.co.uk
http://www.tobetupi.com/
Images available by request

For more information about Potassium
Karim Ladak
079 7727 0755

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new.est press release...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
London, October 2007

An elegant wall-mounted cocktail bar forms part of a showcase of compact “apartment furniture” to be featured at central London concept store Potassium next month. Sitting on the wall with a fascia of sculptural steel curves, the Wall Bar is part of the New.Est collection by London-based designer Leonhard Pfeifer.

Known for coming up with “big ideas for small spaces” Pfeifer has integrated innovative storage methods with functional designs to ensure that each piece in the collection is well suited for everyday compact living. This attention to detail is matched by the manufacture, combining organic waves of metal that contrast against the warmth of the timber.

The Wall Bar draws on these elements to create stunning wall-mounted art that conceals a storage space perfectly sized for bottles and glassware, as the bar-lid folds forward to create a serving shelf. An essential piece for dinner parties and entertaining, the Wall Bar is complimentary to the Wall Table and provides an ideal solution for small living spaces.

Suited to a modern lifestyle, the New.Est collection was inspired by the natural landscape of Pfeifer’s homeland of New Zealand. The range includes an occasional table that also stores on the wall; as well as a coffee table with a hidden storage compartment.

The entire New.Est collection is on display at the Potassium flagship store, Marble Arch. A VIP reception will be held on Wednesday 7 November, from 6pm until 8pm. Please contact Karim at Potassium to confirm attendance - karim@potassiumstore.co.uk

Potassium Store, 2 Seymour Place, London, W1H 7NA, Tel. +44 (0) 20 7723 7800
www.potassiumstore.co.uk

For more information, images or samples of the New.Est collection, please contact Karla Thompson on +44 (0) 7904 196 327 or karla@leonhardpfeifer.com. The range can also be viewed at www.newestfurniture.com
for

101 things to buy before you die...

“Potassium organic cotton t-shirt: the classic t-shirt wins our seal of approval for several reasons: its simple wearable shape is neither too boxy nor too tight. It’s made from organic cotton that helps reduce the need for insecticides (harmful to both humans and the environment); and it is available in almost any shade you can dream of from cornflower blue to fire engine red as well as classic black and white.” 101 things to buy before you die. October 2007.

The potassium organic cotton t-shirt is available in limited quantities for men and women in store and on-line...

the mermaid, the devil & the poet...

After a few weeks of hard work, Isabelle and Gary got to work. The result? "Best shop on the block..."

potassium free art fair

As part of our think global act local philosophy, Potassium will be exhibiting a selection of works by Isabelle Bricknall and Gary Porter from 8th to 14th October as part of the Free Art Fair on Seymour Place. To close the exhibition, Aidan Andrew Dun will perform from his epic poem “Vale Royal”

The Free Art Fair is an art fair where work is given away at the end. People will have the chance to own a piece of art by artists from the Saatchi Collection or who have exhibited at the Tate. For once instead of art going to the highest bidder or those who can afford it, someone who really loves an artwork will be able to have it for free.

"I thought we should do something different from what everyone else is doing at this time of year and non-commercial, and something that excites people and values art not selling. This gives anyone the chance to own a serious piece of art." (Jasper Joffe, founder The Free Art Fair)

ISABELLE BRICKNALL is an artist, designer and adventurer in the arts. With an MA in Fashion & Textiles she had a prolific career in Haute Couture. Bringing together performance, costume, photography, mixed media and digital, she fearlessly dives into the visionary deep. Living a luridly colourful life on her voyage to creating the piece being shown. “The skulduggery, ducking and diving into the deep waters of London’s nightlife, meeting the divine creatures who inspired me to work this way. I thank every one of them; the good, the bad and the ugly! Or as an art angel Andy Warhol puts it…its more fun to be with people who are doing things…”

GARY PORTER was born in Zambia of Northern Irish, Protestant parents and grew up in South Africa in the last decades of apartheid. He studied art at Ruth Prowse in Cape Town before settling in London, 21 yrs ago. He found creative success through, what he refers to, as “disposable art for the street” – window displays; founding Elemental Design, the London based, visual communications & retail design company. His work is vividly coloured with conflict, duality, repression, self-reproach, and ultimately, healing. Gary is exhibiting “Lucifer’s Limousine”, a self -portrait.

AIDAN ANDREW DUN grew up in the West Indies, returning to London as a teenager before travelling around the world for more than a decade. His first epic poem Vale Royal, (Goldmark, 1995) was launched at the Royal Albert Hall, and led to him being dubbed as the 'voice of King's Cross'


Isabelle and Gary will be in attendance at the opening on Monday 8th October 2007 from 18:00 to 20:00. The closing event will feature Aidan Andrew Dun reading from his epic “Vale Royal” at 16:00 followed by the art give away at 18:00.

For full details on the Free Art Fair see http://www.freeartfair.com/
For further information on Isabelle, Gary, Aidan or Potassium, please e-mail karim@potassiumstore.co.uk

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new.est...

we like bringing the new to you and we're quite excited about New.Est a collaboration by London based New Zealander Leonhard Pfeifer and Woodman of Estonia. Hence the name "New.Est"

this new range of furniture in either urban walnut or comfortable oak is designed with functionality and space saving in mind. not forgetting that the woods are from sustainable sources and the solvents used to bind the mdf carcasses have a reduced toxicity level, not quie toxin free, but very close. we're also working to eliminate the toxins completely using a 100% eco-friendly bonding.

the mini-bar in particular has been a favourite amongst our clients but now that a larger selection of show-room models in on display, we're sure the other pieces in the range will prove just as popular.

leonhard will be appreaing at an instore event on 7/11/07 at the store. to receive your invite e-mail us to be included on our "dosage instructions" newsletter.

fashion, furniture and a whole lotta art...

Trust me there are times I don't like September. It all starts with a round of trade shows that culminate in a mountain of paperwork that ensures that all the new lovely things for spring summer are booked.



Next comes fashion week where the press fall over themselves to photograph, capture and inform us all as to what we will look like next year - they do a great job and they help reinforce some of the decisions we've already made.


At the same time the London Design Festival kicks in and I spend at least 1/2 an hour feeling like I just don't know where to start after flicking through the guide, there's just so much to see; 100% Design, Tent, Designer's Block and a multitude of happenings around this great city.



And then just when you thought you could afford a day off the art-pack start getting ready for the annual art fest; frieze.



Last year apparantly art sales at Frieze totalled £23M. That's M for million by the way. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon in the park with George and friends. Dealers and Art Dealers as well as many an art enthusiast travel to London to converge for one of the most important dates in the art world calender.



What's struck a cord with is though is a new show http://www.freeartfair.com/ not just because it gives away the art free (yes you read correctly) at the end of the week long show, but that it happens to be happening in our manor.



From 8-14 October 2007 5, 8 and 21 Seymour Place will exhibit art by artists who have previously shown at the Saatchi and Tate galleries. On the Sunday prepare to queue from 6pm and request the piece of art you like the most. More details are on the Free Art Fair website.



At Potassium we like a bit of culture too. This week our window change is an homage to Denis Bowen. Probably not the most recognisable name in art but Denis was responsible for launching the New Vision gallery which happened to be next door to us at 4 Seymour Place. Sadly Denis died last year but we hope that our window makes sure that his vision continues during this key time. For more information on Bowen and the New Vision Gallery see www.denisbowen.com


Our next window will coincide with the launch of the Free Art Fair on Seymour Place and will feature work by Isabelle Bricknall and Gary Porter.

We'll be hosting an event on Monday 8 October 2007 from 18:00 to 20:00 with the artists at the store and invite you to visit us and the other spaces on Seymour Place showing art.