Save the Date - June de LaB

We're kicking the summer off with a few of our favorite things...bikes, design, and some dim sum! Join us Saturday, June 20th as we hit the streets for the first-ever de LaB Design-n-Dim-Sum Ride.

We'll rendez-vous in Highland Park with our friends at Flying Pigeon and Fung + Blatt before making our way to Chinatown to visit Fifth Floor and LOC on Chung King Road. Then, dim sum and Tsingtao! We're working out the details and will soon post more information on how/when to RSVP.

In the meantime, here's some info on our awesome hosts:

Flying Pigeon via LA Weekly. Simply put: one great idea, two brothers, and a bunch of rad bikes. http://www.laweekly.com/2009-04-23/la-vida/la-people-2009-bicycle-oven-39-s-josef-and-adam-bray-ali-spokesmen/

Formed in 1990 by Alice Fung and Michael Rosner Blatt, Fung + Blatt Architects works in the areas of residential, commercial, and community-based design. Fung + Blatt have also crossed over into fashion and product design with their wearable and livable collections.

Opened in January of 2008, Fifth Floor is a hybrid art/design gallery in the heart of LA’s Chinatown. Owner, Robert Apodaca’s background in architecture sees that the space delights in a mixture of contemporary art and design. Work by varying artists, designers, and architects rotate through the exhibition areas every month to two months; all the while, a steady base of unique accessories, jewelry, furniture and design objects remain on display. Many of these hand-made objects are available nowhere else besides Fifth Floor.

LOC was recently featured in the LA Times. Ali Jevanjee and Poonam Sharma have masterfully transformed their second story double apartment into an airy, modern, light-filled workspace without changing the exterior shell or affecting the charm of their Chung King Alley abode.

Thanks For Coming To In The Fold!

Thanks to everyone who came to our collaborative origami event this month, In The Fold.

Our deep appreciation to everyone at Studio 1060, including our friends Bo and Hisako at Bunch Design, Catherine Garrison Architect, Debi Van Zyl and Design Garage Inc. Not only did they provide us with a great space in Boyle Heights, and a fantastic Butter Bar (seriously, did you try the jalapeno?), but they also kindly taught everyone how to construct paper modules for our three-dimensional origami wall, now gracing Studio 1060. Around 50 design-minded Angelenos crossed the bridge into Boyle Heights to enjoy wine, beer, micheladas and the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. More photos from the event are available here and on our facebook page. We're close to announcing our June event (which will require an RSVP), so make sure you stay in the loop by subscribing to our newsletter (over there to the right) for all the details.