The Roma Cinema Etoile, Rome’s oldest movie theater, had been shuttered for more than twenty years until Louis Vuitton co-opted the building for its brand new store in the heart of the Italian capital. A video released by Louis Vuitton takes the viewer on a tour of the Roma Etoile Maison, revealing a beautifully appointed space equipped with an elliptical staircase, gleaming fixtures and an in-house screening room. Architect Peter Marino explains that his primary concern was that the concept of the movie theater remain intact, while Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle lauds the store’s ability to bring “additional emotion” by presenting a bookstore, art, and cinema as part of the Louis Vuitton retail experience. Check out the video after the click.

An alumni of KICKSTARTER, the eco-design firm Triangle Tree unveiled the prototype to its newest project, the iBamboo Urban. Though an exact replica of its iBamboo speaker for Apple iPhone & iPod, one which received multiple media mentions last year, the new iBamboo Urban is somewhat different in construct. Where as the iBamboo was made from a finished segment of a real bamboo, the iBamboo Urban is made entirely out of recycled plastic, shaped in bamboo form. The idea came about when eco-concisous fans of the original iBamboo asked Triangle Tree to create some in recycled plastic. To come with a simple carrying case, Triangle Tree is currently looking for appropriate manufacturers with hope to launch the iBamboo Urban sometime this year. Doubtful on how effective a low-tech bamboo could be in sound quality? See the video demonstration after the jump.  via: GizMag

Murdoc Niccals, the seedy member of Gorillaz made a surprising announcement this morning on the band’s upcoming collaboration with CONVERSE. Sounded like a broadcast from a pirate radio station, Murdoc went on length about the start of the Chuck Taylor All Star project. What was originally a commemoration for the world’s most famous virtual band’s 10th anniversary quickly became a full-on creative session, which encompass four different designs and a special Gorillaz produces Three Artists, One Song campaign. With the collaboration’s release date of February 23rd fast approaching, expect Murdoc and the rest of his cohorts will be making more impromptu statements in the near future. Meanwhile, hear the full transmission from Murdoc Niccals at the link below.

Release Date: February 23rd, 2012 (Thursday)

If a video game design start-up asked about the secret to success in the gaming industry, then they need to look no further than designer Shigeru Miyamoto. With a fairy tale plot line and cutesy caricatures, Miyamoto’s Super Mario Bros. franchise continues to be the best selling titles some 25 years later. In honoring such legacy, CONVERSE and CONVERSE Japan will introduce the third iteration to the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE collection, the CONVERSE One Star – Super Mario Bros. Edition. In all leather, white or black, the special design features a pixelated Mario around the exterior heel panel.  The CONVERSE trademarked star logo is now inlay with a “Mario Star” in yellow. And a complement to the game’s classic color scheme, accent in red leather tip the interior liner.  Originally announced last year as part of the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE Collection, the Super Mario Bros. x CONVERSE One Star Ox will be available this coming March at select CONVERSE Japan retailers. via: HS

Release Date: March 2012

If there’s anyone still standing among the legends of NYC graff whose story deserves to be told, it’s FUTURA. His rap sheet is longer than pretty much any dude you can name who came up bombing in the golden era, and he’s still making waves in the realms of art and fashion. In this interview with Canal Street, the artist breaks down a range of topics-from the different waves of graffiti in NYC, to can control techniques, to the splintering mediums that have served to keep the scene fresh. And speaking of keeping it fresh, FUTURA certainly is doing just that, rocking the Freshness x KANGOL reversible knit cap. Hit the jump for the full interview. via: 12oz Prophet

iPhone users will be happy to know that XLarge have developed an app that can be downloaded for free. This app correlates with the XLarge x Yamaha TY-S motorcycle, and the game is aptly titled X-Motorcycle. The game is a simple 8 bit format, showcasing the distinct, nostalgic low-fi sound effects and 2D movement. Scores can be tweeted directly onto Twitter and the app is connected to the Game Center, enabling players to compete with other players in other cities and countries. Take a look at the demonstration after the jump and download the app by heading over to the download page on XLarge.

Lord of the Rings‘ fans need to beckon no longer. In satisfying the devotees of J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantastical saga, LEGO unveiled the first few mini figures from its collaborative collection, set to be available this summer. The preview include the heroes of Middle-earth – Legolas, Gandalf the Grey, Pippin, Merry, Frodo, and more. It also include its villains – Ringwraith, Moria Orc, Uruk-hai, in addition, a detailed image of Gollum. Not sure if his eyes would glow-in-the-dark, but its is almost certain that he is still looking for his “precious”.

Cement, concrete, elephant… call it what you will but the affection it invokes are all the same. Just minutes ago, the Cement/Elephant Skin design option on Nike iD is finally available. Select from either Air Force 1 High iD and Air Force 1 Low iD, with the opportunity to appoint the iconic pattern as its upper. Furthermore, as NIKEiD hinted earlier, two additional colorways are also available. Aspiring sneaker designers and Air Force 1 aficionados can now select the original Neutral Grey/Dark Grey scheme plus Midnight Navy/Neutral Grey and Varsity Red/Neutral Grey. As with all limited design options, Nike iD will only permit 750 pairs of Air Force 1s. So act fast and purchase your design now.

The perennial event returns this month as Michael Dupouy, the creative maestro of La MJC, makes his annual pilgrimage for the release of ALL GONE 2011. One of the first stop on this thousand-mile book tour was ageless port-of-call for creative types, Amsterdam, and the trendsetting shop of Patta, where Dupouy was on-hand to sign select copies. Along with shop’s own Masta Lee, fans took the opportunity to see the annual catalog of ultimate consumerism first hand. In between sipping drinks and chatting with friends, revelers also get to chat with Dupouy and smile for the camera from 60/62.

This last day of the month might just be the busiest one so far for Nike‘s customization program, NIKEiD. A slew of product additions that started with Nike Hyperenforce iD. Now its Kevin Durant‘s signature, the Nike Zoom KD IV iD’s turn. A vast range of design options, including the coveted Year of the Dragon pattern. In fact, there is enough selection that might make you pause for a bit, just like the first time you stepped into a candy store. But take our words for it, too much of a good thing is never a negative. Next on the docket, Nike Special Field Boots iD.

While we wait in fevered anticipation for the July cinematic release of The Dark Knight Rises (and cringe at the leaked photos of Anne Hathaway in her Catwoman costume, replete with cat ears), Turkish design student Doğan Can Gündoğdu has taken matters into his own hands, creating an opening sequence for the final installment of the Batman trilogy good enough to be mistaken for the real thing. It’s not just that the credits and logos look official, but the clip expertly captures the mood of Christopher Nolan’s first two films in the series, with stunning visuals and a brilliant soundtrack (courtesy of Massive Attack). Check out the video following the click. via: Fubiz

World-renowned street artist Eric Haze got together with Heineken on a limited edition pint glass adorned with Eric’s distinctive star design — what he calls a marriage between Heineken’s perfect star and his imperfect star. In a behind the scenes video from Heineken, Eric discusses what drew him to the project in the first place, noting that as an artist who grew up in graffiti, developing his own identity was paramount. Now, he’s able to draw from his experiences to “turn the mirror around” and consequently capture and express someone else’s identity in graphic terms. In accomplishing that with Heineken, Eric describes the collaboration as the kind of venture he lives for as a designer and art director. Check out the end result in the video following the click.