Designed by the naval architect Philippe Briand and decorated by interior designer Christian Liagre, the 220ft superyacht ‘Vertigo’ has been described as being ‘urban-at-sea’. This remarkable yacht, which is moored in New Zealand, comprises of a stunning city-like interior and an equally sophisticated exterior.

Instead of the usual portholes and conventional yacht deck features, Vertigo’s deck combines shiny-black floorboards, white-lacquered surfaces and custom-designed furniture and resembles a New York penthouse rather than the deck of a boat. Christian Liagre’s inspiration for Vertigo’s design was sparked by a client who requested their yacht felt like ‘urban-at-sea’.

The French interior designer Christian Liagire is a specialist in designing the interior of beach homes, particularly for the rich and famous. Artistic references and vivid details are the trademark of the influential designer, and a hallmark which Liagire has brought to the Vertigo.

The main lounge on the yacht is bathed in light from the glass walls that surround it. Talking about the Vertigo’s interior design, Christian Liagire said:

“The long sinuous longitudinal side cabinets create the link between all the spaces it visually extends the deck and can be read as the edge of an internal cockpit. All the furniture has been custom designed in order to match perfectly with the “sporty chic” of the yacht.”

On the outside this 220ft-long super-yacht is as awe-inspiring as it is on the inside, which has been designed by Philippe Briand, head designer at Briand Yacht design Ltd, and a passionate yachtsmen.

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Born in 1938 in Kharkov in the Ukraine, art photographer Boris Mikhailov, has become known as being ‘one of the most important artists to have emerged from the former USSR’.

Heavily influenced by Concept-Art and social documentary art, for almost 30 years Boris Makhailov has been exploring the positions of the individual within the historical mechanisms of public ideology.

Makhailiv’s work provides profoundly engaging outlooks of some of the most controversial and bleak subjects of the Ukraine under Soviet rule, such as living conditions in post-communist Eastern Europe.

Until September 5, 2011, The Museum of Modern Art in New York is presenting Boris Mikhailov: Case Study exhibition, the first in-depth presentation of the photographer’s pivotal Case History series, which were created in 1997 – 1998, in a museum in the U.S.

These life-size photographs are set against an austere backdrop of Mikhailiv’s hometown, the industrial city of Kharkov and explores homelessness in the city after the collapse of the Soviet Union. These stunningly representative photographs demonstrate the devastating poverty, the intense oppression, and the sinister realities facing people living in a disenfranchised community on the margins of Russia’s new economic regime.

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Who says size doesn’t matter? It does, apparently, when it comes to superyachts, as having a greater amount of space is a common aspiration for the modern-day yachtsman.

With this requirement firmly entrenched, Newcruise has revealed of its new 65-meter concept superyacht, in which space is of the essence.

Known as the ‘Stream’, this exquisitely stylish new superyacht has been designed with the interest of clients and plenty of open space in mind.

Consisting of four double en suite bedrooms, as well as two multifunctioning cabins on the lower deck, the Stream is able to accommodate plenty of guests. The superyacht’s ample living space can quarter a crew of up to 16.

Although it is on the main deck were this highly sophisticated and stylish superyacht really excels in its design. Two main cabins, which are dedicated to the yacht’s owner, are en suite and have their own dressing rooms. The main salon consists of a lounge and dining area, which is able to seat up to 18 guests, whilst the captain’s cabin and sky lounge, with a bar and decking area is located on the bridge deck.

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We all want more space these days, don’t we? And consequently, homes are becoming more open plan and furniture increasingly more minimalist.

Taking the concept of discreet furniture to new extremes is the steady influx of ‘disappearing’ home designs appearing on the market.

Here’s a few of the best…

PETRA kitchen

How can a kitchen ‘melt’ into an existing living space? Well that’s what the latest automated kitchen, known as the PETRA can do, as with the use of a remote control, the kitchen’s worktops literally unfold to expose a kitchen. When you’ve finished with your kitchen you can then push the remote control and make it disappear again, creating greater living space.

The Liftbed

Need an extra bed in your flat for when family and friends come to visit? Simply flick a switch on the wall and the Liftbed descends into the living room, providing an instant extra bed. When your guests have departed, simply flick the switch once more and the Liftbed disappears back into the ceiling, leaving no trace that it was ever there. Designed by Technology Products Concepts Ltd, the LiftBed enables you to transform a living room into a bedroom or vice-versa in just a few seconds, creating extra space without having to move house.

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“Kate Moss par les grands photographes” exhibition in Paris – Celebrating to most photographed woman on the planet.

Since she was first discovered at JFK Airport when she was 14 in 1988, Kate Moss has become one of the biggest names in the world of fashion and one of the most photographed people in the world.

Her quirky and ultra-photogenic looks has meant that she has inspired designers, photographers and artists from around the globe. In celebration of the supermodel’s 23 year career, the Galerie de I’Instant in Paris is holding an exhibition titled, “Kate Moss par les plus grands photographes”.

The show, which will run until September 14 2011, includes photographs of Miss Moss taken from some of the biggest and most influential contemporary artists and photographers, including Mary McCartney, Rankin, Corrine Day, Bert Stern and Bettina Rheims, the French artist and photographer who actually discovered Kate all those years ago.

Talking about the exhibition, a spokesperson from the Galerie de l’Instant  commented:

“She has inspired the biggest photographers of every generation as well as contemporary artists including Lucian Freud, Marc Quinn, Sam Taylor Wood. It is therefore only fair that we dedicate an exhibition for her, as her work with photographers has been so rich and varied. This exhibition is homage, not only to her beauty, but also her intelligence.”

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