We spotted an interesting designer today.

Born in 1969, he studied interior design at Saint-Luc Institute before opening his own Studio in Brussels. In 2000 Lust started to design for MDF Italia, an ongoing relationship which was the start of his collaboration with leading international producers such as Driade, De Padova, Baleri Italia and Extremis.

His work is clearly identifiable through the visible tension he gives to his objects, and the curves inspired by his innovative (de)formation process of metallic surfaces. He has received dozens of awards including Compasso d’Oro and his work has appeared in over 50 exhibitions. He is a regular feature in international design publications.

” A wonderful aspect of Xavier’s work is the illusion of lightness and motion,” writes the Russian critic Olga Bozhko. “In his designs he manages to express what seems impossible. Its seems as though his works are not created; they are born.”

Lust says “I work towards a design ideal in which created forms have an eternal justness, to the point where they seem self-evident. My creative process starts from an intimate understanding of the way that a material behaves. My starting point is often one of structure rather than aesthetics, but the result is a natural beauty dictated by the atomic structure of materials: a harmonious vocabulary of curves and lines that have an intuitive human appeal”.

We love his Baobab Coat Hanger: A winning piece of furniture, nearly a sculpture of modern art which recalls the Tropical tree of Baobab.

Aly Khalifa started Gamil Design in October, 1995 to combine his talents of design, engineering and product development. He has degrees in both Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University. His work has ranged from innovative wind tunnel testing to a patented eyewear system and he has worked in plastic, fabric and metal in the consumer products, sporting goods and medical equipment industries. He has been a Visiting Professor at North Carolina State University School of Design and has led many creativity workshops. To top that, in his spare time, he plays cello for various rock and lounge bands, enjoys inline skating and cycling. What a resume!

One of Aly’s designs that caught our eye is the Teastick.

The Teastick offers the design-hungry buyer a completely unique look and function. Sleek and intriguing, the Teastick is fabricated from high-grade stainless steel, and is able to stand years of service.

And best of all, it’s easy to use!

It acts as a measure, container, and infuser - everything needed for tea but the cup of hot water. Just slide back the perforated cylinder, scoop from the tin of your favourite tea, slide it closed and immerse in water.

Tea anyone?

Born in Brussels in 1978, Belgian designer Sylvain Willenz studied Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London from 2001 to 2003 and in 2004 Sylvain opened his own studio, based in Brussels.

Sylvain’s works deal with projects from lighting to product design and furniture. His work is characterized by a clear love for materials and processes and bear a no-nonsense approach to design. The work-spirit is straightforward and uncomplicated. His projects celebrate design, archetypes, and industry.

Things like rubber, post-its, elastics, graphics, stickers, plasticine, Internet, music, toys, highways, flowers, cacti, fat books, chewing-gum, spraycans, cars, graffiti, shoes and cooking, are just a few underlying inspirations in SylvainWillenzDesignStudio’s works.

One of his many designs that caught our eye is Petrol: a rug assembled in two to three layers from machine-cut felt discs. The three different diameters of discs create the organic and random pattern of the rug, which can be produced in infinite configurations and formats. Petrol can run down a corridor, or spill from one room into another, like a moving organism.

Sylvain Willenz can be contacted at info@sylvainwillenz.com

Christian Pound founded the Ecso Group in 2004. This marked a departure from the scope of his previous work (in photography and graphic design) into the creation of objects, particularly fashion accessories. Marketed under the label Ecsotype®, and taking a “from the ground up” approach, each new design stresses unconventional construction techniques. Christian believes that the foundations of design are liquid. He relishes the journey of shaping his ideas into tangible forms.

Something new to look at is the Presse, an exciting take on the traditional laptop bag but with added va va voom!

‘Presse’ is a mixed leather/nylon utility bag comprising a large internal cell, multiple internal/external pockets and a leather-braced gusset. A shock-resistant divider provides increased protection for laptops and other valuables during transportation and is able to accommodate laptops up to 17″.

Not the cheapest bag you will ever buy but quite possibly the best!

Designer Urs Schweizer and Master Cabinet Maker Arnold Meusburger are presenting “Decarus”, a stunning new furniture collection from Austria.

Old wood is fascinating. It tells us a personal story and this story is transposed into modern day contemporary design as every piece of wood used in this furniture range is extracted from very old, matured wood that has been used in a building for at least 150 years previously!

The designs are minimalist, the results are outstanding. Sustainability at its best!

A savvy supplier of snowman sweaters, pudding pullovers and reindeer knits could have seasonal shopping stitched up for connoisseurs of kitsch festive gifts. The natty knitters at Christmas Jumper have been putting in needle overtime ready for their launch on September 9, 2008. Based in Manchester, the kooky company has a full range of classic novelty sweaters ready to fill the nation’s stockings on December 25.

Sported on screen by the likes of Gyles Brandreth, champion of the comedy jumper, a patterned pullover with Santa and snowflakes has traditionally been the bad gift territory of grannies and great aunts. The company is turning the Christmas cliché on its tinselled head, transforming the much-maligned novelty knit into an ironic fashion statement.

Its homespun garments include all the festive favourites: a tasty Christmas pudding, Freddie Frost the snowman, party Santa, plus a selection of chunky granny knits replete with reindeers and snowflakes. All jumpers are a high-quality wool/acrylic blend and come in four sizes, for fans who want to fit out the whole family.

The irony is not lost on the BBC, which has requested two jumpers for its new sitcom ‘Not Going Out’, starring Lee Mac and Tim Vine.

Rafael Fernandez, Christmas Jumper co-founder, says: “Retro Christmas jumpers are having a style revival. Web forums were aflutter in the run up to last Christmas with seasonal shoppers searching – in vain – for novelty knits. Our range of retro sweaters is exclusive to Christmas Jumper - you won’t find them on the high street or through another online store. They’re an essential addition to any festive wardrobe, whether for comedy value at the Christmas party or as genuine gifts for trend setting fashionistas.”

The jumpers cost between £35 and £40, and can be ordered online at www.christmasjumper.co.uk , for delivery within 14 days.

CT Radiators of Brighton, East Sussex, is launching a new type of domestic radiator based around a clever ‘fin’ design not previously available for the home. The ‘Interlinking Lattice Fin Technology’ radiator (patent pending) – part heating implement, part example of stunning contemporary design - will be unveiled at the ‘100% Design’ exhibition, taking place on 18-21 September, 2008, at Earls Court, London.

After analysing the current market designs, Shane Mizra of CT Radiators developed a new fin technology ideal for use in the home, using his proprietary interlinking lattice fin technology.

The radiators come in seven different (as yet unnamed) designs and are aimed at architects, interior designers and private clients. Made in CT Radiators’ workshop in Fishers Gate, Brighton, using advanced welding and robot technology, they can be tailored to exact space and heating requirements and can also be vertical - which was previously inefficient with fin designs. All radiators will be available in mild steel and stainless steel. They are finished with a powder coating, in any colour.

The fin radiator is Shane’s own ‘pet’ project, on which he has been working for the past two years. Trained as a coded welder – the highest qualification in the field – Shane has combined the traditional 100 year old craft with modern 3D technology to create a contemporary product.

Shane Mizra says: “My designs have several advantages over standard fin radiators. For starters, 15% more heat is generated than by the closet fin rival, which is a clear advantage for those who care about their carbon footprint. Furthermore, the radiators operate efficiently in the vertical position and the technology is flexible enough to allow for some fine and funky bespoke designs. Combining the best of form and function, the radiators are an ideal adornment for any modern home.”

The cost of a basic fin design is £2,000.

Danish company Yakkay has developed a new bicycle helmet where safety and style are combined. With four individual hat designs currently available, each using a city theme as inspiration, you can define your own style based on personal taste, location or mood.

A spokesman for Yakkay said ” The main function of your bicycle helmet is to protect your head. But, that doesn’t mean you have to compromise your style when wearing it. If you are among those who use your head, you are using your helmet, and if you are among those who appreciate looking stylish - you wear a Yakkay helmet!”

Of course, whilst this is a new idea for the cycling fraternity, anyone who has sat on a horse will know that helmet covers have been around for a number of years!

The Spice Boy grinder, by Oliver Hemming, seems to be drawing attention. The original wooden version was created by the British designer in 2000, followed by the coloured, acrylic version in 2004. The coloured Spice Boy recently caught the eye of Emily Leppenwell at the Sunday Times and is a winner of the 2008 Red Dot Award for product design.

The Spice Boy is functional and versatile as well as being a bit of a looker. The wide bowl lets you easily fill with your chosen spices (anything smaller than a coffee bean) and the amazing ceramic ‘crushgrind’ mechanism won’t corrode (even if you use it for salt). Yes, you can use it for salt or pepper - but why not let your imagination run riot and create your own special spice mix?

The Spice Boy is available from Proleno for £24.95 and comes in white, blue, pink, red or black.

Tom Owen is an up and coming new designer, recently graduated from the University of Derby. His prototypical ‘One’ Bike is a new take on the fold-up commuter bike incorporating some unique features. Since all the dirty bits are tucked away when folded, there’s no risk of messing up that smart business suit. And for the more sedentary amongst us, it features an electric motor for power assist. It remains to be seen whether this striking design makes it to production, and then if it will do better than its predecessors. No doubt congestion charges could contribute to its success!