Dirty Girl Things
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Number Fifteen
Shiri Zinn. Design and Pleasure.
In terms of the modern-day world of erotic toys, there is “Before Shiri Zinn” ---and--- there is “After Shiri Zinn”.
Literally.
There have always been “toys” designed by men, which lacked a certain appeal, which required they be hidden and locked away in the bedroom dresser drawer, brought out only for some action and amusement when needed. Dirty. Nasty. Sinful. Cheap. Tacky. Giggles and whispers.
Shiri Zinn was one of the new generation of designers at the forefront that made these into designer pieces which could be placed in the living room, or even on a man’s office desk, and shown as a piece of art. A sly little secret where only those in the know will “get it”. Quite acceptable. Quite chic. Very functional.
Just ask Kate Moss, Baby Spice, Tristan Taormino, and Jenna Jameson (rumor has it that Ivana Trump has one aboard her yacht).
A native-born South African who moved to London in 1994 and attended the prestigious Central Saint Martins School of Fashion, earning herself three degrees by 2000 (1 in Fine Arts, 1 in Fashion Design with Marketing, and a Masters Degree in Jewellery for Fashion).
You might come to the conclusion, this is her calling.
Her collection has won the International Erotic Award and she was a top 10 finalist on exhibition with The International Bombay Sapphire Glass Awards. Her collection has exhibited at the new and controversial Museum of Sex, 5th Avenue, New York. It was exhibited at Selfridges Body Craze Exhibition (London) where it made additional appearances in their Oxford Street window display. She put on “Totem & Taboo”, an exhibition at London’s Aurum Gallery. Her latest collection was exhibited at CELUX (the exclusive membership club salon in the penthouse of the Louis Vuitton building in Omotesando, Tokyo) as part of a “bedroom-boudoir installation”. Her work was also exhibited at The Erotic Museum in Los Angeles in 2005.
But the thing that’s most striking about Shiri is that she seems to be living her dream, doing what she wants on her own terms, blazing a new trail for people, and making a reputation for herself.
Uleshka, of pingmag, recently interviewed Shiri here, and it was one of the most fun reads you’ll find anywhere.
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Limited Edition Double Ended Molten Crystal Piece with 60 Swarovski studded handle which retails for about $1800 - Design and Copyright by Shiri Zinn.
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Brown croc print leather with ebony wood handle and pink hair braids
which retails for about $250-$300 - Design and Copyright by Shiri Zinn 2006.
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Black & Clear Solid Molten Glass Piece with sterling silver stand
which retails for about $1800 - Design and Copyright by Shiri Zinn.
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The Minx Vibrator - Shiri transformed her famous Pink Glass Piece into this designer vibrator which retails for about $300 - Design and Copyright by Shiri Zinn.
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Shiri Zinn’s designs are located at shirizinn.com and can also be acquired at finer Coco de Mer establishments.
Coco de Mer is opening their first US store during October at 8618 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Contact information can be found on their website here.
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Sincerely.
Eve and JW3 and Mélisande
Dirty Girl Things ©
Unrepentant. Unpretentious. Unconventional. ©
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Loved the PingMag interview. It really shows that you should follow your dreams more often. Do men really do the shopping for toys though?
on 09/22 at 02:01 PM