OHAVDALAH

we all know there's an economic crisis going on. the E.C., if you will (but don't call it that). the world is crazier than ever though, and we all have needs, god dammit. here, for your viewing pleasure, are some of my favourite GO FUCK YOURSELF recession 2009 moments thus far:

COCA COLA launches a USD90million dollar technology & innovation center in shanghai, with plans to invest a further USD2billion over the course of the next three years. in tandem with this, coke makes USD2.4million takeover offer to domestic drink company huiyuan juice.

ASTON MARTIN unveils the limited edition ONE-77, which has a top speed of over 200 mph. only 77 have been made, and it's a steal at 1.2 million fucking pounds. this makes me wanna puke.

SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL releases an admittedly awesome limited edition 24 carat gold plated bike, complete with a shitload of handset crystals. super limited, retails at USD102,418.60.

SOME DOUCHEBAG concepts the most expensive piece of art ever made (pictured above). it's one billion fucking dollars, stacked on 12 standard pallets. that's 100 million 100 dolla bills yo.

for a bit of local flavour, hotshot boutique design studio JELLYMON and streetwear shop THE SOURCE announce plans (respectively) to open second shops in our neighbouring town of beijing.

ELECTROLUX puts the €15,000 crystal ergoripado vacuum cleaner on the market, making it the most expensive vacuum cleaner in the world. the best part about it is that it's eco-friendly (made from recycled parts!) but also has 3,730 swarovski crystals. yeah, fuck you economy!

switzerland’s ECAL (or more properly, the ecole cantonale d’art de lausanne), has launched a new full time, one year masters of luxury & desigh program, which hopes to arm students with the design skills and associated nous required by the luxury goods industry. as WALLPAPER* puts it nicely, "luxury goods groups need to get their design houses in order as the global economy goes all grapes of wrath on us".