Winner of the Illusion contest 2010

What is actually happening is that the orientations of the slopes are perceived oppositely, and hence the descending motion is misinterpreted as ascending motion. This illusion is remarkable in that it is generated by a three-dimensional solid object and physical motion, instead of a two-dimensional picture.

there’s no stopping china’s fast-growing middle class and their voracious appetite for stylish foreign brands. uniqlo may already be present in the world’s fifth largest consumer market with a string of outlets but on sat - may 15, the japanese retailer will open its fourth and biggest global flagship store [following new york, london and paris] in the bustling city of shanghai.

the store measures a whopping 39,000 sq.ft. spread over three floors and as an eye-catcher it boasts a glass case set in the ceiling of the main entrance that features rotating mannequins displaying the very latest uniqlo merchandise. location: 969 nanjing xi lu

housed in a former canal district upholstery workshop, certain elements of the original interior have been retained and fused with contemporary design. the battered bare wall serves as a perfect backdrop for the vintage furniture pieces, and the [faux] cannabis plant adds to the friendly and informal vibe in true amsterdam style.

interestingly, velour offers more than just its own menswear and womenswear collections. the store also stocks a range of items of compatible brands such as rogues gallery, pop cph and keds. location: huidenstraat 14

fred perry opens its very first concept store in the emerging style hub of spitalfields. the shop interior mirrors the area’s industrial and commercial heritage, and consists almost entirely of reclaimed materials, most notably reclaimed doors with coloured stained glass windows that clad the walls. these are brought back to life by backlighting.

the concrete floor features a collage of set-in victorian manhole covers and old wooden ladders lean against unfinished scaffolding. many interior elements are removable or changeable, enabling a versatile space configuration. the new store exclusively carries the brand’s laurel wreath collection and also collab items with stüssy and raf simons. location: 105a commercial street

singapore got a solid french style injection with the recent opening of a.p.c.’s first boutique in the city. located at the raffles hotel shopping arcade, the sleek new store is designed by a.p.c. house architect laurent deroo and features the brand’s entire menswear and womenswear collections. location: 328 north bridge road, shop 02-08

railway retail chic seems the new trend, at least in zurich where nudie jeans has just opened a concept store. sheltered below a railway overpass in an emerging area of town, the store incorporates the structure’s brick work into its design while adding glass façades in front and in the back. the new nudie jeans concept store occupies two floors and features the brand’s entire denim collection. location: viaduktstrasse 51 [kreis 5].

y-3 joins the pop-up game and sets up shop on the glamorous french riviera in collab with blanc& contemporary space [open until jun 29]. obviously the temporary store features the brand’s signature black + white design aesthetics and even has a private garden. what to find here? y-3’s s/s 2010 men’s + women’s collections and we’re guessing a powershopping a-lister or two. the cannes film festival kicks off today, you know. location: 94 boulevard de la croisette [port pierre canto].