Hold it
Uber-architect Jean Nouvel has to his credit the futuristic Arab World Institute, the bullet-shaped Torre Agbar in Barcelona and a radical tower going up next to the Museum of Modern Art in midtown Manhattan.
Now, he has a men's cologne bottle, too. Nouvel created the oblong, clear bottle for L'Homme Yves Saint Laurent, a woody scent of sandalwood and cedar.
''I wanted to give it a clear-cut shape,'' Nouvel says, ``so it would easily fit a man's hand while still stimulating many different aspects of his imagination.''
It's hitting counters now, at $79.50 for 3 fluid ounces
Reverse size envy
Always For Me is an online retailer for curvy women, and their swimsuits this season are just delightful. They come in sizes 16W-26W, with plenty of rich ruching and stylish details. Don them to downplay hips or play up cleavage.
This one-piece twist bandeau is $79, at AlwaysForMe.com or 1-888-287-8941.
An eye on shades
Although local eyewear designer Edward Beiner makes sunglasses that get good play in glitzy cities, he doesn't go by trends so much as his personal aesthetic and free association.
His new collection toys with Celtic designs. Other inspirations these days, he says, are Miami's sunny skies, Steve McQueen, Elvis and Audrey Hepburn. But not the kitchen sink.
These are $380 at Edward Beiner, at the Village of Merrick Park.
Up and coming
Good things come out of Miami International University of Art & Design, like this handbag by student Rebecca Allen.
The design was one of five chosen from 600 submitted for the illustrious Independent Handbag Designer Award, and will be displayed at a reception at the New York Historical Society in New York City on June 18.
The limited edition purse is $450. Call 410-474-4882 or go to RebeccaAnneAllen.com.
Not only in L.A.
Several dozen people plopped down recently on rowdy Hollywood Boulevard and got in touch with their inner silence.
Max Simon is the man behind PDM -- Public Display of Meditation -- and he's making it hip to zone out, something that hasn't happened since the Beatles got down with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Simon may be spiritual, but he's not leaving his success up to the cosmos. (His father is David Simon, author and co-founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing.) Go to Simon's website, getselfcentered.com, to sign up for a seminar or buy a T-shirt.
See PDM at youtube.com/watch?v=tGBGRos_4gI&feature=user so you know what to expect. Miamians are invited to engage in a PDM at 7 p.m., May 15, upstairs at Lulu Lemon, 826 Collins Avenue. Peace.
-- KATHRYN WEXLER
