THIS IS ART: A blog following polymath, fine artist and functional artist, Aaron R Thomas.

The changing nature of PR and the importance of partners

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 13:07:00 +0000

We’re in the throes of redesigning our website and rethinking how we talk about ourselves. The easy answer to, “What’s RoseComm?” is “We’re a PR firm.” But it’s no longer the right answer.

When I talk about what we do for our clients, people often tell me we’re selling ourselves short. Sure, public relations is our heritage and our core competency. And we’ve been focused on social media since we launched our first Facebook effort back in 2007. But what we’re really doing goes beyond what most people think of when they hear “public relations.” We’re helping our clients capture their brand stories and driving the development of content for use across many channels.

An example of such a client is Lucite International, makers of the 75+ year old acrylic material used by well known designers, such as Alexis Bittar and Aaron R. Thomas. Our original assignment was a project to create a 75th anniversary celebration in New York. From there, we took on social media. Now we support most of their marketing program, from e-newsletters and trade show strategy to video production and even advertising creative. Oh, and we also run their social media pages and traditional media relations efforts.

We engage with outside partners if our clients need a service we don’t offer in-house, such as design, traditional media planning/buying, video production, etc. Our main partner on Lucite isVisionmark Communications, a firm that introduced us to one of our longest standing clients, Apex Tool Group, back in 2006. Together we deliver the offering of a full-service agency to a half dozen clients. We also partnered with a production company to create a video that showcases the winner of Lucite International’s 2013 JUST IMAGINE Awards.

The focus of our agency is expanding because the nature of communication is changing. In some cases we’re working with outside gatekeepers, such as journalists and bloggers; in others, we’re communicating directly with the target audience. The fundamentals of public relations — credibility, two-way conversation, substance — are now the fundamentals of every marketing communications discipline. Brands that share meaningful, entertaining content will rise to the top. And we’re here to help clients uncover and share those stories.

by rosemary

SEGD A multidisciplinary community creating experiences that connect people to place

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 12:57:00 +0000

Call for Entries

Lucite International, owner of the LuciteLux® acrylic brand, opened the call for entries for its second annual JUST IMAGINE Awards, which celebrate the work of designers who turn their creative vision into reality using LuciteLux®.

The company is accepting JUST IMAGINE Awards entries viawww.lucitelux.com and will continue to do so through September 15, 2014. The work must be completed using LuciteLux® between 2012 and 2014 to be eligible.

The company also announced the prestigious panel of expert judges who will select the 2014 winner:
• Aaron R. Thomas, designer, architect and artist
• Anne-Louise Ewen, fine artist and LuciteLux® painter/sculptor
• Jaime Derringer, founder and executive editor of Design Milk
• Jamer Hunt, director of the experimental graduate program in transdisciplinary design at Parsons The New School for Design
• Jason Kelly Johnson and Nataly Gattegno, architects and founders of Future Cities Lab
• Ron Labaco, Marcia Docter Curator for the Museum of Arts & Design
• Chris Robinson, Business Manager, Lucite International Inc.

Lucite International will celebrate the winner with a full-page spread in Architectural Record as well as a making-of documentary that tells the story of the designer’s work with LuciteLux®. The documentary will premiere at an exclusive screening party at the site of the installation and appear in a sponsored feature on the Design Milk blog.

"We are thrilled to launch the second annual JUST IMAGINE Awards as a way to honor the myriad designers who embrace the uniqueness of working with our material, LuciteLux®," said Robinson. "Last year’s winner set the bar quite high by incorporating more than 200 triangles of our LuciteLux® Light Guide Panels into an immersive LED dome design for the Burning Man festival. My fellow judges and I simply cannot wait to see what the design community comes forward with in 2014."

Six-years ago I almost died.

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 14:34:00 +0000

I was knocked off a building by a faulty roof hatch door.

It took six-years, an incredible team of doctors, sheer determination and a lot of love and support to heal from the accident, but I'm back and I feel better than ever!

If you're receiving this email I want to take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of my life and to share with you what's new in my world.

I've launched a new website offering a glimpse of the possibilities when working with A.R.T.Currently, my consulting services include architecture, product design, FF&E contract work, full-service interior design (by DESIGNLUSH) and luxury real estate services (in partnership with HOM Sotheby’s International Realty).

As my brand evolves I am most interested in collaborating with other designers and brands to develop successful ventures that celebrate excellence.

Among the many talented designers I've been working with, I'm unabashedly biased about my wife's new collection of handcrafted jewelry and accessories, available atStefaniePhan.com.

In addition to contract and custom design work, my signature ready-to-carry collection is available in the online store, featuring new wholesale pricing and free shipping.

To kick-off the new website we're having aflash sale until Monday April 7. 15% off all items store-wide. That's 15% below wholesale! Use code: ART15 at checkout.

GOLDEN GIRL: STEFANIE PHAN RELEASES ON THE MONEY GOLD AND ACRYLIC CUFF

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 12:00:00 +0000

My precious wife, Stefanie Phan, just released a new gold and acrylic cuff on her site yesterday. The On The Money gold and acrylic cuff is a result of our collaboration—exquisite acrylic tubing (usually reserved for scientific laboratories, which require zero tolerance in color variance) is hand cut, shaped, polished and features hand-applied 24-karat gold leaf on a select facet of each one-of-a-kind cuff. Here's a glimpse of the cuff in the making. Available at stefaniephan.com now.

: Acrylic cuffs marked with design notes ready to be shaped

: Aaron R. Thomas inspecting an On The Money gold and acrylic cuff

DEVELOPING ACRYLIC CLUTCH COLLECTION FOR STEFANIE PHAN HANDCRAFTED COUTURE ACCESSORIES

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:30:00 +0000

I'm proud to share my wife's latest work: Accessories designer, Stefanie Phan's new acrylic clutch collection, The Illusionist, are featured below. Inspired by a magician's box Phan's original designs are constructed in clear acrylic and feature compartments concealed with exotic skins—providing discretion for items you don't want shown. You can preview more workshop photos and the rest of her jewelry collection at StefaniePhan.com.

HANDCRAFTED COUTURE JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIES: STEFANIE PHAN LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:52:00 +0000

This week Aaron R. Thomas' Chief Operations Officer, wife and jewelry designer, Stefanie Phan, launched a brand new website and online boutique, produced by Next Level Studios.

The Stefanie Phan brand was conceived from a desire to create fusions of rare and exotic materials that might not have been paired together before. Calling on expert engineer, designer and material specialist, Aaron R. Thomas (along with a talented team of master craftsmen and engineers), leads the manufacturing process of Stefanie Phan's designs.

In A.R.T.'s true spirit of celebrating the American craftsman Stefanie Phan's brand highlights its dedication to manufacturing in the USA. Her designs are conceptualized and realized in Southern California and she has the pleasure of working alongside two generations of master craftsmen. The superior quality of the artistry supersedes any consideration to outsource and our ownership of manufacturing facilities allow us to offer direct-to-public wholesale pricing. Sharing the process with fans is an important element of A.R.T's branding strategy, and Stefanie Phan offers a glimpse of her manufacturing process with a workshop photo album.

The new online boutique features 360-degree product views to help clients fully appreciate the one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and unique designs. And in the coming weeks new collections and designs will be released—keep an eye out for the acrylic clutch collection, The Illusionist. To stay up-to-date with the latest news follow Stef on her blog or through her social media outlets, where new developments get posted first.

NEW LIMITED EDITION COLLECTION OF AARON R. THOMAS FIREFLY LAMPS

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 18:03:00 +0000

Aaron R. Thomas' iconic Firefly lamp was conceived from a desire to create a simple, yet stylish modern lamp. The result was a playful and romantic conversation piece featuring five-incandescent LED “fireflies” swarming in a large, bare bulb.

Just released for 2014, Aaron R. Thomas releases a new limited edition collection of his iconic Firefly lamps with color, hardware and size options. The iconic home accent features a modern acrylic base in choice of clear, black, smoke bronze or smoke grey. Updated hardware options now include a choice of polished nickel or brass. In addition to the signature desk lamp size (16-32" high), $240, it now comes in a floor lamp (32-60" high), $450—with free shipping in USA. Each one-of-a-kind functional fine art Firefly lamp is proudly handmade in USA with the finest materials and comes hand signed by the artist.

The new collection is available to purchase online at http://aaronrthomas.com/product/firefly-lamp/

AARON R. THOMAS ANNOUNCES REBRAND WITH NEW WEBSITE

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:40:00 +0000

Aaron R. Thomas New Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Laguna Beach, CA — Aaron R. Thomas unveils his brand's redesign with a completely new website and online store under the direction of Chief Operating Officer, Stefanie Phan-Thomas, and designed by Next Level Studios (aaronrthomas.com). Renowned for his art and design in the worlds of luxury and high-end boutique hospitality, Aaron R. Thomas' rebrand emerges from a six-year journey of healing from a near-fatal accident.

Highly regarded for his acute savoir-faire, it's no surprise that diversification is the apex of the restructuring of Aaron R. Thomas' brand identity. Established as a multi-talented designer, architect and artist, Aaron's redesigned website highlights his team of expert professional partners who encompass consulting capabilities in the realms of full-service interior design, architecture, product design, project management, aerospace, engineering, research and development, bespoke marketing and brand strategy, financial planning and luxury real estate services (in partnership with HOM Sotheby’s International Realty). A pinnacle focal point of the diversification of services is its availability to other designers and companies “As my brand evolves I am most interested in working together with other designers and brands to develop profitable ventures that celebrate excellence. As a businessman and artist I strive to inspire a love and pure joy for quality of life. My professional career has pivoted on sharing and promoting a life well lived and I am proud to offer a variety of avenues in which to achieve this," says Aaron R. Thomas.

Without disregard to Aaron's reputable standing in the interior design industry, the new website features an extensive portfolio of his more than 20-years expertise as an art and design enterprise and shares his impressive clientele list. Inviting new developments and varying industries, the online store serves as a hub for new designs, which are featured alongside Aaron R. Thomas' signature collection of furniture and decorative home accents.

As a DesignLush Modern Master, Aaron's rebrand continues to endorse his dedication and loyalty to the American craftsman, as each piece is proudly handmade in the USA and signed by its respective artist. Aaron proudly extends this guarantee that all contracted projects are developed and executed with an integrity that honors a sustainable economy and manufacturing process. His more than 20-years of delivering unparalleled excellence in quality and craftsmanship has proven to extinguish any consideration for outsourcing and remains a pillar in his business model.

ABOUT AARON R. THOMAS

Aaron R. Thomas is an acclaimed American designer, architect, artist, scientist, inventor and engineer known for his vast fine art repertoire.

Honoring a mutual respect for impeccable quality and refined excellence his fine art furniture and masterpieces are in high demand by art collectors, A-list celebrities and luxury brands including Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Baccarat and Mercedes-Benz. His ability to transform dreams into reality can be seen in the lobbies and penthouse suites of America’s finest boutique hotels, including the SLS Hotel, Viceroy Hotel, Thompson Hotel Group, Hotel Valley-Ho, Kimpton Hotels, Mandalay Bay, and The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Luxury brands including Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Baccarat, Neiman Marcus, Disney, Apple and Mercedes-Benz have called upon his unique ability to orchestrate dreams into reality.

Aaron’s loyal adherence to excellence attracts global tastemakers and purveyors of fine art collections who share a level of taste that is recognized worldwide.

Aaron currently resides in Southern California.

For general inquiries and media: info@aaronrthomas.com.

AARON R. THOMAS AND STEFANIE PHAN-THOMAS TEAM UP TO PRESENT ONLINE MAGAZINE, WWW.LADYHOLIDAY.NET—THE DEFINITIVE VOICE OF LUXURY LIFESTYLE ONLINE

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:13:00 +0000

http://ladyholiday.net

NEWS RELEASE

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AARON R. THOMAS AND STEFANIE PHAN-THOMAS TEAM UP TO PRESENT ONLINE MAGAZINE, WWW.LADYHOLIDAY.NET—THE DEFINITIVE VOICE OF LUXURY LIFESTYLE ONLINE

LAGUNA BEACH, CA – May 21, 2013 – Ever-creative businessman, Aaron R. Thomas, has teamed up with wife and creative muse, Stefanie Phan-Thomas to launch online magazine, www.LadyHoliday.net, the definitive voice of luxury lifestyle online.

Taking role as CEO and Director of Photography, Aaron R. Thomas, joins forces with founding Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director, Stefanie Phan-Thomas, to offer global tastemakers an online luxury lifestyle resource to help readers embrace a life well lived. The online magazine releases a Weekly Edit delivered to reader’s inboxes every Wednesday and covers the latest luxury lifestyle content in Style, Travel, Beauty, Design and Eat + Drink categories. The site also features Lifestyle T.V.—a hand-picked selection of more than 500 videos curated from 12 of the world’s most celebrated luxury brand’s YouTube channels.

“To create a space where the luxury of quality can be celebrated and shared authentically has been a dream of mine for some time now. I invite readers to approach Lady Holiday as their Little Black Book of luxe living. From current fashion trends to delicious recipes to try or where to stay and which beauty products to use, I want our readers to have a place they can trust to find valuable information that positively improves their quality of life. And if it’s not on the site, ask. Lady Holiday is for you!” Phan-Thomas exclaims.

“Now more than ever, the growing population of affluent consumers needs a resource they can trust to be authentic editorial. Sharing Stef’s lifestyle through her unique, personal voice and from a genuine desire to be resourceful and honest, Lady Holiday is an exceptionally valuable addition to today’s luxury lifestyle editorial landscape,” Thomas says.

Editorial submissions and press releases can be sent to editorial@ladyholiday.net for consideration. For more information on Lady Holiday’s editorial policy please visit http://ladyholiday.net/editorial-policy/

About Aaron R. Thomas

Aaron R. Thomas is Chief Executive Officer and Director of Photography of Lady Holiday.

Prior to assuming the CEO role at Lady Holiday, he was founding CEO and master artist at Aaron R. Thomas, Inc., where he was an acclaimed designer, painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, inventor and engineer. Aaron brings 20-years of experience in the luxury marketplace having applied his loyal adherence to excellence with an impressive list of luxury brands including, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Baccarat, Kelly Wearstler, Tom Ford, Dodd Mitchell Design, Frette, John Varvatos, Neiman Marcus, Phillipe Starck, Saks Fifth Avenue, Infiniti Motors, Mercedes-Benz, SLS Hotel, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and Thompson Hotel Group.

Under the role of Director of Photography Aaron’s vast fine art repertoire continues to expand as he leads the artistic direction of Lady Holiday with an acute vision that speaks to global tastemakers and purveyors of luxury who share a level of taste that is recognized worldwide.

About Stefanie Phan-Thomas

Stefanie Phan-Thomas is the founding Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director of Lady Holiday. She is the driving force behind Lady Holiday’s unique editorial vision and overall brand experience.

Prior to launching Lady Holiday Stefanie was assistant editor at Riviera magazine, a Modern Luxury publication—America’s largest publisher of city-based magazines. She graduated cum laude from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study and during her time in New York City she also successfully completed internships with W magazine and Chanel’s fashion public relations department. In 2012 she pursued her love of design, developing a jewelry line under her own namesake, which is set to launch this year.

Media Contact: press@ladyholiday.net

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All in a day.....

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:23:00 +0000

Good times.......

CENTER OF ATTENTION

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Located in his Laguna Beach, California studio this modern midsummer night's dream is Aaron R Thomas' latest installation. The handcrafted bulletproof acrylic indoor/outdoor chandelier is a glowing orb of brilliant contemporary design. Drawing a crowd of passersby who catch a peek of its glow from over the fence, this center-of-attention sculpture is suspended by ropes and hardware reclaimed from a boat that sailed around the world and was being scrapped for its metal. Made out of several acrylic links, the sculpture has multiple forms and evolves in an organic fashion.

Acrylic Chandelier by Aaron R Thomas

AARON R THOMAS FEATURED IN INTERIORDESIGN.NET

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Happy Independence Day and thank you InteriorDesign.net for featuring our liquidmetal-sprayed tree stumps in this week's issue of Design Wire's weekly top five furniture! We're honored!

SKILLZ

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 02:10:00 +0000

Aaron R. Thomas cutting a 1" thick sheet of acrylic into an oval coffee tabletop...with a SkilSaw! If you've tried to maneuver a SkilSaw with accuracy you'll know how challenging it is to maintain a steady arm—but for Aaron it's just another toy in his workshop. This one-of-a-kind commissioned coffee table was designed, conceptualized, engineered and built by Aaron R. Thomas.

BUILDING THINGS...

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:48:00 +0000

Aaron R. Thomas building a custom clear and smoked bronze acrylic coffee table

GREEN WITH ENVY

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:34:00 +0000

Aaron R. Thomas building a custom green acrylic Waterfall desk for DESIGNLUSH.

JUST JEWELS...

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Building prototypes for a new jewelry line...using laboratory-grade pure molymer pipes for cuffs and Rosewood for rings.

A LITTLE SIDE PROJECT...

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 23:32:00 +0000

Just a "little" side project Aaron's been working on in between commissions...these one-a-kind acrylic chandeliers are a breathtaking conversation starter for any room needing a contemporary twist. Hand shaped by Aaron R. Thomas, each piece is uniquely crafted to add depth and dimension to the environment with its mirror-like reflections.

THE FRENCHIE

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:18:00 +0000

Check out another functional fine art furniture piece by Aaron R. Thomas, "The Frenchie," hand-crafted one-of-a-kind acrylic Form chair, hand painted with hand-carved acrylic French Colonial seat back. Everyone needs a little Frenchie in their lives...

CREATIONS.......

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:38:00 +0000

MONROE.......... BY ART

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:30:00 +0000

i don't know.....

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:34:00 +0000

Details.....

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 22:22:00 +0000

INSIDE MY PROTOTYPING STUDIO

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:30:00 +0000

HAND POLISHING CRYSTAL CLEAR CAST TABLE LEGS. WE ONLY HAND POLISH!!! WE DO NOT USE A FLAME TORCH TO POLISH..... WE DON'T EVEN OWN ONE.....

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:26:00 +0000

FLAT....... PLANNING PIECES FOR A ONE OF A KIND COMMISSIONED TABLE FOR HILARY THOMAS DESIGN

noreply@blogger.com (A.R.T.) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:21:00 +0000