I saw some headlines about Karl Lagerfeld designing houses for some Fashion Island in Dubai a few days ago, but didn't bother to read the story for some reason. But thanks to my recent outbreak of insomnia (it's 5am HST), I came across this post and now, I am not a happy camper.
Fashion Island, along with it's fellow islands that make up The World (à la Fantasy Island), are man freaking made.
Okay, I get the whole capturing the India market trend because they're on the heels of China to become the hottest thing, but seriously, man made islands?!
Islands are beautiful, natural creations. Not something that you can (or should) just snap your fingers for, so a bunch of rich people can play. And if you have enough money to go galavanting there, how about investing it into the preservation of existing natural islands?
Now, this is all talk coming from someone who was born and raised on an island (O'ahu) and has witnessed luxury companies, among others, transform the once lush Waikiki into a luxury filled concrete jungle. We even have a Luxury Row. But, I guess it's all to boost the tourist economy, therefore the well being of Hawai'i's economy, etc, etc.
Non-islanders and islanders alike, what are your thoughts, I'd love to hear them and discuss this further!
12 comments:
whoa! you can make an island??? i did not know that.... huh. well, i've never been to an island before but i think the man made islands would get a TON of tourists because the idea is really fascinating. how does one make an island?? it's like there's no unique left in the natural creations because anyone can just make one.
oh and thank you for the comment, my answer to the question is the same as your's
Hmm well the creation of an island requires a heck of lot of materials, you need to transport rocks to build the base in the sea, then tons of sand and earth to build it up. In my mind that is not really a good thing, because all those materials have to come from somewhere! But then again, if they can build these islands, and that stops natural islands being destroyed by industry, it could be a good thing in a way. But I doubt that would actually happen!
Agreed, there is something unnatural about a man-made island. But form an artistic/architectural perspective, they're pretty cool!
Like Dapper Kid said, perhaps these man made islands could be the ones turned into luxurious concrete jungles, sparing all the natural ones. But it does take away from the specialness of being a natural island a bit. It's sort of like when one's Chanel bag seems less amazing because everyone else on the street is walking around with the fake version.
And thank you for the comment! I would love some more Hawaiian music suggestions. I usually just listen to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Jack Johnson, as well as Hawaiian-inspired artists like a few Hellogoodbye songs and whatnot.
Its natural sand, its natural rock. What about Hong Kong? That is also a reclaimed island. What about the netherlands? most of this is man built. If you check the company that built the islands (Nakheel) it took five years and they have an environmantal commitment too. and whats the thing about India? link doesnt load
I'm pretty sure that the earth wouldn't put up with a man-made island too well, given that I see something like that being compromised into the ocean about five years into it being built.
It would be such a surreal, strange thing to live/reside/visit a faux-island...takes the real beauty away from the idea.
Love your blog, bb! Thank you for the sweet comment, too :)
hi!!
great blog!
i am adding you to my feeds!
a kiss,
see you!
Dapper Kid- Yeah, that's a good point that building these islands could help out the other natural islands! Those companies just want to be everywhere!
Couture Carrie- I must agree with you that the idea from a design/architectural pov is intriguing!!
Anonymous- I'll be honest and say that I don't know anything about manmade islands, what other islands are manmade out there and how Nakheel is going about building The World. This post was just off the idea of the idea of building a manmade island and that's all I have a problem with because it's all I know about it. As for India, I was referring to how they are an up and coming market that companies are paying attention to and seeing as an important market in the near and far future. I tried the link and it worked for me. If not it's a post from the Business of Fashion (must read!), they're in my links.
Thanks for the sharing your thoughts everyone! Keep it coming!! :)
Man-made islands just seem so strange and unnatural. I guess they really are strange and unnatural, but there's something very strange about the whole thing.
when i read luxury and karl i was yes! yes! yes! but manmade? yeah. that's a little freaky and very unecessary. it'd be taking precious ocean space up. i mean our habitat is the land and we've ruined that already. why do we need to move into the fishes and reefs home as well? a tad selfish if you ask me.
and a 5? geez! you've got some tiny feet. =)
I have to concur that man-made islands have a very chincy, very Disney Land feel no matter how much wealth they represent. And I have to wonder what the ongoing environmental cost of sustaining such a thing might be.
Thanks for all the Hawaiian music suggestions! I'm slowly making my way through the list, listening to all their songs. So far I really like Paula Fuga a lot!
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