Hip Products: Akina limited edition art book

You'll have to be quick for this one. Celebrated Australian artist Akina has just released her third handmade book. The masterpiece is titled The Little Mermaid and is a riff on the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, twisted in true Akina fashion. The story is themed around Valentine's Day (perfect timing!) and includes all new artwork and a haunting tale of tragic romance printed on heavyweight art stock.

Each page is lovingly created by hand and the book is finished with beautiful details such as traditional hand-stitched binding, an individual wax seal, an artist’s statement, velvet ribbon, fold out fine art print, a pop up cover, embossed pages and a certificate of authenticity.

As with most Akina pieces, the book is highly collectible. Akina creator Lang Leav has only created 100 numbered copies of this art book making it truly limited edition. Previous Akina art books have sold out immediately. You have been warned!

You can buy The Little Mermaid book only on the Akina Website where you can also read the FAQ's.

Image: Akina

Australian Artist Spotlight: Akina art and fashion design

Lang Leav's arresting portraits of moody, villainous girls are equal parts kooky and cool. Her original artworks, fashion range, stationery and jewellery are created under the Akina label and are becoming incredibly popular around the world. Now is the time to snap up artwork, as this rising star's work disappears off the shelves almost as soon as it is stocked.

Based in Sydney, Leav started the Akina label in 2005 and subsequently won the QANTAS Spirit of Youth Awards, giving her valuable support from fashion industry vetrans and a financial boost too. She has since launched her label in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, and in 2007 was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship to travel to Japan and continue to study the Harajuku Girl phenomenon that inspires her work.

The Akina fashion range includes singlets, t-shirts and dresses, and you can find limited editions of jewellery, badges and stationery at select stockists. Limited edition Akina prints are avialable at Stupid Krap! Limited products are also available from time to time on the Akina Website. Check out some behind-the-scene Akina images on the Facebook fan page Akina and the Secret Society of Button Fetishes.

Image: Little Miss Liliput by Akina