ARTE Distribution

"Insights" : Zaha Hadid - "A potted history" of the Barbie doll - "Rising trends" : The new urban sports - "What to do with" ginger ? - "Insights" : Behind the scenes with Piero Fornasetti

"Insights" : Zaha Hadid
We met one of the greatest figures of world architecture - Zaha Hadid. Born in Baghdad and settled in London at the end of the 70s, she is the only woman to have received the Pritzker Prize, the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for architects. Zaha Hadid also applies her futuristic aesthetics to furniture and lamps, which earned her "Designer 2008" at the Maison et Object trade fair.

"A potted history" of the Barbie doll
Barbie's mother is a Californian secretary called Ruth Handler. Handler had the idea of creating a grown-up doll for little girls to project their dreams onto when she her daughter began to tire of playing with dolls. In 1956, she went to Germany, and discovered a doll called "Lili" that she brought back to the United States. She decided to design herself a doll along the same lines. She entrusted designer Jack Ryan with the task of creating her inimitable figure, and she hired a designer to design her wardrobe. As for her furniture and accessories, it was her husband Elliot Handler who tackled the task. In 1959, her company Mattel launched the Barbie, a veritable pin-up, who was to revolutionise playing with dolls. 29 centimetres of moulded plastic, endless legs, a smiling, made-up face, the Barbie doll became a fashion icon, with an infinite number of transformations. Although initially she had pale skin and brown hair, she quickly became tanned and blond, the prototype of the American beauty. She embodies social success, fame and eternal youth. The Barbie doll represents 45 different nationalities and has turned her hand to over 90 professions, from model to rock star to astronaut. Every year 80 million Barbies are sold all over the world.

"Rising trends" : The new urban sports
The fine weather is back so what's the point of exercising shut away in a gym? Today, people are pursuing fun new outdoor city sports, on the pavement. These leisure pursuits have been gaining popularity for a while now in various European capitals.

"What to do with" ginger ?
Ginger, such an essential ingredient in Asian cooking, is increasingly found in European dishes as it is astringent, perfumed and versatile, and adds flavour to even the most traditional of dishes. A fan of the root, William Le Deuil, chef of the Parisian restaurant "Ze Kitchen Gallery" has concocted a light starter with a hint of exoticism - scallop kebabs with ginger.

"Insights" : Behind the scenes with Piero Fornasetti
We set out to discover the creations of Italian designer Piero Fornasetti. With his suns, packs of cards and characters from the comedia dell'arte being reproduced on objects, materials and furniture, Fornasetti has become a design giant.