KDDI au unveils iida sub-brand for high design

Japan's KDDI au has long been famous for its Design Project handsets -- some of which have made the leap from concept to production -- and the CDMA carrier is looking to ramp up its fashion street cred with the creation of an entire brand dedicated to those oh-so-special models. iida is launching with five models out of the gate: the G9 from Sony Ericsson and misora (neither of which are particularly Earth-shattering in their design) along with three stunners from celebrated Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. These are pretty... shall we say, "interesting" handsets, owing in no small part to their in-your-face polka dot design (Kusama's trademark, it seems) -- but what's more, one of the three docks to a sculpture of a dog and another is the shape of a miniature handbag for the ladies. Continuing with the bizarre theme, iida is selling a unique charger whose cord looks like an ivy vine -- must be an eco-friendly unit, otherwise the irony is overwhelming -- and a pico projector using TI's DLP tech that'll connect to your handset for that impromptu presentation on the go. Check out a gallery of some of iida's wares below.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

Gallery: KDDI au unveils iida sub-brand for high design

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[Avi Tar @ Apr 7th 2009 9:45AM]

OMG, these people use some scary-ass looking models.

[andrewsjeep @ Apr 7th 2009 9:46AM]

But, I am your daughter!

[Ryan @ Apr 7th 2009 9:43AM]

Seriously? I think I just contracted the chicken pox...

[EI8HT @ Apr 7th 2009 9:47AM]

oh the things i would do to her

[Secret Squirrel @ Apr 7th 2009 9:57AM]

http://www.movievillains.com/archives/2002/05/jacobim_mugatu.html

[Slappy Wag @ Apr 7th 2009 11:41AM]

WTF..... It looks like a Chinese knock-off of Ronald McDonald.

[split @ Apr 7th 2009 9:44AM]

So by "high" design... we are talking of the "puff puff pass" variety right?

[Timm @ Apr 7th 2009 10:16AM]

That picture features a hideous looking woman.

[Quantumphysics @ Apr 7th 2009 9:44AM]

Me so Horney Babyyyyyyyyy

Me love you long time - 5 dollah !!!

[fLim @ Apr 7th 2009 12:46PM]

yeah, yeah, dude looks like a lady

[mmendoza27 @ Apr 7th 2009 9:46AM]

I'd hit.... woah!!!! Man, just so used to seeing hot Asian girls on Engadget that it's just second-nature to post that..... gosh... that was close!

P.S. This whole comment is a joke to all such commenters.

[Gechmir @ Apr 7th 2009 9:47AM]

Well... No more need for coffee. That scared me awake.

[Scott @ Apr 7th 2009 9:47AM]

is that a man or a woman?

[Das Boot @ Apr 7th 2009 10:02AM]

its whatever you want it to be, scott. Just close your eyes and go where no man has gone before.

[Ricky @ Apr 7th 2009 10:19AM]

What the Hell?

[Dave @ Apr 7th 2009 9:51AM]

WTF IS THAT?!?!

[Jeremy K. @ Apr 7th 2009 9:59AM]

My head asploded

[darkmax @ Apr 7th 2009 10:00AM]

OMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!! That face is certainly scary!

[Blu-Sam @ Apr 7th 2009 10:10AM]

I think that's Wong Yat-Fei play as Iron Head in Shaoli Soccer.

how silly!

[Shiz @ Apr 7th 2009 10:18AM]

HOLY--WHAT THE FUCK MAN......

They should put up a Not Safe For Your Breakfast/Lunch note or something...

Jesus....

[Wwhat @ Apr 7th 2009 10:48AM]

Fist that child robot and now this, is this that cyberwarfare they are talking about?

[Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Apr 7th 2009 12:06PM]

"Fist that child robot and now this"

No thank you.

[Wwhat @ Apr 7th 2009 12:22PM]

Eheh. oopsy, make that first*

[yammys @ Apr 7th 2009 11:01AM]

ohh.. he look-a like-a man.

[Mikee @ Apr 7th 2009 11:24AM]

ZOMG she looks like Ms. Swan with red hair!

[spectraline @ Apr 7th 2009 12:16PM]

he look-a like-a man

[howi @ Apr 7th 2009 1:14PM]

Folks,

The artist is really a "she", a respected designer in Japan..

http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20090407/1025314/?SS=expand-digital&FD=-1999740831

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yayoi_Kusama

http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/

[Seoul Brother @ Apr 7th 2009 1:40PM]

I don't give a wet slap off a donkey's ass if this designer makes Impressionist masterpieces with his skidmarks. That is one non-non-non-non-heinously ugly thing. Hannibal Lecter would go vegan if he saw that mess.

Christamighty, I need some eye bleach.

[aj121489 @ Apr 7th 2009 4:55PM]

Seoul Brother just earned +1000 with that Hannibal Lecter one lmao

[Zane @ Apr 7th 2009 1:24PM]

WTF? That dude (or woman) is scary!

[pat1202003 @ Apr 7th 2009 2:44PM]

to bad there's no way to unsee that picture.

[matt butter @ Apr 7th 2009 5:29PM]

She is a very very famous artist, I am surprised some people that think to be very cool do not know her works.

[Seoul Brother @ Apr 7th 2009 9:47PM]

Meanwhile, Sanrio decided to pursue legal action for copyright infringement against KDDI for its "Hello Shitty" design project.