The Shisha, A High-end Hookah From Porsche Design Is Smokin'.

This high-end hookah or luxury bong (depending upon what one plans to smoke out of it) has been designed and created by the Porsche Design studio. A modern version of the popular Middle Eastern hookah pipes, the Shisha (which will retail for £2,000) combines aluminum, stainless steel and glass with the timeless and unique design approach of the luxury brand.

Already under criticism from health organizations in the UK, the Shisha was designed as part of the Porsche Design World Collection which will be available at Porsche Design stores worldwide at the end of July and exclusively at the newly opened Porsche Design shop-in-shop at the world famous Harrods department store in London, Knightsbridge.

Porsche today said that the Porsche Design Shisha was an object of 'cultural value'.

'Our brand has very strong roots in the Middle Eastern market,' said a spokesman.

'Our brand is very much international and in doing our World Collection (which also includes tea cups and chopsticks) we decided need to include cultural goods from and for the Middle Eastern market as well.

The firm said it was part of their plan for 'global thinking and unifying cultural backgrounds.'

Harrods, where the Porsche pipes are sold, was acquired last year by the Qatari royal family, who also own 10 per cent of Porsche.

Made in Germany, the Shisha stands 55 centimeters tall and shows discreet branding on the aluminium (aluminum) top:


The long flexible tube is made out of TecFlex material, which is also used for the classic Porsche Design TecFlex writing tools:


This is not the first smoking paraphernalia that Porsche studio has designed. Their P' 3613 , a tobacco pipe made from forty-year-old Bruyère wood has cooling ribs cut into the material along the lines of the famous air-cooled Porsche boxer engines create a thermal effect that cools the pipe bowl to a pleasant temperature:


They have designed other versions of pipes, lighters, cigar cutters and holders which you can see here.

The Porsche Design World Collection is dedicated to a united global community and consists of a number of exclusively designed products. Besides the Shisha the assortment contains chopsticks, a tea and soup set as well as a few fashion items such as a jacket, polo shirt and a silk scarf.
The lately opened 55 square-metre shop-in-shop at the world-famous department store Harrods in London offers the full range of Porsche Design products. It is situated in the opulent surroundings of the Knightsbridge store’s vision and sound department at the 3rd Floor’s Millionaires Gallery.

Porsche Design Store at
Harrods Ltd.
87-135 Brompton Road
Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL
Great Britain

About Porsche Design:
Porsche Design is a luxury brand with a particular focus on technically inspired products. The Porsche Design brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The products stand for functional, timeless and purist design, characterised by their technical innovation. The product portfolio includes watches, sunglasses, luggage, electronic products, a men’s fragrance line as well as sports apparel and a fashion collection for men and women. All the products under the brand are designed at the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See (Austria) and are available worldwide in the company’s own stores, franchise stores, shops-in-shops, high end department stores and exclusive specialist retailers.

Information courtesy of Porsche Design and The Daily Mail

In Honor of 4/20: Luxury Hookahs, Waterpipes, Narghiles & Bongs

The Original Narghile:



Above: The "Narghile" Made of solid polished pewter, burner of hi-tech ceramic, pipe of aeronautical polyamide treated with teflon and comes with two mouthpieces made of synthetic mother-of-pearl, tongs and a beautiful carrying case. Designer Nedda El-Asmar for Airdiem.

The Limited edition 18k Gold Plated Narghile, The Pure:



Above: The "pure", completely plated in 18k yellow gold, burner of hi-tech ceramic, pipe of aeronautical polyamide treated with teflon and comes with two mouthpieces made of synthetic mother-of-pearl, tongs and a beautiful carrying case. Designed by Nedda El-Asmar.

"Narghile Wearing a Chechia (Fez)" has been added to the collection, designed by Hilton McConnico:



Above: The Fez Wearing Hookah, body made of metal and resin, comes with two mouthpieces of synthetic mother-of-pearl, tongs and carrying case.

Bejeweled Narghile:


Contact Airdiem


Meduse Design makes a craft collection of stunning hand blown Bohemian Crystal water pipes. The collection consists of the Brute, The Brute Grande, The Noble, The Mirage and the Mirage Grande, all shown below.

The Brute and the Brute Grande:


The Mirage and the Mirage Grande:



The Noble (available as mono, duo and trio):


Medusedesign

what is a water pipe?
Water pipes are made in many different sizes and design. On top of each pipe you'll find a bowl in which you can place your favourite smoking blend. When lit, the smoke is drawn through water before reaching your mouth and lungs. The water has an important filter effect. A large part of carcinogens like tar are filtered by the water. In addition, the water cools the hot smoke and the protecting mucous membrane of the lungs will be less harmed.

Water pipes find their origin in the Ottoman Empire: once a world power with a high level of civilisation. Water pipes where called `Narquile' then. Turkey is all that remained of this impressive empire. Water pipes are still very popular in the Middle East. Water pipes in these regions are used to smoke special kinds of tobacco, like honey and apple tobacco. Smoking and sharing a water pipe amongst friends can be seen as a sign of friendship and trust.

what is a bong?
A bong is a sealed chamber half-full with water. A pipe with a bowl on the end goes into the chamber under water level. Another pipe with a mouthpiece on the end enters the chamber and stays above water level. You put tobacco in the bowl, light it and suck on the mouthpiece. This will lower the air pressure in the chamber, causing air to travel from the bowl, through the water, into the chamber and into your lungs. As the smoke enters the chamber through the water the smoke cools down and a large part of carcinogens like tar are filtered by the water. When you remove your thumb from the hole, the smoke shoots straight up into your lungs, so beware!

It is thought that the bong is older then the original water pipe and is actually the predecessor of its Ottoman family member. The theory states that thousands of years ago Asian explorers took their smoking systems with them on their long travels and left their bongs at Ottoman trading places.

above text courtesy of grasscity.com

Also worth noting:


Above: Eric Doeringer's Elaborate Bongs (an art project).

The Silver Palm Leaf pipe in chrome or silver.
Flat as a credit card and graphic packaging and design:


Buy it here.

Now there's an updated post and new luxury hookahs, bongs and more to be found here