We reported extensively about the new Hoods Store in Hong Kong, serving as the flagship store for Neighborhood and WTAPS. I had a chance to visit the store a couple weeks ago. It is a great raw 3 story space. Hand made signs have been created by the artist NUTS and the exterior of the store was inspired by a bomber plane. Just a tip: watch your head when walking up to the 3rd floor. Some shots of the interior of the store are after the jump.
Refinery29 has a great little feature on there take on the best coats for Spring. They cover the 'Relaxed Trench' (pictured above), tailored windbreakers, refined field jackets, baseball jackets, and more. As good as their selection is, look for what we think are some misses here in the coming days. See the full story here.
FWD. "Frida Giannini's connection to the world of cinema reaches beyond ready-to-wear. The Gucci creative director has enlisted James Franco to star in the creative for her new men's Gucci by Gucci scent due out this fall and developed with the P&G Prestige Products division of Procter & Gamble. The 29-year-old actor, best known for playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man film series, follows in the footsteps of the Gucci by Gucci women's scent, which launched with a short film featuring Raquel Zimmerman, Natasha Poly, and Freja Beha Erichsen dancing under the direction of David Lynch."
The Gap's second capsule collection has launched. The "Design Editions" collected designers Michael Bastian, Phillip Lim, Threeasfour, and the Band of Outsiders, to re-interpret the classic Gap look for men and women. The "Design Editions" are available online at gap.com.
View detailed looks of the Michael Bastian for men shirts after the jump.
As UK cobblers Barker Black begin their move into the international luxury goods market, we begin to see signs of things to come from this century old company. Take for instance the Barker Black Scarf available now at Colette. The scarf is made of silk and features Barker Black's famed skull imprint implanted into the paisley teardrops. Yours now for 275euros.
DNR is reporting this week that Levi Strauss, the company synonymous with workwear denim and jeans is looking to leverage their brand to offer "complete lifestyle collections." Leveraging the power of their classic American heritage, Levi plans to "garner a much larger percentage of sales from tops, accessories, footwear, outerwear and other categories. The strategy is aimed at jump-starting the company’s $4.27 billion in sales—which have been basically flat since 2003—and diversifying the company beyond its iconic bottoms businesses, which currently account for about 87 percent of total sales." (photo via nyt)
And you thought 1500 meters was deep? Well Rolex just notched it up to a new extreme for Fall 2008 with their Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller Deepsea. Clocking in at 3900 meters (that's 2.42 miles!) of superior waterproof-ness, the new Deepsea introduces Rolex's new Lockring System. We'll let them tell you what that means:
"The high-performance ring Set inside the middle case of the watch between the crystal and the case back, the high-performance nitrogen-alloyed stainless steel ring withstands the pressure exerted by water on the crystal and the case back. The middle case is made from 904L steel. The sapphire crystal To resist pressure, the synthetic sapphire crystal is slightly domed and substantially thicker than the crystals of other Oyster models. The case back The case back is made of a titanium alloy, an extremely resistant stainless material. It is held in place against the high-performance ring by means of a 904L-steel ring."
Many more detailed views of the Rolex Deepsea after the jump.
Carol Christian Poell's Leather Jacket for Spring/Summer 2008 looks like it can resists any pounding. the cut is reminiscent of a tailored shirt with its sharp collar, but its short slim and above the belt cut looks more proper for off road moto-cross. Either way, you cannot go wrong with this jacket. But fashion don't come cheap. This CCP jacket will set you back just shy of 3500 euros. Available now at Lazzari ITA.
More detailed views after the jump.
We showcased the Carin Wester Spring collection just recently here on Selectism, but forgot to talk about their sandal offering. The Sandal Halvar has that signature European summer look to it but refines the silhouette with thin ribbing and strapping. Available now at Tres Bien.
More views after the jump.
Blackbird received their shipment of Wings & Horns for Spring/Summer 2008. Featuring striped terry hoodies, a weather bomber jacket, t-shirts, and blankets, Wings and Horns continues to produce some of the highest quality basic wear in the industry today.
Many more views after the jump.
OPENERS has a nice feature showcasing some of the season's best top coats (or long coats if you prefer). Featured are top coats from Lanvin, Vuitton, Pringle of Scotland, and more.)
View the feature here.
During my university years, my roommate introduced me to boating on the Cape. We'd haul out his Boston Whaler whenever we could, beginning sometime during the early days of the spring. I learned a bunch of boating rules which I have forgotten today but what I did not forget was Guy Cotten rain gear.
The Guy Cotten Rosbras is proper attire whether sailing or battling a downpour in the city. Developed somewhere around 1965, the Rosbras is made of Cap-Coz fabric (jersey polyester backing and PVC outer coating), and is one of the most durable and lasting rain jackets on the market. It is a part of sailing heritage.
Look for it in red, green, orange, and yellow at finer sporting good shops worldwide.
Los Angeles based Gräf & Lantz design studio is outputting some unique belts these days. Using merino wool felt imported from Germany, Gräf & Lantz belts are durable and pill resistant, and handmade in the USA. They come in an assortment of buckle variations and colors. Available throughout Los Angeles and online at R29 Shops.
More views after the jump.
PingMag continues looking into the heritage of Japanese fashion with a great feature of high end leather sandal maker, Yamato. Yamato's craft is a strong one. Each sandle is handmade and "have even trod the runways of Paris Fashion Week. But the flashy lights of the catwalk are nothing in comparison to the glowing spirit and perseverance of the man behind this spunky business."
Read the very unique Yamato story here.
Baselworld has come and gone but not without showcasing some of the newest timepieces to hit the market in the coming year. One of the standouts was Pierre DeRoche's Split Rock series, part of their 2008 collection.
Playing with the depth of the watch face, the Split Rock series is available in variations featuring rose gold, orange, and a high end 108 diamond clad steel.
More detailed views after the jump.
Nothing beats football - I'm talking the non-US version. Like many, its a religious obsession; taking up all my free weekend mornings and summers during Cup years (Euros and World). Foosball is my backup sport when I cant sweat it out on a real field. Its truly a sport of kings as common men worldwide defend their honor and pride on a table controlled quarters and the hand to grip alliance.
When Moco Loco turned me onto "11 - the beautiful game" football table designed by GRO Design and Tim Modelmakers, I was instantly in love. The design of the "11" football table is astounding. Borrowing shapes and curves of modern football stadiums design, the "11" has the structural look of architecture. Players forms are finished in silver chrome. The field is pure white and "The table's flowing lines express the dynamic aspect of football, while reducing unnecessary detail to allow the raw energy of the game..."
Visit eleventhegame.com for more detail as my extraction only touches the tip of this piece of modern art. Look for it on display during Milan Fashion Week.
Many more detailed views after the jump. Someone buy this for me.
Men.Style reports in with news regarding Lubiam's Aroma Collection. "Whether with a business partner or a date, nothing closes the deal like the scent of honeydew. Or so, apparently, hopes Italian clothier Lubiam, which just introduced Aroma, its first aromatherapy blazers and coats. They come treated with "micro-encapsulated essential oils" that diffuse fragrance in lavender, lemon, mint, or the aforementioned honeydew. Think of it as $700 fragrance with a free jacket thrown in."
The Aroma jacket looks to be available via special order at lubiam.it
"Philip Sparks has collaborated with Town Shoes to create its first Canadian designer-branded shoe collection. The line follows the styling of the Spring 2008 clothing collection by twisting the traditional porportions and colour palette of classic mens's footwear."
We're a bit fond of the re-working of the boat shoe in this collection.
More views of the three shoes/trainers after the jump.
WWD reported in last week with news that Lenny Kravitz's upcoming tour will be outfitted with 20 new looks developed by Gucci's Frida Giannini. "The rocker will debut the 20 full looks (not counting a few separates) that the music-loving designer made for him at the opening show of his "Love Revolution" European tour in Vigo, Spain, on May 29." (photo via filmarea.net)
Though not exclusive to menswear, this charity auction from Prada is well worth the cause for mention.
Italy's Prada house is selling off some prototypes from their Spring 2008 collection to benefit a good cause. "PRADA PROTOTYPES AUCTIONED ON LINE FOR CHARITY Exclusive pieces on prada.com from April 15 to May 6 Milan, April 10, 2008 – An auction of PRADA prototypes from the 2008 Spring/Summer collections gets underway on April 15 at 12.00 C.E.T. (Central European Time.)
The prototypes, ten unique pieces in total split between women’s clothes and
accessories, will be auctioned each Tuesday on a weekly basis. Those going on-line
will have seven days to get their favourite item: three trouser prototypes will be
available from April 15 at midday, one bag and two pairs of boots from April 22, the
third week offering four skirts." (via NewYorker)
