Selectism

A Continuous Lean has a great essay on the world of custom tailoring with a view behind the scenes as Rocco Ciccarelli Custom Tailoring of Long Island City, Queens. As noted, "Going to Rocco’s is like membership into an exclusive, hard to find club for the sartorially obsessed. This is especially true considering Mr. Ciccarelli makes suits for some of the most well respected and fashionable brands in the U.S."

Read the full experience at ACL and dig into this article from the NYT in 2001 on "The Tailors Behind the Tailors Behind the Man" which also highlights the Ciccarelli business.

Japan's Bird-Electron EZ0 Portable Speaker looks perfect to carry along to your next picnic. The self powered EZ0 come sin a compact sized and allows you to attach any audio source, giving you that mono-esque and inconspicuous sound needed when only you need to hear your tunes. Plug into your iPhone or iPod and you've got a portable mobile sound system perfect for any sunny day. Available in red or white at Audiocubes for 90$US (via Aquire).

Time Magazine has published a photo essay focusing in on the fabrication side of the denim world as seen from inside denim world. The imagery for the essay is pulled from factories and runways as well as runways, advertisements, and more.

Well worth a view at Time Magazine online.

Zirh is launching a new high end line of men's skincare products called Zirh Platinum, which uses premium ingredients such as watermelon and tomato extracts to better protect and hydrate the skin. The line includes products for reducing dark circles, after shave balms, and moisturizing creams and lotions.

"Rittenhouse named after the Philadelphia square where designer Sally McDonald and graphic artist Micah Hamdorf were living at the time when they decided to set up their own label after working together and separately on projects for Stussy, Pam and Rookie Skateboards. The Rittenhouse mens collection is based around simple classic shapes with asymmetric pockets and subtle print detailing, using only high grade fabrics and super-soft jersey, all manufactured in Australia." Available now at Oi Polloi.

More views after the jump.

When Nike brought us out to Portland, OR at the beginning of the week, we had no idea that the media event would yield such a high output of product for the coming Beijing  Olympics. With over 32 sports being addressed with new footwear - everything from the Pidima for gymnastics to the Arkibis for archery - Nike has indeed innovated where much innovation was seen unnecessary.

Example for our Equestrian readers: the Nike Ippeas is one those simple products that has people wondering why we didnt innovate earlier. "Equestrian footwear has not changed much in the last century. The sport is steeped in traditional English heritage where leather boots, wood soles and hard-pressed leather outsoles have been standard issue for horseback riding since the 1800s... Nike developed many innovations for the Nike Ippeas, including rubber pads for the outsoles of the boots to improve stirrup traction, an adjustable titanium screw-in spur system (inspired by track spikes) that eliminates the need for additional hardware on the ankles, and a full-length engineered zipper for easy on-and-off. Perhaps the most revolutionary development is the most subtle: a thin, high-abrasion synthetic rubber material on the medial side of the boot that delivers improved grip on the horse and saddle, which gives the rider better communication with the animal and increased stability during demanding jumps."

Full views of the Nike Ippeas after the jump.

Modern Swedish fashion just keeps on rolling. Since finishing studies at Beckmans College of Design in Stockholm, Carin Wester has spent little time working for anyone but herself. In 2003, she launched her signature line and quickly received acclaim with "Designer of the Year" honors by Swedish ELLE.

Many views of Carin Wester Spring/Summer 2008 collection after the jump. Available now at Tres Bien Shop.

If you are one of the few who finds boredom in a simple hike or nature stroll, then AK's Extreme Adventures may be a good fit for you. "Extreme Adventures are for the traveler ready to meet a different kind of challenge. No matter what goals we attain in our lives and careers, nature remains the ultimate benchmark of what we can achieve. An Extreme Adventure reveals exactly who you are, demanding the most of your physical, psychological and perhaps even spiritual selves." (via Raredaily)

Find out more at akextremeadventures.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs has released some recycled military goods. We always found the strategy by the brand interesting to have both a very expensive high end line and a moderately priced sub-line.

They present an classic M-65 jacket (79 USD) and a German Mountain Duffel (65 USD), now available at Marc by Marc Jacobs stores.

Cool Hunting writes this week regarding the De Grisogono Meccanico dG. "Contrary to its appearance, the Meccanico dG has no digital components. Below the more conventional analog portion of the two-timezone watch is a numerical display driven by the intricate interplay of 651 strictly mechanical components. Numbers are formed by the motion of 23 cams, which are connected to gears and a synchronization system..

New York Times's has a great article in their Fashion & Style section on Newport Beach's Trovata. "The surf inspired clothing line has been a favorite went through some major changes in 2006. "Trovata’s carefree veneer peeled away like sunburned skin. Citing creative differences, the foursome split up: Messrs. Halmos and Shipley went off to design a line; Mr. Lamberto-Egan moved to the Pacific Northwest with his girlfriend; and Mr. Whitledge assumed the role of president and sole creative director of the line."

Read the full store online now.

Check out these three examples of Daniel Mink's fine timepieces. The Daniel Mink Levantis Speed Demon Watch collection offers buyers three faces with just subtle touches of color. "The case, in stainless steel, measures 41mm X 14mm. The crystal is sapphire and it is water resisant to 50 meters.  The movement is the automatic ETA Valjoux 7750 with 25 jewels, blued screws, decorated bridges, rotor finished with Cotes de Geneva and personalized Daniel Mink."

As they say on their site, "Choosing to buy a Daniel Mink watch is not a difficult decision. Choosing which one, however, may be a challenge. "

More detailed views after the jump.

New York's 3sixteen brand has been on street side of fashion for many years remaining  a bit less pronounced than other brands in the genre. Of interest was their Monsoon Jacket offering a few seasons ago which showed a glimpse of things to come as they ventured into the detailing of producing a true full line.

For Fall 2008, 3sixteen moves further into new territory. We provide you with some basic views of what is to come. We will of course do our best to give you a full view in the future.

More views after the jump.

Berlin's Acronym Line is one of the most aggressive tech-fashion houses today. When referencing new progressive constructions that mix casual with tech enabled wear, Acronym is clearly on the top of designer's lists.

For Spring/Summer 2008, Acronym again, pushes the construction lines farther into a school not often seen in this market. Its no coincidence that many of the major outerwear giants turn to Acronym's head designer, Errolson Hugh, for consult on their own offerings.

View the collection after the jump. Available now via The Glade.

If Dumb Donald from Fat Albert fame was to don an updated version of his eye-holed wool cap, he would surly pick YMC's Beanie Hat for Spring/Summer 2008. Though not available in his choice purple, the YMC Beanie does come in mushroom and camel and retails for about 70$US.

Jack Spade mixes it up with Apple Computers on the "Jack for Apple" tech field bag. Produced and sold exclusively through Apple Stores, this 189$US bag features a removable padded sleeve, exterior pockets for iPods, iPhones, magazines) and interior fittings for document storage and cord management.

Available at finer Apple Stores nationwide.

Parisian label Surface 2 Air and Justice got together to work on a small capsule collection. The result is a a limited edition series of 3 jackets (150 pieces), and 2 jeans, conceived and designed by Justice for Surface To Air. With a very exclusive distribution, the line will be available beginning June at the following locations: Surface To Air Paris, Surface To Air Brazil, Colette, Barneys, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Le Bon Marché, Paris Texas, Asylum, Le Shop, Incu. Via Fashionwindows.

Have a look at all jackets and the denim after the jump.

Last week we reported about WoodWood setting up a temporary space in the Comme des Garcons Warsaw Guerilla Store. Here we present you the t-shirt that was made for the occasion. Via Arkitip.

Also check out some pictures of the space after the jump.

GQ’s April issue has a feature called "The Well Dressed Rebel ". It highlights some of the menswear industry’s most fashionable, influencers and offers GQ readers subversive, one of a kind style tips.  Some of those featured include Saks’ Michael Macko, photographers Nathaniel Goldberg and Wayne Maser, designers Phiip Crangi, Andy Spade, Paul Smith, Barker Black’s Creative Director Derrick Miller, and Coach VP Walker MacWilliam among others. View the story here.

Simply because we are now starting to get into a summer mood and pointed out those Paul Smith swim trunks before, we also have to point out our favorite swim trunk label out there - Villebrequin. The brand has been around for a while and sells their product almost exclusively in their own flagship stores, which are located in pretty much every capital of the world. Not only is the design great, technically we can tell you out of experience that these trunks dry faster than any other! What else can you expect from a brand founded in St. Tropez?!

So, before considering a pair this summer, check these out, you will not regret it and have something good for years!

By the way, they also have an online store now!