Selectism

Michael Wolf has for a while been one of our favorite photographers. At times it seems like anybody can take decent images of buildings and skylines, but when you see his images you truly appreciate the art behind it.

"Michael Wolf has lived and worked in Hong Kong since 1994. Stimulated by the region's complex urban dynamics, he makes dizzying photographs of its architecture. One of the most densely populated areas in the world, Hong Kong has an overall density of nearly 6,700 people per sq km. The majority of its citizens live in apartments in high-rise buildings. In 'Architecture of Density' Wolf explores the theme of the organic metropolis - that which develops according to the caprice of its citizens as much as the planning of its architects. In each building he finds a singular character despite its functional purpose and massive form."

20LTD now has several prints of the artist available for purchase.

We are pleased to offer a preview of the bike bags from Freeman Transport. Freeman Transport bikes are hand built in Missoula, Montana. The steel frame is completed with S and S couplings, allowing the bike to be broken in half for airline travel. Hence, the need for a quality carrying bag.

Made of waxed cotton and leather, the bags can be worn as a backpack or carried via handle. Each bike from Freeman comes with one of the bags, and both are made in America! 

Exterior view after the jump.

Typically, new aquisitions to a museum collection make brief and singular apperances. San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art has taken a slightly more unorthodox approach.Their 246 and Counting exhibition highlights the pieces brought in since Henry Urbach became curator of the Architecture and Design department in 2006. Drawings, models, furniture, books, posters and photographs will be shown. As only afraction of museum collections are ever in public view, and "open storage" still givesonly limited access, this exhibition is a rather remarkable opportunity to see andunderstand all the pieces that make up a departments collection policy. The exhibit will even close for a few days to install objects bought during the run of the show. Itsup until just after the new year. Bravo SFMOMA! Great idea. 

"Visionaire presents issue 54 SPORT, our first wearable publication. Using the most advanced printing technologies, Visionaire produces full-coverage, full-color, photographically-printed Lacoste polo shirts featuring artwork by photographers Nick Knight, Peter Lindbergh, Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin with M/M (Paris), Phil Poynter; artists Thomas Demand, Thomas Ruff, T.J. Wilcox; designer Karl Lagerfeld; filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar; musicians David Byrne, Michael Stipe; and painter Richard Phillips. This issue is a collaboration with Lacoste, currently celebrating its 75th anniversary. SPORT is produced as four different sets, each containing three printed Lacoste polo shirts embedded within its pages: one large, one medium, and one small, as well as a book featuring all twelve images."

Note that subscribers receive only one of the set but have the opportunity to buy them all.

See all the polos after the jump.

Benjamin Eyewear's Benjamin Montoya has a reputation of being purveyor of eyewear in Los Angeles for the last 10 years. In his words, "A Most dynamic thing happens when a person put on a well-crafted pair of sunglasses, they can project a vision of who they want to be instantly." Very true. Hiding or hiding behind the sun, do check the Benjamin Eyewear line which is currently available via retailers in NY, LA, and Tokyo.

More views after the jump.

“Women who exude power are also sexy. They do not necessarily have to be the head of a multinational; there is also power in the little things.” These are the words of Marlies Dekkers, the famous and infamous Dutch designer whose “little things” are lingerie. A courter of controversy and a pusher of boundaries, empowering women everywhere, Dekkers has spent years making very sexy waves in the world of underwear.

The label began in 1991 when Dekkers paraded her graduation project “bare bottom dress” through the streets of the red light district in Amsterdam, deliberately playing with the notions of "the gaze" and the objectification and empowerment of women. Now in 2008 she is celebrating 15 years of her own design label.

Althought her retrospective show in Rotterdam's Kunsthal ended this past weekend you can visit Marlies Dekkers stores in Holland, Antwerp, Berlin, Paris and Bangkok. And check out great imageryfrom the show at her website. And see a full feature of the show at Coolhunting.com.

Apparently we weren't the only ones dissapointed by the news earlier this year that eco-clothier Nau was shutting its doors. It seemed the label closed before it really even got off the ground. Thanks in part to an outpouring of support from the ecocommunity, the Santa Barbara, CA-based label Horny Toad stepped in and bought the company. Sharing a commitment to doing business sustainably, it looks like a good match. For the full scoop, go to Treehugger.

Cazal sunglasses have created a big movement and have become collector pieces among eyewear afficionados. Today we certainly see a huge trend towards vintage eyewear again, especially of eyewear coming from the 70's and 80's. Even though Cazal has never really been gone, the brand has come back strong in recent months. Their Dita collaboration has been really well received, but their vintage pieces still generate most interest.

This year they are presenting a Vintage Collection, which consists of the 901, 904 and 946 model, each coming in classic colorways. Via Openers.

Check out the entire line-up after the jump.

Turner prize winner Damien Hirst is changing his selling tactic. Rather than go the traditional gallery route, the artist will now take new material directly to auction. Two shows worth of Hirst's work will hit the floor at Sotheby's on September 15 and 16. Included is the "The Golden Calf," a bull sealed in a formaldehyde filled gold plated and glass box. The work is estimated to go for twelve million pounds. 

Hirst's sale, titled "Beautiful Inside My Head Forever," signals a major change in the art world. His prices are no longer "set" as it were, and in the competitive contemporary market we can expect record highs for Hirst's sales. Not so sure that the auction house move actually opens Hirst to a wider market, but it will certainly lead to deep pockets. Via Supertouch.

Newly opened archival sources have allowed Xu Guoqi the opportunity to investigate the sporting life of China. Olympic Dreams tackles the question of just what sports, particularly western sports, mean to Chinese national identity and international reputation. The Olympics are the primary lens to view these issues, and drawing the history of Chinese involvement in the games from 1895 to 2008 brings insight to how China deals with the rest of the world. A great read for anyone interested in Chinese culture, sports and international politics. With forward by William C. Kirby, the book comes from Harvard University Press. 

Feels like we just finished Spring and here we are with the 2009 previews. Woolrich Woolen Mills; one of the big up and comers of 2008 brings us some previews of their spring/summer 2009 collection stright from Milan. What was classic to the original heritage looks of Woolrich's past has taken a slight turn to the progressive. Instead of laying down to the past, we're looking at something forward and thoughtful.

More views after the jump. Expect many more looks in the months to come.

Scandinavian fashion house, Our Legacy has teams with England's beloved Brooks Saddle and Leather Goods Company on producing this Our Legacy bike. No word on fabrication numbers for the frame. We're looking at the usual deep white rims, threaded headset, and chrome fork.... oh, and a Brooks saddle (though is a little steep for my liking). The bike was previewed at (capsule) Paris. (via hq)

More views after the jump.

A pioneering force in environmentally friendly architecture, Buckmister Fuller is best known for his geodesic domes. Whitney curators K. Michael Hayes and Dana A. Miller explore Fuller's role in art, architecture, and utopian thought. Special attention isgranted to his relationships with several artists across mediums and his lasting legacyas expressed through contemporary arts. Reproductions of original models and drawings illustrate the book. Out now from Yale University Press. 

Two outstanding brands that we report about on a regular have decided to join forces later this year - Comme des Garcons and Louis Vuitton. After the announcement of the Comme des Garcons x H&M partnership, this is the second unexpected partnership by the Japanese brand this year.

"In an extraordinary collaboration, Louis Vuitton, the ultimate French luxury brand, and Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons, the ultimate fashion rebel, will open a joint Tokyo store in September — an ephemeral three-month space where six one-off bags, designed by Kawakubo in LV monogram pattern, can be ordered by shoppers.

Yves Carcelle, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, sitting front row at Kawakubos’ show on Friday, said that he was approached by Comme and considers the project a fine way to celebrate 30 years since Vuitton first opened in Tokyo.

For Comme acolytes, this move will be considered either as sleeping with the enemy — or a brilliant and imaginative partnership.

Kawakubo has re-designed the entire Comme des Garçons store on Kottodori, Omotesando for the Vuitton project. Carcelle says that LV is investing in the store, and that any financial profits will be divided.

Kawakubo described her designs as ‘party’ bags, promising multi-handles or two handles morphing into one. All will use the Monogram toile, with the LV initials, and the offerings will hark back to the styles of 30 years when Vuitton made only bags and leather goods." Via The Moment.

DNR reports, "Alber Elbaz’s rejuvenation of Lanvin is spreading further into the men’s department, with a new-look store coming to London’s Savile Row this fall...The 1,600-square-foot boutique at 30-32, which will replace an outmoded unit on New Bond Street, will showcase the French brand’s runway collection, its classic 15 Faubourg line plus made-to-measure, a pillar of Lanvin’s men’s wear business since the ‘20s." (photo via HC)

Tanner Goods have been storming the market with no sign of weakness. Their latest satchel bags for this summer feature a newly re-deisgned fastener and closure "modeling it closely after loop and strap systems common in military applications." Available in tan, brown, and black. We're big fans.

More views after the jump.

Mens grooming is a booming business as John Allan knows. Since working under Jean Louis David in the late 90's and later opening his first mens club in 1998 in NYC, John Allan's repertoire has grown to include a full signature line of hair, skin, and shave products. Available now at Barneys.

Forbes' Jacqueline Mitchell went out and discovered that not all luxury vehicles turn a blind eye to the environment. "For those who want to drive a high-performance luxury car loaded with high-tech features, and still be as environmentally friendly as possible, there are options. From sedans to SUVs, automakers offer a few cars that are every bit as stylish and luxurious as their brethren but don't necessarily guzzle as much gas. However, the pickings are slim."

Yohji Yamamoto's Spring runway for Spring 2009 brings looks that use accents on tailored jackets and suits to form something more interesting, to say the least. Heavy pronouncements of black and offset tails look to reach for a "new." (photos via sf)

More views after the jump. 

Cool Hunting reports on the opening of Tretorn's first New York City Store at 150 Spring Street. "The 1300 square-foot new Soho shop, only the second flagship worldwide (the first opened in D.C. last year), is something to get excited about too, featuring Tretorn's apparel and footwear lines, as well as bikes, boats and other "lifestyle" products."