It’s easy to find a shawl collar cardigan this season but it’s a little harder to find one that that’s worth buying at a time when the weather is starting to warm up. For knitwear to be purchased at this time, it needs to be light enough to be worn as outerwear during spring while still being heavy enough to act as a solid layer during winter. These Journal Standard cardigans fit those requirements and have the added bonus of being incredibly difficult to buy outside of Japan. Get it from Style Cruise.

NoirBasic is playing in a tough town. Based out of Paris, arguably the holy land of all things fashion, the new line is looking break through in a very cut throat market. Looking at their varsity and leather jackets, shown above as part of their Summer 2009 preview, you can almost be sure they’re ready to rock. 

What is key to BasicNoir is their long term goal for “refined, uncompromising high quality vision” that keeps elegance “regardless of the period.” High grade materials play the most important role in this line – lambskin, alligator, ostrich, .925 sterling silver and natural silk. The output is a short run, handmade collection of jackets and hoodies that just work. The leather jacket is a banger.

Hit the jump for even more detailed views of the BasicNoir Varsity and Leather jackets.

No matter who you are, you’ve interacted with some form of Palladian architecture. A grand retrospective of Andrea Palladio opens at the Royal Academy of Art at months end, and to start the “hype” the Guardian has a fabulous little slide show. Andrea Palladio: His Life and Legacy gets the blood flowing. Spend a few minutes getting acquainted (or reacquainted) with a legend.

A few favorites from the slide show follow.

Gentlemen’s Tonic, founded back in 2004 is another great example of a traditional barbershop shop stepping up and bringing to market their own quality men’s grooming products. The Gentlemen’s Tonic shop offers a full service grooming and “rejuvenating” services in what they describe as a “reassuringly male experience.” They recently opened their third space inside of London’s Selfridges while launching their Babassu and Bergamot line. “The range, specifically designed for men, is a striking blend of naturally based ingredients derived from sustained and renewable resources. It features a unique fragrance combining a base of Indonesian patchouli with a citrus accord of Sicilian lemon, energising bergamot and relaxing lavender.”

The History of the IWC Watch Company is told through this great online flip book. Although the book is more of a showpiece for last year’s IWC Collection, it still warrants attention due to its detailed examination of the origins of the International Watch Company from 1868 through the present. Told through a PDF style flip book, the history of IWC is a great one.

View the IWC Flipbook.

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair of Sweden gets serious with their Spring 2009 Collection. An examination of the wears and looks from forthcoming season show some prizes. Our favorites include the Windstopper Pu shirts with zip up details, a great collection of spring suit jacket and slacks, and the lightweight nylon Elasta bomber jacket (shown above). Consistency is what Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair brings season after season. Just watch!

Many more images from the Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Spring 2009 Collection for Men after the jump.

You remember those great bank bags that Billykirk developed with Freemans Sporting Club not too long ago? Well, the bank bags was not the only collaborative idea to come away from that meeting. Taavo from Freemans is a fan of the bringing the best the classics have to market, in a genuine way. He acquired  a pair of vintage suspenders that were 3/4″ in width – a size that has not been standard in the U.S. suspender world for more than 40 years. He put the Billykirk guys on a mission to make them a reality. After some long hours calling old timers of the industry, they found their supplier for the elastic and hardware in England and the rest is history. We should note that the elastic is dye to color which gives it a very deep and rich look.

These fine Billykirk for Freemans Sporting Club 3/4 Suspenders are available at Freemans Sporting Club on 8 Rivington St. in NYC.

More detailed views of the Billykirk for Freeman Sporting Club Suspenders after the jump.

A.P.C presents their Spring 2009 wears for men with a great collection of looks which are suitable for the any-wear man. The varsity jacket is an expected addition to the collection as are the denim and slim fit khakis. Fans of Franz Ferdinand trad will enjoy the latest from A.P.C. The collection will be available in A.P.C. stores in NY and LA as well as online on Thursday, January 22.

View many more looks from the  A.P.C. Spring 2009 Collection for Men after the jump.

The legendary Ducati Moto brand extends their branding with the opening of the first Ducati Caffe in Rome. Located at 35 Via delle Botteghe Oscure, the Ducati Caffee is a full service dining and meeting experience. What is most interesting is the stylings of the new space. Motorbikes and accessories line the walls and help project the Ducati lifestyle.

“Ducati Caffè is the new concept restaurant and lounge bar signed by Ducati. Inspired by renowned Italian talent, it expresses all the passion of the brand’s values in a concentrate of class, fashion and authenticity. Caffè, food and wine, merchandising, and clothes meet in a one of a kind and unforgettable place.”

More views from the new Ducati Caffe in Rome after the jump.

Designed by the Bouroullec brothers, Rownan and Erwan, the “Playns” system is a new set of office furniture for Vitra. Connected is the “Softshell Chair” (above). More on the system from the folks at DesignBoom -

ronan & erwan bouroullec have developed ‘playns’ a new office system for vitra. using the idea of open communicative spaces the design can be grouped in islands of different sizes and is equipped with a central power supply channel that feeds each workstation. construction of desks are supported by four inwardly angled legs. ‘playns’ allows users to tailor their workspace and also consist of storage areas.

Check out the designs for “Playns” after the jump.