01. On This Tour, No Breakaways

“No jokes, please, about that extraordinary bicycle race, the Penal Tour de France, that is wending its way around the country in a pack composed of convicts, prison officials and policemen.” (nyt)

02. Phoenix add second Central Park show

“Phoenix have added a second show at Central Park Summerstage in New York, set to take place September 26. The show follows the selling-out of their September 25 slot at the outdoor venue, in addition to two sold out shows performed in the city last week.” (nme)

03. Pentagram Takes on Cigarettes (above)

“This month the Senate approved new legislation that will heavily restrict the nicotine content and marketing of cigarettes, including the requirement that colorful ads and displays be replaced with black-and-white-only text. The bill is expected to pass in the House and President Obama has said he will sign it.” (dieline)

04. World’s Largest Solar Project Planned for Saharan Desert

“If just 0.3% of the Saharan Desert was used for a concentrating solar plant, it would produce enough power to provide all of Europe with clean renewable energy. That is why 20 blue chip German companies are gathering together next month to discuss plans and investments to create such a massive project. Both the meeting and project are being promoted by the Desertec Foundation, which is proposing to erect 100 GW of concentrating solar power plants throughout Northern Africa.” (inhabitant)

Big fan of this sneaker from Glamb. The Floyd sits on a boot like sole usually found on the Red Wing like monsters. Since I do not golf nor am a Scotsman, I’ll have to remove the fringe. Regardless, it’s a beauty in white leather. Wear it out to a nice grimy joint for some natural wear in and scuffing. (wiseark)

More views of the Glamb Floyd Sneakers after the jump.

The “Royal Oak” family of watches from Audemars Piguet have been highlighted numerous times on Selectism for good reason. They’re bold, massive, and signify the distinct quality only found in Audemars Piguet watches. The latest is a tribute to the Gstaad Classic Rally. “Audemars Piguet are the principal sponsors of the event and to mark the occasion have created a limited edition watch. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Gstaad Classic 2009 features a brushed titanium and a matte rubber bezel with red accents on the timer button. The watch comes with two straps a classic perforated leather strap with red stitching and a matt rubber strap for the summer. It comes in a metal box resembling the fuel cap of a car…” Look the the Gstaad Classic in a run of 50 units. (sybarites)

More views of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Gstaad Classic 2009 after the jump.

The pre Fall collection from Filippa K for 2009 gives “an appreciative nod” to the  ”sartorial workmanship” found in classic tailoring. “Double breasted short jackets are coupled with pleated wide pants, details such as a gold button or elbow patches create the feeling of each garment, each detail being handpicked; a quality that is characteristic of the individualist to whom the collection speaks to.”

More views from the Filippa K Pre-Autumn 2009 Collection after the jump.

The French sunglass line, Zanzan, looks to pay homage to the “beatniks” and “glitterati” of past with their latest collection of limited edition sunglasses. “Inspiration is taken from the cabals of subculture style elites in the ’60s and ’70s, groups that were effortlessly cool and holistically different.” Four models are available for your wearing pleasure, but be warned – they are set to 100 units in each color. (askmen)

More views of the Zanzan Limited Sunglasses after the jump.

Runway images are starting to pour in from the Spring 2010 previews being seen in Milan. WWD is of course doing a wonderful job covering the events as well as showcasing the lines. Jil Sander RTW for Spring 2010 caught our attention with it’s minimal collection which puts the bold details on the backburner and focuses more on the reinvention of classic garments. “Designer Raf Simons started on an intriguing note, with gold piping adding a glint of newness to basic white shirts. Then came a host of clever variations on white pique polo shirts that had been crossbred with cardigans, shirts and blazers.” (photos:Giovanni Giannoni)

More views of the Jil Sander Men’s RTW Spring 2010 after the jump.

Openers Japan take a look at the Etro Summer Resort Collection for 2009. The Italian line uses the “T-Shirt” as their palette of choice when messaging this collection. A variety of t-shirts work the Etro look in a very casual and almost understated manner.It’s clearly about the casual look here. Nothing like saying, “I’m Made in Italy” than with an Etro tee.

More views of the Etro Summer Resort Collection 2009 after the jump.

“Set to shake up the children’s furniture industry” – Knoll Kids. The new line from Knoll Design is not entirely new, classics from the collection are scaled down for young ones as an added bonus. Some new  material will fold in, but for now it is all about Knoll heritage.  Never to early to introduce the kids to icons. (via Daily Icon).

One of our favorite menswear shops, Tres Bien, has been kind enough to blog their way through the mens Spring/Summer 2010 offering at Pitti Uomo in Florence. We’re thinking we need to be on site for the next show based on the previews we’re seeing here. “The exhibitors list stretches from Classic Italian and British suiting to Japanese work wear, hundreds of shoe brands and small independent labels mixed with the big fashion houses. Our main target was N.Y-based and Daiki Suzuki (also head designer for Woolrich Woollen Mills) designed Engineered Garments. E.G is work-wear and fashion mixed togeteher on the best possible matter. Chambray, rogh silver thread sewn cotton and classic worker and military styles.” See Tres Bien’s full photo walkthrough on their blog.

More view after the jump.

Through the folks at It’s Nice That, Pete Dungey’s “Alan Wrench” project is a good laugh. In 2009, Dungey set out to find out just who the most famous Alan is, and we’ll note these are English Alan’s. Happily Alan Partridge lands second. Then Dungey took the results and created some excellent functional objects. A whip through his own site is well worth the trouble.

Full view after the jump.