WSJ’s Max Colchester digs into the world of the “couture crash” at Christian Lacroix with some analysis of what happened on the inside. “The possible demise of the Christian Lacroix label shows how there is no middle ground in haute couture. Labels struggle to survive except as part of large, multiproduct fashion corporations with deep pockets and a global marketing machine — or as niche players with low overheads and a cult following.” A must read.

So we’re not usually inclined to cover the launch of websites without being able to offer much of a visual preview but on July 13th, Wrangler is opening the doors on their Blue Bell Europe website which will showcase the re-launch of the line (for A/W 2009) in a manner which we consider unique. Yeah, it’s a bitch we cannot really show you the interactivity of the site but we’re certain it will turn some heads once it is officially launched for Europe. Imagine scenes from a movie with the end user being able to visually adjust garments on the characters.

Ok, well we took one screenshot to show you, but it does not give away much. See it after the jump.

The CFDA and Assouline have teamed up on a new book, American Fashion Menswear. Written by fashion journalist, Robert Bryan, the book chronicles the American menswear movement and its impact on global fashion. “The book is divided into six themes: utility wear, Hollywood, Ivy League, sportswear, rock ’n’ roll and the American dandy. Each section reflects on the effects of such forces as social upheaval, technology, war, depression and prosperity, and the influential fashion icons and designers who made lasting contributions to the way men dress.”  (wwd)

Here’s another sneak peek at Alexander McQueen’s SS10 collection. Boots are everywhere at the moment as people look to get a change from the low profile shoes that have been dominating menswear lately.

We could talk forever about why these boots are great but just look at them. Go on, really look at them. Sometimes words can’t do the things we show justice – and this is one of those times. We love everything from the laces to the sole. And that’s all we have to say about it.

While we like a good tote bag, we love a good backpack. So we couldn’t wait to feature this Ally Capellino ‘Frank’ backpack. We could list all the reasons why we love this bag, but we’ll keep it down to two essential ones.

First off, it features waxed cotton – and you know how much we love that material. The second (and most important) reason we love this is because it’s on sale, at £132. (Ally Capellino)

There’s detailed shots after that leap.

Navy cardigans are the backbone of any stylish man’s wardrobe. If they were a Wu-Tang skit, your clothes would form like Voltron and navy cardigans would be the head. So, given the navy cardigan’s conservative roots, it’s nice to see a piece that pushes the boundaries a little.

The only problem we had with the Raf Simons/Fred Perry collection was the pricing. We found ourselves going, ‘it’s nice, but is it £300 nice?’. But now sale season has hit (and it’s hit everywhere hard this season) it’s at a more affordable £145. So what’s stopping you? (Oki-Ni)

01. Lunar Rover Operations Handbook in PDF

“The original Apollo Lunar Rover Operations Handbook, as prepared by the Boeing Company, Huntsville, Alabama, April 19, 1971 — available for download here.” (ianc)

02. Bread & Butter 2009 – Fashion and Sustainability

“Questioning fashion and sustainability is not just about the enormous amount of plastic bags at this year’s Bread & Butter. Actually, we asked several fashion brands about the importance of sustainability in fashion we got the answer – ‘Sorry, with sustainability you can’t make money in our segment.’ – which motivated us to look for examples that embraced sustainability a little bit more.” (core77)

03. World’s First Cargo Ship Propelled by Solar Panels

“These days, it seems everything from rooftops to cell phones come equipped with solar panels. Now, huge cargo ships are the latest entities to join the solar power fray. The M/V Auriga Leader, now docked at the Port of Long Beach in California, recently unveiled an impressive array of 328 solar panels that will power the ship’s main electrical grid, making this the first ocean liner to be propelled in part by the sun’s rays.” (inhabitant)

04. Deerhunter’s Bradford Cox Announces New Atlas Sound Album

“..his affability has enticed Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) and Stereolab’s Laetitia Sadier to chip in with guest shots on the upcoming Atlas Sound LP, dubbed Logos and due out October 20 via Kranky…” (pitchfork)

It should come to no one’s surprise that I am into the very best in weirdo sounds from rock, to noise, and drone beyond listenability, so it’s refreshing to find a magazine with a hybrid format. “The Journal of Popular Noise is a semi-annual audio magazine inspired by the traditions of pop music, printed periodicals, and the delight of a finely crafted artifact. Limited edition of hand-folded, letter-press printed copies… Every issue conforms to the same prescribed editorial structures but is composed by a different artist or group. This set contains issues 13-15 featuring (respectively) Andrew W.K., Ian Svenonius, and Walker & Cantrell.”

Los Angeles based Beryll Studios offer some army boot inspired styles that are “distressed by hand from restored leather sourced from the 60s and 70s. Since each piece is unique, each boot includes a fingerprint signature of the artisan who handcrafted the boot.” Great works from this design studio. We hope to see more from them outside their sunglass and bag line. 580$US for those looking to get their hands on these. (acquire)