We’re not into posting items that only a certain part of the world can get their hands on – unless they’re Japanese – but we had to post up these Brooklyn Circus reversible bow ties. They’re perfect for the guy who’s learnt how to tie a bow tie – by now that should be all of you – and wants to step his game up with a versatile piece.

For what it’s worth, their blog is the best one done by a retail outlet yet – they take great pictures, show off inspirational ways to wear their clothes and update regularly – it’s all we could ask for in a blog. No word on  the pricing yet, but we’ll get on it.

Check our the other colourway after the leap.

Ratchet Low Drawer Construction from harry hasson on Vimeo.

Harry Hasson is a recent graduate of Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. For the recent New Designers graduate show in London, Hasson exhibited his Ratchet Furniture -  a series of desks and seating pieces built of plywood and held together by ratchet straps. The technique allows Hasson to avoid using any nails or screws. As such, they can be assembled quickly, disassembled just as fast, and make perfect pieces for those on the move. The above video demonstrates the construction. (via Dezeen).

View images of the Ratchet Furniture after the jump.

The byproduct of duffles being back in fashion is that toggles are regaining their cool. Their journey is similar to the cardigan – both were outcast for years, both were seen solely as grandad wear and now both have been brought back from the fashion wilderness. Judging from the most recent collections, the next pieces to come crawling out of the woods will be cargo pants. We’re serious. Be very afraid.

This Steven Alan toggle coat is part of his AW09 collection, which garnered a fair bit of blog love when it came out. The jacket is out in Mid-August, but you can put yourself on the waiting list now. (Steven Alan)

Take a look at some other views after the leap.

We’re bored of denim. You buy it, break it in, wear it down, get holes in awkard places, buy new denim and start the cycle all over again. We’ve done it to death. It’s not that we won’t be wearing it come Autumn, we just need something else to break the monotony.

That’s why we’re getting a head start on our Autumn shopping and looking for corduroy now. These Ralph Lauren cord jeans have the patented ’straight cut with a slight taper’ fit that we’re obsessed with and they’re available in three colours. Our favourite’s the ‘deep auburn’, which is ‘challenging’ but worth the effort if you pull it off. (Rugby)

01. Macclesfield Alphabet at the British Library

“We’re happy to report that the British Library, has successfully acquired the Macclesfield Alphabet Book that Patrick blogged about, here, in January. Not only did they raise the necessary funds to obtain the manuscript, but the rare medieval book will also be on show to the public from tomorrow…The book, which dates from around 1500, had been in the library of the Earl of Macclesfield since 1750 but was only discovered very recently.” (cr)

02. Rossani Orlandi Gallery ‘pops up’ in Sardinia

“From late July to early September Milan practically closes down as its residents head out of town for the long summer break. Rossanna Orlandi, our favourite Milanese gallerist-cum-retailer has packed everything including her Smeg kitchen sink and set up shop on the Island of Sardinia, a place she insists you will find ‘the best sea in Europe’.” (wallpaper*)

03. Ink Calendar

“The proof of the pudding is . . . in waiting the right amount of time; and this time you need exactly a year till the project’s complete! What are we talking about here? Well the Spanish designer Oscar Diaz has made a calendar based on the capacity of paper to absorb ink in such a way it lets you view days and the passing of time. The kit contains twelve tubes of ink in different colours.” (cnc)

04. The Kid

“Parisian pop singer Sliimy muses on Bowie, Lacroix, and the fundamental differences between French and American style. Photographed by Sebastien Mart.” (contributingeditor)

Our friends at Fashionisto take in the preview looks from the Spring 2010 Rick Owens’ DRKSHDW collection. “About a month after his showing in Paris, Rick Owens has released three preview images from next spring’s DRKSHDW range. Not falling far from the mainline, the preview showcases an extreme treatment that first reared its head at the Paris show. Then, it was easily overshadowed, but here, it looks like the second time just might be the charm–black and white make for an interesting chaotic mix, but what piece stands a chance when in the same ensemble?”

Larger views of the DRKSHDW Spring 2010 preview looks after the jump.

Berliners have a nice opportunity to check out Omega’s “The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing” Exhibit being held now at the famous KaDeWe Department Store through August 24th. “One of the exhibition’s highlights is a model of the first OMEGA wristwatch to be worn in space: the Speedmaster with the reference CK 2998, identical to the one worn by Walter Schirra during the Mercury Sigma 7 mission. Also on display will be the original Speedmaster watches astronauts Donn F. Eisele (Apollo 7) and Thomas Stafford (Gemini 9 and Apollo 10) had strapped to their wrists during their missions.” (timezone)

More looks at Omega’s “The 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing” Exhibit after the jump.

When Kenji mentions a Japanese brand, I tend to listen. He knows Tokyo and the constantly evolving street scene.  Find him out on the daily, and he’ll likely have on an understated piece of apparel procured down some small alley in Tokyo. Of late, we have been discussing the John Bull boutique which happens to be Kenji approved. I am sure he would approved of these classic inspired “Old Atheltic” Zip-up hoodies. The wash finish – available in navy, grey, and natural – is hand processed giving it a natural inconsistent feel between garments. More from John Bull soon…

UPDATE: John Bull uses Loopwheeler looms to produce these zip-ups. In nerd terms, it means low run, super soft, unique, hand loomed goodness.

More looks at the John Bull Old Atheltic Zip-Ups after the jump.

Referring to the Paul Smith shop in Paris as “new” may not be 100% accurate. For starters, the doors on the boutique have been opened since March, but the decor and arrangement of the storefront which had been empty since the 80’s dates back much further than assumed. Our friends at “It’s Nice That” took a stroll through the Paul Smith store and give us the rundown.

“It is an awesome example of old and new coming together and working perfectly and as Sir Paul Smith explained on his blog when it opened, “The very exciting point about the Grenelle shop is that it is in premises that have been empty since the 1980’s and is in a very ‘interesting’ state of decay! The walls are unpainted for many years, the floor tiles are the original, 80 year old shelves, everything dates back to the 1930’s when La Tourrette was opened by Monsieur Tourrette as a ‘Bougnat’; the left side of the shop selling coal, the right side selling wine.”

See more view of the Paul Smith Boutique in Paris after the jump.

The Atelier LaDurance Saddle Belt you see above is from my personal closet. It was gifted to me this past January and I have faithfully worn it day in and day out. I consider Atelier LaDurance belts to be some of the finest in the world – triple thick and handmade from an almost indestructible cowhide. I highly recommend them especially if you like the keyring attachment.

But the finish you see above is not what my belt looked like when it arrived in my hands. It was originally closer to a beige/plain white finish (which you can still find) which did not bother me until the belt began to wear in. After a few months of use, the belt naturally started to form into it’s own and the white finish began to wear off which allowed me to see the natural tan finish being covered underneath. It was like pulling up tile and uncovering a hardwood floor.

Ask Nick how long it took me to remove all the white finish and bring it back to it’s original beauty (hours). The keyring came off much easier. The belt may not be what it once was, but at least it is rugged enough to take my changes and remain the most durable belt I have used in ages.

More views of my re-worked Atelier LaDurance Saddle Belt with images of the original finish after the jump.