German designer Konstantin Grcic is subject of a new exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago (which has been doing a lovely job titillating those of use with decorative arts and furniture interests lately). Known for logical design, honest treatment of material and simple solutions, Grcic has never before been examined within an American institution. The exhibition is accompanied by a new book covering Grcic’s output over the last five years. It is authored by Zoe Ryan and Art Institute Curator of Design Neville Bryan.

Konstantin Grcic: Decisive Design runs until January 24, 2010.

More seating and lighting from Grcic after the jump. (Images via Daily Icon).

We’ve reached a point where phony heritage stories don’t move us anymore. Just because a company has been going for 100 years doesn’t mean they were leading their market or even creating quality products during that time.

But one of the original workwear heavy hitters, Dickies, have just released this pair of authentic heritage denim. And by authentic we mean there’s no pandering to modern slim cuts; it’s a workwear straight leg. It’s made with Zimbabwean cotton and manufactured by a family run factory in Japan. They’ve even reproduced the old Dickies union labels.

Detailed images are after the leap.

01. UrbanBuds: Soiled Suitcases Grow Food

“Gionata Gatto, an Italian designer based in the Netherlands, has soiled and seeded suitcases and such for gardening on the go. Designed as a graduation project, UrbanBuds enlivens luggage to grow up to 36 different food plants, either as still life or meals on wheels. Get a handle on your personal baggage and turn any place into a sustainable space simply by showing up and showing off some cultivation.” (inhabitant)

02. IT-Fornebu by A-Lab

“The building is located in Fornebu, the former Oslo Airport, Norway. The new Portal building is an extension to the old Airport Terminal building housing the Business and incubation centre for information technology companies; IT-Fornebu. The Fornebu area is experiencing a surge in development, transforming a previously Airport into a new city-wide destination for business. The IT-Fornebu Portal building consists of approximately 28000 m2, was developed by the IT-Fornebu Eiendom and designed by A-lab architects. a-lab was commissioned to develop the building, after winning the competition in 2004.” (archinect)

03. Splitting Adam, a holographic cover (above)

“CD packaging for the band “Splitting Adam”. The concept surrounds a fictitious character named Adam and his internal struggle with an audio triggered bipolar disorder. The cover splits Adam to reveal inside his head, a 3D animated hologram which morphs from a passive lamb into an aggressive ape. The cd and insert artwork documents Adam’s mental state along with vital stats and final prognosis.” (hardformat)

04. Kraftwerk Remastered LPs

“Due to some licensing issues (don’t you love those?) only 5 of the 8 albums are getting the deluxe vinyl treatment, but what a treatment it is – with full-size artwork and booklets accompanying each heavy-weight vinyl release. We aren’t usually ones to celebrate the glut of classic vinyl “reissues” (i.e. big labels cashing in on the vinyl craze) but it really looks like a lot of thought and care went into these and I can speak from personal experience that the originals of these albums are not always easy to track down on vinyl. For less than $20 each, these do indeed look like a great value.” (omgvinyl)

Here’s a set of cufflinks for a good cause. “Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for mens health issues – specifically prostate and testicular cancer.” When you purchase these mustache cufflinks, 20$US will be donated to Movember. Available at Arbitrage.

MW has launched his online ACL Shop stocked with exclusive goods including this bag for your smokes (and other things). “Made from waxed canvas, this bag is based directly on a U.S. Army issue WWII era bag given to GIs to hold cigarettes. Large enough to hold a camera, charger and other small items, these bags are perfect for stowing your gear while traveling.” Made in the USA, playa.

Available now from ACL.

For those in need of a traditional flat cap, check out this Barbour 6 panel waxed variant. There’s not much to say on Barbour in terms of quality. Try finding one of their jackets on Ebay for a deal. It’s tough. “As an official outfitter of the British monarchy, the company is steeped in British history and tradition. Known especially for their durable, weatherproof wax-cotton jackets…” But you knew this. A wonderful cap. (glory)

More detailed looks at the Barbour 6 Panel Flat Cap after the click.

Timezone previews the new limited edition AMVOX2 Racing Paris Chronograph from Jaeger LeCoultre which is exclusively available at the JLC boutique in Paris. 24 watches are being produced for this edition which will be available for purchase next week. “The 44mm case is done in titanium and it is water resistant to 50 meters. Movement is the automatic JLC caliber 75IE with 41 jewels, beating at 28,800 bph and with a power reserve of 65 hours. This movement is crafted, assembled and decorated by hand.” Want.

More looks at the Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 Racing Paris Chronograph after the click.

We covered one frame from this collection a while back, but here’s a look at some more options from Chronicles of Never Eyewear. “These shades done in collaboration with Graz Mulcahy (another former Ksubi alum and now with his own label Graz eyewear) are offered in a few select colors of two models, each with limited availablity: Corpus Callosum and the Choroid Plexus. We really love the acetate they used, the colors in the tortoise are extremely rich.” (eyestyle)

More looks at the Chronicle of Never Sunglasses after the click.

We mentioned The Beatles USB Apple a while back in the roundup, but here’s a complete look at the full packaging for the Apple. For those who refuse to buy CDs, this is the only authorized digital release of The Beatles Stereo Mixes in remastered form. You’ll get the track in FLAC (major nerd format which I happen to use) and your favorite 320k MP3s. Now, the package is basically sold out in the USA, but check around and you may be able to dig one up internationally. It comes (sold) out December 8th.

More looks at the The Beatles Stereo Mixes USB Apple after the click.

Continuing with our process series is Canadian label Want Les Essentiels. Founded by two twins who have years in the fashion game, the labels well known for their exquisitely made accessories that range from wallets to holdalls. Find out about their approach to production after the leap.