With Jason on some form of an English holiday, I have to fill in some space by covering those British shops and brands dropping goods (believe it or not) during this holiday week. Check these Arrow Moccasin in Crepe. Oi Polloi has them. One recommendation, move on them quick because Winter 2010 is almost here and these may not serve you during the cold months. They’re made in the USA. Take that England.

More looks at the Arrow Moccasin in Crepe after the click.

Stand-Out is selling this double breasted jacket from Full Circle for a good price right now. The double breasted tailored fit jacket features  two front mock pockets, shoulder epaulettes, and rear vents. A good simple look. (frenchtruckers)

More looks at the Full Circle Double Breasted Jacket after the click.

Michael Dacey over at Repeat Press inside the Fringe Movement Studio in Somerville, MA worked up these custom two sided coasters for Highsnobiety and Selectism.

The coasters were run off on Michael’s early 1966 Vandercook SP20 Press using coaster stock. Each sheet housed four coasters which were then cut on a vintage Challenge Advance Guillotine Cutter and corners were rounded using a new old stock 60’s Lassco Corner Cutter. The finished coasters were then hand banded and glue to form.   Not surprisingly, we ran out of the inital run but plan on pressing more in the New Year. Many thanks to Michael for an amazing job.

The video above was shot, edited, and produced by Steve Schinnerer/Iloveqp also working out of the Fringe Movement Studio in Somerville, MA. We cannot thank Stebs enough for his time and energy in making this clip for us. (music: The White Stripes – “I Fought Piranhas”)

Some behind the scenes photos of the making of the “Thanks for 2009″ Drink Coasters after the click.

“DIRECTOR / ANIMATOR – BENJAMIN DUCROZ SOUND DESIGN – SAMUEL ACRES 3D, PAPER, INKJET PRINTED FRAMES, WATERCOLOUR, WATER & INK”

Ah, well… its the weekend. Blackbird has updated their stock on Porter bags. One of my favorites is the convertible tote to backpack sku. “Porter’s ‘Smoky’ series uses a unique Cordura Duck fabric, woven from a combination of organic cotton and Cordura nylon yarn. The result is an incredibly strong fabric which is resistant to abrasions and intended to age beautifully. This bag is a versatile backpack/tote hybrid; adjustable cinches at the sides, one zipper at the side for easy internal access, strap which over the top opening with snap closure, two external snap-closure pockets, two internal velcro-closure pockets, padded shoulder straps, straps for option to carry as tote”

More looks at the Porter Smoky Backpack Tote after the click.

Frillr points us towards a well done “winter” editorial over on The Pop. Photographer Richard Gerst worked with model Fernando Machado- Ford-Brasil and stylist Cameron K. Carpenter on some well produced shots that highlight looks from the more well known brands – Lauren, Burberry, Hugo Boss, and others. Worth a look.

A few more select photos from the “A Short Cold Winter” Editorial after the click.

Happy Christmas! Designer, Packing of the World discovered this work from Flavia Oliveira in Brazil for Farm.  ”Farm is a clothing brand with more than 20 stores in Brazil. Every year they design a different package for the Panetone they give to their partners. (Panetone is a tall bread studded with candied fruits and nuts and enjoyed for its light, fluffy texture)”

More looks at the Farmetone Christmas Panetone after the click.

Here’s a nice winter warmer from the Self Edge shops. With stock coming in from Japan on just about any given day, you should be sure to check back often for new looks. “The RJB Muted Hickory Stripe Jacket is a mid-length jacket with an extremely soft lining. The leather wrapped buttons and piping make this a standout piece, and with the hickory stripe outer fabric it’s sure to age well over time.”

More looks at the Real Japan Blues Muted Hickory Stripe Jacket after the click.

Here’s what I am reading over the coming holiday week. After finishup The Billionaire’s Vinegar which documents the “unregulated” and sometimes fraudulent world of the global wine market, I had to dig my teeth into another nasty category: art forgeries. Provenance: How a Con Man and a Forger Rewrote the History of Modern Art covers this topic and the description tells it best.

Provenance is the extraordinary narrative of one of the most far-reaching and elaborate deceptions in art history. Investigative reporters Laney Salisbury and Aly Sujo brilliantly recount the tale of a great con man and unforgettable villain, John Drewe, and his sometimes unwitting accomplices. Chief among those was the struggling artist John Myatt, a vulnerable single father who was manipulated by Drewe into becoming a prolific art forger. Once Myatt had painted the pieces, the real fraud began. Drewe managed to infiltrate the archives of the upper echelons of the British art world in order to fake the provenance of Myatt’s forged pieces, hoping to irrevocably legitimize the fakes while effectively rewriting art history.

Published by Penguin Press.

Available now through Amazon.

This is about as simple as it gets. Black canvas on white vulcanized rubber. This is what the Converse All Star Hi Top Sneaker in black looks like without those special makeups, without the co-signing from an artists or musician. This is pure and original style. Price. 45$. And best of all you can find them just about anywhere. A gift that you can never go wrong with. Need Supply sells them. Accepted by all.

More looks at the Converse All Star Hi Top Sneaker in black after the click.