A complex patterned knit sweater from Neil Barret’s Blackbarret line.It’s part of the Spring/Summer 2010 collection and features a pattern which pulls from a variety of influences. It is a dark garb nonetheless so prepare for questioning. (zozo)

More looks at the Blackbarret by Neil Barret Knitted Sweater after the click.

The creative juices seem to get flowing each year in the holiday card market. Pentagram is one of those firms with a long history in this category. “Each Christmas, Pentagram designs and publishes a small book and sends it to a very select group. Intended to provide diversions during what, for many, can be a hectic period, the booklets traditionally avoid any direct reference to the festive season, adopting a strong graphic vocabulary, setting them apart from the myriad of cards received at this time of year. Since John McConnell’s first design in 1974, they’ve grown to become a cult collectors’ item.” (wallpaper*)

Many more looks at the Pentagram Christmas Cards after the click.

With the focus on clothing and fashion, how about we turn our giveaway to some more important things like music. EMI comes through with a hefty little package mixing vinyl, CDs, and DVDs.  You’ll notice this collection revolves around some of our favorite artists. The Beastie Boys 7inch is well worth it alone for the music junkies.

EMI will set you up with this:

• Ben Harper – White Lies For Dark Times Deluxe CD/DVD
• Radiohead – The Best Of (2-CD set)
• Radiohead – The Best Of (DVD)
• Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Remastered CD)
• Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (Remastered 2-CD edition)
• Gorillaz – Slow Boat To Hades DVD
• Beastie Boys – “rare” Electric Worm promotional 7”

As always, it’s pretty easy to enter and win.

Follow Selectism on Twitter and tweet the following message: Follow @selectism and RT this message by Dec 25 for a chance to win an EMI Music Pack feat. Radiohead, Beastie Boys http://bit.ly/6qnRGh

We’ll randomly choose a retweet as the winner on Dec 26.

OPEN GIVEAWAYS:

Comme Des Garcons Peacoat (ends tonight Dec 21)

Dry Bones D.Lewis Chambray Shirt (ends tomorrow Dec 22)

Without further ado, here’s the second half of our Opening Ceremony SS10 footwear collection posts. As you’ve probably guessed from the title, this time it’s the boots. Like most SS10 collections these days, it’s been created with one foot (no pun intended) in the end of winter and the other in summer. Considering that these come out in January (the height of the cold snap) it’s a smart strategy and one we hope other companies start employing.

Take a leap to see the rest of the collection.

Originally published in 1963, Interaction of Color remains one of the most influential books on color ever produced. Written by Josef Albers during his time as chairman of the Department of Design Yale University, the book relayed his complex to a generation of artists, students, and collectors (well, those who had not been part of the Bauhaus or attended Black Mountain or Yale) through commentary and 150 silkscreen color plates.

This week, Yale University Press is releasing a new edition of Interaction of Color. All is faithfully reproduced in a two volume slip covered set. Also incorporated are color studies from the Albers archive – student work from the 1960s. Nicholas Fox Weber, executive director of the Josef and Anni Albers Fund, offers the forward.

At $200, it is well worth the price.

Available now through Amazon.

Daniel Jenkins has just got in a couple of new exclusive products from Lou Dalton and, for our money, this jumper is the pick of the bunch. Made in collaboration with knitwear makers William Lockie (heritage fanatics: this one’s been going since 1874), this jumper is made from fine merino wool and has tweed patches on the shoulder and elbow – double the patch love for your money. (Daniel Jenkins)

Song remains the same, detailed images after the leap.

Since 1975, San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing has offered an annual Christmas Ale. Unlike other brewers, who stick to the same tried and true year in and out, Anchor uses the holidays as a time to experiment. Each year, the recipe changes. And, each year, the design of the label shifts ever so slightly.

There have been times where Anchor’s Christmas beer totally wowed. Other years, it has disappointed. The spirit with which they brew, and the yearly experimentation, however, make it a must every holiday season.*

*While I’ve not tasted the 2009 vintage yet, my brother reports that it is a touch sweeter than previous iterations.

We’re still suffering from denim fatigue – so another alternative is always welcome. Our latest pick are these B Store Prince of Wales check trousers, which have the added bonus of being 30% off. The best thing about the movement back towards a wider leg (and that is happening, despite anyone’s protestations) is that places like B Store now stock trousers that a man who doesn’t have spindles for legs can wear. And that’s something we can all be happy about. (B Store)

Check after the leap for more images.

One of our favourite blogs, Street Etiquette, have just posted this teaser for their new ‘genesis of style’ project. The project will focus on the issue of style through the eyes of people who’ve directly influenced the duo from S.E. Adding some personality and leaving out the schmaltz, S.E continue to do things in their unique and interesting way. Look for the full project to drop in the first week of January.