The Oliver Sweeney collection of shoe for Spring/Summer 2010 is broken into two focused collection: “London” and “Goodyear Welted” (the latter best fit for describing a structural technique in build). “The London Collection is a more contemporary range which takes its style influences from the effortlessly cool London scene, washed soles and elegant last shapes are a feature. The collection uses the Blake Stitched construction process and is a new addition to the Oliver Sweeney product offering.”

More looks at the Oliver Sweeney Shoe Collections for Spring/Summer 2010 after the click.

Thinking positive about waste from all spectrums of product is an important aspect of design. DBA does penmanship right with their 98 Pen. “The DBA 98 Pen is the only 98% biodegradable pen in the  world. It’s also the only pen to use ink composed of simple,  pronounceable ingredients. Produced at a wind-powered  facility in the United States, it was designed as a responsible  alternative to the wasteful and often toxic pens we use almost every day. And with its straightforward design and rollerball tip, the DBA Pen looks good and writes well, too.” A three pack of these will run you about 9$US. (iainc)

More looks at the DBA 98% Biodegradable Pen after the click.

ATTG profiles the Christopher Ward C80 Sector Aviator Watch. “Its design is not rooted in any sort of authenticity. It’s not made in America. I’m sure it costs way too much for its construction methods and materials, and I’d be willing to bet it won’t last long enough to hand down to future generations… Based on the WWII RAF clock used to monitor and track enemy aircraft, this watch utilizes the obscure and impactful design elements to create a modern looking piece. Love it, hate it, talk shit on it, but whatever you do, at least enjoy its aesthetic for a second…”

More looks at the Christopher Ward C80 Sector Aviator Watch after the click.

Well, by now you all have probably heard that the L.L. Bean Signature Collection is now available online. The closest we got to a preview were some borrowed images of the duck boot but in our opinion, the boots were expected (many of our writers are from New England where these boots are simply a staple and have been for decades). More importantly, other looks from the collection warrant a preview, which we’ll get to over the course of the next few months. For now, we profile the “vintage field watch” from the L.L. Bean Signature Collection. It runs about 25$US less than the J. Crew Timex Military Watch. Which do you prefer?

More looks at the L.L. Bean Signature Collection Vintage Field Watch after the click.

Acclaimed photographer Don McCullin is subject of “Shaped by War,” at the Imperial War Museum North. McCullin’s work as a photojournalist took him war, all over the world, and was instrumental in shaping awareness of conflict and of the consequences of modern military campaigns.

This year marks McCullin’s 75th, 50 of which have been spent behind the camera, and the exhibition is a special collaboration between man and institution. Over 200 photographs are displayed with objects and other personal memoriabilia. The above video serves as quick introduction.

On the IWM site, 25 images from the exhibition are available for browsing. After the jump are a few that stood out. The remainder can be found here.

Need to take your assist’s desk with – as in all your files and their desktop sized iMac? Tired of simply lugging electronic files and your laptop from airport to airport? Yeah, me too. For people like us, there is the Mayfair Streamer Secretary Trunk. It’s a casual trunk jam  filled with a desk worth of physical items. It is like a desk and library in one. (ignant>notcot)

More looks at the Mayfair Steamer Secretary Trunk after the click.

Band of Bikers represents a rather atypical photography book. For one, the photographs come from a found archive. Editor Scott Zieher discovered the material among the affects of a deceased tenant in the basement of a New York City apartment building. The images depict a group of gay bikers, their parties in the city, and their trips to the country side. In these, and through an accompanying essay, Zieher documents a specific period of subculture touching on mainstream America’s innocence in regards to homoerotic undertones in most heterosexual institutions and the ramifications of vernacular photography in popular culture.

The themes may be off putting to some, but it remains an extraordinary capsule of American life. I always think it important to recognize the potential of personal archives as historic document. So, if for nothing else this book really intrigues me.

For those interested, Band of Bikers is available through the International Center of Photography and Amazon.

It’s Nice That turns us onto the work of Maurice Broomfield, a photographer who focuses on the industry workers in the 50’s. Aside from being great pictures, there’s no denying that factories, and therefore factory workers has turned into a hawt topic of sorts lately. Leaving behind the irony of middle class meeja/fashion/blogger folk eulogizing factory workers who probably worked for a pittance, the pictures are great and worth viewing. As for Broomfield’s photography itself, the sheer amount of work is staggering in itself. While everything could be placed under the blanket term of ‘factory workers’, there’s everything from sheep shearing in Scotland to glass blowing in Derby.

Song remains the same, take a leap to see more of his work.

We’ve personally got a love/hate relationship with Junya Watanabe. We love his stuff but hate that we can’t afford it. Posts like these are bordering on self inflicted torture – we want it but unless someone wants to loan us the money (you know we’re good for it) we’ll have to stick to pining for it. Those with the spare coins should feel free to buy these though. Just don’t wear it around us. (Browns)

Take a leap to see a couple of detailed images.

We feel like we say this every year, but we’re really starting to tire of check shirts – they’re the Keith Richards of menswear trends. Surely every man has more than enough in their wardrobe? So rather than emptily complain, we’ll start showing alternatives. Perks & Mini, our kindred brothers in the fight against checks, have released this shirt. The most impressive thing about it? A dip dye shirt actually being wearable. (Goodhood)