Product reminder! We covered the Spring 2010 Band of Outsiders for Sperry collection back in Vegas some time ago. Well, they’re being stocked every now. “Natural Canvas upper and gum sole. All done up in an un-constructed way. Its all in the details.. yet keeping it very clean amd comfy. So Casual.” c-store has them for starters.

More look at the Band of Outsiders for Sperry Penny Loafers after the click.

Sure, these stoles may be for the women, but with these patterns, the gents may be some mileage from them. Yes, it is Visvim and we rarely report on the brand on this end (see HS for more). Italian textile house, Faliero Sarti, worked on these stoles. The pattern is indeed printed. (honeyee)

More looks at the Visvim Epoch Stoles after the click.

“Gieves and Hawkes, one of London’s most famous tailors, made their Menswear London Fashion Week debut a while back for Autumn/Winter 2010. I’m not really into the suiting business, although i do admire what these guys do and what they go through to get bespoke wear. It’s interesting none the less” (189)

Portland, OR is clearly a hotbed for good things. As a major region for frame builders, the cycling industry up there is as strong as the New England scene with shops kicking out custom build, and goods. Walnut Studiolo is one of those small companies. They’re producing custom leather cycling accessories, like the “Strap-Downs” shown above.

Two “up-cycled buckling leather straps” attach easily to the old rear rack on your three speed. “Eyelets run the full length of the belt, so you can strap down something of varying size to your bike (shown here with a Hot Lips Pizza growler).” This is only one of the many leather goods for your bicycle produced by Walnut Studiolo.

More looks at the Walnut Studiolo Leather Bike Strap Downs after the click.

Yatzer brings to light an interesting concept show in Milan from Vitra. The “Chairless” strap by Alejandro Aravena gives extra support and comfort to those who rest in the cross legged position. “According to Vitra, Chairless relieves the back and the thigh muscles from pressure, while the arms and hands which are needed for support when sitting cross legged are not used to support our legs, instead, they could be used for other tasks such as reading, writing, eating, drinking or whatever else you can imagine as your hands are now free.   It is designed for people who have a height of 160-195cm (5ft 3in and 6ft 5in).  The strap is made of wear-resistant polyamide and is available in four color combinations: anthracite with decorative stripes in fuchsia or dark lime; dark lime with decorative stripes in fuchsia; fuchsia with decorative stripes in dark lime.”

More looks at Chairless by Alejandro Aravena for Vitra after the click.

The problem with polo shirts is that sometimes you get mistaken for a landscaper. Or, worse, someone who rates Vineyard Vines apparel.

The pique polo shirt from Seize sur Vingt won’t put you in either position. The collar has shape, a true identity, and the buttons are pronounced without distraction. Additionally, they’ve hunted down a fine “Filio di Scozia” Egyption Cotton yarn for the fabric, which wears well and looks appropriately refined.

The only thing in common with other polo shirts are two key options – Seize sur Vingt offers a choice of solid or micro stripes.

View variations on the pique polo from Seize sur Vignt after the jump. Snag one here if you’re impressed.

Back in March we discussed the “field watch” Timex worked with L.L. Bean on. Today, our Berlin boys noted a 2010 edition of the Timex Vintage Field Army Watch for J. Crew. “Based on an iconic 1940s military style from the Timex archives (and only available here), we gave it a new, subtly distressed off-white dial face, Arabic numerals and an olive-toned watch strap. Like our other version, this piece is built for the trenches…”  You can have it for 150$US. (acquire)

It would seem as though former Number (N)ine mastermind,  Takahiro Miyashita, is back with something new for the market. Not much is known yet on what will come of “The Soloist, Ltd.” Not much is known at this time outside of the focus being on menswear. The collection is set to launch in July via an exhibition. No runway show it would seem. (fsnap)

Some more images of the announcement for  Takahiro Miyashita’s The Soloist Ltd. line after the click.

Despite us not mentioning them that much, we’re quite the fans of Factotum. This runway is a perfect example of why; focusing on the wearable rather than the edgy, Factotum make clothes that are easy to wear (provided you can fit into Japanese sizes) and simply exist to make the wearer look good.  With more leather jackets and parkas than you can shake a stick at, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was influenced by British music (we see a bit of Oasis mixed in Keith Richards). We don’t know of any US or Europe based retailers yet, but this is a brand worth getting your proxy on for.

View more of the collection after the leap.

Call and Response : Africa to America brings together the work of two artists who explore the West African masquerade. Phyllis Galembo documents the cultural and social traditions through photographs of actual participants in Benin, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. Chicago-based Nick Cave draws inspiration from the masquerade in his elaborate “Soundsuits.” These sculptural costumes tie in elaborate materials – fabric, bead, etc. – and combined with pose offer a poetic response to West African cultural identity.

The exhibition runs from May 27 to June 26, 2010, at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, College of Charleston.

Examples of Cave’s work may be found after the jump.