Award winning graphic designer, Rian Hughes, chronicles the looks of the 50’s through the illustrations which defined the decade. From the publisher: “The determinedly forward-looking optimism of postwar Europe and America was nowhere more evidenced than in the magazine art of the 1950s. In cheery scenes of domestic harmony, of strong-jawed men and winsome women, the illustration arts declared that the wartime years of austerity and uncertainty were at an end and a sunnier, more aspirational culture was taking shape. Featuring over 1,000 beautiful and stylistically diverse illustrations, Lifestyle Illustration of the 50s charts the decade’s progression as western economies started to recover and youth culture began to assert itself in the market place.”

Available for pre-order from Lifestyle Illustration of the 50s.

More looks inside Rian Hughe’s “Lifestyle Illustration of the 50′” Book after the click.

Some new Opening Ceremony x Billykirk work in the form of a toiletry or Dopp bag. “What started out as a collaboration to commemorate the opening of our OC Tokyo store continues to be a truly fruitful partnership. with the same amish-made, superior quality leather goods Billykirk is known for, we add a very chromatic, very oc touch to the mix, incorporating a bright variety of dyes for our exclusive collection.” Choose between red, blue, and green (my favorite).

More looks at the Billykirk for Opening Ceremony Dopp Kits after the click.

COS recently invited us to design our very own Selectism shop windows in their 3 stores in Berlin. We gladly excepted, yet we only had a very short time to realize the project. Berlin based design agency Floor 5 and Sarah Illenberger, as well as Adrian Hermanides, were commissioned by us to come up with a concept and create an installation for the three stores. They got inspired by the Fall season and thus created a kite inspired installation for all three shops, covered in COS fabrics. In line with the COS style, the installations were kept very minimal and perfectly fit into the COS environment. The installations are currently on display at the following COS stores:

COS Store
Friedrichstrasse 83
10117 Berlin
Germany

COS Store
Kurfürstedamm 217
10719 Berlin
Germany

COS Store
Neue Schönhauser Str. 20
10178 Berlin
Germany

Make sure to check them out if you are in the city, they will only stay up for another couple of days.

Detailed images of the installations also follow after the jump.

01. Fridge Igloo Is Almost Too Cool

“This unique piece of art, Fridge Igloo is presently installed in the center of Hamburg in the middle of the Gansmarkt. Schmerberg used 322 old refrigerators (and a metal frame) to create an igloo that is hooked up to an electrical meter that records the wasted energy. Now, if that’s not somewhat ironic, I don’t know what is.” (wl)

02. Second Skin Chair by Quinze & Milan

“For the Second Skin chair Quinze & Milan stripped down the notorious easy chair from all unnecessary frills, until they were left with nothing but its core, the “bones”. What was left was a deconstructed chair and with traditional upholstering in leather in mind, Quinze & Milan started playing – the result “a comfortable chair reflecting a 21st-century interpretation of time-honoured craftmanship.” (moco)

03. The Wehrmachtkanister, a/k/a Jerrycan: Astonishingly good industrial design from the 1930s (above)

“While the Allies of World War II certainly had the moral high ground over the Axis, it’s almost embarassing to see how far the former was behind the latter in terms of industrial design. A good case in point is the object that today is known as the Jerrycan. (”Jerry” being Allied slang for “German.” The can was originally called Wehrmachtkanister.)” (core77)

04. Less&More Organizers

“A variety of minimal and modern desk organizers handmade from wood. The different styles can be used to organize desk items, crafting tools, cosmetics, essential oils, coloring pencils and more. From etsy shop lessandmore.” (likecool)

Illesteva drops their new lookbook for public view. The NY/MIA/GVA based sunglass line had added new materials for the Fall 2010 season including bamboo woods and titanium. The lookbook was shot during travels through the Mediterranean Sea. God knows where seeing as it’s a massive coast. Your guess is as good as ours.

More looks at Illesteva Sunglasses for Autumn 2010 after the click.

“‘Sunrise On Stone Cape’ (Ocralab Remix) by Lo. Taken from the E.P ‘Ten Years One Night’, the initial release on Dominique Jacquinet’s new netlabel Sound Source. [SSN001] Aug 2010.”

We visited Martin Clothing in 2009 and they released the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection. The “Short Rain Trench” encapsulates “solid construction combined with extremely light weight fabric.” The “mesh ports located on the shoulder joints provide unimpeded ventilation while the high collar diverts drafts from your neck. On top the technical lightweight fabric, the “front bill of the hood” is removable. With their slim-silhouettes and streamline fabrics, “Martin Clothing” delivers another great piece for urban terrain. The jacket is available at MartinClothing. (gb)

More looks at the Martin Clothing Short Rain Trench after the click.

Felix Chan, Huw Bennett and Arran Russel are the men behind the Sydney based brand Vanishing Elephant. All three men have had a presence in Australia’s prestigious fashion industry. The “Olivet Trench Coat” is one example of their craftsmanship and design. “Making their mark with a classic aesthetic, each collection heralds a return to ‘gentelmanly’ style complete with woven shirts, tailored suits, elegant knitwear and Italian leather footwear.” The double-breasted four-button coat has a green plaid lining and includes the fastening belt to complete the trench. This coat is available at Tomorrowslaundry (gb)

More looks at the Vanishing Elephant Olivet Trench Coat after the click.

This Chivas Regal 18 year scotch bottle gets the re-work from England’s Vivienne Westwood just in time for Holiday 2010. Unlike most collaborative bottles which receive a wrap around the glass in the form of heat-on applicae or paint, Westwood does it right with a material wrap that fastened and encapsulates the full body of the bottle – badge and all.

Here are two quick looks from the forthcoming April77 Spring/Summer 2011 video featuring Jethro Cave and Sophie Willing.  While we (and others) have had a virtual screening online, the film is set to drop publicly sometime in December. We’ll be sure to share it with you all.

Another preview look from the April77 Spring/Summer 2011 Film Preview after the click.