One man who could’ve done with writing an autobiography was famed blues musician, Leadbelly. His life was certainly worthy of that (check the wiki for a short overview) but for now we’ll make do with this picture retrospective, which includes many never seen before shots from his wife’s personal collection.

It’s available to purchase at Steidl and Amazon.

Take a leap to see some spreads from Lead Belly: A Life in Pictures.

Now that the fervour surrounding tote bags has passed you’re left with two firm camps; those who use totes and those who don’t. We’re in the former category, which is why we’re recommending this Timothy bag. There’s a few colours available but we’re particular to this orange version. The shoulder strap also means that you won’t be stuck using one hand for the day. (Ally Capellino)

We’ll take about the clothing in a second but first, the look on the model’s face – which is hilariously nu-age workwear. All he’s missing is a bowl of weetabix. That aside, this is a pretty snazzy cardigan. It looks like another prime candidate for partner ‘borrowing’ so sleep with one eye open. (ASOS)

Here’s one for the O.J.L (orange jacket lovers). Nike have been making a steadier appearance here on SL and, contrary to popular belief, it’s not because we’re suffering a streetwear relapse. They’ve just been making some good casual pieces and this jacket is one of them. The pricetag is a smoove £95 and it’s perfect for the guys who want to look good on the cheap. (Flatspot)

01. Kanye’s Dark Twisted Masterpiece

“I’ve got a bit of a problem when it comes to Kanye West. Well, not really a problem, but here it is: I’ve never been more fascinated by an artist while being so annoyed by just about everything about him. He’s the only rapper I’ve ever loved that I had zero desire to ever meet or hang out with. I mean none. Kanye’s the sort of dude that nags you to go five miles out of your way so he can get a shake from Cookout, and you’re most angry that Cookout is only drive thru because as soon as he went inside, you’d vamp and leave his punk ass standing there.

That, of course, has nothing to do with his music. Dude’s the greatest genius rap music has seen, the biggest thing in the last 10 years of pop music (help reshape the entire sound of hip hop like he did in ‘01, and yeah, you win that one). Four albums, three classics and a miss that screamed out “the label made me do it.”” (Bomani Jones)

02. Laughter, Memories and Oden

“Last week, I got a text. And I laughed.

At some point, you’ve just got to laugh. Not with your gut — a quick exhale will do — and certainly not at the misfortune. You know that this luck should befall none but the worst of us, none but the ultimate villains. You offer a short shake of your head and a brief downward gaze, and then a resumption of your life. You close the cell phone, and you close the book.

Oden’s done. And you laugh.” (Slam Online)

03. Posters by Kazumasa Nagai (Pictured Above)

“Here is a collection of posters by graphic artist Kazumasa Nagai from the 1960s and 1970s.” (Pink Tentacle)

04. Hunter S. Thompson, The Art of Journalism No. 1

“In an October 1957 letter to a friend who had recommended he read Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Hunter S. Thompson wrote, “Although I don’t feel that it’s at all necessary to tell you how I feel about the principle of individuality, I know that I’m going to have to spend the rest of my life expressing it one way or another, and I think that I’ll accomplish more by expressing it on the keys of a typewriter than by letting it express itself in sudden outbursts of frustrated violence. . . .” (Paris Review)

A short history on the Dickies workwear company.

Barker Black expands their U.S. presence to the West Coast with a new shop in Los Angeles. The brand, established in 1880 is beyond heritage at this point. “Barker Black shoes are created by a team of specialized craftsmen, many of whom have been working with the brand for more than 20 years. The designs, made from the finest Italian and French calf, are left on the last for 15 to 30 days, during which time the shoes are placed in a wire frame and suspended from rafters above the factory, giving each pair extended time to retain its beautiful, one-of-a-kind shape.”

Their new L.A. shop extends the brand’s presence with a destination shop that helps express the brand’s history and reach. Man, you cannot beat that old school skull and crossbones look. Find them at: 450 North Robertson Blvd.

More looks at the Barker Black L.A. store after the click.

We bring you a preview of the Lee 101 collection for Spring 2011. Some notes on the collection: “The collection celebrates the optimism of the “atomic years”, when people knew the name of their postman, and when matching-colour shirts and pants were the uniform for work and play. The look draws on the Lee Archive – the Lee company was a favourite brand making workwear and leisure clothes for 1950s Americans.”

More looks after the click.

The Creator’s Project has a great interview with the man behind the very “now” 032c Magazine. On the founding of the magazine itself: “032C started of as a complete DIY project. It was a zine that we ran out of a project space that I had here in Mitte, in Berlin, with two other friends. That was already like a Beuys fanzine in a three-dimensional space. We did shows with Friedman, the photographer, who did all the hip hop covers and punk covers for Bad Brains, Black Flag, LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and also skate photography.”

Read the full interview at CP.

Robert Gellar only creates the best and he manufactures his line in Japan. Geller’s recent collection brings the “Contrast Wool Peacoat” pays homage to the classic naval peacoat. Some details: “A double breasted long sleeve wool peacoat in black and navy, notched lapel collar and welt pockets at the waist.” An influential designer for our time. The peacoat is availble at ssense.

More looks after the click.