We’ve tried our best to stay away from shawl collars, we really have. But this one is worth a look. It’s not gonna blow the doors off your wardrobe (which is the effect we want every piece of clothing to have on us – door repair costs be damned) but it is a handsome piece.  (Opening Ceremony)

Beau Colburn rounds it up.

01. In Schizophrenic Artist’s Work, UFO and Aliens Abound
“After Ken Grimes had his first psychotic break a few years ago, the schizophrenic artist decided to put some of his ideas about extraterrestrials on canvas. Since then, his works have been featured in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Outsider Art Fair, and New York’s Ricco/Maresca Gallery.

“We get so accustomed to seeing the same thing,” Leslie Umberger, senior curator at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, told Wired.com. But Grimes actually accomplishes “what many artists aspire to: changing the way we see and think”, Umberger added.” (designtaxi)

02. Bill Murray’s Hilarious Speech to Sofia Coppola at the NBR Awards
“… but no one had the crowd roaring like Murray, who introduced his Lost in Translation director with a delightfully deranged speech delivered while sucking on candy.” (nymag)

03. Sights & Sounds: Superchunk
“Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan have been making art longer than they’ve been making music, and they’ve been making music for quite a while. The Chapel Hill, NC, music-scene figureheads first formed frazzly DIY rock band Superchunk in the late 1980s and have played together on and off ever since, most recently returning after a nine-year break with last fall’s Majesty Shredding LP. The two also founded and continue to run Merge Records, one of the most respected and successful independent labels in the country.” (designsponge)

04. New York Sleeps (above)
“A new exhibition of photographs by Christopher Thomas, which opens at the Wapping Project Bankside in London tonight, reveals that the city that supposedly never sleeps does in fact have the odd moment of repose…” (creativereview)

Dazed gives their take on the Trussardi Autumn/Winter 2011 noting the brands move to present at Pitti: “This time around that meant a full-on leather collection. Coats, trousers, boots, shirts, jackets and T-shirts all came in black, white and khaki brown shades. Mainly in monochrome, Vukmirovic used shearling, nappa leather and suede to communicate his luxurious vision for A/W11. Even though white V-neck T-shirts in leather kept everyone positively gob smacked, it was the sturdy outerwear – trenches, coats, biker coats and M65 jackets with angular pockets – that impressed the most.” More looks after the click.

More looks at the Trussardi Autumn/Winter 2011 collection after the click.

SHOWstudio showcases the Gareth Pugh Pitti presentation video. One commenter suggest that the intro pays homage to “With a collection inspired by religious iconography and Florentine opulence, Gareth Pugh made his Italian fashion debut at Pitti Immagine #79, showcasing his clothes via a unique fashion film, created with Ruth Hogben.”

Tim Hamilton takes his sportswear to Bergdorf Goodman for this capsule collection occupying their 3rd floor. The highly casual fashions offer some downtime looks for the busy guy. “The capsule consists of Hamilton standards like the hoodie, the polo, the thermal sweater, and the cardigan, everyday iconic staples made fresh by the designer’s rigorous eye for design and construction. The result is not just your new sweater, blazer, or pant—it’s your new favorite piece that stands the test of time in style and longevity.”

Many more looks after the click.

More goodness from Pitti this week. Esemplare showcased their Autumn 2011 collection of outerwear. The very strong Italian collection works across many styles and gentleman. The well approachable collection reminds us that while we hate the cold now, we’ll be happy to look proper next in it next season. (mm)

More looks after the click.

More than three staff members commented on their love of this Walk-Over shoe available over on BEAMS Japan. The bright green sole sets it off like a well placed pair of trainers, but somehow the Walk-Over’s come off less inflicting than usual. Made in the U.S.A. The shoe is also available in charcoal grey with yellow sole.

More looks after the click.

iDsgn have a very interesting piece about how important design is to music. Bringing up Justice, Kanye West & Gorillaz as three examples, they go through how design has had a vital input on music. Of course, this is nothing new, especially as many musicians claim to see music in forms of colours and whatnot, but it’s always an interesting topic to read about. Read the piece over at iDsgn.

Launching yesterday, Design Research Unit is a travelling exhibition mapping the history of the Design Research Unit’s creations. The press release explains the DRU’s history better than we could:

“Initially under the charge of the poet and art critic Herbert Read and operating from offices shared with Mass Observation, the Design Research Unit was founded by advertising entrepreneur Marcus Brumwell with designers Misha Black and Milner Gray. Following Read’s essay, Art and Industry (1934) and the literature of International Constructivism the group outlined an intent to combine creative intelligence with technical research into materials and markets, seeking to bring ‘artists and designers into productive relation with scientists and technologists.’”

The unit designed everything from car interiors to beer bottles, so we’d recommend  checking out this exhibition if possible.

Dates and details are after the leap.

Not seen enough olive jackets yet? Good, because we’ve got this one coming your way. This one’s just about perfect for those days when you don’t need to look smart but could do with looking just that bit sharper than your peers (and don’t pretend like you dress up for any other reason than to look good). On another note, In Alana Morrisette’s world it’d be ironic that someone named Oliver has made an Olive jacket. We’re not sure why that’s relevant but we thought we’d bring it up. (End)