Maison Martin Margiela, for a third year, has taken part in Milan’s Salone del Mobile. “This year, the Maison reveals ‘géométries variables’ at cerruti baleri… The installation is built around the idea of pretence with projected shadows playing with proportions and black & white trompe l oeil on backlit panels.” The collection consists of 13 pieces including two new additions: the “Undersized” sofa and “Sblienco,” the unstable table.”
More looks after the click.

Esquire UK turns of onto the historical importance of Alex Steinweiss through this new book from Taschen. “Compiled by artist Kevin Reagan, Alex Steinweiss: The Inventor of the Modern Album Cover explores the work of the man who, upon being appointed Columbia Records’ 23-year-old art director in 1940, had a light bulb moment. All those brown paper packaged albums are a bit ugly, he thought, so why not jazz them up?… A few months after designing the world’s first album art (for Smash Song Hits by songwriting duo Rodgers and Hart), Steinweiss had increased Columbia’s record sales by over 800%. The bigwigs thought he might be onto something.”

Available from Amazon.

The Hill-side delivers these woodblock pocket squares in support of Japan relief with 100& of the proceeds heading to the cause. “The character printed on this pocket square is an old written name for Japan. It is pronounced “Wa” and roughly translates as “harmony; peace; balance.” This name for Japan originated in the 8th century, when Japanese scholars applied a new written character to replace the previous, Chinese-given name for their country.” Hickorees has them.

More looks after the click.

Acquire turns us onto a new fragrance coming from the Paul Smith world this Summer 2011. “This fragrance is all about having fun, living life to the full and pure energy. It contains a vibrant top note of mandarin, alongside the surprise kick of black pepper. The aromatic heart of sage, mixed with the sweetness of geranium, and the clean crisp marine note. The sensual base is classic Paul Smith, because of its cedar and vetiver note mixed with the enveloping amber.”

“So how many people do you know that are equally at home shooting the breeze with fashion grand dame Diana Von Furstenberg or just plain shooting….a deer? As in from a blind? And, of those, how many have shot to the forefront of the fashion world, designing elegantly post-modern Southern threads in a style described by one publication as “Tom Wolfe-meets-Spike Jonze”? And of THOSE, how many decided to place their headquarters not in Paris, Milan or New York, but in Florence? No, not Italy — Alabama. Florence, Alabama.” (189)

The Selby moves onto the finer things in life for his latest series of personal looks. Edible Selby looks to focus on those working and dreaming big in the world of food and food supply.  It’s an extension of his “Edible Selby” columns for The New York Times T Magazine.

More looks after the click.

Aqua-Velvet has some images from NASA’s archive and, whilst they’re not usually SL style, we’re think they’re still interesting. Hopefully this will be inspiration for future lookbooks, looking at the Sart’s collection of creepy looking ice cream eating gentlemen is so passe – look at astronauts instead.

GQ posted up this nice video with Dave 1 of Chromeo about watches and we thought it was worth a look.

France’s Prodiso works over some espadrille-like chukkas for Centre Commercial shop. Two color looks solid but may not be the best option for grinding day wear. Wear them for relaxation. (su)

More looks after the click.

Remember when we had a super long feature with ARN Mercantile founder Neil Christopher? Yeah, read that and then come back and you’ll see why you want this jacket. (LN-CC)