Give it to Louis Vuitton for keeping us clicking and playing-through their online presentation for Spring/Summer 2011’s “A Far East Adventure.” While they may not be the first to mix video walkthroughs, zoom-focus imagery, and interactive displays (some allows you to go through the motions of zipping up their cotton/nylon jackets), Vuitton does it right by making it all the more simple and clean. The looping soundtrack soothes you while you remain on the page. It is a very well done user experience.

One problem though: it’s Flash only, so do not expect the experience to resonate through your Apple iPad; an unfortunate shame.

More looks after the click.

Later this month, MIT Press will be releasing a new book, “Ai Weiwei’s Blog: Writings, Interviews, and Digital Rants, 2006-2009,” and the timing could not be better to bring my light on the  Chinese activist and artist. The book collects Ai Weiwei’s blog writings and more, much of it “removed” by Chinese authorities.

“In 2006, even though he could barely type, China’s most famous artist started blogging. For more than three years, Ai Weiwei turned out a steady stream of scathing social commentary, criticism of government policy, thoughts on art and architecture, and autobiographical writings. He wrote about the Sichuan earthquake (and posted a list of the schoolchildren who died because of the government’s “tofu-dregs engineering”), reminisced about Andy Warhol and the East Village art scene, described the irony of being investigated for “fraud” by the Ministry of Public Security, made a modest proposal for tax collection. Then, on June 1, 2009, Chinese authorities shut down the blog.”

Available from Amazon.

If you have not taken a moment to read our “Curated Q&A” with Alison Klayman, Director of  “Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry,” we recommend it.

The resurgence of the Woolrich company is a story in itself. They’ve made a strong attack on menswear in the last couple season and one piece that shows that they’re here to stay is the classic “Double Breasted Jacket.” It is  modern interpretation of without the wide body cut. A perfect lightweight jacket for Spring. Tobi has them.

More looks after the click.

Portugal’s Por Vacacao stopped in at the Raf Simons showroom for Autumn 2011 and took these great shots. “Last month during women’s fashion week, we made a special short trip to Paris to buy the AW11 Raf Simons collection that had already been presented in January but with no appointments made at the time. As we like to get things done first thing, we arrived early at the gigantic, hangar like showroom and had it just for ourselves for a while. With our hands full with one of Raf’s best collections to date…”

More looks after the click.

Ralph Lauren has always had an eye for true American inspired clothing. They’ve recently released their new “Rugged” Collection with a couple outerwear pieces and accessories. The “Denim Safari Jacket” was designed to have a really distressed aesthetic which gives it a somewhat 60’s styled look. The jacket features a pointed collar and button placket with RL 1967 buttons, bellow pockets at the chest,

More looks after the click.

Started by Sam and Henry Rush, Handsom merges English style and Australian inspiration for menswear. The “Handsom Shorts Slacks” comes in a “Dusty Rose” colorway and can be worn “cuffed or uncuffed.” The shorts offer a five pocket detail and run true to size. Another awesome piece to add the arsenal of Summer gear. TomorrowsLaundry has them,

More looks after the click.

Montreal, Quebec based duo Dexter and Byron Peart give us a new take on iPhone holder. The Newberry iPhone Case is “named after Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina.” It’s essentially a leather case with a wallet like feel to mask the phone. “Blending intelligent design with simple, sleek functionality, their line reflects the growing inter-connectivity of the modern world.” RodenGray has them.

More looks after the click.

Beau Colburn today…

01. Japanese surprise
So nice. Just watch. (youtube)

02. Where Did The Original Green Monster Scoreboard Go? (above)
“The unique part of it was, we had to have a special insurance policy on it. Because inside that old scoreboard were signatures of players, bat boys, score people, whoever had signed the inside of that scoreboard all those years, and we had to make sure we didn’t destroy that.” (wbur)

03. Exploring The Abandoned McKittrick Hotel
“And then we turned a corner, and I found myself in the original McKittrick lobby. For a second, I couldn’t speak. Other than minor alterations, like new lighting and exit signs, this is EXACTLY what guests would have seen when the McKittrick Hotel first opened in 1939, carefully preserved for over 70 years.” (scountingny)

04. Slaughterhouse Shortage Stunting Area’s Eat-Local Movement
“One might expect the Bay Area — as the epicenter of the eat-local movement and a region with a long tradition of cattle ranching — to be a mecca for producers of organic and grass-fed beef. But there is a problem: a shortage of slaughterhouses is so acute that it is stunting the growth of this emerging industry.”(nyt)

Some serious bangers from the Concord line as seen at Baselword 2011. “The new C2 collection has a similar hexagonal case shape, to the original C1, but with a substantially thinner case (at 12.75 mm versus 16.7 mm on the C1). The C2 is a more accessible than the C1 line, with prices starting just under six thousand dollars.” The C2 features a 43mm casing and optional PVD coatings, for those who are asking… (pw)

More looks after the click.

Wintercheck Factory delivers this dual-use pair of shorts. Inside the shorts you’ll find swim trunks which snap off the exterior. Jump in the water as needed. The quality looks to be their top priority. “The fabric for this garment is milled in Massachusetts with a Hydrowick coating for wicking moisture management and the liner is made with high quality Toray Japanese mesh.” U.S.A. made and available in two colors.

More looks after the click.