Happy Friday all. Here is a great read as recommended our brother site highlighting consumption, specifically of the material kind.

“From the hand of Kate Bingaman-Burt, Obsessive Consumption details personal purchase, in illustrated form, from February 2006. It’s a blog turned book success story, but also neatly presented in physical form – enough to push from screen viewing to actual, tangible consumption. Bingaman-Burt fills over 200 pages (a lot of stuff!) with items ranging from the New York Times to trousers. The obsessive part, I believe, is in her compulsion to note each object bought…” (photo: Brain Pickings)

Available from Amazon.

Creative Review passes over this excellent reference article, this Friday, on the making of a 1954 Coca-Cola neon sign. A great one for fans of the details. “In the new issue of CR, I talk to Coca-Cola archivist, Ted Ryan, about the history of the brand’s 125 year-old identity, explored in a new show at the Design Museum. One of the highlights of the display is a book documenting the design and build of their first neon sign for Piccadilly Circus, in 1954…”

Read and see more at Creative Review.

It would seem that Pierre Cardin has been busy. WSJ Magazine’s has reported on his acquisition of numerous buildings in the French village of Lacoste. “To find Pierre Cardin, I had to visit a construction site in the tiny village of Lacoste in Provence. The legendary fashion designer has purchased a vast array of buildings there over the past decade, and, the locals advised me, he was taking a hands-on approach to their reconstruction. His acquisitions now number more than 40, the most famous being the château of the notorious 18th-century libertine the Marquis de Sade.”

Read the complete article at WSJ Magazine.

Straight from Harrisburg, PA, Tröegs Sunshine Pils is a crisp Summer brew with the kicked up hops you’d expect from an American craft brewer. Available through August. Hits at 5.3% ABV.

“Film by Donald Milne & art directed by Kenneth Mackenzie of 6876 portraying the Classic and hand crafted nature of the Regent factory in Northampton which manufactures Rsix.” (bc)

A favorite amongst our staff, Balmain delivers their Spring/Summer 2012 presentation of men’s fashion that clearly show exceptional tailoring while keeping a strong connection to all. Every garment in the collection has a street friendly appeal: from vests with leather appliqué to the hooded waist coat (above, left). Balmain is delivering on a level with more universal appeal than most fashion houses. Some of the most wearable, high-end looks on the market today and tomorrow. Do yourself a favor and spend some time in this gallery. (ny)

More looks after the click.

The second hand on the new IWC Montre d’Aviateur Chronographe Edition Patrouille Suisse is a sight to be seen. Produced specifically for the Swiss market and limited to 300 units, the IWC Montre d’Aviateur Chronographe celebrated the daredevil air acrobatic arm of the Swiss Air Force.

Vogue.it delivers this great video conversation with Adam Kimmel on his past and current inspirations for collection. Most importantly, he discusses the development of a masculine, well tailored clothing line that differentiates itself from the pack.

Just in. Looks from the Kris Van Assche Spring/Summer 2012 runway show. The “One Life” collection looks to bring memories of a “cool attitude and the warming sun.” The suits tell the story: grey cotton and linens play well with off black and white takes. They’re describing the suiting as perfect for a men “fresh out of adolescence.” We think they’re great for all.

Photography: Patrice Stable

Many more looks after the click.

The Highsobs provide their take on the Alexander Wang menswear collection for Spring 2012. “As usual, Wang kept the aesthetic sleek and minimal, with plenty of sportswear references with a colour palette of blues, grays, black and white. The collection included lots of standout outerwear pieces, including the streamlined leather bomber jacket above.”

More looks at the collection over on Highsnobiety.