Our admiration for Mr Matsuda’s work at Yuketen is no secret. A label that seems to get it right time after time, this offering over at Coggles is another in a long line of satisfyingly chunky shoes. The Country Ranger deck shoe is a substantial pice of footwear. Crepe sole, leather laces, two tone suede and all contructed using handmade moccasin techniques. The stitching once again the star of the show.

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Secret Forts give us a closer look at some new styles from Stanley & Sons who continue to do great things with canvas and leather. The black satchel looks to be the pick of an impressive bunch, some nice touches with the back leather pocket and cross body strap. We’d be more than happy with any of these though.

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Epaulet Ashland Ikat tie, a nice alternative to the current stream of chambray and knitted models doing the rounds. Using a traditional dyeing technique popular for centuries in many different cultures, the combination of colours is just on the right side of bold. The guys describe this as “slim without being “skinny” or trendy.” We can get with that. (Epaulet)

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A few looks at the very favorite Paz de la Huerta as photographed by Terry Richardson in his studio. Mr. Richardson usually associates a run of photos on his Terrysdiary feed with a mention of the major periodical placement. In this case, none is mentioned. We can only imagine it being a one off studio visit. Nice finale as well.

More looks after the click.

James Franco narrates the new movie on Charles and Ray Eames. “Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life — from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age — has been less widely understood.”

Opens November 18 at the IFC Center in New York City. More info at First Run Features.

Cut and sewn in Los Angeles, these new tartan overshirts from Left Field are made from 100% cotton 12oz American tartan twill. That makes them very heavy; you can wear them as an overshirt if you like. It is also slim fit so if you plan on wearing it a bit more baggy, be sure to size up. Also features  corozo buttons and an old school “union” tag.

More looks after the click.

Here’s the truth: using the headphone jack on your  iPod, iPhone or iTouch for a stereo system connection is not ideal for getting the best sound. That headphone jack was made for headphones, not for sending audio to your stereo system. When you think about the good money you spend on buying that ultimate hi-fi setup, it seems a crying shame to not give your iPod the best output it can. Peachtree Audio makes the iDAC: a true digital to analog converter that provides the very best way to play music out of your iPod through your stereo. The top of the unit features a built in iPhone, iPod dock and countless connections on the rear to get you up and running.

But it does not stop there. The Peachtree Audio iDAC also acts as a converter to output directly from your computer as well using a USB connection. I use a similar DAC now for sending music to my stereo and it is a strong improvement in sound. This device is of course for the hi-fi aficionado (ie: geeks like me) and does not come cheap. The Peachtree Audio iDAC runs around $1000. Money well spent, truly.

Lots of chatter on Twitter regarding to the new Bespoken Made-to-measure shirt offering. The focus not only notes that these shirts are made at the Turnbull & Asser factory, but the interface for the personalization system itself; it is clean and consistent process which rivals some of the very best systems out there. So what do you get here? “Thomas Mason cloth, mother-of-pearl buttons, and are hand-stitched by 16 skilled craftsmen.” Expect a three week wait for your shirt.

More looks after the click.

Good morning all… some R.E.M. love with Kirsten Dunst.

From R.E.M.’s forthcoming greatest hits collection, “Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982 – 2011.”

01. Florence and the Machine x Karl Lagerfield x The Weeknd (above)

“The Vinyl Factory and Island Records have teamed up to present a limited edition of Florence + the Machine’s new single, ‘Shake It Out’, featuring a remix by The Weeknd and cover photography by Chanel creative director Karl Lagerfield. Released as a limited edition of 500 hand numbered copies, each cover has been screen printed, silver foiled and hand numbered on pristine white card and features a unique series of photographic portraits personally taken by the fashion legend, which will remain exclusive to these releases. Each sleeve houses a heavyweight 180-gram white vinyl contained in a silver inner bag. The record itself is the only physical release of ‘Shake It Out’, and includes the much sought after remix by The Weeknd, which you can listen to below. The edition is available to pre-order now and is released next Monday, October 31″ (fact)

02. Dam-Funk & Master Blazter Direct To Disc LP (above)

“Throughout the year, Stones Throw has been producing a series of live shows in a recording studio facility in east L.A. The shows are being recorded directly to vinyl as they happen with no computers, tape, or digital gear used in the recording process. Dam-Funk and his band Master Blazter played Direct to Disc #3 on August 19th, and we’re now presenting the vinyl cut from the session. This 6-track LP is a limited edition, hand-stamped white label. Pre-orders are available now. We expect to have the records in time for Dam’s homecoming show at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles.” (stonesthrow)

03. Void collection Sessions 1981-83 Out Now

“The new Void collection Sessions 1981-83 is in-stock and orders are going out the door today. We apologize for the delay in getting all the vinyl orders out the door immediately but demand was overwhelming (and that’s a GOOD thing!).” (dischord)