Diesel’s creative director, Wilbert Das, seems to have some free time on his hands and does not let it go to waste. His latest personal project, the UXUA Casa Hotel, is built in the fishing village of Trancoso in the Bahia beach state of Brazil. “UXUA is an exclusive creative retreat, nestled amongst lush tropical gardens on the edge of a stunning coastline….an idyllic environment that is aimed at people that want to create and/or be inspired. They can either stay at UXUA as a quiet working retreat- or for pure unadulterated relaxation.”

This weekend the “Original Baltimore” Antique Arms Show hits the charm city. While violence isn’t our thing, there is no denying that antique firearms are, at times, dazzling. Of particular interest is the way the Kentucky rifle worked to spread the Chippendale style west far after its vogue in eastern cities had vanished. Add to that, the show itself is a dizzying piece of Americana in its own right. 1000s of dealers. The finest gathering of Antique Arms dealers in the World. I’ve been told this by enthusiasts and antiques aficionados alike for years, and in 2009 I think my time to check it out has come.

The new BMW Museum opened in Munich back on June 21, 2008. Completing a trio of brand-focused activities (with a factory tour and the BMW Welt), the museum sets new standard for automotive museums. The assembly line display (see images after the jump) is particularly well conceived. On the design front, responsibility goes to Atelier Breucknen. (via Curated).

The recent brew-ha-ha (sorry) about best “blue collar” beers prompts a little investigation beyond subjective voting and toward a history of each. As noted, the beers up for “best” now often come from the same place, but of course that wasn’t always true. Milwaukee, being home to reader favorite Miller, is our focus. However, if you’d like to learn a bit about Philadelphia beer history Art in the Age is showing an exhibition curated by beer historian Rich Wagner.

Among the most interesting pieces of brewery ephemera (in my opinion) are lithographs and related post cards that feature the factory. After the jump, check out examples from Schlitz and Blatz. Just as there is a comforting similarity in the brews, there is also a comforting similarity in the historic branding efforts of some of Milwaukee’s finest. Guided tours of my own beer ephemera collection available on request.

All images in this post come from the Museum of Beer and Brewing.

In our Boston offices, we drink two things: Bourbon (all varieties) and Miller High Life. High Life is well beyond being a beer of the rich and famous – it is a staple beverage that quenches thirst with the snap of champagne, with a little less alcohol. Men.style’s “The Upgrader” believes there are other options in the “Blue Collar Beer” category. (photo: flickr)

We think they’re out of their minds. Kempt does too.

But if you really need to drink something other than a Miller High Life, feel free to browse this handy dandy guide. Good luck.

It’s time for a change for MoMu – Fashion Museum Province of Antwerp. After seven years of showcasing fashion exhibitions locally, they are now planning on putting two of their most celebrated shows on the road – “6+. Antwerp Fashion” and “Maison Martin Margiela (20) The Exhibition.” 

Munich and Tokyo is where they will land. “Maison Martin Margiela (20) The Exhibition/ Die Austellung’ will open on March 19th 2009 at Haus der Kunst in Munich and will run from March 20th until June 1st 2009. ‘6+. Antwerp Fashion’ opens on April 10th 2009 at Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery, Japan and runs from April 11th until June 28th 2009.”

More information is available at www.momu.be.

Over at Valet Mag, they had their ears to the walls at NYFW. Check out the soundbytes and “nuggets” of knowledge they overheard from the likes of Thom Browne, Jeff Halmos and Julia Restoin Roitfeld. Our favorite coming from a model at Lacoste’s 10 am show (above, left), “Tired? I didn’t even make it to bed last night.” Of course you didn’t.

Read the soundbytes at Valet Mag.

Men.Style have an interesting video on Producer 88 Keys, who produced tracks on Mos Def’s Black on Both Sides and dropped an underrated album in ‘Death of Adam’ late last year, speaks on his Polo obsession.

Los Angeles’ D.L. & Co. bring forth these chocolate skulls under the “Mori Ex Cacao” name. “The genesis of DL & Company’s gastronomic collaboration with Valerie Confections is the belief that any modern luxury brand should appeal to all of the senses. Both known for extravagant packages that delight the eye and hand… Loosely translated, MORI EX CACAO is Death by Chocolate – dangerously overwhelming indulgence. These marvelous and macabre chocolate skulls are among the most extravagant confections made today…” (via ic)

More views of the D.L. & Co. “Mori Ex Cacao” Chocolate Skulls after the jump.

Pitti WORKWEAR, a new exhibition project from the people behind Pitti Uomo fashion show, opened to solid reviews on Wednesday. As Bruce Pask at The Moment describes, “There were rows and rows of uniforms, from metallic fireproof suits and Carhartt construction-worker classics to doppelgängers with designer labels: jumpsuits from Thierry Mugler and Agnès b., a leather apron dress from Hermès and some great pieces from Gianni Versace’s 1994 women’s collection inspired by men’s overalls were great representations of the influence of the workman on fashion.” The exhibit gallery will be opened through February 8th at Stazione Leopolda in Florence, Italy.