Interesting use of Salt & Pepper fabric, more often associated with  vintage shop coats and shirts. Hexico of Osaka have employed it to great affect with this Stand fall collar coat. 100% cotton, quilt stitch neckband, leather backed buttons, lots of nice detail on this excellent overcoat – a nice piece if you’re of the layering persuasion.

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November’s issue of Wallpaper* is blazing good. With its subscriber only Alan Aldridge cover, to “The Retail Directory 2008″ which treats readers (print and online) to a compendium of design driven retail outlets from the Lanvin London, Alife Tokyo, to No 74 in Berlin.

Two shops not listed in the directory but clearly are Wallpaper* “approved” are the new Raf Simons‘ retail locales in Tokyo and Osaka. They happen to be Simons’ first flagship stores (almost hard to believe). As Wallpaper* describes them, “The Belgian menswear designer, known for his young, tailored aesthetic, turned to acclaimed international artists Sterling Ruby and Roger Hiorns to create two thoroughly unique retail experiences.” Read it all at Wallpaper*.

More images of both the Tokyo and Osaka Raf Simons’ Flagship stores after the jump. 

Based in Osaka, Japan, Master-piece has been making utility bags for everyday use since 1994. Master-piece looks to construct bags that focus on durability and functionality. Their Spring/Summer 2008 collection, "Tactical & Graphic" continues this long tradition with a variety of field totes, waist sacks and more.

View more of Master-piece’s Spring/Summer 2008 bag collection after the jump.