Ever since Mad Men debuted we’ve been trying to pull off a slick 60’s ad man style. Either we’ve been wearing the wrong tie or we accidentally put on a trucker hat instead of a fedora, because it isn’t working. Thankfully the new men’s lifestyle site, Valet, has advice straight from the source. Their four part feature explores the style of each character on AMC’s hit show with the assistance of costume designer Janie Bryant. The article takes a look at which current designers are taking their cues from the fads of post-war America, and even lists vital accessories and tips to help you dress the part.
We just got word from Star Electric Eighty Eight that the X-Rated Romps collection of tees with hand-drawn prints by Frenchie Datrumpf just dropped on their site. As usual, they look nothing short of excellent. The story goes that Datrumpf used to punch in at his job at a jail (we’re dying to know more, but that’s all they’ll give) in France, and considering the images are inspired from actual newspaper photos, I imagine there must have been lots of reading time while on the clock. SEEE’s also got cotton rags with the same prints that look almost too good to use.
Up until recently, the term “interactive fashion” really only meant one thing: Zippers that were easy to get your boyfriend (or girlfriend) out of at the end of the night. Di Mainstone wants those words to take on a new meaning — one that can involve way more than two people.
Sharewear, a pair of electronic dresses that work together to create pools of light, were designed by Di while in residency at V2 in Rotterdam. They represent an absorbing new take on both interactive media and fashion. Designed to be worn by two people in unison, the dresses physically slot together, and in doing so activate different pools of light and shadow. The unique dresses (which, to be fair, might be better described as costumes, because even the ballsiest of fashionistas would consider them pretty futuristic) play with the lights and darks to create new lightscapes, and can be manipulated by both the dress wearers and the audience — should they choose to be involved.
If all of this is sounding terribly techy, get your right brain cranking with the visuals in this video, which could be best described as Power Rangers meets stoicism meets, well — you know — Europe.
Wallets have a habit of getting filled up with a year’s worth of receipts that make your pants look as though you’re attempting to “compensate for something down there.” If being conspicuous about the location of your funds has more appeal than giving a false impression about your groin to the ladies, perhaps the Money Band is for you. We know it’s a rubber band, but this is not your everyday office supply. The Money Band is sized half-an-inch shorter and a little wider than your average band to fit perfectly around cards and bills, proving when it comes to where you keep your cash, size matters.
[ED NOTE:We want to hear from you. Is this true design innovation or just clever marketing?]
Bay Area designer, and poster artist for the indy stars, Jason Munn brings his clever, literal style to the world of T-shirts. In a limited set of tees, hoodies, and posters for Insound entitled the Insound 20, Munn blesses 20 bands with his simple storybook cover technique. The line-up includes Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists, Beirut, She & Him, The National and more. Each is a signature piece that is a graphic interpretation of the band’s name and the feel of their music, yielding sweet looking designs that you might only “get” with a second look. My personal favorite is the one for The New Pornographers.
When someone like you is in need of a sweet new T-shirt design you can always count on People Like Us. No, not us. You know JS.com is always good for it, but we’re referring to our buddy Jeremy Somers. His label has recently released three hot new designs for the summer swelter (although technically it’s winter where he lives). Their fresh looks come courtesy a trio of talented artists including Somers (Beautiful Squid), Swiss artist At-elier (Lovecraft), and Paris’s Théo Gènnitsakis (God’s Explosion).
Between morning talk show pundits, party canvassers, and New Yorker covers, we don’t know who to vote for in the next election (for the purposes of this post). If only there was a candidate who represented nothing, will work for nobody, but is endorsed by a hot clothing company with a 30% Off sale going on. Rex Vanderwoodsen is Attus Apparel’s nominee for the White House, and he wants you *finger pointing* to buy a shirt. Just enter the promo code: REXFORPRES and he’ll hook you up. That’s just how the next leader of the free world rolls.
Momimomi has taken on an “everything must go” mentality as they kick off their big Summer sale. With a new site launch slated for the fall, prices have been slashed so that you can get your claws on some quality tees for low, low prices (and so they can stock their virtual shelves with fresh new items). Every single shirt will be available for less than $30. So if you’re got the need … the need for tees, there’s never been a better (or cheaper) time to get to shoppin’.
Hand-knits are just the best. They usually feature soft, luxurious yarns, creative designs, and thanks to the humans cranking them out, each piece is often just slightly different. In 2004, sisters Calliste and Carissa Yeboah turned their passion for knitting, crocheting, and felting into more than just a hobby when they started selling handmade, natural fiber accessories under the moniker Madewithhands at London’s Sunday Upmarket.
Their homespun goods are now available through a range of shops (check the stockist link on their site) so you too can have them without having to trek to the market on a lazy Sunday. Whether you need a new crocheted bowtie, a colorful case for your laptop, or just a simple knitted tiara, we think you’ll find what you’re looking for.
And ... if you’ve got the skills, here’s the pattern for one of their knitted hats: Knit one, purl two is how it goes, right?
Ben Walters has been busy. He’s traveled across the nation and around the world, before finally calling Shanghai home. In 2007, he turned his focus to the shoe industry, starting ospop. The brand’s first offering are the Tian Lang Trainers, known and loved by millions of blue collar Chinese workers. Like the Warrior Shoes, the Trainers are popular for both their utilitarian nature and iconic design. One Small Point of Pride (ospop) worked closely with the Tian Lang factory to produce a version that stays true to the original design while employing better materials to create a more durable and comfortable shoe. Last fall, ospop released the Skywolf series in three colorways. This summer, the Departure series will introduce an additional six. The kicks can be found in a worldwide network of dealers as well as on ospop.com
Let’s explore a hypothetical: Say you’re at a trade show … like possibly MAGIC in Las Vegas this August. You’re there on the floor of the convention center, eating some fried dough, displaying your laminate with the holographic entitlement sticker, picking up some schwag, when all of a sudden the sales pitch robots at the table gasp in horror. Yes, you’re wearing this shirt. JB Classics Lab was inspired by that same scenario and came out with this colorful quip of a T-shirt for their new “The Dead List” series. The next time somebody in a polo and chinos starts talking to you about shifting your global distribution platform, just tap the front of the shirt and stare straight ahead as you wait in line for Lou Ferrigno to sign your bicep.
The thought of indulging in Cookies-n-Cream is always a sweet proposition, but after peeping a peak at the hot new line of tees by the company adorned with our favorite ice cream flavor’s moniker, it’s an even tastier suggestion. The New York-based lifestyle brand Cookies-n-Cream is the product of two creative minds, Scrills and P., who, inspired by their love of ice cream and baked goods, have put together some delicious designs ready to be eaten up by an eager public. While their designs are currently only available at the Young Designers market on Mulberry Street in New York’s Nolita Section, you should soon be able to pick up their precious wares at their website, BakedinNY.com. Mmmm mmmm good.
For all of the modern, urban, design-savvy males out there, please don't call this bag a “murse.” Lots of guys these days have figured out the convenient utility of a good old messenger bag, but what happens if you want the ease of carrying around everything you own but still want to look a little street? That's where San Francisco-based bag makers Timbuk2 and perennial Josh Spear fav Threadless steps in.
Pumping up classic messenger bags from Timbuk2 with some of the most popular T-shirt graphics from Threadless, they've combined high-end graphic design with the need to carry stuff around with you. Even better, you can rock the matching bag and tee at the same time — if you think you're man enough to handle it.
Hot prints from New England-based design duo GlueKit, eclectic visual artist Julia Sonmi Heglund, and self-taught fine artist Robert Hardgrave adorn the three limited edition bags. Held to an exclusive 200 of each print (read: buy them now before they're gone) these bags are up for grabs now, directly from Timbuk2.
When I think of the small businesses I’d open up, I keep them limited to the realm of practicality. I’m talking clothing boutique, small restaurant, etc. When I hear about someone who starts their own car, shoe, or watch company, I am intrigued. Over the years, my interest in watches has progressively increased while my counterparts ditched them for cell phones. I think of the timepieces as work of art, both aesthetically and mechanically. It’s only fitting that a watchmaker would be considered an artist.
Dion McAsey started Magrette Timepieces while he was still a Managing Director of a creative agency. Surprisingly, he says it was an easy transition because he took it slow, learning along the way. He’s formed partnerships on a global scale, using straps from Canada, hands/dials from Germany, and a Japanese movement. Everything gets assembled by hand in New Zealand and tested (water and regulation).
Last year’s release, the Regattare Valencia, sports a 21-jewel Miyota movement, 2mm sapphire glass, a beautiful dial and luminescent hands, and two leather straps to match any occasion. Like all the Magrette watches it’s nautically themed, with this particular model displaying the America’s Cup colors. What impresses me most about Magrette is that you are buying a total package. Customer service, the packaging (you have got to see the leather roll case), and the extras (straps, tool, handwritten warranty card) make for a very pleasing experience. If you’re looking for a dependable watch that can work at both the office and a the post-work bar, check them out.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, this watch looks strikingly similar to the historic Panerai, one of my favorite timepieces. It is, however, significantly cheaper for those of you without rich girlfriends, good jobs, or a taste in extraordinary time keeping. Thanks for all the comments, we love them.]
Warsaw, Poland may be known for the infamous ghettos of World War II, but these days it’s garnering plenty of positive attention as a European center of style. As home to one of the several European incarnations of the Comme Des Garcones Guerrilla Stores it would be an understatement to say modern street style has flourished within the confines of the city. The proprietor of CDG Guerrilla shop hasn’t stopped spreading the style love, as his second shop, Warszawska Nike is currently celebrating it’s first anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, the store is featuring sweet limited edition shirts (40 each) designed by the likes of Alex Purdy, Eboy, and Ill studio, amongst others. If you find yourself in Warsaw (not likely, but still…) in the coming weeks, we recommend checking it out. Or head to their website — provided you or a friend can read Polish. Or you can just contact Serek directly. Shirt pics after the jump…
Wallets have a habit of getting filled up with a year’s worth of receipts that make your pants look as though you’re attempting to “compensate for something down there.” If being conspicuous about the location of your funds has more appeal than giving a false impression about your groin to the ladies, perhaps the 
Let’s explore a hypothetical: Say you’re at a trade show … like possibly MAGIC in Las Vegas this August. You’re there on the floor of the convention center, eating some fried dough, displaying your laminate with the holographic entitlement sticker, picking up some schwag, when all of a sudden the sales pitch robots at the table gasp in horror. Yes, you’re wearing this shirt. 
The thought of indulging in Cookies-n-Cream is always a sweet proposition, but after peeping a peak at the hot new line of tees by the company adorned with our favorite ice cream flavor’s moniker, it’s an even tastier suggestion. The New York-based lifestyle brand Cookies-n-Cream is the product of two creative minds, Scrills and P., who, inspired by their love of ice cream and baked goods, have put together some delicious designs ready to be eaten up by an eager public. While their designs are currently only available at the Young Designers market on Mulberry Street in New York’s Nolita Section, you should soon be able to pick up their precious wares at their website, 
