Last year I made a big mistake. I subscribed to no less than ten magazines thinking I’d have time to read (at least some of) them. Truth is, I’ve probably read 3 of some 130 issues I’ve received which is a shame since I actually am interested in most of the topics they covered. I was soon presented with a dilemma – what to do with all these magazines? I didn’t want to get rid of them since they weren’t free but I couldn’t just stack them up in a box shoved into a corner. Half the solution presented itself with my new coffee table where I laid out half the magazines on the bottom shelf. I think I found the other half with Brad Ascalon’s magazine rack. The Ricochet is made of a single piece of 3/16″ thick steel twisted and warped in a chaotic and surprisingly soothing fashion. The design allows you to choose how you want to position the magazines, often forcing you to gently bend or roll up the periodicals to fit in the odd crevices. The ends are capped with mahogany which adds not only protection but also a touch of luxury to the product.

Gravis has always succeeded by blending board-sport function with design-conscious fashion into quality shoes. When winter rolls near, I always start looking for some kicks that will look good AND keep my feet dry. Gravis has them this year. For trips to the slopes, I reccommend the Alpine Boots, which incorporate a warm, water-repellant combo of premium full-grain oiled leather, pigskin lining, and high traction soles. For apres ski, try the Mansfield, which bands casual good looks with water repellant performance. And for the night scene, definitely rock the ‘Gravis-chic’ Lowdown slip-ons, which are made of crocodile emboss full-grain leather. Also–for those who appreciate the combination of art and footwear, Gravis — with the help of NYC artist Alice Mizrachi — is launching a special release holiday series of shoes with a Native American theme. For this line, Gravis is twisting up the look of three classic styles — the Hi-Cut Tarmac, Ramble and Lawrence — with super-unique footbeds, toe stitch detailing, embroidery, and trim (to be released: October 1).

Lisa Solberg, local Artist and JoshSpear.com friend is having a show at the Aspen Art Museum October 13-29th. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Lisa is now a full-time traveling artist. Inspired by fashion, travel, freaks, fortune, buddhas, lions, owls tigers, oceans, surfing, skateboarding, cathedrals and statues her work is both refreshing and fun. Check her out, and if you’re in Aspen on the 12th make sure to pop by the museum for the reception party that evening.

Phillips’ design probe program SKIN takes a far-future look at the kinds of clothes we may be wearing in 2020–let’s just say they will display more than just cleavage. The SKIN program challenges the present societal notion that our lives are better merely because we live in a digital world. SKIN’s futuristic garments incorporate ‘analog’ phenomena such as emotional sensors to give them ’sensitive’ and ‘emotional’ attributes, rather than ‘intelligent’ features. Have you ever tried to throw a vibe across a bar to a member of the opposite sex and for some reason think that they didn’t pick up on it? The SKIN garments would act as proxies for those emotional feelings you have difficulty communicating. Using biometric sensing technology, the Bubelle-Blush Dress would sense your emotions on its inner layer, projecting them out onto the outer layer, and the Frisson body suit would display the wearer’s appropriate level of excitement on its many LEDs. In short, the SKIN garments would act as proxies for those emotional feelings you have difficulty communicating. Obviously, these emo-clothes are far from boutique shelves, but the idea is intriguing and thought-provoking nonetheless.

Hecklewood, the maker of fine tees and hoodies has upped the ante with their new TANNER leather products including nice slim wallet/card holders and finely crafted messenger bags. “TANNER leather goods are designed and constructed to be functionally sound, utilitarian, and durable,” and because each piece is cut, sewn, and branded from a single hide of leather, you can expect unparalleled quality. Two styles of messenger bags are available for pre-order and there are currently a limited amount of the wallet/card holders available through PayPal, at least until the new site is up and running. We personally can't wait to get our hands on one of the Spaghetti Western wallets. Like a good pair of jeans, continued wear will only enhance the appearance of these amazing products. Look for more bi-fold wallets, women's clutches, and more this fall, only from Hecklewood! More product pictures after the jump…
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Kyle grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, a Mecca for hip-hop, soul food and cold drinks. While cherishing the slow life of his upbringing, Kyle also embraces the rapid life of the modern world. Upon graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology, he worked for the Japanese government in Japan and then the United States, but his love for Tokyo led him back in 2006. Eternally dissatisfied with the status quo, he is presently starting out on a new trajectory at graduate school at Waseda University in Tokyo until at least late 2008. While in Japan he will indulge his passion for all things beautiful, bewitching and breathtaking in order to provide this website with a smattering of stock from the land of the rising sun. So keep reading on to find out all about the latest from Tokyo's 23-ku and beyond.

A few months back Josh gave all you denim enthusiast a little love with his post on dry denim and Nudie Jeans. So, I thought I would go to the opposite end of the spectrum and talk about a company that is setting itself apart in terms of distressed denim. PRPS, also known as Purpose, lives by the slogan “bruised but never broken,” because each pair of jeans is put through various treatments, washes and hand-done details to give it that amazing finish. Originally marketed towards the urban market with a more relaxed fit, PRPS has unveiled two new cuts this year; a boot cut and a slim fit. They always say to look under the hood when you buy a car and the same goes with jeans. When you roll the cuff up on a pair of PRPS’s you will see a beautiful selvedge denim made from Zimbabwe cotton. The denim dream of the founder of Akademics and ex-Nike designer, PRPS defines perfection in today’s over saturated denim market. Though a pair of jeans from them will cost you $300 or more, it feels good to know that your pants are the definition of perfection.