The guys behind the ever-enigmatic Los Angeles-based jeans brand Crate Denim are getting set to show off what’s to come for their Spring/Summer ‘08 Collection, and if past seasons are any indication of their plans for next year, then you denimheads out there best be getting excited. These are the same lads who are responsible for the appointment-only boutique Secret Service in L.A. that I wrote about a few months ago and that many of you were eager-beaver to experience. If you find yourself in Las Vegas on August 26-29, you should make every effort to forge through the desert heat over to the Platinum Hotel. In typical Crate Denim fashion, they don’t tell us much besides what’s on the flyer and this buried treasure-esque map, so if you have other questions, email them at info[at]cratedenim.com, and maybe they’ll get back to you. Fashion is a little more fun when you have to do some detective work to access it, don’t you think?

Although it’s not as secret anymore, the awesome appointment-only boutique in Downtown Los Angeles aptly named Secret Service is one of those not-to-be-missed men’s shopping experiences. Catering even to guys who claim to despise shopping, SS goes beyond merch and purch to offer a more personalized and social experience complete with ambience, cocktails and privacy. Located in a loft space converted from a former air raid shelter, they carry some great exclusive brands like Nice Collective, Obedient Sons, Surface to Air, B Son, The Cast, Esquivel Shoes and Crate Denim. If you want to see what this place is all about, call for an appointment. They don’t even have a real website, so you’re just going to have to trust me on this one. If they ask how you heard about them, just quietly say “shhhhhh, don’t worry. It’s our little secret.”

I’ve just received word that Marlene Haring, the same artist that brought us the ‘Sucking Marks’ Exhibit at Scope Miami, is going to be performing ‘Secret Service‘ in New York City tomorrow. What is the ‘Secret Service Society,’ you ask? It is a meeting of fixed duration, on a given day, in a single place of an unspecified number of people. Everyone attending the meeting enters into a non-disclosure agreement which states that all transactions taking place during the Secret Service Society shall not be disclosed in any way to anyone else who has not been part of that Secret Service Society. On entering the agreement the Secret Service Society member is given a secret sign which will identify all the members of that particular Secret Service Society. God only know what Ms. Haring has in store for you all this time; but if it’s anything like Sucking Marks, you’re in for a treat! So if you’re in NYC tomorrow, from 1-8 PM, head to the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), 323 West 39th Street– take the lift to the 8th floor. And if you can’t make this event, catch up with Marlene at Scope New York.

For a bargain tropical breeze, a striking blend of cobblestones and bikinis and $20/night Black-sea-views, find your way to Sozopol on the coast in Bulgaria. This might be one of the best-fighting-to-be-kept secrets in Eastern Europe. Bulgarians will tell you its crowded, and the beach is, but it's practically deserted compared to an American resort. Here, women go topless, skinny-dipping is practically encouraged and you can drink wherever you please. Lunch will cost you about a dollar and drinks are equally affordable. Of course, there are trade-offs. Service is far from impeccable, club sandwiches are rare and it costs to go to the bathroom. Small sacrifices for the pleasures that await. I recommend the seafood risotto and the second floor suite at Dr. Divalli's Bistro. Hint: Fly into Bourgas, take a 45 minutes bus ride there, then stroll along Old Town's Apolonia street until you hit the sea. Yes, yes, there's no official web site, but that's the point—it's still a hidden gem!