I’m totally feeling the luxe behind Stussy’s Deluxe line of slick accessories, where black makes an important play. The spotlight of the collection is the bags — a backpack and a messenger — in nylon accented with shiny, full-grain patent leather. However, the bona fide Deluxe Flask, chrome that’s been wrapped in leather, takes the prize. I can’t see a better way of carrying my favorite liquor around. Yeah, the economy sucks, fists are getting super tight, but this is the stuff that keeps inspiration flowing.
Always ones to mix the expected with the unexpected, La tete au cube returns with more unique items for the fall, including a votive candle that burns for 48 hours and updates its progress via a bar on the side, a coat hanger/candleholder that makes it even easier to burn your house down, and precious cotton napkins that will make your picnic guest think they’re crawling with ants.
First, Incase surprised us with their incredibly relevant, timely, and bad ass KRINK/Arkitip collaboration laptop sleeve. Next up, they’re collaborating with Dutch artist Parra. Known for combining bright colors and his mastery of fonts (and in this case it looks like great embroideries), I think we’re really in for a treat. The product will be available for sale in the Arkitip curated section online on the 24th of October. And we can’t wait to see what they do, and who they work with next.
The Apple iPhone has many practical uses. Owners employ their magical machine for just about everything from taking photos or surfing the Internet. Many treat their jack-of-all electronics with the tender loving care they would treat a newborn babe. In other words, they would never use it as a coaster. (You wouldn’t balance a beer on an infant either.) Luckily, Brazil’s Meninos Design has the cure for such slightly inhumane inklings. Their iPhone Icon coasters allow fans of the phone to place their drinks on their favorite applications — without the touch screen getting all freaky.
Chotovelli E Figli , or Chotovelli and Sons is a third generation Italian orologiaio (watchmaker) family, based in Torino. Back in 1920, a man by the name of Mr. Simone Chotovelli began repairing and restoring old mechanical movements, and he was known all over Italy for his incredible dedication and craft. In 1967, he passed on his knowledge and know how to his son Yitchak Chotovelli who continued the wishes of his father to also became a master watch-man. In the early ’80s Yitzchak moved his family to Antwerp with a foray into the fine jewelry and diamond trade, and for a short time the watch-focused family was silent. Only a few years ago however, in 2005, brothers and sister Chotovelli were inspired to revive the family tradition and launched the unique new line pictured here. Their popularity in Europe exploded, as they’re known for both their affordability (you get a U-boat look and feel at the fraction of the cost) and quality. If you’ve been lusting for a big face but balking at the limited-edition prices of U-boats, Panerai and the like, give these watches a look — 80 years of history can’t be wrong.
These watches are available online through our friends at WatchUSeek.com
I love hearing about new time instrument companies because it means that the wristwatch is making a comeback (or at least not going anywhere). Launched this summer in Southern California by David Bonaventura, TSOVET is merging old and new school for some very eye-catching and functional pieces that don’t break the bank. Drawing cues from vintage industrial gauges and avionics, the watches have a decidedly utilitarian look. In contrast, the watches are paired with thick leather straps and large faces which makes them dressy and relevant in today’s “big is better” world. By combining Swiss quartz movements, Italian leather, and special touches like PVD coating (on certain models), TSOVET watches are raising the bar and they are giving consumers a much needed alternative to the mall-brand timepieces. Launching with 4 styles, 16 colorways total, the product will hit store shelves in a few weeks. I will certainly make a stop at my local retailer (Blue Bee) and check out the AT76 (pictured).
The Norse gods of weather gear at SWIMS have always made sloshing around in the rain stylish. Whether keeping raindrops off of your head or out of your socks, they’ve consistently been able to make the words dry and dapper go hand in hand. This time around is no different as they release their new collection of Mobster galoshes. The zip up ankle boots, available in both black and brown, fit right over your favorite kicks to keep dampness from infiltrating your feet — which might eventually come in handy if you ever have to sleep with the fishes.
Though there are some good examples of watches that have non-traditional ways of telling time, most of these are limited to using LED’s, dots, or other gimmicky methods. The traditional mechanical watch has not changed much since it was invented. Lately, we have been seeing some major effort put behind creating innovative watches that are mechanically based, yet boast complications that are far more complex than anything we are used to. No stranger to the world of high-end watches, Geneva-based Urwerk has introduced the UR103 Hexagon. A limited edition of only ten pieces, the UR103 is similar in it’s time-display functions to the Blackbird we previously covered. However, their are major differences in the aesthetics including the shape of the crystal and case. The Hexagon is housed in “black platinum” (PE-CVD) and measures 50mm x 36mm x 13.mm - not a small watch. It has a power reserve of 43 hours and a very unique control board on the reverse side which allows for user adjustment (regulation), and monitoring of the power reserve and even a chrono meter. At a price that rivals many sports cars and an edition you can count on two hands, the UR103 Hexagon is definitely for the discerning consumer.
Headphones can hurt. Those DJ style cups might sound great and make you look like an aficionado, but the cartilage in your ears feels the pain of prolonged use, and no matter how compact those ear buds are, the sound could always be better. Enter Coosh, headphones designed not only to fit comfortably and stay on, but to deliver high quality sound and look dope doing it. The adjustable ear-pieces come equipped with little pluses, like an inline mic for phone use and a right angle jack so that your music doesn’t stop dead when you accidentally yank at the cord (you know it’s happened to you a hundred times). Have a look at coosh.com
Industrial designer Justin Porcano has a way of turning inanimate objects into items of mass sex appeal. Whether we’re looking at his exquisite furniture work or some of his product creations, we often can’t help but fall in love at first sight. It’s no wonder clients such as Target and Dell have lined up to work with his Oakland based company, Upwell Design. Even with corporations clamoring for his services, Justin finds the time to continue to churn out quality designed products that, along with artistry, always do an astonishing job incorporating function into their form. His latest samples, an artist’s penbook for the designer on the go and incredibly sleek lightswitch wallplates, certainly uphold that tradition and are most definitely worth a look.
TokyoFlash watches have made their way around the Internet for their creative watch faces and amazing design. They’ve just launched a new watch that may be the most straight forward watch in their inventory, but it is so smooth. The LED powered digital watch displays the time in an easy to read format (have a look at some of their more math oriented approaches to telling the time) and is beautiful and bright. It’s true, the Japanese are living in the future. Maybe if we’re really nice Josh can pick up a couple while he is in Tokyo.
We all know disposable shopping bags make waste, but what’s the alternative when you see something you’ve got to have and your earth-friendly tote bag is sitting at home? Makers of chic wares Lovegrove & Respucci have an answer that’s not only compact but looks pretty darn cool, all the while showing your commitment to the ‘War On Plastic’. The Greenaid is a resuable shopping bag hidden away in a grenade you can clip to your usual daily accessory and use for your shopping-on-the-fly needs.
In your heyday, you were certainly a pro at Playstation. You consistently took on Gran Turismo at the highest setting. And while It may be some time since you last finished off a fellow fighter in Mortal Kombat, there’s no doubt you’re a four star general in the gamers army, and we think it’s about time you received a commendation for your valor. The folks at Supermandolini heartily agree, which is why they’re honoring your brave service with their Console Wars Veteran II pin series. The second in a series of limited edition medals for video game enthusiasts, the new collection features a Playstation controller comprised of enamel and gold finish — an evolutionary step up from their premiere pin which boasted the remote of the trusty NES. As your video game career rises through the ranks, so must your pins.
Sometimes you see somebody rocking a clever piece of gear that makes you say “Ha! Awesome…” Behold, one of these very items. The My Documents Laptop Sleeve is a 15.4″ neoprene computer carrying case in the shape of one of those familiar yellow folders on your desktop. Get on this before everyone’s got one and elicit awe at your leisure.
Greetings. Salutations. Time to win some free #$#% again!
If you’ve kept up with the site, you know about Hulger and their desire to see the whole mobile phone carrying world go retro. This week we’re giving you the opportunity to take home any of their chunky, corded handsets that connect to your slim, cellular phone.
The Prize: One Hulger handset of your choice (retail value, from $39 - $190)
This Week’s Rules: We’re feeling a little jaunty this week, so here’s a pop culture themed phone question: What is the worst cell phone product placement in a movie? Everyone has seen a flick that either puts the brand name front and center, uses the phone as a major plot device, or — if you’ve been out recently, as we have — just puts a whole f-ing commercial before the film. Point these out to us, and the one that makes us groan the loudest wins. Winners announced on Friday.