Just a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned Rhombus Wear, the clothing line by NY duo James and Lisa Clunie. This is the stuff created for the ultra-dope inner nerd creeping around in all of us. Their shirts feature patterns like “binary” and “standardized test;” there’s got to be a solid pick-up line hidden in a shirt that looks like a scantron test right?

This season’s collection is the first they’ve created and last I’d spoken to them, distribution wasn’t finalized. That’s all changed! They’ve now launched an online store on the Rhombus Wear site, making it uber-simple to find what you want and get it to your door, no fuss. Sweet action.
Related: Rhombus Wear

International fashion label Closed just introduced (alongside their Fall collection) a new and beautiful site. Initially known for their creation of the first pedal-pushers (gasp!) in late 1970’s, Closed has maintained a history of staying a bit ahead of the trends, a characteristic they have nicely carried into their latest web design. In a palate of comforting, rainy day colors, the site immediately enters full screen mode, making clicking through their simply displayed men’s and women’s collections feel more like a private showing than an internet breeze-through. The styles themselves are certainly nice enough, but the real reason I felt like posting about them was so our readers could check out a example of a site that does an equally impressive job carrying out Closed’s overall brand message as it does displaying their product. I didn’t have any luck finding out who is responsible for this amazing site, but if anyone happens to know, be sure to let us know so we can give them a post of their own.

Created for the inner nerd in all of us — the ultra-dope, inner nerd, that is — Rhombus Wear is a clothing line created by husband & wife team James and Lisa Clunie. She’s a fashion designer and he’s an art director. Their line was created to fit that little fashion niche you find in creative industries…you know, the one where we don’t have to wear a suit to work and wander around in jeans and flip-flops while trying to adhere to the unwritten code of what’s cool in a hipster-centric work environment like an ad agency. That niche.

The Rhombus line features a variety of dressed down clothes in plaids and custom prints like “standardized test” and “binary” — yes, like the computer code. Inspired by math and science, and art and design, Rhombus’ clothes are aimed squarely at creative professionals. So if you’re getting sick of your Diesels and want something with that underground/no-one-knows-about-it-yet appeal, definitely keep an eye on Rhombus.

Break out the plastic, ’cause Anonymous Apparel is having a sale. We’ve told you about these guys before before; once when they opened for business, and again when they created a truly spot-on (get it?) shirt in support of the National Wildlife Federation. Now we’re telling you about them because they’re launching a new website, one that includes a blog, wholesaler access (for all you wholesalers out there), new items and — most importantly — 15% off all items on the site.

In their newly-juiced corner of the web, you’ll find T-shirts for men and women as well as jewelry and accessories. Some of the shirts are really sweet and some are slightly less so but I am, however, willing to stipulate that the shirts you like might very well be different from the shirts that I like, since that seems to be the way that taste in clothing works. That being said, I’m also willing to bet that you will find something here to like, and like hard — certainly hard enough to buy at 15% off.

Aaron Feiger and Ashley Marcinczyk, the ridiculously talented duo behind Popjunkie (also, Romantic Static) have just released a tonne of new merch into their online store, and the nautically-inspired, historically whimsical offerings are definitely worth checking out. I love that their women’s shirts come not only in the standard baby-tee, but also in super-flirty babydoll and v-necks as well; the guys shirts are so rockin’ they have me doing the standard Carmel/Heather lament “if only I had a boyfriend to buy these for.” And, if you’re a total weirdo and tshirts aren’t your “thing,” you can also scoop some prints for your barren walls or throw pillows to cushion your uptight ass on. Score!

Its been a month since our fashion-forward friends at Azalea were reborn as Tobi, and in celebration of their successful launch they are offering a 25% discount off of all full-priced items. For those of you unacquainted with Tobi, it’s kind of like the feisty younger sister of Shopbop; alongside a huge selection of classics like James Perse, Velvet, and Earnest Sewn, you can find lesser known men’s and women’s labels (like St. Augustine Academy, Brown Sound, GRN Apple Tree, and Harkham). Tobi also stocks bags, beauty products, and an awesome and progressive selection of eco-fashion. It’s actually been awhile since I checked out their inventory, and I have to say — whoever is doing their buying should be cast in bronze and worshiped, because they’re putting more established online shopping sites to shame, particularly on the men’s side. I could really go for a boyfriend right about now.

So head over and shop away, then enter the coupon code TOBIFRIEND at checkout to swipe 25% of your total out the window. Happy shopping, and thanks, Tobi!

I immediately realized my mistake yesterday as I settled in a cab heading downtown after leaving the IILWY office to meet Josh for dinner. I’d left behind both my iPod and brand new (and rather pricey) headphones behind, which generally means I will not, under any circumstances, get on the subway to come back to Brooklyn. After confirming that I had, in fact, left them there (also reconfirming that sometimes, I’m a total idiot) and deciding turning around was not an option, I mentally budgeted out cab fare back to Park Slope because in that sense, I am a total snob.

My self-annoyance was briefly replaced with amusement this morning when I saw Anna Tascha Larrson’s earphone lariats. Available in both gold and silver, they reminded me of the old adage, “you’d forget your head if it wasn’t screwed on.” Because that, I would. The best part is they’re androgynous enough — in a totally awesome way — to be worn by both guys and girls. (I’m totally digging her “I’m With Stupid —>” necklace as well. So hot.)

via Fashionista

I just wanted to give a quick nod to this hilarious t-shirt that popped up recently at Threadless. There’s not much to say about it that you can’t decipher by reading the blatantly clear message that is the shirt. I especially enjoyed the message because it very much echos our sentiment regarding the pretentious cloud that sometimes drapes over the music scene. As of now, there are plenty of guys ($12) and girls ($14) tees in stock, but something tells me there’s going to be a run on these things!

Philippe Starck’s collaboration with PUMA has taken another architecturally seductive turn with Naked Body, a series of streamlined, skin-tight, and selectively see-through men’s and women’s wear. The story behind the collection has something to do with evolution and distraught Super Monkies, so we’re actually not going to get into it, but we are going to talk about a) how much some of this line resembles Milla Jovovich’s Jean Paul Gaultier get-up in The Fifth Element; and b) how we’re really into that, because that shit was SEXY. I can’t decide if I’d think this line will ultimately look chic or whorish, but I’m definitely anxious to find out. I had trouble finding the official release date or any information on availability, so if you know something we don’t, feel free to set us straight. Full-blown sexy, after the jump. READ MORE…

My last pair of sunglasses (very classy, very chic Diors) recently met an unfortunate demise, and it’s days like today (very sunny, very hungover) I kick myself that I haven’t yet replaced them. It doesn’t help me feel any better seeing these super-hot “Tron” shades over at Uncrate, either — the team at Spy seem to be channeling all the Transformers love around at the moment; contrary to popular belief, I don’t have a problem with that at all. Tech specs are pretty awesome, too: along with an injection-molded Epsylon frame and hand-crafted custom metal frame, these babies come in your choice of blue, pink, black or checkered for a slick $115. If you’ll excuse me now, I have a pool of self-pity to wade in.

A few months ago Heather wrote about COTO, a sustainable accessory line born from a collaboration between an ex-Burton Snowboards marketer and an investment-banker-turned-artist. Their site showcasing their Fall/Winter ‘07 collection has finally launched, and while the actual product won’t be available until August, you can still get a closer look at the ties, hats, suspenders, and tote bags all made from reclaimed organic sources. COTO is making use of some rare, hard to find materials (like fallen rack antlers) to make sure their products are as special as they are earth-friendly, which gives their products a sophisticated, woodsy flair. I get a kick out of these suspenders, and an even bigger kick out of the materials used to make them: organic cotton; natural rubber, low impact color elastic; and vegetable dyed leather. Take that to the farm.

I’m not sure if I’ll be getting my hands on anything from Silas & Maria’s Autumn/Winter 2007 collection this year (the company is apparently concentrating their sales and distribution in the Far East right now, dang them), but they definitely have done a good job distracting me from my feelings of rejection with their latest website. If you can get over the fact that this season’s male model looks like he’s about 14, you’ll find that both the men and women’s collections are both beautiful and wearable (…and is it just me, or does their clothing look incredibly comfortable, too?). Silas & Maria sort of have a history of domination in regard to their art direction, so click on over for some kaleidoscopic fun, then feel free to hunt down some overseas dealers — and report back, please!

I’m certainly not aching for the return of 13 degree days and 5 o’clock sunsets, but the women’s winter 2007 collection from Australian surf brand Insight has certainly left me feeling friendlier toward this side of the hemisphere’s eventual re-approach to the season. With just enough eighties flavor to keep the party going (but not enough to make you want to burn all photos of the party for shame), this latest selection features plenty of layer-able shirts and sweaters, lots of playful dresses, and some kinda gross/mostly awesome denim (those high waists sure are ass killers…). I got so wrapped up in the ladies goods that I sort of neglected the men’s side of things, but I did notice some super-looking plaids and prints that you’ll really enjoy if you’ve been feeling today’s most recent streetwear. You can find Insight at a lot of U.S. based web-stores (Boulderites: You’ll find a limited selection at the Joyengine boutique), but because the seasons are opposute, we sometimes don’t see the new collections in their entirety. To get around this, I suggest ordering from Aussie sites and just suffering through the cost of shipping. The brand isn’t too pricey, anyway, the currency conversion will work in your favor and no one else will have it. Which, you know, automatically adds at least $100 to the value of the item. Yep, totally worth it.

Last week, Bent Air launched their retail site, a t-shirt haven for scuba divers. Designed by Catalyst Studios, their threads are funky enough to be worn by anyone and although I’ve never been scuba diving, I could totally see myself wearing any of the designs (I’m especially partial to the Sea Thief). Currently there are six designs for both men and women, but the company is in the process of adding more, and the shirts are also available at Forest City Scuba in Rockford, Illinois. A portion of each online sale goes to Project AWARE, a not-for-profit organization that helps preserve underwater environments, in particular coral reefs for future generations to enjoy as we do now. Now you can shop guilt-free…not that you were, or anything.

–Stephanie Young

Designgive is a group of designers who’ve assembled to both showcase their work on fabric and kick some funds to some important charities. At this point, the featured designers include Brooke Nunez, Si Scott, Paul Macgregor, Scott Bartlett, Kronk, and the Spear Collective’s own Jeremy Somers. Each design is available in either guys or gals t-shirts ($15), long-sleeved tees ($18), or hoodies ($25). Several of my favorites are only available for pre-order May 14th through the 25th, so you’ll need to act quickly. When you check out with your merchandise, you can designate which charity you want to support. Your donation is included in the price, and is $1 for tees, $2 for long sleeves, and $3 for hoodies. Also, if you’re a designer and want to get involved with this project, you can fill out an application here. It’d be great to see this group grow in size to be able to more effectively fulfill its mission: design for a worthy cause.