Dwell Magazine Article – Salvage Love
Dwell is one of my favorite magazines, and I seek much of the inspiration of my home in their pages. On their website, they featured a story chronicling Blake Dollahite’s design and construction process for his first home upon graduation.
Several facets fascinated me in this story. First, the images of his domicile were impressive in using salvaged materials from Habitat for Humanity ReStores. I truly respect that approach; not just for green measures, but also incorporating a sense of history and/or character to a space. There is something slightly off-putting to me when a home is completely modern, new, or streamlined.
The story is equally intriguing. This was a recent art graduate student from the University of Texas, and he was able to purchase and develop a run-down home with merely a small bank loan and two credit cards. His budgeting was extremely intelligent for someone his age – well…because it had to be careful. It took the helping hands of family and friends to see the project come to fruition, and I think the results were amazing.
Source: Dwell
Nike Sportswear Spring/Summer 2009
The line of Nike Sportswear integrates innovative engineering with high-style. The latest pieces to surface for their upcoming Spring and Summer collections feature Nike’s patented moisture-wick fabrics and 3L waterproof technology.
Having been involved in numerous collaborative efforts with major design houses, Nike has evolved in terms of athletic wear. Because of their iconic status, they’ll have so many willing resources at their disposal and always remain current.
The items featured here (see all images after the jump), courtesy of Hypebeast, are a beautiful progression from standard tees, sweatshirts, and hoodies. They offer something different and new (not necessarily better) than our American Apparel purveyors. My favorite images are the shorts with the contrast color pocket detail. I’ve read several comments condemning the high prices and I completely agree; but that appears to be pretty much in line with what other athletic companies such as Burton charge for their more high-end items. I praise their newfound maturity in design, so I’m not mad at Nike. I just can’t support them at this time by dropping $250 on a sweatshirt.
Source: HB
Engineered Garments Field Shirt
This is a great piece for the Spring that would work extremely well when layered. It can serve double duty as a thrown on shirt or jacket. There is an effortless and unaffected appeal to this garment, and yet it combines so many parts of rugged and chic. Great details are found in the shawl collar, 3-button fastening utility pockets, marbled ecru buttons, detachable throat tab, button cuff fastening, and square hems. Check Engineered Garments site for retailers.
Source: JS
Rogatis – Spring / Summer 2009
Korean brand, Rogatis, has updated their site to promote their new collections for the Spring and Summer seasons. The formal wear for their Rogatis Collection used lightweight fabrics dominated by blue and grey hues. The Rogatis Green Collection targets a more youthful consumer, but does not relegate him to the expected check/flannel or tee-shirt category. More colors including corals and greens are used sparingly in many of the looks. The result is a more elegant chic to men’s casual wear. The refinement is reflected in the tailoring of the garments.
I could not make out any U.S. retailers from their website, but I was able to follow the link to their online shopping mall, www.fashionpia.com. I found it impressive that the items listed at the online shop were very reasonable priced (59,000 won = $42 USD for long sleeve polo). View selected images after the jump.
Isaora – Fall / Winter 2009 Collection
Isaora is a brand that aims to create clothing that meets the technical needs of winter athletes whilst maintaining a street wear aesthetic. A distinguished debut collection that performs, protects, and surprises both on-slope and on-pavement. Isaora lives for the edges – the cleanest lines, the most innovative fabrics, the most challenging ride. From Goose down to flannel and everything in between, the range takes its cues from both the backcountry and the urban centers we call home. To view the entire range, check the images following the jump.
Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Collection
Images of Marc Jacob’s Fall 2009 Collection can be viewed on his website. Also available for viewing is the Men’s Fall Collection for Marc by Marc Jacobs. The contrast in collections is apparent. The ‘Marc’ Collection worked a piled-on, hodgepodge vibe with silhouettes that were relaxed and oversized.
The Marc Jacobs Collection featured a European military-inspired reference. There were grey overcoats, leather trench coats, camouflage, and black clunky shoes. The model in the images even sports a 1940’s military hair style.
Artist Profile – Stephen Tamiesie Photography
My referral to this Stephen Tamiesie’s site did not disappoint. This was my first knowledge of the photographer, and I was unsuccessful in digging up background information on this artist. I’m now faced with blogging in direct response to my initial reactions when first viewing his body of work – a simple and complex task. I can simply say that I love his work. It’s painfully difficult for me to describe why in an accurate (or intelligent or thought-provoking, etc.) manner because I’m unfamiliar with photography terminology.
I was struck by the clarity and color temperature in the photographs. There was an etheral and gloomy feeling captured in the pictures. He is able to add those dimensions and feelings from his camera that I don’t think I would experience if standing in front of stacked cargo freight.
Stephen Tamiesie’s site has three series: Places, Signs of American Life, The Salton Sea. I loved every one of them, and it’s not a single note repeated in his subject matter. Many works in ‘Places’ manage to display inanimate objects and their surroundings into geometric patterns (i.e. a storefront, stacked cargo freight). ‘Signs of American Life’ views the expansiveness of the rural West of U.S and captures some stunning natural landscape. My favorite series, ‘The Salton Sea,’ where Tamiesie documents in beautiful fashion the remains of an area in the California desert ravaged by the flooding of the Colorado River 100 years ago. These images struck a chord with me because the images seemed peacefully eerie. It looked completely desolate and other-worldly.
See more at Stephen Tamiesie Website
Band of Outsiders A/W 09 Lookbook
This is probably the umpteenth time I’ve professed my adoration for the Band of Outsiders collection. The brand has caught fire this season especially from the enlisting of Kanye West (a pretty notable pop / hip-hop artist) in their ad campaign.
Hopefully, we can share this appreciation when viewing the images from the site’s lookbook (see all images after jump). What I particularly like about Band of Outsiders is the styling. It has always been about the looks in its entirety as opposed to the pieces. There are several designers trying to mimic Mr. Sternberg’s direction – some being completely successfully because I wouldn’t be able to distinguish one from another in many cases. Perhaps, chalk up their success to good advertising.
My absolute favorites include the navy blue toggle coat, all of the shoes (Sperry collaboration), and the herringbone suit.
Source: ACL
Omar Kashoura – Spring/Summer Collection 2009
Omar Kashoura’s fourth effort on his own label has garnered alot of attention outside of fashion critic’s circles. His foray into menswear has won him acclaim from New York’s Gen Art Style Awards, Deutsche Bank Pyramid Awards, and the likes. His next achievement will be to win over the public as he expands on his brand. In this era of blogging, the online community has been exposed to his works which have displayed his modern aesthetic.
Kahoura’s Man/Boy collection for Spring/Summer 2009 is modern but never takes on any foreign or avant-garde appeal. His modern definition of men’s clothing is completely digestable. The separates of this collection are meticulously clean, minimal, and structured. Details like the collars of his white button-up shirts are refreshing new twists on men’s wardrobe staples. See the rest of the collection after the jump.
Focal XS Satellite Speakers
Designed to complement the look of the iMac and PC’s, respected French high-end speaker maker Focal JMLab’s new XS system has finally delivered on a Hi-Fi Computer – iPod system. If you know this French company’s reputation as one of the premier speaker manufacturers, then you can guess that this is no ordinary budget speaker package. At $599, you will dig much deeper into your wallet for this outfit than the run-of-the-mill speaker sets that populate Best Buy. At the same time, you will be setting up a system designed by a company that produces speakers with mortgage-sized price tags. Audiophiles spend more than $599 for the speaker cables to connect Focal speakers. This is not to say that “price makes right” is a law in audio and here is where the XS system becomes a bargain. If you compare that $599 to the price of a reasonable integrated amplifier, speaker set, DAC and iPod dock, the XS system comes out a steal.
