New Balance Opens Shanghai’s First Experience Store
From Press Release: New Balance, one of the world’s leading running brands, announces the opening of its first Experience Store on Shanghai’s Huai Hai Road. It is New Balance’s second Experience Store in China, following the opening of its first on Beijing’s Qianmen Avenue last year. Senior executives from the company, including Regional General Manager, Asia Pacific, Darren Tucker, and China Managing Director, Michael Wellman, attended the grand opening to witness this exciting event. “Our goal is to produce the best quality and most comfortable running shoes for our consumers,” explains Darren Tucker, Regional General Manager, and Asia Pacific. Proudly expressing the business philosophy of New Balance, the century-old American sporting brand, he continued, “New Balance sets a new standard of retail excellence within the global marketplace to celebrate our innovation and pay tribute to our heritage. We hope that consumers will engage with our rich brand story that is 104 years in the making.”
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Best Made Axes
Calm down, Bateman. More American Psycho than American Standard, Best Made’s Axes are modern works of art that, as the name would suggest, offer superior craftsmanship and unique color finishes that are so generally appealing it’s impossible to think of a reason not to own one. The company itself is remarkable; their axes came to fruition through a passion for nature and design and they happen to be one of the oldest tools in history, one that founders Peter Buchanan-Smith and Graeme Cameron call “indispensable and sublime, the epitome of fortitude and strength, a perfect design object, a timeless instrument.” Accordingly, they create their axes as passionately as they speak about them; their hatchets are made to order and the forged blades are complimented by genuine American hardwood, which is then handpainted and polished. Best Made debuts new axes just as a fashion label would, drawing inspiration from certain seasons and utilizing different designers for different projects. They are currently shipping orders from their Winter 2010 collection directly from their Manhattan workshop, but be patient, as quality takes time; expect a 4 to 6 week wait for yours.
Visit: Best Made Co.
Oris – Darryl O’Young Limited Editions
The Oris TT3 gets the limited edition treatment with a release as a Darryl O’Young model. For those unfamiliar, Darryl O’Young is a world class Porsche Type 997 race car driver who is also a PCCA Double Class A Champion. And there’s no better watch collaboration involving a championship driver. With its technical and sporty looks, the watch borrows features from Porsche cars – specifically the 911 GT3 RSR and 911 GT3 Cup models. Some features include curved glass cases, rubber straps, wheel prim patterns, calendar date wheel, and Superluminova numerals with the same Microgramma typeface like the ones found on the Porsche.
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Alpina Genève Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture
From Watchluxus: Following the great success of its first Extreme Tourbillon Regulator Manufacture – the Full Black version – at Baselworld in 2009, ALPINA Genève is proud to present two new models in gold, both issued in an extremely limited series of just 18 numbered pieces.
These new versions, both as astonishing as the first, feature a “Full Black” dial and a caliber consisting of 188 parts, equipped with a Silicium Escapement Wheel and the latest development: a Silicium lever.
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Gaspard Yurkievich & Eastpak Bags
First there was the DRKSHDW projects with Rick Owens, then came Raf Simons, now for a new collection comes the collaboration between Gaspard Yurkievich and Eastpak. The bags have already been exhibited during Yurkievich’s show during Paris fashion week. The Eastpak collaborations have caused quite the stir, so it was only right for Eastpak to continue with these collaborative releases. Some of the bags in the collection contain quilted patterns, streamlined designs, and multipocket/compartment functions.
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Android – Octopus Automatic AD267 Camo Model – Japan Limited
U.S. watch manufacturer Android released this Octopus Automatic model as a limited edition item in Japan. The AD267 camo timepiece features a subtle camouflage pattern with a green face and yellow hands. It bears an automatic movement and is 200m waterproof. The watch is currently available at the Rooms webshop.
Filson Co. x Jean Shop NYC – Sportsman Bag
A rugged 2010 maybe ahead of you and you’re in search of the perfect bag to go with the new year. Filson Co. is basically one of the names you can trust when it comes to owning a bag that’ll last you beyond 2010. This Sportsman Bag model is no exception. Coming in a custom dyed dark brown color, this bag is also custom finished by the good folks from Jean Shop NYC. A mixture of waxed canvas and oiled leather, the bag also features two way brass zippers, leather pulls, adjustable shoulder straps, and more. Available now at Context.
Want Organic for J.Crew
Montreal-based Want Les Essentiels de la Vie teams up with J.Crew for an exclusive collaboration that produces an exquisite collection of luggage and accessories. This particular computer case is crafted using only the finest 100 percent certified organic Turkish cotton and sustainably produced leather from Norway. The computer portfolio conveniently houses 15″ laptops and features a streamlined design with the Want signature bicolored gold-and-silver zip closure. There’s also a secured interior sleeve pocket for an iPhone, Blackberry or PDA, and three flat pockets for business cards and other essentials. The leather handles and brass hardware are additional features that make up this smart-looking case. Available now at J.Crew online shop.
Folding Roboscooter by MIT Media Lab
Looking to inspire new patterns in urban mobility MIT Media Labs created the Folding Roboscooter. The lightweight scooter collapses to save space in our increasingly crowded cities. The Roboscooter is powered by an electric motor allowing it to be both whisper quiet and free of emissions.
The folks at MIT Media Labs have two sales models in mind. Model one is typical single owner use. Model two sees the Roboscooter functioning more like a Zip Car. You will be able to rent a Roboscooter for one way travel to your destination. Upon arrival you dock the Roboscooter and there it will wait for the next available patron.
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Spandura Travel Duffel
From Spandura: The Spandura Duffels utilize a large swath of a very unique fabric called Spandura. Literally spandex threads wrapped in Cordura, Spandura fabric has the durability of Cordura yet stretches like Spandex. Lining each side of the main zipper with this fabric allows these panels and the zipper to easily stretch and close over the worst overloads. Each duffle is lined with stiff foam so it keeps it shape for easy packing. Interior pockets and exterior end pockets for smaller items. These duffles are a must have for serious travelers. Available at the Spandura site.
