Wallets: the smaller the better if you ask me. And the Recycled Wallet by Holstee seems to be just that. Besides it practicality, this wallet is made out of plastic bags and newspapers collected on the streets of Delhi. To complete the ‘greenness’ of this product the guys at Holstee have also partnered up with a local Indian NGO that helps impoverished people.
Practical wallet, and it helps make the world just a little bit better. Thats what I call good stuff. Also check out the other items on sale at Holstee here.
Quite some time ago I posted on a contest by Hermes and Designboom. As you may or may not remember, the French luxury fashion giant was going to crowdsource new designs for ties through the community of Designboom. The winning design is called ‘Modern Leisure’ and was designed by Heidi Mueller. This will actually be produced. Pretty cool to have a Hermes tie design in your portfolio. Here’s some other prize winners:
After yesterdays succesfull give-away, I’ll continue on the theme bags today. No freebies today though… But a brand that creates useful, well-made and considered bags will catch my attention and has to be shared, thats for sure. That’s why I was happily surprised to see that a flagship store of bag designers Property Of… opened in my hometown of Amsterdam recently.
The brand was founded by cafe owners Peter Teo & Richard Chamberlainin in 2006. That explains why the store still looks like an old cafe, and why they serve you with some great coffee while browsing the amazing collection.
Besides the understated, practical and tough bags (most of them made out of waxed cotton or canvas and fine leather) they have a nice selection of magazines and books that suit the brand philosophy complimented with other products that are made with similar care and passion.
A welcome addition to my ‘to visit regularly’ list.
Property of…
Herenstraat 2, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Last week I had the honors of meeting Artists Not Armies founder Alexander Tempel, and he introduced me to the label he founded: Artists Not Armies.
AnA is based on the philosophy that this world needs more artists and less armies. Instead of fighting each other and destroying culture, we should create and share. Chrystal clear message if you ask me; and the design of the first bag is just the same. The bag has been bombarded ‘the ultimate shopping bag’ by some already and it is definitely great to have around during a shopping spree. I think that its more than that though. It’ll easily hold your laptop and other daily necessities, so it can erase some boring suitcases from the eye of the public too. More products and designs will be added to the range soon.
So it’s practical, good looking and helps spread a message worth spreading. Thats what we call good design. And the goodness continues: AnA has given me 5 bags to share with you. The scheme: First come, first served. The first 5 to drop me an email will receive a bag.
Illustator John Woo has given the Star Wars characters a style update. He has dressed them up in Viktor & Rolf, Margiela, Band of Outsiders, Thom Browne, A.P.C. and Supreme. These guys are ready to rock another season in these outfits. Nice work John!
When I first saw the Hoverboard in Back To The Future 2, I soooo badly wanted it! Together with the Nike’s Marty McFly was given. And now, after the Nike’s became sort of real, now the hoverboard is real too. Nils Gaudagnin has created a real floating hoverboard. Really cool. Unfortunately it won’t work on the street just yet… Now we’ll just have to wait for someone to turn a DeLorean into a flying time machine.
Alright people. Here is the first of three posts on all the stores, restaurants and other interesting places I have found in NYC while I was there. I have focused on the smaller venues, not the big brands, as you will surely be able to find these. Sure, I have missed out on a lot of places, and this list is far from exhaustive. Just consider it a nice start. Lets kick it off with the stores:
F.S.C. (Freemans Sporting Club)
The F.S.C. brand is built around the craft of handmade clothing, as opposed to the disposable fashion trend. F.S.C. strives to create classically styled clothing to stand the test of time, which also reflected in the style of their products: timeless classics. The collection includes suits, shirts, jackets and ties. Not for the budget traveler though. You can also go there for a haircut and a shave. And don’t forget to check out the restaurant down the alley next to the shop.
8 Rivington Street (between Bowery & Chrystie)
New York, NY 10002
Duncan Quinn
Another shop which is very interesting is Duncan Quinn. This is the place you go for all your bespoke tailoring needs. Only the best fabrics in the world combined with Saville Row quality tailoring put Duncan Quinn at the top of the game. This of course comes with a price. Even if you cant afford it go and have a look. The passion with which this store is run is worth a visit on its own.
8 Spring Street
Fight Club When you are looking for a pair of exclusive sneakers (or other streetwear) Fight Club is one of the places to go. Having both a new and a second hand collection you will surely find a nice pair of exclusives here. Do check out there different outlets though, as they have a different collection.
120 Nassau Street (New Collection)
254 Greene Street (New Collection)
267 Lafayette Street (Second Hand)
Saturdays
As far as I know, Saturdays is the only surfstore in Manhattan. Besides the surfing vibe they also have a great collection of boards, wetsuits and apparel. Even if you just feel like an espresso and a chat, this is the place to go.
31 Crosby Street
Premium Laces
Premium Laces is a nice little sneaker store on Spring street where I picked up my fresh new RT1’s. Good collection and good prices. Nothing more, nothing less.
68 Spring Street
One has to eat, and party afterwards. So do check out these places:
Submercer
Located in the basement of the Mercer Hotel/ Mercer Kitchen, this club is an interesting one to check out. If you can find it. The address alone, 147 1/2 Mercer Street, must say enough. There is no real entrance to the club, besides a freight elevator which will take you down into the hallway where you can check your coat. After that you enter the small but good club: Good looks, good music, good drinks. Don’t drink too much though, as you might get lost on your way out… (So I’ve been told!)
147 1/2 Mercer Street.
La Esquina
La Esquina is both a mexican reastaurant as it is a booming night club. Nothing wrong with the food up stairs, but the club in the basement is far more interesting. When you want to get in, you’ll first have to find the entrance. After you find it (I’m not going to spoil the fun!) you go down some stairs and through the kitchen before you enter the club, which will surely be filled with fashionable, beautiful people.
114 Kenmare Street
Spotted Pig
Another great destination for food and drinks is The Spotted Pig. This place is pretty much a pub with great straight forward food, or gastro-pub. Go for the Devils on Horseback for starters and take the Burger with Roquefort cheese as a main. You will not be disappointed, trust me. Wash this all away with the specially brewed Spotted Pig bitter.
314 W. 11th Street (@ Greenwich street)
Lombardi’s
This is the first pizzeria to be opened in the United States in 1905. After more than 100 years, they are still serving the best pizza’s in town. ZAGAT reviewers even called it the best pizza on the planet. Summarized: A must see/ eat and definitely worth the wait outside.
32 Spring Street.
Blue Ribbon Sushi
BRS is a must for all sushi lovers out there. I can be short about it: Absolutely the best sushi I have ever had. Not for the financially faint hearted ones though (ouch!).
119 Sullivan Street.
Cafe Gitane
I had lunch here a couple of times and I liked it. Here it is not really about the food (which is good though), but more about the little terrace in the front. Get a seat there, order some food and drinks and enjoy the fashionable view passing by. Unfortunately the waitresses don’t want you hangin’ around to long after you finish.
242 Mott Street.
Cafe Habana
Last in this row, be by far not least is Cafe Habana. A must stop shop for all food lovers. Don’t be fooled by the cramped looking interior of this place, as the awesome Cuban food will surely make up for this. This is confirmed by the ever present line in front of the door. Don’t want to wait? Pick up a sandwich to-go next door.
17 Prince Street.
The Denim Debate is a very nice site for all you jeans lovers out there. The Denim Debate is an assembled line up of 25+ guys and girls with one thing in common: Blue blood. They where gathered for the sole purpose of running great denim brands through the ringer. The Contributors come from varied walks of life: Bloggers, Writers, Poets, Musicians, Salesmen, Environmentalists, Shopkeepers, Craftsman, Students, and Style Mavens.
This eclectic mix of individuals was brought together by Ryan Plett of [CU5TOM_BRANDING]. The thought behind the site; showcase the best in premium denim while, at the same time, shining a light on the personalities that wear and have a passion for it.
What I think is funny, is that over time things are turning around. What I mean to say is that the jeans become the personalities, as they are followed over time. Because everyone wears and treats them differently all the pants get their own character. A great project!
Sometimes you see things which make you think: Like it or not? This is definitely one them, the Wipeshirt – a white dress shirt with two patches of black microfiber (the same kind that you clean your computer monitor or iPhone screen with) conveniently placed at shirt’s tail and right cuff. Always a piece of cloth on had to clean your screens. Usually I am not a big fan of practicalities designed into apparel but Japanese designers Fift have definitely been able to catch that familiar Japanese greatness in this shirt. Compliments!
Pedaler is following in the footsteps of Outlier with their collection of good looking cycling apparel. Especially crafted for with the urban cyclist in mind they have created a comfortable and practical collection in which you can also go to work (or at least I can) and look good in your local bar. Think hoodies and t-shirts with extended sleeves and torsos, and jersey pockets on the rear. The Anorak Jacket windbreaker uses water-resistant microsuede and a slim silhouette with a hideaway hood. Also the American-made fitted shorts are made out of a stretch denim and twill, sewn with a seamless crotch.
There are also some bags in the collection, like the beautiful Pony Express Messenger. This bag is a take on the traditional pony express bag of the late 1800’s. It is made of imported English waxed tartan cotton, lined with organic cotton and trimmed with US leather. This one is also crafted for the cyclists among us, so expect the bag to stay in place right where you want it.
Available through their webshop now. Go check it out!
