TOP SUMMER SNEAKER: ADIDAS ORION
The Orion 2.0 by Adidas Originals has all the hallmarks of a great sneaker: clean design, understated graphic color scheme, classic but not too retro or gimmicky. The silhouette is incredibly balanced, with a substantial black rubber toe guard up front, and a sharply sloping back heel that brings to mind a spoiler on a sports car. The end result is a handsome and versatile shoe that easily matches up with shorts, jeans or khakis. $60, available at Adidas.
FOUTA BEACH TOWELS
The cool turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, sun drenched summer beaches, far off exotic destinations – all moods captured in the subtle beauty of the “Fouta” – a traditional hamam towel made in Tunisia. Lightweight, absorbent and available in a myriad of colors, it is the ideal beach blanket. $55, available at Febronie in England, where they ship worldwide.
THE CAMPAIGN
The latest trailer for “The Campaign,” starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as two rival North Carolina politicians with presidential aspirations who tangle with one another. Release date is August 10, 2012.
THE HISTORY OF THE TRAVEL POSTER
There are few better examples of the evolution of graphic design within the world of travel advertising than this stunning poster for Swiss Air, circa 1964. Sleek and simple, it evokes as much admiration for it’s minimal beauty, as it does disappointment in the current state of travel advertising. Modern posters as we know them today date back to 1870, when the printing industry perfected color lithography and made mass production possible. In the above example, artist Manfred Bingler “presented a beautifully simple yet bold image of the famous peak in Zermatt, Switzerland for the 1964 campaign. He seemed to favor a bare, untouched quality for his images to appeal to the Swiss Air traveler, and this mountain image exemplifies this style with its never-ending, turquoise sky. The mountain, covered in sunlight, appears etched into the skyline, further conveying the wonderfully open freedom of flight.” Here are a few shining examples of beautiful work, including one of the very earliest, by iconic French artist Toulouse Lautrec. (more…)
A SHORT FILM BY CAFE TWIN
A charming ride through the countryside of Europe on a beautiful cafe racer motorbike.
TOP SUMMER SHORTS
When it comes to a great pair of summer shorts, it’s all in the details. The subtle differences between fit, color and style can make or break your look. Here are 5 styles for just about any weekend occasion, all available at Steven Alan. The subtle Oliver Short in faded yellow has just enough tailoring and reserve for evening cocktail parties, $188. Versatility is important for trips abroad and gray goes with just about anything. 5 Pocket Short by The West is Dead with brass button detail, $160. Channel your inner camp counselor with (more…)
MEET THE MASTERMIND BEHIND J.CREW
On Thursday, CNBC aired “J.Crew and The Man Who Dressed America,” an up close look at retail legend Mickey Drexler. From CNBC: “How did J.Crew’s CEO Mickey Drexler transform the company into a fashion force, raking in 2 billion dollars in sales? Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue, says it’s his hands-on management style that gives him the edge. You won’t want to miss what’s next for J.Crew the company and J.Crew’s fashion. CNBC’s David Faber takes viewers inside J.Crew, showing Drexler’s gut instinct and his involvement in the details, right down to the buttons.”
BRAZILIAN STYLE
Add some serious style, color and joi de vivre to your apartment by picking up “Brazilian Style” by Armand Limnander. “With evocative photography and fast-paced texts by W magazine editor Armand Limnander, Brazilian Style is a curated tour of the most important symbols of modern and traditional Brazil. A fresh and dynamic mix, capturing the culture of one of the most vibrant nations on earth.” With the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics on the horizon, Brazil is so hot right . To quote Mugatu. $65, available at Assouline. Some pics from inside (more…)
BROOKS BROTHERS FLATIRON
During a recent GQ party at the Brooks Brothers flatiron store I spent a few minutes snapping pictures of my favorite design elements. And there were tons of them. It can be a massive challenge for iconic brands like Brooks Brothers to stay current, as if anything beyond navy blazers and madras trousers might cause ol’ grandpa to grab the martini shaker. But with the addition of the flatiron store, which opened last fall, Brooks Brothers has passed the cool test with bright flying colors. The store feels younger and fresher, with prep classics (more…)
THE NEW GREAT GATSBY TRAILER
Here’s the new trailer for “The Great Gatsby,” set to release on Christmas Day. At first glance it looks a bit troubling, particularly the music, with Kanye West and Jay-Z’s “No Church in the Wild” a very odd choice. Listen for the tricked-out voice treatment around the 17 second mark that belongs, well no where, not even a club. And notice how director Baz Luhrmann touts “Romeo & Juliet” and “Moulin Rouge” up front, with no mention of the awesomely bad “Australia.” Smart move. Everyone seems to be really looking forward to the film but I personally think it looks terrible, and messy. Judge for yourself, is it worth your dough?
SMOKIN’ SADDLE BY MARK MCNAIRY
For chic summer cocktail parties try going with a pair of saddle shoes, like these beautiful gray and navy suede lace-ups by Mark McNairy. They just make everything else you’re wearing look better, from simple jeans and a classic tee shirt, to seersucker trousers and a white button down. Saddle shoes are characterized by the saddle-shaped decorative panel mid foot – in this case navy with contrast white eyelets. Made in England. $385 available at Mark McNairy.
PENTAX K-01 BY MARC NEWSON
The Pentax K-01 is my new favorite gadget. I was lucky enough to play around with this nifty yellow version during a party at the Webster Miami last week. And “play” is exactly how I would describe the feeling you get when interacting with this terrific camera. It’s satisfyingly hefty, like a Fisher Price toy, with rubber everywhere and solid, clean levers you want to adjust, buttons you want to click. I tinkered around with the camera like a child with a new toy, well before pointing it at anything. And this phenomenon is no accident – Pentax partnered with renowned industrial designer Marc Newson, who’s iconic work (more…)
A BRAZILIAN PLAYLIST
A few songs, including “Technova” by Towa Tei, courtesy of our DJ who spun old-school Bossa Nova at last night’s Havaiana’s party at The Webster in Miami Beach.
THE WEBSTER MIAMI LIBRARY
You can tell a lot about a retail store by simply perusing their collection of magazines and books for sale, and this certainly holds true for the eternally chic Webster in Miami Beach. I’m in town for a store event tonight and had a few moments to flip through their impressive lobby library, curated with the same attention to detail and impeccable taste that has defined their unique collection of brands. Attached are a few shots of books you might find interesting, and magazines worth flipping through, including the massive 600-page hard cover “magazine” shown above, “Fashion for Men” by Milan Vukmirovic, one of The Webster’s founders. (more…)
DOLCE & GABBANA & YOUTUBE
This is one of the best uses of a YouTube channel, particularly for a luxury fashion house. Dolce & Gabbana’s recently relaunched YouTube page opens with a cheeky 60′s inspired video montage “Italiana,” directed by Luca Finotti, starring Bianca Balti & Anna Orso as a chic mother-daughter tandem cruising along the Italian Riviera. You have the option (more…)
