Snoop Dogg & Darth Vader Takeover NYC
Snoop Dogg, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers. That is bad-ass.
The Japanese and I agree on Abercrombie
Good on the Japanese, is all I have to say about this article. They dislike everything I dislike about Abercrombie stores. Let’s not get me started on the company. *cough* They’re racist discrimination against Asians. *cough*
To make matters worse, many of the male staff members have their chests exposed. Sex appeal may be a big part of the brand’s charm in the United States, but this particular masculine ideal of a “ripped chest” is completely out of sync with current Japanese fashion culture and the constant presence of half-naked men is off-putting to the Japanese customer — especially when crammed into tight spaces like elevators.
Successful brands in Japan use their shop floor staff as brand leaders and styling mannequins to show consumers how the clothes look on real Japanese people. At this, A&F also fails.
Like its American stores, Abercrombie’s Ginza flagship also reeks of strong American-style cologne — this, no less, in a country that’s famously perfume-adverse. Indeed, back in 2005, perfume critic Chandler Burr wrote a New York Times magazine piece called “Display It, Don’t Spray It” on the universal Japanese distaste for strong cologne and perfume. Yet A&F seems to pump its signature cologne through the ventilation system in a way that permeates the entire experience — and whatever you were wearing at the time for days after. Of course, many successful Japanese brands incorporate scent into their retail experience, but subtlety is the key. The smell should not carry with the customer.
A Tote for Typography Lovers
If you’re a typography enthusiast this is the tote bag for you. A cute play on Serif fonts this is a bag that goes with anything. Little Factory’s Serif Tote Bag is simple and chic yet practical.
via: Why Not?
London Fashion Week Live Online
London Fashion Week is taking the catwalk to the masses. Now anyone around the world with internet access can be in the front row for the shows occurring in the British Fashion Council tent at Somerset House. Maria Grachvogel, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, and Topman will be amongst the one shows broadcast. Go to London Fashion Week for the full schedule.
via: The Cut
More Reason Louis Vuitton Is Absurd
Louis Vuitton’s newest accessory is the “Raindrop Besace” aka a trash-bag with a strap attached. Who in their right mind would pay the retail, $1960, for this ridiculousness.
via: Refinery29
The “Mandle” In Anything from Carny to Leather
KoiKouture on Etsy is selling a line of “mandles”, the man candle. No more frilly scents like Ocean Blossom and Drift Away (courtesy of the Yankee Candle Company) now you can get candles in Carny, Leather and Hungry Man Dinner scents. Made with recycled beer bottles from Rouge Brewery, this is the perfect gift for the slightly eco-friendly man in your life who needs his bachelor pad to smell like a Hooters Waitress (apparently that means like suntan oil and deep fry oil).
Tees, Books, and Philanthropy
There have been a great many times when I’ve inadvertently stumbled upon a combination which I just couldn’t resist and this is one of those times. Out of Print is a new e-shop which has managed to combine a few of my most loved things. They take distinctive book covers from many of the greats and move them onto cotton tees. With the ubiquity of the graphic tee in recent years its about time that someone combined book art with fashion. Just to make these gems more tempting Out of Print donates one book for every shirt they sell by working in conjunction with Books for Africa.
The current line is men’s only but women’s will be available in March.
via: Cool Hunting
A Geeky Bibliophile’s BFF
Ever thought about buying one of those fake books to hide a flask of a little something in your home library? Well, for you Apple loving bibliophiles out there, you can now hide your new MacBook on the book shelf and prevent any would be robbers to get their grubby little mitts on your precious laptop. Made from real leather, the BookBook by Twelve South, will blend in perfectly with any old school hardcovers you have in your collection.
Banksy @ Sundance
It’s at times like this that having a Twitter account comes in handy. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) is at the Sundance Festival in Park City, UT and he spotted this little beauty from the British artist Banksy.
Natalie Portman As Elizabeth Bennet With Zombies
The movie version of “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen will feature Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Bennet and will also be producing. First we saw Portman rap on SNL now we’re going to see her in period costume killing zombies. How much better can she get?
via: Variety
