April77's Wild Wild West

April77 has officially launched their new high-end line (due this July), and their old west inspirations have me considering gloves and a scarf in late summer. Don't believe me? Check out the full collection here.























[via Hypebeast]

Mother's Day isn't Just for Mom

You have to love a Mother's Day inspired pop-up shop dropped in the middle of Williamsburg - especially with "mom" heart tattoos. 303 Grand's newest creation (titled "Thanks, Mom") will feature such mom-centered gifts as vintage hand-crafted bags, letter-press cards, gardening accessories and all sorts of vintage-y gifts that comes with much thought and (thanks to 303) little effort. Look for 303 Grand's Pop-Up Wedding Chapel in June...and I'm predicting a Pop-Up maternity clinic March/April 2010.

I'm also considerably excited about the newest Pop-Up collaboration between Loomstate and Apartment 9 in not-so-organic Beverly Hills (opens May 14). With Target already locked up, and a Rogan-Apartment 9 collaboration set for next month, I'm predicting this to be one hell of an organic summer out here on the West coast.

Get on the bus

With Cinco de Mayo in full effect (as well as your margarita consumption), I've dedicated today's blog to the creative geniuses at Stockholm-based Acne Advertising and their collaboration with Swedish airport bus company Flygbussarna. The bus-shaped sculpture below is built out of 50 crushed cars - which represents the number a bus would replace (approximately). Take a look, leave the keys at home, and make this 5th of May that much safer and stylish.

[via PSFK]

Jongerius goes Camper

As of late, the Spanish wunderkinds at Camper have been turning heads with brilliant collaborations. For Winter 2010 and Sumer 2010, they have teamed up with Dutch designer Hella Jongerius and her immisakable creative genius. The four collections - Pelotas, Peu, Imar and Brothers - are truly wearable art that might actually look better on display than on your feet. Either way, I think I'm still partial to last year's Hayon creations.

Tasty Labeling

As a card carrying beer junkie, I've recently struggled with the lack of quality design on the product labels. For the amount of precision and care within each tasty bottle, one can only wonder what happens when the breweries decide on their rather tasteless label design. Yes, the liquid inside is most important; however, one can't deny how important a great label is for both marketing and overall enjoyment. Luckily, there are a few classic examples like Brooklyn Brewery's "B" and the Sixpoint Craft Ales star that are not only timeless, but altogether simple and unmistakable (Brooklyn's "Local" series is a personal favorite). I've even recently become a fan of Deschutes Brewery's "Reserve Series" and their use of simple text juxtaposed with beautifully-minimalist calligraphy. And just thinking about Dogfish's massive potential (keep the fish...lose the cluttering text) has me ready for a well-crafted afternoon beverage.

Artisan Affairs

In such an economic state, it should come as no surprise that people are turning from their pocketbooks and looking to their hands for inspiration and raw craftsmanship. A recent article in the LA Times highlights Italy's vanishing "arrotini" (knife sharpeners) and the utter disappearance of craftsmen the world over. As dire as it seems, I found hope in Sergion Zoppo discussing his father first opening their shop duing World War II. "The country was restarting and people were trying to find their place again." Anyone seeing a relation to our current state of affairs?












While there's a certain romanticism of past artisans hidden amisdt European cobblestone streets and gas lamps, I find hope and excitement in what's taking place here at home - specifically in Brooklyn. And there just may be something hidden in your own backyard, whether its a master potter or knife maker.

Coachella lives on...and on...and on

According to this interesting NY Times article, this year's Coachella will indeed evolve out of the initial live "zone", moving into a digital realm of unforgettable images, shoddy videos, and countless blogs (guilty).

Luckily, TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek and myself have more in common on day three of Coachella than you might think...