The-Lefthander

Our preview guide to the most fabulous, fun and delicious events of Fashion's Night Out

Following last year's successful debut of the party of all fashion parties, Vogue's back again with Fashion's Night Out, the magazine's banner event drawing out masses in NYC and beyond. While stores in cities around the world will open their doors for the occasion, it also serves to kick-off New York's fashion week and (from what we can tell) practically the entire city will stay open until 11pm with music, clothing, food and drink galore. To help sort it all out, we've rounded up a few of the venues and happenings that we're looking forward to most in our preview of 2010's FNO.

Vena Cava and Subports at Partners and Spade

The ladies of Vena Cava teamed up with shop-by-text innovatorsSubports to create their own event specifically for "Fashion Outsiders," hosted by Partners and Spade. Selling handmade, wearable pieces created by those without fashion experience, such as firemen, farmers, and even toddlers, the team redefines fashion in the name of the common man.

Billy Reid Bourbon Party

After premiering his new collaboration with Levi's at Bloomingdales, Billy Reid himself will be heading down to Bond street, where his solo store promises a party worthy to compete with the Bourbon-filled rager he threw for last year's FNO. If you suddenly crave the macabre, further down on Bond between Broadway and Lafayette, OAK has teamed up Archetype Showroom, LNA and others to create the "Black Carnival." Featuring deals on some of the brands' more popular items, as well as opportunities to customize your piece with the designers themselves, the block-party style dark carnival still keeps fashion at the forefront of the night's events.

Opening Ceremony at the Ace Hotel

Filled to the brim with celebrities, desserts, and exclusive shopping, the French-inspired flea market created by Opening Ceremony at the Ace Hotel encompasses all that can be imagined at FNO. Featuring booths and potential designer appearances from several participating brands, such as Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Agnes B., expect exclusive products and prices, as well as some surprises along the way. Christina Tosi of Momofuku, for example, has created a cookie recipe exclusively for Band of Outsiders, which will be sold on this night only until it disappears into the baked-goods beyond.

Keds will also be revealing the next, aptly-themed French installment of their worldly collaboration with Opening Ceremony, featuring their brand-new toile and striped limited-edition sneakers. Even more limited versions available at the event will include hand-embroidered fabrics by artist Richard Saja, who transforms the pastoral toile patterns into scenes with clowns, monsters, mutants and more.

In collaboration with collete, the Heartschallenger ice cream truck will be on-site serving as the brands pop-up shop offering exclusive FNO products (collete x Opening Ceremony frenchy products, Darcel x Incase iPhone 4 Slider Case, and fashion postcards), collete compilations and surprises, and of course ice cream.

Odin

Odin New York just recently launched their newest fragrance, 04 Petrana, but the intoxicatingly sweet scent of homemade ice cream is more likely to attract noses to their Lafayette Street store this Friday night. Fashion partners Shipley & Halmos have teamed up with Guerilla Ice Cream to create a completely original flavor for the event, sold exclusively at Odin. All proceeds from the Brooklyn Brewery Brown Ale, sweet cream and local honey-flavored scoops (currently being referred to as "Amalgamated") will be donated to benefit the Street Vendor Project, an organization which aims to protect the rights of NYC street vendors.

Foursquare Scavenger Hunt in the Meatpacking District

If you're going to be running around downtown and checking into stores on Foursquare anyway, you may as well make some money off of it. Sponsored by Mastercard and hosted by Fashion Lives Downtown, the Foursquare Scavenger Hunt in the Meatpacking District offers the chance to win some mega prizes. Starting at the Theory store on Gansevoort Street and 9th Avenue and heading out to at least 15 stores throughout the neighborhood, participants are entered to win a $5,000 Mastercard shopping spree as well as a stay in NYC's famously upbeat hotel, The Standard. Be sure to include the store's twitter alias (ex: @coolhunting) as well as the hashtag #FNOmeat wherever you check in in order to be entered. Along the way check out the "tips" section on Foursquare for exclusive info on discounts, drinks, and free swag wherever you may be headed.

VW Style Express

In efforts to get fashionistas to the many festivities of the night, Volkswagon has been deemed the official vehicle sponsor of the night and will help transport shoppers with a free "direct" car service from midtown to the heart of Soho in the all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. Not even released to car dealerships, Fashion fans will be the first to experience the new Jetta models. To participate, shoppers just simply show a receipt from any participating FNO retailer, and can jump in for a ride. Pick -up and drop off locations are in Midtown at Rockefeller Center at 50th Street between 5th and 6th Ave., and in Soho at Greene Street between Spring and Prince Street.

Chris Blackwell at Barney's

Founder of Island Records, Chris Blackwell, along with his posse of Island Record's recording artists, will be celebrating the label's 50th Anniversary with the release of Keep On Running, the celebratory book that showcases Blackwell's significant role in the music industry (and which has been previously featured on CH). With a special guest DJ performing, the crew will be celebrating with signed copies of the book at Barney's.

Jil Sander Navy Collection

German designer, Jil Sander, will be offering an exclusive preview of the Jil Sander's Navy Collection at her flagship stores in Soho and Madison Ave during FNO. The designer has partnered up with Garance Dore, renowned Parisian illustrator, photographer, and blogger to showcase her interpretation of the new line that will be showcased exclusively for FNO. Dore will highlight the natural elegance of the new, casual-yet-luxurious line of relaxed and sophisticated woman's wardrobe of clean, modern fitting, and innovative fabrics. Special guest DJ Marie Branellac will be spinning with cocktails on-site.

Everyday housewares in elegant white porcelain

While most artists intend for their work to be enshrined in a gallery or home, studio potter Lilith Rockett wishes to interact with her pieces on a daily basis. In a recent interview with the ceramics artist, Rockett shares, "I would hope that interacting with the work in an intimate way, living with the pieces in a domestic environment, could bring a mindfulness of the subtle, quiet beauty that surrounds us everywhere."

Rockett started her career in ceramics in Los Angeles, CA before moving to Portland, OR to put together a private work space and studio. Each one of Rockett's pieces is handmade and fired in a kiln behind her house. The majority of her work consists of everyday household objects, such as candleholders and pitchers, but are executed with extreme delicacy and precision from simple, white porcelain.

Rockett's ceramics are sleek and unembellished, and are striking enough to be shown in galleries as works of sculpture. Arranged in different groupings, such as cups scattered around saucers, the pieces suggest social gathering, movement and narrative. On the composition of the grouping arrangements, Rockett comments, "I enjoy the evocative and sometimes ephemeral quality of the relationships [between objects] as light changes throughout the day, and as the pieces are used and rearranged."

Rockett's work can be purchased online at Kobo in Seattle and the OK Store in Los Angeles. Check her website for updates on gallery showings and her online shop.

More pictures in the gallery

Take control of world politics with a British line of satirical board games

British gaming start-up, TerrorBull Games, takes some of the world's most serious and complex issues and turns it into entertainment with satirical board games that may or may not be family friendly, based on your definition of quality family time.

The company's first board game, War on Terror, made headlines when it debuted with mixed reviews from the public as either being satirically amusing, or dismissed as sick and twisted. Here at CH, we don't think the two are mutually exclusive.

The second game released in the TerrorBull line-up was Crunch, a game that puts you in the role of the CEO of a global bank, and makes it your responsibility to do whatever it takes to ensure a comfortable and luxurious retirement.

Most recently the company has been attracting headlines with their print-and-play mini-games that can be printed out for free, and played instantly within the home or office. This summer's release was, Operation BP: Bullshit Plug, the print-and-play game that sets players in the role of BP's CEO with the objective of the game being to bullshit as much as possible, in efforts to protect the company's financial interests while still managing the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the company's most controversial print-and-play games is Mosqopoloy, a game centered around one of the most contended issues of the year, the Grand Zero Mosque. The premise of the mockingly sinister game is to stop the development of the Mosque from taking over the "the world's greatest city, in the world's greatest country". A definite jab against the stereotypical,overly-patriotic American, the British board game company makes light of the situation that stands in development today.

We hope that Terrorbull games continues to produce satirical entertainment as a way to navigate through the ludicrous world of politics. Terrorbull board games sell from £8.99 to £29.95 on their site along with other Terrorbull memorabilia. The Terrorbull print-and-play games can also be printed from their site, here.

Raleigh's lightweight, steel-frame beauty

Sure biking makes commuting more healthy and eco-friendly, but cyclists looking for almost frightening speed will like Raleigh's Record Ace, a bike that seems to catapult through streets. You can look good while careening too, thanks to the modern road bike's vintage-inspired styling that extends from the clean lines of its frame to its beautiful Brooks saddle.

The original all-steel bike brand, Raleigh (founded over 100 years ago) introduced the Ace in 1939, paused production in the '90s, and brought back the lugged steel design this year in favor of the "better road feel" that steel lends. With a longer life span and similar in weight to aluminum or carbon, the steel bike is light enough for urbanites to climb stairs with it and strong enough to survive pothole-ridden roads or cross-country treks.

Of course, a quality frame demands quality components and this model comes equipped with a Shimano Ultegra groupset—which I put to the test on many occasions. The brakes allow you to stop at a moment's notice (such as when a cab pulls out in front of you), and provides a rebellious (read: badass) squeal for full effect. Switching gears is a snap, and Shimano's Hollowglide construction provides even greater stability. The upshot is a bike that Bicycling magazine describes as "much more nimble" than city or hybrid models.

While the price tag is a little steep at $1,900, Raleigh has made an off-the-shelf bike with the types of essential racing components and a stripped-down weight usually only found on custom builds. It sells from Raleigh dealers around the world.

Gig with Pavement, narcotic sodas, high wire bicycling and more in our weekly top links 1. Barry McGee Houston Street Mural

San Francisco, CA-based graffiti artist Barry McGee (aka Twist) recently made a tag homage to graffiti writers, covering NYC's famed Houston Street Mural in shout-outs.

2. MosKeyTo

Aptly named, this micro-USB flash drive from LaCie is so small it almost fits entirely inside your computer which is impressive considering it holds up to 8GB. A 16GB version is reportedly coming soon.

3. Be Pavement's Guest Guitarist

Pavement is asking their fans to be their special guest guitarist when they take their 2010 reunion tour to "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on 23 September 2010. Selecting from submissions from guitarists all over the world, one lucky winner will have the honor of rocking out with one of indie-rock's finest. All interested parties can apply here.

4. Fix The Pumps

Darcy O'Neil covers the history of cocktails, soda jerks and pop from the pre-Prohibition days when cocktails were laden-filled with narcotics ( such as morphine,opium, heroine, and other neurochemicals) to the modern drinking days of the present in his new book, Fix The Pumps. Interesting facts such as cocktails being morning drinks instead of evening drinks in pre-Prohibition days are just one of many fascinating tidbits to be found. O'Neil's book, that comes accompanied with mixing toxins, can be bought here.

5. Temple Bags

Based out of Los Angeles, California, Temple Bags produces a line of high quality iPad cases and Duffle bags built from leather and repurposed materials.

6. Monocle Shop, New York

The latest city to get its own outpost of Monocle magazine's concept stores, New York welcomes the addition to its West Village neighboorhood. Stay tuned for our interview with founder Tyler Brulé.

7. Lanvin x H&M

In a clever reversal of the usual partnership between a mass retailer and high fashion, Lanvin will produce a line for H&M. Be sure to watch the short video with the charming Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz announcing the collaboration.

8. Yatzer Redesign

Our friend Yatzer relaunches with a new face and new functionality housing all of the gorgeous imagery and exuberance that made us (and its hundreds of thousands of readers) fans in the first place.

9. Conran Classics

Sir Terence Conran selected 54 design classics of the 20th century, from the Eames Lounge to Ron Arad's earworm bookcase, as the basis of a new collection that will be shown in two new exhibits opening this 10 September 2010 in London. An accompanying catalog, beautifully shot in black and white by Julian Broad, features members of the Conran family posing with the furniture.

10. Puma Mopion Bike by Kibisi and Biomega

Puma and bike company Biomega have teamed up again—this time with Danish design collective Kibisi to create the eye-catching Mopion cargo bicycle.

11. Kolelinia

Tackling the problem of bicycling in congested areas, Kolelinia is a futuristic concept for a high-wire bicycle lane that would help cyclists stay clear of traffic

12. Tipp Experience

A couple of days ago, if you told us we'd spend a solid half-hour playing with an interactive digital ad for a European brand of correction fluid, we'd laugh in your face and tell you that you're a lunatic. Then we found ourselves spending a solid half-hour at this incredibly well-done Tipp-Ex microsite where you control the ad's outcome. Enjoy.

13. Self Edge Los Angeles

Self Edge expands their denim empire with the opening of their latest and most definitely greatest store. Taking the aesthetic of the original San Francisco and subsequent New York City stores to the next level, the Los Angeles location is an airy enclave filled with your every indigo-soaked need.

14. Act Da Fool

Proenza Schouler turns to filmmaker Harmony Korine and stylist Mel Ottenberg for a fashion film depicting a girl gang wearing clothes from the fashion duo's latest collection.

15. The Stedelijke Museum Reopens

Housed in a beautiful late-1800s building, Amsterdam's Stedelijke museum reopens after a delay with striking installations by Rineke Dijkstra and Barbara Kruger. A wing devoted to experimental and video art is still to come.

16. It's A Book

Author Lane Smith produces the first children's book to introduce them to the digital world in It's A Book, a picture book featuring illustrated animals reading books in digital form. It's A Book teaches children to become accustomed to the fast-paced digital world we live in today.

Our video on the world's only manufacturer of hand-built cars

by Michael Tyburski

For this video we traveled to Kensington, London to check out the sole dealership of Bristol, the only manufacturer in the world that still hand-builds cars. There we met with chairman and owner Toby Silverton, as well as spokesperson Ben Samuelson, who took us on a drive to learn about how they keep their classic aesthetic modern.

Photographers-turned-truckers peek into America's trucking subculture

In summer 2008, at the height of the U.S. financial crisis, husband-and-wife photographers James Tribble and Tracey Mancenido packed up their NYC apartment and hit the road to document one of the more obscure necessities of American consumerism first-hand. Armed with little more than a commercial license, tips from Tribble's truck driver dad and a few large-format cameras, the dynamic artists embarked on their new career as truckers. The resulting body of work, a series of tenderly contemplative portraits and still-lifes, opens 9 September 2010 at NYC's Sasha Wolf Gallery, revealing a rarely-seen side of the greasy culture responsible for supplying the country with everything from scrap metal to Toy Story 3 dolls.

Inspired by the contrasting loneliness of their experience, Mancenido and Tribble's stark images depict subjects removed from their familiar contexts and (more often than not) plopped right in the center of the frame. In one a mechanic sits cross-legged in a vast gravel lot, while another shows a hulking white pillar in one of the caves where they delivered shipments.

To learn more, their blog on the project is full of updates and insights they posted while on the road. For those in NYC, see the haunting pictures in person at the Sasha Wolf gallery before the show closes 23 October 2010. For a limited sneak peek, check out the gallery.

An exclusive video documenting Billy Reid's modern Americana spin on Levi's workwear roots

For both the neo-Americana-obsessed and denim-heads alike, menswear designer Billy Reid's collaboration with Levi's is a holy brand pairing, marrying Levi's workwear roots with Reid's modern cuts, fabric choices, and finishes. This behind-the-scenes video (a Cool Hunting exclusive) visits Reid at work on the craft of deconstructing garments for the 10-piece collection, as inspired by a visit to the legendary Levi's archive.

Citing a worn and stained work apron from the turn of the century as his "muse," Reid incorporated it into several of the designs. A hunting jacket has a removable, fully-functional version of the apron that works as an internal game pouch, while the design of a tote comes from experiments in folding the apron into a bag shape.

Images of the resulting garments (also exclusive to this publication) play to Reid's own down-home heritage, using his annual "Shindig" held at his Florence, AL headquarters as a setting for working musicians from the neighboring town of Muscle Shoals to model the line. Check out more from the series as well as product shots in the gallery below.

Following Levi's successful collaboration with Robert Geller last year, this project is Levi's third tapping winners of GQ's "Best New Menswear Designers in America." You'll want to hurry to Bloomingdale's and Billy Reid locations, or their online stores, to scoop up the goods (ranging) from $45-$295) when they debut 10 September 2010.

Photographer Arthur Drooker's haunting infrared images of the bygone U.S.

While photographer Arthur Drooker's ruins aren't the castles and shrines that usually come to mind, his infrared images of prisons, mansions and other sites of U.S. decay evoke all the moody history and past lives of their tourist site counterparts. The Mill Valley, CA-based artist's "American Ruins" exhibit (opening at the Virgina Center for Architecture on 9 September 2010) culls these haunting photos from from his award-winning 2007 book of the same name, featuring luminescent images that with each crack and chip reveal just a bit of the America's former splendor. To learn more—including how Drooker achieves his otherworldly effects, what to expect from the show and what's next—read on for the interview, and see more images in the gallery below.

If you're in Richmond, be sure to check out the opening of American Ruins at the Virgina Center for Architecture on 9 September 2010 from 5:30-7:30pm, or visit before it closes 28 November 2010. You can also get a glimpse of the work in his current show at Santa Fe's William Siegal Gallery (through 3 September 2010), and look out for Lost Worlds, his large-format book collecting images from 33 sites in 15 countries that's due out Fall 2011.

What was the selection process in choosing photos for the exhibit? Are all of the images from the book?

All the images are from the book. There are 50 prints, representing each of the 22 sites I photographed for the project. The exhibition is organized geographically, the same as the book—the geographic regions are the South, the Southwest, the East, California and Hawaii.

what is it about ruins that inspires you and has kept you photographing them for years?

Photographing ruins merges my passions for history and photography. I'm drawn to these sites to make a spiritual connection with those who came before us, preserve the visual poetry of what they left behind, and restore what they've built to our collective memory. In making these images, I confront my own mortality and become most alive.

After the success of the American Ruins book, what led you to work on Lost Worlds?

I wanted to continue photographing ruins. Going beyond the U.S. borders seemed to make the most sense, but not so far away that it would take too a long time to complete the project. Hence, Lost Worlds: Ruins of the Americas. In every way it is a more ambitious project: The research, trip planning, and the photography. By the time I complete Lost Worlds at the end of this year, I will have been to about 30 sites in 15 countries. That's a lot of miles in a little over two years.

How does your subject matter influence your technique or vice-versa?

I photograph ruins in infrared. Infrared light is invisible to the human eye, but I use a specially adapted 35mm digital camera to record it. The ethereal effect illuminates the otherworldly atmosphere that haunts ruins, allowing a photographer to transcend mere documentation and capture the mystery and elegiac beauty of crumbling walls, weathered facades and broken arches as no other format can.

Our favorite three emerging designers from the American Design Club's latest show

An opportunity for emerging designers to showcase their work, A+: The Young Designers' Platform took place earlier this month during the Accent on Design event at New York's International Gift Fair. The American Design Club curated the event, aiming to highlight raw new creatives and their recent contributions to the design world. Seven out of ten of this year's winners also had a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, bringing simple solutions to the world's environmental concerns to the forefront of the design world. We picked three of our favorites newbies in the world of jewelry, compost, and cast iron cookware, who each snagged a space on the list of finalists, rounding out the eclectic list with their innovative new designs.

Bin by Fuccillo

Vancouver design studio Fuccillo recently turned its attention to composting—a simple but important part of a sustainable urban lifestyle. Making it easier for environmentally-conscious citizens who already freeze compostable scraps and drop them at their local farmers markets, Fuccillo created a stylish new "bin" using hard plastic and flexible silicone.

The container stays in the freezer until it's time to be dropped off, eliminating stench and pests by pausing the decomposing process. When ready for emptying, the silicone bottom stays flexible and pushes in for easy removal of the waste (without having to reach inside and scrape it out). Next month the bin will hit shelves online and in stores across the U.S. and Canada for $45 each.

Hila Rawet Karni

Hila Rawet Karni specializes in "industrial jewelry," using materials like paper and leather to construct geometrically intricate patterns.

We like the way the extraordinary level of detail and a passion for industrial design combine in the Melissa necklace in particular. Consisting of a series of interlocked textured, leather pinwheels, the design embodies the beauty of her creative mathematics. Paper, leather, plastic and spring necklaces come in various shapes and sizes at Hila Rawet Karni's Etsy store.

Borough Furnace

Jason Connelly and John Truex were cousins before becoming business partners based on their shared admiration for industrial design and environmental responsibility. The two finally teamed up to create Borough Furnace, a Murfreesboro, TN-based cast iron cookware production team.

Upcycling iron from scrap radiators or other junkyard items, the team creates high-quality cookware, including a popular dual-handle frying skillet, in their own backyard. The products are entirely recycled and handmade, not to mention classically-designed for a lifetime of use and beautiful craftsmanship. For more general or purchasing info, contact info [at] boroughfurnace [dot] com.

Piss whiskey, cannabis catering, a cigarette-smoking machine and more in our weekly web survey 1. Gilpin Family Whiskey

For this weekend's gross-out conversation starter, go no further than researcher and diabetic James Gilpin's extreme DIY project. Pointing out the ways we can "harvest the biological resources that our elderly already process in abundance," he recently started purifying the naturally sugar-rich urine of diabetics to make "pisskey."

2. A Night Club Map of Harlem

Originally published in a 1932 issue of Manhattan Magazine, " A Night Club Map of Harlem" plots out points of interest and places to be during the NYC neighborhood's heyday. The painstakingly-detailed illustration is the work of Elmer Simms Campbell, the first African-American cartoonist to be published in national publications like The New Yorker, Esquire, and Cosmopolitan.

3. Proenza Schouler Fall 2010 Campaign Video

Set to a dreamy soundtrack by Washed Out, this atmospheric Proenza Schouler video by our own Greg Mitnick evokes the modern sensuality of the collection. Much more effective than many of the fashion videos and ads we've seen lately, the seductive short film shows just enough to make us want to buy all the clothes.

4. Cigarette-Smoking Machine

A machine built for the sole purpose of performing the nastiest of human habits—cigarette smoking—this all-too-clever video will surely have cigarette companies kicking themselves for not thinking of it first.

5. Cannabis Catering

Ariel over at Fast Company interviews Chef Frederick Nesbitt about his thoughtful new menu of ganja-infused cuisine.

6. Terriers

While FX network's new show Terriers isn't exactly about the stubborn-but-lovable group of dogs, there are some funny promo videos like this one that cuts straight to the heart of a Terrier's nature.

7. Maripol: Little Red Riding Hood

Maripol, the stylist credited with Madonna's mid-eighties look, recently released her archive of behind-the-scenes photographs and sketches in the form of a book, "Maripol: Little Red Riding Hood." With friends like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Debbie Harry, it's one of those irresistibly intimate looks at New York City in the '80s.

8. Deus Canggu: Inari

Deus Canggu, a new custom bike shop in Bali, recently completed one of their first builds, naming the bike Inari after the Shinto spirit of fertility and success. Based off the 1976 Honda CB 100 and stripped down to the simple mechanics, it's an agile motorcycle that handles the Indonesian island's volcanic terrain well.

With surfing at another high fashion moment (see the artful film our own Greg Mitnick recently shot for Proenza Schouler on the topic), Hurley's invitation to check out the U.S. Open of Surfing (of which the brand is the main sponsor) earlier this month seemed like a good idea. Other... Ami Kealoha

Exploring Dalek's work on Hurley fixed-gears, workspaces, surfboards and more

With surfing at another high fashion moment (see the artful film our own Greg Mitnick recently shot for Proenza Schouler on the topic), Hurley's invitation to check out the U.S. Open of Surfing (of which the brand is the main sponsor) earlier this month seemed like a good idea. Other than swarms of teens crowding Huntington Beach, BMX events, skaters and performances by Weezer and Hot Hot Heat—not to mention the actual surfing itself—checking out the Hurley "campus" was a revealing look at the brand that most Southern California surfer kids have grown up wearing since Hurley introduced clothing in 1999.

Other than the California feel—Hurley's corporate HQ is actually a handful of single-story buildings in Costa Mesa, CA—the most notable and persistent theme of the offices are the geometric shapes and bright hues of Dalek's (aka James Marshall's) artwork throughout, so we decided to take a closer look at the collaboration.

While the formal collaboration started more recently, Marshall's connection to the company dates back to when Hurley evolved from shaping surfboards into a lifestyle brand for the "modern surfer [who] also loved fashion, skate, snow, music and art." The first project official project bringing the two together came in the form of a large-scale painting for the retail concept 225 Forest that Hurley opened in Laguna, CA in July of last year.

While those familiar with Marshall's trademark cosmic mouse will notice the little creature's absence in the work he's done for the label, the new direction for the artist sees him keeping with a recognizable use of colorful kaleidoscopic shapes. For Hurley, who call print and color "a pillar of the brand's foundation," these playful combinations work well for applications that include a floor-to-ceiling treatment of their cafeteria (including the fridge, pictured above), as well as patterns on their Phantom board shorts.

To see these images and more representing the partnership, including my pics of Hurley's workspace, Dalek fixies, a gallery show, check out the gallery below.

Pairing its classic American style with a niche Milanese retailer, Gap is set to launch a European expansion with a shop-in-shop collection at 10 Corso Como this fall. The capsule collection is the work of Gap and American artist Kris Ruhs, who oversaw the original creative direction of first... Paolo Ferrarini

Fashion's unlikely pairing of an Italian concept shop with '90s Americana

Pairing its classic American style with a niche Milanese retailer, Gap is set to launch a European expansion with a shop-in-shop collection at 10 Corso Como this fall.

The capsule collection is the work of Gap and American artist Kris Ruhs, who oversaw the original creative direction of first 10 Corso Como shop in Milan, from the furniture to displays and overall image—as well as that of their successive stores in Tokyo and Seoul.

The collection consists of two styles of limited editions T-shirts, sweatshirts and canvas shopping bags. One series is decorated with the signature circles of 10 Corso Como, while the other one boasts a selection of Ruhs' illustrations, handpicked by 10 Corso Como founder Carla Sozzani.

The collection will be available for men and women at 10 Corso Como during Milan Fashion Week, beginning 25 September 2010.

A minimalist graphic tee brand celebrates their second year with a limited-edition box set

Just two short years ago Burlington, Vermont resident Jeff Sheldon founded Ugmonk with a straightforward mission to produce high-quality products with simple, fresh designs. What started as a small side project—a way to marry his passion for typography and t-shirt design—quickly grew to much more than that. Thousands of shirts later, he recently decided to leave his traditional "day job" and do Ugmonk full-time.

The current Ugmonk collection consists of around 25 different t-shirts and hoodies with lots of new designs being added in the coming months. To celebrate the two-year mark, Sheldon just released a special Limited Edition 2nd Anniversary Collector's Set. Each includes a two-color discharge print on a charcoal gray tee, a numbered wooden coin, and Ugmonk collector's card, all packed in a custom wooden box.

Only 200 of these sets will ever be made so grab yours for $50 at Ugmonk's online shop while they're still available.

Just two short years ago Burlington, Vermont resident Jeff Sheldon founded Ugmonk with a straightforward mission to produce high-quality products with simple, fresh designs. What started as a small side project—a way to marry his passion for typography and t-shirt design—quickly grew to much more than that. Thousands of... Mike Giles

With a string of live shows, mashups and reissues priming their return, OMD will release their first studio album in 14 years, History of Modern, this September. Reuniting in the recording studio after more than two decades, the original lineup—Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper—hit a... Evan Orensten

OMD's triumphant return to form with their first studio album in 14 years

With a string of live shows, mashups and reissues priming their return, OMD will release their first studio album in 14 years, History of Modern, this September. Reuniting in the recording studio after more than two decades, the original lineup—Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Malcolm Holmes and Martin Cooper—hit a new creative stride with the album while also harkening back to the crackling brilliance of their early singles.

OMD's electronic pop beats sit at the core of the thirteen tracks, in the droning synths of "New Babies: New Toys," the crystalline rush of "Sister Mary Says," and the eerie soundscape of "New Holy Ground." The soulful Aretha Franklin mashup "Save Me" (an American bonus track) gets our bodies moving. Legendary designer Peter Saville, who created many of OMD's celebrated album covers is also part of the new release, contributing a vivid cover that riffs off of his earlier album designs.

"History of Modern" drops 20 September in the U.K. and 28 September in the U.S. Preorder your copy on iTunes or Amazon or go all-out and reserve the limited-edition box set with an exclusive t-shirt on OMD's store. Check OMD's site for upcoming shows and other details.

Q elevates the chocolate bar to new heights of gastronomy. The recently launched confection owes its rich taste to Brazil's finest cocoa beans and equally sensuous curves to Oscar Niemeyer, the country's celebrated modern architect. Q was concocted by Samantha Aquim, chef and head of the chocolate division at... Roman Espejo