Gafar on North Avenue

I spotted Gafar on North Avenue this past weekend. It was a pretty cold, dreary day and his sneakers were the first thing to grab my attention. I love the traditional or muted color scheme of his overall outfit punctuated by color in the form of interesting accessories and a nicely detailed denim.

He was really friendly and in addition to letting me snap several shots, he shared his story with me too. He is half Nigerian, half British, a finance student at De Paul, he's developing a clothing line, he's a dj/producer and spends a little time working downtown at the Puma store. If I get a chance to see what this fashion line is all about there may just be another post about him in the future.

Sruli Recht: Bow Ties

Another post to start the new year on a lovely, fashionable foot: bow ties by Sruli Recht. Here is some interesting history about the bow tie from the Sruli Recht site:

"During the Prussian wars of the 17th century Croatian mercenaries held together the openings of their shirts around their necks with a scarf. Then adopted by the French upper class the “Cravat” was derived from the French for "Croat" to become highly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. It was this Croatian scarf of combat and bloodshed that led to the Bow Tie. Here we salute its dark origins."

Read the fascinating story behind the special cotton fabric used to make this accessory here.

Candleholders by Hiroshi Tsunoda

These contemplative little candleholders are designed by Hiroshi Tsunoda. Made from a single sheet of metal, it folds up to reveal a beautiful geometric structure. A wonderful example of complexity coming out of simplicity. There are four designs available online at Design Code: Lily I, Lily II, Motif I and Motif II, all shown above.

MAC (Modern Appealing Clothing)

I read an article about MAC in the New York Times today and I enjoyed a quote from one of the owners so much I decided to start off the new year with a post about this store.

"The farmers honor labor. They sell the freshest stuff at its most perfect point in time. Disposable fashion is like fast food! We honor the hands that make clothes. Like ‘slow food’? We like to think of our clothes as ‘slow clothes.’ We’re not fashion victims. You want to find that jacket that is your most perfect tomato, and wear it for 20 years."

Check out the article here.

Mike + Doug Starn at David Weinberg Gallery

Dear friends, I'm excited to start blogging again and what a wonderful way to start it off with the exciting announcement that I'll get to see Mike and Doug Starn's snowflake works in person. As you may remember, I talked about them a while ago when they were featured in the publication Nomenus Quarterly. As it turns out, David Weinberg Gallery here in Chicago has on display alleverythingthatisyou from October 24-January 3. I hope you'll find the time to stop by and have a look at these wonderful works.

Myoung Ho Lee: Tree

A wonderful series of photographs by Myoung Ho Lee, a young artist from South Korea. "Simple in concept, complex in execution, Myoung Ho makes us look at trees, one at a time, in their natural surroundings. He isolates eich tree from its immediate environment by presenting it against an immense white canvas backdrop, creating in effect, a temporary monumental outdoor art installation." (from Foam)

A limited edition of signed prints are available online at lensculture.

Tsumori Chisato A/W 08-09

See more of this insanely fantastic collection here.

Viviane Sassen

Awesome fashion photography by Viviane Sassen for Mixte.

Tretorn: Skymra + T-56

I love Tretorn! Check out their latest sneaker style for men, the Skymra. The Skymra comes in canvas and leather. I've also included a couple images of the T-56, a mid-cut sneaker made of soft leather with perforated detailing.

Robert Geller S/S 08 + A/W 08

Selections from Robert Geller's A/W 08 Collection.






























































































Selections from Robert Geller's S/S 08 Collection.