A Closer Look: Schmoove

As I move away from wearing sneakers and start wearing more dress shoes, sometimes I just want that happy medium. Schmoove offers that middle ground, with a good range of styles to choose from. The profile of the dressier models are really clean looking and would pair up well with a suit or dressed down with some denim. The shoes are really on point, but I'm just asking myself about the name, Schmoove.... really?

a closer look: Actual Pain

Now a days I am not really into graphic tee shirt companies, as I would generally prefer a little more depth to a line. Sometimes there is an exception to the rule, and in this case it is Seattle's Actual Pain. They are a small company but have been making their mark with great designs and solid collaborations with like-minded brands such as Flying Coffin, Italian brand Vanguard, and most recently Mishka. With hardcore death-metal inspired graphics and a "don't give a fuck" attitude, Actual Pain are ones to watch out for.

a closer look: Moncler

even though I don't live in a climate that demands I own a down winter jacket, if I did, it would surely be by Moncler. Founded in 1952, the brand has always made top-performance winter goods (with respectable spring/summer collections) while always maintaining a catwalk presence in Milan and Paris. now collaborating with famed Comme De Garcon  desinger Junya Watanabe, the brand has a strongly defined look of pure Euro luxury and sleekness. plus the Matterhorn-esque ad campaign has a killer retro look that encapsulates a past era of simplicity and style. with boutiques opening in major cities all over the world, Moncler is a brand on the rise. 

a closer look: Engineered Garments

here's a look at the Fall/Winter 08' collection from Engineered Garments, as seen on Odin New York online store. I've been seeing a few pieces from the the F/W 08' line around and really liked the styling. Daiki Suzuki, the designer of the collection, has taken inspiration from "1920's and 30's coal miners, loggers, railroaders and construction workers, and how they lived their lives, specifically how wool tailored jackets and trousers were todays jeans and t-shirts." A very interesting approach to a line, and the outcome is one that I am really feeling. check Odinnewyork for more looks from the collection as well as a short interview with the designer.