The blazer is a staple of modern menswear, but few realize that this garment has its origins in the sporting kit of the Oxford and Cambridge rowing teams. The amazing, just published, 'Rowing Blazers' by Thames and Hudson explores these authentic striped, piped, trimmed, and badged blazers that are still worn by oarsmen and -women around the world today, and at the elaborate rituals, elite athletes, prestigious clubs, and legendary races associated with them. Each University, school, college and club featured in the book is represented by their own group of rowers, including world champions, record holders and Olympians. The insightful portraits, set in historic international boathouses and club rooms, are accompanied by captivating anecdotes and descriptions of the esoteric traditions behind each blazer. [ Continue reading ]
We are very happy to finally share the earlier announced and just released Pastoe x Tenue the Nîmes collection, featuring special denim editions of two Pastoe classics: the FM06 lounge chair and the KM05 stool. The collection is based on the shared love for quality and craftsmanship by both the centennial Utrecht-based company and Tenue. Furthermore the collaboration underlines both companies’ philosophy of using sustainable materials and striving for simplicity, functionality and eye for detail. The FM06 lounge chair will be available in black steel wire with walnut wooden armrests and features a Kurabo-denim upholstered seat and back cushion, which has an exclusive leather patch attached at the side, showing both the ‘Pastoe x Tenue de Nîmes’ logo and its serial number. The KM05 stool also comes in black steel wire and features a detachable Kurabo-denim cushion, also with a leather patch containing the ‘Pastoe x Tenue de Nîmes’ logo. From today, both the lounge chair and the stool are available exclusively in the Tenue the Nîmes stores and online. [ Continue reading ]
It's been a while coming, but good ideas sometimes need time, and the latest by the J. Panther Luggage Co. is again of our highest liking. Their all new 3-way carry RollTote brings modern functionality and refinement, to the classic, utilitarian roll-top backpack. To the standard ruc mode two additional, flexible carry options were added: removable, fully adjustable leather shoulder straps attach via ‘O’ ring for ruc carry, with the option to re-attach one of these straps across the top of the bag for tote-style use. A leather side handle, meanwhile, offers the third option of hand carry. Precise positioning of straps and handle ensures optimum weight distribution and comfort for all physiques; like the reinforced base these are crafted from premium Horween leather that is highly durable and ages beautifully. The RollTote comes in the colors Black, Olive and Sand in J. Panther's signature 21oz lightly waxed, water-resistant canvas promising the RollTote to see you through the heaviest storm. [ Continue reading ]
This inspiring collaboration between Dutch quality wallpaper producer NLXL and designers Studio Job was unveiled last April, during Salone del Mobile. In the collaboration existing patterns from Studio Job's library of icons and images were adapted and extended to compositions of nine meters. Unique and without repeat, the collection reflects a retrospect of the history of Studio Job, which on a material basis was also the case in the design for Land Rover. Studio Job used archetypical drawings, combined as iconographic elements for patterns and compositions, ultimately creating 7 designs: Industry, Labyrinth, Perished, Alt Deutsch, l’Afrique and Withered Flowers, the latter in black and white and in color. These patterns, icons and compositions were originally created amongst others for their own work and projects in design, art and fashion and now applied beautifully as wallpapers. [ Continue reading ]
On the 12th of June, our friend designer Ellen Truijen officially opened her first brand store in Maastricht; the city where she resides and works in the far south of The Netherlands. The store sells, naturally, Ellen's leather bags and accessories, but also clothing, lingerie and other must haves by other designers. Grown out of the store named mos, which housed in the same location and already sold Ellen's products, the shop now truly sails under the flag of the ellen:truijen brand. Focus in the offered products lays on designers who still cherish locality, creating honest quality products like Ellen herself, such as POPcph, Brosbi, Lena Berens, the lingerie of Gent-based La Fille d'O, lipbalm by Kiyoko, the immaculate Mast Brothers chocolate and accessoires by Gabriel+Guevara and Lisanne Janssen next to Ellen's own beautiful collection. [ Continue reading ]
With a new generation of (indie) game developers rising, slowly more and more elegant games are being created. Metrico, which is exclusive to the PS Vita is another one of those games. It is being developed in our hometown Utrecht by Digital Dream and has some traditional platform game elements which are uniquely based around infographics. It’s an atmospheric puzzle action game that strives to create a unique mindset of its own. The idea was born a few years ago out of the observation how beautiful infographics can look as an art form, which was reinforced by the fact that infographics have become increasingly important in contemporary pop-culture. While they haven’t made their way to videogames yet, Digital Dreams feels there’s a place where they can work exceptionally well. This not just because of their beautiful aesthetic, but also its actively changing data and how that can be visualized. [ Continue reading ]
At the very start of Rapha, in 2004, they initiated the beautiful 'Kings of Pain' exhibition in the Old Truman Brewery, on London’s Brick Lane, which featured a collection of photography and memorabilia devoted to six iconic riders. Riders who epitomize the key elements which make the sport of road cycling so beautiful. Their stories and images of exploits have come to define road cycling. The original Kings of Pain: Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Tom Simpson, Fausto Coppi, Raymond Poulidor and Bernard Hinault, remain, a distillation of road racing’s most celebrated qualities. They embody the glory, suffering and drama of the sport, and their unmistakable styles defined their respective eras. Now, ten years later a capsule collection has been created in honor of the original Kings of Pain, and everyone who has and still does enjoy the, sometimes painful, ride with Rapha during the past decade. [ Continue reading ]