Cool Hunting

Public School T-shirt and Jacket
Leading the way in grown-up street wear, Public School recently released Fall/Winter 2008, their second collection. We've been into their clean cut but somewhat edgy designs since the label launched last year; the quality materials and subtle details set them apart from the rest of the rack at Barneys or Fred Segal. Their new NY Hearts Me t-shirt (not available until next Fall 2008),...

SEEE: I Love Magic Shows and Other Ways To Fight Evil
The newest collection from CH favorites Star Electric Eighty Eight (SEEE), called "I Love Magic Shows and Other Ways To Fight Evil" features designs inspired by the concept of self-made magic and revolutionary spirit. Harlem-based designer Jennifer Garcia researched the occult elements from a variety of sources including European tarot cards, Native American dream-catchers, Rangoli designs from India and Pennsylvanian Dutch barn hexes, all...

Wolf and Pack
Amsterdam based Wolf and Pack believe that the t-shirt is an instrument to incorporate art into everyday life. Born from two veterans of the street scene, Julian Lynn (New York) and Gabriel Hunter (Philadelphia), their T-shirts blend hard-edged design with a playful take on life. Made in limited quantities, I really like the gun/skull graphic (above left). Take a look at the rest of...

Barking Irons Half Off
Mining the rich historical era of 19th century NYC, Barking Irons' fifth collection features the same flawlessly-executed designs that made us fans in the first place. From the emblem-shaped "Honey Bee" design (an homage to speedy fire fighters) to the heart-and-tiger combo evoking the patriotic society and the native chief they were named for, each tee is like a mini history lesson entitling the...

Ross Menuez, Salvor
In this video we visit Salvor founding designer, Ross Menuez, who in just a few short years grew his line of silkscreened tees from a basement operation to a cult brand sold worldwide. Known for his animal tees and pillows, Ross has gone on to apply his eclectic style—a blend of diverse influences like Japanese design, op art and nature—to wall hangings, tape and,...

IRAK
Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren, J Crew, Banana Republic, etc. are selling a fabricated-fantasy lifestyle, but IRAK lives the life that they are selling. In 1997 Earsnot started IRAK, a tightly knit shoplifting graffiti crew with about 50 members. Today some of the members include many of downtown New York's art elite. Last December Earsnot launched a website where the crew, “expresses their 2...