Cool Hunting
| 26 July 2005view entries from: this week | this month | view previous day | view next day |
Betsy Ross Patterns
by Ami Kealoha
Betsy Ross, Aimee Dolby's line of chic user-friendly clothing patterns, is one of the most recent additions to the growing DIY institution. Thanks to O.G.s like ReadyMade magazine (I'm a regular contributor), new kid Make, and the Renegade Craft Fair, modern crafty products like Dolby's have an established market. Her stylish kits, which include two skirts, a blouse, a dress, pants, and a tote, all come with a detailed instruction booklet, a bookmark featuring a glossary and technique, and a sturdy well-designed pattern (so crisp-looking it could double as wrapping paper) that can be easily sized to fit. Betsy Ross' thorough guides take the intimidation-factor out of sewing and, thanks to Dolby's sweetly charming sense of humor, even make it fun. Look out for a circle skirt, another blouse, and a fall coat in the near future.
RES' Comics and Animation Issue
by Ami Kealoha
The July/August issue of geek chic arts and culture magazine RES brims with a crop of comic-book-fans-come-of-age who are making their own mark in today's media. Profiles include Matthew Vescovo, the artist and self-proclaimed "master of the obvious" behind award-winning MTV spots and the book Instructoart, which is full of wry observations illustrated with vector graphics, airplane pamphlet-style. His "Perspective" literalizes the "grass is always greener" metaphor in a short featured on the cover (pictured) and as an extra on the RES DVD along with a slew of other shorts, videos, and music. (Only subscribers get the bonus DVD.)
San Francisco-based Amy Franceschini's prolific New Media collective Futurefarmers, an overview of Garbage Pail Kid creator Mark Newgarden's ouevre, and techie how-tos like stop-motion animation and Flash flipbook instructions round out the survey of next-generation doodlers.
Scubapunk
by Josh Rubin
Like its name, Scubapunk juxtaposes otherwise unconsidered concepts. The designs (click above to zoom in for a closer look) are a clean and simple interpretations of underwater life. Their site, on the other hand, brings in the more punk side of their personality.
adidas Skywalkers
by Josh Rubin
adidas always has it goin on, but this Fall is really coming together brilliantly. In addition to the Grubers, there will be Skywalkers (see above, click to zoom). The word is that this basketball shoe from outer space was found in a thrift store in Japan and dates back to the early 80's. Inspired by science fiction movies this model now comes back in its original patent look. The lemon ones, inspired by Luke at home on Tatooine, are my favorite.
UPDATED 7/27: Available now at coolestshop.com
Exotic Clutch
by Damien Brachet
Sofia Wallin's Bossy Cat handbags collection takes a leisurely jet-set stroll from Africa to Asia, from snakeskin to vintage kimono fabrics, for island-hopping girlfriends around town.
Luxurious fabrics, hand beadwork and feather details: irridescent crystal brooches, semi-precious stones, rugged raw Thai Silks and robust suedes. Recline in style, from private beach cocktail parties to dim sum morning dating.
