T-Shirt Monthly

by Ami Kealoha

Transforming the t-shirt from humble wardrobe staple to a monthly platform for artists, T-Shirt Monthly (though not quite monthly) is the latest tee subscription service to bridge fashion with a magazine-style format. Like the news-based T-Post, T-Shirt Monthly follows the model of a periodical, publishing six issues yearly, each designed by a notable t-shirt artist. This month's edition features work by +41, with others from around the globe to follow. A project by the Swiss arts foundation Belluard and Lowrider tees, a one-year subscription to the bi-monthly publication costs $200.

via e-flux

Ramon Vega: Bomb Scare

by Ami Kealoha

Appropriated images become pop kaleidoscopic spectacles in Ramon Vega's work. By isolating figures from the barrage of pop culture, the RISD grad creates snowflake-like patterns—the repeated symmetry has the meditative feel of religious mandalas—referencing sports and fashion. The results, like "Inside Upside" (pictured, click for detail) retain their slickly commercial feel and are also surreal configurations of the body, not unlike the work of Jean-Paul Goude.

His solo show, "Bomb Scare," opens at Invisible NYC this Thursday, 4 January 2006 and runs through 3 February 2006.

Bomb Scare
Opening Reception: 12 January 2006, 7-9pm
4 January-3 February 2006
Invisible NYC
148 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002 map
tel. 01 212 228 1358

Cardstock from Set Editions

by Evan Orensten

Cardstock is a year's worth of cards in a box. 40 cards (printed on 100% recycled paper) provide for a year's worth of birthdays, holidays, thank yous, get wells, anniversaries and more. A bargain at $60, they are available from Set Editions.

While shopping pick up a very handy pack of Alison Riley's "Stop Talking" cards. These classic cards started the Set Editions company in 2004 and always come in handy.

Hautlence

by Watchismo

Hautlence is a new watch brand and an anagram of the Swiss town Neuchatel, the homebase of the line's young entrepreneurs, Renaud De Retz, Guillaume Tetu and François Quentin. Not traditional watchmakers themselves, they designed the first Hautlence out of frustration with the lack of innovation in the high-end watch industry.

The Hautlence utilizes a variety of digit-revealing and obscuring jump hour discs and retrograde minutes within a highly three-dimensional display. All watches feature hand-winding Peseux 7001 caliber movements and cases made of 18k yellow, pink and grey gold, built to the 16:9 ratio of a television screen. The Hautlence only comes in a limited-edition series of 88 models of each six styles.

Top Five Bikes

by Leonora Oppenheim

If you are into moving fast, keeping fit and living green then you know the only really useful mode of transport in the big metropolis is a bike. Why sit in traffic when you can swerve around it? If you haven't made a New Year's resolution yet then getting a bike should be it. No need to scrimp on style either, check out these top wheels from 2006.

Jorg & Olif
If anyone knows how to bicycle with elegance it's the Dutch. This Canadian company has taken their lead with this traditional style bike.

Paul Smith x Mercian Cycles
For the serious fashionista and the serious cyclist,this is for the speed demons with a colorful dress sense.

3G Bikes
For the sporty type, this bike will make you sweat. Styled like a classic 70s chopper but with a twist—you can't sit down!

Shadow Cruiser
For those street kids who like to be seen, The Shadow Conspiracy created a limited edition of 300 of this black BMX bike with amazing graphics in early 2006.

Cyclepods
Anyone with a bike knows how hard it is to hold on it. Bicycle theft in cities is rampant, especially if you've got a limited edition. This British designed Cyclepod is a safe way to park your bikes on the street, keeps them dry and doesn't look bad either.

Top Five Shoes

by Leonora Oppenheim

These top five shoes of the year exemplify why Cool Hunting is the place to look for off the wall products, designs with a twist, innovative forms and concepts. This is not about flashing big name brands, it's about embracing what's new and exciting. Even if we're talking adidas and Puma we're still talking creativity and limited editions—and it's not all about sneakers either!

adicolor Online Winner
It's a classic image that's been reproduced many many times, but Ari Lankin still managed to create a fresh look with his interpretation of Hokusai's Tsumani on these adidas sneaks.

Puma Mongolian Shoe BBQ v2
There's designer customised sneakers and then there's DIY! Get creative with the Puma Mongolian and choose colours and materials to make a totally unique pair of your own.

Max Kibardin
Italians are famous for their taste in beautiful shoes, which is presumably why this Siberian designer decided to set up shop in Milan. His devotion to the craft shows in the lovingly handmade details of these luxurious shoes.

United Nude
What happens when you mix a British shoe designer with a Dutch architect? Some seriously avant-garde creations that's what. United Nude has made the most radical and sexy shoe designs of the year.

Duffer Flip Flops
When you are slopping around and can't face the high heels or the high tops you need a pair of funky flip flops. The Duffers hit the spot.