A.P.C. Los Angeles Flagship Store

by Ami Kealoha

A.P.C., the label beloved the world over for its understated Parisian style, opens its doors in the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles today. The second flagship in the U.S. (the other is in New York) brings their always-classic denim line (including the cult-status raw stuff of course) to the West Coast, along with the subtle feminity of their women's clothes, staple menswear, their more casual Madras collection and accessories. Los Angeles shoppers should also be happy to have full access to the impeccable quality of A.P.C. shoes. If you haven't figured it out by now, we're fans.

A.P.C.
619 North Croft Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90048 map
tel. +1 323 297 0414

Magic House Pencils

by Tim Yu

Magic House pencils look like standard wooden pencils in Crayola colors but they hide a mechanical interior. Both user- and environmentally-friendly, the pencils eliminate sharpening and feature a lead chamber designed to recognize the need for more lead when the tip of the pencil touches the writing surface, also eliminating the need to advance the lead. What's more, the pencils are refillable simply by pulling out the eraser cap and inserting lead.

For more info visit Magic House.

Dyson Slim vs. Stowaway

by Ami Kealoha

Dyson's two newest vacuums, the Slim, a narrower upright, and the Stowaway, a canister version, both offer the superior performance the brand's known for in (slightly) more compact designs with a few key differences between the two. We put them both to the test in our NYC apartments to see how they stood up side by side within the cramped confines.

Overall, using their trademarked "Root Cyclone" technology, the two are free from the frustrations of other vacuums' poor suction and frequent clogs. Most anything in the path of either the Slim or Stowaway gets sucked up and trapped (by filters that never need replacing) in their satisfyingly translucent canisters, which are easy to empty and also minimize mess in the process. The tech and filters also prevent any dust from coming out while trying to clean—an often futile aspect of other vacuums.

With the usual array of detachable heads, both Dysons are equipped to clean hard-to-reach corners and cracks. The Slim features a telescoping wand designed to extend for spiderwebs in corners and other high places, but we found it a little awkward to pull out and less effective in getting under low couches and the like. The Stowaway has a similarly bulky telescoping apparatus, but its height makes it more well-suited for cleaning underneath spaces. Also making it competitive with the Slim, the Dyson has a deep-cleaning motorized brush head. At the end, choosing between the two will largely depend on whether you prefer a canister or an upright.

Both have not-quite-perfect functionality and—for designs that are supposed to be compact—they require a large volume of storage space. But if you're looking for Dyson's unrivaled performance (and don't mind your vacuum looking like a cartoon), the Stowaway and Slim will please even the most fastidious of housekeepers. You can get the Slim ($470) and the Stowaway ($500) directly from Dyson (shipping included).

Also on Cool Hunting: Dyson Root 6

Ubiq

by Ami Kealoha

A new home for the best in retro-mod and limited-edition men's shoes, Ubiq, has just opened on Philadelphia's Walnut Street. Designed by Rafael de Cardenas, the optically stimulating store vibrates with black-and-white patterns, intense and strategic lighting, and reflective surfaces. The back of the store holds a standout collection of men's clothing and accessories in a space designed to feel like an old Upper East Side living room. The exclusive footwear, including Ubiq's eponymous line, find special homes in bright glass cases that facilitate maximum ogling. And with an upstairs gallery that transforms into temporary pop-up shops, expect a string of exciting collaborations to come.

by Lisa Dionisio

Premiata Shoes

by Tim Yu

Reminiscent of jelly sandals girls wore in the '80s and recent designer versions, Premiata's flip-flop takes the plastic look and feel to a new level. The durable material makes for a stylish, delicate and versatile look. A suspended perforated sole keeps feet cool while maintaining cushion and comfort. The airy grid-like pattern of the sole also prevents the annoying flip and flop that occurs with standard varieties, while the square toe adds an attractive, almost Japanese detail.

I stumbled upon the Italian brand in a small boutique in Tokyo and haven't been able to track them down since, but their flagship store is in Milan. They make several other stylishly simple shoes, mostly for women and a few for men. The collection is worth checking out at Premiata. More images from their summer line after the jump.

Premiata Boutique
via Della Spiga 1
20121 Milano, Italy
tel. +39 02 76021221