Corduroy Magazine No. 3

by Jonah Samson

I recently picked up a copy of issue No.3 of Corduroy Magazine and ended up reading it from cover to cover in one sitting. Named after the idea that a corduroy jacket never goes out of style, the magazine features profiles on up-and-coming and well-known artists, musicians and actors, as well as entire sections devoted to art and fashion. Although this may seem like a familiar formula for a magazine their execution feels fresh and unique. Even better, it was only when going through the magazine a second time that I realized there were practically no ads—a refreshing and welcome difference from the usual ad-heavy magazines. Although still a young publication recently celebrating their one year anniversary, Corduroy is an exceptional example of a magazine high in production value and editorial integrity while keeping costs at a minimum. Issues are available at newsstands for $8.

Check out their website to subscribe or for more info on where to pick up a copy. Also check out their blog to catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes.

Peter Eisenman: City of Culture

by Max Gold

If one were to gaze off into the ancient hills of Santiago de Compostela, their eye might be snared on a large interruption. Architect Peter Eisenman's brand-new City of Culture complex is currently in the heat of construction and sticks out like a sore thumb. However, if completed as planned, the City of Culture should do anything but catch the eye. This is because Eisenman hopes to make his complex invisible.

The City of Culture complex will be one million square feet and contain six new buildings, including a Museum of Galician History, a brand new Library and a Music Theater. The idea is to articulate Santiago's medieval roots through futurist architecture. Eisenman has incorporated masonry techniques used at the time when the old city of Santiago was constructed, along with all local stone in order to give the complex a face that blends in with the rest of the structures in the ancient city. But he doesn't stop there.

To create the building's natural and unique shape along the hillside, Eisenmen traced the contours of the five primary pilgrimage routes that lead to Santiago, and then applied their shape to the topography of the hillside. The effect is that the City of Culture looks as though it is part of the hillside, rippling from it like a natural feature of the landscape.

Through the marriage of ancient architectural technique with natural inspiration from the unique landscape, this complex will be a true child of Galicia.

Even more so, perhaps, than its old and gray great-grandfather, la Catedral de Santiago. It should be noted that The City of Culture, along with other new innovations such as Festival dos Abrazos, is an effort on the part of Galicia's ministry of tourism to create a more modern face for their ancient city. Estimated completion date: 2012.

Modmix Organic Cocktail Mixers

by Jacob Resneck

For those who like to whip up a cocktail — but don't have the space for all of the ingredients and accoutrement required for a wasabi Bloody Mary on the fly — there are more and more respectable mixers on the market. A new addition taking it an organic step further is Modmix, a three-woman partnership in West Hollywood that recently unveiled an organic line of mixers.

There's already been plenty of buzz; Modmix was the mixer of choice at this year's Sundance Film Festival, if that's any indication. Judging it on its flavor combos alone — from the Citrus Margarita to the Pomegranate Cosmopolitan — it's definitely worth a sample.

The Modmix line is available online from BTC Elements for $13 per bottle or check the site for a list of stores in your area.

Cool Hunting Rough Cut: Self Edge, San Francisco. New Projects

by Josh Rubin

Our second Rough Cut video features a visit to San Francisco's Self Edge denim shop. Owner Kiya Babzani talks about denim, leather, obsession with detail and shows us some of the new collaborations they will be launching this fall.

Kiya carefully curates what products the store carries, and specializes in brands that mostly use Japanese-made denim woven on looms from the 1960s and earlier. Self Edge offers brands that appeal to true denim connoisseurs, including The Flat Head, Iron Heart, Imperial, Mister Freedom, and Sugar Cane.

Kiya shares his inspiration and motivation, thoughts on craftsmanship, and a look at some upcoming product. Included in the Fall line-up is the SEXTW07 Self Edge x Triple Works collaboration and new cuts from Iron Heart. We also see the Self Edge x Flat Head chambray shirt.

The front window features an installation by artist Sidney Lo, his recently completed 365-days-in-the-same-Flat Head-jeans self portrait series, What Are You Wearing Today? (pictured above courtesy of Sidney Lo).

We had a great visit with Kiya and his wife Demitra Georgopoulos, a partner in the store. Kiya also showed us a few tricks on his Anti Yo, another of his passions and business ventures, and introduced us to a few yo-yo pros at one of their meet-ups.