Rémy Martin Louis XIII Collaborations

by Karen Day

The process of making cognac is a combination of art, science, experience, devotion and genius. In keeping with the passion and vision that goes behind each bottle, cognac connoisseur Rémy Martin has teamed up with visionary artists from the world of art, design, photography and architecture on various projects.

An ideal match for the luxury brand, Rémy Martin asked French industrial designer Christophe Pillet to create a limited-edition set to accompany Louis XIII cognac. The contemporary set includes a silver illuminated serving platter, a crystal glass and candleholder and a display case. A protégé of Philippe Starck, Christophe has worked independently since 1993 designing products for some of the best brands in the world including Capellini, Shu Uemura, Driade and the interior architecture of the Hôtel Sezz in Paris. The set is available upon request on the Louis XIII website.

Another brilliant collaboration, Rémy Martin also recently launched a book by Matthew Rolston, "beautyLIGHT", a showcase of some of Matthew Rolston's best photographs from the past 20 years. Discovered by Andy Warhol at an early age, in addition to Interview Magazine, Matthew has shot iconic covers for numerous publications like Rolling Stone and BlackBook, as well as directed music videos for Madonna, Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz and more. Be one of 600 to pick up the collector's edition, which includes a signed print.

You can purchase the collector's edition or the standard form from teNeues.

Hermès x Smart Fortwo: Toile H Edition

by Brian Fichtner

The Como group, official distributor of the Smart brand in Paris and Île-de-France, recently celebrated its tenth anniversary at the Grand Palais with a limited edition offering of ten Smart cars produced in ten stunning colors, all specially upholstered by Hermès.

The Fortwo Toile H edition features a saddle-stitched leather steering wheel and gear lever, Toile H covered compartments and coachwork, luxuriously detailed pockets and even sports a rear umbrella stay. At 38,000€ for the coupé, the Toile H edition will cost you roughly four times the 2008 standard edition, but this is Hermès we're talking about.

Check out a host of images at Dezeen.

Mister Freedom: The Last Cruise, Salty Years

by Doug Black

The brainchild of LA-based Frenchman Christophe Loiron, Mister Freedom is a denim clothing line produced by Toyo Enterprises (of Sugar Cane and Buzz Rickson fame) that sticks to an overarching Naval theme. Like the first line, the new winter collection imagines the tailored clothing of a merchant Navy sailor as he travels the seven seas. This time around, we find our sailor in the Southern Indian Ocean on his last cruise after 10 years in the service. Now an "old salt" in mariner's parlance, the clothes are weathered and faded by the extremes of sun, ocean water and use.

Titled "The Last Cruise, Salty Years," the collection focuses on extreme weather gear. With cuts and designs from early 20th century military wardrobes, the pieces use durable denim and authentic vintage flourishes. The Denim Pea Coat follows the 1910 Navy pattern and uses 14oz dark indigo selvedge denim made from a 50/50 blend of sugar cane fiber and cotton. The Foul Weather Coat is made of a blue "jungle cloth" used by the Navy from the 1920s to 1950s. A material known for being sturdy and weatherproof, while remaining comfortable to wear. It uses an exact replica of the 1930s "hookless" zipper and is fully lined with a naval wool blanket. Other items include a pair of Modified Type 7161 denim jeans, a wool/cotton sweater, a Denim CPO Overshirt, a Wool Watch Cap, a Jungle Cloth and Chambray Rain Hat and three different t-shirts.

One particularly interesting stylistic touch is the "Liberty Cuff." In the 1920s, it was common for enlisted men to have local tailors add multicolored stitching to the inside of sleeves. That way, it wouldn't be visible to their superiors while on the job, but they could fold up the sleeves to impress the locals while on shore leave. The mermaid design (pictured above) can be found in the Pea Coat and serves as both an attractive design element and interesting historical note.

Mister Freedom can be purchased through CH favorites Self Edge. Kiya Babzani, the San Francisco shop's proprietor, went so far as to call Mister Freedom "maybe the most important line being produced in the world right now." And that's high praise, considering the source.

Zuriick Shoes

by Mike Giles

Back in Utah in the summer of 2005 two gents, bored with the look of standard chunkier shoes (i.e. Vans, Chucks, etc.) and looking for something slimmer, lighter weight and just a bit different than what was readily available, decided to start a little company called Zuriick. The Ake was their first design, in which they chose bright colors and a contrasting purple sole to set them apart from anything else being done at that time. That first foray has now expanded into a full line of stylish and affordable men's and women's footwear that yesterday saw the launch of another two colors of their popular Beata model.

OZOlife Gift Pack

by Karen Day

As the holiday decor and requisite complaints about it begin, it's also time to turn to resources like the good people at OZOlife, the online magazine and daily email about smart, sustainable living, who are offering a gift pack that will be sure to please even the fussiest friend.

Each gift pack includes seven essential items designed to ease your eco-conscience, daily life and wallet—from the classic Sigg bottle to a toothbrush made from recycled plastic yogurt containers.

At $105, you can purchase the gift pack today from OZOlife. Keep an eye out for it along with other great gift options in the Cool Hunting gift guide come Thanksgiving or check out last year's to get a jump start on the brainstorming.

Le Petit Larousse Illustré 2009

by Karen Day

Ever the fashion pundits, the French have extended their obsession for what is très chic by asking design legend and man behind the house of Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, to design the 2009 issue of "Le Petit Larousse Illustrè." Translated in English as "Larousse Small Illustrated Dictionary," besides lending his artistic talents, Lagerfeld himself is included in the book's encyclopedia of proper names along with the likes of Brad Pitt and acclaimed French actress Marion Cotillard.

A realistic sketch of Lagerfeld graces the limited-edition box cover, next to the phrase habillé par Karl Lagerfeld (or "dressed by Karl Lagerfeld") and on the dictionary's front cover itself, La Semeuse blows the seeds of knowledge wearing nothing but blue evening gloves.

Released earlier this month, the book is available for €50 on French Amazon.