April 77 Selvedge Stretch Denim

by Tim Yu

French label Aprill 77 emphasizes high quality construction and fabrics and in their first year they have already made an impact on the denim scene. A standout from their upcoming Fall/Winter 2009 line is their Japanese selvedge stretch denim pant and jacket. It's the first we've heard of stretch selvedge denim.

There are only two factories in the world that can produce this type of denim, and in limited runs. Inquiries into how they produce the denim were not answered out of fear of being copied.

Hand washed and made in Japan, the denim weighs in at 13.5oz and is composed of 98% cotton and 2% elastic. Each piece comes nicely packaged in a Bleu de Chine bag, all the better to protect the $430 pants and the $420 jacket. Both drop in September and can be found at Berdorf Goodman or April 77.

Kusmi Tea

by Lost At E Minor

Next time you fancy a good, strong cup of tea, check out Kusmi Tea’s addictive collection.

Founded in St Petersburg, Russia, the famous teahouse has been churning out celebrated Russian teas for more than 140 years. Now headquartered in Paris, its Eastern roots remain with Russian blends of black teas boasting names like Prince Vladimir and Anastasia. Whether you go for the green, black, red, herbal or wellness stash, Kusmi only uses sophisticated blends of premium leaves, herbs, and spices.

We also love Kusmi’s baroque style packaging. Reusable tin canisters, they are saturated with ornate and intricate illustrations fit for a czar.

ID Prints

by Nathan Suberi

ID Prints extreme-sports action images are cause for any radical aesthete to rejoice. Their purchasable posters are "staccato-quality offset prints," or in other terms, they are crisp and clean. Produced using only first-rate materials and processes these posters offer both action and integrity that is hard to match.

As action sports have grown so has the demand for posters of these leading athletes. Taking photos of skating, surfing, and snowboarding takes a fearless photographer willing to put themselves in precarious situations under water, in the air, hanging off cliffs and across the globe to capture these images.

These prints and many more are available through ID Prints.

Check out some more of our favorites after the jump.

The New York Times Magazine Redesign

by Tim Yu

A little over a week ago on 14 June 2009 one of my favorite magazines, The New York Times Magazine, quietly unveiled a new design and format in an effort to cut costs and waste (there were two artist designed covers for the 14 June issue, shown above). Announced in that issue's editor's letter by Gerald Marzorati, I'm surprised how under the radar it went over. It is only the second time they've redesigned the magazine in its 100+ years of existence.

The magazine is now "nine percent smaller—a little off the top, a little off the sides." Marzorati goes on, "...the Great Recession, coming at a time when newspapers and magazines were already struggling to adjust to the Internet age, has put tremendous pressure on print publications to find savings that do not threaten the essential things they offer their readers. Global demand for paper is high; thus the cost of the paper is high; thus using less paper in each issue we produce will save millions of dollars, money we can use to continue to pay for the long-form journalism and ambitious photography fill our pages with each week." To help make up for the loss in space, the publication now uses a new exclusive typeface, Lyon Text, designed by Kai Bernau and Christian Schwartz, because it is unnoticeably more condensed.

This Sunday's issue featuring Rafael Nadal was my second experience with the new magazine and I like it. Art director Arem Duplessis did a great job updating the look in subtle ways including the use of a new contemporary color palette. I love the big photos and graphic treatments that large format magazines afford, but given the times (no pun intended) a reduction in size not only seems appropriate but also an effective way to reduce costs without cutting content or jobs. The smaller size is also easier on public transportation and in bed.

Design at its best can solve problems after all.

Look out for the letters to the editor in response to the new design in the upcoming issue this Sunday, 28 June 2009.

Lulan Artisans 11°/17° Textile Competition

by Nathan Suberi

Lulan Artisans 11°/17° Textile Competition is an avenue for aspiring textile artists to publicize their craftsmanship and be discovered.

Founded in 2005 by Eve Blossom as a sustainable textile initiative, Lulan produces handmade high-quality textiles using organic and renewable materials while at the same time providing sustainable income to over 650 artisans throughout Cambodia, India, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Lulan achieves great product diversity through incorporating techniques and styles from the various local artists it supports, creating a fascinating dynamic between American and Asian sensibilities.

11°/17° are the approximate coordinates of Vietnam, where Blossom was first inspired to begin her venture. In this spirit, entries should symbolize a melding of contemporary design and traditional asian weaving techniques.

Entries will be received until October 15, 2009, with winners being awarded $1,500 cash and a place in the 2010 Lulan Collection. Visit the 11°/17° Textile Competition site for more details.