RetroSpecs & Co. Buffalo Horn Inlay Specs

by Nathan Suberi

RetroSpecs & Co.'s Buffalo Horn Inlay collection is another class of shade. The outfit has dedicated themselves to the discovery, research, and restoration of antique lens frames since 1992. In the ensuing 17 years they have established themselves as masters of their craft, catering to the high profile tastes of celebrities such as Kobe Bryant and Orlando Bloom.

The Buffalo Horn Inlay series specs are made from imported South Indian horn, adorned with 12k gold inlaid designs. These inlays are salvaged from registered and certified 1920-1950 era vintage glasses, flanking the temples in lieu of a logo. While they are certainly not cheap, starting at around $500, they do guarantee a chic look that's built to last.

RetroSpecs & Co. glasses are available through their numerous local dealerships or their L.A. showroom.

RetroSpecs & Co. Showroom
8629 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069 map

LunchBots Containers

by CH Contributor

by Laura Neilson

As concerns over the long-term effects of plastic chemicals grow, LunchBots' stylish steel food containers are both a non-toxic and environmentally-sound consideration for anyone brown-bagging their lunch these days.

The California-based company launched its 100% stainless steel containers as an alternative to lunchboxes, tupperware and secondhand plastic take-out canisters, many of which contain bisphenol-a (BPA), a chemical which has been linked to several cancers as well as other serious disorders.

Composed entirely of food-grade Type 304 stainless steel (an alloy of iron ore, chromium, silicon, nickel, carbon, nitrogen, and manganese), the portable containers are stain and rust-resistant, not to mention durable. They're currently available in four different sizes and compartment options ($13-17), with brightly-hued stainless steel toppers.

The containers are available for purchase from the LunchBots website.

Aston Martin x Foster + Partners Double Decker Bus

by Nathan Suberi

We were just in London on the bus thinking the classic vehicle needed an update. Good thing premier luxury car producer Aston Martin and prominent architectural firm Foster + Partners recently teamed up to give a new spin on the classic London behemoth. The collaboration was prompted by London mayor Boris Johnson, who launched a "Design a Bus" competition last year. The AM/F+P model tied for top honors, with the winning designs now being put through to bus manufacturers for finalization.

The redesign is both plush and efficient. Electric motors in the wheel hubs are the main driving force, resulting in lower floors, easier handicapped accessibility and a 10% increase in turning radius for the formerly clunky buses. The engine is installed in such a manner to be easily swapped when upgrades in fuel-cell technology present themselves. The sky lights on the roof are both invigorating and empowering, providing a refreshing dose of natural sunlight and charging the batteries through photovoltaics.

Incomplete as an Aston Martin without some semblance of luxury, the bus will also feature reconstituted leather seating and recycled wood flooring.

London goers should expect to see the first prototypes take to the streets in 2011.

via Fast Company.

Core77 Dutch Master

by Karen Day

Resting on tires that "eat curbs for breakfast," Core77's new Dutch Master bicycle has a beefy stance that offers a smooth aesthetic and powerful ride.

Designed and built entirely in New York City, the limited edition bike is a seamless combination of old and new with its BMX attributes and classic Dutch style. Beginning with a customized frame based on the Worksman cruiser—an NYC deliveryman's staple—Core77 modified the frame adding a vigilantly chosen set of components.

Hand-built by KT Higgins, a former bike messenger and owner of Bushwick Bike Shop, each of the 25 bicycles rolls on shock-absorbing Fat Frank tires from Schwalbe, making it easy to ride the uneven city streets while adding a sense of freestyle to its distinguished appearance.

The Brooklyn Machine Works indestructible stems and pedals will keep you moving as you sit high on the Brooks saddle. Cruising isn't all this bicycle can handle though—the BMX Crankset, Sturmy-Archer front and rear drum breaks, hand-built wheels with Swiss DT spokes and sturdy bike pegs are all unobtrusively affixed for those times where performance supersedes style.

We couldn't have been more impressed after taking the Dutch Master for a spin around SoHo, where the bike will be shown off at the neighborhood's Apple Store, this Saturday, 11 July 2009 at 3pm. The designers and builders will be on site guiding the audience through the bike's development process with photos and videos.

Additionally, the Dutch Master will become a fixture of the new Ace Hotel New York lobby, an inimitable match for the sleek yet bohemian bike.

The Dutch Master bicycle is available for purchase from the Core77 shop, for $1560.

See more images after the jump.

The State Complete Series: Interview with David Wain

by Doug Black

Over 15 years since debuting as MTV's first foray into sketch comedy, "The State: The Complete Series" is finally a reality. After more than a decade of starts and stalls, the cult-classic will be available 14 July 2009 as a five-disc DVD set, complete with full cast commentary, un-aired sketches, outtakes and interviews. The often witty, occasionally absurdist, always irreverent show had a brief, storied run on MTV before the 11 members went on to create and star shows like "Reno 911!," "Viva Variety" and "Stella," to name a few.

We had a chance to speak with founding member David Wain, whose numerous credits include writing and directing "Role Models," "The Ten" and "Wet Hot American Summer." We talked about the impending DVD, its long wait and upcoming projects with him and the rest of the gang.

David Wain: Hi, this is David Wain

Cool Hunting: How are you?
I'm good. [Muffled] I'm eating a piece of sushi. I'm almost done with it too, so we can begin.

So the State DVD is finally coming out after a notoriously long wait. Is it strange to revisit this material after 15 years?
It's kind of cool. Like going back through your old high school photos, but in this case they're sketches. It's great because all of us in the group are still friends and we still work together.

The new DVD comes with an insert explaining how you couldn't license some of the original songs, so there was an involved process of changing them. Is that what took so long?
No, that had nothing to do with it. The licensing of the songs took two months. The rest of the 10 years was just the classic sort of bureaucratic bullshit. One group came in charge of MTV Home Video and we got started with the project. Then they shipped it to corporate entities, and the other one comes in and says "What is this? Why would we want to do this? Who would want to watch this on DVD?" Then its goes under [and] stops for six months. It's not an interesting answer, just classic red tape.

Would you work with them again?
These corporations are so gigantic, one department has nothing to do with another. To say I wouldn't work for Viacom [MTV's parent company] again is to say that I wouldn't work for one-third of the entertainment industry.

Did you and the rest of the group have an active hand in the song licensing process and with any changes that were made?
Very much so, they were great about that. They let all of us be very hands-on with everything about making the DVD. So we were very involved in all the mastering, the music stuff, doing the commentary, choosing the extras and everything.

Was there any music that you couldn't license that was particularly hard to part with?
There definitely was. Probably the most heartbreaking was "Cannonball" [the Breeders' 1993 single, which accompanies the infamous "Pants" sketch]. That was an example of one of the sketches that was built around a song. I directed that piece and edited it, and when we were in the edit room, I found that song and thought, "Let me just create this piece around that stock piece of music." So it is a shame, I'm not going to lie. However, I will say that we really did work hard to find replacement music where we had to that worked and really maintained the rhythm and humor of the sketches. And I think we did a decent job with it. People who have seen the DVD who didn't know the original music have commented to me about how good the music is.

Read the rest of the interview after the jump.

Krochet Kids Crochet Beanies

by Karen Day

By 2050, Africa will be home to almost a quarter of the world's urban population—the altruistic friends behind Krochet Kids International hope to empower the women of this rapidly growing continent by providing them the entrepreneurial skills involved in hand-crocheting beanies.

Founded upon love, the Krochet Kids now have 10 Ugandan women in their Krochet Program who not only learn how to knit, but receive a reliable salary and are involved in a financial education program that teaches them the aspects of small business management.

The quality beanies come in a variety of styles and colors, but all of the wool and acrylic-blend hats bare the handwritten name of the women who stitched it and a "Love Africa" tag. Recently the non-profit team added a collection of tees and tank tops to their lineup, showing off the logo "I Africa Krochet Kids," (pictured at right).

In a similar style to that of Toms Shoes, the Krochet Kids are devoted to giving back, a refreshing change and positive outlook for future business practices.

Every hat purchased helps change the lives of the poverty-stricken women in Uganda. They are currently available online from Krochet Kids International for $25 or $30, depending on style.