Happy Socks Chapter Two

by Karen Day

Swedish outlet Happy Socks outdoes themselves with their sophomore collection, full of even brighter hues, bonkers colorways and varying heights. Knitted on high-precision Italian machines, the combed cotton unisex socks keep feet content both for their softness and long-lasting, superior quality.

The second edition kicks it up a notch with knee-high and ankle-length styles, while the standard cut blazes new patterns such as Bengal stripes and mesmerizing motifs sure to please even MC Escher.

Happy Socks Chapter Two will be available online from Happy Socks' site and Revolve, as well as from brick-and-mortar stores such as Barneys New York, Fred Segal and Opening Ceremony beginning at the end of August 2009 for $10 a pair.

Madeleine Vionnet

by CH Contributor

by Tamara Warren

Paying tribute to iconic French designer Madeleine Vionnet—almost as famous for such phrases as "Death to copyists!" as she was for her exquisite innovations—the upcoming book and current exhibition in Paris tells a story of intense dedication and true mastery. The couturier, responsible for such fashion heirs as Valentino and Chanel herself, reshaped the fashion world, instilling new life into the garment industry with her bias cut, cowl neck, halter-top and handkerchief dress, creating original silhouettes and a progressive style for women of the early 20th century and inventing the still-modern concept of sensual French dressing.

Exploring Vionnet's legacy, the new biography features extensive imagery of the designer's elegant and meticulously-tailored creations, as well as text detailing her pioneering philosophies. A feminist before the term existed, Vionnet was known both for her liberal acts—such as offering her seamstress maternity leave or presenting models with bare legs—as well as for her outstanding work.

In an imaginary interview, exhibition curator and book editor Pamela Golbin presents her well-studied subject in her own terms, examining the way the conceptual and highly technical designer, heavily influenced by artists of her day, was prolific—putting forth 600 designs a year, a considerable amount for today's standards.

Golbin explores Vionnet's use of the bias cut to provide movement and balance, while showing off a woman's true figure and natural curves. Equally following the parallel principles of form and function, she drew from classic art, Greek pottery, anatomy and architecture for inspiration.

Golbin's informative essays add context to the beautiful photos, made up of both archival and new images by Patrick Gries. The inclusion of author Andre Beucler’s unpublished 1930 biography, shedding insight onto the Parisian fashion house’s daily functions, makes the book a must-have.

Available 8 September 2009, preorder "Madeleine Vionnet" now from Amazon. (We also highly recommend Chronicle's excellent book, also titled "Madeleine Vionnet" and available from Amazon.)

Madeleine Vionnet: Puriste de la Mode
Through 31 January 2010
Les Arts Décoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris map
tel. +44 01 44 55 57 50

Summer Sexy Online Benefit Exhibition

by Jacob Resneck

Another season of the charitable virtual exhibition Summer Sexy is underway, bringing together a collection of of titillating works from contemporary artists selected by curators, other artists, collectors and "people who should know"—all proceeds of sales go to a variety of noble causes. Regular updates to the ongoing sale through 7 September 2009 make it easy to lay claim on some of the hottest pieces from up-and-coming artists.

For example Marc Dennis' girl-gone-wild work "American Tourist in Rome" (pictured below left) benefits the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, providing help for African elephants orphaned by poachers.

Sale of New York artist Eric Rhein's sober “Gaze” (pictured after the jump) supports an innovative charity that works to raise awareness about AIDS through the visual arts.

Other noted talents include Chicago artist Damara Kaminecki whose playful “Being Koi” (pictured above) helps out a cause to feed the hungry in his city.

While purely an online affair, two very real, brick-and-mortar NYC galleries, Winkleman and Schroeder Romero are sponsoring the online exhibit.

Check out more images after the jump.

More Than A Game

by Karen Day

An unsuspecting tearjerker, the upcoming documentary, "More Than A Game" explores the days before LeBron James became King James and was instead simply a kid in Akron, Ohio, in love with the game of basketball.

Like the title promises, "More Than A Game" delivers more than a simple documentary about the NBA superstar. Long before he reined professionally, LeBron played alongside high school teammates and best friends—dubbed the Fab Five—all equally important both in the film and on the court.

Providing great insight on each of the five, the emotional backstory contributes to the overwhelming urge to see the team succeed as they're led by coach Dru Joyce each year to the finals.

Playing together since the fifth grade, the hardships endured individually and collectively helped them move beyond teammates and into a familial setting. Never wanting to let each other down, the Fab Five became an unstoppable force, beating teams around the nation.

CH had the chance to screen the movie in Akron at the unveiling of Nike's Air Max LeBron VII shoe, where we also heard more from Coach Dru Joyce and toured the town that was once home to one of the most winning high school basketball teams of all time.

"More Than A Game" debuts in theaters on 2 October 2009.

See more images after the jump.

Brooks x Dan Funderburgh: Team Pro Alpe d'Huez Saddle

by Brian Fichtner

Brooklyn-based artist, wallpaper designer and bike enthusiast Dan Funderburgh just tipped us to the Team Pro Alpe d'Huez, a seasonal edition bike seat from Brooks England. The handsome result of a collaboration between the venerable saddle maker and Funderburgh, it features his hand-hammered, topographic impression of the Alpe d'Huez (click images for an expanded view).

With 21 hairpin turns and an average gradient of 8.1 percent over 13.1 kilometers, Alpe d'Huez is a legendary climb in the Tour de France. It has been a stage finish in the Tour most every year since 1976—the first was won in 1952 by Fausto Coppi, at a time when most cyclists were riding Brooks Saddles. Available in standard colors honey, brown (pictured after the jump) and black, it sells for $191 plus shipping from Brooks.

We had an opportunity to ask Dan a few questions about the collaboration. Read below.

Hi, Dan. Nice saddle. So how did you and Brooks hook up?
My friend suggested I get in touch after seeing some of the laser etched art I've been doing, so I contacted them out of the blue and asked if they would be interested. They were. It took a couple years to decide on a direction and tool the design, but if the company has been around for as long as Brooks I suppose there's no need to rush things.

Did it take long to reach a design both you and the Brooks people were happy with?
I made about six designs, and I don't know what their schedule is like, but I really hope that there will be more designs released seasonally.

Are you now tooling around with your own Team Pro Alpe d'Huez?
I'm psyched to get a saddle, though I'm a little nervous to roll it around town—too many crooks!

What's your favorite bike that you've owned of all time?
One summer in college I was the proud owner of a black BMX known as the Hip Hop Warrior. It had silencer pegs in the front and back. I hope the bastard that stole it from me can do better tricks than I could.

Any more bicycle-related projects percolating?
I'm working on a print that will raise money for Transportation Alternatives through a company called Working Proof, but they're not up yet.