Thirteen Winter Scarves

by Karen Day

The perfect accessory to complete any winter ensemble, the ubiquitous scarf as fashion must-have dates back to the days of ancient Rome, where it started as a sudarium (Latin for sweat cloth). Still a functional adornment as much as sartorial statement, current times have the scarf focused more on keeping in warmth rather than wiping it away.

To round out our guide to this season's top jackets, we've put together a collection of some of the best scarves that will help you through the cold months ahead.

Rachel Comey's handmade Peruvian Tassel scarf makes a resplendent rendition ideal for everyday wear (pictured at right). The subtle black and green, 100% baby alpaca wool will keep your neck happy, while adding a touch of opulence and playing to the ease of wearing the scarf in a variety of settings. Available online from Totokaelo for $240.

The season's most talked about style from NYC's hottest new knitting shop (more on the new store opening tomorrow), Wool & the Gang's Snood Dogg has us picking up a ball of yarn and making our grannies proud. One of the store's many clever kits, the Snood looks best when crafted with your own two hands but the knitting needle-challenged can also pick this scarf up from the Wool & the Gang online shop for $139.

For the Linus in all of us, Lutz & Patmos' Inifinity scarf is like a security blanket disguised as a never-ending, super soft scarf. Intended to be worn for many seasons over, the New York-based design duo uses high-quality fabrics and a long-lasting construction. The double functioning cashmere and wool tubular scarf can be twisted around the neck twice for a cozy feel or worn as a snood. Sold from the Lutz & Patmos online shop for $350.

Recently highlighted in an Urban Daddy feature, the Julian pocket scarf cleverly keeps essentials at hand—but out of hands. Not trusting coat checks and tired of dancing with a large purse, Wintercheck Factory designers Sarah and Kristen crafted the scarf in a variety of complimentary colorways for nights out on the town. Pick up the Julian scarf online for $30.

Also capitalizing on the convenience of a hidden pocket, Nau insulates their down pocket scarf with 650-fill down but weighs in at only three ounces, providing an ideal way to keep warm on a winter hike or an early morning jog. The pocket scarf sells online and at the current Nau pop-up shop in NYC for $65.

The Adidas Knit Sleeve scarf is a novel take on their Originals collection. Designed in the shape of a sleeve, the scarf boasts their trademark 3-stripe pattern for an authentically sporty look. Available from the U.K. Adidas online shop for £25.

For an understated but equally sports-infused scarf, turn to Saville Rogue for their striped cashmere football scarf. The ultra-soft scarves feature a simple color scheme designed to show support for a favorite team without the flash of ungainly logos. It sells from Saville Rogues for £39.

New takes on animal-patterned fashions continue to pop up everywhere this season, and See by Chloé's sheep pattern knit scarf illustrates the charm of the trend. The scarf—and matching hat—sells from Farfetch for $214.

Kind's quirky Sock scarf adds a little humor to oft-drab winter wardrobes. A blend of angora and wool, the scarf feels as soft as it looks distinct. It's available from Labour of Love for £135.

So unbelievably soft, it's difficult to believe that J. Peterman's Faux Fur Rabbit Hooded scarf is indeed animal-friendly. A hood and scarf combo, the thoughtful design includes details like the leather strap at the neck for securing the scarf portion around your neck. From J. Peterman for $68.

The epitome of luxury, Pringle of Scotland's mink fur and cashmere cable knit scarf shows how the nearly 200-year-old company became so famous among celebrities like Grace Kelly. Gorgeous and exceptionally crafted, the scarf is available at select Pringle of Scotland stores. Bergdorf Goodman sells a similar scarf for $1,830.

Curiously sophisticated, Salvor Projects—led by designer Ross Menuez—applies their eclectic style to a series of scarves this season, providing more reason to unwrap and relax. The eye scarf makes a mesmerizing example of Menuez's passion for silk-screening and op art. Available from Oak for $236.

A label focused on designing for a woman who is "constantly evolving with the world around her," Eryn Brinie's sleeve muffler scarf allows just that, with its multifunction personality. Worn as a scarf, shawl or cardigan, the focus is on staying warm throughout. Available online from Eryn Brinie for $100.

Two Stelton Ice Scrapers

by CH Contributor

by Maggie York-Worth

Danish company Stelton's stylishly handy ice scraper combats the frosty downside of winter.

Industrial designer Troels Seidenfaden (also Danish) created this chic t-shaped solution to the perils of ice and frost using his extensive experience at his eponymous design firm.

Made from stainless steel, the weighty tool lives up to its Nordic heritage through simple functionality and, of course, beauty. (Click image at left for detail.)

Pick one up from Unica or Emmo for $59.

For a more pared-down version (also produced by Stelton) Klaus Rath uses stainless steel and rubber-coated hard plastic to avoid scratches.

The Danish designer's hinged device features one side for scraping snow and another for ice and folds flat for easy storage.

It's available from Dansk Design for £28.

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The Disposable Skateboard Bible

by Brian Fichtner

Not quite satisfied with his first homage to the deck, "Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art" (which we covered here), skateboard artist Sean Cliver spent the past two years hunting down collectors, former professionals and long-lost planks to compile a comprehensive survey of the art form. The result, "The Disposable Skateboard Bible," not only weighs in as an indispensable take on the topic, it's also nearly definitive. (Purchase it from Turntable Lab, Powell's or Amazon.)

At a whopping 368 full-color pages, the hardcover indeed makes for something of a biblical account, cataloging an astonishing breadth of 20th Century skateboard graphics. Peppered with quotes from former pros and accounts from obsessive collectors, Disposable also ventures into new territory, charting the nostalgia-fueled craze of collecting that brings many to the brink of bankruptcy.

We had an opportunity to ask Sean a few questions about this latest undertaking and he generously obliged with some heartfelt, inspiring answers. Read on below.

What compelled you to produce a follow-up to "Disposable: A History of Skateboard Art?"
Unfinished business, mainly. There were a few key artists, skaters, and companies that I hadn't been able to find when I made the first book, like V. Courtlandt Johnson, Mark Gonzales, Greg Evans, Bruce Walker, Christian Cooper, Mark "Gator" Rogowski and Art and Steve Godoy, so half of the drive to do another book was just to tie up those loose historical ends. But then another part of me—the obsessive-compulsive collector—wanted to compile the most comprehensive visual overview of skateboards produced from the '60s to present times.

So to differentiate this book from the last—not that it mattered, people are still confused as to whether or not this is just another revision of the first book or an altogether new one—I placed an emphasis on collecting in the introductory text (it's not as horribly dry as that sounds) and drop all of the new quotes, anecdotes and histories into the board galleries. There are, incidentally, over 2000 board images shown in the book. I tried counting them up one night, but lost my train of thought somewhere around 2300 and didn't have the heart to start over.

How did the act of collecting become a talking point for the book?
I'm one of those sad people in life that is genetically bound to nostalgia and the sentimental act of collecting things. I began avidly collecting boards circa 2000—I'd collected some before that, but never in quite so manic a fashion—which sounds harmless at first until you learn that some of those boards can cost anywhere from 50 to 10,000 bucks. Worse yet, I have that OCD problem where once I get into something it's all or nothing. And in this case "all" meant the creation of not one but two books.

Anyway, I've always been fascinated with the collector psychosis, so this isn't so much a "skateboards are super neat collectibles!" talking point as it is a half-ass thesis on the literal madness that collecting can be at times in direct relation to skateboards. But in the end it really was just an excuse so I could drive around California for another two years and root out all sorts of boards that are still in existence and have rarely or never been seen before.

Interview continues with more spreads after the jump.

Artist Julie Combal

by Karen Day

Taking on the dichotomy between nature's inherent behavior and man's challenges to it, Brooklyn-based artist Julie Combal draws on "the historical tradition of oil painting" to create beautiful works that toe the line between abstraction and landscapes.

Her contemplative works perfectly compliment the Alliance for the Arts’ upcoming Friends of the Arts Party, which will display Combal's paintings alongside other artists in a silent auction benefiting the cultural community. Hosted by Christie's, attendees will also receive an exclusive preview of the auction house's major Latin American Art sale.

The emerging artist hopes her work and the art of 16 others such as David Szydlowski, Ula Einstein, Sandro Diani and photographer Kiritin Beyer, will encourage a younger generation to become more deeply involved in arts advocacy.

Inspired by J.M.W. Turner, Combal interprets subjects like natural disasters and the flu with a similar approach, dabbling in drawing and watercolors and playing with light and color.

To make a donation or to purchase tickets for the party, visit the Alliance For The Arts website.

Friends of the Arts Party
13 November 2009, 6:30-8:30pm
Christie’s Auction House
20 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10020 map
tel. +1 212 947 6340

Cha Cha Handbags

by CH Contributor

by Stephanie Miles

Handmade and mostly one-off leather handbags, headbands and belts have Canadians buzzing about Cha Cha, a new eco-friendly accessories label created by young designer Lori Chalmers. From Ostrich-print hip bags to woven totes made out of salvaged leather, the purses in Chalmers' line look as individual and unique as the women wearing them.

After losing her job in graphic design, Chalmers channeled her passion into a profession, designing the handbags out of her native Toronto and turning her former hobby turned full-on operation.

Each Cha Cha product reflects the personal attention and forethought Chalmers puts into her collection with creative details like custom hardware and quality construction throughout, from stitching to fabric lining.

Chalmers adds to her collection as she finds inspiration, releasing new handbags and accessories frequently. Purses span $70-355, while accessories start at $40 for Bow Headband to $115 for the Elizabeth Belt. All sell online from the Cha Cha website or Etsy.

See more images after the jump.