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This has just dropped into the Pick of the Week inbox today, Original Penguin have stepped it up a gear by launching their ‘Below The Belt’ collaboration series. Having teamed up with different creative’s across the globe they will be curating a series of projects thoughout the year. We’ve just checked out the video below produced by Way Perry, Stylist, Menswear Editor of Wonderland magazine and Fashion Director of Man About Town magazine. His styling combined with the new line of chinos from Original Penguin is a bound to be a winning force.

Check it out:

If that doesn’t give you inspiration for your Summer wardrobe I don’t know what will! Buy it at Urban Outfitters very soon. Keep checking back on our feed as we’d be crazy not to choose this a ‘Pick’ of the week!
For more info: http://www.originalpenguin.co.uk/

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The new Nike Hyperfuse ‘What the Max’ collection. Think bold pop art styling meets modern technology. A series of three iconic trainers given the ‘What the Max’ treatment, they are super slick and we love it. Hitting stores this month this new style features, you guessed it ‘Hyperfuse’ technology which is cleverly explained in this video:

Oh the life of a trainer designer…what a job. So as you can those clever guys Shane & Ben have built a new shoe that combines durability with breathability perfect for basketball players. We think it would actually be a shame to wear these trainers for basketball as they are just so damn cool in this unique bold colour mix so we say wear with jeans all summer long to make you smile!

These trainers offer performance technology through the Hyperfuse construction, you really need to see them up close to see how the layers are fused together rather than sewn together like regular trainers. Its a minimalist, slick approach to trainer design which may just transform the ‘sneaker’ industry and inspire a whole new range of products.

The Nike Air Max 90 Hyperfuse, Nike Air Max 95 Hyperfuse and Nike Air Max 2012 Hyperfuse are due to drop in store this month, so keeping checking back at:

10th May 2012 sees the launch of Dudebox in the UK. A range of vinyl toys designed by some of the most exciting street artists working today, including Pete Fowler, who you can see in the video below:

Their emphasis is on giving artists a platform to create character design, graphic illustration and fine art. Based in London, UK, Dudebox work closely with global art talent, from established greats to the very freshest unknown talent. And Pick of the Week is lucky enough to be going. Check out our facebook photos to see what happened!

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The latest collection from the the cutting edge watch maker ToyWatch sees the classic chronograph watch given stylish re-working. The Velvety Collection, as it’s known, is a quality bit of kit with deep, rich matt finish texture to the over-sized link bracelet. ToyWatch is continually researching new technologies and developing new designs from classic steel to polycarbonate materials. This Velvety range is made from a durable and scratch proof metal keeping the timepiece protected and understated. In a selection of colours such as chocolate brown, midnight blue, cream and black.

We’re loving the black model, keep it simple and sharp and a welcome addition to any outfit. We say keep them coming…you can never have too many watches can you?

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From the 31st March – 12th August 2012, the V&A will exhibiting some of the best British Design spanning over more than 70 years. It looks back from the last British Olympic Games in 1948 following the end of the 2nd World War right up until today when London will host the much anticipated 2012 games.

Above: Town Planning Sketch for Milton Keynes, 1960s

Strangely enough the similarities from 1948 to 2012 are uncanny. From a country making the transition from War into rebuilding and revitalising the nation to today following the longest recession in history is interesting. Let’s hope this year and the Olympics a real turning point for us too. Pick of the Week made a visit and were surprised how much they managed to cram into one exhibition. It really is just only a snap shot into the smartest and iconic designs over this period but its a great insight into how much has developed over this time. From town planning in new towns like Milton Keynes, to Conran launching flat pack furniture followed by Alexander McQueen breaking the boundaries in couture fashion. This is a great way to wander away a Sunday afternoon. Highly recommended!

For more information click here:
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-british-design/

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Fred Perry have produced a series of vintage inspired cycling jerseys as part of their new blank canvas collection. The new menswear collection is inspired by the link between cycling and the ever growing subculture surrounding it. It draws on the design and inspiration taken from the Mod movement of the 1960′s when the merino cycling jersey was adopted due to its slim cut, unique styling and durability. Perfect for layering under a tailored suit, these cycling jerseys were seen as the must have item.

Brought back to life in 2012 the Fred Perry jerseys are available in limited numbers. Choose from the famous teams such as Bianchi and Campagnolo are referenced in bold colourways, while the polos include detailing such as funnel necks, zip plackets and utility pockets for an authentic cycling jersey feel.

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S.E.H Kelly have just emerged and we just had to give our readers a bit of an insight into one of the most exciting brands for 2012. Having a workshop in Shoreditch, East London S.E.H Kelly have worked hard to source great quality fabrics from across the UK working with regional mills and co-operatives. Plus they produce the garments in limited runs, which makes it feel like every piece is special like a signed piece of art. We especially like the story behind each product, you can see where it came from and the features that make it so much better than the mass produced high street.

As competition from the East for cheap, mass produced fabrics and garments has grown UK suppliers have scaled back and refined their operations. Production is now a hybrid between traditional machinery and computer controlled technology ensuring the craftsmanship moves on and develops along with the new emerging talent. Plus many companies now all work together as a skilled team to pool together expertise. From mohair mills in West Yorkshire to a button maker in the Midlands established for over 150 years each finely made item will be used to create modern quality menswear we can now cherish.

Check out the collection here now: http://www.sehkelly.com/

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This is the year of ‘Cycling Style’. Levi’s have launched their Commuter range and we were lucky enough to attend the launch event Thursday 12th April at Clerkenwell cycling hangout ‘Look Mum No Hands’. Greeted by our friend from Levi’s demonstrating how waterproof the new jeans are by tipping a pint of water down himself. The clothing has been designed and optimized specifically for the needs of the urban commuter cyclist.

Erik Joule, senior vice president of Levi’s® Men’s Merchandising & Design says, “We knew that our jeans were already being worn by urban cyclists across the country, including our own designers. We listened to what they wanted and created a product with performance traits for biking that also functions as daily street wear.”

Levis have used cutting-edge performance technologies from partners like Swiss-based Schoeller Technologies AG who have designed the water resistant, dirt repellant durable fabric. Plus fabric technologist expert, Clariant who make speciality effects for textiles have created a sanitized function for the range and 3M have integrated ‘Scotchlite’ 300,000 candle watt refectove patches onto cuffs and collars of the collection.

Not only this Levi’s havent compromised on the style and design of each garment, so this should attract the fair weather cyclist and the more regular users.

Commuter by Levi’s® clothing can be found at select independent bike shops in major metro cities as well as select Levi’s® Stores and at http://eu.levi.com/en_GB/men beginning this July. The line will also be available in select Urban Outfitters beginning in August.
Commuter by Levi’s® 511™ Skinny product features:

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London skate gang Palace Skateboards, have put their cool little heads together and come up with a 6 piece S/S’12 collection for superbrand Umbro. They’ve reworked Umbro’s iconic Italia ’90 England football shirts, amongst other pieces, and stamped their trademark triangle on the front. Not only that but they’ve also done a wicked video for it’s launch:

Palace chief Lev Tanju said of the shoot “It was a great day, having to wake up and go straight to the pub and it be work. We just knocked about all day drinking and playing darts, then Joy and Bankhead came down and we had a rave.” Not bad for a Monday afternoon. These shirts will feature at many pubs near you soon.

Read the full interview with Lev Tanju and watch the video on Dazed Digital

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Damien Hirst
4 April – 9 September 2012
A much anticipated exhibition by one of Britain’s most renowned modern artists, Damien Hirst. Tate Modern will present the first substantial survey of Damien Hirst’s work ever held in the UK. Hirst is instantly recognisable for his controversial art that has provoked many a debate. For nearly a quarter of a century Hirst has been on the scene when his first show, Freeze was held in 1988. A good deal of his works will be display at the Tate for a limited time including the ‘For the Love of God’ sculpture. This will sit in the Turbine Hall for all to see, not surprisingly it will be within a chained down glass box as this is the is a life-size platinum cast of an human skull, covered by 8,601
flawless diamonds, inset with the original skull’s teeth. At the front of the cranium is a 52.4 carat pink diamond.

For more information go to: http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/damienhirst/default.shtm

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Our friends at 55 DSL, the streetwear offshoot from Diesel had a little party last Thursday (22nd March 2012). So we headed down to Box Park, Shoreditch to pay a visit. Dragon76, graffiti artist from Japan was over to decorate the pop up store with his signature blend of graffiti, manga and Ukiyo-e art. As you’ll see below he uses markers, acrylics and stencils to create large scale paintings a perfect harmony of clothing and art. We also enjoyed a few cans of Oranjeboom whilst the artist was at work. A perfect Thursday night out.

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The incredibly talented and internationally recognized artist Japanese artist Yayo Kusama is currently exhibiting at The Tate Modern. Her works are groundbreaking and have been for decades.

The exhibition has been running since 9th Febraury and is continues until the 5th June but we wanted to post this week because The Tate is putting on various workshops and events on 24th – 25th March In partnership with the Louis Vuitton Young Arts Project and ReCreative UK Online – there’s even a Kusama UV Silent Disco! Take it from us, it’s well worth a visit. We even tested out ‘The Hello Box’ an interactive mirrored box where you can tweet it messages and it will react to different commands. This is what photo we were tweeted back from:’Go Blue and Pixelate’

For more details: http://collectives.tate.org.uk/events/tate-collective-present-infinite-kusama

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The Contemporary Art Society have partnered with ShorList Media to exhibit work from independent artists from the Rotate exhibition series. Artists associated with the Eastside Projects & Grand Union. Eastside Projects is a Birmingham-based exhibition space run by artists and Grand Union is a collection of studios and project space working collaboratively.

From today, ShortList Media on Emerald Street will be exhibiting the work alongside the Contemporary Art Society also on Emerald Street, London by artists: Ruth Claxton and Cheryl Jones present an exhibition of work by artists associated with Eastside Projects and Grand Union; including An Endless Supply, Helen Brown, Chris Clinton, Mark Essen, Juneau Projects, Kelly Large, Joanne Masding, Paul Newman, Elizabeth Rowe, Matt Westbrook and Stuart Whipps.

It’s a great way to use office space in central London and revitalize work spaces, there will be three exhibitions throughout the year and available to view in the Contemporary Art Society office from 9.30 — 17.30 Monday to Friday.
They say “We do not make art for the public, we are the public that makes art and that the artist-run space is not a stop gap. The artist-run space is a public good.”

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British Heritage brands are going through somewhat of a renaissance at the moment. It comes then as no surprise to find two classic british brands teaming up to produce a limited edition mens footwear collection.

Barbour and Grenson pay homage to their unrivalled histories in this exclusive collaboration. Barbour dates back to 1894, and is a fifth generation family owned business based in South Shields. Grenson meanwhile remains in the same factory in Rushden, Northamptonshire where they first produced Goodyear welted shoes in 1866.

The idea of this collaboration is to encompass the heritage of both brands by creating exceptional quality mens footwear while incorporating elements of both brands signature style. The collection is comprised of four styles including the Marske Sandstone Country Brogue, Egton Burgundy Oxford Brogue and the Acklam Boot.

For stockists please check the Barbour Website here

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Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. It’s the year of collaboration it seems!
This next one launched a week or so ago but it’s just too good to miss so we present …

Converse x Gorillaz ‘DoYaThing’ feat Andre 3000 and James Murphy. The track is true Gorillaz style, the video is superb and, oh yeah, the sneakers are pretty dam cool too.

Check out the video here…

and go buy the converse here…

http://www.converse.co.uk/

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Infamous singer songwriter Peter Doherty has collaborated with uber cool French label The Kooples to produce a line for Spring Summer 2012. The range shares many of the classic characteristics that Doherty has come to make his trademark style, but suprisingly also takes influence from sportswear. We’re pretty sure he hasn’t partaken in much sport but this is a huge trend for this season, so there’s the link! These elements, mixed with The Kooples classicly cool Parisian style makes for an interesting and refreshing collection. It’s been in the pipeline since the Autumn /Winter 2011 collection but due to being ‘banged up’ it delayed the release somewhat. So the eagerly awaited line goes on sale on the 14th March.

To preview the collection go to http://www.thekooples.co.uk/peter-doherty.html

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Italian fashion brand Marni, known for their idiosyncratic prints and vintage inspired shapes, have collaborated with well known brand H&M to bring us high street clothing with a twist. Launched in the UK today, check out the menswear line for a super-sleek coat at £99.99 or a shirt with a difference at only £34.99. It’s bound to be a sell out so act fast and head down to you local H&M or go online now. Its not often you get to buy Marni at these prices…

Check out the collection here now

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The latest menswear collaboration from Danish fashion brand Norse Projects sees them team up with French creative Agency La MJC to celebrate the agencies 10 year anniversary.

The mens jacket is La MJC’s take on the classic ELKA parka, sporting the classic red, white and blue of the French national flag, a homage to their Parisian heritage.

La MJC was founded in Paris in 2001 by Michael Dupouy and Julien Wagner. Using their immersion in street culture, they have consulted numerous companies over the past decade and created a name for themselves through a variety of mediums.

The ELKA Parka is a somewhat of a Norse Projects stallwart and ever present in their menswear collection. Here we see the mens jacket take on a slightly shorter length but retain the classic parka 4 pocket frontage.

The usual features come as standard, zip-up front with concealed press stud fastening, draw cord hood and breathable liner.

A nice addition to any wardrobe. Available on-line at Norse Project Store.

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With the summer blockbusters soon to be arriving on a cinema screen near you we took the opportunity to share one of the most hyped following the release of the latest trailer. Avengers Assemble, as its now known, is the latest in a long list of Marvel comics to hit the big screen.

Due out in May 2012 and staring a whole host of A-List celebrities Avengers Assemble sees the likes of Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) fight to save the world from yet another bad guy set on destroying humankind.

Lets be honest though guys, the real reason we’ll be paying the £10 entrance fee is to see Scarlett Johansson in a tight fitting lycra body suit! She’s also a very good actress, lets not get hung up on the ‘fit’ factor!

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Pointer are known for their well made simple casual shoes. Here we get the chance to take behind the scenes look at how they’re manufactured. Definitely worth a watch!

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