I haven’t worn a hat in ages, but these hats from Freeman Transport really caught my eye. After reading more into them, I found out that they’re made by a master hat maker named Brett Wiley (“the best cap-maker” in the country), did you even know there was such a thing as a master hat maker? This is like a bespoke suit for your head. I love the fact that a guy who knows hats better than anybody made these. I love that they’re American made wool flannel. Love how they are lined in chambray. And love how for an upscale hat, they went with a more casual, fitted back when they easily could have gone with an adjustable leather strap. Limited hype indeed – 30 in each color only. If you’re in the hood, check them out at 2nd and 2nd at the Bicycle Film Festival in New York this weekend. If you’re around, can you please get me one?  Yes, I’ll pay you back.

You’ll have to forgive me for the recent tote bag love-in I’ve been on as of late. I just find them handy, very packable, and yes, environmentally friendly. There’s been a ton of them released in the last few seasons and it’s been hard to keep up, but I couldn’t resist this Porter x Wacko Maria (a fast up and comer from Japan) collaboration. The Wacko Maria label was created in 2006 by retired Japanese soccer players Keiji Ishizuka and Atsuhiko Mori, so I like to think that they know a thing or two about durability and quality. The polka-dot interior is a really nice Paul Smith-esque touch. It’s also waterproof, but since it’s a permanently ‘open’ tote bag, I’d rather tell you it’s stain resistant. Available here.

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I used to be a big believer in watches being the only acceptable man jewelery, but the recent influx of quality pieces from Antonio Murphy & Astro and Martin Margiela has got me doing some rethinking although I haven’t officially taken the plunge just yet. Checking out OAK the other day, I came across a few pieces from Chris Habana, a Brooklyn based designer that mixes the fun of pop culture with a slightly gothic twist. Much like any other brand going at the moment, I don’t exactly like every piece from his collection, I really like this simple “WORK!” chain and his “SNAP” chain for its industrial look and the randomness of the words.

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(Savania Davies-Keiller and Roberto Crivello – Creative Directors, New Balance)

New Balance has undergone a relative resurgence moving from a pure-bread runner’s brand to more of a lifestyle brand with some impressive collaborations and models in recent years while staying true to the brand. It’s been downright impressive. Among the most notable, collaborations with United Arrows, Stussy X Undefeated, A.R.C. and eYe Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcon, along with some interesting designs and materials such as ostrich skin, pony hair, a Gore-Tex gradient, and Wolverine waterproof leather. Behind every resurgence, is one person, in this case, two people, but we only caught up with one of them – Savania Davies-Keiller, Co-Creative Director at New Balance.

LH: You guys formed DDC USA and DDC LAB, and turn them both into successful design studios through fashion technology, what made you want to be a part of New Balance and what does your experience bring to New Balance?

SD-K: DDCLAB is a brand that is recognized in the industry for its innovative design. It enjoys a hardcore following of consumers who are looking for something different and unique in both design and innovation and is recognized as being a brand that is ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. DDC USA is DDCLAB’s design studio. We had been the design directors of PF Flyers (owned by NB,) for around five years before being asked to become involved with New Balance.

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Bruce Weber is an American fashion photographer and occasional filmmaker,  most widely known for his ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, Pirelli, Abercrombie & Fitch, Revlon, Gianni Versace, and Ralph Lauren, as well as his work for Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Elle, Life, Interview, and Rolling Stone magazines. As of today you can also check out his work in a new book “Cartier, I Love You”, a collaboration between Bruce and Cartier to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Weber was given full access to create the book that collects historical stories, drawings and images from Cartier’s archives in New York, London and Paris. The book itself is gold-bordered, has a distinctive red cover and case designed to look like a Cartier jewelry box right down to the authentic Cartier ribbon sewn into each binding. You can check order the book here.

Our friends over at AskMen.com have 10 quick snapshots of 10 of the finest sneaker stores from around the globe. Before I forget, we’ve also done a weekly feature for AskMen.com which you can check out here if you haven’t already. There are some usual suspects on the list including Livestock, Undefeated, Flight Club, ARC, DQM, Bodega, Huf and Atmos however, there are some interesting facts I didn’t know about them beforehand. For example, Atmos has made a move across the Pacific from Tokyo and landed a location in Harlem in New York. While we already know most of these shops, it never hurts to have a quick reference for your worldly travels. Check out the article here.

Our friends at Patta boutique in Amsterdam will celebrate its 5th anniversary this coming weekend. An impressive list of collabs will be released this anniversary year, we’re looking forward to the ’Patta Ontour 2009′ sweater they did with fellow Dutchies Ontour. Patta and Ontour have been working together for years and got inspired by ‘touring gear’ from the music industry. A soft, lightweight crewneck, perfect for the summer will be released this Saturday. Limited to 100 pieces, only at Patta on the Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.

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Today, is a good day for music. I’m currently listening to Mos Def’s The Ecstatic – 10 years to the day one of my favourite albums of all time Black on Both Side’s was released. I’m not all the way through it, but so far, so terrific. There’s also been some great new singles released: Glenwood by Big Sean featuring Kanye West, who can do no wrong when together. My Twitter feed has been spammed as of late with the sharp lyrical madness of Jay-Z’s Can’t Cheat Death with DJ Premier and especially, Death of Autotune, although I wonder if the song is a subtle jab at Kanye. Speaking of which, if you’re having a hardtime keeping up with every single new song Kanye West is featured on, download the Tapemasters Inc Mixtape, which covers almost everything in the last little while. In other mixtape news, there’s one hosted by The Cool Kids called The Fakeshore Drive Mixtape. Mary J Blige is back at it with up and comer Drake on The One. Sa-Ra Creative Partner’s are also back at it with Bitch Baby, an easy listening, jazzy soul song that’s served up best on a drive at night. In the midst of the NBA Finals, Lil Wayne has bestowed Kobe Bryant with his own song, Kobe Bryant – single handedly making Ron Artest, Iverson and Shaq give up on their rap careers. The artist formerly known as Santogold (now Santigold) has dropped three new singles, Unfreakable Girl, Your Voice and Still Tippin It. Madonna, always wanting to stick with artists of the moment, has teamed with Lil Wayne on Revolver, which isn’t half bad, but is unmistakably Madonna.

Other than that, I’ve been listening to Grizzly Bear’s Veckatimest for some easy listening, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ It’s Blitz for my skinny-jean-loving hipster side, and randomly, Jurassic 5′s Power in Numbers and Phrenology from The Roots.

Ignore the name for a second and pay attention to the design and handmade manufacturing process of FALSE. One of my favorite brands at the moment, Better Off Dead, a sub-brand of FALSE, which most recently made news in late November with their holiday collection and takes on the Louis Vuitton and Chanel logos, are out with a new collection – Jacob The Murderer. Let me rewind just a little here. Creative duo Le Messie & Amanda Scully have been hand-screening and hand finishing garments for FALSE since 2005, making every single garment unique.  In fact, they still use a simple wooden silk-screen placed free-hand on a high quality cotton combed tee, along with squeegee and paint. The “Jacob The Murderer” collection is based on a story that, “resides around Jacob and his murderous treacheries, and as you enter his lair to find out more… evil and suspense unfolds”. Generally, I dislike ‘spoofed’ logos, but for whatever reason it works for Better Off Dead and they have some other great pieces including some for ladies.

Check out the fascinating, hand-screening process after the jump and check out the official site to see the whole collection.

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By the time you read this I’m sure the Dita Challenger will have already caught fire across the blogopshere, but we couldn’t help but get in on it too. We’ve been loving every model from their 2009 men’s optical collection, and this new summer release is no exception. Featuring a titanium frame with enamel inlay, handcrafted Zyl acetate temple tips and manufactured in Japan, they come available in three versions: Antique Silver/D.Grey Gradient (shown above), White Gold/D.Brown Gradient and Matte Black Carbon/D.Grey. I’ve been rather happy with my Super wayfarer and Tom Ford Warren, but have been looking for an aviator inspired model as of late. Bonus: They’re less than the cost of the Louis Vuitton Evidence I used to want. Available here.

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Depending on who you talk to, there have either been few or many Nike staples every person must possess in their sneaker collection. Aside from the Jordan 1′s, most people agree that the original colorway of the Nike Air Max 95 is a must have. I did have them back in 95, but haven’t since replaced them. New for Summer 2009, this classic is available in a mint green colorway along with the different shades of grey and black.

Burton has been really stepping up in terms of collaborations and their game outside of snowboarding slowly over the last few seasons. They’ve just come out with their third, limited edition collection with Paul Smith Jeans which will include jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets. Now, Burton has collaborated with Head Porter on the Excursion 80L duffle bag reminiscent of The North Face Base Camp Large Duffle I usually use when heading up to the mountains. Although mine is 90L, 80L is enough for your all your gear including your boots, not to mention the fact that it’s waterproof and made from a combination of PVC Tarpaulin and 420D High Density Nylon. Comes in black/black and black/red. Available here.

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