Classic British outdoor clothing company Barbour has been doing some amazing things in terms of staying true to their heritage while making bold moves to stay relevant and current. In this particular case, Barbour has teamed up with Japanese designer Tokihito Yoshida to launch a new limited edition capsule collection – The Beacon Brand Collection – for the Fall/Winter 2009 season. You may remember the iconic waxed jacket that was originally premiered and released at colette in late July from collection. Talk about credentials: Barbour currently holds royal warrants from Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, and The Prince of Wales and prior to starting his own brand, To Ki To, Tokihito designed for companies like Mens Bigi, Harolds Gear, and Blades Savile Row. The Beacon Brand Collection includes a waxed trench coat and bicycle, horse riding and driving jackets, and is inspired by Barbours extensive archive that dates back to 1908. Tokihito updated the classic styles with clever details that focus on utility and have a more streamline design. Available here.

Golden Goose has been one of those brands we’ve been watching for awhile now and has still managed to fly under the radar despite amazing shoes still made in Italy. Having fallen in love with their low top sneakers back in the winter, we’re ecstatic about the return of the high top for Fall. If you’re not familiar with the brand, we’re here for your Double-G 1-101: Founded in 2000 by Italians Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, supporting MTV Italy’s wardrobe help put them on the map and known for basics like their simple sneakers with an interesting twist. Case in point, these perfectly pre-beat up, er, distressed high tops in black cotton with white soles. Don’t let the appearance fool you, these sneakers are all about fine Italian craftsmanship. Available here.

It hasn’t really been a secret that there was a new Reventon on its way from Lamborghini but this week it was officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This is the second incarnation of the inspired by fighter jets, mid-engine roadster, originally introduced back in 2007 at the same show with much fanfare since it was the most powerful and expensive Lamborghini road car at the time. Mechanically speaking not much else has been confirmed, but since the first model shared almost all the elements from the Murciélago LP640 it wouldn’t be a surprise if much of it remained the same. Expectations peg it to be powered by a 6.5-liter V12 engine with 650 HP (478 kW) and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque and backed up by a six-speed e-gear transmission and standard all-wheel drive, bringing it from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of about 340 km/h (211 mph). Just like the predecessor, it will be limited to 20 units with a 1.2 million Euro ($1,750,000 USD) price point, that’s about $250,000 USD more than the last, but who’s counting?

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We were able to get a first hands-on look at the new collaboration between bicycle component and accessory company Bontrager and recycled goods maker, Alchemy Goods. Here’s a collaboration that makes sense. Bontrager has been known for outfitting bikers with everything but the frame for years and every Alchemy Goods product is made from a normally discarded materials. In this case, those product are recycled bicycle innertubes, truck banners, and billboards. The uniqueness of the materials makes all Alchemy Goods waterproof and best of all, they’re all made in Seattle. Find a retailer here.

Always one to spread the love, you may call or email the Alchemy Gods Recycling Coordinator to find out if there’s a bike shop near you that recycles. Better yet, if you work at a shop, contact them to sign up for our Tube Recycling Program.

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Yellow Bird Project is a non-profit organization that started in 2006 as a way for two friends to combine their love of indie music and philanthropy.  Matt Stotland and Casey Cohen work with musicians, such as The Shins and The New Pornographers, to design unique t-shirts that are sold to benefit a charity chosen by the musicians themselves. The exclusive designs are silk-screened in downtown Montreal on sweatshop-free American Apparel t-shirts for quality and peace of mind, and proceeds have benefited many good causes, ranging from the World Wildlife Fund to St. Jude Children’s Hospital to Mercy Corps.

Now, Yellow Bird Project have diversified by launching a whimsical coloring book that should provide hours of fun for kids, and, again, all the royalties will go to the many charities that YBP supports.  Illustrator Andy J. Miller has created a unique array of drawings that celebrate indie musicians like Iron & Wine, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Rilo Kiley. Burgeoning colorists are instructed to find all the birds in Devendra Banhart’s beard or complete an intricate maze to ultimately reunite Broken Social Scene.  It’s a good laugh and for a good cause. What’s not to like? All orders can be placed directly at YBP’s website.

More pics after the jump.

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We love autumn because it signals the time to break out our favorite jackets, and jackets don’t come in a more classic style than the trench coat. Shades of Greige designer, Micah Cohen, delivers a black trench in a sharp, slim cut (leave the long, boxy trench coats to the Wall Street fat cats). Both classic and subtle details abound, like a belted waist and cuffs, epaulets, and front and back rain yokes. Best of all, Shades of Greige continue to represent for those on a reasonable budget with this particular style retailing well below $300. Available here.

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There is a formula in place for doing collaborations that normally goes the route of throwing your logo or graphic on brand x’s pima cotton tee. Sell. Profit. Invest. Grow. Repeat. While people have been digitally debating the merits of doing a collab, the question unfortunately hasn’t been what new can be done? It’s been who’s next?

We’re about to embark on our first and it hasn’t come without patience. We waited for the right opportunity that would allow us to be actively involved, one that would be true to us, and above all, allow us to create and imagine.  This is what will make ours unique. We’re doing this project to create. Not to make it rain. Not to just have our logo on something.

In a few hours from now, we will begin to work with Trek and their design team in Madison, WI on a very limited edition bike. From Trek being our first bikes ever to seeing Lance Armstrong’s Stages Project, this collaboration isn’t something we take lightly or without immense gratitude. This project will be the truth.

Follow us every step of the way as the project unfolds here and on our Flickr page.

Ally Capellino has been all about creating bags for life since 1980. ‘For life’ as in, using durable leathers and fabrics that  improve with age and meant to be worn, used and loved. She also does one of our favorite things: subtle branding  (so they’re timeless). Ally explains, “People should add something of themselves, so that the bags become theirs not mine” – words to live by. Straight from Shoreditch, East London, where her studio and boutique are both based comes these fine totes, two of which, have been slightly butched up for the non-believers.

From left to right, the ‘Lesley Conservative’ leather tote is an unlined, tan mottled leather tote bag with two strap-style leather top handles. The large, ‘Freddie Waxy’ waxed cotton tote in Airforce blue waxed cotton with two grey strap-style top handles, large exterior cargo pocket with brown leather strap and buckle fastening; lined in grey cotton with one internal zipped pocket. Lastly, the  ‘Timothy Waxy’ tan waxed cotton tote with grey strap-style top handles and a large exterior cargo pocket with brown leather strap and buckle fastening; along with an option for a detachable grey cotton shoulder strap.

Available here.

San Francisco techno design and marketing firm Obscura Digital have created one of the world’s largest high-resolution, multi-touch displays for the new Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas. The 18-foot wide by 4-foot tall wall displays the Hard Rock company’s complete video and photo memorabilia collection in resolution up to 12 megapixels. A user can expand a single image or video to the full size of the wall itself. However, the display is not only multi-touch but also multi-user, able to accommodate up to 6. The space automatically splits into ‘workstations’ as new users join the experience. In addition, Technomedia Systems created a localized audio system for each user workstation to avoid interference between individuals. In a word: stunning.

It’s hard to look at any moccasin style boot and not have your mind jump to the Ugg.  While we would never advocate you step out looking like Sting or Lindsay Lohan, Shofolk deliver their Jamie moccasin boot in a soft, deep tan leather that ticks all the right boxes. How could we not love a Winter version of a favorite summer-staple (full disclosure: not the right look for everybody). Shofolk shoes and boots are always made to last from the highest quality Italian leathers that enrich over time. A few of us have the Andre boot and have absolutely adored them, even after a rough salt-laden winter.  In other words, they’re keepers.  In addition, this boot has a side zip for easy access, an adjustable strap, and is fake fur lined for kicking it in the cold and snow when Mother Nature turns this Fall and Winter.  Available now here.

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Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, Japanese brothers Satoru and Kiyoshi Inoue combine Japanese sensibility and Scandinavian simplicity to create something they call ‘SCANDINASIAN design’. In 2005, The Inoue Brothers put this philosophy to work by forming (and continuing to maintain) a unique collaboration with the people of Bolivia to create hand-knitted Alpaca garments. With sustainability and social responsibility as their key values and starting point, The Inoue Brothers are working together with a network of traditional Bolivian knitters – artisan mothers working from home, unable to leave for a city job due to family commitments. As a result, their collection of garments are the products of ordinary human decency and respect and of the finest craftsmanship produced with pride by professional mothers.

We caught up with Satoru Inoue to talk about the beginnings, Alpaca, the design process and profitability versus sustainability.

LH: Generally speaking, most brands treat sustainability and social responsibility as reactionary or an after thought, you decided to use it as your starting point, why?

Satoru Inoue: We started doing design for clients in the UK and Denmark but mostly graphic and conceptual design. Since we were teenagers, we’ve always been fascinated by fashion but more as an artistic expression and not the industry. The vanity, greed and exploitation often seen in some areas of fashion had kept us away from it but when we where introduced to the craftsmanship and alpaca fibre of the indigenous people of Bolivia through a common friend we knew immediately this was something of interest. Finally, we saw a way of working with fashion while contributing to a different way of approaching the business and industry.

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When Oliver Spencer started his namesake brand, he wanted a collection that mirrored his own wardrobe: a bridge between popular streetwear and traditional tailoring with quality fabrics, modern fits and old-school construction. Since ’02, he’s been killing it with hunting and military inspired pieces that fuse bits of American and ideas from Japan.

The hunting jacket above is a new style altogether for Oliver Spencer this winter, done up in a beautiful navy waxed cotton with a faux sheepskin lining. It has a slightly rounded brown corduroy collar, four bellowed patch pockets on the front, a button front fastening and a drawstring waistband for a more fitted look. Best of all, still made in London. Official endorsement – there it is. Available here.