Founded in 2004 by Anton Sandqvist, Stockholm based bag brand Sandqvist, like most, “make bags with style and function, bags for your everyday life, aiming to be loved and used for a long time” by combining affordability with durability. A familiar tale when it comes to bag/accessory start-ups, but we’ve yet to see those aforementioned recycle fashion history quite like Sandqvist. Case in point, this 1950′s style factorybag, designed in cooperation with the legendary Stockholm vintage store Herr Judit.  Aside from the style, we’re particularly fond of the color combination of heavy sand canvas with dark brown leather handles and grey lining. Now your Swedish vocab has just been expanded beyond IKEA and Volvo. Don’t thank us, thank you. Available here.

There happens to be a lot of good things going on here. First, the art direction of these shots are killing it for me. Second, it is navy (the color) season up in here. Most Egyptian cotton button down shirts hang off certain people in all the wrong places, but Assembly New York has done this one up, fitted and well cut with an elongated tail and short front and stub collar. On top of that, we can’t imagine better finishings than antique copper buttons on the chest and cuffs. Available here.

In keeping with our theme of wanting to share discoveries and experiences with you, we jumped at the chance to test drive the all-new 2010 Toyota 4Runner before it hit the showroom floors.  Admittedly, we’re used to reviewing ideas, design and wardrobe pieces, so you’ll have to forgive us if this review lacks the usual technical jargon of typical auto reviews but that having been said, we felt it would be good to share our own personal take of the ride and keep things accessible to those less familiar with lateral rods and dual-pistons. Having been previous owners of old-school Toyota Land Cruisers, G-Wagons and Defenders and well aware of their capabilities, we took the 2010 4Runner off-roading in the Nevada desert outside of Las Vegas to see how it fared.

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We’ve gone on about man jewelery for a hot second, so we’ll just say the ‘Sneaker Freaker’ necklace by Victoria Mason is the business. Handmade from Sterling silver and yes, they’re Chuck Taylors so it’ll sort of be like reppin’ your dead homies, but around your neck instead of on telephone wires. Available here.

A couple of months back, our boy Rod talked a bit about electronic music and, specifically, dubstep’s rise into pockets of the mainstream (Pharrell and Kanye are both taking cues).  No other label has personified this notion more than Hyperdub.  It’s been five years since Hyperdub blasted off from the streets of south London, and in accordance with that anniversary, they have released an all-encompassing compilation, 5: Five Years of Hyperdub.  The collection breaks down into two discs, one featuring 16 unreleased tracks, and another featuring 16 of the best releases from their vaults.  A major highlight for many will be the new track from label starlet, Burial.  Burial’s combination of off-kilter 2-step beats and warped R&B vocal samples (from the likes of Ray-J and Beyonce) has struck many a nerve over the course of two album releases on Hyperdub, and even garnered a prestigious Mercury Prize nomination in the UK in 2008.  Other label friends and family members contributing gems to the compilation include: Los Angeles beat king Flying Lotus, Tokyo’s 8-bit Nintendo and breaks masher Quarta 330, dubstep’s reigning queen Ikonika, and, of course, label owner Kode9 and his main compatriot the Spaceape deliver their unique brand of suffocating, noirish, dubbed-out spoken word bombs.  If you’ve only heard of this unique brand of shuffling rhythms and dark atmospheres, but never had the true experience, this is guaranteed to be the best place to start.

No doubt the Chuck Taylor is a classic in its own right and no doubt, the hundreds of artist renderings and interpretations of the Chuck Taylor will be a part of its history also. Our only fear is that the new takes go by way of the AF-1 with a new color drop instead of a new design. That having been said, HB has a great look at the latest 1HUND(RED) Artist Series Chuck Taylor, this time by designer Terence Koh that goes above and beyond a color change but still classic. Koh explains, “I wanted to keep the DNA of the Chuck Taylor intact, while reducing the seams, and smoothing out the shoe’s surface as much as possible.” We’re really into the seamless, low profile aesthetic on this one. A worldwide release is slated for November 21st at select retailers, including Opening Ceremony New York and LA. Retail is set at $150 USD.

Masaaki Honma is at it again, staying true to his punk-inspired designs and raw materials with this pea coat from Mastermind Japan. Admittedly  there has been an influx of streetwear labels doing their own version of the pea coat this season, but the distressed bands with white and gold printing on the upper left sleeve and right cuff are killing it in a way that nobody has yet. Granted, what could make this coat even better would be some seam sealing and all out weatherproofing as in Kazuki Kuraishi’s releases, for adidas O by O. Available here.

It’s straight madness what’s been done to these Nike Terminators. From the windswept northern reaches of Japan comes Nike’s wild new Matagi pack a viable option for those who just can’t part with sneakers during the Winter. Matagi is the Japanese term for hunting tribes from the mountainous Hokkaido and Tohoku regions that pursue large prey such as bear and antelope using traditional techniques. Featuring rugged reinforced uppers padded with thick fur lining and outdoor inspired eyelets. Available here.

After a slew of promising singles and noteworthy guest appearances, Kid Sister will finally release her solo debut, Ultraviolet, next week on Downtown/Fool’s Gold. The Chicago native is looking to reassert a female presence in hip hop, and so far she’s doing a bang-up job. Recalling the heyday of Queen Latifah, MC Lyte and Salt n’ Pepa, this is straight party rap, the kind that moves the crowd. Her music isn’t bogged down by the stigma of politics, sexuality or violence; it’s positive and fun, but current nonetheless. Her latest single, ‘Right Hand Hi’, is a great example of this, and the music video, directed by Sarah Chatfield, is the perfect compliment. The UK-based director matches Kid Sister’s style and energy with eye-catching post production framed by a slick night shoot. Having already worked with a bevy of artists including Lily Allen, Noisettes and Lykke Li, Chatfield is fast becoming a choice director in the music industry; films to promote Yves St-Laurent’s 2009 collections are earning her accolades in the fashion world too.

Another day, another brogue, but don’t act like we never told you brogues were multifunctional year ’round. A really interesting collaboration for 109-year-old brand Florsheim and up-and-comers Steven Cox and Daniel Silver, the Chicago-duo behind the Duckie Brown label. Only in the fashion world would a seemingly dysfunctional relationship result in something this beautiful. In fact, the inception of these shoes came from Steven Cox spray-painting a regular Florsheim brogue and him liking the look of it. The only thing that would make these fully legit, would be if they were made in England like proper brogues and not India. Available here.

You’ve probably already peeped this jacket in various previews of this season’s collection from Nom De Guerre but after seeing it in person, we felt it deserved a proper shout out.  Normally not one to make khaki a first choice for a jacket, we couldn’t help but get into the faux sheepskin lining and detachable hood – something we’ve been finding difficult to find.  Just warm enough for right now, so get on it. Available here.

BMW are set to throw their hat into the touring, sport wagon arena with the release of their all-new 5 Series Gran Turismo in early 2010.  We previously brought you news of Porsche’s similar entree, the Panamera.  However, one major difference between the two will undoubtedly be price point.  In fact, if initial estimates are right (somewhere around $70,000), BMW’s Gran Turismo should be the only “hatchback” in the premium midsize class.  Many different engine configurations will be available, with the top of the line being a twin-turbo, 400-horsepower V-8.  As for styling, the Gran Turismo will share major cues with the new generation 5 series, including the wide mouth front grille that BMW introduced on the newest 7 series.  Some major features worth the entry fee include a panorama glass roof, optional fully-powered rear bucket seats that fold down for more cargo space, and the innovative two-way rear hatch that can either be opened like a conventional hatchback or just using the smaller lower portion that opens like a conventional trunk and completely blocks the interior of the car from outside elements.

More pics after the jump.

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