If nostalgia is a drug, Arik Roper is your pusherman. The NYC-based artist’s portfolio is a throwback to the dark, fantastical imagery that was commonplace on album covers and concert posters in the heyday of psychedelic rock and early heavy metal. His work is all very brooding and surreal, yet there’s a certain romance to it, like if J.R.R. Tolkein was a Black Sabbath fan. Bearing that in mind, his art still evokes a certain design sensibility that recalls the poster-oriented approach of Shepard Fairey. Roper has designed album covers for bands like The Black Crowes and Earth, concert posters for heavy metal titans Sun O))) and Boris; he’s a regular contributor to both Revolver and Guitar World Magazine, and his piece ‘Invocation of the Living Shadow’ is on the cover of Vice Magazine’s November issue. He’s collaborated with the likes of Nike and Volcom; among our favourite pieces is the ‘Shark Print’ (pictured above) he designed as part of No Fin No Future for Japanese shark conservationists PangeaSeed. Abrams recently published Roper’s Mushroom Magick, a beautifully illustrated field guide to, er, magic mushrooms. His latest show, The Hidden Dimension, is on display at the Fuse Gallery in NYC until November 24th. More pictures after the jump.

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Fact: During World War II, canvas topped a Willys Jeep. Today, that same waterproof cotton canvas outfits Seil Marschall‘s rugged rucksack made to ably handle civilian use. We’re particularly liking the glamping vibe to this fourth-generation, German-made rucksack with its mix of high grade canvas, wool-padded leather shoulder straps and solid brass buckles. For those among us that still prefer a backpack for everyday use, the Visvim Ballistic 20L or 22L not withstanding, you probably can’t ask for a better functional pack that goes with sneakers as well as it does a pair of handsewn Quoddy’s or Sperry’s. Porter makes something similar, albeit, at least double the cost. Available here.

Arguably these look a little on the formal side, but rest assured brogues (otherwise known as wingtips on this side of the pond) were made as traditional country shoes, originating in Scotland and Ireland. Translation: we can see these easily paired with jeans just as much as we could a pressed pair of tweed/wool pants.  It might be the Fall season that’s drawing us to caramel  colored shoes, but these Tricker’s Bourton brogue shoe in ‘acorn antique’ calf leather can kill it anytime of the year. Because any collection could use a pair of Tricker’s, or Alden’s for that matter, this classic brogue shoe with Goodyear welted, double leather sole, leather lining and insole could and should be your first round draft pick. Obviously, these get only better with age. Available here.

On one hand it’s another tote, on another, it’s from YouMustCreate (YMC), meaning you should already be expecting something that looks ordinary that’s actually out of the ordinary. One of the main problems with totes is the open top (not great for all weather) and the fact that a lot of your peripherals can get lost in its depth. Always well thought out in terms of design and functionality that remains timeless, leave it to YMC to think up zip enclosure and various compartments inside. And, if you haven’t already, the art direction is equally dope and simple with YMC’s Fall/Winter 2009 lookbook. Available here.

Six Eight Seven Six has been dropping some heavy releases as of late. We love them all for their seemingly simple designs and clean cuts with minute detailing, on top of the fact they collaborate with Japanese-based United Arrows. The Cedric, a long sleeve shirt produced in heavy 185grm luxury 100% cotton stripe ticking, is a perfect example of what they’re all about. Top quality materials, a seemingly plain striped shirt, but with a dual purpose button-up pocket flap on the left hand pocket and an evened skirt. Reminds us of STPL‘s cut and sewn’s and that’s never a bad thing. Available here.

While you’ve no doubt already heard about Outlier and their tailored performance clothing for bikers, Osloh is filling in some blanks with bicycle jeans. We’re talking 12 oz. premium stretch denim created to provide the everyday cyclist, the commuter cyclist, the utility and transportation cyclist with a clothing alternative that works just as well on the road as off. These jeans are slim, relaxed, comfort fitted with a low front waistband, and higher back waistband, coated with water repellant resin and anti-bacterial finish. The most practical and well thought-out additions are the reinforced strap above back left pocket for your U-Lock, internal poly-sueded chamois seat lining, and a double snap leg adjustment straps on chain side leg to protect your pant legs. Otherwise, if you’re not into these, riding your bike with wet raw denim is the best way to work them in. Available here.

Something we first reported back in April has now been confirmed by ACQUIRE. Limited to 500 models, Bell & Ross is crafting their BR01 completely in high performance carbon fiber. Both the face and the strap will be getting the carbon fiber treatment and it will also be complemented by their BR01-94 chronograph model. While it doesn’t beat the Instrument Tourbillon, we don’t think anybody can deny this is a work of art. More info here.

Few brands other than Margiela and Japanse-brand Ambush have been killing it men’s jewelery and while not everybody can ante up to a black Jesus piece, it’s been great to discover other brands having a go at it. Vane’s jewelry collection, straight out of NYC, is actually a unisex line, but a true unisex line. Vane “represents the voice, the inherent power and beauty, of tomorrow’s generation of thinkers and creators.” From handcrafted jewelry to limited-run accessories every Vane piece is created with the utmost quality and detail, uniquely crafted with an idea and story behind it. Aside from the cameras shown above, Obama’s head, headphones, pencils, dynamite, and two-finger rings round out our favorites, each available in varieties of gold, silver, brass and pewter. Available here.

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Bowers & Wilkins have been in the hi-fi speaker game since the 1960′s, yet they are sharp enough to realize that the iPod and iPhone rule the day when it comes to modern music listening.  So, after the success of their Zeppelin iPod system, which we previously reviewed here, Bowers & Wilkins are set to drop the P5 hi-fi headphones – their first ever.  The P5 is specifically designed to work well with Apple’s ubiquitous portable products, and even includes an approved cable for speech and device control.  It also includes a gold-plated standard audio cable, which is interchangeable with the Apple-approved cable.  Of course, B&W’s primary concern is sound quality and the P5 provide noise isolation and a balanced sound, free of any hyped bass or treble which often make long headphone listening sessions fatiguing.  The earpads and headband made of sheep’s leather let you know you’re listening in luxury.  The P5 is set to go on sale in January.

Los Angeles brand Keep make cruelty-free shoes using mostly sustainable materials.  Their designs are definitely based on classic silhouettes, but they also feature unique fabric choices that give us that spark we crave.  Japanese-milled herringbone, sustainable bamboo-cotton corduroy, and classic canvas meet extra wide gingham, chambray, and terry-cloth linings.  Three of our favorite designs are the Ramos, Nuss, and Homer.  All Keep designs are unisex, though they are actually marked in women’s US sizing, so be aware of that when ordering (you wanna go up 1 and 1/2 sizes fellas).  Available direct here and here.

You might be surprised to find Dr. Martens on here, but truth be told, we were just as surprised when we came across these suede chukkas from our favorite brand back in the late 80′s. More than anything, with all the options for chukkas this season, those colored welts and how they’re matching up with the supple suede uppers are straight killing it. Dr. Martens wouldn’t be our first choice, but the whole contemporary feel of mixing a classic Dr. Marten boot with a classic desert boot is the business. To top it all off, you got the trademark air cushioned sole and, it’s moderately priced. Available here.

It’s sort of a mixed bag when it comes to what brands we follow religiously and which ones we don’t. With everybody always looking to drop the news of the newest collection with previews of the entire line, some quality pieces can sometimes get overlooked in the process. So while this probably isn’t the first time you’ve spotted this outdoor-inspired zip-up hooded sweatshirt from Supreme, we feel it deserves a quick shout out on its own. So here it is – the shout out. Love the understated-ness of it all with the small Supreme zip for the chest pocket that’ll let ‘em all know what you’re about. Available here.