After putting out one of the best Fall/Winter collections we’ve seen across the board, Heritage Research is back again with its Longline parka. This one however is lightweight and noticeably missing its familiar wax Millerain cotton, making it perfect for summer. Huge respect to Heritage Research for putting at least 3 craftsmen on each parka and hand cutting and sewing each piece of Japanese material.  More credit goes out to UK-based, Heritage Research for not excluding the rest of the non-Japanese population any more. Hybrid jackets can be outright odd when not done properly but HR has gotten it right by fusing together two classics in the Longline – the 60/40 Parka and the Maine fisherman’s jacket.

Available here.

Art Space Tokyo acts as your 272 page personal guide and interpreter, connecting you with the neighborhoods and figures behind some of the most inspiring art spaces around Tokyo.

Each of the featured spaces has been rendered by the illustrations of Nobumasa Takahashi and covers art spaces in neighborhoods such as Ginza, Yanaka, Gaienmae, Omotesando, Harajuku, Roppongi, Asakusa among others. The neighborhood surrounding each art space has been meticulously mapped with recommendations for the best food, coffee and sights with 12 detailed area maps. Two-dozen interviews and essays with gallery owners, curators, collectors and artists, bringing to light the varied landscape of the Japanese contemporary art world can also be found in the fold between a beautifully Japanese bound spine. There will also be an iPad version.

Back this reprint project here.

Always up for promoting the independents on the grind, Andrea Joseph, has done up 3 prints of some of your favorite adidas with nothing but a few ballpoint pens. Two are A4 in size (11.6 x 8.3 inches or 29 x 21cm), the other is half that size. Sold as a lot. Get on it. Available here.

From his humble beginnings as a skateboarder to the successful business owner that he is today, some might consider Dion Kovac responsible for almost single-handedly pioneering a movement here in Sydney. Eight years ago, on his own dime, he braved his reputation and ventured into virtually unknown territory, opening up Our Spot in the heart of one of Sydney’s many surrounding inner-city village areas. And he did it on the basis that someone needed to challenge convention, selling goods by Rachel Comey, Nom de Guerre and Common Projects, thus exposing a city so transfixed by surf culture to a new kind of aesthetic in the process.

Fast forward to present day, and Dion is back at it again. Only this time, in an effort to promote the ever-growing stature of a few local brands, Dion’s keen eye has his new store – One of a Kind – stocking only the latest in what this country has to offer. From Rittenhouse, Vanishing Elephant and Three Over One, Dion has made it his priority to get those brands the recognition he feels they deserve. Nestled in a quaint neighbourhood, the vine-draped store is the only one of its kind for blocks. He tells me that the reception has been amazing thus far – most of it from curious onlookers who can’t help but notice the shop’s unique exterior. Formerly an art space, the intimate setting – adorned with only a few racks worth of clothes and shoes aligned in a very precise manner – doesn’t feel contrived at all. It’s friendly. It’s sincere. And it perfectly encapsulates the passionate personality of a man who’s seen and done it all.

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I spent some time on Vancouver Island over Easter and had the pleasure of visiting Victoria. This tiny provincial capital is totally unassuming at first glance, but it doesn’t take long to uncover a wealth of, among other great things, amazing independent stores. One such discovery was Four Horsemen on the outskirts of Market Square. These guys hit all the right notes; it’s clear that the brains behind this operation have great taste. Blessed with an open space that gets a lot of natural light, the store makes great use of an already inviting location with a layout and design that is both slick and pleasantly minimal = a fitting compliment to a collection that stresses quality over quantity. LH only carries a handful of labels, but it’s a solid lineup that draws on both current and classic trends in menswear. Canadian labels Naked and Famous and Wings + Horns are familiar faces at the store, the former supplying excellent Japanese denim and the latter stocking gorgeous pieces such as this Chambray Mountain Parka. Portland General Store’s vintage hygiene products and Surface2Air’s ironic jewelry bring a touch of flair, and you can’t really go wrong with a shelf of Clarks desert boots. There are many reasons to visit Vancouver Island, but between the surfing at Tofino beach and the hiking around Cathedral Grove you definitely don’t want to miss Victoria and Four Horsemen.

More photos, courtesy of the store’s website, after the jump.

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The boat chukka boot is pretty ubiquitous these days.  You really can’t go to any store, online boutique, or style blog without getting an eyeful of them.  Of course, there are standouts with their own strengths, like Quoddy for their longevity and classic quality, or Band of Outsiders x Sperry for their unique pattern and color choices.  Pierre Hardy has always pushed the envelope with his shoe designs for both his own line and Balenciaga.  The first thing that sets this boat chukka apart is the sewn-on crepe sole.  The second thing we really dig is the monochrome midnight navy color scheme with the perfectly contrasting brass eyelets.  Available here.

These are the first pair of sneakers I ever bought that snapped necks so you’ll have to forgive my bias on this one. The Air Carnivore is by far the latest of Nike’s retro releases I’m most looking forward to. While I’ve since outgrown the style and am lacking the confidence to pull these off today, the nostalgia is strong with this one. Everything about this shoe represents everything I love about Nike. In a quest to push the boundaries of technical cross training in the 90′s, Nike dropped this beast, neoprene boot system, straps, whack colorway and all. They went overboard, but it’s exactly what I appreciate and respect about it today. They pushed and pushed hard. In some ways they got it right, and in other ways, they got it wrong yet the Air Carnivore still proved Nike’s commitment to advancement and performance with a large margin of error. While I’ve never been one to buy shoes just to have or display like the rest of the guys around here, I’m starting to think that no shoe has ever compelled me to do so. This is a start. Available now here.

For those that have all but played out the Dilla and Pun mixtape and are still looking to pay their own homage to Dilla, the legendary Roots crew have dropped our favorite tribute album yet. Lead by Questlove, The Roots have brought their live instrumental sounds in an homage to James Dewitt Yancey’s beats. There are no lyrics on the Dilla Joints album, just some familiar beats over some wonderful instrumentals. While staying on the topic of Stones Throw, turntabilist J Rocc, who has previously dropped some of our favorite mixtapes and collabs with Madlib and Dilla, is out with an exclusive mixtape for Supreme L.A. aptly named J.Rocc for Supreme. The lyrical stylings of Mighty Mos have been reincarnated thanks to Mad Tannone (who you may remember from the Radiohead x Jay-Z mash-up Jadiohead) in Mos Dub who has laid them out over classic dub and reggae. Finally, another man known for mash-ups, Brian Burton, otherwise known as Danger Mouse has teamed together with The Shin’s James Mercer to form Broken Bells and recently dropped their indie rock self-titled debut album. Enjoy.

T-shirts don’t seem to get a lot of attention even when the weather starts to warm. Especially when it comes to plain colored tees, The Gap and Uniqlo have the utilitarian need pretty much on lock even though a dozen washes or so can render them donatable. Outlier‘s new ultrafine micro merino t-shirts are not of that variety. Deciding to go with merino as the best natural performance fabric they could find, Outlier also capitalized on its technical properties. Merino has the incredible ability to pull moisture away from your skin to cool you as you sweat, has natural anti-microbial properties and its incredibly resilient. Expect to get more wear after cycles. They’re on the pricier side, but they’re produced locally, using local materials and if you’re a long time reader, you should know you get what you pay for. And if you don’t know…Now you know.

Available in Pale Gray, Dusty Blue and Fiery Orange here.

Seems inappropriate to be talking about a duffle jacket in Spring on our way to Summer, but Margaret Howell is making it a touch easier. Being partial to this seasons trousers and oxfords Howell has been putting out, we couldn’t resist this lightweight take on a duffle in waxed cotton making it perfect for April showers. Buying jackets for hotter climates is a bit odd, but with some chinos or even EG’s linen shorts on a cooler night you could very well kill it. There’s also a tan version available at Margaret Howell. The one above is available here.

There were a few different ways to start off this article but we ultimately decided on this statement from Baracuta Clothing: “Baracuta Jackets are one of Britain’s greatest contributions to menswear.”  Indeed, Baracuta’s G9 Harrington has been a classic since Baracuta founders and brothers, John and Isaac Miller gave birth to it 1937. Although, the G9 didn’t earn the nickname Harrington until it was worn by the character Rodney Harrington (played by Ryan ONeal) in the 1960s television program Peyton Place. To this day, Baracuta jackets are widely recognized for its Fraser Tartan lining and widely remembered as the jacket worn by Steve McQueen on the front cover of Life Magazine. From 1937 to collaborations with the likes of J.Crew, Comme des Garcons, Stussy, Margaret Howell and now our new favorite bicycle atelier, Griffin, Baracuta remains as relevant as ever.

Getting right to it, Griffin‘s collaboration sees Baracuta‘s traditional sand colourway with contrasting plaid sleeves with an Italian cotton check and a noticeably missing Fraser Tartan lining. We’ll forgo laying out the pluses and minuses for the decision to forgo on its trademark in favor of a lightweight, breathable, functional mesh lining – designed with the biker in mind. Admittedly, Spring rides dodging sketchy taxi’s throughout the city were noticeably cooler. As were trips to the Farmer’s market. And the photocopier for that matter. The colors are that good of a color combination. Sleeves in a plaid of white, navy, gray and black on a base of the aforementioned sand base right down to the subtle yellow stitching and zipper. Paired with Griffin’s Kingston trouser or New Standard’s with moccasins and you’re there.

Backed by a long history, depending on where you grew up, the Baracuta G9 Harrington may carry some strong sentimental value and provide reason enough to invest in “Britain’s greatest contributions to menswear”. I for one remember by father picking me up from tennis in a pair of Sperry’s he had worn fresh from windsurfing and a sand colored Baracuta thrown over a plain tee and swim trunks. Far from Steve McQueen, but memorable and as relevant to me as ever. One can only hope I’m seen the same way when the time comes to pass this one down to my son.

Available here.

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Be real, Glow-in-the-Dark anything has been the truth since as far back as you can remember. From stickers to t-shirts to your adulthood with the soles of the Air Yeezy’s and recently released AMBUSH x RSVP Gallery’s POW! chain. Berlin retailer No. 74 has previewed its upcoming release for the adidas Consortium campaign – a Campus 80 with Glow-in-the-Dark uppers. Big things are happening in 2010 so far with the Campus 80. Japanese designer Kazuki Kuraishi’s adidas Originals by Originals Spring 2010 collection in a blue/red and all black colorway are among the most recently memorable and these Campus 80′s are a worthy addition to the family. A well executed idea on a classic that will no doubt be equally memorable. To be released soon.

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