Recently I moved to the nations oldest former naval yard here in Boston, quite a historic area which serves as home to the USS Constitution. As those of you may have spotted on my twitter or google+ feed, this weekend we were visited by the fleets only other commissioned sailing ship, the USCG Eagle, originally christened the SSS Horst Wessel, a ship with an incredible history.

Designed for the German Navy in 1936, the ship was christened by Adolf Hitler, and strangely would be the place he would eat one of his last dinners. After the war, the ship was claimed by the US for war reparations, and immediately christened the Eagle and set to work as a coast guard training ship. The ship has since served host to John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, and many an eager naval cadet, ready to travel the world. Serving as a training ship and a goodwill ambassador now, it can be spotted at ports around the world.

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Berlin’s Civilist has been working with Vans on a Syndicate collaboration that we are really liking the look of. Inspired by Berlin’s skate history and it’s political landscape, we just appreciate it’s clean look and the added details that go into most Syndicate pieces.

With so many big American brands taking manufacturing overseas and changing entire industries within the USA by doing so, it’s nice to see in this piece, independent manufacturers that are out there and fighting hard to make products locally and rebuild the lost trade industries of the country. LASCO (Los Angeles Shoe Company) believes that it is important to adhere to high quality domestic sourcing and manufacturing for every all components of their shoes, even down to their laces. There just shouldn’t need to be any alternative.

Apologies for the back to back car videos, but this is another interesting one. Like a mashup of How it’s Made and a music video, BMW documents the processes that go into creating a 1 series. Interestingly, the soundtrack is created entirely of sounds from this routine.

via Hypebeast

Tenue de Nîmes has released hand-dyed, natural indigo Chuck Taylors, limited to 50 pairs, created by the Manabe family, denim experts from Okoyama in Japan. While this is a brilliant looking shoe, perfect for the summer, this also gives us some good ideas for our old chucks we’re not wearing anymore.

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Dieter Rams has forever been one of my major design icons, a person who revolutionized the way we thought about products and their function. Born of German simplicity and esthetic, his designs are a balance of tool and usability, and eliminating fuss and what we might not need to actually do with something. Using a Rams product is almost like learning how you should actually use a product properly, for the first time. Rams was hired by Braun in 1955, and went on to head their design department, releasing some of the most legendary product designs we’ve known, and inspired the likes of Jonathan Ives in his product creation for Apple.

I must say though, while I love his products, and his studio furniture… His home (brought to us by Yatzer), while interesting and a testament to his thinking, certainly does not look like a comfy place to relax, his studio and workshop though, look ideal for their purpose. Also, if you haven’t yet, and you appreciate his design, you’d be smart to pick up As Little Design as Possible.

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Showing now until August 8th at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is the first US museum show to highlight graffiti and street art. Through the exhibition we learn how the movement has transformed from it’s beginnings in the 70′s through to the mainstream culture it has since become, and the people and events it has shaped along the way, from music and film, to skateboarding and beyond. The video above is entitled “Street”, and is a tour around some NY inspired streets, built with art from some of our favorite artists which are Todd James, Barry McGee, Stephen Powers, Devin Flynn, Josh Lazcano, Dan Murphy, and Alexis Ross.

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Dior has released a great looking collection of accessories inspired by the simplicity of clean lines and simple suiting. Employing calfskin leather in various finishes to create everything from briefcases, wallets down to iPhone and iPad cases.

If it’s possible, YMC‘s latest collection actually has us looking forward to the fall, inspired by the 60′s servicemen of both the US and British militaries, and materials that match the conditions. Some of our favorites, especially the knitwear, are posted below.

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As many of you know, I happen to be a bit of a watch nut. My Dad has always appreciated good watches, therefore I have always appreciated good watches, whether I needed one or not. As I became more interested in them, I started to appreciate their story, their complication and their design. The New York Times has a feature on some friends that share the same view on this, and I’m sure we’re not alone.

Catch the article here and let us know in the comments what’s on your wrist, and a line or two on why you wear it.