As we’ve previously told you, we’re big fans of Apolis Activism and their commitment to sustainability, local sourcing, and artisanal techniques.  The three Parton brothers have a commitment to ethical practice that is only matched equally by their commitment to classic American sportswear and workwear.  This summer, they’ve teamed up with Katin to produce a line of swim trunks.  Katin has been producing custom board shorts in Huntington Beach, California since 1959, with an impeccable attention to both durability and detail.  The highlight of the collaboration between the two brands is definitely the limited edition indigo chambray short.  It is cut from lightweight 5.5 oz. Spanish chambray and is fully lined for comfort and support.  This is definitely anything but your average bathing suit.  Available for pre-order direct here.

A video that tells the story of the collaboration is available after the jump.

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You definitely won’t find yourself wanting if you are currently looking for a braided belt.  They’re making the rounds right now in a lot of different shapes and sizes from multicolored to more standard country club fare from the likes of Ralph Lauren.  However, leave it to Martin Margiela to give us something different that is still totally wearable.  What makes his plaited (read: braided) belt stand out is the thickness of the three individual strips which, together with the heavy silver rectangular buckle, instantly gives it a fresh minimal look.  Plus, you can’t go wrong with the versatility of a good tan leather belt that will just look better and better with age.  Available here.

San Francisco artist and illustrator Lisa Congdon is bringing us a daily dose of the simple becoming the sublime through her “A Collection A Day, 2010″ online art project.  Every day of this year, Congdon has and will post a picture, drawing, or painting of a collection.  The majority of the collections on display in the blog-style project are photographs of actual personal collections from her home and studio.  The rest, which are drawn or painted, are imagined.  While we do enjoy Congdon’s idiosyncratic illustrations, the photographs, presented with a real sense of devotion, are the definite hit here.  The unique history of collections of vintage crayons (picture above), Italian stamps, dice, or prayer cards, leaps from the page and brings an instant sense of wonder to the viewer.   Keep it bookmarked as Congdon stacks up more of the wistful and the treasured through December 31st.

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Anyone with even a passing knowledge of electronic musical instruments knows the name Roger Linn.  He created the LM-1, Linndrum, and Linn 9000 drum machines, which became synonymous with 80′s pop music from the likes of Prince, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.  However, that’s not even his most famous creation.   His most marked design would be the MPC, an instrument that molded and forever changed hip-hop production to the point where it is hard to imagine what it would be like without Linn’s creation.  In recent years, with the design of open-source instruments like the Monome or the Jazzmutant Lemur, there has begun to be a greater interest in moving away from the traditional keyboard as a pitch-generating solution for creating music.  Now, Linn is throwing his hat into the ring with this prototype for a multitouch, tone-generation pad that has some unique abilities when it comes to expressiveness (a point which is generally lacking in other multitouch solutions like the iPad and Lemur).  Production heads everywhere will be keeping a close eye on this one as it develops.

Danish brand Humor is back with some new wares for summer, and one item that caught our eye is their Doyle shirt.  We’re always looking for a new twist that sets a classic design on its ear, and the ‘bullneck’ collar on the Doyle is a prime example.  The high buttoned collar is lined with gray jersey and can be worn buttoned-up for a dramatic look or unfastened for a looser style.  As far as the fundamentals go: it’s constructed from a subdued red, white, and blue plaid cotton.  We’re not big fans of the visible logo on the back, but, at least, it is on the back tail and not the front, where it would be overpowering.  Available here.

By now, anyone who even remotely follows streetwear is well aware of Visvim and their high quality Ballistic backpacks.  However, due to the packs’ scarcity, few have really come into direct contact with one.  Very few of the backpacks leave Asia, and the few that do make it to the Western Hemisphere are ripped from the shelves almost immediately.  This is especially true for the bolder color choices.  Luckily, we were able to get our hands on the one and only orange example that made it to Union in Los Angeles.

It’s obvious upon first contact that preconceived ideas of very high quality are not unfounded.  The Cordura nylon feels as rugged as expected, the calf leather bottom is supple, and the waterproof Riri zippers are chunky and exact.  The monochrome orange look is a bold one and not for everyone.  That is outside of how you feel about grown folks in backpacks to begin with, as that is certainly not to everyone’s taste.  We feel they have their place, particularly when it comes to travel, or the need to carry more equipment or supplies than a brief will allow.

We really love the 22L because it combines a more classic design with the details you expect from Visvim.  The leather extends beyond just the bottom to the upper handle and zipper pulls.  The inside has two large separate compartments.  The first is a padded 15-inch laptop compartment with some extra room to possibly stash books or magazines.  The second is the main compartment, which features the typical top zipper entry as well as an additional side entry for easy access during wear.  The main compartment also includes a hexagon-covered interior pocket that is perfect for an iPod or phone and even has a small snap-covered outlet to the exterior for headphones.

Without question, Visvim delivers with the 22L.  All the hype is warranted.  This is a piece of gear that combines audacious style and luxury with high tech and heavy-duty functionality.  If you get the chance to pick one up, don’t hesitate.

More pics after the jump.

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The most epic of sporting events deserves the most epic of advertisements, and Nike has delivered big for the World Cup.  Directed by one of our favorite directors Alejandro Inarritu (“21 Grams” and “Babel”), the “Write The Future” ad features Nike-sponsored stars like Didier Drogba, Wayne Rooney, Franck Ribéry, Fabio Cannavaro, Landon Donovan, and Cristiano Ronaldo, as they attempt to write themselves into history on the pitch.

The ad speaks for itself, but one thing that struck me is that while some of the scenarios are clearly over the top in their depiction (Wayne Rooney living in a caravan!), a lot of it is not only plausible but absolutely certain to occur should one these players lead their team to glory in South Africa.  Such is the status of the World Cup that there will be moments of great fame and great infamy, and one day statues will undoubtedly be erected and movies will be made.  Also, keep your eye out for cameos from the likes of Roger Federer, Kobe Bryant, Gael García Bernal and even Homer Simpson.  The only chink in the ad’s armor is that Ronaldinho wasn’t chosen in Brazil’s squad (whoops!).  The World Cup kicks off on June 11th.  It’s about that time.

While we’re sure that suede boots are not the first thing on your mind as we head into summer, this handmade derby-style example is a bit special.  The Old Curiousity Shop was first built in 1567 and inspired the Charles Dickens book of the same name.  In 1992, Daita Kimura took over the space and re-opened the shop offering handmade shoes.  Kimura’s latest boot offering is a simple high cut in black suede with a full leather lining.  It also features a top-of-the-line, never-say-die Itshide Commando rubber sole.  These boots are made to last and will only get better with age.  Available at Oki-Ni.

Rag & Bone is quickly becoming a staple in any young fashion-conscious person’s closet.  Designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, winners of the 2007 Swarovski Award for emerging talent in menswear, create timeless pieces by combining modern and classic fabrics with traditional technique.  They have a fierce attention to detail that gives their work a custom feel.  For instance, they turn to Waterbury Button, the oldest button manufacturer in the United States, for all their closure needs.  Their eclectic flagship store on Christopher is always a must stop whenever we’re in the West Village.  Here, they give us the perfect warm weather cardigan.  Made from a thin linen-poly blend in charcoal, it features a long, loose cut with dual front pockets and the aforementioned premium buttons.  Perfect over a t-shirt for those warm summer nights in the city.  Available here.

We’re pretty big fans of Spanish designer Jaime Hayon.  He imbues everything he creates with joy and flair, whether it be shoes for Camper or bright green rooster rocking chairs.  One of his latest creations is the Lounger, just unveiled at Salone del Mobile 2010 in Milan.  It is the finishing piece of his Showtime collection for BD Barcelona.  The wing chair, with a definite nod to Eames, has Hayon’s style through and through with his signature monochrome look and a perfect balance between style and comfort.  It will be available with an optional footrest and both leather and fabric options.

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Outside of maybe haute couture, when it comes to clothing, in almost all cases, form and function trumps concept.  That is because, at its core, clothing is quite obviously utilitarian.  With that in mind, it’s hard not to cast an inquisitive eye at these “one size fits all” long, slim graphic t-shirts from emerging London brand Long.  A “one size fits all” concept for an item of clothing is novel because, of course, in reality, one size never fits all.  Some would argue that it is exclusionary.  We’re sure Long would argue that they are creating unique pieces one at a time.  Each smart graphic is hand printed in their studio in East London, and the shape is simple and open enough to be worn by a great many.  Without question, it is a bold move, and one that raises eyebrows, and for that, a designer can almost never be faulted.  Available for pre-order at Oki-Ni.

Blanc & Noir is a fledgling brand who are making sharp sportswear, building from imported fabrics out of France and Japan, and finishing all their garments in Vancouver.  While we don’t know a lot of brand details at this early point, this lightweight 100% organic cotton twill jacket really caught our eye.  The contrast of the grey main with the black zippers, ribbed cuffs, and waistband, makes for a subtle yet crisp design.  Both the body and sleeves utilize a slim cut for a modern, fitted look.  All the zippers are Riri, so you know you’re dealing with quality.  We can’t wait to see more from Blanc & Noir in the near future.  Available here.