On a recent trip to Shenzhen, China hosted by Ritz-Carlton, we woke early one Sunday morning to visit the Lian Hua Mountain Garden where I shot this video. While Shenzhen's gleaming skyscrapers and status as China's third largest metropolis have led some to dub it the country's "first First World City," the scene at the park felt distinctly Chinese. From a choir singing songs from the Cultural Revolution (as well as "Old Man River" dedicated to us visiting Westerners) to ballroom dancing, we present it all here for your viewing pleasure.

Shout out to Evan LaMagna for his editing skills!

by Zeva Bellel

Porcelain artist Maïa designs and hand-paints every incarnation of her delicate china in her Paris atelier. Sourcing plates, vases and more from one of the last remaining artisanal factories in Limoges, France, Maïa’s passion for well-made ceramics carries through to her methods, creating distinct pieces for each client.

The tailored process involves one-on-one meetings at Maïa's Paris apartment and showroom, where she draws on clients’ favorite colors as well as life experiences to create both beautifully made and emotionally potent porcelain. "I need muses to create, and my clients are my muses," the painter explains. Also drawing on her background as a pianist to infuse her work with lyrical shapes, she also looks to breakthrough artists Chagall and Miró for inspiration.

After settling on color, shape and motif, Maïa then puts her 10 years of experience to work, making a sample free of charge (with no obligation to buy). If the customer approves, she returns to her atelier to seal colors in place in an 1200° C oven, then numbers and signs the designs with a fingerprint.

Vases range from €60-300, tea sets from €75-120, plates from €18-50 and candy dishes are €98. A selection of Maïa's designs sell at Galeries Lafayette Maison in Paris and Living with Art in NYC.

See more images after the jump.

A 250-step process, Sendra crafts their boots today exactly how the Spanish brand started making them in 1913. Over the past 96 years, the Almansa-based label has outfitted the military, equestrians, farmers and the fashion crowd in their durable footwear—each boot built using Goodyear Welt construction.

Named for the inventor and son of Charles Goodyear, the double-stitch construction layers soft cork injected between the sole and the insole, which enables the shoe to adapt to the wearer’s foot and remains forever embedded that way. The company is one of only 30 manufacturers worldwide that produces boots this way.

Using leather only from breeding stations approved by the International Trade Agreement of Threatened Wild Species, the environmentally-sensitive brand also responsibly recycles remnants from the manufacturing process.

Boots range from $400-595 and shoes run $350 and $450. Find Sendra at Jildor Shoes and Allens Boots, and stay tuned for the launch of their U.S. online shop in 2010.

With a name loosely derived from the Spanish phrase "ahora es," new snowboard-inspired line Isaora founders Ricky Hendry and Marc Daniels recently embraced that attitude to launch a collection that blends sophisticated urban style with technical, on-mountain functionality. You may have noticed their garment-dyed puffer jacket in our recent round-up of winter wear. But of the many standout items from their debut Winter season, the Matrix plaid insulated shirt (pictured above) has already proven extremely popular. On the more fashionable side of the spectrum, primaloft fill makes it light, comfy and exceptionally warm while the perfectly slim fit keeps it wearable. On the functional side, the Structure 3-L jacket (below left) won me over with its Schoeller's C-Change membrane that maintains an even body temperature across a huge range of climatic variation.

I recently had a chance to meet Ricky and Marc at their NYC showroom. We ran through the current collection and also previewed Spring 2010 (more on that soon). Read on for a bit more about Isaora in their own words.

How did you decide to create Isaora; what's the niche you're filling?
We both grew up snowboarding, but felt the clothes hadn't grown up with us. From this starting point, the concept evolved into creating top of the line performance clothing with a design driven, fashion forward perspective—something that would work in a blizzard in Manhattan and on a mountain-top in Alaska. We think of it as advanced sportswear.

What were you each doing before creating the brand?
We came from quite different backgrounds, Marc was a successful software exec—when he wasn't jumping out of helicopters on unreachable peaks. I'd been working for some heavy-hitting fashion brands in London, Milan, and New York for the last decade. We each bring a different perspective, but seem to agree on most things.

What was your inspiration for this line? What about your inspiration in general?
We are inspired by the belief that style and performance need not be mutually exclusive. It's a good place to start.

Who has this launch line really resonated with? Are they the customers you were expecting?
We set out to create something that would resonate with both the fashion world and the snowsports world. I'd say the reaction has been equally positive from both. Hopefully we've given people from both sides a new way to see things.

If Isaora had a soundtrack what would be on it?
Snow Patrol!

The recent show at Clark Oshin Gallery in L.A. featured photographer Hugh Kretschmer's knack for creating fanciful, surreal images with graphic mastery. In an interview with Feature Shoot he discusses his influences and goals, as well as the changing landscape of photography.

Thanks to an art-inclined family and a passion for twentieth century painting and sculpture, Kretschmer's artistic development began young. He describes his current work as "an amalgamation of different influences from many years of absorbing." This rich sea of inspiration mirrors Kretschmer’s method, in which he looks for projects that "will bring me the most creative satisfaction. It is best if it also gets me out of my comfort zone and has me trying things that I have not done: build a prop in a way that is untried or solve a visual problem by a technique that I have not used before. I may sweat and I may fail. But at the end of the day, I can at least say I tried."

Kretschmer shaped the exhibition through a close collaboration with Nan Oshin and Kathleen Clark, the founders, creating a full showcase of his work. "The selections were really based on my heart of hearts and the projects that will always have a place there. There are some real favorites from ten years ago that I look at today and I still say to myself, 'That was a great day.'"

As he continues to evolve, Kretschmer keeps one eye on the world of photography, studying ways he can become a better artist. Says Kretschmer, "Growth always has its pains." But, he adds, "I think this, too, will be one of those times and, hopefully, bring more creativity and innovation."

Read the full interview at Feature Shoot.

Equinox Fitness Clubs asked us to check out their clubs and offer CH readers a three day pass. We wanted to get the scoop on what makes Equinox special, so we asked to meet some people behind-the-scenes, the ones who make the decisions about what the clubs look like, what kind of equipment is there, how new classes are developed, the role music plays, and how they are using technology to improve the overall experience.

A great example of this vision can be found in Carol Espel. She’s the National Director of Group Fitness and Pilates—the person who leads the team that travels the world, speaks and attends industry conferences, is in constant touch with the instructors and fitness staff, and is always seeking innovation in all aspects of fitness and equipment. This ongoing travel, research and discovery is the lab from which their programs are then developed. Years of experience have created the ability to efficiently introduce new programs and equipment to the clubs and to train club staff.

Her goal is to introduce one or two new programs to all of the clubs every quarter. Whipped, a rope-based class, was just launched, as was Breathless, a new bike training class developed by Amy Dickson from the Santa Moninca Equinox. Carol was really excited about FlowFit, a new class launching early next year. Designed with fitness guru Scott Sonnon, FlowFit delivers a full body, equipment free workout through a series of movements. You can check out their dozens of classes here.

Equinox has great relationships with research programs at UCLA and Stanford, and with companies including Life Fitness, Technogym and Schwinn. These relationships bring innovation to Equinox, such as the just-released Schwinn Authentic Cycling Performance Bike (see image below). Working with master trainer Jay Blahnik from the Newport Beach Equinox, this sweet new stationary bike was created. It’s more comfortable to ride, features an entirely new digital console that tracks and records all of your important data during a workout, and replaces brake pads with magnetic resistance technology. These new bikes are available exclusively at Equinox. Members easily reserve a bike for a class using Equinox’s proprietary MYEQ site or iPhone app.

These are just a few of the reasons we think it’s worth checking out Equinox with a three day pass.

Applying the same mix of sustainability, aesthetics and function to their new retail concept that they apply to their clothes, Nau's temporary boutique opening this Thursday in NYC's Soho uses upcycled materials as the primary building blocks to outfit the space. Sculptor-turned-architect Jean-Pierre Veillet (who also designed their Portland store) scoured Brooklyn streets for cardboard, beams, pipe fittings, branches and other supplies from what he calls the "waste stream" to construct most everything from tables to clothing racks and shelves.

The upshot elegantly contrasts the warmth of the materials with the white walls and floor of the existing architecture and gorgeously ties in with the stunning exposed wood ceiling beams and rear skylight. The few new materials introduced, like the steel surfaces of the cardboard tables, come from local manufacturers.

In addition to Nau's current Fall/Winter line (and a sneak preview of Spring), the pop-up will house a selection of like-minded brands such as Timberland's (CH-approved) high-end line of boots, recycled bags by Freitag, Malin + Goetz skincare products, Loomstate, Stewart + Brown and more. Extra-curricular activities include a coffee space downstairs, experimental video projections in the rear of the store realizing the brand in moving images, and events spanning live music, local cuisine and guest speakers.

See more images and learn more after the jump.

Nau NYC
12 November-31 December 2009
69 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012 map

Aimed at rejuvenating gloomy retail, the second edition of Save Fashion brings a curated mix of designers to NYC's Nolita neighborhood at recession-friendly prices for 10 days starting this Thursday. With an impressive line-up that includes April 77, Alex + Chloe, BBlessing, Bird, Built By Wendy, Dunderdon, Filippa K, Rag & Bone, CH pal Rebecca Turbow, Rogan, Samantha Pleet, Sophomore, Steven Alan, Tretorn, Vena Cava and many more, the Refinery29 brainchild offers something for everyone.

They even produced some gorgeous eye candy in the form of a fog-infused photo homage to '70s-tinged mysticism shot by the exceptional Tom Hines. The Into the Woods-esque shoot, with models Jessica Perez, Georgie Wass and Julia Wolters on location in Tivoli, NY, channels quintessential rock babes of the era in all their shaggy long-haired and free-spirited glory.

Save Fashion
12-22 November 2009
Inven.tory
237 Lafayette Street
NYC, NY 10012 map
tel. +1 212 226 5292

Full of flavor and packed with a powerful caffeine punch, Perky Jerky caters to beef-lovers who want more than just protein to enhance performance. We had the chance to put it to the test last month when the brand co-sponsored Thrillist and JetBlue's latest JetMystery trip to Jamaica.

The snack gets its kick from the Brazilian plant Guarana, which bears a fruit with twice the caffeine of coffee, for an energy-drink-like kick without the sugar crash. Boasting a sweetly intense flavor, the popular ingredient also adds a Teriyaki taste to the meat.

Perky Jerky retails at $5 for a two-ounce bag or $60 for a 12-pack from their online store.

São Paulo street art heroes, Os Gemeos—known for mesmerizing the international art scene with their colorful characters and experimental style—marked a homecoming with their long overdue solo show at the city's highly revered fine arts school, Fundacao Armando Alvares Penteado, that opened last month. Dubbed "Vertigo," the exhibit adds terrific new works to its earlier run in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year.

A towering blue-and-red checkered wall greets showgoers when they enter the enormous, round room. In a neat optical trick, the site-specific painting gives the impression that it's spinning, sucking peripheral figures into its center.

The usual plethora of eclectic figures populate the space, but the artists upped the number to cover the walls floor-to-ceiling. The highlight, however, is the immense sculptural works in the middle of the room. One of these, a boat fronted with drawers and sprouting a lighthouse that morphs into a head, regularly has a line waiting to climb into its interior.

Other new work includes a bird covered in peacock feathers that uses a video of human eyes and a mouth in place of the bird's features. Human-shaped yellow legs further turn it anthropomorphic; the creature reminds me of the Kids in the Hall's Chicken Lady.

See more photos on the Lost Art site.

Vertigo
Through 13 December 2009
Museu de Arte Brasileira da FAAP
Alagoas 903
São Paulo 01242-001
Brasil map
tel. +11 3662 7200

As São Paulo's humid summer approaches, just in time to help cool things down an unusual pop-up restaurant/bar called Estação Antarctica Sub Zero opens this weekend in the bar-heavy neighborhood of Vila Madalena. Conceived to promote the Brazilian beer company Antarctica's new beer, the temporary venue celebrates their double-filtration process at 28.4 degrees Fahrenheit and the refreshing new drink.

The space, an inflatable giant igloo divided into two areas holds a bar with food and area for live bands, plus another bar totally made of ice—with cups, walls and even a sofa made of frozen water. Patrons don specially provided clothes and can stay inside only 20 minutes in the five degrees Fahrenheit temps. Branding and publicity super-agency B\Ferraz planned and put together the space.

If the concept sounds familiar, it is. While Estação Antarctica Sub Zero recalls Absolut Vodka's Icebars, this traveling restaurant and bar boasts a bigger size at 3,230 square feet. Servers will also work 20 minute shifts, making this truly fast food.

Estação Antarctica Sub Zero is open Thursdays through Sundays for two weekends before moving on to other Brazilian cities.

Already carving out a name for themselves among urban cyclists worldwide for their stylish riding pants, Outlier's Merino Hoodie (above) proves just as compelling and maintains a structure suited for varied climates (pictured above). The jacket—made in NYC—serves those on wheels, featuring components like a three panel hood shaped to fit over a helmet and an extended back designed to keep you covered when leaning into your handles. But its breathable, antimicrobial merino fabric regulates body heat and naturally keeps the jacket from smelling after extended wear. Available in four colorways, the merino hoodie sells from the Outlier website for $225.

Phillip Lim's unisex graphite parka with a removable rabbit fur-lined vest (above) speaks to the androgynous trend found front running high fashion this fall. The jacket's modern take on swinging London provides a sexy silhouette, while its multifunction personality adds a playful vibe. The parka retails at $995 from 3.1 Phillip Lim stores, Bergdorf Goodman and Net-A-Porter, which also offers up a titillating video for the clever coat.

Aether's Space Hoody (above) helps me through chilly mornings and cold nights, either on its own or under a light trench coat. While Aether only makes clothes for gents at the moment—we hear a women's line is in the works—I find their slim cuts suitable for the female frame. And the Space Hoody's sleek microfiber fabric manages an elegance appropriate for a mix of situations.

Wind and water resistant, as well as breathable and outfitted with PrimaLoft fill, the space hoody makes a good choice for running around or spectating at a sporting event. Available in three muted colors, the jacket runs $300 and online from Aether.

We recently had the chance to check out brand-new label Isaora's innovative Nebula Down Pullover Hoody (above) when we visited their NYC showroom. We really like the jacket's garment-dyed finish, a process that gives it a one-off aesthetic and a waxed look without the stiff feel. The 600 fill-power, goose-down pullover boasts an array of attractive features such as a tri-layer construction, a fixed two-way adjustable hood and a double entry pouch pocket, making it ultra functional and extremely warm. Priced at $550, purchase it from the IsaOra website. Keep an eye out for a full profile on the snowboard-inspired label next week.

Fjällräven's Oban Jacket (above left) wholly conveys the 60-year-old Swedish outlet's commitment to creating smart, functional and durable gear that will outlast any outdoor excursion. Fjällräven constructs the jacket out of a waxed fabric initially used for a tent that housed the Fjällräven founder and Alpine climber Hasse Hellström on 1966 expedition in Greenland.

Called the G-1000, the fabric now comprises most of their jackets and pants, made especially versatile due to its ability to adapt to various weather conditions. By rubbing more wax into the fabric makes the jacket becomes warmer and water repellent, while washing wax out of the fabric (using a washing machine), the jacket makes it lighter and even more breathable. It runs $350 from Context's online shop.

We love the Wool Beat Coat (above right) from San Francisco-based fashion label Nice Collective for its simple yet carefully-detailed look. The highly conceptual duo creates articles of clothing that reflect their passion for design and interests in art, music and culture. The aptly-titled jacket sells online, for $433. See the Nice Collective Cool Hunting video for a deeper look at the curious label.

Longtime fans of Nau know that their eco-conscious and design-focused attitude always results in well crafted, refined casual outerwear. The new water-repellent Down Hoody (above left) is insulated with 850-fill down, providing unbelievable warmth during the cold winter months. An attached helmet compatible hood and machine wash capability proves perfect for cycling for the active lifestyle. The parka sells for $280 online from the Nau website. For more on the Portland-based brand, see the Cool Hunting video.

Patagonia's Lined Canvas Hoody (above right) contains all the warmth of their renowned fleece jackets with its 86% recycled polyester-fleece pile lining, but keeps a cool exterior comprised of an exceptionally durable 10-ounce organic cotton canvas. A nod to the highly regarded Carhartt jacket, the Patagonia jacket retains those essential features for prolonged outdoor activity but with a bit more panache. It's available in three shades of brown from Patagonia for $175.

Comune takes its styling from vintage Italian and Japanese motorcycle culture and its Townsend jacket exemplifies the sharp cuts and overall handsome construction we love about the brand.

The zippered plaid jacket comes in a twill and herringbone fabric, with vertical zipper accents, pockets, snap cuffs, a quilted graffiti lining and an armhole gusset for extra strength when maneuvering your bike—engine-fueled or not—around cars, pedestrians and the cold. The jacket, $128, sells from Karmaloop, Active Ride Shop and the Brooklyn-based boutique Alter.

Borrowed from the 1968 revolutionary book—"The System of Objects"—written by sociologist Jean Baudrillard, Italian fashion label Il Sistema degli Oggetti conceptually links to the French master by creating fashion-forward clothing designed to last.

The ambitious young designers aim to "create an encyclopedia of clothing," each with their underlying value that "every garment has the ambition of living forever." Their approach reinvents the classic wardrobes of men and women by redesigning the proportions of parkas, blouses, aprons, trousers, culottes and tabards.

Their goals may sound ruthless, but the resulting well-defined collection, entirely made in Italy and based on the ideas of sexless style, daily uniforms and exciting ordinariness makes for a surprisingly wearable line.

Concerned about the impact of social consumerism, founders Caterina Coccioli, Anna Lottersberger and Alessandro Manzi hope to put value and culture into the high fashion vocabulary, an industry usually more concerned with trends than sustainability.

See more images after the jump.

Il Sistema degli Oggetti
Via Mauro Macchi, 26
20124 Milan, Italy map
tel. +39 02 40047085

by Maggie York-Worth

Charlotte, NC-based artist Karen O'Leary reimagines the map as an exchange of negative and positive space. Deftly cutting maps of New York, Paris and London with razor precision, she leaves delicate webs of streets as land and water are cut away. Negative space demarcates land, while meandering grids of paper represents streets. In a recent interview with The Jailbreak, O'Leary said of her work, "I love the idea of a completely familiar object made new and even more beautiful."

Her New York map (pictured above and below), the simplest and most haunting of the three, emerges from the expanse of white paper as an intricate abstract diagram of pathways, separated from one another by the negative memory of land.

O'Leary reclaims the conventional fold-out for her Paris and London maps, reducing the existing structure to a lingering cut-out of the cities.

O'Leary also sells drawing maps through her Etsy site (starting at about $300)Studio K, in which she fills in the blocks of Paris with hand-drawn horizontal lines, leaving the streets blank. The work simplifies the map by erasing the unnecessary. But through this deletion she highlights the complexity of a city's streets. Says O'Leary, "These maps reveal the density and delicacy of a modern city with a single element and infinite subtleties."

The maps, haunting in their simplicity and startling visual potency, highlight the transient beauty of each city's skylines through their delicate construction. Says O'Leary, "Imagine all the sounds and smells and feelings of being in a large city…then try to transfer that to paper without using words, only by using a knife or a pen."

via Information Aesthetics via Paper Tastebuds

The Oregon Bicycle Constructors Association recently sponsored the 2009 Oregon Handmade Bicycle Show, a mecca for small-operation bike builders all over the country.

Beloved Cycles (currently sold throughout Oregon, Washington and Texas) speak to the essence of Portland-based bike manufacturer Emile Lemoine's belief that "every lifetime deserves at least one." Beloved involves the customer at every step of the buying and fitting process, from selecting one of the gorgeous frames—including a commuter, mixtie, racing bike, tourer, porteur or randonneur—to personalized fitting, paint selection (including 11 color choices) and accessories.

Brian Engelen debuted his Light On! tail light, intended for use with the Dynolight—an axle-fitted front LED powered by the motion of the axle. The incredibly bright lights don't require batteries and dim to one-fifth of their brightness after riders stop moving for several minutes. The tail light comes with seat post or rack mounts and offers 180-degree visibility. The permanent mount also comes in handy for those who are prone to forgetting or breaking cheap bike lights. Both waterproof lights clean up with soap and a brush.

Check out more images after the jump.

To the casual concert-goer, China's capital city may seem uncharted musical territory, but photographer Matthew Niederhauser's new book "Sound Kapital: Beijing's Music Underground" places it as a powerful voice among the indie scene.

In a country where sickly sweet Cantopop rules the airwaves, Niederhauser chronicles a small but significant collection of performers that have found their way to D-22, a cramped, grungy hole in the wall in Beijing's university district that serves as the home of the Maybe Mars record label.

For those unfamiliar with the Beijing music scene, Sound Kapital serves as catalog of who's who among the Chinese underground. The spare settings in the photos enhance the raw energy of the musicians and like the performers themselves, the no-frills book keeps it focused. "At the heart, it's really about creating more acknowledgment for the bands," says Niederhauser, who paired it with a compilation CD soundtrack for the retrospective.

Musicians and tunes found within the book and album include the amplified chaos of Carsick Cars, the throaty Mongolian folksters Hang Gai, the rebel rockers Joyside and P.K. 14, the new originals. A recent interview with Maybe Mars founder Michael Pettis, Yang Haisong of P.K. 14 and Zhang Shouwang of Carsick Cars shows the musicians as a refreshing new generation of performers, devoid of motivation driven purely by profit. In it for the rush, the music reflects that purity.

Many of the bands featured in Niederhauser's book—available from PowerHouse Books—are currently on a U.S. tour. Check out the Maybe Mars site for a list of dates and cities.

Read more about the indie music scene in China in Cool Hunting's 2007 profile looking at five emerging bands. See more images after the jump.

Cool Hunting is excited to introduce our new partnership with EXP, a new blog edited by Craig Kanarick. A technologist, designer, entrepreneur and artist, Craig co-founded the pioneering Internet services firm Razorfish and launched Studio RED at Rockwell Group. His new site looks at the innovative ways brands express themselves through the integration of digital technologies into objects and spaces, sustainable actions, real-time communications and open innovation.

We'll be featuring stories from EXP that inspire us, welcome Craig to the CH family, and look forward to sharing his insights.

Striking a deft balance between sports mag, arts journal and lovingly-crafted 'zine, Embrocation Cycling Journal addresses the world of bicycling like never before. Founded in January 2008 by avid racer Jeremy Dunn, the bi-annual journal covers road racing, touring, cyclocross and urban riding through surprising layout and typography, well-crafted storytelling and splendid photojournalism. (Click all images for detail.)

The most recent issue, Volume four, includes a humorous look at racing jerseys, the importance of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (it's the people not the bikes), a profile on the legendary framebuilder Dario Pegoretti, and a grueling account of nine days riding in Belgium (click images for expanded views). Dunn fills the journal with many more "reflections" and "distractions," to borrow headers, but to discover those you should buy the issue ($25) on the Embrocation site.

We took a moment to ask Jeremy a few questions about making a sports journal in the (supposed) ice age of print. His answers prove that passion in the face of adversity—whether in creative pursuits or the punishment of racing—is an unstoppable force.

For those who don't know, what's an embrocation?
My easy answer to this is "any of the balms, liniments or oils that cyclists apply to their legs." Traditionally, embrocations were used as a sort of muscle relief (similar to Tiger Balm or Icy Hot) however they can also be used to help keep muscles warm during activity. Not only that but they also add a little bit of shine to the legs, which never hurts anything.

What led you to create Embrocation? Why publish a physical magazine when everything is going digital?
I grew up in a household without television. Both of my parents were teachers and a love of books was impressed upon me at an early age. So, I have to think that is where the love for printed materials came from. A few years ago I was helping run a cycling team out of a shop that I worked for (Harris Cyclery). We put together a little rag-tag band of bike messengers who were also into racing Cyclocross. Along the way I realized that not only was I surrounded by all these great people—artists, photographers shooting the races, graphic designers helping out with the kits, framebuilders making beautiful bicycles—that I was trying to think of a way to pay tribute to all of these things. Initially, I intended to keep it small and was hoping for more of a 'zine feel, something that was produced relatively quickly and cheaply. Very quickly that theory went out the window for what you see now.

Interview continues with more spreads after the jump.

Paying homage to the integrity of the working class, Ospop today added a new set of travel bags to their collection of durable goods, aptly called the Migration Series. Referencing the ubiquitous plaid She Pi Dai bags commonly carried by Chinese people in transit, the water-resistant Migration series includes three styles all lined with that same industrial material and marked with the Ospop crest—the Gong symbol, meaning labor.

The collection comprises three essential types found most useful when traveling—a messenger bag, a one-handle day bag and a toiletry bag. Smartly designed, "ear flaps" on the messenger bag (pictured below) keep rain or dirt from making its way inside, while the one-handle incorporates a clever opening system and secure pockets.

The launch of the Migration bags coincides with an updated version of Ospop's classic shoe, worn by the working population in China. The Steppe collection fills out the initial Skywolf series, adding a 100% wool padded lining to its structure and a more rugged bottom suitable for taking off road. Available in a variety of colors (including camouflage), each pair comes with two sets of shoestrings and arrives in brown paper bag packaging—a nod to how they sell in China.

The bags range from $22-80, the shoes cost $93, and all sell online from the Ospop website. See more images after the jump.

Read more about Ospop in Cool Hunting's 2007 profile on the benevolent brand.

Commemorating the 9 November 2009 unifying of Berlin, photojournalist Kelly Gorham's newest show, The Stones Have Memories studies the wall, looking at the structure as a modern architectural ruin.

While much of the infamous barrier has since been razed, the Berlin of today still bears the scars of its former partition. Brilliantly captured by Gorham, the photographer portrays a city once divided between the principal victors of World War II and that erased institutions that were built upon fear and violence.

Last year the Montana-based photographer—whose professional work has appeared in the New York Times and several major magazines—explored the urban neighborhoods of former East Berlin. Prior to his visit, Gorham did his homework, spending two years researching the city. The resulting subjects represent his careful selection of the starkest and most provocative symbols of a society that no longer exists.

"My guiding creative principal was to let the architecture speak for itself," he says. "Is it possible to document emotion without photographing a human face?"

The answer appears to be yes. Images of the towering Fernseherturm—a needle-like TV tower that dwarfed its counterpart in West Berlin—demonstrates how a city can use architecture to inspire as well as intimidate its denizens. Lighter subjects include remaining murals that extol the virtues of living in a planned socialist society, in which the state rationalizes every facet of a citizen's life.

Gorham had help from his friend Dan Wise, a photojournalism instructor at Montana State University, who helped distill the more than 1,000 images from more than 50 locations captured during the whirlwind trip.

"The photos meet fine art criteria of composition and aesthetics very well, but they also document a piece of history," Wise says.
 This month—as the world marks the twentieth anniversary of the wall's demise—Gorham will unveil his exhibition at the tiny 7444 Gallery in Saranac Lake, a former sanitarium town in the frozen Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.

More images after the jump.

The Stones Have Memories
9-30 November 2009
7444 Gallery
28 Depot Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983 map
tel. +1 518 282 4743

The humble window blind usually ranks low when it comes to exciting interior design, but Contour Blinds reinvent the concept by making them gorgeous and tweaking their function. The project of London-based designer Helena Karelson, she debuted them at London's latest Design Festival.

Born of a fascination with light and "the relationship between form and shadow," in full show the blinds fan like a strutting peacock. In the horizontal position, light filters through the irregular gaps of the slats, providing an undulation similar to that of a topographical map. When vertical, the light emanating from the window behind blends into a subtle warm glow due to the light wood used in the construction of the blinds.

Karelson designed each of the Contour Blinds to leave minimum waste post-production. With many different options and bespoke production available, Karelson's Contour series add an incredible and strong alternative to the tired, conventional blinds covering most window frames.

The Estonian designer already received some impressive awards for her blinds, including D&AD's Best New Blood Award and an award from the sustainably-focused natural resource supplier Coillte for Best Use of Materials.

No stranger to controversy, WK Interact keeps upping his ante. For his newest show "How to Blow Yourself Up" at L.A.'s Subliminal Projects, the artist moves away from spray paint into multimedia work. Playing on ideas of the apocalypse (2012 being the most recent buzzed-about theory), he takes them for a turn by presenting impending death as controllable by the believer.

The title could be interpreted as how to gain fame, which people who blow themselves up in fact do accomplish. Was this double entendre made on purpose from the outset?

That’s a bit off the concept, a consequential accomplishment on their part... Funny, the double entendre is also consequential. There is a great deal left open for interpretation but this was really about getting into the heads of various individuals who may not usually or stereotypically attach [themselves] to such acts but who are equally desirous of controlling destiny. Isn’t death our ultimate destiny, therefore calculating the time and place gives [us] that power of control over fate?

Did you do a lot of research into making real bombs and their mechanical makeup to make your pieces as true to life as possible?

Just a bit of common sense. If you can connect a circuit you can build a bomb. So I guess a past talent for stripping motorcycles and rebuilding engines qualifies me to be a sort of bomb maker.


For those who don't share beliefs in the end-of-the-world theories, how can they still connect with the show?
I think every human being has dedicated at least an instant of thought to addressing his/her self worth or purpose or effect on humanity, so that is really the common thought behind this concept.



You've worked on such diverse projects from street art to merchandise. How was your approach different for the works in this exhibit?
My approach to gallery and street work is basically the same in terms of conveying my thoughts and my opinions, then observing the metamorphosis of the concept through the opinions/interpretations of others. One body of work leads to another, then you realize that you are continually building an infinite number of links from past projects, developing and refining ideas.

How to Blow Yourself Up
Opening Reception: 7 November 2009, 8-11pm
7 November-5 December 2009
Subliminal Projects Gallery
1331 West Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026 map
tel. +1 213 213 0078

With passion as intense as her photos, budding photographer Ashley Jordan Gordon recently caught the attention of London's National Portrait Gallery with her image called, "Girl on Kingsland Road." Shot at an East End music festival (pictured above), the 24-year-old caught the "convergence of the roiling crowd" as well as a fleeting moment of mutual awareness with her subject. The upshot, feeling like a strong, decisive moment, placed her as one of the candidates in the gallery's Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2009 competition and exhibition.

Gordon describes her draw to the pictorial medium as, "very much the same line as staring at my own tears in the mirror. I think I have always been fascinated with how personal experience translates and disseminates itself out into the world, how that is viewed and interpreted as opposed to what we experience internally, and where these meet or diverge away from each other."

A California native, it was only a few short years ago that the now London-based photographer graduated from college in Santa Cruz. Obtaining a degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Documentary Photography, Gordan aims to utilize her talent in a positive way. In her view, "there is a lot of need in the world for exposure to the environmental and humanitarian problems we are facing, and I feel a duty and desire to work toward being able to share this in a way that could perhaps help educate or overcome a viral apathy that our wealth of media and imagery has perhaps contributed to."

Comparing Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" to her Peeping Tom personality and insatiable curiosity to document people, Gordon's objective way of viewing the world—and herself—lays the path for a life filled with inspiring images. (Click on photos below for enlarged view.)

Check out more images after the jump. To see Ashley Jordan Gordon's entire portfolio, visit her website.

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2009
National Portrait Gallery
5 November 2009-14 February 2010
Saint Martin’s Place
London WC2H 0HE map
tel. +44 020 7312 2463

L.A. darling Joyrich recently put their street chic spin on Rubber Duck's classic boot, the Snow Jogger, creating two new versions—shiny and suede—that will keep feet sleek and warm all winter. Built for the versatile lifestyle, the Snow Joggers combine the warmth of a snow boot with the comfort of a running shoe.

Founded in Copenhagen in 2004, Rubber Duck aims to make people feel good. Now based in Los Angeles, founder Eik Ottosen is known for his positive approach to life and for his commitment to giving back, setting up the Rubber Duck SMILE Project which donates proceeds to various charities and organizations.

Tom Hirota came up with Joyrich in 2007 with the concept "Freedom/Hope/Dream/Love." Taking inspirations from music, world fashion and art and already adored by many in Japan for their colorful designs and urban street appeal, the label has plans to expand globally in the near future.

The collaboration between two ultra-optimistic companies will undoubtedly make this winter a very happy season. The boots sell online in a black or white quilted version for $90 or a tan or black suede version for $120 from 80s Purple.

A one-man operation in Burlington, VT, Creston Electric Instruments builds fairly traditional electric guitars, generally styled in the Fender tradition, but custom-designed according to each customer's expectations. Owner Creston Lea works with his clients throughout the entire process, resulting in highly personalized instruments and a body of work that reflects the pride and enjoyment he takes in his craft.

“I stress, more than anything, simplicity—almost to a ridiculous degree. I try to get everyone to pare down to one pickup and no knobs and then add as little as possible from there. It's a battle I don't mind losing, but I try to get people to think about utility and what actually makes a guitar a good guitar.”

Aside from technical specs, Creston makes guitars structurally personal by incorporating objects that his clients give to him. Jay Farrar (Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt, Gob Iron) passed along a rock, a rusty steel carriage bolt and a piece of weathered beadboard—all found at the remains of Woody Guthrie’s Oklahoma childhood home. Creston creatively incorporated each in an appropriately nuanced manner into Jay’s “Okemah Artifact Custom” guitar (pictured after the jump).

Another example, Creston made Anders Parker's guitar from the beams of his mother’s barn—the result looks visually raw and absolutely unique (pictured top left and above right). “I push my clientele to think beyond the canonized palette of colors—why not make it personal?” asks Creston.

Fellow Vermont resident and painter, Sarah Ryan joined with Creston to hand-paint an ongoing series of guitars and even his band-saw. Her floral Americana style makes a perfect fit for the feel of Creston’s guitars and most of musicians who play them—Ian Mackaye, perhaps, being an exception.

Other notable guitarists working with Creston include Jaleel Bunton (TV On The Radio), James Walbourne (pictured above; Son Volt, Pretenders, Pogues), Brian Henneman (Bottle Rockets), Chuck Prophet and Eric Heywood (Son Volt, Alejandro Escovedo).

An incredibly friendly guy, contact Creston through his website. Prices vary, but begin at $1,500.

More images after the jump.