Archive for September 2006

Refinery 29 points us towards the newest neckwear trend for the discerning gentlemen- neckerchiefs by Beard and Bangs. Adding colour and pattern to an oufit, these are the newest cool accoutrements of the fashion brigade, and have been spotted already on several necks in the music industry.

Even if it’s not a look for you, the website is definitely worth a visit- a clean simple-to-navigate site built around the theme of The Occidental Edwardian, with this season based on the legend of a Spanish explorer in the 19th century known as ‘The Talon’, it’s a great way of selling their story!
Beard and Bangs

No, we’re not talking about that call you make during your Friday lunchtime for your weekend… Cocacola is now available in Japan by swiping your phone against a vending machine. Gizmodo says:

By the end of 2008, Coke will have modified its 200,000 vending machines in Japan to accept Felicia, which is the method of cellphone payment developed by the major players in the Japanese cellphone industry.

Purchase Coca-Cola in Japan Using Your Cellphone - Gizmodo

Ryan Vanderbilt points us toward an interesting article from Business 2.0 about the Art of Shaving’s new campaign combining nostalgia with know how in an effort to attract ‘mainstream’ men to the chic grooming products.

Part barbershop and part pampering spa, the Art of Shaving is pouncing on the fast-growing men’s grooming trend by appealing to consumer nostalgia. Its 10 retail outlets - five of which have onsite barbers - are dedicated to making men better shavers by getting them to trade in their Barbasol.

They plan to open 40 more retail stores in the US over the next two years. They think they can capture the ‘mainstream’ audience. If by ‘mainstream’ they are talking about men in Manhattan, then maybe. But I don’t think they will capture a mainstream audience in the broadest terms. I think they are doing a lot of smart things, especially with there focus on education, and their retro vibe which makes all this ‘man pampering’ feel a bit more manly and acceptable, but when a 1.7 Fl Oz bottle of Ingrown Night Cream costs $40, I think it will be a tough sell to a massive audience.

Insight Out: The Art of Shaving
Technorati Tag: modern man

Team PSFK would love to get some feedback on an idea that we charged for our archives. We really want to spread ideas as far and wide as possible but at the same time we need to pay some of the writers who find these ideas.

We have a theory that anyone who might be looking at pages older than a month old are doing so for business intelligence and therefore wonder that maybe we should charge for giving a database of ideas.

Thoughts in the comments section please.

P

For a peek into the party scene down under check out 2threads, a weekly lifestyle update from Australia on what the cool crowd are wearing and where they’re partying. Focussing mainly on Sydney and Melbourne, the photography-based site shows weekly snaps of ‘Lifestyles of the Wannabe Famous’.
Produced by a crew of ‘paparazzi’ and designers, it’s well worth a look
2Threads

The IHT reports that Gucci have omitted any mention of Tom Ford in a special book produced to celebrate 85 years of Gucci:

One charismatic face is missing from Gucci’s glamorous archive pictures of Jackie O with a bag and trademark shades, Princess Di as child bride and sassy young woman, Britt Ekland trading double G logos with Peter Sellers, and Madonna in various hug-me-tight leather jackets.

Tom Ford, architect of Gucci’s revival as a jet set brand, before he left the company two years ago, does not appear in “Gucci by Gucci” (Mondadori) - the magnificent leather-encased tome of glamorama photographs brought out to celebrate 85 star-studded years.

Gucci at 85: “Brand is king” - Style - International Herald Tribune

More news from the Paris fashion, sorry, motor show. Alfa Romeo reveal this mean machine that will be produced in limited numbers. Jalopnik have more photos.

UPDATE: And here’s the video!

Jalopnik

The NY Times has a quick round up of the new concept store in New York City which Levi’s hopes to roll out:

I bought the jeans at the new Levi’s Store on 14th Street, which is to be the model for 20 new Levi’s Stores opening across the country this year. It has been open for a few months, but the official opening party, with GQ and Vogue as the hosts, was scheduled for last night. Moody and dark in the style of an Abercrombie & Fitch, the store is paneled in stained rough-hewn oak. On the walls hang bits of Levi’s arcana from the company’s 156-year history.

How Blue Were My Jeans - New York Times

At the TED conference, Jeff Han, a research scientist for New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, demonstrates multi touch-driven computer screen which can be manipulated intuitively with the fingertips.

[tip via Ian Mc]