Tag Archives: american

Converse Releases Archive Print Collection

Whether you’re a total hypebeast or you’ve never bought your own clothes, Converse remains a universal footwear favorite. Plus, the all-American brand has found a way to fit in that rare sweet spot between ‘retro classic’ and ‘always trendy’ for at least 20 years. This phenomenon is definitely emphasized with the release of an Archive Print collection, a throwback line of shoes that recalls some of the finest printed styles from the brand’s extensive arsenal.

The collection is available in a variety of different Converse styles including the classic Chuck 70, Lucky Star, and One Star Academy. The camouflage print — in 1983, this was the first print they ever used — has been rounded out in a modern twist. A simple but effective flame print is available in both black and white shoes, some distressed for emphasis, to ensure that even your feet are able to enjoy the tail-end of #HotGirlSummer. And if you’re looking for a glam/punk/rock moment (literally who isn’t), leopard print shoes deliver on all fronts. In true Converse fashion (since 1908), there’s something for everyone.

The Converse Archive Prints collection is available in select stores and online now. Check out some of the styles in the gallery above.

‘Basquiat – A Portrait’ Offers an Intimate Glimpse of the Icon

Leave a reply

Jean-Michel Basquiat remains a pivotal New York figure whose work will continue to inject itself into many aspects of contemporary design for years to come. Further feeding the demand for all things Basquiat, American photographer Richard Corman is releasing a book of exclusive never-before-seen portraits of the seminal artist exclusively via Vero. Basquiat – A Portrait is an intimate glimpse of the eponymous artist, providing a lens to the man behind some of the most recognizable artwork of the 20th century.

“In 1984, I was asked to photograph Jean-Michel Basquiat for L’Uomo Vogue,” Corman said in a statement. “When I walked into the artist’s loft I was engulfed by a wave of creative confusion. The room was a swirl of people, paint, canvas, color, and smoke. Off in the corner was Basquiat submerged and almost invisible. My initial instinct was to remove him from all the distractions and place him in front of a thin four-foot wall of grey seamless paper. I wanted to see behind his eyes and allow him to tell the most elemental part of his story – the human spirit behind the art. It is tempting to second guess the decision I made that day at 57 Great Jones Street, but I was interested in a simple portrait of a complicated genius.”

Designed in partnership with NJG Studio and Ruedi Hofmann, the book’s design allows it to fold out into a 13-foot banner. The limited-run of 500 books are each signed by Corman and available online on April 24.

Images: © Richard Corman.

The Re-Introduction of Allen Edmonds

Leave a reply

The American designer quickly earned a loyal following for its durable and timeless products, but now Allen Edmonds is embracing a new vision. While still following the traditional design values it’s maintained since its inception in 1922, the label is incorporating new high-performance materials in its apparel. While its signature garments and footwear are still available, the heritage brand is embracing technological developments to produce the best product for its contemporary customer.

$225-$2,195, available at Allen Edmonds stores and AllenEdmonds.com.

Bugatti Bliss: Ralph Lauren Eyewear Automotive Collection

Leave a reply

It’s not that hard to correlate sunglasses with driving. Especially in the US—and not just for the, er, glaringly obvious reason of wanting to keep the sun out of your eyes. Think about it: the US congress began the process of creating a standard set of standardized, interconnected highways back in 1925 (the first country on Earth to do so) and then in 1929 the first every commercially sold sunglasses showed up at the Jersey Shore (at Woolworth in Atlantic City by the Foster Grand Company). Ok, so there’s no empirical evidence directly connecting the two, but there’s a glimmer of something related, right? More roads, increased driving, a lot of people needing to deal with the sun in their face? Anyway, cut to now with the Ralph Lauren Eyewear Automotive Collection. You already know the man’s been in the eyewear game for a while (we’re typing this through lenses affixed to a pair we bought at least 5 years ago and still love), but the brand new automotive collection was made specifically with the man’s personal favorite in mind—the gorgeous Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé, which was made between 1934 and 1940, just before the age of highways shifted into high gear. Check out the details after the jump.

Shop the collection here!

An elegant, classic frame with an iconic shape, this aviator style features details such as steel frames offset by wood-effect acetate at the temples, screws in metal alloy mirroring those on the Bugatti, and a double bridge. The palette ranges from shiny silver or shiny black with vintage root-wood temples, matte silver with racing green temples, and matte black. Also available with mirror and polar lenses.
Featuring a distinctive shield and screws in metal alloy—reflecting those found in the Bugatti—hand-applied leather framework, and temples with wood-effect acetate, this style is perfect for the auto-enthusiast. Available with mirrored lenses and in a range of colors including leather and silver with leather temples, racing green leather and silver with JL havana vintage finish temple, and black leather and matte black with vintage root-wood temples.
Combining special technical mechanisms and exclusive details in both functionality and style, this frame embodies a unique Ralph Lauren masterpiece conceived particularly for drivers. This innovative pilot frame is made in metal alloy with several features: sun lenses that flip-up like a car sun-visor, detachable optical lenses that can be placed behind the sun front, screws in metal alloy and temples in our unique wood-effect acetate. For added elegance, this special edition style comes complete with its own case designed specifically for the frames. Also available with mirrored and polar lenses, this style presents a shiny silver or matte black front with root-wood vintage finish temples and a shiny black front with vintage black temples.
This iconic yet contemporary square frame design is enhanced by the use of unusual materials, such as Ralph Lauren’s wood-effect acetate, inspired by the precious materials found in the interior of the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé. The frame includes details such as decorative screws on the temple inspired by those found on the exterior of the Bugatti. The palette offers a selection of colors ranging from shiny black with root-wood vintage finish temples, to matte black and JL havana.
These sleek aviators with exclusive wood-effect acetate embody the spirit of Ralph Lauren’s Automotive Collection. Unique features of this sun style include the decorative screws and rivets applied on the front, inspired by the car body design of the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé. The Ralph Lauren logo is applied under the varnish on the outside of the temple. Available with full color lenses and in a range of colors including shiny black with root-wood vintage finish temples, matte black, JL havana and root-wood vintage finish with black vintage finish temples.