Tag Archives: TYD Splurge

CREEP by Hiroshi Awai Autumn/Winter 2012

Hiroshi Awai (above) has got a great thing going with his Canadian-based clothing line CREEP.  It’s another prime example of the craft that occurs when you blend Japanese design sensibilities with the staples of American work wear, which have been all the rave as of late.  Here is a sneak peak at what Hiroshi has in store for the masses later this year.  Yeah, I know it’s not even February, but you know how this shit works.   If you’re interested, you can see the list of stockists here stateside.  Check out the looks below.

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-Millsy

People People Invisible Speaker

When was the last time your speakers were a conversation piece when you had company over?   After all, with all the money you’ve spent on coffee table books that’s probably the last thing you want people discussing.  Unless of course, you were the proud owner of the Invisible Speaker

A concept from People People, the Invisible Speaker looks to marry the concepts of high-end music equipment and elegant, modern design.  Sure, people already have swagged out audio set-ups, but it’s usually a product of elaborate in-wall wiring and home modification.  The Invisible Speaker turns that idea on its head with a transparent design that anyone would be proud to display right smack in the middle of their living room

Additionally, the design of the Invisible Speaker is eco friendly.  The small, recyclable package arrives with the major audio components and you can order the glass for the actual speaker box from a local glass repair shop.  For how much this thing will probably cost, I’m not sure if I’d want to go through that hassle, but it’s still kinda dope either way…I guess.

It also arrives with a wifi antenna that can plug into any music player and is rechargeable.

No word yet on pricing or availability, which all works out because there’s no word on when I’d be able to afford something like this, much less an apartment I’d even want to hang this thing up in.

-Millsy

tyd.com splurge: Norse Projects x Hestra Iver Gloves

File these under things I had absolutely ZERO chance of receiving as a gift on Christmas.

Norse Projects teamed up with Swedish glove manufacturer Hestra for the dopest gloves I’ve seen all season.  The Iver Gloves  feature a yellow deerskin leather outer with a removable fleece lining.  The upper portion of the outer lining is in a contrast brown leather with a Norse patch and fastens with riveted button snap closure.  But for $130, no wonder no one got them for me.  Check out some close ups below.

-@millsyfbaby

tyd.com splurge: Rockport x Barbour Breaktrail Boot

Two things I should come clean with right away.  First is that I’ve been on a rampage when it comes to collaborations of any sort.  Anytime there’s an opportunity to talk about two names or brands with an ‘x’ in the middle of them, I jump on it like a loose football on the 5 yard line.  Yes, I’m probably “hypebeasting” but I don’t give a shit.  Second is that I’ve concluded that boots are the greatest genre of footwear ever.  Versatile, practical (especially when you live in New England), and all around swaggy.

What we have here are a pair from a joint collection by New England-based footwear provider Rockport and the U.K. outwear legends Barbour.  While I haven’t ever owned a pair, I’ve heard Rockports are some of the most comfortable everyday shoes you can slip your ten little piggies into.  Combine that with the refined weatherproof stylings Barbour is known for and you have a winner.  These cap-toe boots feature the adiPrene insoles people love about Rockport’s surrounded by a blend of suede leather and waxed canvas uppers, all stitched together to bring you a shoe that I’m hoping winds up under my Christmas tree in a few weeks.  They’ll run you about $275…if you can find them.  Limited Edition joints like these tend to be very very #rare (Lil B voice).

-Millsy

tyd.com splurge: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Skull Cufflinks with Diamond Eyes

yeah um…I’m not gonna waste time explaining how wavy these are.  Ralph Lauren Purple Label + skulls + precious stones instead of an important bodily organ = swag.  The ONLY thing that would’ve made these swaggier is if the skulls actually had iced out grills.  But, do not fret: word on the street is Kanye already has his custom pair complete with icy grills on the way.  Oh to be a rapper…more pics below

You can can’t get them for a reasonable $9,995 (LMAO) at Mr. Porter.

(spotted at Selectism)

Waiting For The Sun Tea Tree Wood Sunglasses

First off, shout out to my mama for e-mailing these to me to post about (she’s retired, so she can actually read this blog without worrying about her boss catching her).  Parisian company, Waiting For The Sun (irony?), handcrafts some handsome shades made from renewable tea tree wood (yes, wood) sporting Carl Zeiss UV protective lenses (swag).  They’re also hand-painted and have a water resistant coating too.

What’s really dope is the packaging they arrive in if you’re willing to shell out $180.  They’ll arrive in a triangular, 100% recyclable cardboard box, but the sunglasses themselves are wrapped in cotton scarf designed and made in limited quantities by…some artist.  I mean, come on, who doesn’t like art…and artists (I do).  Learn more at ahalife.

-Millsy F.

The IOU Project

Stop for a moment and think about all of the material items you’ve interacted with this morning: the coffee you drank, the food you ate for breakfast, the phone you grabbed from its charger, and of course, the clothes you put on this morning.  Sure, you probably remember where you got them, but unless you’re either the most conscience consumer on the planet or you’ve seen every single episode of How It’s Made on TLC because you lack what most call a life, then you probably have no idea where most of those things actually came from.  Who made them.  What it took to eventually get them from where they were created to your hands.  Yes, like the person you met at the bar last weekend that you went home with, your wardrobe also has a history that you might want to be aware of.

The Madrid-based IOU Project looks to provide unique, high quality fashion with a story with their recently launched line of garments sourced from high quality cotton hand-woven in India.  Each piece you pick up from the IOU Project is a one-of-one, that means none before it, none to come (Jay-Z).  Each item will also come with a unique QR code that, when scanned, will school you on the entire story of the product and how it made it’s way onto your body.  You’re also encouraged to upload pics of yourself rocking their threads.  Conscience consumption and social entrepreneurship with a little bit of tech and social media sprinkled in the mix, what’s a yuppie not to love about this venture?  Below is a short video introducing you to The IOU Project and what they are about, as well as some samples from the collection.

You can browse the shop here

-Millsy F.

Baldwin Denim – The Wallet

Ladies, you can learn a lot more about a man from the wallet he carries around than how much money is actually in it.  Don’t ask me what, why, or how, but you just can.

My first wallet was a vinyl and nylon Super Mario Bros. trifold with a velcro closure.  On the face of the wallet was a hologram of Mario that would grab a mushroom and grow about 3x his size as you tilted it.  I was hopefully only 10 years old at the time, and no one could tell me I wasn’t swagged out.

Luckily for me and probably my sex life, I’ve since graduated to various, more mature wallet styles, but I still haven’t been able to find the one that suits my aura perfectly.  I’ve gone Bi-fold, Tri-fold, money clip (silly, since I didn’t have much cash at the time), and currently go with an ultra slim card case from Rugby.

I’ve blogged on Baldwin Denim before, but they’ve since expanded their collection, adding accessories. A standout from their current collection is a wallet, simply called The Wallet.

Made from 14 oz Dry Kurabo Selvage Denim from Japan, it’s hand stiched in the U.S. of A. and features a leather pouch for everything from plastics to dead presidents.  It also has enough room to squeeze a cell phone in and will probably look incredibly dope with a little or a lotta bit of age.  You can get it for $78 from their site.  More shots below!

-Millsy F.

tyd.com splurge: Generic Surplus Mesh Borstal Sneakers

Despite my skinny-ass ankles, the minute the temperature slithers above 65°, pants will get cuffed and there will be no country for socks.  It’s just the way yuppies stunt.

Generic Surplus is one of my favorite shoe brands.  Cheap.  Understated.  Stylish.  I already have a few pairs in the repertoire already and after seeing their spring/summer collection, more will be copped.  These might not hit home with a lot of folks, but I think they are dope if your aura is fit for the naked ankle movement.  The Borstal is a pimsol style casual kick that the Los Angeles based company offers.  Priced at a modest $62, these mesh kicks capture the essence of the sock-less lifestyle for my dudes who simply won’t go out wearing chancletas

I personally think the red ones are the waviest, but I won’t be mad if you decide to rock with another color. In fact, I’ll probably be happier.  Just let ‘em know where you saw them first.  You can purchase them at the Generic Surplus store.

-Millsy F.

Corter Single Wrap Leather Bracelet

We first heard of Eric Heins one-man operation, Corter Leather in a Metro newspaper on the train.  Run right down the road in Brighton, Mass, the shop made some headlines after releasing a set of limited edition leather bracelets whose complete proceeds went to the relief efforts of earthquake ravaged Japan. While you can’t get those bracelets anymore, Corter still has some extremely dope stock versions of their single wrap leather bracelets that are an affordable way for some of you dudes to add a bit of subtle flair to your wrist game

Made from 12 oz premium leather, these button snap bracelets are  priced at an affordable $25.  Ladies take note: a great “just because” gift for your man if he is experiencing severe swag deprivation.  Plus, it’s always a beautiful thing to support the small guys trying to make a come up.  You can find these and the rest of Corter Leather’s offerings at the link below

Corter Leather Shop

-Millsy F.