Library Cool

Colby students hard at work in the library...well, sort of.  Even if your're not the most focused of scholars, take it from this guy and at least dress the part.  Norwegian Fair Isle sweater, cuffed trousers, gold rectangular watch (passed down from grandfather), perfect part, and most important the perfect cool. Always. 

Image via Colbiana

Dan Black and Kid Cudi Get Wonky

"Wonky pop" is a British term refering to the catchy, eccentric indie pop originating in the mid 2000's.  The genre takes its roots in 80's New Wave and dance from artists like David Bowie, Madonna, and Duran Duran.  British music columnist Peter Robinson writes in The Guardian: 

"In the early 80s, the idea of a pop star was someone who was unusual or eccentric or fantastic in some way... Everything that's happened in the past 10 years, especially with TV shows where people are voted out if they're a bit weird, suggests the best way to become a pop star is to keep your head down and not get noticed, not have much of a sense of individuality or style."

Clearly with acts like Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, and Florence and the Machine taking the charts by storm, being different and somewhat offbeat have been the key to success in pop music.


Here is a cool video for "Symphonies" by British wonky pop artist Dan Black, featuring Kid Cudi. Inspired by the credits of a variety of classic films, this music video really revitalizes the song with some awesome throw backs and special effects.  Rock on.

Back in One Piece

This past weekend on my sojourn in California I was out with some friends at Playhouse in Hollywood, and we walked in on a dance floor full of people dressed in onesie sweatsuits like this:

Intrigued, I found out that the night was sponsored by a Norwegian company called One Piece.  Apparently they have gained popularity in Scandinavia and Britain and have become popular with celebrities and to wear at clubs as a fashion statement.  The suit was the brainchild of three Norwegians in their 20s, who simply wanted a comfortable garment to wear while relaxing at home.  The company's motto is,"Either it’s after work, while studying or on a hung-over Sunday morning, this is a garment with a real statement - Who cares!

I don't know if I'd have the nerve to wear it out in public, but they look super comfortable and I could totally see myself bumming around at home in one of these.  They are unisex, have a baggy fit, and come in a variety of colors.  Personally, I like their new 2011 Marius pattern inspired by the classic design introduced in 1953 and worn by the famous alpine skier, fighter pilot, model and actor, Marius Eriksen.

Images via OnePiece

So next time you're thinking about pulling on those old sweats, take it from One Piece - chill out and jump in!

Henry Cotton's: Lifestyle of Precision

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a photo shoot for Vanity Fair Italia called Qualcosa di Prep and the preppy subculture that has developed in Italy.  One Italian brand that really stands out is Henry Cotton's of Milan, dedicated to the impeccable style of the British golf legend, Henry Thomas Cotton.  Winner of the British Open in 1934, '37 and '48, he retired in the 1950s and founded the "precise lifestyle" of golfing.  According to their website:

"Henry loved the high life: luxury hotels, champagne, beautiful women and expensive cars but above all he dressed impeccably.  He chose every item of his wardrobe with the utmost care, developing his own, highly personal style."

The ad campaigns for the company are really spectacular, combining classic preppy stylings with a European aesthetic.  I think the company is headed in a promising direction and will definitely be keeping an eye out in the future.

Above images via Henry Cotton's

Image via Richard Phibbs

The Return of the Strokes

To celebrate the return of the Strokes and the release of their new album, I wanted to highlight some of the side projects the band members have been involved in over the past few years.  Each one incorporates elements of the garage/indie rock we know and love with their own personal touch.  Although they maintain an image as a grungy garage rock band, underneath they're some of the preppiest boys in the indie rock scene.


Julian Casablancas is the son of the founder of Elite modeling agency in NYC .  He grew up in New York attending the Lycée Français de New York where he met future bass guitarist, Nikolai Fraiture.  He later briefly attended the prestigious De Rosey in Switzerland, where he met Albert Hammond Jr.  Guitarist Nick Valensi and drummer Fab Moretti became friends with Casablancas at the Dwight School and the Strokes were born.


Here are some of my top picks from each band member.   
Julian-
"11th Dimension"


Nikolai-
Nickel Eye, "Brandy of the Damned"


Fab-
Little Joy, "Next Time Around"


Albert Hammond Jr. "GfC"



Nick Valensi has been playing the guitar and singing with a variety of artists including Regina Spektor and Devendra Banhart.  He also worked with Sia on her latest album writing many of the guitar hooks and melodies.  You can definitely hear the Strokes sound in the guitar of this song.


After listening to all the talent from these guys, it's no wonder why the Strokes have such a great sound.  Be sure to check out their new album, Angles, which comes out today!

Presidentially Savvy

March Playlist: Spring Surfin'

It's Spring Break and while many return home, I chose to escape the remnants of Northeastern snow and (hopefully) find some sun in California for the week.  Here is the playlist that was circulating on my ipod for the flight.  Enjoy!

Vers Cases

If you're like me, when it comes to protecting your ipod you want both durability and good looks.  However, too often is the case that one aspect is sacrificed for the other.  While my last case got the job done with its black hardshell plastic exterior, it seriously was lacking in its aesthetic appeal.  Thanks to Ver, the days of ipod homogeneity are over with their all wood ipod and iphone cases.

  
With choices of cherry, walnut, and bamboo everyone can enjoy the durability and simplicity of 100% real wood.

I chose bamboo because I liked the lighter finish and it doesn't hurts to save some trees along the way.  Like the BookBook it conceals your precious technology in something totally unexpected, keeping it safe and sound.  I love the Vers cases because they juxtapose something so modern with something so traditional.  It's a classic case that, like most of my favorite things, will never go out of fashion.


Visit the Vers website - right now they're having a 50% off sale!

Dwell Color Palettes

Dwell magazine's founder, Lara Hedberg Deam, brings us a series of design videos in collaboration with Ralph Lauren Paint.  The four videos were released each season of last year and are based on Le Corbusier's Polychromie Architecturale.  Each video features a diverse color palette and reflects a distinct mood and space.  Contrary to the stereotypical belief, modern architecture need not be constrained by a monochromatic palette - check out these videos and get inspired to try something unexpected and add more color to your life! 




I think the "stable brown" is especially striking and really dig this palette.

Darwin Deez: Putting the 'Hip' in Hipster

You never really know what to expect from Darwin Deez.  The turtleneck-wearing purveyor of indie pop attended Weslyan University and has been making waves ever since his first single "Constellations" charted in 2009.  Deez is a real character and it's hard not to love the catchy upbeat sound of this Napolean Dynamite-esque doppelganger. Enjoy!  


and I really like this song and video too...

On Johnson Pond

Sunday is a day to sit back and recover from the weekend's festivities .  Let's travel back in time to Colby College in Waterville, Maine circa 1958.  A time when students relaxed by the water's edge of Johnson Pond.  A time of elbow patched sweaters, ribbon watch bands, and boat shoes.  A time to really appreciate collegiate life and the warmer months ahead - here's to keeping tradition alive.

Image via Colbiana Photographs

Italo Prep

In the January '11 issue of Vanity Fair Italia, Richard Phibbs photographed a style editorial called Qualcosa di Prep (Something Prep).  I love these iconic Anglo-American inspired photographs. Interestingly, the preppy look has taken root in Italy over the past few decades, prompting many designers to borrow from the vintage Ivy League aesthetic for inspiration.  If you think these pictures look somewhat familiar, it's because Phibbs has done many celebrity portraits, magazine covers, and ad campaigns for Ralph Lauren.  This shoot is spot on.

One of my favorite books

Effortless

Images via Richard Phibbs

Wisdom from Mr. Eastwood

"A Slacker's Odyssey"

Image via Wahdodem

What do Sean Bones and Norah Jones have in common?  For one they both have a talent for great music, but they also star together in a really wonderful indie film from 2009 called Wah do Dem.  Max (Bones) is a total slacker from Brooklyn who wins a cruise to Jamaica with his girlfriend Willow (Norah Jones).  Days before they are set to depart, she dumps him and he sets sail alone.  We follow him as he navigates the island and encounters the local population, which is both funny and endearing.  All of which is set to a vibrant soundtrack that really captures the island spirit.  Watch the trailer...  

For those of you who don't know Sean Bones, I will provide a righteous sample of his music.  This Brooklynite blends a refreshing mix of reggae/pop and indie rock, which I quite enjoy.  Be sure to check out his album RINGS which includes a duet with Norah Jones called "Turn Them" featured in the movie.  "Let's Do Somethin' Else"...    

P.S. This looks like so much fun!

Mackintosh Braun

Mackintosh Braun is yet another musical powerhouse from Portland, Oregon.  This is the kind of music that you can dance to or chill out on a rainy afternoon.  The video is funky and the song is so good.  Perfect start to the week.

Bass Weejuns: A History

In 1936 George Henry Bass, a bootmaker from Wilton, Maine, began making a loafer modeled after the popular footwear of fishermen in Norway.  He called them "Weejuns" to acknowledge their Norwegian heritage.  Bass added a signature leather band with a diamond cutout across the front of the shoe.  During the 1940's and '50's people began putting dimes in the slit - the price of a pay phone call.  Later the penny was added for aesthetic purposes, giving birth to the penny loafer.


Penny loafers continued to grow in popularity as celebrities like James Dean, JFK, and Michael Jackson all sported Weejuns on a regular basis.  Due to their prevalence among prep school and Ivy League University students throughout the years, they have become a true symbol of classic, casual American style.  Worn by both men and women, with socks or without, Bass Weejuns are a timeless piece of Americana. 

My last pair of cordovan Weejuns lasted for years, but finally kicked the bucket a couple of months ago - I wore them so often they were literally falling apart.  So, I headed back to Bass to pick up a new pair.

The vintage inspired packaging is pretty rad and this chestnut color should be a nice addition to the wardrobe - a true essential.

"Weejuns - a way of life since 1936."

Under the Cover of Darkness

If I were stranded on a desert island and could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, I would probably choose the Strokes. I love 'em.  I am ecstatic that they are back recording a new album together after a 5 year hiatus.  Their first single, "Under the Cover of Darkness," sounds pretty similar to their older stuff, and the new video is pretty cool.  Counting down the days until the new album drops on March 22!

She is a Thing of Beauty

This is a funny commercial for Stella Artois that just so happens to be a directed by Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola.  I'm digging the '60's European vibes of the costumes and color palette.  Perhaps a sneak preview of what to expect in Moon Rise Kingdom?  I hope so.

Moon Rise Kingdom

Image via Deadline

Wes Anderson had been working with Roman Coppola on writing the script for his new film called Moon Rise Kingdom slated to begin production in late Spring.


What's even more exciting is the tentative cast for the film.  Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton have all expressed interest in the film.  Hopefully this cast will pull through because I'm dying to see Tilda and Bruce in action together.  


According to Deadline New York:

"Moon Rise Kingdom is set in the 60s. Two young adults fall in love and run away. Leaders in their New England town are sticking the idea that they've disappeared and go in search of them. Norton will play a scout leader who brings his charges on a search. Willis is in talks to play the town sheriff who’s also looking, and who is having an affair with the missing girl’s mother, the role McDormand is in talks to play. Murray, a regular in Anderson films, will play the girl's father, who has his own issues."

So excited.

This is Ivy League

This band reminds me of a cross between Belle and Sebastian and Chad and Jeremy.  They sound like vintage Britpop with catchy hooks and timeless harmonies, but the band is actually the side project of Ryland Blackinton and Alex Suarez from Cobra Starship .  I recommend it for running errands.