Wishlist: Yuketen Ranger Chukka

When it comes to casual footwear, nobody does it better than Yuketen. These would be perfect for the fall, and a nice replacement for my worn out Sorel boots. With the use of premium materials, including a suede upper, and a strap across the front for support, these Chukkas undergo a modernization that is both sophisticated and contemporary yet, in retaining the same general shape, still pays tribute to a vintage silhouette that, over the years, has seen its fair share of modifications. With so many companies vying to attach their name to the famed boot, there is no denying that Yuketen deserve to be on top with their take on it.

via Opening Ceremony

N.Y. State of Mind

NYC Street Looks - BKRW Fashion from Alta Media Productions on Vimeo.

Ransom F/W 2009

Entering their 4th season, Toronto-based label Ransom are destined to achieve even bigger things than they already have. From earning themselves a feature in the upcoming issue of Complex magazine as one of a handful of new emerging enterprises on the verge of breaking out, to having a song written about them by none other than Drake, another Toronto product who, just in this last year, has erupted onto the music scene, it's only a matter of time before Ransom become an internationally acclaimed brand. Their penchant for clean design aesthetic make for extremely wearable pieces for any and every occassion. And like everything else they've done thus far, their Fall/Winter collection complements this vision to the fullest.

via Inquiringmind

Michael Lau 10th Gardener x Nike SB Stefan Janoski

For those associated with the burgeoning designer toy movement, Michael Lau needs no introduction as he has already established himself as a household name. But every now and then, he will remove himself from what he does best and venture into the sneaker market where his skillset is concentrated onto a completely different kind of canvas. Whether it be designing an entire kit (which included a pair of stunningly beautiful Blazers - the most meticulously crafted and packaged Blazers I've ever seen) for the Chinese 2008 Olympic BMX team, or as one of 18 designers worldwide asked to put their personal spin on the Air Force 1 in celebration of its 25 years in existence, it seems that whatever he touches turns into gold, or at least becomes highly sought after. These Nike SB Stefan Janoski's are sure to be no different. Even with the announcement of their release coming only this morning, they already have people clamoring for news on when and where these will be made accessible to the public. If you want these, you better act fast or expect to pay a lot of money. The Janoski's were created in conjunction with the Michael Lau 10 Gardener exhibition which itself will see 3 diferent limited edition wooden toy figurines go up for sale as part of a collaborative effort between Slamxhype, The Hundreds, De La Barracuda and of course, Michael Lau.

images via Hypebeast

3sixteen Fall 2009 Collection

New York label 3sixteen are new arrivals to the game, but that hasn't stopped them from attracting attention from the higher-ups of the industry. Nothing flashy about these guys. Instead, their unique vision is reflected in their commitment to remain modest about their designs, where other companies feel that in order to procure a long-lasting operation you have to be the most brazen or tacky, often resigning themselves to doing things half-heartedly and overstepping conventional bounds for the sake of quick commercial gain. And while this may succeed in capturing the recognition of consumers for a short while, like all things that are quick to catch on, they are eventually forgotten about or passed on in favour of the next big thing. They cannot withstand the test of time ... unlike Ralph Lauren or perennial streetwear favourite LRG who, even to this day, still adhere to the foundation of personal principles upon which their companies were built; the same ones that have made them each so successful. Like Jonas Bevacqua (founder of LRG) said himself, it's all about "design[ing] from the heart versus the flavor of the month", and it's with this, or a similar, sentiment in mind that 3sixteen have earned such a respected following. I think that if they can continue to do things the right way and stick to their capacity to design simple yet practical/personal yet fashionable pieces, that they could be a mainstay in the industry for years and years to come. Here's a better idea of what these guys are all about:

via Selectism