Introducing the new Spectator LX from VANS Vault for Fall/Winter 2010. The Spectator LX is a lookback at the classic wear from the last century, in this case the brogue details found on wingtip shoes. Fashioned on a mid section overlay either in leather or suede, the Spectator LX carried a sense of sophistication. This Vans Spectator comes with a cream suede and red leather upper with a all white sole. These Spectators will be releasing this Friday along with all the other Vans Vault. Look for these on my feet very soon.

Saint Alfred
1531 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773.486.7159

For Fall 2010,  New Balance and renowned sneaker shop Undefeated have joined forces to create the New Balance x UNDFTD Sonic 574, a limited edition fleece sneaker inspired by retro sweatshirts from the 80’s.

James Bond, co-founder of Undefeated, says the “reverse weave fleece that is loved by athletes and spectators alike is the perfect canvas to showcase and celebrate the classic American history of the two brands.” The New Balance x UNDFTD Sonic 574’s upper textile is a heather grey sweatshirt material sonically bonded with the synthetic suede complete with varsity “N” detailing. Undefeated will also be launching coordinating apparel for this project.

The New Balance x Sonic 574 comes in grey and black and will be sold at Undefeated stores starting September 18, 2010.

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It all began with Bankie Banks whose family owns the idyllic beachfront where the Dune Preserve Beach Bar sits. When Bankie was a kid, he camped along this beach that’s so beautiful, it feels like a mirage. Then one day, he and his best friend Bullett got this idea to turn their dream spot into the ultimate ramshackle beach bar. Built of driftwood and pieces of shipwrecked racing boats supplemented with regionally harvested woods, Dune Preserve was way green when all green meant was the color of grass. Today, it’s the hippest beach bar on Anguilla. Many think it’s the best in the Caribbean.

The beach bar, restaurant and concert area (Banks is also a touring musician) fills a 2-acre piece of land between a golf course and the CuisinArt Resort and Spa.

Bankie Banks, the owner of Dune Preserve

Banks (who has been described as part madman, part genius) had the vision and Bullett had the building skills. Together they’ve created a place that brings a funky touch to an island known for luxe resorts like Cap Juluca and Malliouhana. As the partners are fond of saying, “Its the only beach bar in the world where you are likely to run into a former president, a former pirate and a former Wall Street big wig in the same day.”

Natural Selection have created an installation within the denim area on the menswear floor in Selfridges, one of London’s most prominent fashion retail stores.  The installation ‘Denim Dissection’ reflects a 1920’s period hospital operating room specifically designed for Natural Selection.  The story behind this installation and the relevance for Natural Selection lies within the brand’s name and their connection with evolution.  ‘Denim Dissection’ symbolises the label’s notion of experimentation, and with this, their desire to constantly evolve and innovate.

The installation consists of a selection of British, vintage and military inspired furniture in the form of a 1920’s cast iron operating table, medical trolleys, an oversized surgical light, and medical trays and implements.

This represents an operating theatre, yet the object under the knife is a pair of Natural Selection Pilgrim heavy washed jeans, sliced, with surgical precision, to reveal an NM raw pair of jeans underneath showing denim at its most pure.

Specimen jars containing buttons and rivets in ‘formaldehyde’ are displayed, as is an organ bowl containing denim DNA scraps such as selvedge trims, hidden rivets, leather patches among others, all of which are key elements of Natural Selection jeans’ make-up.

There’s really no words for this post, this is just another one of Cee-Lo’s greatest creations and now here’s the official video to go along with one of the most talked about songs of the season, if not year. Look for Cee-Lo’s next album The Ladykiller to release later this year.

H&M announced that its next designer collaboration will be with Lanvin. Designed by Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz, and menswear designer Lucas Ossendrijver, the collection will go on sale on November 23 in around 200 H&M stores worldwide. The collection of both womenswear and menswear will be revealed to the world on November 2, just three weeks before the clothes hit the store, making the launch of Lanvin for H&M among the most anticipated fashion events of the year.

“H&M approached us to collaborate, and see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less. I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin.

“We are thrilled about Lanvin’s collection for H&M, it is such an exciting moment. Lanvin will bring to H&M a luxurious French tradition that is also modern and playful. It is very much a Lanvin collection, using their cut and tailoring, with lots of focus on form and details for both women and men. The launch in November is going to be full of wonderful surprises.” Margareta van den Bosch, creative advisor at H&M.

Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com. Following the film’s debut, it will be just three weeks before customers have the chance to get their hands on a covetable piece of Lanvin for H&M.

Situated on a quiet street on the banks of the river Weser, the 51-room Hotel ÜberFluss is ideal for a variety of small events, from small wedding ceremonies to model castings. On the sixth floor there is a penthouse space for up to 54 people, with large floor-to-ceiling windows offering beautiful vistas of the river and historic city. From this room there is access to a rooftop bar and two rooftop terraces. Outfitted with lounge sofas and sunbeds, these are ideal for relaxed get-togethers and summer barbeques. Downstairs on the first floor an 900 square foot space is light and airy, with a glass front and modern multimedia equipment.

Hotel ÜberFluss
Langenstraße 72
28195 Bremen, Germany

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This 50-room hotel in the center of Palma has recently unveiled two new meeting rooms and event spaces for 10, 20 or 40 people. For small groups and informal meetings, the new multimedia room with 72” plasma screen, video console and Mac computer is ideal, whilst the new Mandala room is perfect for larger events. It has a capacity for 40 guests, state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, spaciousness and natural light. In January 2011 the hotel will also open The Wing Room, a completely new area which can be hired exclusively for private corporate and social events. It will include a Music Studio which will be the base for Puro´s own releases and remixes from its label ‘Puro Music’. For those seeking a place to wind down afterwards a poolside break or massage at Purobeach is the ultimate option.

Puro Oasis Urbano
Montenegro 12
07012 Palma
Mallorca, Spain

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The phrase ‘a room with a view’ is foremost at 144-room Memmo Baleeira where meeting rooms overlook the Baleeira harbour in Sagres Bay, known for its rich history and stunning natural beauty. For a relaxing coffee break a terrace off the rooms is a place to take in the refreshing sea air, while indoors on the top floor flexible rooms for 10 to 150 people are ideal for special events or small creative sessions. The hotel also offers a wide variety of menus, ranging from working lunches to exquisite menus created for special events.

Memmo Baleeira Hotel
8650-357 Vila de Sagres
Portugal

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A summer BBQ? Chic car launch? Or perhaps swimming with dolphins? All are possible at this 294-room Hillside Hu hotel situated by the sea and just 15 minutes from Antalya airport. The ‘Voda Congress Hall’ has a ceiling height of 23 feet and an extensive balcony, while the Amanzi hall offers a large door opening on to lush gardens. Together with an 9,000 square foot ballroom, the spaces are ideal for large events such as car launches because of their style, size and easy access. Outside, a 1000 square metre al fresco function area with beautiful gardens is the perfect setting for gala dinners and parties. There are also eight smaller breakout meeting rooms for different purposes.

Hillside Su Hotel
Konyaalti
07050 Antalya
Turkey

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