Alexander McQueen Red “Biker Bootie”

From Alexander McQueen, an open-toe “Biker Bootie,” which takes all the elements of a leather jacket and transform them into a super sexy ankle-high boot. The skull zipper pull serves as the icing on the cake. And while women may shy away from the color, there is nothing that turns a man’s head like a pair of red heels. 

Garbstore x Penfield 1930s Life Preserver Vest

In an interesting collaboration Garbstore has linked up with Penfield. Rather than using the standard Penfield vest as a base, like most others do, they developed a new silhouette – the 1930s Life Preserver Vest. The name says it all. The down vest comes in black with nice leather details on the zippers and an added toggle closure. The vest is now available from Flatspot.

Timberland Earthkeepers x Pharrell Williams “Bionic Yarn” Footwear Announced

As part of its Earthkeepers initiative, Timberland has announced a collaboration with Pharrell Williams for Spring 2011. After having used his waterbottle recycled Bionic Yarn fabrics on his recent Moncler collaboration, he will also make use of it as part of this new Timberland collaboration. Overall they will be presenting over 90 styles, all featuring Bionic Yarn canvas uppers. More news to follow on this project soon.

Nike SB Blazer CS – Metallic Gold/Gold Dust

After taking a short hiatus, the Nike SB Blazer CS is back in it’s prime as part of Nike SB’s November 2010 releases. Coming in as the first cup-sole SB Blazer we’ve seen since July, this particular version of the shoe features a combination of Metallic Gold and Gold Dust throughout a nubuck constructed base, paired with a sticky gum sole unit. With the Nike SB Blazer CS back in action, you can expect to see plenty of new colorways in the months ahead. If you’re feeling these, visit your local Nike SB retailer to check on availability or grab a pair now through Premier.

CONVERSE X Special Consulting – Peanuts 60 Years World Tour Chuck Taylor

Peanuts is celebrating its 60th birthda, and Special Consulting has produced a world tour to showcase the specially designed products. Converse was invited to participate in the capsule collection, and the iconic cartoon characters are proudly represented on their iconic basketball sneaker, the Chuck Taylor. On this particular pair, it shows Charlie Brown playing his favorite sport, baseball, in monotone. The cardboard box is also redesigned to mimic Charlie Brown’s signature collared t-shirt design. Peanuts and Chuck Taylor fans should get over to Special Consulting’sonline store to grab a pair before they are all gone.

Casa en el Uro by 7XA Architects

7XA Architects designed this house in el Uro, Mexico.

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair Checked Bomber Jacket

Fifth Avenue Shoe Repair has been presenting some solid collections over the last couple of seasons, expanding the line and going into more product categories step by step. One of the stand out pieces in their new Fall/Winter 2010 Collection is the Checked Bomber Jacket. It comes with hidden zipper pockets on the front, as well as leather elbow patches and is now available fromForwardForward.

XLARGE x Disney Mickey Mouse Stadium Jacket

XLARGE and Disney continue their ongoing partnership with a new black and red stadium jacket. The heavy wool coat with leather sleeves features Mickey Mouse on the back and a Disney-style XLARGE logo on the chest. Dropping November 5, 2010.

RZA featuring Gravediggaz – 2 More Cups of Blood

In attendance of this year’s trick-or-treat season Wu Tang Clan’s Abbot revives the collective known as the Gravediggaz for a refix of “2 More Cups Of Blood”.
Gravediggaz - 2 More Cups of Blood by Hypetrak

HAUS by Alexander Lotersztain

Alexander Lotersztain has designed the HAUS series of conversation pods.

These three little houses have been based on the fairy tale ‘the three little pigs’ – with each space being a unique creation, identified by materiality, texture and structure. HAUS were originally conceived as spaces to gather, talk and exchange ideas during the Unlimited Asia Pacific Design Triennial in Brisbane, Australia.

Jamie Foxx featuring Drake – Fall For Your Type

After a leak making its rounds along the music blogosphere, the “reference” track Drake sang over now comes into fruition. The song now highlights serenades from not only Drake but Jamie Foxx as well, both of which are no strangers to each other’s work. This version is the radio rip, stay tuned for the official!
Jamie Foxx featuring Drake - Fall For Your Type by Hypetrak

Norse Projects x Lavenham 2010 Winter Jackets

Norse Projects inject some Danish design aesthetic into a truly classic and traditional piece of British gamentry by teaming up with Lavenham Jackets to produce 4 select items. Norse continue their onslaught of collaborations by this time coming together with the true originators of the quilted jacket, Lavenham. Here we see the ever popular silhouette of the Lavenham Jacket with Scandinavian influenced colorways, featuring simple, functional natures and twists added to the jackets and vest, as well as some subtle trim and pocketing details giving each garment that Norse stamp of approval. Look for these pieces in November 2010, direct from Norse Projects.

MuchMusic: Pharrell Williams Interview

Pharrell Interview from beatsbydrdrew on Vimeo.
Canada’s MuchMusic sat down with Pharrell some weeks back for an interview regarding what’s in store for the acclaimed musician. Amongst several topics, Pharrell speaks of N.E.R.D.’s highly anticipated album, Pusha T’s signing with G.O.O.D Music, and a bit more about his project with Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West, dubbed Child Rebel Soldier. Enjoy!

Air Jordan XIII Retro Black/Altitude Green

Full of pleasant surprises, the 2010 Holiday season continues its intrigue as Jordan Brand announces the official retro if its Black/Altitude Green XIII model, the first since the sneaker’s original release in 2005. Slightly changed for 2010 (arguably for the better), the design scraps its original leather upper panel and replaces it with the traditional mesh seen within the Flint Grey and Black/Red XIII. All other details remain in-tact, including the texture leather paneling and iconic hologram. A release is expected in December 2010.

Beyond Closet 2011 Spring/Summer Collection

For decades, the Japanese have carefully mastered British and American Ivy and Prep fashions. But as Korean designer Tae Yong recently exhibited at his 2011 spring/summer showing, Asian cultures still maintain a fascination with Trad and Prep styles with their own interpretation. The dandyish approach is a notable theme however with a few special interpretations. Yong’s own personal Korean spin also includes some regional styling cues as well as anti-fit pieces. The un-tailored sartorial approach was inspired by the movie Nicola, which features a boy wearing the clothes of his father, hence the play on proportions and fittings.

Lupe Fiasco – The Show Goes On

“The Show Goes On” is a first look at Lupe Fiasco’s upcoming Lasers album due out on March 8th. Just earlier today, the song was premiered during his live Ustream feed which then later landed up on his official website. The song certainly proves to be one of his more emotive records with a postive message being conveyed. You can stream the song entirely below, while the song is available now at www.lupefiasco.com.
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On by Hypetrak

Kanye West's RUNAWAY - TheSuperDuperDopeLife x Carroll & Co. Film Review

Pablo Picasso famously said “All children are artists; the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” We are all brought into this world as creative expressive beings but we soon learn that it is socially unacceptable to express ourselves and be free-spirited. This is the underlying theme in Kanye West’s 34 minute film “Runaway”, as well as in his life and controversial career.In the film Kanye encounters a phoenix that falls from the sky brand new to this world and without any preconceived ideas about what is acceptable here and how we operate. As she is taken under Kanye’s wing she quickly realizes that this world does not accept things that are strange or different. She realizes that she must “burn” to escape this place before it turns her into stone as was the fate of many before her. Kanye used many different metaphors for this theme of forced complacency for example; there was a scene that featured a bust of Michael Jackson surrounded by hooded figures. Kanye explained this scene as representing the cult-like pop music world. It could also be used as an example of a creative person who was praised but often put down by many because he was so misunderstood. The world that loved him and hated him turned him into “stone”. There is also a child in that scene who is first seen running freely with a torch but ends up exactly like all of the other hooded figures. There was a serene yard with gentle animals that the phoenix often visited that represented her innocence and naiveté. Peaceful scenes like that were contrasted by fiery and powerful moments. The actual performance of the song Runaway was intense; it grabs the attention of the audience with the image of ballerinas whose graceful movements somehow mesh perfectly with the harsh lyrics. The song loosely foreshadows the ending of the film as the phoenix runs away from this world that would have inevitably hurt her. The imagery in the film was remarkable and could have stood on its own even without a storyline or plot. The experience was like walking through a museum and every beautiful painting you passed opened itself up so that you could step into the moment the artist was capturing.Kanye has mentioned bringing Runaway to the theatre. If this were to happen there are a few things that would need to be tweaked such as the acting and length. The plot would have more time to develop and the piece would turn into more of story rather than performance art. This would be an amazing chance for a new cross-section of our culture to experience the theatre. It would be breathtaking to see on stage.As with everything Kanye does, there has been criticism of the film which is ironic because the film itself mirrors its own message- people who don’t understand it try to dismiss it as an overly ambitious failure. Art can be defined in so many ways but at its core it is human emulation of the world around them. Kanye was interpreting his experiences, and the ones we see every day in our culture, in his own creative way. Who can say that what he showed us was right or wrong? This project brought a type of art to a very broad audience who most likely would have never been exposed to anything like it.Art should make its audience feel something- this film accomplished just that- it also had people thinking and talking. Music has to change; it has to evolve and move forward. We can’t put a gag over someone’s mouth when they try to facilitate that movement. We owe Kanye for being willing to put himself out there for us time after time. He writes, produces, and performs his own music and he puts his heart and soul into everything he does. Kanye does it again with this film; he does not have extensive training or experience in film making and he certainly is not the greatest actor but he openly lets us see his trial, error, and growth and lets us see into his mind knowing that there are people waiting to tear it apart.He gave our often numb generation something to feel. Kudos, Kanye.

Equilibrium Bookcase by Malagana Design

With its cantilevered modules stacked upon each other at a single angled point, Equilibrium is a unique furniture piece that immediately catches attention by creating a sense of amusement and surprise. While its compartments seem to float in the air, Equilibrium can hold over 120 Lbs of weight and its different modules allow to keep books and magazines organized in a natural tilted position that eliminates the need for bookends. The acclaimed bookcase comes offered with a combination of natural walnut veneer and one of three color options: White, Celeste and Graphite. Specific custom colors can be  matched upon request. It can be conveniently disassembled to fit inside the two larger modules and it ships in one easy to handle box. It can be assembled in just a few minutes without the need of tools or hardware.

A Bathing Ape Shark Riders Jacket Holiday 2010

Most of you know that the Bape Shark items are, or at least used to be, amongst the hardest to get a hold of, the ones that created the longest lines in front of Bape stores around the globe. We still remember the old days of all-over print hoodies and in that age (believe it or not, it is only 3 years ago) the A Bathing Ape Shark Hoodie was the gold medal. The Japanese brand (some might say unfortunately) keeps coming back with the design in different forms.

The latest piece to release in the long list of Shark items is the Shark Riders Jacket. Basically the Bape Shark Hoodie gets turned into a leather Riders jacket, including all the attributes of the classic cow leather jacket and of the hoodie into one. The jacket comes as part of the Holiday 2010 Collection in two colorways and is available now in Bape stores around the globe.

Nanamica Gore-Tex Field Jacket

Japanese brand nanamica always manages to upgrade classic pieces with functionality. The latest product to release from their Fall/Winter 2010 Collection is the Gore-Tex field jacket. It comes in two colorways and features a Gore-Tex lining. Beautiful!

Valentino Crystal Bird Clutch

Just because minimalism is on the rise doesn’t eliminate the need for statement pieces like this Valentino crystal feather clutch, an awe-inspiring item singularly capable of lighting up a room and filling it with delight. Bravo, Valentino!