Limited edition over-the-knee socks from a Texan designer A collection of avant-garde knee socks reaches us from the wilds of suburban Dallas, Texas. Designer Amy Anderson likens each pair as “wearable art” and produces each design in limited quantities. Crafted from 78% cotton blended with polyamide and elastane at an ethically-certified textile mill in central Turkey, once a design sells out, it’s gone forever—but makes way for a new one to take its place. “I produce a small amount of each design,” founder and designer Amy Anderson explains. Shops across the United States carry the line and you can find one near you by searching on the Sweet Marcel site . Recently Anderson collaborated with Project Runway contestant Shirin Askari . The two friends share studio space and so far Askari came up with the Wisteria/Xena pairs (sold together for $37.50) for Sweet Marcel .

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Sweet Marcel

Ties made exclusively for us in one of the last factories in Manhattan’s Garment District While it’s becoming increasingly easy to tune out when clothing brands talk about heritage and craft, there are still some that warrant attention. At seven years strong, NYC- and LA-based label 3sixteen continues to set itself apart with a genuine dedication to producing high-quality threads that don’t capitalize on the latest trends, but will instead remain relevant throughout time. Founded by Andrew Chen in 2003 as a t-shirt line, 3sixteen now produces a range of long-lasting staple garments and accessories for guys whose taste is equal parts refined and rugged. For Cool Hunting, 3sixteen created a series of locally-sourced wool ties in patterns we chose along with Chen. Made in one of the few remaining factories in Manhattan’s Garment District (where Chen shot the picture above, of the ties in mid-production ), the fabrics range from sharp plaids to rich solids with subtle textures woven in. We particularly dig their versatility, adding sophistication to casual ensembles and keeping more dignified looks from appearing stuffy. Crafted exclusively for Cool Hunting, the 3sixteen ties sell from our online shop for $80 each.

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CH Edition: 3sixteen

Fashion fantasies-come-true at Los Angeles Tron pop up Disney continues to fan Tron fever with the release of several items of higher-end, wearable merchandise for men and women by designers like Rousseau , Hayden-Harnett and Rotenier that will be available all in one place beginning 19 November 2010 at the Tron Pop-Up Shop inside Los Angeles’ Royal/T . The concept allows Tron fans to become as authentically part of it as Tron main character Kevin Flynn did when he entered his employer’s mainframe in the original film. We’ve put together our favorite pieces from the women’s couture collection here. Among the dozens of retro-futuristic items available are jewelry pieces, like Rotenier’s sterling silver Lightcycle Cufflinks ($345). Tom Tom’s Derez Earrings have blue topaz stone ($155) and match a Grid Escape Ring ($195) and Light Runner Cuff ($265)—both gunmetal plated with mirrored lucite. It also has a Legacy necklace made with antique bronze chain ($395), exclusive to the pop-up store. Jerome Rousseau’s shiny Quorra Platform Sandal ($795) will perhaps be one of the most coveted items of them all, standing tall at five inches and unavailable outside of the pop up until February of next year. Those looking for more practical accessories can choose between the various bags and clutches by Hayden-Harnett ($129-$478), with matching cuffs ($98-$110). The shop closes on 23 December 2010, convenient for those in search of a last-minute gift for the holidays.

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Tron: Legacy Women’s Couture

One of the most esteemed purveyors of classic eyewear gets an online store To score a sunglasses fitting with the exclusive Vintage Frames Company , it wouldn’t hurt to be a hip-hop mogul or Russian princess. But now the largest distributor of its kind is offering hundreds of choice styles each month—from legendary labels like Alpina, Carrera and Silhouette—to the masses through its just-launched webshop . “The point [is] to offer a selection of frames to the public who have been dying to purchase them for the past years,” says owner Corey Shapiro. Based in Montreal, Shapiro and his team of fashion historians search the world for deadstock designer eyewear. His warehouse has more than 150,000 mint-condition frames, spanning the 1950s to the 1980s. “Old eyewear manufacturers took time and love to produce eyewear,” explains Shapiro. “Any of the handcrafted details put into eyewear cannot be added to today’s eyewear, as those factories have long been closed.” Nostalgia and manufacturing techniques aside, Vintage Frames has become a leader in shaping optical trends, as their reputation as a highly sought source of long-lost classic and original models has grown. “We also run a rather large division aiding today’s new eyewear designers through a historical look of eyewear, renting them all kinds of frames as production samples,” adds Shapiro. Such tight relationships with brands makes for a pretty amazing commemorative reissue as the label celebrates its fifth anniversary this month and online grand opening with a collaboration. “We have made a very special Cazal 951, which is the first frame I ever owned in my collection,” he says. “The status of a man in a certain crowd could be judged by how deep he went into accessorizing his 951. Diamonds, snakeskin, leather, gold—all that!” Visit the Vintage Frames Company’s webshop for this month’s selection before it’s gone.

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Vintage Frames Company

A limited-edition bag built for bicycles that transforms into a stylish satchel A city synonymous with cycling, Amsterdam has already inspired one of its newest inhabitants, the Singapore-based Property Of , to tackle the task of stylishly transporting daily essentials while on two wheels. The solution comes on the heels of the bag brand’s first flagship shop that opened in the Dutch capital earlier this year, commemorating the milestone with a double-functioning pannier and messenger bag. Incorporating wax-treated canvas and waterproof tarpaulin with leather detailing for a look that’s equal parts refined and utilitarian, the limited-edition bag is an extension of the label’s Tommy range. It comes in three colors—coal, brown and orange—and will sell exclusively from the Amsterdam Property Of shop for €238, beginning 15 October 2010 and limited to just 18 pieces in all.

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Property Of Panniers

Multifunctional Shibori-dyed garments from a nascent Brooklyn label Inspired by “Lindsey Thornburg’s capes, complex geometries, Aboubakar Fofana, Suno, and the old rolling hills of upstate New York,” the indie brand Upstate’s latest collection continues to explore the controlled chaos of tie-dye. Where the Brooklyn label’s debut collection was limited to items like scarves and sarongs, their upcoming season sees multifunctional garments, like an asymmetrical poncho and a racerback vest, all hand-dyed using the ancient Japanese technique of Shibori. The upshot is a series of pieces perfect for layering and draping, instantly making any basic look show stopping with their gorgeously blue-and-white patterns. Sold at a few select specialty boutiques (check Mohawk General Store for online availability) with prices starting at about $100, buying Upstate is a great way to support a small, homegrown label while upping your fashion quotient too.

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Upstate Spring 2011

Watches crafted from reclaimed planks Conceived in Italy but based in L.A., WeWood watches combine European craftsmanship with sustainably-minded materials to reinvent the average wristwatch—in wood. The budding brand offers up a line of tasteful Miyota-movement timepieces crafted from several varieties of Maple, Guaiaco (an indigenous South American tree) and Red Wing Celtis, with all materials reclaimed from unused flooring scraps. Devoid of toxic chemicals as well as any colored stains, the natural shades and grains of the different wood types shine through for an organic take on oft-metallic or plastic watches. Currently crafted in two styles—chronic and classic—the series of 11 watches include light beige, black and even an army-hued green—the natural shade of the Guaiaco tree. The watches sell for $119 from WeWood , with every sale resulting in a planted tree.

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WeWood

Custom utility belts for nomadic bon vivants Created for the W Hotel concept of a high-profile,

Portland, OR illustrator designs the optimal bag for biking with a six-pack Portland, OR-based illustrator Patrick Long has always had a pencil in hand. A former Parsons student, he worked for designers such as Perry Ellis and Nina Ricci and his wistful, nostalgic line drawings have appeared in The New Yorker and T Magazine . But when it came to designing his line of Chester Wallace bags, Long had much more prosaic goals in mind. Wanting a bag that was both durable and spacious, he describes the rigorous product testing. “The first litmus test was if it could carry a six-pack of beers across town on a bike. It’s been able to carry everything I’ve asked of it, from hammers to watermelons.” Made out of heavy waxed cotton to repel the Portland rain, the bags have one exterior and two interior pockets for miscellaneous small items. An adjustable nylon strap allows the bag to be slung around the back or shoulders for cross-town journeys, while two handles at the top of the tote lend versatility. Named for Long’s two grandfathers—Chester from Burns, Oregon, and Wallace from Ireland, family history may have also played a role in propelling Long towards design. Long explains how having an architect father meant “I grew up with pencils and paper. Building and making things just followed suit.” The bags come in a variety of neutral colors that make them a natural accompaniment to any outfit. Long’s friends at NYC’s Project No.8 store were the ones who encouraged him to start selling his bags. You can get them there , Canoe and Stand Up Comedy for $150 each. For more information on Long’s illustration work, check out his website .

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Chester Wallace

Wrist watch-inspired jewelry from Swedish goldsmith G

Over-the-top custom shades at a nice price From one of NYC’s hardest-working designers House of Diehl , this new line of one-off sunglasses mixes high camp with one-of-a-kind appeal at a price point that means you can still indulge in your Rick Owens obsession too. The Wayfarer styles are studded, chained, grommeted, dipped, painted—anything but basic. “Your accessories should always be the loudest thing about you. Isabella Blow once told me that,” says Roman Milisic, who co-founded Diehl with his wife, Mary Jo Diehl. Starting at a wallet-friendly price of $50 a pair, “Our breakers are special enough to be treasured, but cheap enough to ‘break,’” explains Milisic. “Well, that always happens to my sunglasses.” The upcoming collection will feature a limited-run of shades with hand-drawn artwork. To purchase, visit their site .

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Diehl Breakers

An updated wireless controller designed for Playstation 3 fans Created for the serious gamer, the Raven is a new wireless controller designed for the Playstation 3 but modeled after the more user-friendly X-box controller. We recently had the chance to road-test the Raven, finding the updated design really does enhance the playing experience. Covered in Nyko’s Soft Feel Surface—a soft, slightly rubbery coating—and boasting angled trigger buttons, the Raven is super easy to grip and it really allows the player to keep control over hand movements. As we discovered, having the joysticks situated at uneven planes makes playing first-person shooter games more natural, with the stick controlling vision placed higher than the stick that controls body movement. With a slight added weight, the Raven also feels more substantial in your hands than Sony’s controller and yet costs nearly half the price. Hitting stores September 2010, the Raven is available for pre-order now and will retail for $40.

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The Raven

Ward off evil with vintage-inspired vial necklaces Ancient Babylonians warded off evil spirits with them, and Romans used the mini vessels to collect luck from fertility god Priapus, but today’s mystics may want to turn to jeweler Emily Hirsch’s new multi-purpose amulet line Talon for a vintage-inspired take on the concept. Designed to protect from evil, intoxicate lovers, enhance moods and interact with spirits, the cork-topped vial necklaces filled with aromatic fragrances make for a good luck charm that also lends a little ’70s Steve Nicks style to a look. Though she now lives and works in Brooklyn, Hirsch drew on her Northern California roots to design the two oil blends citing inspiration like apple trees mixed with leather and a picnic in the grass. The resulting signature scent is a dark and earthy tabacco aroma with hints of sweet orange blossom, while Valor combines a light jasmine scent with the herbal touch of tuberose. Each amulet, handmade in either silver, glass or bronze, comes with a gold-filled chain and sells for $250 from the Talon site .

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Talon Amulettes

A new line of watches from a Montreal dream team From close friends and Montreal design-dream-team Mike Giles , Daniel Julien , and Aaron Daley comes a new line of watches for those that appreciate both artistry and convenience. CH has featured time pieces and more from the masterminds previously (including the exclusive limited edition CH x Furni Farmer watch ) but never before as a complete trio, launching their first collaborative company, Neuvo . The “Prospector Collection” will be the first offering from the much-anticipated Neuvo company, featuring four metal, digital timepieces. With the beautifully-crafted vintage feel of your father’s old worn-in watch and all the accouterments of a modern-day digital, the collection refers to a time when things were simple and value was measurable. Each piece comes loaded with everything one could want in a watch, including a 12 or 24-hour display, chronograph, an hourly chime, backlight, and alarm. The watches are also water-resistant, so you can keep track of the time in style even under a light rain. The metal watches are plated in either brushed gold, silver, bronze, or black, and only 200 of each is going into production. For those nervous about ordering wearables online (especially limited editions!), Neuvo has even created a free “try it before you buy it” iPhone app, currently available on iTunes . Without the hassle of ordering and returning, you can try on a virtual Neuvo watch on an image of your own wrist. Once you’ve made your selection, the app can take you directly to the purchasing info for your new accessory of choice. Each sells for the very fair price of $45 (plus shipping) exclusively from Neuvo’s brand-new website, NeuvoMonde.com .

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Neuvo

Over-the-top macabre glam from a Japan-based jewelry designer by Meghan Killeen Not content with just simple macabre, Japanese jeweler and designer Joji Kojima ‘s heavily-bejeweled creations layer on baroque references and over-the-top fetishism, with the kind of craftsmanship usually reserved for more conservative luxury brands. His glitzy output spans gold-chained rabbit muzzles and hats made of crystallized teeth to tk and tk. Born in California, Kojima studied graphic design at Tama Art University , honing his talents while assisting the couture brand, Yoshiko Creation Paris . The label turned heads when Lady Gaga made a guest appearance on Music Japan wearing Yoshiko’s black umbrella headpiece entitled “B-612″ (from the Le Petite Prince collection). Later when Kojima introduced his custom brand Hotel Gluttony, Gaga celebrity helped catapult it into a fashion sensation too when she wore his chain mail mask on the cover of her “Fame Monster” album. Kojima’s latest A/W 2010-2011 collection turns death into design with a suspended skull ring (based on the designer’s own head) that gracefully dangles several inches above the finger. Standout pieces also include a skull mask with a working hinged jaw piece, and a fashionable accessory to violence—a diamond studded knuckle duster. The line sells through Tokyo-based retailer, Restir .

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Joji Kojima