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.
Chill out with our exclusive blend of smokable herbs designed to ease stress On a farm bordering the Hudson River, just north of Woodstock, NY in the quaint historic area of Germantown, herbalist Lauren Giambrone creates unique ointments and tinctures for a variety of ailments using freshly picked herbs from her garden and peddles them under the label Good Fight Herb Co . Accepted as one of three apprentices at the rigorous Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, since finishing Giambrone has applied her extensive knowledge to remedy common conditions as well as more modern maladies, like overworked New Yorkers (which is an immune-building tincture). For Cool Hunting Giambrone created a healthy mix of mullein, mugwort, damiana, sage and lavender herbs, intended to ease stress and serve as an alternative to carcinogenic tobacco. Dubbed the Cool Hunting Herbal Smoke Blend , the concoction can be consumed on its own or added to other smokable herbs—especially those that may induce slight paranoia. Selling from our CH Edition online shop for $15, the Herbal Smoke Blend comes with a pack of unbleached, 100% vegan rolling papers. More Good Fight Herb Co. medicinals can be found at Brooklyn’s Marlow & Sons General Store .
From honey bear bongs to portable Bluetooth speakers, Cool Hunting’s limited-edition series of collaborations This year, Cool Hunting teamed up with select favorite brands—innovators in technology, design, fashion, and perhaps most fondly, food—to create limited-edition versions of their much-beloved products, available exclusively through our online store and at our pop up for Gap. When we learned that 160-year-old Swiss watchmaker Marvin was undergoing a revival, we worked with their designer to put a CH spin on their newest style, the Malton 160 Cushion . Our interpretation ($1,250) features green accents and is signed and numbered, as well as engraved with “Toujours Plus” (a riff on one of our taglines, “Always More”). Already sold out, the last chance to get this sleek watch is through our upcoming charity auction. (Stay tuned for details, and check out our recent video on Marvin to learn more about the brand that supplied JFK with gifts for Marilyn.) Created by CH founder Josh Rubin and his father, the tech-friendly glove brand Freehands came out with a CH Edition ($80) this season. Like all Freehands, these are designed to keep your hands warm while using your mobile phone, camera, iPod and more, but this luxurious version is made from 80% pure cashmere in gray-on-gray stripes, and features the new magnetic design that discreetly secures the finger and thumb flaps back out of the way. We collaborated with Brooklyn brand Outlier on this Swiss wool hat , an accessory technically designed for bike riding in less-than-cheery weather. Completely wind-resistant, highly water-resistant and with a brim that perfectly shields a rider’s brow, the stylish cap ($90) comes in three colors, keeping you protected from the elements without ruining your holiday party entrance. Maintaining their minimalist design, local sourcing, and small-footprint credo, Rickshaw created one of their bestselling Zero Waste bags for Cool Hunting. Featuring a green interior and a black exterior, our exclusive multifunctional Zero bag ($150) and its matching CH Edition felt and nylon iPad case ($30) keep your precious goods protected on the go. Already fans of their caps and belts, we commissioned the creative Tokyo-based label Zillion to completely cover a series of vintage skateboard decks in their dead-stock kimono fabrics. The limited-edition collection was crafted in two styles— with wheels ($850) or without ($750) —each in beautiful patterns that look fantastic hanging on any wall, especially when grouped together. Local artisan Jill Platner (another craftsperson who’s long been on our list of favorites) created a series of 12 of her signature rawhide bracelets exclusively for Cool Hunting ($175). Handcrafted in New York for nearly two decades, Platner’s jewelry features her trademark sterling silver toggle clasps, but our version comes in a longer bracelet length and a custom dove gray leather. We’ll be hosting an event premiering our video on Jill in our pop up shop for the Gap soon, check back for details. Handmade from locally-sourced vintage fabrics in one of the few remaining factories in Manhattan’s Garment District, 3sixteen ‘s four patterns of classic ties for Cool Hunting ($80) boast clean lines that demonstrate the menswear company’s extreme attention to detail and craftsmanship. Other collaborations include the pairing of Brooklyn chocolate purveyors Mast Brothers with San Francisco fruit gastronome June Taylor to create an out-of-this-world artisanal chocolate bar ($10), a beyond delicious Happy Goat scotch caramel sauce, an Esque honey bear water pipe ($360), and Good Fight’s herbal smoking blend. Stay tuned for more in the upcoming days on those Cool Hunting exclusives! Though it’s not for sale, also keep an eye out for CH giveaways of Jawbone’s brand-new portable Bluetooth speaker the Jambox in custom Cool Hunting Green. Almost all products will be available through our gift guide as well as our new Cool Hunting x Gap pop up store .
The streamlined beauty of Jawbone’s palm-sized wireless speaker Whether at business meetings or just for showing off to friends, it’s rare to see the kind of excitement generated as when we recently demoed Aliph’s new Jawbone Jambox, a portable Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone. Designed by Yves B
Our dizzying new bathroom by NYC’s premiere specialty painters When Annemarie Flynn and Andrea Patterson of Evolving Image stopped in on a friend’s recommendation to show us their portfolio of detailed murals and wall treatments, they saw the dismal white walls of the small bathroom in the Cool Hunting office and got inspired. After presenting us with a few ideas, we gave some feedback and the duo tapped the third in their partnership, artist and colleague Jeremy Stanger , to implement the geometric pattern of his design. The aqua-and-gray pattern now lines our entire bathroom, creating one cohesive, slightly psychedelic experience from floor to ceiling and elongating the narrow room. Along with a the revamped space, we can now count ourselves in the same company as other Evolving Image clients like the Metropolitan Opera House, Versace and The Plaza Hotel. From big to small, the custom painters tailor every design (commercial or residential) to each space, drawing on their consummate skills with color, proportion, graphics and interiors to create gorgeous, inventive spaces. Styles range from wallpaper-like patterning to fanciful trompe l’oeils and subtle textures, but all add character to a room and, like in our case, can solve size or other structural issues. After we suggested the service to our friends at the food-focused boutique PR firm YC Media , Evolving Image painted a massive artichoke over a striped pattern (created with a squeegee) on their office wall. In addition to eco-friendly paints, a variety of finishes including glazes, faux fabrics and plaster are available. The trio’s impeccable execution combined with seemingly endless capability turns any room into an open canvas for impressive decor.
How an iconic Canadian parka company is taking their handmade parkas in a new direction Nothing quite signifies cold like the image of a bundled-up kid with arms splayed to the sides. For those who’d rather minimize the bulk and unnatural limb positions, Canada Goose is in the midst of reinventing their typically function-over-fashion parka with more street-ready style. When the brand recently invited Cool Hunting on a tour of its factory in Toronto, we went along to learn all about their iconic parkas. Canada Goose’s appeal rests on two pertinent facts—the jackets are made entirely on Canadian soil by Canadian hands and the quality is irrefutable—a process we saw first-hand on Canada Goose’s factory floor. Starting in the design room, cutting patterns are developed and prototypes are stored. The jackets are cut out of Canada Goose’s proprietary blend of Arctic-Tech fabric, in one of their several heritage colors. They’re then stitched by hand and filled with different combinations of goose and duck down, using an ingenious device invented by former Canada Goose owner David Reiss that measures down by volume instead of weight. After finishing touches, quilting and trimming with coyote fur, the jackets are packaged, and shipped all over the globe from one of Canada Goose’s eight factories. Each jacket features Canada Goose’s signature design features, implemented for function in an Arctic environment—reflective tape, coyote fur, and grab loops on the neck and shoulders. Their parkas are standard wear among everyone who has to work in extreme temperatures, from Hollywood grips who stay on set all night to the champion dog-musher Lance Mackey , whose custom-designed parka has extra water bottle pockets on the interior and an extra-large ruff. Their reputation for quality—as well as their luxury prices—have made the jacket something of a status symbol among those in colder climes. Along with the police officers and park rangers whom the parka was originally intended for, Canada Goose also includes club bouncers among its fans, and its street appeal spread from there. With that in mind, Canada Goose has started developing different branches for this year, including jackets by acclaimed Japanese menswear designer Yuki Matsuda (pictured below) and a new Hybridge line, which we previously featured for its distinct gender-specific insulation. Prices range from $400 for the Hybridge line to several thousand for the Yuki Matsuda collection. Canada Goose parkas sell online or at select locations .
Our photographic tale of how Scotch whisky goes from barley to barrel to bottle One of the great pleasures of creating content for Cool Hunting is searching out great stories to tell. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to be given access to the people who make all kinds of wonderful things and the seldom-seen aspects of how they do it. This was the case with our visit last week to The Macallan distillery in the Scottish Highlands and the Clyde Cooperage in Edinborough. We felt the best way to tell their story was through the photos we took during our visit, where we met the people who create the whisky and experienced first-hand its journey from grain to bottle. Be sure to view the slideshow full screen and turn on titles and descriptions for the detailed story. We’re grateful that The Macallan invited us on this journey (though no obligation of coverage was agreed to and no compensation was received for doing so). We’ve truly developed an entirely new level of respect for the craft of making single malt Scotch whisky. RSS and iPad readers, please note that the full photo essay is only available on the site. Photography by Josh Rubin
Apply to be Cool Hunting’s next graphics, editorial or publishing intern Do you like what we do and want to be a part of it? Cool Hunting is looking for interns to help with all aspects of publishing the site. The ideal candidates will have a combination of skills ranging from exceptional writing, to graphic production, a bit of HTML knowledge and a super-keen eye. Work will be on-site in New York City and a minimum of 20 hours per week. While intern work includes responsibilities that cross disciplines, we are seeking to fill the following areas: – Editorial: research, copy editing, fact checking and story entry – Graphics: photo editing, basic info graphics and presentation layouts – Sales and marketing: research, production assistance on special projects, pitch support and light administrative work If you’re interested in applying, please send a brief cover letter, resume and samples of your work (or URL to portfolio) to internship [at] coolhunting.com.
Bite-size video interviews on the future of design from creative minds around the globe Little & Company’s Thirty Conversations on Design begins today with its second-annual web video series. We featured the project’s launch last year , which probes creative minds around the world with two questions: “What single example of design inspires you most?” and “What problem should design solve next?” Make sure to check out the site to see answers from an outstanding group of people, spanning Tony Hawk to Daniel Pink to one of Cool Hunting’s very own.
NYC’s art book fair returns for its fifth year with an exciting lineup of events and books The fifth-annual NY Art Book Fair is around the corner, and organizer Printed Matter (NYC’s premiere art bookstore) have put together an exciting lineup of readings, signings, limited editions and more from an intriguing cadre of artists and international presses. The world’s biggest art book fair, the three-day-long events at MoMA PS1 showcase some of the brightest minds in contemporary publishing. Highlights include artist Leidy Churchman ‘s lobby installation—a massive set of facsimile book paintings on wood that depict “artists’ publications from the last hundred years”—as well as a special gallery project from San Francisco’s Gotebl
Turn floors into fantasy with a new collection of imaginative rugs Previously featured on Cool Hunting for their handcrafted, clever take on carpets, German brand Floor to Heaven continues to turn thoughts into pictures with a new collection of floor coverings. The German company—totally devoted to “custom made floor couture”—demonstrates a passion for details with this latest series, which includes Adam & Eve, Neon Punk and Coco. While Floor to Heaven’s rugs sometimes look and feel like tapestry, they still keep a strong material consistency. Here soft bamboo fibers replace conventional silk, denim backgrounds shine with neon colors, lace shapes bloom and metal becomes soft to the touch. Made with materials such as silk, New Zealand wool and viscose, mythical gardens, lightning and thunder inspired Adam & Eve. Fluorescent colors, at the core of the Neon Punk line, reinterpret the most classical houndstooth motifs with flamboyant yellow, pink and orange. Even more transgressive, these carpets double as outdoor coverings. Coco represents (of course) an homage to the legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel. Floor to Heaven interprets Mademoiselle Chanel’s iconic designs with groundbreaking combinations of materials and washings to transform her fabrics into unusual 3D surfaces. To purchase Heaven to Floor carpets, visit their site .
An exclusive video documenting Billy Reid’s modern Americana spin on Levi’s workwear roots For both the neo-Americana-obsessed and denim-heads alike, menswear designer Billy Reid’s collaboration with Levi’s is a holy brand pairing, marrying Levi’s workwear roots with Reid’s modern cuts, fabric choices, and finishes. This behind-the-scenes video (a Cool Hunting exclusive) visits Reid at work on the craft of deconstructing garments for the 10-piece collection, as inspired by a visit to the legendary Levi’s archive. Citing a worn and stained work apron from the turn of the century as his “muse,” Reid incorporated it into several of the designs. A hunting jacket has a removable, fully-functional version of the apron that works as an internal game pouch, while the design of a tote comes from experiments in folding the apron into a bag shape. Images of the resulting garments (also exclusive to this publication) play to Reid’s own down-home heritage, using his annual “Shindig” held at his Florence, AL headquarters as a setting for working musicians from the neighboring town of Muscle Shoals to model the line. Check out more from the series as well as product shots in the gallery below . Following Levi’s successful collaboration with Robert Geller last year, this project is Levi’s third tapping winners of GQ’s “Best New Menswear Designers in America.” You’ll want to hurry to Bloomingdale’s and Billy Reid locations, or their online stores, to scoop up the goods (ranging) from $45-$295) when they debut 10 September 2010.
A Cool Hunting Video on the people selling Americana of all sorts at the U.S.’s biggest flea market This video checks in with the sellers who come to the Brimfield Antique Show , which three times a year inflates the population of Brimfield, Massachusetts from 3,000 to a quarter million. From a dealer who specializes in Masonic ephemera to a sculptor who uses scrap metal as his material, we took a look at the community who gives shoppers reason to travel far and wide to the small town. (For a look at the collectors, check out our companion video .)
