Shinola: Brand Plans Relaunch In Detroit With Watches, Bikes, Cola and Notebooks
Taking a name that’s likely recognizable among the last few generations, Detroit-based consumer goods company Shinola is hoping to make it easy to tell shit from Shinola. First imagined in Dallas a few short years ago, the relaunch of the more-than-100-year-old company recently made the move to a 60,000 square foot space in Detroit’s midtown neighborhood. Drawn in by a city with open arms and a rich history of manufacturing, Shinola felt that Motor City was the best place to stage its comeback for Fall 2012. Interested in exploring Shinola’s curiously focused range of “consumer goods”—the brand originally known for shoe polish is now creating watches, leather goods, notebooks and cola—we accepted an invite to check out the brand in Detroit. Shinola ambitiously plans to make each of these products right here in the U.S. whenever possible. In order to realize the best possible execution with domestic production, Shinola has placed collaboration at the core of its business and design strategy. Housed on the fifth floor of what was formerly home to General Motor’s engineering, research and design department—the first designated department of its kind in the auto industry, one responsible for inventing the automatic transmission engine, introducing tail fins, …
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EXPENSIVE TASTE: Louis Vuitton Waffle Maker
Andrew Lewicki brings us this fancy-pants Louis Vuitton waffle maker. It leaves the iconic LV monogram print on your batter-based breakfast. You could call it the classiest waffle maker money can’t buy. Because it’s not currently in production, see. But if you’re on the market for one of these luxury breakfast machines, don’t get your million dollar panties in a wad just yet. I’m sure if you’re really rolling in the dough, Andrew will happily make one for you. Source
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Fall Fashion Preview: NYFW Fall 2012 Trend Report
After watching hundreds of outfits come down the runway in dozens of shows over seven days of New York Fashion Week, ESSENCE has identified the five key trends to look out for. From fierce leather looks to cheerful brights and perky prints, here are the top five fashion trends you’ll be focusing your fall wardrobe around. Bold Brights The most refreshing trend of the season is bright, bold color. Work this look by pairing your basic winter neutrals with vibrant shades that will liven things up. Jad Ghandour Fall 2012 runway Bold Brights Reboot your little black body-con staple with an electric hued one that will highlight your best assets. Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2012 runway. Sheer Pleats Blocks of color horizontally and vertically highlighting pleats add a fresh twist. BCBGMAXAZRIA Fall 2012 runway. Sexy Leather Leather truly is timeless, but it seems to be more popular now than ever. When shopping for pieces like a pussybow blouse or bodycon dress, switch it up and choose a leather look instead. …
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NEW MUSIC: 50 Cent x Dr.Dre x Alicia Keys “New Day”
When we got word that Alicia Keys would be loaning her new song “New Day” to 50 Cent for his forthcoming album Street King Immortal, we could hardly contain ourselves. The last time Keys let an MC borrow one of her hooks, we got Jay-Z‘s “Empire State Of Mind,” and we all know how that turned out. This song wisely doesn’t try to top that. Instead of going the anthem route, Fiddy and Dr. Dre (with Eminem on the boards) turn the herky-jerky beat into a rallying cry. Hear the new cut below. 50 Cent ft. Dr. Dre and Alicia Keys, “New Day” You feeling it? SOURCE
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ALBUM REVIEW: Rick Ross’ ‘God Forgives, I Don’t’
BY: Israel Daramola So instead of just giving a regular album review for Ross’s new record “God Forgives, I Don’t”, I’m going to give a breakdown of each song and then give my analysis of the album at the end. And just to make things more fun, instead of giving ratings like stars or thumbs up I will rate each song on what I call the God Forgives… scale. Why do all of this for a Rick Ross record you may ask in your mind (because asking out loud would make you look crazy)? The best question is why haven’t we been doing this for all Rick Ross (and the like) albums. Let’s begin now shall we: “Pray For Us” (Album intro) That’s Menace II Society right? I know I’ve heard this before.. Someone please confirm that for me. Update: After further analysis, it’s actually the prayer Pea and Jody have in Baby Boy. Oh, Ross always an appreciator of the hood movies. 2. “Pirates” This is one of those songs I call “Ross Filler”, one of those Rick Ross songs that sounds like a whole bunch of other Rick Ross songs and instantly forgettable after it’s done. Also: The …
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ON THE TUBE: MTV’s House of Style Returns!
Fashion’s been having a ‘90s moment for a few minutes now. Then today, all of a sudden, boom! MTV announced what might be the biggest comeback of the whole retro-style revival. That would be House of Style. Launched in 1989 and eclipsed in magnitude only by the fall of the Berlin Wall, the TV classic that taught millions of viewers the difference between gaudy and Gaultier will return just in time for Fashion Week this fall. No word yet who’s going to fill Cindy Crawford’s very famous stilettos (or who’ll take over Todd Oldham’s DIY segment). The new host will be announced at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 6. And while we’ll have to wait until the fall for new episodes, the documentary House of Style: Music, Models and MTV will revisit the show’s former glory when it airs on August 7. If you still crave more, MTV Style says it will show each new episode on its website before airing on the network, and has already uploaded the show’s entire ten-year archive, including tons of designer interviews—Gianni Versace and Franco Moschino are highlights—as well as of backstage footage of the Trinity (Naomi, Linda, Christy—duh!). Good luck getting any …
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SUMMER RECIPE: Watermelon Cooler
Ginger ale makes watermelon sparkle with a crisp, clean taste. Yield: Serves 6 to 8 Ingredients 3 pounds watermelon 2 tablespoons fresh mint 1 tablespoon superfine sugar Ice cubes 1 1/4 cups ginger ale 1/4 cup vodka 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 3 or 4 splashes bitters Fresh mint, for garnish Directions Puree watermelon in a food processor. Muddle mint with sugar in a large pitcher; fill with ice cubes. Stir in 2 cups puree, ginger ale, vodka, lemon juice, and bitters. Garnish with fresh mint. SOURCE
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FASHION: The Summer Boot
VOUGE: Who doesnt love a sandal this time of year, but what to do if you’re looking for a shoe to toughen up your ladylike sundress for city wear (think less beach, more street) or hide your toes when your pedicure is looking a little worse for wear? Look no further than a summer bootie (seen here on Ginta Lapina in Stockholm Street Style)…suede, leather, embellished, buckled, what-have-you—and pick a pair that hits no higher than the ankle or mid-calf to avoid one possible pitfall: overheating. Not only do they look a little unexpected—and who doesn’t want that?…but wearing summer boots well also ensures you’ll have a broken-in pair (boasting all the marks of a fun, well-traveled summer) to take you fashionably through the upcoming fall months. With the summer only halfway over, what better time to search for a pair than this weekend? Here is Vogue’s list of wearable favorites ISABEL MARANT Jenny brushed-suede ankle boots, $565 net-a-porter.com TABITHA SIMMONS Zip buckle-bootie, $1,195 nordstrom.com MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA Painted transparent boots, $895 ssense.com N.D.C. Sunday Punch Belt Softy boots, $620 barneys.com BALENCIAGA Papier ankle-wrap boot, $945 barneys.com CHLOÉ Studded python ankle boots, $1,750 net-a-porter.com MARK MCNAIRY Suede jodhpur boot in white, …
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NEW MUSIC: J. Cole Samples The Throne & Beyonce On “The Cure”
“My bed is like a deck of cards, two black queens,” J. Cole raps on the new track “The Cure,” but the real royalty comes courtesy of the song he samples… The Throne‘s “Lift Off,” featuring vocals from the Queen Bey herself, Beyonce. “The Cure” references everyone from Abraham Lincoln to Keenan and Kel to Kanye West himself as J. Cole dubs himself “the new Nat King.” Agree? Hear it for yourself below. SOURCE
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FRANK OCEAN Performs @ Terminal 5 in NYC
This past Thursday, I got a chance to travel to NYC to catch Frank Ocean perform on his somewhat intimate club tour. With the release of his controversial debut album Channel Orange dropping two weeks previous to rave reviews and wonderful record sales (Debut at #2)… and being a fan myself I went to see what the fuss was about… up close and personal! Although Frank has not been known to do many shows before his debut release…even with the popularity of his mix-tape ‘Nostalgia-Ultra’ this is really the 1st time we (the audience) get a chance to see him in all his glory outside of an Odd Future show. Ocean didn’t have any opening acts, wardrobe changes or huge bands… simply himself a mic and his small band. It was a rainy New York evening…which somehow matched the soothing nature of Frank’s music.. He opened the show with a cover of Sade’s ‘By Your Side’…Then went into his own work both older and new cut’s from Channel Orange, including Novacane, Thinkin’ Bout you, Sweet Life, Crack Rock, Pyramids and more… the crowd loved every moment of it… singing along or shall I say SCREAMING the songs at the top of …
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