I’m always on the lookout for a chic flat perfect for pounding the city pavement. Extraseed’s line of flats comes in a classic shape and a variety of subtle, wearable patterns that will add to, not distract from your outfit. As an added bonus, the shoes have a rich sustainable side: the soles are crafted from used car tires and the fabrics are the scrap remnants from garment factories – not that you could tell. At $38 a pop, you can feel good about doing something healthy for the environment, your closest, and of course, your wallet.

When you’re a designer, nothing’s off limits. Anything can inspire the next great idea. Today’s post features a mood board for bedding design. When you consider all of the accessories that accompany a standard duvet, it’s mind boggling. Everything from the assorted pillows to the ruffle skirt to the throw must coordinate in a cohesive manner. Here are six examples of how fashion’s color and detail direction can translate into simpler commercial textures:

1. 1. Matthew Cunnington et John Sanderson shoe
2. 2. Dries Van Noten shirt, SS10
3. 3. Anthropologie skirt, FW09
4. 4. Bottega Veneta grosgrain-trimmed dress
5. 5. Carlos Miele skirt
6. 6. Valentino leather jacket

We couldn’t help but get excited when we saw this censor scarf by Allsaints Spitalfields because it reminds us so much of the imagery from the Art of Conversation show in Berlin as well as our recent Spin it: Webcam Style post. Even more interesting, is that within this scarf, the details are censored. The faces are nothing but a blur when looked at in quick succession, though the design’s political spin adds an interesting and rather timely twist.

The Jack scarf is lovely too, in its moody swashes of color, looking almost like an abstracted appropriation of topography – a trend that’s been moving steadily through the ranks. We love these for their wearability, and for the fact that they’re not your everyday run of the mill hankies. [...]

The Dutch duo that is Stefan Scholten and Carole Baijings have been working together since they founded their design studio, Scholten & Baijings in 2000. Dedicated to an aesthetic of minimalism and intricate detail, this design force has become most famous for their keen arrangement of grids, gradients and patterns. Their catalog of work consists of home goods and fashion accessories and is quite inspirational, regardless what medium you’re accustomed to working in. Check them out!

Paper inspired fashion’s been making a come back for some time now. Economy-conscious retail displays, photo shoot backdrops, ad campaigns and merchandise are collectively toying with the perception of luxury, fashion and mass consumption. This Comme des Garcons advertisement is a playful stab at paper’s short shelf life. The unconventional layout distorts the model, looks like trash and invites the viewer to laugh at the irony of the storyline.

Following a similar creative path, Craig McDean‘s Paper Bag Princess spread from the September ’09 issue of W Magazine pairs discarded shopping bags with beautifully disenchanted models for a bag-lady inspired layout. Everyone in the fashion world knows how important the shopping bag is, as a foil stamped logo paired with thick paper provides consumer acceptance and a way to prove you can afford what’s inside. The out-of-store [...]

Our collective fascination with culture crossing is nothing new, though every now and then it’s important to sit up and take note of new projects. Serge Mouangue is an artist worthy of this attention, as proven by his Wafrica collection, a breathtaking cultural shakeup. This styled photoshoot combines the strength of bold and bright African textiles with the grace of the traditional Japanese Kimono. Strength and grace. Two contrasts united in women. “They may appear different on the surface but they do share some cultural similarities. Both societies are very tribal and have a respect for hierarchy and an appreciation of the power of silence,” says Mouangue when asked about the theme of this project. “And then there are the differences. In Japan there is no improvisation. Here, improvisation can mean trouble, shame, difficulties. But [...]

A little over a year ago, Sovereign Beck inspired my second post. Using creative eyes and conservative hands, Ryan Sovereign and William Beck continue to prove that men’s fashion can be both classic and cutting edge. The latest collection is a reminder that it’s the subtleties that make the man, whether the details are conveyed in print, pattern or a combination of both. Check out our Q+A with this Brooklyn creative force for a glimpse into their daily routine!

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PP: What websites and/or news sources do you generally start your day with- do you have a daily routine for news/blog/information consumption?

RS: No [...]