Arts & Crafts: Dee & Ricky?

-The media, Marc Jacobs, Scott Shumann, basically everyone, loves Dee & Ricky. And because I love nostalgia-inspired design and I really love Lego, I'm inclined to love the brothers-turned-design-team as well, but I'm not sure if I do. I love the fact that they've employed an innovative yet relatively simple idea, and a lot of the press they've received is well deserved. They struck at the perfect moment, a time when hip-hop icons like Pharrel and A3K are proliferating a sort of garish preppy swag. I really dig the cigarette brooch and the belt buckles and most of their products, even the barrets and stuff for women.

-So I had the thought awhile back, 'Maybe I'll buy one of those Dee & Ricky brooches, I wonder how much they are?' Then I looked and saw that they're all around $75 which isn't bad for designer accessories. But then I had another thought: 'I could just fucking make this shit myself.' Really, I have a shit load of legos anyway, and if I didn't I could acquire them cheaply, and then I'd just need some glue and a safety pin. So here's the question, is it more legit to own a piece from the originators, or to do it yourself exactly how you'd like it, and for less money?

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Dress Code: Recent Obsession, Badass Kids Clothes

-Glenn O'Brien's article Too Cool for School from City Magazine a couple years ago explored the frivolousness of expensive clothes for kids. With humor and characteristic Style Guy wit, the article made the obvious points: Children get dirty, grow quickly, and can be dressed respectably without spending a great deal. Though I often note budget as my primary sartorial concern, I've recently been overcome with a desire to have my kids look as badass as possible. For no reason at all I've assembled some clothes that make me wish I was 7 years old, above, from Polo and below, from Little Marc Jacobs. 

-Click the images for the bigger versions.

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Design Major: Bad Trend FW/09

-Pimpin in 09? Not so much. Let's hope this doesn't catch on. Left: Marc by Marc Jacobs, right: Diesel Black Gold.

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Design Major: Marc by Marc Jacobs FW/09

-More than anyone, Marc Jacobs understands the beauty of layers. He is brilliant in his ability to capture the likely products of youthful sartorial whim. That first scarf looks like it's from Old Navy though.
-Photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style

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Design Major: MJ x LV x SS

-I'd heard about Marc Jacob's latest project as LV creative director awhile back. But this interview in which he explains to inspiration behind the Graffiti collection, which heavily references the late American designer Stephen Sprouse, really made me take notice. I love the idea of adding color over an iconic print. For more info check out the interactive accompanying web site welovesprouse.com. more

Design Major: KAWS x Marc Jacobs

-Pop artist KAWS (aka Brian Donnelly), the guy who makes those toys everyone likes and who collaborates with almost every streetwear powerhouse, has gone in a different direction with his latest collaboration. Donnelly has teamed up with Marc Jacobs to design these flats, complete the signature KAWS Xs for eyes. more

Media Studies: Take Cover

-The American Society of Magazine Editors just presented the list of nominees for the year's best magazine cover. Our personal favorite is the above Interview cover, which is the only non-political nominee for Cover of the Year. Winners in eight categories will be announced at the American Magazine Convention on October 6th. In the meantime, check out ASME's Top 40 Covers of the Last 40 Years here.
-As for our favorite regional publication, The Stranger recently released their annual Back to School Guide, an all-purpose instruction manual that details everything from "How to Drink Like an Adult" to "How to Be a Lefty Without Being Annoying". Consider it a must read for every incoming college student. more

Design Major: NYC Spring 09 Marc by Marc Jacobs

-As a diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs has become a place where the designer can be a bit less refined in his explorations. This collection threw us handfuls of nonchalant layering, hinting a bit at the early 90s grunge explosion. But amidst the randomness is an incredible collection of exquisite individual pieces, unexpected fits, and intense colors. These are the kind of looks I wouldn't suggest making a habit, but there are days when, if you're naturally stylish, you can throw on a bunch of (seemingly) random shit and know you still look better than most people.
-As always, check photos and analysis of our favorite looks from the collection after the jump.

-Yeah maybe the lavender meets orange isn't a good idea, but its about the assembly. Playing with variable sleeve lengths is a great way to use layers in a new way.

-I think I could get this look with my members only jacket and my red jeans.


-I love this on head-to-toe intricate pattern, but the proportions give it it's "I don't give a fuck" attitude.

-I'm over the hats and sneakers of most of the spring shows, but I like the rolled shorts and how a blazer or a suit jacket can be just another unimportant layer.
-Photos by Marcio Madeira via men.style.com more

Design Major: Lego Love

-If you're a male who grew up in the 80s or 90s you have an inborn love of Legos. When bored, I often find myself wishing I still had the thousands of multicolored little squares I possessed as a child.
-I was already flipping shit when Marc Jacobs pulled out the crazy Lego accessories earlier this year. Now LifeHacker has tipped me off to the coolest fucking thing ever, Legos Digital Designer, which is freeware for both Windows and OSX. Also, it seems apt to mention that Lego is another example of progressive Danish design.
-Furthermore, Lego and Nintendo have followed up their sick as fuck (really) Lego Star Wars video game series, with Lego Indiana Jones.

-Nerds diss on the Lego games because, well, you never die, making the games incredibly easy. But shooting storm troopers that explode into flying Lego bricks is endlessly fun. And! The real secret I discovered, girls love playing them; you can't say that about too many other video games.
-Below: Dudes enjoying the aforementioned Marc Jacobs Lego accessories, photo from the cobrasnake

-Click to enlarge more

Economics 101: High Grade Shades?

-On Style.com today there was an article about fresh new sunglasses. We respect the site and the shades they chose, but most of the shades (like those pictured below) were in the $300-400 range. 

-Given that we are college students and aim to inform college students, who generally don't have large quantities of expendable funds, I'm asking if designer sunglasses are really worth that much cheddar?

-Now, if you're in the market for ill shades on a budget, Blacktooth¹, the apparel extension of Portland artist Carey Haider, has some fresh pairs (like those pictured below) for between $10-20.

1-More on Blacktooth in the near future

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