Lately you have been seeing a lot of mens fashion that has been influenced by American work-wear. Many European fashion heads will contest that work wear is in fact the only thing that America has contributed to the world of fashion at large.

You may agree or disagree with that notion but everyone should agree the the latest boots from the American footwear stalwart Timberland are an example of the perfect intersection of work wear and fashion.

Timberland was founded in 1951 by a premier New England cobbler named Nathan Swartz. After years of fixing other peoples shoes, Nathan constructed a rugged waterproof leather work boot in a distinct yellow-tan leather that is still at the heart of the Timberland brand. In the 80s and 90s Timberlands became associated with Hip Hop and urban culture but while the company was riding the success of that trend they were stayed true to their values building hard wearing, long lasting boots, with classic style.

In 2005 Timberland launched the a sub brand called the Timberland Boot Company, with a nod to the workers of those early years and an eye for fashionable timeless boots. These are boots from a company serious about its values and its history, made for people who admire quality, authenticity and classic design that evolves with the seasons. They have built robust footwear rooted in a post-industrial mindset that combines the best traditions of mass manufacture with the earlier ideals of craftsmanship.  Details like Vibram® soles, or the ergonomically fitting moulded leather midsole, encompass the art of the cobbler and are steeped in the collection.

I personally own a pair of these boots and have been surprised how quickly they have become my favorite footwear. They do what any article of fashion clothing should aspire to do, they make me feel something. They make me feel un-intimidated by the elements, they make me feel like kicking ass, and they make me feel like waving an American flag with a hint of fuck you to the European fashion snobs.

There are a 1000 reasons that most men wish they were James Bond, but now there is a new best reason. There are the amazing cars from Alfas to Astons, there are all the gadgets, the best of all the perennially charming fuck you super spy attitude that wins you the bed any women. The latest Bond installment Quantum of Solace should be called Quantum of Hotness in honor of this year’s new Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko .

Olga Kurylenko Was born in the Ukraine in 1979 to a Ukrainian father and a Russian mother. Olga got her break as a model when she discovered by a model scout in Moscow when she was only 13. By the time Olga was 17 she was modeling for Paris based Madison modeling agenc y and by the age of 18 she had already appeared on the covers of Vogue and Elle .

Olga has done since had a few small parts in mostly action movies, including the movie Hitman and recently in the Marky Mark flop called Max Paymne. Olga is an ethnic beauty with a sexual gravity that translates immediately to the silver screen. I just can’t wait to hear what kind of cheesy one liners our hero 007 will use to rid this cold war temptress of her soviet knickers. Looks like Bond Bond will be in his Martini’s for a White Russian, enjoy James , and we will all keep on wishing we were you.

It is hard to find a nice pair of shoes that are more unique and fashionable that a pair of Chuck Taylors but less expensive than designer sneakers from any of the big houses. Along comes a Scandinavian brand called Sneaky Steve with the perfect recipe for affordable fashion sneakers. The Sneaky Steve brand was born in 2007 and this is what they have to say about their mission.

Sneaky Steve shoes combine high fashion detailing and forward-thinking design at a surprisingly affordable price. Inspired by ’80s street and punk styles, with a touch of English Mod.

Be the first kind on your block to snag a pair of Sneaky Steve by heading over to Revolve. I am gonna get a few pairs ordered up for low profile sneakers this winter.

Aquascutum was established in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition, when tailor and entrepreneur John Emary opened a high quality menswear shop. Two years after opening the store John Emary patented a process for waterproofing wool and introduced the world to his new brand Aquascutum. Aquascutum is the Latin term for “watershed”.

Aquascutum’s overcoats became the standard issue for British military officers from the Crimean war through the first and second world wars. As demand exploded Aquascutum built a factory in Cornby, Northamptonshire. This factory is were Aquascutum still produces most of its garments today.

While many of the highest quality brands have moved large parts of their production to the far east, the “Aquascutum Crafted in England” label is a badge of pride that is revered the world over.

When you are really ready to step up your game to a quality and style that will never go out of style wander over to Aquascutum

Sept. 26 2008 may mark the death of the last real man. Paul Newman was more than a handsome and talented icon from the silver screen. While many of his roles defined what it was to be a man for an entire generation, it was his off screen life that tells the tale of a man we should all rise to emulate.

Paul Newman served his country as a tail gunner on a naval torpedo bomber in WWII returning from the war to complete his college degree in 1949. After college he headed to Broadway acting in a few major productions before moving to Los Angeles to expand his career as an actor.

As an actor Newman became a world wide icon, appearing in dozens of films and was nominated for 7 academy awards. Even as a prolific actor Paul Newman found the time to pursue his hobbies from car racing to political activism. Newman was known for supporting liberal candidates and causes including gay rights.

As a racer Paul Newman raced in famed races such as 24 hours of LeMans and Dayton, as well as several championships in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Newman went on to own several race teams from cars in the CanAM series to full Nascar cars.

As he retired from acting and racing Paul Newman began a new chapter in his life that is perhaps the most lasting part of his legacy. In 1982 he launched a line of consumer products called Newman’s Own. Starting with salad dressing and Pasta sauce the line grew to include nearly 50 products. The idea behind the Newman’s Own products was to deliver premium products and give all profits from the sale of the goods to charity. As of 2006 Newmans own had raised $250 million for charity.

Paul Newman brave, talented, handsome. He was a lover of life, he loved his work and it showed, he loved his family, he loved racing cars and most of all he was passionate for leaving this world a better place for his having lived in it.

Well done Paul Newman, may you rest in peace.

Clearly Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko has too much money but it looks like he may have something else to prove with his new bigger than “MEGA” GigaYacht called simply “A”. Melnichenko commissioned this yacht based on a design from Phillipe Starck that seems to have a whole lot of Battleship inspiration.

The “A” is 387 feet long, with three pools, one master suite, six guest suites, and rooms for 42 staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing had a few Torpedo for those fun games that Billionaire Yacht owners like to play with one another. The best part of this super boat is not the 150 Million EUROs it cost to have built but that when you get ready for your sea voyage it cost $1.4 million to fill up with gas! Now that makes the “A” a 387 foot long middle finger pointed directly at poor people!

Well known French brand A.P.C has churned out a sharp fall/winter collection of classic styles with that certain I don’t know what. The trousers are all smart and slim and the I would buy one of each of the Jackets if several of America’s largest lending institutions weren’t all declaring bankruptcy.

A.P.C Needs to just keep on doing their French thing.

A.P.C. Doing fall right

God Bless America

Honestly I don’t know the complete biography of Yohji Yamamoto, but being born in Tokyo at the end of World War II he seemed unlikely to become an international fashion icon. Yohji Yamamoto grew up in post war Japan and took a sensible approach to his education pursuing a degree in Law from Japan’s Keio University. Yohji graduated as a lawyer in 1966, but instead of starting his career in law he took an unlikely turn and went back to school to pursue fashion. Attending Bunka Fashion College Yohji groomed his skills for years before making his international debut with a critically acclaimed Pret A Porte collection in Paris in 1981. Even as his the reputation for his line named Y’s,  grew in the international community Yohji was mostly unknown in the US.

In 2003 Yamamoto teamed up Adidas to introduce the Y3 line that covered men’s and woman’s sport inspired fashion and highly coveted Y3 sneakers.

Yohji Yamamoto is has the amazing talent of staying relevant and producing garments and shoes that are smart and challenging but also highly accessible. See the images below and marvel at the range of this 65 year old Japanese Lawyer who goes from street hotness of Gold high tops to fierce runway fashion.

Y3 mens style

Y-3 Honja Hi

Yohji’s Y’s 2008 Collection

Sometime in the 80’s we had a glimpse of the future, and that future was a righteous space dude who had a girl’s banana clip for glasses. Sure it looked dumb but it was well be worth it to end your blindness or better yet to give you special super vision.

Fast forward to 2008 presto the future is now!

We now have similarly dorky looking futuristic eye wear curtesy of MyVu . Does it offer site to the blind or supervision powers? No the only superpowers it gifts its users are the ability to watch movies from your ipod and to repel any woman who might have thought about touching your penis.

MyVu  creates a large viewing area and crystal clear sound for your viewing experience. You can be sitting on a plane and watch movies from your ipod in a full theater experience. (the lonliest theater ever)

Myvu Crystal viewers allow you to rid yourself of all your annoying friends and your hot girlfriend for only $299. Maybe just maybe, this MyVu spokeswoman might take pity on you since she is equally embarrased having been in the MyVu ads

Just when you think that companies had run out of tacky ways to help Rappers and Oil Magnates ruin individualize their ultra luxury cars you see something like this.  For a mere $25k (ish) a company called Alchemist will add the ultimate bling to your whip. We are talking about covering your car’s roof in 24k gold or platinum.

Sure adding gold to the roof of your car will make it marginally slower and it will handle worse,  but what it will really do is make you look like a silverspoon fed richie rich ass face who constantly needs attention and has something to prove because your daddy didn’t love you enough.

Unfortunately it is not a question of will these be popular but rather how popular. Two other questions also come to mind, how soon will it be before clever theives with sawsalls start making these golden chariots into convertibles and how long do I have to wait to see one of these on a honda civic.

Today Monday August 25 was the opening day for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Living in Denver and being an Obama fan this week feels like living history. The climate is electric in Denver with dozens of media personalities and hundreds of police in riot gear, with supporters and protesters, pro-lifers and ultra Christians shouting out Bible passages it is unlike anything I have seen.

For many I think it is just an excuse to get in front of a camera with this cause or that, and for others (like myself) I think it is just to be part of the spectacle but people are flooding the streets in Denver. It is amazing to see people taking interest, whatever there motivation, and all I can think is that maybe our American Democracy with all its faults and flaws is not quite dead. More than anything I hope that this electric atmosphere and this media circus translate into record voting in November.

When people think of partying they probably think of the epic hollywood parties of California or the Hipster parties of NYC, but Waterloo Canada seems to be trying to put itself on the party map. On a regular Wednesday night a fun loving chap in Waterloo is taking the term party to a whole new level. James Boppre is an ex-con out on house arrest for drunk driving and weapons charges, and he has decided that this particular Wednesday is something worth celebrating. Despite his previous troubles with alcohol he starts his party by rounding up some cheap whiskey which promptly got him in the proper mood for the good times ahead. The next part of his night would require some wheels so he got in his trusty old pick up, the D.U.I mobile, and hit up all the Waterloo hot spots looking for some female company. He found a charming young lass at an agreeable rate who was also looking to party. At this point our captain and his new hooker friend drunk drive around town to find something hard enough to permanently revoke his house arrest status.

Score! They find some crack and begin the enchanting yet tawdry dance known as the high off my ass hooker hula. For even the hardest partyers among us this party would appear to be in full swing, but for Captain Canada he is not content to let this night end like every other Wednesday binge. He starts the truck, butt naked, and with crack smoke pouring from his nostrils he mashes the throttle. As he reaches warp speed, blowing stop lights, and swerving from lane to lane he commands his escort to start masturbating. This party is officially at 11, spearheaded by a drunk, cracked out, naked, nascar imitating, hillybilly with a raging boner. Basically he is the greatest threat to motorists in the history of paved roads.

To no one’s surprise within minutes Captain Canada blows through the apex of a crucial left hand turn and drives over a median coming to rest with the DUI mobile sodomizing some poor parked Honda accord.

Our naked hero flees on foot with little regard for the well being of his trusty masturbatory sidekick. As he runs into the wood several on lookers note his route and provide it to the police who are in hot pursuit. James is found only a few hundred feet into the woods in what his small tortured brain figured was a perfect hiding spot.

Some may say lock this guy up for being a public menace, I say get a marketing team behind him and you could have the biggest name in Whiskey since Johnnie Walker.

Read the slightly less sensational account HERE

Louis Vuitton has dropped a new color way that is sure to become another LV classic. This understated black and grey monogramed check is known as the Damier Graphite Collection. Louis Vuitton is introducing the Damier Graphite line as part of the Fall / Winter 08 collection. I am starting to save my pennies cause I see a new wallet in my future.

how about the worlds most elegant gym bag.