My pals over at Rotter and Friends have just released a slew of new T-shirt designs, one featuring an exclusive drawing by former Welcome Back Kotter star Ron Palillo, who you likely remember better as the funny and endearingly annoying Horshack. The intricate design is the first of two limited edition pieces commissioned, and it's printed on a mint-colored T and is available exclusively at the Rotter and Friends pop-up holiday shop at Moli.com for both men and women for $37. Don't walk ... run, because they will likely run out. This is a collector's item.

This weekend, Puma opened a Black Station store in Tokyo, the third store of its kind. Black Station is a Puma-supported cutting-edge collaboration between multiple designers, including Alexander McQueen, 96HOURS (Neil Barrett's line), Mihara Yasuhiro and others. The forward-thinking line gives Puma lovers an edge over other consumers not only in what they wear but also where and how they shop. This space, with its clean lines and minimalist interior, looks like it will bode well with the Japanese consumer.

                                                 

[via Hypebeast]

Barneys New York recently teamed with eco-friendly clothing brand Loomstate to launch an exclusive line called Loomstate for Barneys Green. The sexy, hip and fun women's line just launched featuring lightweight knit dresses and tops, watercolor-washed graphics, soft fleece hoodies, denim shorts and skirts that come in a variety of colors including sea glass green, blue smoke and sandy mauve. Barneys approached Loomstate to kick off its Green line because of the company's reputation for respecting the environment. Loomstate uses only 100 percent organic cotton and wool and sustainable materials to make their clothes and is committed to ensuring workers live better lives. A percentage of profits from the sale of Loomstate for Barneys Green will benefit 1% For the Planet, an alliance of businesses that recognize their impact on the planet and donate a percentage of their profits to help create a healthier world. Check out Loomstate for Barneys Green -- for Barneys, it's surprisingly not that expensive.

It's here: Madge's commercial for her new H&M line. And it's hilarious. Watch and laugh bitches...

If you like Girlies like I like Girlies then you're going to fall over yourself for the new line of T-shirts from Rotter & Friends. Jessica Rotter and Alison Zero, two of the best music publicists in the biz (they work for Girlie Action in New York -- get it? Girlies?) just launched the website for their hard work-in-progress T-shirt company that depicts adorable designs by Ms. Rotter (one of my favorite peeps in the world). The retro cartoon-like designs are shown via an easy-to-navigate minimalist website. The very rock 'n roll shirts (currently there are four designs) are made for men and women, and show cool scenes and even cooler people (John Phillips, anyone?) and kick-dancing records (yes, vinyl!). The shirts run about $37 (a steal these days, if you ask me) and are listed by "title": Wolfking of LA; Play Your Records; Rapture Sublime and West Side Chickens. And when you're done shopping, hit the "fun" section and check out a little Rotter Radio. If I know Jess, she's no doubt spinning some great tunes. Nice work, ladies!

Craighton Berman, a local industrial designer I met a couple of months ago after a presentation given by Josh Spear in Chicago, was just awarded an honorable mention at Design Within Reach's "Modern+Design+Function" Exhibition for Pinch, an eggshell white salt and pepper set. The design was inspired by a chef's salt cellar kept next to the stove top for easy access. Berman's design took it to the next level by incorporating a round pepper shaker (filled through a cork-enclosed hole in the bottom) that fits into the salt cellar, creating a natural cover to keep the salt from being exposed to the elements (or curious dirty fingers). While the set is in production development, there are limited quantities for sale. To inquire, shoot Berman an email. And tell him I say hi. If you like Pinch hit Fueled By Coffee, Craighton's blog where he muses mostly about design and music.
 

Hitting your head while skiing can put a real damper on your vacation. That's what the creators behind Swiss-based Ribcap thought too. So they designed a new hat to protect their noggins. Yours too. In addition to being really cool, super stylish and hip, the secret behind Ribcap's push into the marketplace is what's inside the woolen cap: d3o.

D3o, created by d3o Lab in England, is a flexible, rubber-like material sewn into the cap that hardens upon impact -- immediately. There isn't a chance to blink -- it hardens to protect your head that fast. And as soon as the impact is over, the material becomes soft and mushy again. This is one of those concepts that's somewhat hard to grasp -- how can something become hard that fast? -- but once you see it in action, you get it right away. Wearing a Ribcap, which is guaranteed to work down to approximately -10 degrees,  gives you a stylish alternative to wearing a helmet on the slopes. Instead of a cumbersome hard structure, you get a soft and cozy knit cap made of a wool/polyester blend that helps reduce itching.

The first batch of hats, designed by Berlin-based design company Frisch, premiered in 2005 -- six years after Ribcap founder Jürg Ramseier, a former ski instructor in the Swiss Alps, concepted the idea. The latest designs came to life by Basel design duo, Lisa & Tom. All in all, there are 10 styles in various colors and designs. Ribcaps are available at retail throughout Switzerland for about $100 and from a few online shops, which are all written in German.

The beauty of d3o is that is can realistically be woven into nearly anything -- pants, gloves, shoes -- to offer ultimate protection against problems in everyday life, even the impact of (the off-chance of) getting hit by a car can be greatly reduced. There are already a number of sports recreation clothing companies incorporating d3o technology into their products -- and I only imagine this will continue to permeate the fashion industry.
 

Now I'm not one to really hype a Skype phone (although there are a lot out there), but when I saw this trio of elegance on Everything USB last week, I couldn't resist. Constructed in a sleek black casing, these phones definitely up the ante for VoIP-related phones. Futiro, a Galway, Ireland-based design company, works under the principles of innovation, creativity and quality. Based on looks alone, they've definitely achieved the first two (the phones actually remind me of the phone on the nightstand at myhotel). The only setback on the Futiro phones is that you have to keep them plugged in via USB to operate; hopefully they'll have either a WiFi- or Bluetooth-enabled phone sooner than later. The phones, which ShinyShiny also digs, range from $55 to $75 and are available from Futiro.

Chicago-based furniture designer Michael Heltzer premiered his Titanium line, which includes this great lounge chair for the summer (or year-round if you live five hours south -- by plane -- from Chicago). The chair looks like any other well-designed chaise, but this has a roll-away towel attached to the backside to retract or roll down onto the chair. I like this because it solves the problem of having your towel constantly falling down whenever you move to grab your water bottle, reapply your suntan lotion or get up to jump into the pool when you get too hot. This clever design always keeps your towel (made from eucalyptus-based, earth-friendly cotton) in place and moves it out of the way whenever you don't need it, which is never as long as you're on the lounge. The towel is removable for easy cleaning or replacing and the overall design is clean, sleek and sexy -- perfect for lounging by the pool. The titanium chairs come with blue silicone-filled gel cushions that either be made more cush or firm, depending on how lax you want to be.

Heltzer pieces are only sold through interior designers and architects, but you can find out how to get them here.

Once again, SuckUK, the London design house, has released an ingenious product: the tubemap wallet. Made of quality-grade black leather, this wallet, which retails for £35 (about $70), holds up to eight credit cards, has a fold-out see-through window for an ID and a cash sleeve. But the brilliant piece of the puzzle is the further folding out of the wallet reveals a full-color map of the London Tube (the wallet is also available for the New York City subway system). For anyone living in London or New York, this wallet allows you to carry one less item during your constant travels underground. Just don't loan your map to any suspicious-looking characters -- or you might end up losing more than your sense of direction.

After months of speculation in the blogosphere where numerous renderings, predictions and debate flared, Steve Jobs today -- actually just moments ago -- announced during his keynote at MacWorld in SF the forthcoming arrival of the iPhone. This revolutionary gadget will turn the cellular world on edge. Measuring an exceptionally thin 11.6 millimeters, the all-touchscreen phone is also Apple's newest true-video iPod, holding up to 8 GB of music, photos or video. The touchscreen itself is 3.5 inches wide and has a built-in sensor so that when it gets close to your face, it locks up. The iPhone comes with a built-in 2-mp camera, Bluetooth, WiFi and a quadband GSM radio with EDGE. It will run OS X and allow for rich HTML email (both IMAP and POP3), run Safari, Google Maps and widgets. Available, initially, through Cingular. Let the drooling being.

Update: The iPhone will begin shipping to the US in June and in Europe at the end of 2007. Cost? A 4GB version will run $499 while the 8GB phone will go for $599, of course both are attached to a two-year contract, but why would you want to give up the service?

If you're concerned about identity theft and also cherish style and quality, you must check out Stewart/Stand's stainless steel wallets. The first batch of wallets released last year were made entirely of steel cloth threads that are three times thinner than paper but durable as hell. The silky soft steel adds a layer of protection against electronic theft if you have any RFID chips embedded in your credit cards. The company recently introduced gorgeous leather wallets that are lined with the stainless steel, giving you both form and function. And the wallets are extremely affordable, most coming in between $50 and $100. The company has decent nationwide distribution, but you can also buy online at their site.

If you discovered a material that, when you touched it, immediately filled you with joy -- would you ever let it go? Would you want to roll around in it? Fill your wardrobe with it? Dress your baby or dog with it? Cover your couch with it? If you discovered Kashwére you would.

A sensational synthetic fabric that's a cross between cashmere, chenille and fleece, Kashwére is one of the softest things I have ever put against my body. What started as a small company making robes has exploded and now manufactures everything from baby wraps and men's caps to blankets, bath mats, socks and day beds.  Kashwére is so amazingly soft and delectable, that major spas, including those at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay and Four Seasons Whistler, outfit their treatment rooms with the furniture.

The fabric is completely washable (washer and dryer safe) -- even pillow covers come off the couch for easy cleaning. There's a Kashwére boutique in LA on Melrose and a line of dog products available at FurrMe. I stumbled upon Kashwére at Plush Living, a great home store in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, that is, I believe, this city's exclusive carrier of the line.

There was a time when having the same, white earbuds as other people in the world meant you were part of a community. It signified that you were ahead of the curve, that you knew how cool it was to have an iPod. But then everyone got one and, well, maybe you didn't want to be associated with everyone anymore. Shufflesome remedies that need for individuality with their iPod Sticker Outfits -- skin-like covers that dress up your iPod in a variety of senses. Shufflesome outfits are designed for the Nano and now for the second-generation Shuffle (just launched last week) by an international collective comprising 32 artists spanning 14 nations (including Italy, Spain, Australia, China and the US) and was started in Cologne, Germany by Alexander Ebrahim Schneider. Whether you're into a ghetto blaster, flowers, skulls, snowboarding or a leather fetish gorilla, you'll be hard-pressed to not find something to make your iPod your own. And you can submit your own designs for consideration -- and if you're a company, submit your corporate identity for a custom sticker outfit. Shufflesome Outfits are sold worldwide and cost about $9.

Jack Spade makes a range of great men's products -- bags, accessories, books, paper goods, travel pieces and more -- and their site was a little cumbersome. They recently launched a redesign that puts all the products on the home page in a sort of tag cloud setting. You can browse the page, scroll over each individual item to get more information and click on the image to go directly to the product's page.

                      

                                        

I love bags. Honestly, it's a good thing I'm not a woman because I think I would spend all my money on bags and purses. Fortunately I have limited need to have a bag with me at all times but when I do find a good one, I usually go for it -- be it a man-bag (aka the "murse"), laptop bag or a perfect beach bag (whenever I'm lucky enough to go on a warm-weather vacation). So the other day when I discovered Passchal's Dad's Baby Bag, made from recycled truck and tractor tire inner tubes, I flipped. I should come clean that I don't have any kids (and don't have plans to have them any time soon) so fortunately this fantastic bag has multiple uses.

First off, the bag is deep and super wide -- wide enough for a laptop and many other things. It has a waterproof lining (which would be great for today's abysmal snow storm that hit Chicago), spots for a cell phone and iPod (with holes for your headphones to snake through), mesh water bottle holder (see how I'm adapting it from "baby bottle holder" -- pretty clever, no?) and loads of little pockets. It's stylish, durable and uber efficient. It has an adjustable shoulder strap and is lined with black hemp for extra strength.

It normally retails for $175, but Passchal is currently offering a special holiday price of $119.

There's playing a game -- and then there's playing a game designed by Geoffrey Parker. Made for the discerning classic gamer, Geoffrey Parker has been creating exclusive board, travel and casino games for nearly 50 years. These hand-made, fine-crafted sets are woven and constructed in England and sold to stores like Barneys (today) and Harrods (back in the day) for well-heeled folks. The sets -- backgammon, Monopoly, chess and, of course my favorite, Scrabble -- have leather, wood-carved, gun-metal and ivory-carved pieces. The company which is now headed by Geoffrey's son, Max, has made in-roads into many of the world's top corporations (with its enticement of bespoke gifts), hotels and even worked alongside Gucci to produce an exclusive product for the Italian designer. The games will run you into the thousands (Monopoly is $4550 and Scrabble goes for $3300) and you can easily spend upwards of $500k for a one-of-a-kind board with silver, rubies, diamonds -- even real money for a Monopoly set. If you're willing to pay, Geoffrey Parker will deliver.

Building off the popularity of the Nike+ system, Nike has just released its Hatphones: a Therma-Fit soft fleece skull cap that has earbuds stitched into the hat and pull down right over your ears. There's also a slot inside the hat for an iPod Nano that when faced outwards gives you touch-panel control over what you're listening to. If you want to have more visaul control over the music, you can go "corded" and have your iPod extend downward outside the cap. This is just another great example of an iconic brand answering the need of the masses. Just because it's getting cold outside doesn't mean that your outdoor activities -- snowboarding, jogging, walking to work -- have to be as numbing as the frigid winter air.

Hatphones come in four colors -- black, grey, navy and red -- and are available for $60 at Nike.com.

Start is not one but two of the hippest clothing stores in London. Holding two storefronts down the street from each other in the city's trendy Hoxton enclave, Start carries an eclectic mix of styles for both men and women. Being more interested in the men's options, I popped into 59 Rivington Street (the original space) and found an amazing collection of designers from England, the Continent and abroad. The shop is owned by Philip Start (founder of menswear chain Woodhouse) and Brix Smith (former guitarist for the Fall in the '80s). Their backgrounds in fashion and music seamlessly intersected with the burgeoning artist, design and rocker cliques of Hoxton to create this little fashion haven.

Set on two floors, the shop itself is easy to navigate and aesthetically appealing, with exposed brick, a mix of patterns on the wall, dark wood displays and even a neon sculpture. For men looking for anything and everything, from accessories and shoes to suits, topcoats and hats, Start has it. It features wares from Miu Miu, Rykiel Homme, Comme des Garcon, PRPS, U-Boat watches, Mario Mateo, Tretorn sneakers, Nicolo Ceschi Berrini sweaters (so yummy!), REN Skincare -- not to mention the bespoke suit option and extensive denim selection. Start is a veritable men's department store whose presence only ups the cool factor in this uber-hot area. This could be London's answer to Barneys CO-OP -- at least until it crosses the pond. 

Paul Smith is one of my favorite designers. So when I was walking through the London neighborhood of Mayfair (just steps away from posh shopping district Bond Street) and saw his unmistakable signature gracing the sign of a furniture shop, I had to dive in. The shop is classic -- selling art, antiques, furniture and other "curiosities" Smith has found during his global travels. Many of the pieces are originals -- and some have even spent time in other Paul Smith shops around the world -- while others have been retouched or recovered with a splash of PS flair, color and whimsy. This weekend marks the year anniversary of the shop's opening. Wish I could be there to help celebrate.

The KRZR, the newest style offering from Motorola, hits stores in the US this (K1m CDMA model for Verizon) -- but has been available online since the weekend and is in Orange stores in the UK already. I received a K1 (GSM model) last week, right before leaving for London and I love it. The phone works perfectly over here -- no dropped calls, text messages come through without a problem and super fast. I was texting with a friend in Chicago last night and 30 seconds after hitting send, I got a response.

Its gorgeous blue metallic reflective case is eye-grabbing and the sleek design fits perfectly in your hand, pocket or wherever you want to put it. It's a little thicker than the RAZR, but slimmer in width overall.

The K1 has a 2 mp camera (with 8x zoom!) that is hardly noticeable in the case yet takes great images -- and the phone's 1.9-inch display with 176x220 resolution is crystal clear. Plus the phone features streaming bluetooth stereo with incredible sound for downloadable MP3s. The one feature that is surprisingly missing from this "advanced" model is the music control keys that sit on the front of the K1m. Not sure why Moto wouldn't incorporate that, especially if they built in the streaming stereo. [Note to Verizon customers: the K1m only has a 1.3mp camera and no streaming stereo.]

Overall, I'm really pleased with the phone's performance thus far, especially the ergonomic fit in my hand while talking. And apparently Sprint just announced it's adding the KRZR, RAZR and SLVR in November.

                     

This September, a new denim line for men and women will debut in stores throughout Chicago and its neighboring states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. bya Denim, launched by CEO Glen Schwartz and designer Stiles Anderson, is possibly the first-ever Chicago-based denim brand and it's freaking hot.

Glen and Stiles came by my place earlier today so I could try on the two men's styles: Emmet and Aiden. Both styles will come in two different washes, but each pair will have its own unique touches. The guys have been working toward this launch for close to two years and are, surprisingly, pretty relaxed. The jeans, as Stiles said, "are just a pair of jeans" that talk to the everyday person who wants a great pair of quality denim without all the bullshit enhancements and embellishments. The main difference: each pair of bya is handmade over the course of 6-8 hours and has a truly great wash.

Putting on both styles, I immediately was sold. They fit better than almost any pair of jeans I've tried on in the last couple of years (save a couple of G-Stars I have), and while one was a lower-rise boot cut (Emmet), it didn't encroach on my mid-section (read: package) like so many others do. They fit perfectly in the thigh and are long enough that I can take them to a local tailor and have them hemmed to my length. And while the Aiden had slight distressing in the upper thigh, it didn't bother me because, honestly, they made my ass look great -- and what better reason to buy a pair of jeans than ones that show off your assets?

bya, which stands for Billions of Years Ago, is one of a handful of denim lines being produced at Sights Denim Systems out of Kentucky (along with RRL and Levi's Vintage). Stiles, who is only 24 and used to work in the financial world, has added some great touches that make the denim characteristically bya, like the signature antique-looking button* (shown) and the green patchwork lining the inside of the pockets, a pattern Stiles modeled after one he saw on a chair at his grandparent's house.

bya will have a soft launch, producing only about 300 pairs of men's denim for September and will ramp up from there. The men's jeans, which will range from $185-$220, will be available starting Sept. 15.

* more on the button, which shows the dedication to the brand, straight from the designer:
"I spent a good 5 months and went through 2 fastener development companies trying to create this button.  Really wanted something authentically aged and unique; the oxidization is different on every piece, so no two buttons are exactly alike.  The best part of the button, and it's really only consciously noticeable by people who know buttons, is that it's the first button where four different elements have been used simultaneously:  (1) Asymmetrical edges used to show age and hammered-on effect, (2) concave surface, and both (3) raised lettering and (4) engraved lettering.  Although most people would not be able to recognize the one-of-a-kind contraction, I think the elements do balance the button and make it visually stimulating."

db clay, a Portland, Ore.-based wallet-design shop that makes edgy, fashion-forward, waterproof wallets out of highly durable gaffers tape canvas, is launching a unique line for holiday called Puzzle.

The 50 one-of-a-kind wallets, which debuted at the POOL tradeshow in New York, have the gaffers tape base, but what sets them apart is that each one has a totally unique exterior that features a custom piece of art. The company is able to essentially "burn" the graphics into the wallet because gaffers tape is fairly porous, allowing for the print to seep into the canvas. While the outside is truly yours, the interior will always be identifiable as a Puzzle by its black and gray thread, sewn white label and distinctive neon green lining.

The Puzzle wallets will be available this fall and if you're in NE Portland, drop by and visit their new showroom to view the Puzzle installation.

My pals over at ThisNext officially launched their beautiful new site this week. They had been in beta and what turned out is a fantastic community of people sharing things they love. It's kind of like a community of SomethingGloriouses coming together to discuss, recommend, blog and review items they have found out in the world and want to tell everyone about.

I initially was turned on to ThisNext by Aunt Beep who has a great blog of her own (she has a Hasselhoff festish -- how bad can she be?!). In this day of MySpace, YouTube and tagging, it was only time before a site like this popped up. It's really easy to get started on ThisNext and as my friend Josh points out, setting up a list of your own to talk about anything you want, is a snap.

So when you're looking for something interesting or new to buy or give as a gift, hit ThisNext. You'll be amazed at how much time you'll spend browsing. It's a great way to blow off an afternoon of work. I'm really just getting started with mine, but it could easily become addictive.

I just stumbled upon a new car that could likely change the way we look at the rising price of gas. The Tango, which is currently in slow production, is an 800-hp fully electric car, measures only 39-inches wide, can hit 60 mph in four seconds from a dead stop, is made for commuting and can fit in virtually any parking space that dares challenge it.

This zero-emissions vehicle comes in three styles -- the T100 ($18,700), T200 ($39,900) and T600 ($108,000) -- and charges up a lead-acid battery in three hours that can travel up to 80 miles. With its steel roll-top bar, the tandem two-seater blew away safety ratings. George Clooney rolled the very first one off the lot and has become somewhat of a poster child for the car.

You can head to the website to download a registration form, which requires a fully refundable deposit.

I recently discovered Materialust -- a newer SoCal T-shirt line -- and immediately fell in love. The shirts -- made of deliciously soft Pima cotton -- are so worn in that they feel like you've had the shirt for years. Years! The graphics, all travel themed, are inspired by road signs, pamphlets, travel brochures, cocktail napkins and other everyday items found in cities around the globe. Materialust's second season just hit stores this week and depict adventurous times spent in places like London, Moscow, Bombay and Cairo. While not cheap, the shirts, priced between $50-$60, are worth it -- especially if you're the kind of person who drops $250 on denim without blinking. If you are a traveler and have ever spent any time backpacking or jet-setting, you'll relate to this fantastic product. And as soon as you touch one, you will understand why the word lust is in the company's name.

Launched in the 1960s as a tableware design collective, Danish company Stelton has championed stylish lifestyle products for the last half century. Stelton has brought style and function to homes with their line of stainless steel products, including tea and coffee pots, cocktail shakers, bottle openers and serving knives. They just introduced a new line called i:cons targeting on-the-go, stylish movers and shakers. My favorite pieces in the line are the ergonomic charcoal business card holder and money clip. You can pick up the items at a few stores in North America or online at UnicaHome.

via JoshSpear.

If you're over all the wood-rendered, plastic-coated, gimicky iPod cases and feel like your inner art hipster is aching to be heard, you need to check this out.

The Tinpod is a unique new iPod case. Created out of tin (it looks and feels like an Altoids box), the Tinpod features three different multi-layered, limited-edition artistic re-creations by painter Kurt Ketchum -- "Die Blechdose," "L'Orange Lune" and "Change Attitude" -- and only 5,000 of each have been produced.

The Tinpod supports 3G, 4G and 5G iPods with the ability to plug in through the top. And the interior is padded with neoprene to cushion your iPod should you drop it while jamming out on the street.

Tinpod creators Kollective.de will donate $1 to CITYarts for every Tinpod purchase. And for a limited time, you can get two cases for $29.95.

I found out about Orbino's leather iPod cases awhile back. This is truly the most gorgeous case to hold your beloved music mechanism -- with handcrafted leather, intricate stitching, precious metals adorning the spin wheel and a handful of colors from which to choose.

There's a reason Italian design always causes such a stir -- just look at the details on this sucker! And the price tag -- seriously, what would you pay? $150? $200? Try $65. No, honestly. This case, which fits iPod Video, Nano and Shuffle, retails for a ridiculously low $65.

Stop rubbing your eyes. You know you want to go buy one now.

Orbino also makes leather bags and laptop cases. I'm holding out for the textured caramel leather Linea Slimcase for my G4.

I don't generally wear cufflinks, but when I saw these on Design*Sponge, I wanted to run out and buy a pair for when I actually sport French cuffs. Men's accessories have really been stepping up lately and these sexy pieces, by designer Sonia Spencer, really hit the mark. And they're only $25. Can't beat that for a little splash of fun.

via Design*Sponge.

My pal Carolynn Travis, who I will always lovingly refer to as Chaka from her days managing Poi Dog Pondering, is quite an entrepreneur. Last year, she launched EarLove to help people protect their hearing at live shows and other loud venues (Travis is legally deaf in one ear from a genetic defect). Before that, she created her alter ego, Numinous Radio, a hot-as-shit trip hop DJ.

And now, she graces us with All That Glitters Glitters, reproductions of iconic cereal boxes and other great imagery. The cool thing is that the entire piece is created with glitter, hence the name.

Plus, the pieces are totally affordable -- no more than $300 for original artwork. And you can commission her to create a totally unique picture of, say, you and your dog hanging at the beach.

Trix apparently aren't only for kids. Nor are scenes of Chicago.

My pal, Kent Nielsen has been producing some of the most gorgeous men's suits with stunning shirt-and-tie sets for almost two years. Based in Chicago, Nielsen has started making a name for himself and proof is that Hany Abu-Assad, who already won a Golden Globe for best foreign film for Paradise Now, will wear a Nielsen tux to this year's Academy Awards.

Kent, my friend, I'm so proud of you. I just wish I could've gotten that hot orange bowtie tied for the wedding in December!

And, if you're in the market for a sylish fitted shirt, check out Kent's website.