Steele Canvas All Black Utility Bag

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—01. Vinyl water-resistant base.

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The durable and roomy Steele Canvas tote is a great variation of this prosaic everyday item and, for me at least, the brand’s rich history and expertise in fashioning well-made canvas products adds some life and character to an otherwise ubiquitous carryall. That being said, this colourway, released exclusively with the UK-based shop Generalgood, is a little more special; the all black treatment making an appealing change from your average natural canvas version.

—Available from Generalgood

Adidas Energy Boost ESM

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—01. Techfit upper.

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The variety of Adidas shoes available featuring Boost technology is quite impressive. Their Pure and Ultra Boost soles are certainly standouts, but the less minimal aesthetic of the Energy Boost caught my eye and pulled me in. It's the first time I've worn any shoes with the innovative foam cushioning, and I am pretty impressed with the level of comfort. This particular model also features a Torsion midsole and Techfit upper, which combine for a great feel, inside and out.

—Available from Livestock

Slam Jam x Carhartt WIP 'Boom Town Slickers' Denim Collection

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—01. Denim Lincoln S.K. Pant.
—02. Denim Michigan Coat.

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For the 25th anniversary of Slam Jam, the Italian company has collaborated with Carhartt WIP, a frequent partner throughout their existence, to produce five themed programs designed under the creative direction of Andrew Bunney. After launching a series of putty-coloured canvas items in February, the second drop is denim focused and the pieces feature classic Carhartt styling alongside modern fits and exclusive details. Expect more to come in the coming months as the 25th anniversary celebrations continue, with three more capsule collections due to be released.

—Available from Slam Jam and Carhartt WIP

The Last Art College: Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, 1968-1978

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—01. Published by MIT Press, 2012.

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I love reading about educational institutions that while highly influential, were also experimental and pushing the envelope of their respective fields. This includes, for instance, the Bauhaus, Black Mountain College, or the Free University of New York. The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, however, is slightly different because, unlike these schools, it is still in operation. This book focuses on NSCAD's heady years between 1968 and '78, an era when such luminary figures as Joseph Beuys, Sol LeWitt, Gerard Richter and Donald Judd, among others, were visiting artists and faculty members. Written by Garry Neill Kennedy, the president during this period, The Last Art College documents an incredibly interesting time for one of the most influential art colleges of the 20th century.

—Art Metropole

Adidas ZX500 OG Made in Germany

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—01. Deer leather upper.

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Adidas has had an incredible amount of success so far this year with limited releases. You can surely add their Made in Germany footwear offerings to that list, utilizing clean, white and cream treatments in premium leather. Of the two styles the brand has chosen to produce in its home country, my choice is the ZX500 for its no-nonsense heritage running aesthetic and attractive silhouette, making for the perfect spring shoe. 

—Available from Très Bien

Bourbonese Qualk: 1983–1987

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—01. Available on vinyl or CD.
—02. Includes remix by Ancient Methods.

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Bourbonese Qualk are the latest seminal Industrial group to get a reissue, and I couldn't be less upset about it. Beyond the fact that they made teeth shattering, pioneering music, they were also incredibly important to the underground fight against a quietly fascist period of British history. In a time when it's seemingly considered uncool for musicians to be political, this group are an unfriendly reminder that if you don't have a message, you're nothing at all.

—Available from Other Music

Rebuild by Needles Coach Jacket

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—01. 50% cotton, 50% polyester.

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The last few seasons have seen a real upswing in the popularity of the coach jacket style, but none have stood out as distinctly as this Rebuild by Needles version. Constructed from repurposed army surplus garments, and adorned with chest pockets, button plackets and name badges, it would be pretty tough to confuse this with any of the more overtly bland options available, by obvious comparison of course. 

—Available from The Bureau

Victor Moscoso: Psychedelic Drawings 1967-1982

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—01. Illustration for Zap Comix, No. 2.

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For those unable to catch the current exhibition at the Andrew Edlin Gallery in New York, featuring the psychedelic poster and comic book art of underground figure Victor Moscoso, you might want to pick up this 96-page retrospective catalogue. Known predominantly for helping to define the vocabulary of rock concert poster designs in the late '60s, some of his most mind-altering work comes from his contributions to Robert Crumb’s Zap Comix.

—Available from Artbook
—Andrew Edlin Gallery