Now we know they’re renowned for their brightly coloured laptop sleeves and iPhone covers, but this sees them make a foray into the world of bags. Rather than go down the tiresome Heritage route they’ve gone for a practical and functional approach, though on closer inspection, are well thought out and reveal the usual flair you would expect from this fresh, up and coming brand.

Both bags feature faux fur laptop compartment along with many other hidden details, which leads us nicely onto the technical bit…

Messenger features:

- 1000 Denier weather resistant Cordura
- Dual velcro and buckle closure
- YKK Zippers
- Waterproof exterior pocket with reflective zipper
- All over printed lining
- Padded fake fur lined inset for your laptop (up to 15″)
- Inside compartments for A4 documents and folders
- Variably sized interior padded, zippered and velcro pockets
- Fake fur lined phone pocket
- Egonomic and padded shoulder strap
- Removable stabilizer strap
- Embroidered carrying handle with removable key holder

Briefcase Features:

- 1000 Denier Cordura
- YKK Zippers
- All over printed inside lining
- Custom zipper puller
- Padded and fake fur lined inset for a laptop (up to 15″)
- Two main compartments with room for laptop and documents
- Several creditcard and pen holder
- Outside pockets for accessories
- Handle with embroidered logo
- Detachable, ergonomic and padded should strap
- Back compartment with zipper at the bottom to put the briefcase on your trolley

Here’s some pictures of the aforementioned bags, taken by the lovely man called Neil Bedford.

Buy now from the Alkr webstore at www.alkr.com or from your local Alkr dealer

Recently, Barbour have come up trumps with a number of bags and briefcases, notably the Tarras, while Filson repeatedly produce some classic shapes. There’s still nothing wrong with the classic Jansport and Eastpak for U.S. campus chic, Fjallraven retro or, at a stretch, Invicta for that Italian exchange student turnout. We’ve even been tempted by a Tote or two in recent months.

http://duluthpack.com/scout-pack-backpack.html

http://www.heritageresearch.co.uk/site/collection/duluth-for-hr-scout-pack/prod_602.html

Here’s a great video produced by Jony Lyle and starring Lindsay and Jamie, documenting the process of hand screen-printing 1000 vinyl record sleeves in an old office block in Edinburgh. This shows it’s not only great music that you’re getting for your money but also some blood, sweat and tears.

We’ve got a feature coming up on the label in the next few weeks, in the meantime..enjoy.

]]> http://www.back-and-forth.net/2010/08/video-firecracker-records/feed/ 0 http://www.back-and-forth.net/2010/08/collaborations-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pointless/ http://www.back-and-forth.net/2010/08/collaborations-the-good-the-bad-and-the-pointless/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:33:13 +0000 F.D.M http://www.back-and-forth.net/?p=3082 It’s likely not the most legitimate opening for musings on the ever-growing number of collabs available from brands, but it started for me with Kenny Dalglish. More specifically the Puma Kenny Dalglish silver football boots I coveted, and had as a youth. I doubt that King Kenny had a huge amount of input, but the marriage of sporting brand and designer with icon of the day has undoubtedly led to some classic silhouettes; the Adidas Rod Laver, the Nike Jordan III, Converse Chuck Taylor and the Diadora Borg. Even though my love affair with Puma ended abruptly, their Clyde was itself endorsed by Walt Frazier, and remains a high point.

Now though it seems that we are snowed under with a constant stream of exclusive collaborations, from footwear, clothing, accessories, figures and beyond. Designers an celebs alike have released lines with the high street, bringing queues, hype and the odd memorable piece. Uniqlo and H&M have been major beneficiaries in recent years thanks to Jil Sander and Stella McCartney. The re-release of classic trainers, under heritage, retro and retro plus guises has had a mixed response; delight for those able to locate a much loved classic, frustration for those having hunted down the original. Indeed, brands are even cannibalising their own output, such as the Air Force one/ Jordan release and the Spikez Jordan. Moreover, giving designers freedom can result in headlines, but offer us the bastard child of Jeremy Scott and Adidas. Other notable howlers include Louis Vuitton x Kanye West shoe, and the Puma Yo! MTV Raps trainer, while at times there seems little point, as when s2a teamed up with the Kings of Leon.

For those of us less enamoured with the world of the training shoe through age and aesthetics, though, there is an all too ready stream of collabs ready to appeal to our sensibilities. As ever, the challenge may be extracting the wheat from the chaff, but when done well the appeal is undeniable. Mark McNairy who, save for his New Amsterdam range of shoes, has recently collaborated with Beauty and Youth, Norse Projects, Urban Outfitters, Bass, Union, Pro Keds, A Continuous Lean and Engineered Garments. Despite the volume, most are highly desirable, and show a great sensibility and detail. Junya Watanabe has worked with Trickers, although the results are often better on a wish list than in a collection for those trying to keep a relationship between money and sense. Using traditional standards of construction with a twist, they can offer much needed profile for older brands. Moreover, there is undeniably something about the apparent rarity of a piece which appeals to our basest instincts.

Some favourites:

Barbour x Tokihito Yoshida Driving Jacket

Present London x Trickers Brogue Chukka

Levi’s x Filson Tote Bag

Sperry x Band of Outsiders Orange Suede Chukka Boots

Billykirk x A Continuous Lean Duck Canvas Briefcase

Hanon x Clarks Ashcroft Shoe

See below six outfits from Oi Polloi to hopefully inspire your style, not plagiarise. If we had to pick, we’d go for the Universal Work Moss Jacket and a pair of those wine Dockers, but that’s us..

Also, as an added bonus they’re offering free UK and International shipping if you spend over £75, thanks to Claude the Bulldog (alias Boulderhead) just use the discount code BOULDERHEAD when you check out, so that give’s you no excuses for not getting involved.

Incase you were wondering who V.S and F.D.M are, well they’re our new contributors to the site..Welcome/Willkommen.

V.S

Lenny Johnson : Am I still your fool
Lonnie Lester : You can’t go
Lee Brackett : Ruby
Jimmy ‘Bo’ Horn : I can’t speak
Carl Underwood : Are you lying
Joe Tex : Pneumonia
Dexter Wansel : Sweetest Pain
D’Angelo : You can’t hide love
Tomangoes : I really love you
Matt Brown : Thank you Baby

F.D.M

Breakbot feat Irfane : Baby I’m Yours
Caribou : Sun
The Phenomenal Handclap Band : You’ll Disappear [Horsemeat Disco Remix]
Janelle Monae : Tightrope [Original and Wondamix]
Pharoahe Monch : Shine
Bloc Party : Ion Square [Leo Zero remix]
The Pixies : I’ve Been Tired
The Rolling Stones : Waiting on a Friend
Donna Summer : State of Independence
Burning Spear : Old Marcus Garvey

S.R

Roc Marciano : Hide my Tears
NUfrequency ft Ben Onono : Fallen Hero [Motor City Drum Ensemble remix]
Andreya Triana : A Town called Obsolete [Mount Kimbie remix]
Lone : Pineapple Crush
Al B Sure : Night & Day [Onra edit]
Marcia Griffiths : Feel like Jumping
DJ Nature : Foggy Monday Morning
Solar Bears : Crystalline [Letherette remix]
Fever Tree : Nighty Nine and One Half
Cooly G : Up in my Head

We have the great pleasure of welcoming back Dominic Jacobson, also known as Modaji from the Restless Soul camp. Here he gives you Funk, Soul, Film Soundtracks, Jazz, Brazilian and everything else in between, and of course put together with perfection…so, it’s a must.

http://www.back-and-forth.net/audio/Guest Mix _ July 2010.mp3

Anyway, here we see their foray into advertising as we unveil their first print campaign. Created by Rig Out collaborators, photographer Antony Crook and creative team Andy Bird and Sue Higgs of Ogilvy, the three ads were shot on location in New York and London and feature luminaries from both the fashion and editorial worlds.

Each ad plays with the idea of who exactly the Oi Polloi customer is , although a closer inspection reveals their identity.

Coming to magazine near you soon..

www.oipolloi.com

The Alkr iPad Protection Sleeve protects your iPad with a cushioned interior and a soft, but durable neoprene exterior. It can be used as a stand alone case or placed inside a backpack or bag.

Alkr, also bring you two new styles of Mac sleeves this month in matching colourway’s in case you want to co-ordinate your Apple accessories before leaving the house…

Buy now from the Alkr webstore www.alkr.com or from your local Alkr stockist.

Fortunately we stumbled upon End Clothings Flickr account and noticed some snapshots of Norse Projects  forthcoming Autumn Winter collection for 2010, of which we thought you’d enjoy.

Founded in Copenhagen in 2004, Norse Projects grew out of the streetwear/sneaker culture by initially making panel caps and logo t-shirts, then evolving into a full clothing line that consists of menswear classics with a focus on great quality fabrics & fits.

Apologies for the quality of some of the pictures, but it’s an insight, and of course thanks again to End Clothing.

http://www.endclothing.co.uk/