Mayer Hawthorne x A Strange Arrangement

What "A Strange Arrangement," is the name of the album by Mayer Hawthorne - a fitting title to the type of music Mr. Hawthorne creates. The first time I heard it, I wasn't sure what I was listening to. The music had that classic motown sound but the video was too contemporary and a white dude was singing. My initial thought was it was a spoof video, some random guy singing along to an old classic Motown song I never heard before. Then I payed closer attention to the lyrics and they were too current. So I did some research and discovered Mayer Hawthorne was creating something new yet paying homage to an old classic sound - call it Vintage Music. His album is one of my favorites and is on repeat on my iPod. Take a listen and you'll soon be singing along to the catchy hooks and upbeat music.

Burberry Prorsum 2009 Men's Collection

One of the most recognizable trademarks in high-end apparel is the black, white and red pattern known as The Burberry Check. It was first introduced as a lining to the brands trench coats back in the 1920's. Today the trademark has become a well-recognizable symbol across the globe that signifies luxury and exceptional quality. Burberry was been on top of their game for sometime and positioned themselves well in the endorsement world - Her Majesty Herself, Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales both granted the company Royal Warrants - talk about an endorsements!

English fashion designer Cristopher Bailey took over in 2001 as the Creative Director, giving the traditional luxury fashion house a series of new collections and product lines - Burberry Prorsum is one of the those lines. The 2009 Spring Collection pays homage to the Brands traditional roots with it's pinstripe trousers, tuxedo shirts and velvet suits yet Baily is able to create a renewed life through the use of rumpling & boiling techniques that give the line a "disheveled elegance."

Christopher Bailey in his own words, "I feel like it was a moment to go back to who we are, and to the real icons of the company. It feels like the right moment," Bailey said after the show.


Photographer Mario Testino and Burberry Creative Director Christopher Bailey:


Check out the piece around his neck. What is that you ask? That is a Cravat - similar to an Ascot, which I told you earlier was having a revival - is simply a fancy form of necktie worn in the late 18, early 1900's:


I am a fan of the clean straight lines of the Jacket and Trousers. The glimpse of the rumpled tuxedo shirt underneath does it for me. The Hat and gloves make the outfit fun and functional - keeping you warm in the winter. The splash of color with the scarf makes this one of my favorite ensembles:


The cravat strikes again!!! I'm telling ya - don't sleep on Ascots and Cravats - they are going to be the new accessory for today's modern gent. Let's give the traditional necktie a break gentlemen:


Source- WWD

Samsonite and Fashionable in the same sentence?... Black Label "Trunk Original"

When the name "Samsonite" comes to mind, I for one think of those hideously gnarly looking hard-shelled 80s suitcases such as this one:


Much to my surprise, I've come to learn that the company has it's roots in some pretty stylish pieces. Take for example this reissue of an original 1920s trunk- The piece is part of Samsonite's high end Black Label. The art deco style, detailing and metal trim on this thing are simply fantastic. I'd really love the white one above if anyone's got a spare $640 lying around. Wait, you DO have an extra $640 and would like to get me an early holiday present?... All you have to do is make your way over to our favorite trendy Parisian boutique Colette to pick one up!


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Vintage Porsche Design Sunglasses by Carrera

Checkout these smooth vintage fold up shades from Porsche Design by Carrera. Next time you need to go on a Miami drug bust with Crockett and Tubs make sure you're rocking these and you'll be all good. Save up your $290 in loose change and pick up your vintage pair at Van Mildert. Don't worry ahout getting called out by the fashion snobs for having knockoffs- these black and gold beauties come with a super cool "Certificate of Origin."


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Worship Worthy's Holiday '08/'09 Preview

Worship Worthy has just released a preview of its Holiday '08/'09 collection. The brand is known for their somewhat more high end version of streetwear. Several of the pieces have obvious vintage influence and the designers don't try and mask it- A few of the pieces feature classic legends of the fashion world like Vivienne Westwood and the late great Yves Saint Laurent. Learn more about Worship Worthy by taking a visit to their page.

Awesome combo with the rad sweatshirt on the left and the crazy-ass sequined bodysuit on the right:


Catwoman should look like this gal if they make a sequel to The Dark Knight:



Source- TrashBag Aesthetics

Cloth Logic - Keep The Cold Out

"Baby It's Cold Outside..." - It finally appears that we are going to get a break from the California inferno we call weather. Dust that frost off your shoulders this winter and check out the collection from Cloth Logic. The Los Angeles based label is lead by head designer Leon Shaypayer. The collection embraces a clean, urban military look with an earthy color pallette. If I wasn't allergic to wool, I would cop most of the collection. I'm a big fan of the attention to detail and sweet variations in sweater weaving. Check out this double breasted sweater and see what I'm talking about.


If you want to get your hands on some gear for this winter, peep out Cloth Logic. If you like what they are doing keep your eye on the collabo between Tulle and Cloth Logic....the two lines have paired up and will be releasing their collection in 2009:

The Ascot Revival

Earlier this year I came across an older gentleman wearing what I believed to be a scarf under his button-down shirt. The scarf really complimented his button-down shirt and gave the outfit (which would have normally been average) some flare. The fabric of the scarf appeared to be silk and the colors were dark & rich...it really caught my eye. After speaking with the man, I was informed that the scarf was an “Ascot.” An ascot tie, or ascot, is a form of necktie, descended from the cravat which was widely worn in the early nineteenth century, made of linen and elaborately tied around the neck.

In the 1940’s, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn and various other actors were commonly pictured wearing ascots both in formal and casual attire. In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the ascot made a comeback. Hollywood stars such as Al Pacino, Michael Caine and Michael Butler were men spotted rockin' this accessory. In The Godfather II (1972), Al Pacino’s character, Michael Corleone, is pictured wearing an ascot in a few scenes throughout the movie, referencing the appeal of the ascot during the period. Recently, Jeremy Piven made an attempt to revive the look in 2006. During his Emmy acceptance for best supporting actor, the Entourage star wore a navy blue ascot under a white-button down shirt and navy sports coat. I think he wore it well.

My encounter with the ascot sparked a quest to add one to my fly arsenal of apparel. Finding one proved to be a bit more difficult than I expected. Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom’s, Brooks Brothers and The Men’s Warehouse were stores I thought would carry the accessory. Unfortunately for me, none of them offered a selection of ascots. During a visit to San Francisco I came across an upscale boutique specializing in men’s formal fashion called The Custom Shop Clothiers. As soon as I stepped into the spot, my eyes were immediately greeted by a mannequin dressed in a white button-down shirt, black sports coat and a dark purple & black ascot. Needless to say, I bought it!

An ascot is a great accessory that can easily dress up any outfit. Draw attention to yourself and your gear this fall/winter season with an ascot, it’s a good substitute for the average scarf. It adds the little extra flare to take your outfit from ordinary to bangin'. Interested in adding one to your collection....your best bet is going online! Ascots range in price from about $58-$125, depending on the quality of silk, pattern and type. Are you a creative person? Do you have what it takes to make your own? If you think you got the skills, save yourself some money during the economic crunch and peep out this cool link that shows you how to make a retro-ascot necktie!



Do you already own an ascot but are unable to figure out how to tie one? Well bring it out of the closet, dust it off and take a look at these simple instructions on how to tie one.

A Preview of tonight's Presidential Debate (and, RIP Neal Hefti 1922-2008)

FoundTrack's favorite NY contributor Gill Bumby just sent us this little preview of tonight's Presidential Debate. Enjoy, and feel free to place Obama and McCain into either the Penguin or Batman roles as you see fit... though the real question is whether Biden or Palin is Robin?:



And in related Bat-news, we're sad to report that composer and jazz trumpeter Neal Hefti, the musician behind the "Nana na na na na na BATMAN!" AND "Odd Couple" theme songs has passed away. In remembrance of him, here's the classic tune:

Billionaire Boys Club "Space Leopard" Cardigans

I'm not usually the biggest fan of all the Bathing Ape and Billionaire Boys Club stuff, but I've gotta admit this cardigan is pretty cool. The "Space Leopard" cardigan is a unique and pretty bold take on a classic part of any guys wardrobe. Love the letter jacket-esque emblem on the back. It's available in the black and red colorways pictured here, and also in blue at the BBC/Ice Cream site.




Source- Billionaire Boy's Club blog

Nintendo Punch-Out! is back !

One of the most glorious pieces of retro 80s video game history is back! At a press conference this morning, Nintendo announced a new version of the boxing classic "Punch-Out!" for the Wii. I'm usually weary of remakes, but this one looks like it's kept the best of the original, including main character "Little Mac" and villains including King Hippo. Along with Street Fighter IV, the next few months look like a rad time for some vintage gaming nostalgia. Checkout this teaser trailer... the best part is they stuck with the oh so classic music theme:

Takin' it back to '98 - DJ Honda ft Mos Def - "Travelin' Man" Music Video

So I was reading that hilarious bird nip chompin' mad man The Arab Parrot's site when I came across the music video to DJ Honda and Mos Def's "Travellin' Man" from 1998's DJ Honda II album. The video totally took me back, cause not only is an awesome song and video, but it was one of the first singles I bought on vinyl when I started DJing. BTW, have a dope adventure in NYC Mister Parrot- remember, stay away from bird-bait. Mellow out and check it out:



DJ Honda's Official Site and Wikipedia Entry

Mos Def's Myspace Page and Wikipedia Entry

** Fly Parrot Fly:

MC Ernie & MC Bert get down to M.O.P.'s "Ante Up"

Not much explanation needed here- Sesame Street Big Dogg MCs Bert and Ernie show off their hip hop freestyle skills on M.O.P.'s classic "Ante Up":



** Checkout the original classic "Ante Up Remix" music video here

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Adidas AdiTennis Hi - Vintage Courts to Modern Streets

Like many trainers that are popular in casual day to day wear, the Adidas AdiTennis Hi originated as an athletic shoe. In this case they were obviously meant to be worn on the tennis court. All I can say is that I'm glad fashion has officially beaten function for this model. While the white pair above is my favorite (the texture on the back is awesome), the AdiTennis is available in a variety of colors and patterns:

These are awesome in a "stylin' grandpa" kinda way:

Available at Adidas Originals

** For More Adidas goodness, checkout our post on their aZX collection

Source, Source, and Source

"Dark Knight" Interviews w Seasoned Actors, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman

"The Dark Knight" comes out in a few hours, and a record number of midnight screenings are sold out throughout the country. While the younger stars of the film including Christian Bale and the late Heath Ledger, have been getting tons of press, the stories of the more seasoned actors often don't get as much spotlight. Luckily, this has not been the case with "The Dark Knight."

Checkout these great interviews with Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman (who in my opinion put in one of the best yet subtle performances in the film). Caine's Alfred the Butler and Freeman's CEO Lucius Fox characters in different ways act as surrogate fathers to Bale's Bruce Wayne, and Gary Oldman's police lieutenant Gordon serves as a beacon of honesty and light to Batman. These interviews are great, and all 3 gentlemen have some really funny stories from their respective careers to share:

Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman on "The View" Part 1:


Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman on "The View" Part 2:


Gary Oldman on Conan O'Brien (for more late night antics, see what David Letterman thought of the film here):

Laker Fans: Get Pumped up for Game 2 - "Just say No" Rap Video

Ok, so the Lakers lost Game 1 of the NBA Finals. We fans need something to get us pumped up for Game 2, right? What better than this 80s anti drug rap video featuring mad hip hop flows from classic Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kurt Rambis, and Byron Scott?!:



Source- The Arab Parrot

1961 250 GT SWB Spyder California up for Auction

Classic Ferrari fans have something to look forward to - the Italian super car maker will be hosting RM Auctions' Ferrari: Leggenda e Passione sale at their Pininfarina facility, featuring some of their original and best condition cars. The car pictured above is the 1961 250 GT SWB Spyder California that was owned by actor James Coburn. Better make sure you put that Federal tax rebate credit aside - this curvy black beauty is estimated at $4.6 to $5.9 million.

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Stylin' New Covers to Classic Ian Fleming James Bond Novels

Penguin Books has commissioned illustrator Michael Gillette to redesign the covers to the classic Ian Fleming James Bond novels (the original source material for the James Bond Films). Love this idea and hope it helps to sell some books and gets a few more people to actually read.

For the original version of the cover above, checkout the invite to FoundTrack's 2007 Valentine's Day Party (conveniently named "From Russia with Love," for the venue of that night- LA's favorite Russian themed Vodka bar and also home to our '07 Holiday Party- Bar Lubitsch). You can view all the other new Bond covers at the illustrator's site.

Penguin's earlier foray into hiring hip artists to redesign classic book covers saw Shepard Fairey (of "Obey" fame) redesign the covers to classic George Orwell novels "Animal Farm" and "1984." Given Fairey's avid usage of communist imagery, red tones and stars, it was a great fit with the undertone of Orwell's stories.

Source- The ever so stylish Kitsune Noir

Return of a vintage classic- BMW M1 concept

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of one of the most badass supercars of all time, the BMW M1, the company has created this Hommage concept of a new M1. The low and wide profile perfectly captures the aesthetic of the orginal:

I'm loving this snapshot with the new car and it's BMW supercar brethren- the orange/red color is rad!... reminds me of my parent's crazy eighties furniture!:


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Rose McGowan still set to play Barbarella... and still no Jane Fonda

After a bit of controversy, looks like Rose McGowan will indeed be playing Barbarella in Robert Rodriguez's remake of the film, and that production is moving forward full steam. Trouble seemed to be brewing a few months ago when Universal, the studio behind the film, was reportedly peeved that Rodriguez cast McGowan based on the fact that they were an item. Personally, I don't mind her, but there's no way she can keep up with the O.G. bad-ass that was Jane Fonda. Checkout the rad vintage poster and trailer to Paramount and director Dino De Laurentiis' 1968 original and decide for yourself:




Source - Cinematical

Classic 90s HipHop Video- Wu Tang's Triumph

Wu Tang rocked the hip hop world in the nineties and then went through some not-so-hot times in the last couple years- Luckily, their latest album "8 Diagrams" is awesome- I highly recommend it for both the old school fans and hip hop heads in general.

Here now for your viewing pleasure is one of the most epic videos of hip hop history- one of the few tracks where the ENTIRE Wu crew team unite to form Voltron. Thanks to Mister B from Riot Games for reminding us of this gem:



Wu-Tang Clan Wikipedia Page