Of the eco-tourist travel boom lately, one of the most effective programs we’ve encountered is conservationist non-profit Reef Check. Tourists lucky enough to indulge in exotic island vacations have a chance to give back, combine active and activist lifestyles and…

NYC label No Mas knows that nothing says summer like vintage shades, prompting their recent collaboration with Silver Lining Opticians. The two styles, modeled after those worn by baseball star Reggie Jackson and tennis’ sex-symbol Bjorn Borg, perfectly complement No…

Celebrating a decade of art collective Mixed Greens’ efforts in promoting struggling artists, their Tenth Anniversary Exhibition, X, brings together 84 members and alumni for a sensory overload experience. The show draws on a roster of talent (over 100 different…

RetroSpecs & Co.’s Buffalo Horn Inlay collection is another class of shade. The outfit has dedicated themselves to the discovery, research, and restoration of antique lens frames since 1992. In the ensuing 17 years they have established themselves as masters…

We were just in London on the bus thinking the classic vehicle needed an update. Good thing premier luxury car producer Aston Martin and prominent architectural firm Foster + Partners recently teamed up to give a new spin on the…

Alternative clothing promoters Altamont present their first collaboration with Off Bowery Production’s infamous A-Ron (aka Aaron Bondaroff, NYC’s downtown impresario and personality). A-Ron epitomizes Altamont’s “Cut From A Different Cloth…” mentality, willing to go the weird or outlandish route to…

Outdoor adventurers and dog enthusiasts can blend their passions by purchasing Paracord Survival Strap Dog Collars. Composed of knotted paracord, these durable collars quickly unravel for lashing together a shelter, suspending gear from bears or even saving strangers from drowning…

ID Prints extreme-sports action images are cause for any radical aesthete to rejoice. Their purchasable posters are “staccato-quality offset prints,” or in other terms, they are crisp and clean. Produced using only first-rate materials and processes these posters offer both…

Lulan Artisans 11°/17° Textile Competition is an avenue for aspiring textile artists to publicize their craftsmanship and be discovered.

Founded in 2005 by Eve Blossom as a sustainable textile initiative, Lulan produces handmade high-quality textiles using organic and renewable materials…

Les Toiles Du Soleil, or “The Cloth of the Sun,” is a 150 year old French company from Saint Laurent de Cerdans that is bringing generations of fabric expertise with its first U.S store in New York.

Les Toiles Du…

Built’s new camera cases are chic and affordable. The Soft Shell Camera Case (above left) is perfect for the simple point and shoot but for more involved photographers the Cargo Camera Bags (above right) will hold multiple cameras, lenses and…

Blue Ember’s 79,000 BTU 650 iQue grill is pushing the frontier of digital outdoor appliances. Every facet of its design lends itself to precision and versatility, allowing users to grill, rotisserie, smoke, sear, roast and even bake with ease.

The…

Environmentally-conscious designer Hiroki Hayashi is cleaning up the recycled-goods world with his new line of home scrubs dubbed Goodbye Detergent. The two main lines, Kitchen Cleaning Scrubs and Outdoor Scouring Pads, utilize the abrasive powers of recycled food remnants like…

Any fan of introspective music on the alternative end of things must check out The Wailing Wall’s debut album, Hospital Blossoms. The brainchild of NYC-based musician Jesse Rifkin, The Wailing Wall brings together an immensely talented group of musicians to…

Cool Hunting sponsored an old-school early-’90s jam at the Thrillist Loft earlier this week as part of their week of parties. Absolut Vodka supplied an open bar, calling for many drinks, dances and adventurous picture poses. The classic tunes—from Black…

Nathan Shedroff’s new book, “Design is the Problem”, presents a practical and layman-accessible exploration of sustainable design. In it, he breaks the progress towards sustainability into five parts: learning how to reduce, reuse, recycle, restore, and process. And Shedroff isn’t…

Add new dimensions to guitar recording with Paul Kinny’s Stereo Acoustic guitars, which use two sound holes to create a richer, more dynamic sound. The mammoth design, both intriguing and off-putting, is reminiscent of harp-guitars employed by innovative musicians Andy…

The LA Times’ up-and-coming new-media site Brand X is hosting a video competition (that we’re judging) to explore what it means to be a next-gen Los Angeleno. Shape your creative vision in a three-minute or less video exposé by this…