The Collectables: Bearbrick Toys

Nothing beats good 'ole fashioned fun - right? And as long as Japanese toymaker Bearbrick is supplying it, I'm down.
Like so down - I'm practically on the floor. Because these figurines basically are beyond cool and collector's items (what more could you possibly want?). The point is Bearbrick's toys are superbly curated and highly coveted by collectors around the world (I've been witness to many an eBay battle, just FYI). I mean, we've all seen how sick Pharrell's toy-packed Miami apartment is right? I know, it's beyond. And it gets better - Bearbrick transcends generations. Just ask Grace Coddington, who proudly displays her limited edition Karl Lagerfeld collaboration on her desk at Vogue. 

Here's the 411. The anthropomorphized bear is made from nine simple parts including a signature pot belly and swivel head - which have been known to double as iPhone speakers or atomizers. That's right dear reader - art meets function. Also Bearbrick's collaborations (which are always epic and extremely rare) include promotional pieces for Daft Punk, Commes des Garçons, Kill Bill and Vivienne Westwood. There's even a camouflage Bearbrick x A Bathing Ape toy that, needless to say, might very well be my favorite (gifts are always welcome). 

Happy toy hunting!

A selection of Bearbrick toys are available at Tokyo Toy in NYC, Double Punch in San Francisco & online at Bearbrick.

A Time to Reflect - A Time to Predict

I know, I know - it's definitely spring. But sometimes it's good to take a moment to think about what you just did, right?
You know, reflect on all the choices you made during the those cold and gloomy winter months (the good, the bad, even the ugly). Besides, reflecting helps us think about what we should do next. So let's reflect. 

We obviously enjoyed some serious downtime with beanies, as did the entire sartorial world it seems. It makes sense - they still are the quickest and easiest way to cover-up any hair-issues. I mean I see absolutely no reason why the dominance of the beanie can't continue through summer. Especially when paired with some great tailored short-shorts and a basic tee. We can still be all about the beanie. That being said, hair is for hairspiration. Without it, dear reader, we are lost. So allow your follicles some well-deserved Vitamin D, they will thank you later. Also camouflage was (and actually still is) everywhere. But looking forward (in a crystal-ball kind of way) I'm feeling a new, deconstructed camouflage. Camo hues and tones worn together, but as separates. 'Camouflage 2.0' - or something.

Let's move on.

I'm very much about shorts. And Blazers. So obviously a combination of both is going to be my go-to, especially this summer. The whole thing allows you to be formally casual in an unoffensive way. Essentially your entire shorts-plus-blazer-combo can be formalized with a great pair of slippers, or casualized (?) with some superb Lanvin sneakers. Office-to-out at it's very best! On a separate note I OD'd on graphic tees in 2008 (this song definitely was responsible). So while I 'get' what people are doing, I'm not going to do it. Instead I'm looking to great cuts, panelling and exciting prints. A love affair with Missoni may just be re-awakened, and it has a lot to do with this tee. So the point here basically is that I need to start dressing like Pharrell. 

Alexander Atkins, in a Prada coat & Missoni Beanie, photographed by Sabrina Reddy at Alexander McQueen in NYC.

Pharrell Williams, wearing Bee Line & BBC, at Frieze NYC 2013.

*Click the arrows below to shop the inspiration.