ManChic

V-RAN

The new designer-duo Alex & Viran presents V-RAN, the world's first jewelry collection of full V-RAN Ceramic for men and women alike. Their first collection consists of four designs: Code, Edge, Diamond and Gold.

V-RAN Ceramic is high-tech ceramic, making it scratch-proof besides a lifelong and deep gloss. Working with this resilient material is complex, due to the quality demands. V-RAN demands and offers only the highest quality in limited editions of five to ten pieces, depending on the design.

We at ManChic are loving it.

One Chic Designer Bag = 55 Recycled Water Bottles

Matt & Nat were one of the first companies to launch an eco friendly fashion line...before it was fashionable. They design their bags so you shouldn't have to make a choice between being chic and eco-friendly/responsible. These designer bags cost around $300 and smaller items like wallets are approximately $80.

Their vegan bags and accessories sell online (mattandnat.com), in cool boutiques like Fred Segal and Holt Renfrew, and in department stores like Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdales. Matt & Nat has lots of different designs for women and men - shoulder bags, clutches, weekend bags, computer bags, etc... and you should be able to find something that suits you.

So what exactly does an eco friendly vegan bag mean?

Depending on the size, 15-55 recycled plastic bottles go into the material used to make their bags. The bags are 100% vegan, and don't use any leather (According to the UN, raising cattle generates more greenhouse gases than all the cars and trucks in the world combined). They will be phasing out PVC by end of this year and will instead use PU. Their products are not Fair Trade but are "child labor free" and they visit all their factories 4 times a year to inspect conditions.

All in all they know they're not perfect but their philosophy is that people will continue to buy bags - so better to provide them with an option that's more eco friendly.

Carga Bags

Carga is a new line of bags aimed at men who want something that is highly practical yet totally wearable. The range combines sleekness with strength and consists of three different sizes – a Notebook Tote, a Messenger Bag and a Weekend Bag retailing at between $175 and $345. Each bag is handcrafted using industrial wool felt, distressed leather and hardware parts. The design speaks for itself with no brand logos anywhere. Instead Carga is recognizable by a discreet metal disc hand-embossed with a unique serial number.

Alexander McQueen Knitted Tie

Alexander McQueen skinny knit two-tone tie in taupe and black. This tie measures 2” x29”. It’s made from 100% silk and we recommend you dry clean it only. The taupe and black skinny tie is simple and edgy, recalling images of cool, sophisticated men. You should wear it over a crisp plaid shirt and match it with black jeans.

Gucci is Ready for Olympics

Joining in the spirit of the Olympics, Gucci has released photos of their “8-8-08 Limited Edition” which is completely dedicated to sports. The collection, created by Frida - Gucci’s creative director - consists of eight pieces of each item.

Who is the Boss ?

Henry Barnacle/New York Model Management. Photograph: Jean Francois Carly for Hugo Boss Green, F/W 08.

There are not so many things that can complete man's look as a great bag can. This one is for this autumn and done by who else than Hugo Boss, and we love it.

Old Money by Yoko Devereaux

In these days of soaring gas prices, yelps of cash crunches and real estate depression, the last thing anyone would do is destroy money. Well, anyone but Yoko Devereaux that is!

Launching for spring/summer 2008, Old Money, is a collection of coins hand cut into works of art Yoko has attached to aged sterling silver necklaces. As Creative Director, Andy Salzer, explains, “It is about taking something that is so relevant in our society and then destroying it. Yet we're also transforming it into something truly unique.”

Don’t fret though Freedom Fighters, no U.S. coins have been used. The coins collected are from around the world including Canada, Croatia, England, Russia and The Czech Republic. Some rare coins will also be sold as limited editions.

The results are very masculine: Proud moose heads, stoic tall ships, mighty birds and regal profiles. Retails at $88 and available on www.yokod.com and select specialty retails.

 “When I was young, I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old, I know it is” – Oscar Wilde

KLEINby Stefano Guerrini

In the 80s we wanted our MTV, in the 90s we wanted our Calvins…in 2008 we desire a lot of things, many of them related to the luxury market, but Calvin Klein is still deep in our hearts, linked with all the right fashion trends. How could you resist to be such a fashionable nerd with a pair of Calvin Klein glasses? At the same time it’s easy to imagine ourselves at the pool wearing a trendy pair of Calvin’ sunglasses…maybe drinking our glass of champagne and discretely spying the situation around!

For spring-summer 2008, Calvin Klein Collection Eyewear, produced by Marchon Eyewear, Inc., brings a combination of the quintessential modern shapes with contemporary technical styling. The 947 model, for example, has futuristic digital geometric pattern details and a cool optical mood, the metal frame with its modern rectangle shape is available in bold shades of shiny silver, sand and gunmetal. A contemporary and very confident style.

VIVE LA ARM-REVOLUTIONby Stephane Marquet

An unusual alternative to standard cufflinks is this creation in Japanese steel. Currently available by appointment only in New York and London, ARMREVOLUTION realizes that you don't want to go out of your way for cufflinks, they bring the goods to your home or office. You can now join the movement ... right from your keyboard.

+ Armrevolution

SPEXTONby Aleksandar Tomovic

Spexton is rings, cuffs, neckwear, and belt buckles that are handcrafted from stainless steel, copper, sterling silver, gold, and diamonds. Created without the help of computerized machines, Spexton is the finest, most organic steel jewelry collection available.

For more information you can visit Spexton online.

+ Spexton