ASKET - The Sweatshirt

After more than two years of development, design iterations and detailed production, our friends from Stockholm-based menswear brand ASKET have finally released their highly anticipated Sweatshirt. Available in Grey Melange, Navy and Black (followed by a Dusty Green and Burgundy-esque Red this September), the sweatshirt is a minimal take on the original American football player uniform. Cut to a tailored fit from custom developed, unbrushed loopback cotton and stripped from unnecessary details it combines style with unprecedented comfort. Milled and handmade in Reguenga, Portugal.

“Two years of development may seem crazy to some people in this industry. But we're creating garments designed to last a lifetime, and in that context, we say there’s no rush,” says co-founder August Bard Bringéus.
 

Two years may seem long to create a sweatshirt. But it nicely reflects the commitment and values that go into ASKET’s garments. Just over a year ago, the brand released their first take on the sweatshirt, but decided to pull the plug just after a few weeks. It simply didn’t live up to their expectations. So they went back to the drawing board and fine-tuned everything from the fit and fabric to the colours and detailing.

ASKET is Swedish online-only menswear brand founded in 2015 with the mission to free wardrobe essentials from the traditional concept of fashion and bring them back to basics. One garment at a time, the young brand is building a permanent collection of timeless essentials based on honest production, transparent pricing and a new size system. 

AÃRK Collective – Designing Beautiful Timepieces

Melbourne-based AÃRK Collective is a team of four related creatives who share a love for design. Driven by a desire to create objects that are both long-lasting and unique, AÃRK designs unisex timepieces inspired by simple shape, geometric form and graphic elements. Balancing function and beauty in wearable design, the collective’s watches are highly considered and organic.

Geometry and playful detail inform their design aesthetic, but each AÃRK design is underpinned by an uncomplicated love of minimalism. Following the launch of their first range of unisex timepieces back in 2013, AÃRK continue to release beautiful watches which stand out for its originality, simplicity, quality and refined detail.

Committed to combining traditional values of craftsmanship and the best modern manufacturing techniques, the collective meticulously scope and refine each detail; eight different manufacturers are used in the production of each watch. “We believe it’s this attention to the details that sets our timepieces apart – from precise form-cut shapes and acid-etching on dials to the unique function of each movement, each watch has a character as individual as its wearer.”

SHELL
A homage to classic watch design, the Shell combines AÃRK’s signature minimalism with a crafted finish and playful charm. Available in white and brown, the unique patterning of each hand-moulded acetate case ensures that no two Shells are the same. Traditional design is referenced in the elongated indexes and Italian calfskin leather band, while geometric details and a wave-form steel keeper carry the graphic signature of AÃRK’s 002 collection.

MULTI
Following AÃRK’s first collaborative effort with multidisciplinary design studio Daniel Emma, the two teams have partnered once again to create their second unisex series, Multi - AÃRK’s most recent release. Taking a playful approach to design through the use of colour, Multi challenges classic timepiece aesthetics by rethinking conventional finishings and pairings. Inspired by moments in time, the Multi is available in three different colour moods: Morning, Noon and Midnight.

MARYSE – Plant-based Skincare from Auckland

MARYSE is a collection of considered, plant-based skincare preparations formulated by natural beauty specialist, Maryse O’Donnell. Drawing from natural and organic ingredients – including macadamia, avocado and kiwi seed oils amongst others – the brand’s naturally potent formulas are handmade in its studio in Auckland, New Zealand.

Each blend – from her Bio-Nutrient Face Oil and Bio-Boost to the Multi-Vitamin Body Oil and Enzyme Refine Cleansing Balm – delivers a refined combination of phytonutrients to not only optimise and encourage a beautiful and healthy skin but also to revitalise every complexion through its omega fatty acids, mineral, vitamins and anioxidants; without unwanted chemical additives.

Two of our hero products are the brand’s Bio-Nutrient Face Oil and Mineral Dew. A blend of nutrient-rich botanicals including kiwi and camellia seeds, the Bio-Nutrient Face Oil helps the skin maintain optimum hydration while delivering powerful, antioxidant (e.g. Vitamin E) properties. Unlike other face oils, MARYS’s formula is non-greasy and readily-absorbing. Drawing from broccoli and grape seeds, its silky Mineral Dew delivers a fresh finish. Infused with organic ingredients, the dew is a nice skin-enhancing formula for a post-facial glow.

MARYS’s botanical skincare collection currently includes eight products – all of which are prepared in small batches.

VOID Watches – Introducing the V03D

Founded by David Ericsson in 2008, VOID Watches is a Swedish design company based in Hong Kong. Launching the watch brand ‘as a bit of side project’ whilst working as an engineer, Ericsson and designer Michael Young have created a range of extensive product ranges since its launch; among them a set of square watches which would later be known as the iconic V01 horizon case that placed VOID Watches on the design map.

Working with geometric shapes, plain materials and a basic colour palette, the brand’s underlying design philosophy employs a form of simplicity and restrained detailing that reflects its Scandinavian heritage. The brand’s name itself is rooted in astronomy; voids are the empty spaces between filaments, the largest structures in the universe, so vast they can neither be seen nor touched, only measured – similar to how the brand perceives the concept of time.  

"A wristwatch symbolises and measures the one commodity we all treasure but can’t control, buy or trade – time” - David Ericsson

The V03D strikes the perfect balance between form and function. Based on the classic Japanese made 2115 movement from Miyota the watch features three hands and a date window – the most classic layout for analogue wristwatches. The unisex collection is available in a variety of colourways.

Our personal favourite, the V03D designed in collaboration with architecture, interiors and design platform Dezeen. The watch is based on the brand’s classic V03D collection, reducing the graphics of the dial to the bare minimum, opening up space for the hands, for a cleaner, more stripped down dial. "We designed a custom dial, which is the most unique feature on the watch," explains Ericsson. "We stripped it back until it's almost blank," adds Void product designer Patrick Kim-Gustafson. The V03D-DEZEEN is a limited edition piece with only 200 being produced.

RHOECO – Greek Organic Herbal Tea

Introducing Rhoeco – an organic herbal tea company based in Thessaloniki, Greece, founded by agronomists and ecology enthusiasts Harry Kazas, Katerina Chatziangelaki and Vaya Mitsiou. Playing with the words rhoē (Gr.: flow), eco (for ecology) and co (for cooperation), Rhoeco is the result of a combined effort rooted in their wish to produce a product for the present while respecting the past and thinking about the future.

Inspired by the complexity of our ecosystem, the brand created five conceptual organic herbal tea blends that are hand-packaged in small batches. These include Mountain (distinctive lemon undernotes), Forest (smooth, full-bodied tisane), Sea (mellow sweet flavour with a subtle woody aftertaste), Agros (light-bodied, refreshing tisane with an earthy citrus aftertaste), and Urban (resin notes with a slightly bittersweet aftertaste).

The beauty of Rhoeco lies in that their packaging doubles as both herbal tea container and planter. With its ‘Drink it, plant it’ concept the brand encourages people to reuse its biodegradable containers to grow their own herbs. To do so, each package includes a seed stick containing a mix of organic herb seeds ready to be planted inside the container.

With respect to the young brand’s principles of fair trade, ethical and organic food production, the three entrepreneurs have developed a network of certified organic smallholder family farms across Greece, which supply them with raw dried herbs. Each of Rhoeco’s tea blends are produced and packaged by hand, safeguarding full integrity.

Boskke – Urban Gardening Design

With two-thirds of the global population expected to live in urban cities by 2050, people are increasingly looking for ways to reconnect with nature. After all, 82% of people in the UK say being surrounded by greenery makes them feel happier. But with life moving faster than ever, time and also space are increasingly limited. Boskke (meaning ‘little forest’ in old English) therefore set out with the mission to find new ways to gardening that appreciate the challenges of city living and to encourage greenery in our cities, homes and workplaces. “Boskke is derived from the old English word ‘bosky’ which means ‘a small forest’,” says Boskke cofounder Patrick. “And that’s exactly what you can create with our intelligent, eco-sensitive designs.”

Boskke is a London-based urban gardening product design firm that is not only one of the pioneers of ceiling gardening, but the studio has been developing urban gardening products since 2009. Co-founded by Patrick and Jake Morris, the two brothers hail from Matakana, New Zealand, where their family runs Morris & James, the country’s leading producer of hand-made ceramic pots and homewares. “Our parents have been making garden pots since 1977, so we grew up with ceramics,” says Jake. “Boskke is a continuation of our family heritage, but with a contemporary angle.”

The brand’s signature piece is the Sky Planter that Patrick designed in the final year of his degree in ceramic design at Central Saint Martins – the design won him the New Designer 2008 Award and the Red Dot Award in 2011.

In February, Boskke launched Flipped – a new planter that is both playful and deliberate in its design. Inspired by the way traditional plant pots are often stacked upside down when they’re not in use, the outer body works as a water reservoir, supplying moisture to the plant for up to two weeks using Slo-Flo irrigation technology.

MAVEN WATCHES – Minimalist Timepieces

Maven is a modern and minimalist watch brand inspired by its birthplace, Hong Kong. Surrounded by the city’s natural landscapes and urban architecture, the team of young entrepreneurs and designers created a collection that harmoniously blends the contrasting yet coexisting aspects and complexity of its birthplace. The result, the Urban Nature Collection, which includes two series, produced locally in Hong Kong by experienced craftsmen.

The Enduring Series features a genuine marble stone dial, with each watch carrying its own, unique birthmark. Defined by its beautiful marble face and modern aesthetic, the Enduring series features a high quality Swiss Ronda 762 movement embedded in a 316L stainless steel case.

The Artisan Series, in contrast, focuses more on the combination and construction of Hong Kong’s modern architecture and dynamism, creating a range that perfectly matches natural colours and earthy tones.

Maven will be spearheading the pre-launch of its Urban Nature Collection on Indiegogo, launching February 22nd, giving you the chance secure early bird discounts and pre-release purchases.

HORACE – The New Way of Grooming

Mint-flavoured Whitening Toothpaste by Marvis - LEARN MORE

Safety Razor Set by Mühle - LEARN MORE

Natural Shave Kit - LEARN MORE

Hand-picked Selection by Horace - LEARN MORE

Over the past few months, Paris has increasingly become a place of exciting encounters for us. During our last trip to Paris, we had the chance to sit down with Thomas Cerkevic and Jonathan Andrès, founders of premium leather goods brand RSVP. Our latest discovery is Horace – a new grooming and lifestyle destination that develops and offers daily essentials for today’s men.

“We’ve seen that to men, buying grooming products is an unpleasant experience,” says Horace co-founder Marc Briant-Terlet. “We develop and find the best products and make sure men are fully informed to make their decision.”

Horace carries a well-curated and well-considered selection of items, with products covering the entire grooming spectrum, from safety razors and shaving creams to hair treatments, cleansing gels and body moisturisers. Alongside some of the industry’s most trusted men’s grooming brands like Dr. Bonner, Baxter of California, Murdock London, Ren and Mühle, Horace also offers its own line of high quality care products, which currently includes flavoured toothpicks, a Binchotan toothbrush and a natural exfoliating face puff.

But Horace goes beyond just offering quality grooming products and a hassle-free service – Horace lets you order via messenger, offers re-order alerts and delivers within three hours in Paris.

The brand is adding a great layer to its experience. Its magazine and how-to guides are absolutely on point; they’re nicely written with the right advice, the right amount of humour, personal touch and insight. Our favourite articles include ‘How to rebalance your dry skin’ (how to) and ‘Why it’s time to shave it off’ (editorial). Go and see for yourself – the guys are doing great work.

YSTUDIO - Handcrafted Ballpoint Pen

Founded in Taiwan in 2012, Ystudio’s pens have become a staple piece in our office. For us, the studio’s ballpoint pen not only stands out for its quality and aesthetic, but also for the story it tells; designed and crafted to be lifetime stationery piece.
Seeking to design stationery objects that link past memories with modern life, Ystudio’s copper, bronze and brass pens are made to last a lifetime – with the thought of being passed down from generation to generation.

'In the hands, the brass, with the intense golden yellow, is gradually mild, deep with the ages, and piles up forefathers’ works full of wisdom; the feel, a bit heavy, always reminds us that we should honestly be responsible for every character we have written down.'

Founders Yi and Yanko believe in the value of simplicity. With a considered approach to object design – one that has a meaning; one that is intended to trigger people’s imagination; and one designed to be a part in people’s lives – each of Ystudio’s pens is hancrafted by local, Taiwanese craftsmen using traditional manufacturing techniques under the scorching heat in a furnace.