The upcoming Project Wooster in Las Vegas will feature, in the words of Nick Wooster himself, “The interest in American heritage through Japanese eyes.” A new video shot by Marcus Troy shows Nick’s travels through Tokyo, where he soaks in the culture and meets face to face with the designers he’ll be showcasing through Project. Among the brands that will be represented are visvim, NEXUSVII, Mando, Monitaly, Kapital, Yuketen, Nepenthes, Rocky Mountain Featherbed and United Arrows. Check out the video following the click.

Just how do you exactly revive a 96 years old athletic label? An unenviable task though the new design team at KARHU found their answer almost by default. By pairing its iconic Fulcrum Star sneaker with furniture maker PUNKALIVE, KARHU is able to highlight its Scandinavian design roots. Whereas the general release edition of the sneaker offers a high-density foam as the midsole insert, PUNKALIVE added lightweight balsa wood instead. The outcome not only retain the lightweight nature and comfort level of the KARHU Fulcrum Star. The limited edition also incorporates the inherent appreciation of simple design by Scandinavians. Set to launch this Fall at select retailers, in the meantime, interested parties can view KARHU’s entire collection at PROJECT Show in New York City today and tomorrow.

Unassuming in appearance, a new product from LEXDRAY and designer Alex Drayer might just change the way we utilize our luggage, specifically our garment bags. Intended to keep clothing clean and wrinkle-free, garment bag’s flimsy construct often leads to just the opposite. Drayer’s solution is to create a modular system and do away with the infirm design. No bigger than a medium sized duffel bag (and shaped like one too), the LEXDRAY London Garment Bag unfurls into two separate components, a garment bag and a hangable organizer. Supported by two reinforced hook, the organizer can go onto closet or the closet’s door. Folded shirts, coats, accessories, even a pair of Air Jordans can be tuck away neatly. Fold with the garment bag and the organizer becomes a rigid duffel bag, protecting its contents from the elements and unsightly crease. Each part can be use as a stand alone carrier as well.

Ultra lightweight thanks to its No-Sew Technology cell mesh upper and UNILITE sole, its easy to dismiss the Boost Up Unrst as another skate-lifestyle sneaker from its silhouette alone. But this team sneaker from NVRBRKN By DC serves a purpose very close to the brand’s mantra. According to its Design & Marketing Manager, Hommy Diaz, the Boost Up Unrst was made to be the ideal “rehabilitation footwear” whereby an injured skaters can recuperate thanks to the sneaker’s lightness and thick padding. After all, a skater can have a battered body. But his or hers spirits will never be broken, hence the name NVRBRKN.

The Agenda Trade Show, first launched in 2003, features the best of street, surf and skate wear. This year’s Agenda in Long Beach, CA, was the biggest yet, showcasing over 450 brands and taking up 250,000 square feet of floor space at the cavernous Long Beach Convention Center. Joey Graziano was there for the two-day event, held January 5th to 6th, and captured footage of upcoming product from trade show exhibitors Herschel Supply Co., Ezekiel, Palladium, Brixton and others. Check out the video after the click.

A conceptual pop-up store within the PROJECT Show New York is Made by Project, where show’s organizer select artisans of various backgrounds to showcase their skill sets. For this year’s trade show, PROJECT asked Barbour of England to demonstrate the art of “re-proofing” the iconic Barbour waxed cotton outerwear. While on a smaller scale, the methodology been the same since Barbour’s establishment. On a “heating table”, a metallic platform with heating elements, the process starts with the outerwear “steady cooking” to 100 degrees. According to Barbour Specialist Keith Broadley, this “opens” the cotton twill fabric. Then, apply liquified wax generously onto the item and wipe off the excess wax. Though proprietary, Broadley hinted the wax is mainly made of bee wax. In half an hour or so, the Barbour outerwear has a new lease on life and ready to battle the elements again. As for when to re-wax your Barbour, the company suggests to do so after the first 3 years of wear. In the meantime, Barbour will re-proof your outerwear at PROJECT. Simply drop it off at the booth on the first floor.

Despite the hit of a brisk, 20 degree, winter gust outside, daffodils are blooming in full at PROJECT New York. Hence, the unofficial pronouncement of the trade show season arrival. While bigger is not always better, PROJECT is about still being able to position a balance between an expansive layout and a feel of a workshop among artisans. As an incentive for the overworked buyers and fashion media editors, free amenities such as haircuts and coffee (aka liquid black gold) are brief breaks from the hectic pace of the market. If you’re a buyer, store owner, or industry insider, stop by 82 Mercer Street in SoHo, New York, from today to Wednesday.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

PROJECT New York
82 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10012

Event Date: Now – January 18th, 2012 (Wednesday)

A return focus on unique offerings and traditional craftsmanship, PROJECT Show New York designed a temporary marketplace within the main corridor of 82 Mercer Street over the weekend. Aptly named MADE By PROJECT, 11 labels, each selected for their exceptional artistry, will demonstrate their creative process as well as selling their made-on-site items. One of the selected 11 is our friend, jewelry maker Gabriel Urist, whose peach pit ring is a homage to Dr. James Naismith – credited for the invention of basketball back in 1891 when he attached an old peach basket to a pole. Urist also resurrected a childhood’s favorite of many and a family custom that is fast disappearing. Attendees to PROJECT are welcome to observe even contribute by “eating” the peaches provided by Urist. He only need the pit of each… You will find Gabriel Urist and the rest of MADE By PROJECT collective on the ground floor of PROJECT Show New York

Photography: Poe for Freshness

PROJECT New York
82 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10012

Event Date: Now – July 19th, 2011 (Tuesday)

“Exponential growth” is by far the most fitting description of Capsule trade show. Since its inception, the show, orchestrated by the fine folks at BPMW, out grown 1 event space already. And very soon, it will out grown its current home at Center 548 in New York. Apart from its truly unique mix of established labels and cutting edge designers, Capsule’s success is also thanks to the marketplace set-up and a sense of fraternity between all the vendors, even trendsetter Nick Wooster and Jak & Jil‘s Tommy Ton was spotted within. Spread across 3 floors and a tented rooftop, you can see the 150+ labels on display at Capsule New York, 548 West 22nd Street.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

Capsule New York
Center 548
548 West 22nd Street | Map
New York, NY 10011

The biggest news to come from the world’s men’s fashion was the departure of Nick Wooster from Bergdorf Goodman. Now on board with PROJECT, the internet phenomenon is bring his brand of flair to the trade show circuit. While his PROJECT WOOSTER will not be unveil till next month in Las Vegas, Wooster’s Midas touch was quite apparent at PROJECT New York, currently on going in SoHo. From on-site barber shop provided by Blind Barber NYC to its nod at the artisanal movement with its MADE BY PROJECT marketplace, the 200 or so labels on display are in perfect company. You will find PROJECT New York on 82 Mercer Street in SoHo of New York.

Photography: Poe for Freshness

PROJECT New York
82 Mercer Street | Map
New York, NY 10012

Event Date: Now – July 19th, 2011 (Tuesday)

Bread & Butter is a key trade show in Europe for contemporary clothing brands and it encompasses a totally different vibe than what one would expect from high fashion shows. Since its foundation in 2001, the show has gone from strength to strength, facilitating for the needs of both vendors and buyers from around the world.

adidas Originals are a proud partner of Bread & Butter from the inception and they have designed a special gift to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Fittingly, the Decade Hi model was selected as a platform and it uses the typical Berlin colors with the custom 10th anniversary B&B logo on the outer heel section. An inscription on the hang tag reads, ‘One Decade from adidas with Love’, and these pairs will be limited to only 500 pairs. Unfortunately these are not scheduled for global release and will only be available through select retailers in Germany and at B&B for Charity booth at the trade show this week. One other way though is to take your chance online as one pair will be raffled off on the adidas Originals website.

Similar to its striking appearance, the black & white checker graphic been long the emblem of counter culture in England. Dr. Martens is bring back the familiar monogram of youthful revolt towards the end of this year, but in an exceptional applique – interweave black and white PU stripes. Just as described, long stripes of polyurethanes in black & white, cross weave to create the mini checker appearance. Donned on 2 styles, the Avery (updated 10-Eyelet Boots) and the Hugh (updated 3-Eyelet Shoe), the pack sends a bold statement, but without breaking the bank like its counterparts from Bottega Veneta. Arriving at select Dr. Martens retail location in mid-summer as part of Fall/Winter 2011 Collection.