That is how Fjällräven would like to introduce their Kånken backpack, which comes far away from Northern Sweden. When it was launched in 1978, no one wore backpack, and Kånken was designated to fix children’s posture. However, after a while it got so popular even adults fell in love with it because it is so good looking, durable, water resistant, and is made using lightweight material, and people nowadays seem to get the idea of using a backpack, especially for bikers (Fjällräven’s logo on the backpack actually acts as a reflector, how smart!) and school kids. With large compartment, you can fit almost anything inside a Kånken, and that is exactly what the ‘arctic fox’ brand wants to provide: the ease of carrying things around. Available in heaps of color, it is almost hard to choose which one to have. They are all happy-looking backpack!

After the globetrotting tour, the Casio’s ‘Shock the World Tour’ finally hits Malaysia, making a grand entrance with introduction of recent collaboration of Streething and Stephen Lau with G-Shock. Streething releases the DW-5600 featuring a classic black colourway with the name Streething stamped onto the wrist strap and at the front of the watch. As well as a small tick on the front typeface, which is meant to be a mouse cursor. Stephen Lau designed a DW-6900 watch, with a white base with purple accents. Featuring Lau’s artwork both on the strap and the back of the watch.

Only 40 pieces are produced. To find out more details visit their twitter for details.

From Reebok’s Flight Jacket Pack to the Chuck Taylor All Star High. Flight Jacket is a common inspiration that has been invading the sneaker world for quite a while. With the current one featured in olive with silver eyelets and safety orange liner. This may not be Converse’s a first time of launching a nylon–infused look ,but this Chuck Taylor All Star High definitely has its own appeal.

The latest Victoria, B.C Viberg Boots adds up to the vast collection of interesting things at Inventory’s Stockroom. With precision in the detailing of tan rough-out leather, Vibram sole and leather laces, this Viberg Boots is a 145 Oxford boot, which is a lower version of the iconic 36 Bobcat. It comes to no surprise that with 70 years of manufacturing that this can be argued as one of the strikingly best boots out there.

Click here for more details.

When 4 idealistic young designers gathered together, the result was a show beyond imagination. Albert Yanuar, Hian Tjen, Imelda Kartini, and Tex Saverio presented their own artistic dream on “Rejuvenate” fashion show, held in Upper Room – Jakarta.

Starting with Albert Yanuar, he actualized his theme “The Age of Reckoning” with many details of petals’ swirl and pleats. He also used original copper craft from Yogyakarta, so the dark side of the collection came in beauty as well. The theme didn’t force him to use only dark colors; contrarily he is daring enough to use bright colors, such as azure blue, orchid purple, and light orange. The whole look was gothic, highlighted the sense of reckoning.

Then, came “Lemurian” from Hian Tjen. Lemurian is a name of a sunken continent. With fin fish details, he created a collection in the image of futuristic. The use of metal as material highlighted the sense of “strong”. Because this was womenswear, he didn’t want to forget how to make it beautiful with those hand-painting sheer capes. The creation was imaginative, creating the look of beautiful underwater creature, such as water nymph.

Imelda Kartini hit the runaway with her dazzling “Fairy Warriors”. Inspired by the series of Avatar, she presented a full package of long gowns and tail dress. She took the beauty setting of Avatar’s nature and realized it into details of blossom flowers, feather, and decorated stones. The hair accessories were also amazing, an imagination of root-shaped and feather crown. She also added the sense of innocent with white dresses as final look which can also be a package of dream wedding dress.

Last but not least, Tex Saverio came with the true meaning of feminine fashion. His theme, “My Courtesan”, offered a complex-detailed collection with bold colors. Actually, the courtesan means a woman who attends the court of a monarch or other powerful person in 17^th-18^th century, but then the meaning refers to a mistress. With the collection’s accessories inspired by a shape of ornament candles, curtain, and ornament horns, he defined a mistress as “a classic stunning decoration”. He showed the taste of classic art with embroidery, drapery, and layers details.

Pictures above: Albert Yanuar

Hian Tjen

Imelda Kartini

Tex Saverio

Syu Shu is a local shoe brand and an online shop designed by Vicky Shu. Today notes the official first anniversary of the brand, and it has been gaining worldwide attention and shoe-lovers, even featured in one British magazine.

To commemorate the special day, Syu Shu gives a special sale day, 20% discount for all items. It only applies today – 28th of July, 2010, a year after the brand is born! There’s only 24 hours to place the order, shoe-addict ladies and guys who wants to give a fashionable proposal to his dear ones.

Visit Syu Shu and follow the latest updates on their Twitter.

For the ones who weren’t quick enough to grab yourself a pair of Common Projects shoes during the sale. You shall not be disheartened as Common Projects recently released an array of their Fall collection for 2010. Introducing the Arctic Boot as the new style of this season and two new colorways for the Dessert Boots and Toe Cap, 3 colorways for the Achilles Vintage Low and the ultra fine 5 hole slip on in grey-blue nubuck and white leather.  These collection will at least heal your post-sale blues.

Common Projects Fall ‘10 is available at Tres Bien Shop

Mastering their way from Surabaya to Jakarta’s renowned Brightspot Market. The duo creator Alek Kowalski and Dewi Asthari are gaining their recognition through their clothing line Allthethingsivedone. Taking inspiration from the decent denim clothes and worn out tees of the movie ‘My Own Private Idaho‘, Allthethingsivedone carries together a collection of fine stitching and comfortable materials. As they believe, “each person deserve a reward from the clothes they wear everyday.”

Click here to download the lookbook.

We all love a well made product. Continuing my obsession with backpack I came across Makr Carry Goods, a USA based small leather goods and bags company. All the workshop items are made internally in their studio by several of local artisans and the owner himself. Makr always produced their products in small quantities, because they believe that it’s better to sell their product to people that will care for it, rather to over-produce them and ended up in the stock room. My favorite here would be the Brown canvas backpack (Farm Ruck Sack) and it cost US$160, which pretty fair for a decent bag.

Visit their website to check on other products.

The lucky thing about being a Japanese or living in Japan, is that you would most likely be the first one to get a hold of a range of astonishing clothing lines. One example would be the new collection of OriginalFake, which includes numerous collaborations as Loopwheller, Levi’s Porter to Kaw’s XX eye feature. This minimalistic design of fall/winter wear that includes t-shirts, sweats, denim, bags, wallet and more will be available in their stockist around the world soon.

For more pictures, click here.