It's going to be tough to match last week's barrage of emails from all of you wanting to get your mitts on those Adidas x Nom de Guerre sneakers. I think, though, that I've found just the thing: a $100 Topman gift certificate that you can use online or at any of their stores worldwide!

The UK based retailer's much awaited New York store opened last year on Broadway and has been packing the crowds in ever since. Given what's going on in the economy, it's no wonder.

Topman's main product offerings are fashionable men's clothing, covering everything from men's formal suits to informal indie-rock-influenced casual-styling ranges, along with footwear and accessories.

For a list of special collections, click here. You can also see what's hot on their blog. Click here for the US edition and here for the UK edition. For complete list of store, click here. And if you're in the US and you sign up for their newsletter, you get free shipping on your next order. Combine it with the $100 gift certificate and you're good to go.

For your chance to win this week, email me with the names of two of the special collections sold at Topman.

Make sure to include your name and address.

Sit down for this one.

I was out last week and met someone who knows someone who hooked me up with a pair of the super hot Nom de Guerre contribution (retail value $170) to the Adidas Five-Two 3 collection. Note to self: as tired as you are, keep going out.

Adidas teams up with New York label Nom De Guerre as part of the upcoming Five-Two 3 project. The sneaker has been modified heavily by the NY based brand incorporating elements in line with their ethos. This sneaker features a zipper lace system along with a velcro strap set at an angle to signify a war bandage strap. The shoe has a military boot feel to it but is still undeniably a classic Adidas sneaker. The Nom de Guerre Forum Mid is available in limited quantities at exclusive Nom De Guerre retailers, or, if you're our lucky winner...here!

Check out pics of the Forum:

NDG x Adidas 01
NDG x Adidas 02
NDG x Adidas 03
NDG x Adidas 04

For your chance to win, email me with the address of Nom de Guerre's New York store.

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Christophe Mazzei

One of my sister's favorite songs is Garth Brook's "Friends in Low Places". Not only do I have friend in low places, but I got them in high places and everywhere in between, which is how I managed to get my hands on a pair of weekend passes (retail value $115/per pass) to the Treasure Island Music Festival in San Francisco this October.

This year's lineup is just as good with MGMT, MSTRkrft, Girl Talk, The Streets, Passion Pit, Dan Deacon, The Flaming Lips, Decemberists, Beirut, Bob Mould, The Walkmen, and Grizzly Bear, among others. Click here for the full lineup.

The best part about this festival? It's on Treasure Island which is in the SF Bay between San Francisco and Oakland. I think I remember going to a Sunday outdoor rave or two there back in the day. All I remember is GORGEOUS.

It's easily visible from San Francisco's Embarcadero, a low-lying front porch jutting out towards the Golden Gate Bridge from Yerba Buena Island. Palm trees in a silhouetted row set off massive white buildings, dwarfed by the towering silver Bay Bridge marching across the water towards Oakland. That bridge carries over 130,000 people a day within yards of this artificial lily pad, most of them whizzing by at 70 miles per hour without giving it a second thought.

Read all about the island here. Click here for ticket information (in case you're not this week's lucky winner) and here for the standard list of rules and regs: what you can bring and what you can't bring and how to get there.

Email me with the year that the Treasure Island Music Festival was established for your chance to win.

As always, make sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Winner:
Leigh Coventary

Remember how I said I went shopping last weekend? Well, I stopped by Steven Alan because a friend told me they were having a sale. While there, I saw the hottest pair of shoes/sneakers by a British outfit called Pointer. As luck would have it, I'm in touch with their PR rep, who has mostly graciously given me a pair of Taylors (retail value $132) in grey or black to give away this week.

Pointer was created with the aim of making simple, well-designed casual shoes in response to a market then saturated with increasingly technical trainers and hyped-up limited edition sneakers.

Bold, bright prints usher in a braver tomorrow, while the subdued classics and muted tones remain for those who prefer to slip into something more subtle. New styles introduce multi-coloured threading and contrasting trims, and old favourites are upgraded with embroidered logos, a choice of lace colourways and patterned soles.

And though staying true to Pointer's principle of low-profile design aesthetics, structure and comfort have been improved across the entire line: the latest collection sees the introduction of new men's and women's lasts, moulded soles and higher recovery foam insoles with more substantial heel and arch support.

I'm sad to say I accidentally overwrote the rest of this entry, but I did pick a winner, which is what really counts!!

Winner
Pete Nelson

Super cool LOVEFOXXX of indie band CSS is at it again and my friends at graniph have hooked me up with 4 of the just released t-shirts the Brazilian chanteuse designed in collaboration with the Japanese t-shirt megabrand.

Following up on last year's collaboration, graniph once again teams up with the enigmatic lead vocalist of Brazilian disco-punk outfit CSS, LOVEFOXXX for another limited edition T! Celebrate CSS's appearance at this Japan's hottest music festival SummerSonic with this cool release!

Each t-shirt comes with a special present from LOVEFOXXX herself - a unique handwritten autograph!!

Check out the tee below. It's pretty hot.

Lovefoxxx 4 Graniph

Please note: the tees are sized Japanese style, which means they run REALLY small. Checkout this page for more details on sizing and plan accordingly.

Email me with the name of one other member in CSS.

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winners
Eric Alston
Ally Roarty
Lau Chung Yuen
Mark Bucheit

My good friends at Tretorn have outdone themselves again. Knowing how much you and I love Tretorns, they've hooked me up with two pairs to give away this week. One for the ladies and one for the guys.

They've just released their Fall/Winter 2009 collection and already shoes are flying off the shelves. In addition to the classics -- like the Nylite Canvas that I'm giving to the ladies this week -- they've added all new styles and put twists on styles from past collection -- like the Skyrma Mid Leather that I'm giving to the guys. I'm dying for this style! Classic, clean Tretorn done in black and brown leather and mid height for added cool.

Word on the street is that the Tretorn x Commes des Garcons collab sneaker is going to hit stores soon and I'm trying to get my hands on a pair for you, but no luck yet!

In the meantime, check out Tretorn's site, where you'll find and can buy the full range of clothing and shoes for men, women, and children, as well as their blog for the latest info on the line.

His 1
His 2
Hers 1
Hers 2
Hers 3
Hers 4

*Please note on the women's sneakers: the first two styles are the GTO which are leather and the second two are canvas.

Email me with the name of the man who started the company for your chance to win!

As always, make sure to include your full name, style (His 1, Hers 2, etc from above), size, and mailing address.

Winners:
Kenard Jackson
Jeanine Herman

This must be my lucky month: not only did someone from a PR company in LA who reps Reebok contact me and send me a pair of Commitment Mids after I covered them a few weeks back, but someone I know here in New York hooked me up with someone at Reebok who has offered up a pair of the Commitment Mids for this week's give away.

I'd say whoever the winner is and I will be twins, but the ones I have are black and white and the ones you'll win are the white and blue ones shown in the pic below.

Either way, Reebok's back and they're not playing around. Whether it be marquee athletes in the 80's and 90's wearing shoes from the Jam Series or Dee Brown pumping up his Omni's in the 1991 Slam Dunk Contest, we know that Reebok and basketball go hand in hand. This summer in retro-sport, Reebok brings back the basketball models like the Commitment, the Pump Omni Lite and the Sir Jam in flashy, streaming colors that will blow up the courts.

Check out Reebok's website for more pics and the full range of styles currently available.

Email me with the name of the sportswear giant that Reebok is a subsidiary of.

Please note: if you don't click this link to email me -- that includes a special subject line -- your email might get lost in the shuffle.

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Matthew Wilkins

Can you believe I've been doing giveaways for over a year?! That's insane. While I wish I could give everyone who emails something every week, given the numbers of emails I get, it's impossible. Even if you haven't won recently, keep emailing. The person who sends in the most emails for giveaways will win something hot very shortly. No hints, but trust me on this one.

Up this week, I've got 3 copies (retail value $30) of the latest edition of the Journal of Popular Noise's limited edition, bi-yearly audio magazine featuring spoken word by Andrew W.K., Ian Svenonius, and Walker & Cantrell and photography by Roe Etheridge, Flora Hanitijo, and Bryan Whitson.

This time around, there will be a Letterpress version (edition of 100) and a "zine" version (edition of 400). Within the package are 3 issues, each in the form of 7" vinyl records. Every issue conforms to the same prescribed editorial structures but is composed by a different artist or group. This set contains issues 13-15 featuring (respectively) Andrew W.K., Ian Svenonius, and Walker & Cantrell. The packaging folds out to a beautiful letter-pressed poster containing information about the Journal, the musicians, and the compositional process. Click here to check out audio samples from this issue on their MySpace.

Email me with the name of one of past bands featured in the Journal to win this week.

As always, make sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Winners:
Morgan Stone
Eric Eng
Edward Yelonek

Remember the hot pair of custom Chuck Taylors by Brooklyn designers Love Brigade I was drooling over last month? Well, as fate would have it, I've gotten my hands on a pair (retail $99) that I'm giving away to one of you this week.

Check out my original post: This week, it's more tricked out Chucks by Brooklyn's Love Brigade to celebrate the release of indie rapper Rob Roy's album King Warrior Magician Lover.

Check out the sneakers on the Love Brigade's blog, where you can buy them for $99. They have a sort of post apocolyptic, Beyond Thunderdome look, which is probably why I think they're hot. These are definitely not your dad's Chuck Taylors and for $99, quite a bargain.

Make sure to check out Love Brigade's site, where you can see images of designs from their latest men's and women's collections.

Love Brigade Chuck Taylors 01
Love Brigade Chuck Taylors 02

Email me with the name of one of the designers from Love Brigade. Hint: you can find it somewhere on their site.

Please note: if you don't click this link to email me -- that includes a special subject line -- your email might get lost in the shuffle.

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Brian Cauvel

After singing the praises of one hot suit made by Swedish line ACNE, I've managed to get my hands on a very hot fitted men's sweatshirt from the line (retail value $199) that's perfect for cool summer nights, which we seem to be getting a lot of this year.

The sweatshirt is very simple, in light weight cotton and is very fitted, making it perfect for all occasions. Until you've worn a well cut, fitted sweatshirt, you just don't know how chic a sweatshirt can be.

You can check it out in their web store and in the pics below. Make sure to check out their official site, where you'll find pictures from their collections, a link to their publication ACNE Paper, which has some cool interviews, and a list of ACNE stores worldwide.

Check out the sweatshirt:

MSO Fleece 01
MSO Fleece 02

Email me with a short list of your current favorite bands and clothing lines. Please note: if you don't click this link to email me -- that includes a special subject line -- your email might get lost in the shuffle.

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Cristobal Molina

After singing the praises of the latest additions to the J Crew empire -- two recently-opened, stand alone men's stores in New York aptly named The Mens Shop and The Liquor Store -- I was able to get my hands on a $100 gift certificate from the clothiers that we all know and love (again).

The verdict is in: this isn't the J Crew we used to know. They've definitely put some effort into the shop: it looks more like Steven Alan than J Crew and it's really hot. The selection of clothes is very pared down, with more tailored items, button ups galore, cashmere sweaters, slim fit tees, and accessories to go with it all.

In addition to the new Mens Shop at 484 Broadway, it seems that they've also opened a custom mens shop called Liquor Store (235 Browadway at White Street), which looks very similar to the one I went into, but just a bit south in Tribeca.

"Featuring a handpicked selection of carefully edited pieces for style connoisseurs and individualists a like". Check out the Liquor Store site for more info, including pics of the shop, an interview with the store tender Tremaine Romeo, and photos of pieces from collaborators like Ray Ban, Thomas Mason, Sperry Topsider, Timex, Jack Purcell, and more. Email me with the name of the Elvis Costello record listed on the Liquor Store site as a recommendation.

As always, make sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Winner:
Dan Stetler

So last week was a little insane. I'm still shocked at how many emails I got about the Stephen Sprouse edition of LE BOOK. I know people consider it a collector's edition, but ya'll are crazy!!

This week, I got my hands on a hot black tee (retail value $99) by Australian indie brand Ksubi.

If for some reason you don't live on this planet, aka you've never heard of Ksubi: Created in 2000, Dan Single and George Gorrow (who spent most of their spare time surfing and playing in a band), were unsatisfied with the range of jeans on the market and couldn't find pairs that fit properly. Under the name Tsubi, they started manufacturing their jeans and denim. Remember they had to switch their name because of some legal issues?!? I think Ksubi's way hotter anyway.

Read teh full Wiki here and check out their site, not that you'll find anything relating to their line there. To check out styles from the line, check out Oak, where you can see pics of the Black Mesh Tee I have for you this week.

You can also check out these pics:

Ksubi Tee 01
Ksubi Tee 02

Email me with the number of rats the designers let out on the runway in an early show that had people up in arms.

As always, make sure to include your full name, t-shirt size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Christophe Durand

I've got a copy of the highly coveted, collector's edition Stephen Sprouse LE BOOK (retail value $249) to give away in this week's newsletter.

This edition of LE BOOK was done in conjunction with the Stephen Sprouse book that was released in January, the exhibit Rock On Mars @ Deitch, and the custom collection by Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton honoring Sprouse.

LE BOOK — the international reference for the creative industry — announces the release of its New York 2009 edition, art by fashion "punk glamour god" and design icon Stephen Sprouse (1953 – 2004). This year marks the five-year anniversary of Sprouse’s passing and LE BOOK is honored to have his work "dress" its publication, continuing a lineage of cover artists that includes Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Vivienne Westwood, Yohji Yamamoto and Azzedine Alaia.

A true collector’s item, LE BOOK New York 2009 showcases Sprouse’s unique rock-chic aesthetic influenced by art, glamour, and grit. It’s also one of several projects showcasing the designer’s work that help make 2009 the year of Stephen Sprouse.

Email me with the names of two people interviewed in the book.

As always, make sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Winner:
Cora Laurenceau

I'm sure you read the post I put up last month announcing that model turned designer and artist David Lindwall's much-awaited, latest collection of tees had finally dropped. And I'm sure you know that I'm obsessed with his tees because they're really hot. So I emailed David and asked if he'd be kind enough to hook me up with one to give away this week and like the cool guy he is, he said "Yes."

For those of you not familiar with Lindwall, here's a little info: David Lindwall was born in the blond and blue-eyed country-(side) in 1982 to a mother forced to continuously alter her outlandishly tall but very skinny boy's clothes. Sick of all that sewing Mother Lindwall informed boy Lindwall that he needed to learn to sew and there in adolescence his fashion education ended. At just 15 Lindwall left home to study chemistry, maths and physics in the city.

His shirts are hot and they sell out of stores like hot cakes. Last collection sold out at Seven in less than a week. They're also carried at Dover Street Market (London), Restir (Tokyo), and I.T (Hong Kong). As soon as I find out the current list of stockists, I'll post it up.

He's only got one to spare at the moment (retail value $85), as he's backed up in shipping his current orders. You do, though, have three styles from which to choose:

T-shirt 1
T-shirt 2
T-shirt 3

Email me with the name of the first designer David did a shoot for. He's famous for the Dior/Hedi Slimane bit, but Dior was second. Who was first??? I'll give you a hint: I posted an interview I did with Lindwall on the site a few months back with the answer...

As always, make sure to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winner:
Jesper Dahl

Arctic Monkeys fans listen up: the band released a DVD -- Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo this past Wednesday that you have to check out. The 76-minute film documents the last performance of the band's acclaimed 2007 world tour, which was at the venerable Manchester Apollo Theatre.

Captured on super 16mm film, Arctic Monkeys at The Apollo is a cinematic feast with impressive, intuitive and confidently held master shots - a film that invites the audience to immerse themselves in the style and force of the British phenoms as they deliver an energetic and impressive live performance in front of thousands of ecstatic fans.

Directed by regular Warp Films music video director Richard Ayoade, captured exquisitely on film by director of photography Danny Cohen (This is England), edited by Nick Fenton (Sigur Ros documentary Heima), and produced by Diarmid Scrimshaw, this is the first ever live Arctic Monkeys performance captured on film.

Watch the trailer here. For all of you who haven't had the chance to see these guys live, this is the next best thing. Once you see it, I'm sure you'll want to see them live, which you can do this summer at this year's All Points West Festival. Check out the line up here.

I could only get my hands on 1 copy for this week's giveaway. If you're not the lucky winner, you can buy a copy of the DVD on Insound and on Amazon, but first try your luck here.

Email me the name of your favorite Arctic Monkeys song for your chance to win this week's giveaway.

As always, make sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Winner:
JMR (that's all he put...)

Graham is back. Working remotely from sunny Calgary, he sent out a few emails last week and boy did we score big time!

By now you know about the really hot button up shirts by Gitman Vintage. Well, the folks at Gitman Brothers have hooked us up with two (2) of their killer plaid shirts (retail $145) for you this week.

You'll remember I was raving about the line a few weeks back. Check out the post I wrote here. Gitman Brothers is a line of shirts by old school, master shirt makers, who have recently launched Gitman Vintage and the shirts are pretty hot. Priced well below similar styles from the indie lines, it looks like the indie designers are going to have to go back to the drawing board now that Gitman is in the game.

The design team at Gitman dusted off old line books to curate an authentic interpretation of the past by selectively appropriating their favorite fabrics and having them remade. The line also recreates le mode retro details, including original double-track stitching, chalk buttons, locker-loops and box-pleats and they've nailed it, especially with the fabrics, which are really hot.

Given the list of retailers carrying the line -- Ron Herman, Barneys, United Arrows, Isetan, and Oak -- you can be quite certain of the quality and cool factor. I checked them out last week at Oak and, sure enough, they're hot.

Check out pics of styles from the line:

Gitman 01
Gitman02
Gitman03

Have a look at more styles on Oak's site and Context's site, where you can see the shirts on a model.

All you have to do this week is send me an email telling me what year Gitman was established. Don't forget to send your name, size, and mailing adddress.

Winners:
Justin Kouri
Andrew Zvirblis

So I've been frantically looking for a freelance gig lately because blogging doesn't pay the bills and let's just say indie fashion isn't what it used to be. I know you all probably think I live in a penthouse apartment in one of those new glass buildings somewhere on Bowery -- blogging is a pretty glamorous job I have to admit. I mean 95% of the stuff I cover I can't even afford. What could be hotter than that??

To make a long story even longer, I'm empty handed again this week. If only I had Graham back. I need a new intern badly. Anyone? Anyone?

I've decided, though, since I did land a pretty sweet gig that I'd pony up some cash this week -- $50 to be exact in the form of a PUMA gift card -- so you can stop by and check out the hotness that PUMA is currently putting out, like the Unlimited Hi EVO's I got this past weekend.

All you have to do this week is send me an email telling me just how awesome I am for throwing down cash to keep you reading my blog.

Don't forget to send your name and mailing adddress.

Winner:
Chuck Hayman

I told you this was coming: I got a big box of goodies from the designers at Nice Collective last week that included men's tees (retail value $80) and two Zip Wallets in Silver Leather (retail $179) that are up for grabs today.

If for some reason you're not familiar with the line -- which means this must be your first time reading this blog because I post about them a lot! -- check out this piece I wrote in January on their Fall/Winter 2009 collection. Don't forget to check out these backstage pics from the Fall/Winter 2009 show.

I have 3 tees and 2 wallets to give away today. Unfortunately, I don't have pics of the tees, so you're going to have to trust me on this one. If you know the line and you know their tees, there's little chance you'll be disappointed. Check out t-shirt designs from current and past collections here, here, and here. To check out some good pics of the line and to see the wallet, click here. Scroll down to find the image of the wallet.

All you have to do this week is send me an email letting me know your current favorite band. I need some new music to listen to and cover. Hook me up. Best band referrals get the goodies.

Don't forget to send your name, size, and mailing adddress.

Winners:
Jonathan R. Jeremias (tee)
Gil Montero (tee)
Eric Alston (wallet)
Eleonora Mele (wallet)

I just got a big box of Nice Collective stuff in the mail today. Since I decided to use the giveaway area in the newsletter for help bring more awareness to Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, I'm doing this week's giveaway right here. Plus I want to keep you on your toes!

I don't know if you remember this from last year, but Nice Collective has a twice yearly sample sale that people go insane for. Last time the boys and Juan hooked me up with a set of VIP tickets (these allow you to get into the sale an hour earlier than the general public) my mailbox was flooded with emails and that was just from people in SF. Word must have spread like wild fire.

This time around, I have one set of VIP pre-sale passes that get you in an hour early to get your hands on the good stuff. I also have a stack of tickets to the sale to give away, which not just everyone can get either. So if you're in SF of if you plan on being in SF on 04.19.09 and want to shop for Nice Collective clothes at their sample sale, email me and tell me your favorite store that carries Nice Collective.

Also in the box today were some clothes, which I have to say are very hot. Some I get to keep and other pieces I will give away at some point over the next week, so keep reading.

Winner:
Spain Willingham

Sit down for this one. Graham and I have scored a killer giveaway this week: an Overnight Travel Bag (retail $325), which is part of one of the hottest, most sought-after men's bag lines on the market by US designers Billykirk. Do you know how much it pains me to have to give this away?

US accessories lines Billykirk was formed in 1999 by brothers Chris and Kirk Bray, whose focus on quality and craftsmanship is unrivaled in the indie market. Once you get your hands on one of their bags, you'll be able to see and feel the difference. The line is crafted in Pennsylvania by Amish leather workers. If you're unfamiliar with the Amish, one thing you should know is that everything they do it top quality. The Amish don't mess around.

Read this interview with the design duo on their site, where you'll get much more insight into their line and their design and production processes. Don't forget to check out the styles available through their online shop. The line is carried by the best retailers around the world. I'd list them out here, but I'm going to make you look that up in order to try to win the bag.

Billykirk Overnight Bag

For your chance to win, email me with the names of 3 retailers who carry the Billykirk line.

* Make sure to include your mailing address.

Winner:
Matt Zuras

Thanks to Graham (my kinda sorta intern who moved back to Calgary but is still working remotely) for hooking up this week's giveaway.

He's gotten his hands on a really hot geometric print, knit jacket (retail value $695) -- from his current boss Canadian knitwear guru Paul Hardy.

If you're not familiar with Hardy you should be: he's garnered much fashion world attention to date. He began his design career in 2002 with an opening show at Toronto Fashion Week where his first collection saw a host of rave reviews declaring, "a star is born". He's been praised by WWD, the President of CFDA, Philip Bloch, and has shown during New York Fashion Week. When you see the pic below of this week's giveaway, you'll know what all of the hype is about.

I should also mention that Hardy's got a new line of knits out called Kaille -- home-spun cloth in Gaellic -- that are produced in Ireland by Fisherman out of Ireland and made with the finest Italian yarns. The line is currently available only at Paul Hardy Atelier (4-1126 Kensinton Road NW, Calgary).

Make sure to check out his website for more information. Anyone high-end retailers looking to carry the line can contact Hardy for more information at info@paulhardydesign.com.

In the meantime, check out pic of the knit jacket up for grabs this week:

Paul Hardy 01

For your chance to win, email me with the name of your favorite Canadian indie rock band. In case you've been sleeping, Canada's hot right now.

* Make sure to include your size and mailing address.

Winner:
Tina Tomicic

Just in the knick of time -- while the mornings and nights are still a little nippy -- I got my hands on one of the hot cashmere scarves from the footie_first leg collection (retail value $150) by New York designer Stephen Wong.

Wong Wong is focused on showcasing the beauty and design of football beyond the pitch and profiling individuals that bring these ideas to life.

The footie_first leg cashmere scarf collection is Wong's interpretation of the classic football scarf incorporating the team colors of clubs from across Europe and UK with traditional football terminology. Think "double team", "hump and run", and "backdoor"!

The collection is designed in NYC and knit in China from the finest cashmere and was launched exclusively in NYC and Paris. You've really got to touch one of these babies, though, to feel just how luxurious they really are.

Check out pics of Backdoor, which comes in red, white, and blue. It's 60" long and 7" wide.

Backdoor 01
Backdoor 02

For your chance to win, email me and tell me your favorite soccer team.

Make sure to include your mailing address.

Winner:
Ryan Walls

I'm psyched to have in my possession one Brandon Herman limited edition Fire Maker (retail $199) -- a custom made lighter by LA artist Brandon Herman, one of only 19 left from an edition made in 2008. The perfect piece of artwork for the secret arsonist in all of us.

For those of you not yet familiar with Herman: make sure to check out his site. It's chock full of images and info on current and past projects.

Brandon Herman is a contemporary artist based in LA who works primarily in photography but, in recent exhibitions, has begun to show sculpture, painting and video work as well.

Herman's creative process involves diligently staged events, often preceded by months of research on a topic of interest, and then scripted, cast and executed with chosen participants. In 2007 he orchestrated a yearlong project inspired by the high profile abductions of Polly Klaas (in the 90s) and Patricia Hearst (in the 70s). The pieces that showed in the resulting exhibition explore the psychological intricacies of the experience of being abducted but often only hint at the elaborate and experiential method of investigation prior.

Check out the limited edition Fire Maker that's up for grabs this week:

Fire Maker 01
Fire Maker 02

For your chance to win, email me and tell me your favorite pyro themed song.

Make sure to include your mailing address.

Winner:
Geoff Cooper

I have to get my act together and get a new intern. Setting up the give aways isn't easy without Graham here. This week, I'm giving away a $50 gift card that I was given at a Tretorn press event, because I was too busy to set up something else!! Not a bad give away though, I must say.

In case you're not familiar, Tretorn is the iconic Swedish sneaker brand that was super popular in the 80's (remember the Preppy Handbook?) that's recently made a huge comeback, launched amazing new styles, updated old styles, and is now even doing clothing.

They opened their first free standing store in the US in New York last spring in SoHo at 151 Spring Street. If haven't been yet, it's the place where you'll be able to use this gift card.

Don't forget to check out their official site and Tobi.com, where you can buy select pieces from the collection.

For your chance to win the $50 gift card, email me and your current favorite band. If you read the site often, you'll know what I'm into. Hopefully, you'll be into something I've not covered yet.

Make sure to include your mailing address.

Winner:
Cheryl Free

I'm very excited this week to offer up two pairs of sneakers (retail value $65) from Simple, the company that came back strong this year with some of the hottest (not to mention eco-friendly) designs on the market.

In case you missed my piece on Simple a few weeks back, check it out here.

In 2004, the designers have an epiphany: let's make an eco-friendly shoe. With this, the Green Toe collection is born and, as they say, the rest is history. Check out their site for more info on the history of the line. For those who are more comfortable watching videos, click here for a video of the history of Simple.

Currently, they've just launched what I think is a super hot line called ecoSNEAKS. Click here to see styles from this collection. I love the CARload in hemp and in suede and the CARbine in hemp and in leather.

Not only are the sneakers eco-friendly and socially conscious, which in case you've been asleep at the wheel is hot hot hot right now, but the price point is just right and they're really cool.

Just hitting stores now are a few new styles that up the ante on the eco aspect of the line like the Unbleached Hemp collection and a collection of shoes made without glue. These guys are serious!

Check out the two styles up for grabs today:

CARload
CARbine

For your chance to win, email me and tell me what year Simple was born.

Make sure to include your size and your mailing address so I can pass it onto the folks at Simple to get your sneakers out quickly!!!

Winners:
Eddie Sanchez
Clinton Hayden

I had something hot lined up for this week, but it got put on hold for reasons beyond my control. As in previous weeks, when the going get's tough, I start to give stuff away.

Up this week: Ju$t Another Rich Kid's Love Buzz gold-dipped pendant + necklace (retail $202) from the 7 Deadly Sins Indulgences series. A large order of these just shipped to Scoop stores around the country, so if for some reason you don't win, stop by your local Scoop and scoop one up.

Ever fascinated with pop culture iconography and following the success of the 2004 Indulgences series, Ju$t Another Rich Kid launches the much-anticipated series of Indulgences based on the 7 Deadly Sins. The collection is comprised of 7 unisex, gold-dipped pendants on 24 inch chains.

Included in the series is one pendant for each deadly sin:

1... Gluttony (Coke Spoon #4)
2... Greed (Snake Eyes)
3... Lust (Can You Feel My Love Buzz?)
4... Sloth (Why Do Today...)
5... Anger (No More War)
6... Pride (Fall From Heaven)
7... Envy (Jolly Roger)

Unlike the original series, which contained only a few necklaces, every piece in this series is wearable (and usable if you do cocaine) and priced at around $200 retail.

Check out the pendant here: Love Buzz

For your chance to win, email me telling me which deadly sin best suits you.

Make sure to include your mailing address!!!

Winner:
Alex Hulse

I hope you're sitting down for this one: my friends at online retailer -- Tobi -- have hooked me up with a $100 gift certificate to give away to you this week.

That's $100 for you (man, woman, or child) to spend as you please on their site. If for some reason you're not familiar with Tobi, listen up: Tobi's an online retailer that sells all of the hip clothing lines so you don't have to leave your house (or your hometown) to get stuff by the likes of Commes des Garcons, Surface To Air, APC, Ksubi, Earnest Sewn, SEE by Chloe, Tretorn, Cheap Monday, Grey Ant, Prps, Rag & Bone, and many many more.

Besides the killer line up of collections, what makes Tobi special? Their customer service. It's unrivaled. Anywhere.

They realize that the biggest hurdle with online shopping is not being able to see and feel the product before purchasing it. That is where Tobi's fashion savvy and knowledgeable stylists come into play. Tobi.com offers a 1:1 stylist experience through inline chatting, by phone, or email. The stylists are able to address questions from fabric and fit to professional styling advice. You've got to try it to believe it. If you win this week's give away, you'll be able to.

In the meantime, check out their site. You'll thank me one day for this tip.

For your chance to win, email me a list of three (3) things that would be on your short list to buy from Tobi if you win this week.

Winner:
Stefano Foini

My friends who run super cool online store THE COLD HANDS OF SHOREDITCH have hooked me up with 3 tees (retail value $55) to give away to you my faithful readers this week.

THE COLD HANDS OF SHOREDITCH is a joint venture between the designers of t-shirt lines Without Backbones and Lightnin' Jim.

The Lightnin' Jim tees feature imagery of an old rockabilly punk from the late 70s early 80's called Smutty Smith, somewhat of a legendary figure who used to hang out with the Sex Pistols and David Bowie.

Without Backbones follows a strict dress code of black on black on white. True to form these boys reflect fresh humorous design with a slightly cynical view born out of spent youth in a provincial seaside town.

You can see more styles at THE COLD HANDS OF SHOREDITCH online shop.

Check out pics of the tees:

Without Backbones Tee 1
Lightnin' Jim Tee 1
Lightnin' Jim Tee 2

The lines are men's lines, but these styles are also perfect for aall you ladies who I know are wearing oversized tees cut up or as dresses, so feel free to try your luck.

For your chance to win, email me with the name of the city that Shoreditch is a neighborhood in.

Please make sure to include the size you want, the tee you want, and your mailing address in the email.

Winners:
Lau Chung Yuen
Brett McCall
Bob Nelson

My friends at super cool showroom The News have hooked me up with a whopping 10 pairs of Cheap Monday jeans (retail value $65) to give away to you my faithful readers this week.

Cheap Monday, as I'm sure you know, was THE jean that really launched the skinny jean revolution.

Founder Örjan Andersson doesn't hate expensive jeans, he just found a way to make premium denim cheap. Cheap Monday started out as a private label Andersson sold out of his Weekday stores in Stockholm. Hanging on racks next to big name denim, Cheap Monday held its own, gaining a cult like following, which rages on. Cheap Monday's signature unwashed stretch fit is I-can-see-your-pulse superslim cool.

Check out pics of the jeans:

Cheap Monday View 1
Cheap Monday View 2
Cheap Monday View 3

*Please note, if you've never owned Cheap Mondays before, they're slim fit, so size up 1 size to ensure they fit you properly. Sizes available: men's waist sizes from 28 - 36". This style is perfect for both guys and girls, so ladies, feel free to enter.

For your chance to win, email me with the year the company was founded.

Please make sure to include the size you want and your mailing address in your email.

Winners:
Marcellus Holmes
Leah Yerpe
Joseph Roumeliotis
Craig Poplar
Julian Garcia
Eric Allston
David Goodman
Kadar Brock
Courtney Gillette
Toby Benson

My friends at Various Projects (the duo who also own super cool LES store PROJECT No. 8) have graciously given me one of their minimal chic sterling silver key rings (retail value $70) to give away to you my faithful readers this week.

Elizabeth Beer & Brian Janusiak formed Various Projects, as a multidisciplinary design collaboration, in 2005. Their store (PROJECT No. 8) is their eighth project together.

Having a retail space is a chance for the designers to experiment with reoccurring themes from their own work: concerns with distribution, collaboration, sustainability, digression and the creation of fluxuating communities.

Additionally, Various Projects produces an expanding line of clothing and accessories. By selling their own line at Project No. 8, Beer and Janusiak are able to offer very high quality designs at reasonable prices. If you've ever been to store, you know their eye for quality and design is impeccable.

Check out pics of the key chain:

Various Projects View 1
Various Projects View 2

For your chance to win, email me with the address of PROJECT No. 8.

* A lot of you are sending emails with the right answer with no shipping address. So please make sure to include that in your email.

Winner:
Sven Grammes

I've been so busy that I got mixed up with this week's giveaway! I thought I had something lined up, but I was I wrong. What I do have, though, is a dyptich I made last year called Untitled: The Heartbreakers + The Ramones ($1,000 value). In situations like these, give away some Ju$t Another Rich Kid art!!

The dyptich was originally featured in a group show at Anna Kustera called Urbanity On Paper and is currently on view and for sale at Opus Art in the UK.

From an ongoing body of work entitled Blood Simple, Untitled: The Heartbreakers + The Ramones features a 1970's New Year's Eve flyer for a loft party in New York at which the seminal punk band The Ramones played alongside the influential Heartbreakers and a DJ set by Wayne County.

The two part piece (13 x 20" each) is a custom silk screen print comes in an edition of 20 signed by yours truly. Check out the piece on Opus' site and in the pic below.

Untitled: The Heartbreakers + The Ramones

For your chance to win, email me with the name of your favorite Ramones song.

A lot of you are sending emails with the right answer with no shipping address. So please make sure to include that in your email.

Winner:
Armando Bellmas

My friends at EDUN -- the super hot, socially-conscious line owned by Bono -- want you to take note! They're doing two giveaways in the next few weeks -- one for men and one for women. First up: the Alyce Shirt Dress (retail $325) is hot hot hot.

EDUN -- launched in Spring 2005 -- was founded by Ali Hewson and Bono. It's a business with a conscience, founded on the premise of trade as a means of building sustainable communities in developing countries to help foster economic growth rather than provide charity. EDUN utilizes locally run factories in Africa, South America and India. EDUN does not build and does not own these factories. Chew on that. Don't forget to check out their latest collection here.

But let's get back to the reason you're reading this: you want the Alyce Shirt Dress. You can see pics of it on their site here; I've linked to the same pics below. It comes in sizes XS-L.

Check out pics below.

Alyce Shirt Dress / View 1
Alyce Shirt Dress / View 2
Alyce Shirt Dress / View 3
Alyce Shirt Dress / View 4

For your chance to win, email me with the names of two retailers who carry the line.

As always, let me know what your size is and your shipping address.

Winner:
Monica LaStaiti

Japanese limited edition t-shirt gurus Graniph have teamed up with Lovefoxxx, the Brazilian lead singer of indie-electro band Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) for two limited tee designs (retail value $40US).

Not only are these two styles not yet available on Graniph's site or in any of their retail stores, but they've given me 8 tees (1 in each style sizes XS-L) to give away this week!!! So you'll be one of the first to get your hands on one of these babies and your chances of winning are really good.

There's only one small catch: the tees are sized Japanese style, which means they run REALLY small. Checkout this page for more details on sizing and plan accordingly.

Check out the styles below.

Lovefoxxx/CSS #1
Lovefoxxx/CSS #2

For your chance to win, email me with the names of two CSS songs.

As always, let me know which style you want, what your size is, and your shipping address.

Winners:
Andrew Lau
Robert Trautman
Abbey Braden
Katie Klencheski
Jere Valkonen
Irina Baranovskaya
Stuart Shum
Marc Boutges

Anti big label, indie fashion label Wrath Arcane have hooked me up with some hot hot stuff this week: one of their super cool Assvm Pvllovers (retail value $132) and 3 pairs of Black Stretch Skinny Jeans (retail value $160).

Wrath Arcane is a clothing label with a message:

"We're tired of "BIG LABELS" (clothing companies, oil companies, governments, etc.) having so much influence on the ways that people live their lives. Wrath Arcane taken literally means "secret anger", or "forgotten rage".

We never want a model to sell our line. That's why we use the masks. Too many brands are 90% model, 10% clothing... and 0% about making our industry better." And at a time when China owns us, Wrath Arcane is "Made in the US" and is sold around the country, including Oak, Cry Wolf, and Fred Segal.

Check out the styles below.

Assvm Pvllover
Black Stretch Skinny Jeans

For your chance to win, click to email me telling me what your favorite Christmas song is.

As always, let me know which style you want, what your size is, and your shipping address.

Winners:
Eric Eng
Cain Semrad
Ben Detrick
Patrick Townsend

My friends from Tretorn are back and you won't want to miss this week's giveaway: for him the Hockeyboot Puffer (retail value $90) and for her Sofie Mid Vinter W (retail value $80). Both super hot styles.

The men's style is so hot, I want it for myself. I haven't seen anything so cool for any other line and until I popped into the Tretorn store in SoHo a few weeks back, didn't even know it existed. Once I saw it, I knew I had to get my hands on a pair for a giveaway. It's slim like a sneaker, but the quilting makes it a boot and perfect for winter wearing. Available in black.

Same goes for the Sofie Mid Vinter W, the suede women's sneaker that's lined like a boot with fuzzy faux fur to keep your feet warm when it's cold outside. Available in Beluga (black) and Dark Olive.

Check out the styles below.

Hockeyboot Puffer
Sofie Mid Vinter W

For your chance to win, send me the address of the Tretorn shop in SoHo.

As always, let me know if you want men's or women's, what your size is, color choice for women's, and your shipping address.

Winners:
Michelle Hudak
Ville Keranen

From Stuart Semple's Cult Of Denim collaboration, up now through 11.16.08 at Selfridges, comes a limited edition tee ($150) and a hand screened print ($960) -- on denim, of course!

Eight leading men and women's denim brands, including Levis, Diesel, JBrand, and Seven for All Mankind have teamed up for the first time with the Pop Artist Stuart Semple, in a creative collaboration that explores the versatility of denim in fashion and art.

Stuart Semple's artworks painted on vintage denim, stretched as canvas, pay tribute to the iconic fabric; he has researched the archives to unearth the key images, motifs and slogans that best represent each brand's identity. With consumerism and objects of desire as frequent points of reference in Semple's work, expect a true fashion-artdenim Mash Up.

First off, if you're in London, stop by Selfridges and check out the show in person. Denim as canvas? Amazing.

Up this week is a limited edition -- only 60 were made -- Forever tee (value $150) and a limited edition print, A Feeling I Belong, from a run of 200. The hand screened print on denim is 70 cm x 70 cm and is signed by the artist!!

A Feeling I Belong Print
Feeling T-Shirt

Given this is no small giveaway, you're going to have to work just a little to win this week. Email me and tell me where Stuart was born.

As always, send your full name, mailing address, and whether you want a men's or women's tee and what size.

Winner:
Katherina Davydova

Audiophiles listen up: my friends at the Journal Of Popular Noise has given me three (3) of only 300 copies of the soon-to-be-released issue Vol. 1 Fall/Winter 08 to give away to all you music lovers out there.

Based in Brooklyn the Journal Of Popular Noise is a semi-annual audio magazine inspired by the traditions of pop music, printed periodicals, and the delight of a finely crafted artifact. Editions are currently limited to 300 letter-pressed, hand-numbered copies. The Journal Of Popular Noise is set to release their fourth edition, which will include artists Climax Golden Twins, PWRFL Power, and Linda & Ron's Dad.

Checkout the piece I did on the upcoming issue here. They're currently taking pre orders for the issue and are having a release event at super hip Santos on 12.15.08 that the folks at JPN have graciously agreed to put the winners on the list for. If you haven't been to Santos, you're missing out. With the line up in the current issue, you won't want to miss this event.

Email me and tell me your favorite music snob group at the moment. Don't forget to include your full name and shipping address.

Winners:
Joe Rosenbaum
Eric Eng
Taylor Okata

After many emails asking when I'm going to have something just for the ladies, I've managed to get my hands on a hot little cardigan (retail value $135US) from green Australian line Gorman for this week's giveaway.

Gorman likes it green & serene. Gorman have had a good look at what it means to go carbon neutral. We choose our suppliers carefully to make sure we are working with companies that are doing their thing for the environment too, from stationary suppliers through to freight forwarders. We no longer consider a new supplier if they don't have an environmental policy.

Now that's hardcore and something I've not heard of in any other company, which is inspiring. Read more about the company here.

This week's giveaway:
Surprise Cardi

Email me and tell me one way you're green. Don't forget to include your full name, size, and shipping address.

Winner:
Ching Yu Wong

Just so you know: I haven't picked last week's winners yet, as my computer crashed over the weekend and my data is sitting on a computer at the repair shop waiting for me to get it this weekend. In the interim, please checkout this week's giveaway.

While lounging on custom made denims settees listening to the indiest of indie bands at the Fader Fort last week, my good friends from Levi's and I chatted about my affinity for the 514's, which they were cool enough to give me 2 pairs of ($54 retail value each) to give away this week. * They gave me three pairs actually, but Graham The Super Intern gets a pair for all his hard work.

If you're not familiar with the 514, it's the new slim cut style by Levi's -- not to be confused with skinny jeans -- with a straight leg that I won't shut up about. Classic Levi's style with the perfect modern twist that allows it to compete with jeans that cost $200+. Since finding the 514's last Spring, I'd never pay that much for jeans again. At $54, you can buy 4 pairs for the price of 1 pair of premiums and have some money left over to get yourself a pair of Vans.

Enough of the promo, I have two pairs of dark/raw 514's in size 32/32. Sorry, I can't let you choose your exact size this week as I had to grab them and run so I got the size I thought would fit most readers. Checkout pics on Levi's site so you know what you're getting yourself into. You and your bank account will thank me once you've seen the light.

Email me now for your chance to win!! Don't forget to include your full name and mailing address.

Winners:
Kadar Brock
Allyson Roarty

LA-based clothing line Cavern has hooked me up with two unisex tees (retail value $94) to give away this week.

"Born mid-2005, Cavern is the ongoing collaboration of ideas between Los Angeles based artists, Adam Tullie and Angeline Rivas. Primarily focusing on original, hand-drawn graphics, Cavern has now grown their product offerings into a full collection."

You can find the line at Fred Segal Man and American Rag in Los Angeles, Odin and Oak in New York, TNT in Canada, and at Beams and American Rag in Japan.

Checkout their site for more info on the line and their blog, which gets updated much more frequently with info on styles, press, stockists, etc.

This week's giveaways:

Brushstroke Plaid T-shirt
Brushstroke Crisscross T-Shirt

Email me now for your chance to win!! Don't forget to include your full name, size, mailing address, and which tee you'd prefer.

Winners:
Eric Eng
Carol Catbagan

LA-based menswear line K.Z.O has hooked me up with a t-shirt ($65) and a sweater ($305) from their Fall/Winter 2008 line to give away to you this week.

"K.Z.O is the cause and effect of not being able to find the types of clothes we desire to wear with high attention to detail, fabrics, fit, global quality and point of view."

"Located in Downtown Los Angeles' Arts District, K.Z.O wishes to capture global excitement, mystery and cultural understanding with a documentary/cinematic mindset and emphasis on quality, design, product, art, photography, soundtrack and multimedia."

Checkout their site for more info on the line, their current lookbook, and a list of stockits, including Fred Segal, American Rag, and Camouflage.

This week's give aways:

Brushstroke T-shirt
Midnight Angora Sweater

All you have to do to win is email me now!! Don't forget to include your full name, size, and mailing address.

Winners:
Philipp Gutbrod
Michael R. Dixon

My friends at Mosley Tribes have been so kind as to hook me up with two pairs of Paladinos (retail value $180) from their latest collection to give away to you this week. You'll remember I went crazy over a pair of flip ups by Mosley from their Resort/Spring 09 collection that comes out in December called the Gates.

The line, created by famed eye glass designer Larry Leight of Oliver People's fame, was created in 2005 and has continued on its upward ascent ever since. With styles that range from classic to sexy to trendy, Mosley Tribes has a pair of sunglasses for everyone. Keep your eye on Mosley.

Checkout the styles:

Paladino Noir w/ the Grey polar lenses (click to see image)
Opium Mars Dust w/ the Persimmon lenses (click to see image)

To win, email me with the names of two designers that Mosley has collaborated with recently. Don't forget to include which pair you want and please include your full name and mailing address.

Winners:
Tracey Duncan
Kris Schroyen

Music fans, take note!

This week I have 2 copies of Radio Silence: A Selective History of American Hardcore Music ($30 retail value).

Radio Silence documents the ignored space between the Ramones and Nirvana through the words and images of the pre-Internet era where this community built on do-it-yourself ethics thrived. Authors Nathan Nedorostek and Anthony Pappalardo have cataloged private collections of unseen images, personal letters, original artwork, and various ephemera from the hardcore scene circa 1978-1993. Unseen photos lay next to hand-made t-shirts and original artwork brought to life by the words of their creators and fans.

I checked the book out at St Marks Books this past weekend and the book rocks.

Email me now to win! Tell me what your favorite hardcore band is. As always, send your shipping address!! Don't forget: creativity counts.

Winners:
Tina Tomicic
Eric Giraldi

You'll remember a few weeks back, I was drooling over a line of tees by former Dior Homme model David Lindwall. Well, I've been in contact with the budding designer, who is giving away two (2) really hot tees (retail value $220) from his latest collection.

Says Seven: "Male model David Lindwall was the original face of Hedi Slimane's Dior Homme, and is a DJ for london-based "Stunners Internatioinal". Not one to be content with being a reknowned model and DJ, he has launched his own line of tees that explore themes like darkness, morality, and brooding."

Just so you know: the Shadows tee is so popular, it's already SOLD OUT at Seven. The only place you can get one is right here, right now! 

Checkout the styles:

The Impossible Dream Tee (click to see image)
Shadows Tee (click to see image)

To try to win, email me your favorite color and, as always, don't forget to send your mailing address and tee size!!

Winners:
1/ Shannon Darrough
"That whitish-orange-red that you get when you look at a lightbulb then close your eyes."
2/ Maxwell Williams
"Black. Obviously."

This week's a double header.

The designers of Pleasure Principle have hooked me up with one of their insanely cool tees -- Acid Test to give away (retail value $115) and Tokion is offering up a year's subscription ($40 value).

If you're not familiar with Pleasure Principle, checkout their site and their latest collection at Seven. Their tees fit just right, are made of the perfect weight cotton, have a killer neckline, and the graphics are simple, yet chic.

As for Tokion, I'm sure you know the magazine. It's one of the coolest in the game and has just gotten even better with the recent addition of Jason Farrer as Fashion Director.

To win, email me with a list of your top 5 favorite blogs, other than this one of coure. Don't forget to send your mailing address and tee size!!

Winner:
Roberto Hernandez

Jason Nevikov, designer of hipster tee line of the same name, has graciously given me one of the hottest tees -- Brooklyn Hardcore -- ($65 retail value) from his latest collection to give away to you this week.

The line is sold in New York at Oak, which means it's gotta be hot. Checkout his site for images of current and past collection.

As you know from last week's post, I'm a huge fan of the line and think the imagery is genius: simple, yet interesting, and done to perfection.

To win, email me telling me what hardcore thing you'll do in Brooklyn if you win this tee?? Don't forget to send your mailing address and tee size!!

Winner:
Patrick Townsend

I was super busy last week and didn't take the time to round up a give away for this week, so I had to dip into my personal collection for this one.

I have a copy of Coke Spoon 03 (retail value $260) that Tobias Wong gave me when we collaborated on the original Indulgences series.

It's a sleek gold dipped tube to tightly wrap your dollar bill in. You can figure out the rest.Wong had Ju$t Another Rich Kid's tagline All I Want Is More engraved on the piece as a constant reminder of our country's addiction to excess.

Thanks to citizen-citizen for the pic below. I wish I had a better one, but you get the idea.

Answer me this: if you win this, where and with whom with you use it first?

*Note: If you don't plan to use it, lie because I'd hate to have someone win and lock it away for 10 years hoping to make money off it. And don't forget to send your shipping address.

Winner:
Tolo Cañellas

My friends @ Exposure hooked me up with a hot pair of premium denim from indie menswear line Mottainai. I have one (1) pair of slim, straight, grey 100% cotton jean with raw wash. ($312 retail value)

The line is launching their Fall/Winter 08 collection this week at Bergdorf Goodman, Jeffrey, and American Rag Cie (LA).

"Focusing on meticulous detail, structure and workmanship without wasting anything in production, the collection consists of high-end organic denim, tailored trousers, 100% Mongolian cashmere sweaters, British made outerwear, hand tailored cotton blazers, fine Italian shirting and embroidered organic T-Shirts." Checkout their site for more info and pics from their collections.

Answer me this: what does Mottainai mean?

Winner
Eric Alston

My friends at hip new Italian sneaker company D.A.T.E. have graciously given me two (2) pairs of hightop sneakers from their hot-off-the-presses Fall/Winter 2009 collection to give to my most faithful readers.

One (1) pair of men's Sport High in white + blue leather and one (1) pair of women's Tender High in black velvet. (Approximately $180/pair retail)

Even if you can afford these gems, they're tough to get ahold of right now in the US as they're just breaking into the market, which makes them even more precious. I'm a HUGE sneakers fan and I've not seen sneakers this hot in a long time.

For your chance to win, answer me this: What are the names of the 4 founders of the company?? (Hint: you might want to check back to my original post on the line for the answer.)

* Make sure to include your size, if you want the women's or the men's style, and your mailing address.

Winners:
Affan Imran
HyunSook Chung

I have 2 Kenzo Minami tees ($180 value/tee) to give away this week.

Minami's tees are at the top of the highend tee game and worth their weight in gold: the graphics are simultaneously simple, yet complex; the fabric is perfectly washed to feel like that tee you've had since junior high; and the cut is sheer prefection. The Rolls Royce of tees, if you will.

I have 2 men's size Medium tees for you in the "XV" design from his Spring/Summer 08 collection: one in black with white graphics, one in white with black graphics. The design is a dedication to Kenzo's 15 year anniversary in New York City. See more pics on Seven's site.

I'm going to make this relatively easy on you since I made it so hard for the PUMA Serpentine bag give away 2 weeks ago.

Name 4 stores that carry Kenzo's line. Please note: creativity gets you extra points.

Winners:
Juan Garcia
Viktor Castro

My friends at PUMA (who own Tretorn) really want you to know about last week's opening of the first ever Tretorn store in New York at 150 Spring Street in Soho. It's the second free standing Tretorn store in the world! Stop by and check it out.

In honor of the opening, PUMA has given me a Reality Bag ($1,200 retail value) designed in collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery (London) to give away to my faithful readers.

"The Reality Bag is an exciting new product, adapted from the PUMA Urban Mobility Edition Bag, which launched last season. The Reality Bag is designed to reflect the world inside and out through a clever use of innovative materials and design detail."

"To develop the concept of this original accessory, the Serpentine Gallery invited artist John Armleder to create its look and feel. Armleder also created the concept of the content and invited young artists to create artworks to go inside each of the 1000 Reality Bags."

Read all about it here.

This contest is a little more highstakes than previous ones given the value of the Reality Bag and the cool factor of the project. For your chance to win, answer the following questions about this.hearts.on.fire.:

1. Who was the first Celebrity Deth Match between?
2. Who was the first artist I interviewed?
3. If you haven't done so yet, join my Facebook group.

Email me now!!!

Winner:
Carter MacDougal

My friends at Tretorn want you to know they're opening their first ever store in New York at 150 Spring Street in Soho on 07.15.08. It's only the second free standing Tretorn store in the world! Stop by and check it out.

In honor of the opening, they've given me his + hers Tretorns to give away to my faithful readers. For the guys a pair of Skymra Canvas ($70 retail value) and for the ladies a pair of Madeleine W ($55 retail value).

Click to their site to have a closer look at the styles and to see their other sneakers. You really don't want to miss the original preppy classic Nylite Canvas (white on white!!), the Skåne Mid, and the Tournament Sail.

Back to the contest... Answer me this: where is Tretorn headquartered??

(Please indicate if you want the men's or women's pair and in what size.)

Winners:
Laura Paterson
Sean Hanratty

Daniela @ GoGallery in Milan has graciously offered up 1 copy of the only 500 printed of Keiichi Nitta's hot-off-the-presses photography book Everyday is like Sunday for me to give away to my faithful readers.

Nitta -- Terry Richardson's former assistant -- has a body of photos with the same name currently showing at GoGallery, his first solo show since leaving Richardson's studio and heading back to his native Japan to setup shop.

Make sure to checkout the piece on the exhibit I did last week. His work is amazing. And don't forget to checkout GoGallery's site. Mark my words: they're on their way to being major players in the art world.

To win a copy of Nitta's Everyday is like Sunday, answer me this: What year did Keiichi move to New York?

Winner:
Andrew Freeman

Although I kinda trashed their latest EP At Zoomer Mountain, I still think everyone should see Wolf Parade at least once. Remember, it's not a bad EP at all. As a followup EP to Apologies To The Queen, it's just okay, which still makes it pretty good.

I'm so dedicated to everyone seeing them that I'm giving away MY 2 tickets for the Thursday, 07.31.08 show. Hopefully, it's not sold out so I can buy two more.

You're going to have to work a little harder for this one. Send me a 5 song playlist of the hottest, coolest songs you're listening to right now. The best playlist wins and I'll feature it on the site next week.

Winner:
Brittany Gray

Nice Collective is having their bi-annual sample sale Sunday 06.01.08 from Noon - 5pm @ Treat Avenue + 19th Street in San Francisco. Men's and women's clothing from S/S 08 and accessories and bags that can only be bought at the sale. Come prepared to shop and party: there will be cocktails and DJs.

In honor of the sale, the boys have most generously given me 3 VIP passes (this gets you in an hour before the masses to get the good stuff) and 3 size M men's tees ($75 street value per tee) to give away to my most faithful readers!

So, it's a little complicated: anyone can win the tees! To get a VIP pass to the sample sale, you have to live in SF. If you live in SF, you can win a VIP pass and a tee.

Answer me this: what are the names of the designers of Nice Collective? Email me now!!

Winners:
Gilbert Woo (Tees + VIP Passes)
Ryan Sorkin (Tee)
Peter Nelson (Tee)
Raymund Soria (VIP Passes)
Jimmy T (VIP Passes)

Congrats!