Monocle Nov 2010: On family business

Very interesting topic. New November issue of Monocle available at Rockstar now. To see what else they're covering this month, view table of contents here.

New in store: MRKT design goods

Created by two Harvard-trained architects, MRKT is fresh, fun and unexpectedly functional.

Using Felt as a starting point, the founders make the most amazing looking products: The Delpha Fish Scale bag (pictured) has cut-out flaps on the surface that pop out like fish scales. Spacious, solid and weight friendly, this bag is interestingly water-resistant. The leather-bound bottom layer protects the bag and highlights the kind of practical design thought that goes into their work.

It takes a certain kind of technical mind (the physics and math!) to produce highly useful goods out of unusual materials. And then to make them look this good and out-of-the-world, MRKT is like Glee meets Facebook, in collaboration with Gaga.

Are you combining scholarly smarts with your quirky sense of style?

Small selection of MRKT goods now available in store.

MRKT: Clutch wallet and namecard holder

Part two of our introductory series includes the technicolour Donna clutch wallets and Deon namecard holders. Both made with thin layers of anti-static, soft felt, in iconic laser-cut patterns.

Donna contains six credit card pockets and two inner layers for cash, while Deon can fit 30 business cards, and has a very cool magnetic snap closure.

More pictures of these two products here.

New releases from SIFR

Significant changes in operations and business focus have been made at SIFR.

This latest drop showcases their effort in keeping a tighter eye on production quality and for the first time, customised fabrics dreamed up by the SIFR team.

The Nepp Chambray Leisure Shirt for example, features special colour fibres worked into the yarn to create an unsual texture/finish. SGD 159.

The modern man's trousers: Corduroy

Composed of twisted fibres to form the cloth's distinct pattern, Corduroy has the kind of dignified subtlety we like for Menswear.

The ridged texture and crackly finish gives trousers a smart, nonchalant air.

It's the kind of fabric that will raise the eyebrow just a little, but not enough to elicit a conversation - between two grown men - about textile.

Suitable as business casual and weekend wear, we like the easy colours on this Dr Denim series available in our store.

Yours,
Men's Department, RS

TOMS : 1,000,000 Thank Yous

For joining us and believing in this movement we have together made possible.

While we like the way our TOMS shoes look on our feet, let's never forget the reason why they're there.

To give is to love, and love: its a beautiful thing.