Metro Retro Ties

Metro Retro Apparel is a menswear brand founded in 2008 by Kamrul Hasan. Their online shop recently went live, and while stock of jackets, shirts, vests, and pocket squares is still filling in, a complete selection of ties made from silks, cottons, and wools is already on offer. Mr. Hasan recently passed along three English wool four-in-hand neckties for you to sample.

You were quick to notice the subtle textural differences in the three: the red plaid has tiny diagonal ridges in the weave, the black has a micro-check pattern, and the green plaid is smooth. At 57 inches in length and hovering between two-and-a-half and three inches in width, Metro Retro is finding the right balance in size and slimness. The ties appear to be silk-lined three-fold construction, and they certainly feel durable enough to stand up to extended wear, provided you don't regularly leave the top down on the 1957 Porsche 357 A Speedster on the way to the lawn club.

The brand takes great pride in its wide selection of unique fabrics and prints (although some of these are a bit loud for your taste) as well as the fact that their products are handcrafted in Brooklyn, which may help to explain why price points may seem high to some (wool neckties are around $95). But the bottom line is that Metro Retro ties are versatile; they can be dressed up or down and worn with casual ease from the office straight out to dinner.

Margaret Howell A/W 2011

Margaret Howell is consistently one of the best in the business, and she proved it again in Paris with her A/W 2011 collection. You're loving the knits and the relaxed cuts. Here are a few of the looks.

Outlier Storm King Shell Parka

Outlier, the Brooklyn-based maker of clothes to bike (and move) in, released this rain shell yesterday. It's made of Supermarine Cotton, a World War II fabric with a 21st century twist. It's highly water resistant, extremely breathable and made of the longest Egyptian staple cotton available. The fibers are woven together in a complex and dense weave that swells up and seals when exposed to water. The four way construction and full sleeve zippers allow for freedom of movement and ventilation. Details include envelope pockets, half pit zips, a full view hood and a front Riri Aquazip.

The Storm King Parka marks the launch of Outlier's Supermarine Cotton collection.

Parallel Exit presents "Room 17B"

Longtime friend of T.I.C. Danny Gardner (of Hello Monkey) is appearing as a member of Parallel Exit. Their new performance of mostly-silent physical comedy is called Room 17B. If the trailers and reviews (New York Times, New York Post, Backstage, TheaterMania) are any indication, this is not to be missed. (P.S. For the sake of clarity, Danny's the one doing the floor-to-bench move in the second video...Now you'll be able spot him in all the others.)

Room 17B

59E59 (Theater C)

59 E. 59th St.

NYC

Jan. 13-Feb. 6

Buy Tickets

Original Stone One (and verison "Parure") by Aquamass

Elvis Pompilio designed "The Stone One" for Aquamass, the Brussels-based manufacturer of the most elegant bathtubs you've ever seen. Here it is:

You're transfixed by its minimalist brilliance, but Mr. Pompilio wasn't satisfied with "transfixed by its minimalist brilliance." He wanted your head to explode, which is why he created the "Parure" version by adding LED backlighting behind strings of crystals and pearls. Now you can take your bath game to a psychedelic jellyfish level.

Wooyoungmi A/W 2010-2011

Wooyoungmi's autumn/winter collection, entitled "Silent Era," takes its inspiration from the era of the silent movie, when stars communicated with an exaggerated style of dress and explored the proportions and the boundaries of classic style.

The Korean designer offers the following description:

"With outerwear creating the central figure, wide leg trousers are combined with heavy overcoats to give a slouchy square silhouette, while cropped trousers peek from below long-line jackets, and suiting is wrapped up with knits. A study of texture discovers fluffy trousers, oversized knits, layered jackets and coats. Heavy becomes light and light becomes heavy with quilted and thick wool trousers, and over-coats in softest cashmere. A palette of soft greys, blacks and slate blues nod to the gentleman while staying fresh with a dash of white, cream and oxblood.

"Offbeat interchangeable accessories compliment the playfulness of proportion. Bow ties in felt and feather are cut out and pop-up. Detached collars, cuffs and bibs add layers. Traditional footwear is thrown out of balance by a thick wedged sole. A line-up of black felt helmet-like hats provides a backdrop of uniformity against which the collection plays."

"Jabito" by Josep Prat Sorolla for Royal Hem F/W 2011-12

Royal Hem's F/W 2011-2012 collection, which debuts this week at Pitti Uomo in Florence, features an interesting capsule collection called "Jabito." It's made up of 15 pieces of jackets and matching pants crafted from luxurious wools with fine finishings and tweeked features, as per usual with Royal Hem. "Jabito" uses diverse yet complimentary patterns so that jacket and pants are uniquely joined by, for example, detailing in the lapels and in the trouser pocket flap. The overall refined and innovative effect pays homage to Pierre Cardin's vintage composites.

The best part of "Jabito" is that Royal Hem commissioned Barcelona-based animator Josep Prat Sorolla to create a two-minute film to bring the capsule collection to life. The result is a lively, playful expression of the interaction between clothing and wearer.

2010 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti