Interview: Beschränk dich nicht

Earlier this year, Li-Din Liu founded Beschränk dich nicht, a brand that is driven to create innovative and refreshing design . After two years of hard work and concept development, Beschränk dich nicht’s first bag series, the Polygon Pop Up, is officially released. The concept of the series lies in duplicating different polygonal shapes and layering them to fit and transform to different bag styles. The collection includes the Trapezoid Pop Tote, Triangle Pop Shoulder Bag, and Square Pop Wallet. Li-Din Liu was kind enough to answer some questions from Things Is Cool.

THINGS IS COOL: First of all, what does the name, Beschränk dich nicht, mean? How did you come up with it?

BESCHRÄNK DICH NICHT: We want to create different and innovative products, so we named our brand Beschränk dich nicht. It means, "do not limit your possibility." It not only represents the brand’s philosophy but also represents the attitude toward life.

T.I.C.: Who is behind Beschränk dich nicht?

B.D.N.: Right now it is still a small team. I am the founder and designer and am mainly responsible for design and marketing. Cheng-Kuen Liu is responsible for the web design.

T.I.C.: Where is the company's home base?

B.D.N.: We are based in Taiwan.

T.I.C.: When did the brand get started?

B.D.N.: Two years ago, I had the chance to be involved with the production of bags. Because of my interest in fashion and desire to create unique products, I decided to found Beschränk dich nicht and start with a bag collection. Because we demanded only the highest quality, we faced many difficulties through the production. But after modifying again and again, the first collection finally released in September 2010.

T.I.C.: What does the future hold for Beschränk dich nicht?

B.D.N.: We will keep focusing on the products and creating more interesting designs. I hope to offer more variety in our future lines. The next collection will still be a bag collection, but with a brand new concept.

T.I.C.: Are there plans in the works to make the product lines available through retailers?

B.D.N.: For now, we are in the process of promotion and developing relationships with suitable stockists. Interested parties can mail to info@beschrankdichnicht.com or sales@beschrankdichnicht.com. We are always glad to hear of people's interest.

Royal Hem

Royal Hem is a menswear brand that was born in 2008. It is a subsidiary of The Copen Group, which has produced and distributed for names such as Alexander McQueen (1996) and Alessandro dell'Acqua (menswear). Founded in 1963 by Ado Pennesi, Copen has become one of the principal protagonists within the Italian "Made in Italy" menswear business by producing collections that successfully combine classics with a hand-made twist. Royal Hem, which features trim, close-fitting tailored pieces, is designed by a team under the direction of Pier Paolo Pennesi, the son of Ado Pennesi.

Moos Tailored Basics for Women

Koen Tossijn, maker of Moos Tailored Basics, recently passed along some interesting shots of the women's jeans on which he is currently working.

Helm Handmade Boots

Joshua Bingaman, founder of Helm, is passionate about shoes and boots. When he launched the brand in Austin, Texas, at the beginning of 2010, the idea was to create a line of unisex utilitarian-chic boots and belts that would be entirely handmade of the finest materials. Helm Boots are designed in Austin and assembled by artisans in Istanbul. Leather comes from Holland and Australia and soles come from Italy and France. Hand-fabrication of one pair of boots takes five days.

Edwin F/W 2010

Here are some of the current season's stylings from Edwin, the denim brand that Mr. Tsunemi began in Japan in 1947. Edwin is responsible for introducing the three-color rainbow selvedge (1963) as well as the concepts of "old washes" and "stone washing." Pretty much changed the landscape for dungarees. But there's more on the table here than just denim. Don't sleep on the knitwear.

Hilarious.

Courthouse marriage in the Duce Staley jersey is incredible.

Ten

Carlo Rivetti's Stone Island Tour, Part 1

Stone Island is next level. Owner and Creative Director Carlo Rivetti takes you on a little tour through the Style and Product Office, Historical Archive, Material Research Lab, and Experimental Color Lab. And this is just the first installment. It gives you some idea of the work that probably went into creating this.

Aloha, Andy.

A.I. at :37, 1:37, 2:10, 2:27, 2:45, 2:59, 3:35, 4:02, 4:10, and 5:06 in the clip below.

Zip Bed by Florida Furniture

Italy's Florida Furniture has created the game-changing Zip Bed. Sheets and comforter can all be enclosed by pulling a zipper, which means you just got back those five minutes that you needed to make your bed every morning.

The Medic Union Jacket by Denham

Denham makes some very impressive pieces, particularly outerwear. The Medic Union Jacket for A/W 2010 is a sportcoat modeled after a British medical officer's coat from WW2. While it features vintage styling, the construction of the side seams was re-articulated to create a contemporary fit.

Amazing Beards #13

Rob Reiner.
Kurt Russell.
Francis Ford Coppola.