Brooklyn Spectacles

Faux wood etched eyewear offering the durability of acetate with a natural look

In recent years a wave of wooden eyewear has swept through the fashion world, introducing brands like Herrlicht and Drift, as well as the more accessible Shwood. Novel? Yes. But durable? Not necessarily. Addressing that important part of the equation is Brooklyn Spectacles, makers of faux wood acetate frames. Launched in 2012, the NYC-based brand’s introductory collection dons a unique wood grain-like finish for the …

Kumanokoido

Malian print and camouflage teddy bears for a good cause

by Blair Milbourne In December of 2011, designer Junichi Nakane headed to Mali on what some might call a cross-cultural expedition of friendship. Journeying through the country, he noticed the lack of clean water sources in the village of Tireli in the central plateau region, and his friend cited the high cost of building a well in the village. Upon returning home to Fort Greene, …

Studio Visit: Shantell Martin

Wide awake within the illustrated walls of an English artist's Brooklyn abode

“All it cost me were pens and time,” says Shantell Martin of her Brooklyn home and studio. From the baseboards to the ceiling, the space crawls with a hand-drawn mural of Martin’s own design. The artist explains that she rents from a couple who support Martin’s scribbling habit so long as it is contained to the top floor. The walls aren’t alone—scanning the space shows …