Crazy Sexy Cool

 
THE NIKE TIGHT OF THE MOMENT – MIDNIGHT CRAFTWORK

 
Nike’s collaboration with Japanese artist Yuko Kanatani continues with the second in a series of three limited editions titled “Nike Tight of the Moment”. Nike designers enlisted the highly sought-after Yuko Kanatani to create illustrations based on a body map provided by the Nike Sport Research Lab. The map uses athlete-informed data to show the location of muscle heating and cooling zones. Through experimentation with patterns, colors, and inspirations unique to the artist, the Nike Tight of the Moment highlights the intersection of athletic performance and artistic design, and celebrates the body in motion.

The NTM-Midnight Craftwork shown above comes in two Nike Pro styles, the Nike Pro Tight and Nike Pro Sports Bra. The print is also featured on the Nike Studio Wrap Pack and the Nike Roshe Run. All are now available at select retailers and on Nike.com.

Such artistry in fitness apparel is not limited to Nike alone, however, and in fact many fitness brands and their consumers have taken to expressing themselves with such bold prints and patterns. Below you will find a playful selection of spring offerings guaranteed to put the wild and crazy into any workout!

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ROW 1: ADIDAS AKTIV LONG SLEEVE HOODED TEE $45THE FIRST OF THE SERIES “NIKE TIGHT OF THE MOMENT” CALLED “MAGICAL KALEIDOSCOPE” $130 (no longer available); PRANA QUINN TOP $55; ROW 2: LOLE PADMA CAPRI $70; SWEATY BETTY ATHLETE WORKOUT TANK $55; ONZIE LONG LEGGING $65; ROW 3: ADIDAS ALLOVER PRINT THREE-QUARTER TIGHTS $55; PRISMSPORT IKAT CAPRI $78; NIKE ALLOVER PRINT WOMEN’S LEGGINGS $75

 

CLICK ABOVE TO BE TAKEN TO SHOPPING DESTINATIONS!

 

 

All You Need is…VANS!

 

 

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Fab Four’s arrival in America, Vans is releasing Beatles x Vans 2014 “Yellow Submarine” collection. The collection includes the Classic Slip-On, Authentic, Era and Sk8-Hi styles, and features stylized portraits, trippy scenics, and groovy graphics inspired by the Beatles groundbreaking animated film, “Yellow Submarine”.

The Classic Slip-Ons picture marine life swimming in a lavender sea; the Era shows John, Paul, Ringo and George together in a yellow garden; the Authentic is covered with  “All You Need Is Love” graphics; and the Sk8-Hi has large portraits of each Beatle on the ankles. The collection will be available in select stores and online March 1.

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Sochi Style: The Looks We Loved

 

 

SKI JUMPING:
FEARLESS COLORS SOARING THROUGH THE AIR
CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: SPELA ROGELJ OF SLOVENIA; ELENA RUNGGALDIER OF ITALY; DANIELA IRASCHKO STOLZ OF AUSTRIA; SARA TAKANASHI OF JAPAN

 

AS THE WINTER OLYMPICS DRAW TO A CLOSE, WE SAY FAREWELL TO SOCHI WITH A RETROSPECTIVE OF THE LOOKS WE LOVED! 

 

sochi figureskate

FIGURE SKATING:
CHIC AND PLAYFUL PARTY DRESSES ON ICE
CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: YULIA LIPNITSKAYA OF RUSSIA; YUNA KIM OF SOUTH KOREA; GRACIE GOLD OF THE USA; YUNA KIM

 

sochi downhill

SKIING:
WILD AND CRAZY PATTERNS AT FULL TILT
CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: MARIA HOEFL-RIESCH OF GERMANY; MACARENA SIMARI BIRKNER OF ARGENTINA; DOMINIQUE GISIN OF SWITZERLAND; ILKA STUHEC OF SLOVENIA; TINA WEIRATHER OF LIECHTENSTEIN; JULIA MANCUSO OF THE USA

 

sochi speedskating

SPEEDSKATING:
ON TRACK WITH SOPHISTICATED COLOR BLOCKING AND GRAPHICS
CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: NATALIA CZERWONKA OF POLAND; YEKATERINA AYDOVA OF KAZAKHSTAN; JORIEN TER MORS OF THE NETHERLANDS; SEUNG JU PARK OF SOUTH KOREA

 

 AND CHECK OUT THE BEST OF THE SKELETON HERE ON HOT HEADS

 

 

Sweaty Saturday

 
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: EXCEED PHYSICAL CULTURE; BROOKLYN BODYBURN; PUNCH FITNESS; BARI

 

“Sweat for a Cause” this Saturday February 22 at the second annual “SWEATY SATURDAY”, featuring New York City’s hottest workouts. On a day devoted entirely to health and fitness, boutique workout studios like Flywheel, Barry’s Bootcamp, The Fhitting Room, Tracy Anderson Method, Physique 57, Pure Yoga, Exhale, SLT and many more will all come together for a single cause, Partnership for Healthier America, an organization devoted to eradicating childhood obesity. This day-long event will transform the city’s fitness landscape into one big workout party with studios offering special classes, amazing music, and lots of good freebies.

So go workout, have fun, get free stuff, do some good for yourself and somebody else… sounds like a pretty good way to spend a Saturday to us! For more information go to: http://sweatysaturday.com

 

XOXO

 

 

RED, HEART COVERED, SPORTY AND SEXY…

WE’RE FEELING THE LOVE THIS VALENTINES DAY!

 

LEFT COLUMN: LINDA FARROW REVO HEART SUNGLASSES $350. Sunglasses maven Linda Farrow first set up in the ’70s, becoming a pioneer for eyewear innovation, luxury and design. The “Heart” sunglasses are luxe cult classics. AIGLE MALOUINE $119. Established in France in 1853, Aigle boots are recognized for their quality, design and craftsmanship. The Malouine is the classic seaside, thin sole, rubber boot. AVIATOR NATION HEART HOODIE $115. This vintage California style zip-up hoodie is appliquéd with a rainbow heart at front and back. Matching sweatpants are also available. PLAY BY COMME DES GARÇONS CHUCK TAYLOR LOW TOP $100. These canvas low top sneakers feature a layered rubber cap toe and contrast heart face detail at side.

CENTER COLUMN: STELLA MCCARTNEY STRIPED HEART PRINT TANK $435. This red striped cotton tank features a ribbed crew neck, front foliage print, and contrast heart prints back. KEITH HARING RED RUNNING HEART CANDLE $65. Sweetly scented with notes of candy apple, cinnamon, caramel and vanilla, this candle comes in a Keith Haring-inspired glass container with an image of a running heart. MILLY LOVE BRACELET $45. Available in gold and silver plated metal, this bracelet says it all. In store only at Milly Madison.  MARTONE CYCLING HELMET $115. Equestrian styled, this bright and shiny red brimmed helmet will have you cycling chic through city streets.

RIGHT COLUMN: CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA LOVE ME HEART APPLIQUE PUMP $1450. Suede and leather red and fuchsia hearts form the upper of this playful Charlotte Olympia peep toe pump and feature her signature beveled island platform. FREE CITY “IDOVEYOU” SHERPA HAT $58. We dove this hat, available in five chipper color combinations. L’AGENT BY AGENT PROVACATEUR BRIEFS $46 & BRA SET $92. You never know what hides beneath that sporty facade, like these sweet and sexy matching red lace stretch-tulle briefs and bra with an appliquéd heart.

CLICK ABOVE TO BE TAKEN TO SHOPPING DESTINATIONS!

 

Bamboo For Performance

 

 

How many of us have wondered about the strange odor emanating from our bodies during an intense workout that we can’t imagine having produced ourselves! Polypropylene and other polyester based performance fabrics are derived from petroleum, and while great for breathability and wicking, they are also noted for their aroma when soaking up the sweat.

We recently received samples of the new line of athletic wear called tasc Performance, which is fabricated from bamboo fibers. Soft, stretchy and lightweight, after a couple of sweaty spin classes we can attest this line is truly odor free as well. Their Bamboo Performance Technology ™ combines fibers derived from bamboo with a patent-pending fabric finishing process that enhances the performance characteristics which naturally exist in bamboo. The bamboo fibers are ring spun with organic cotton or merino wool fibers to produce a soft, smooth and durable performance fabric ideal for running, yoga, spinning, winter sports or any other active endeavor of choice… and with no unwanted accompanying scents!

 

Nordic See & Ski

 

CROSS COUNTRY SKI GLASSES

One of the coolest parts of watching the Olympics is seeing all the sport specific style, gear and accessories one is only exposed to every four years. The nordic skiing competition has been in full swing, and we took notice of the eyewear the athletes have been wearing in the cross country events like the biathlon and skiathlon. Yes, there are the traditional sport sunshields, but there are also these hybrid goggle-sunglasses, offering the protection of a goggle with the smaller frame of a sunglass. They are secured in place by an adjustable strap that can also be traded for traditional temples, and the lenses flip up into a visor with a push of the finger. This is a feature utilized in particular by biathletes, who stop and target shoot in the middle of their race, although we think this would be very convenient for everyday use as well!

FROM TOP: BLIZ PROFLIP. Bliz Active lenses are made of unbreakable Polycarbonate with 100% UV protection. Polycarbonate is up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses and offers the highest degree of protection. They are also thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses, ideal for rimless sports eyewear designs.

JULBO “THE SNIPER”. Little bit of a scary name, but The Sniper is designed for cross-country skiing. It comes with a choice of Zebra photochromic lens, combining excellent reactivity to light conditions and outstanding optical quality. Optimum ventilation and ergonomic design reduces air currents to protect the wearer from condensation when going up hills and cold when coming down.

CASCO NORDIC SPIRIT. Originally developed for pro racers, the Nordic Spirit is perfect for the recreational skier as well. From the beginner’s model with PC lenses to the professional version with Vautron-Technology, the custom fit and maximum comfort of this Nordic shield is guaranteed during highest sports activity.

 

Hot Heads

 
ROW 1: JOHN FAIRBAIRN/USA; ANJA HUBER/GERMANY; SARAH REID/CANADA; ROW 2: KATIE UHLAENDER/USA; SEAN GREENWOOD/IRELAND; TOMASS DUKURS/LATVIA; ROW 3: RAPHAEL MAIER/AUSTRIA; MARINA GILARDONI/SWITZERLAND; NOELLE PIKUS/USA

 
In the head first sport of skeleton, the helmet is the critical piece of safety equipment, but at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics the helmets are as much about style as protection. With their faces just inches from the ice, these olympians can’t be missed bombing down the track at speeds of up to 85mph, their heads adorned in extreme regalia. “Stealth Bomber”, “Brainiac”, “Dawn of the Dead”, “Hot Rod” and “The Eagle Has Landed” are a few of the fitting names we have come up with for these helmets. So look for these athletes to be competing for both speed and style when the skeleton is contested next week.

 

Compression Gear: Bright & Tight!

 

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CLICK TO SHOP ABOVE

LEFT COLUMN: 2XU WOMEN’S VENTED LONG SLEEVE COMPRESSION TOP $99.95CW-X STABILYX 3/4 TIGHTS $89.99; UNISEX PERFORMANCE RUN SLEEVES $44.95; CENTER COLUMN: NIKE WOMENS PRO II COMPRESSION FIT SHORTS $25; SKINS A200 COMPRESSION TANK TOP $89.99; 2XU ELITE COMPRESSION TIGHTS $139.95; RIGHT COLUMN: CEP PROGRESSIVE+ RUN SOCKS 2.0 $60NIKE PRO COMBAT HYPERWARM COMPRESSION LITE MENS TIGHTS $50; UNDER ARMOUR WOMEN’S FLY-BY COMPRESSION CAPRI $49.99

What’s all the fuss over compression gear? It’s one of the fastest growing categories in apparel, and the sleeves, socks, tights and tops are becoming ubiquitous in the gym, at the track, and on the road. “The calf sleeves and socks sell themselves because there is a fashion component to them,” said Jerry Macari, owner of retailer/running club Urban Athletics in New York. “They look kind of cool and everybody has them so I have to get them.”

With a structure that is engineered to apply strong pressure to specific parts of the body, compression athletic apparel is derived from the medical field, where for years it has been used to improve circulation in patients with low blood pressure, treat vascular irregularities and prevent leg and ankle swelling. Dr. Peter J. Duggan DC CSCS, partner at Duke Chiropractic in New York, says he prescribes compression gear for everyone from serious athletes to weekend warriors.

But does it enhance athletic performance? The idea is that during and after exercise, compression increases circulation which reduces inflammation and promotes recovery. It also reduces vibrations so there is less fatigue. Manufacturers will claim many benefits—Under Armour, which essentially created the compression sports apparel market, tells you that “ultra-light, second-skin fit delivers a locked-in feel that keeps your muscles fresh & your recovery time fast”—but the science isn’t as conclusive. The results generally support the idea that compression gear does little to enhance actual performance—it won’t make you any faster or stronger—but it can have a moderate effect on recovery of maximal strength and power, reductions in muscle swelling and muscle pain, blood lactate removal, and increases in body temperature. Read More

 

Portfolio: Brian Bielmann

 

SHOOTING DOWN TO KE-IKI BEACH FROM PIPELINE, WHERE THE WAVES HIT THE ROCKS AND EXPLODE

 
2.Love went Mad

“THE WALL” AT PIPELINE: SAYS BIELMANN, “THIS ANGLE SHOWS HOW BIG AND SCARY IT REALLY IS. WATCH TOO MANY SETS AND YOU TALK YOURSELF OUT OF GOING OUT.”

 
underwater

HAVING PENETRATED THE WAVE, BIELMANN MADE EYE CONTACT WITH THIS SURFER RIGHT BEFORE HE GOT SUCKED BACK OVER THE FALLS.

 

BRIAN BIELMANN is an internationally renowned surf photographer with a body of work lauded worldwide. His passion for both surfing and photography have kept him on the forefront of the genre for over 35 years. Brian got his start after a wipeout on a reef kept him out of the water for month. It was then that he picked up a camera and realized he could make a living doing what he loved by photographing it. He describes himself as a photographer first, surfer second, and his pictures capture the lifestyle in which he has been immersed, living on the North Shore of Oahu — home of such breaks as Pipeline, Waimea and Sunset Beach. As he said at a recent TEDx Talk in Honolulu, “I love it, I live it, I photograph it.”

I had the pleasure of working with Brian 15 years ago on a shoot in Brazil for Conde Nast Sports for Women. We were there to photograph the top women bodyboarders and while waiting for waves Brian kept us all laughing and entertained. We have stayed in contact and chatted last week about his career and pictures. With all the snow sports about to take over our lives for the next two weeks as the Winter Olympics are contested, I thought it might be nice to go to the beach for a moment, especially given what an arctic winter it has been.

CL: Brian, you are considered one of the best surf photographers. What is it about your pictures that sets you apart?

BB: I want the shot that nobody is taking. The fish eye is really popular right now, but I am shooting with a longer lens which is rare. Don’t get me wrong, the fish eye is cool. It sees the inside and ceiling of the wave, but it looks the same whether it’s 3 foot or 8 foot. It doesn’t do the wave justice. With a longer lens, say in the 70-200m range, you see the thickness of the lip of the wave and the roof. It gives you a view of the whole house as opposed to just the living room. Read More

 

Olympic Style

 

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DRESS LIKE AN OLYMPIAN!

After much anticipation, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games are just a few days away, with the opening ceremonies this Friday, February 6. Olympic fever is running high and what better way to support Team USA than dressing just like them! Much of the official gear and apparel the athletes will be wearing is available in spectator editions, and many sport brands have released special red, white, blue, and star-spangled pieces for those excited to support the home team during their own outdoor athletic pursuits! A portion of the proceeds from many of these items go to support the athletes. So click above to shop and bring home your own gold with these limited edition sweaters, jackets, vests, helmets, goggles, sunglasses and more, guaranteed to keep the Olympic flame burning long after the games are over.

LEFT COLUMN: NIKE AEROLOFT 800 SUMMIT JACKET $450. A replica of what the Team USA Olympic athletes will be wearing on the podium in Sochi, this 800-fill Aeroloft insulated jacket provides hi-tech warmth and style. Available in silver and gold, titanium nano-coating reflects UV to retain body heat, while laser cut ventilation provides breathability. See the entire Nike Sochi Collection. PERFECT MOMENT AURORA JACKET $350. Although Perfect Moment is a French company, we share the red, white and blue! This weatherproof softshell jacket is designed for active use, both on and off the mountain. It is made with technical Schoeller Energear™, a revolutionary new fabric that retains heat by reflecting the body’s Far Infrared Rays (FIRs) back to the wearer. The theory is FIRs, like the suns rays, provide not just heat but energy that affects performance and overall wellbeing. Not bad for a patriotic little warm-up jacket! RALPH LAUREN TEAM USA CEREMONY ALEIGH BOOT $395. Designed exclusively for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team, the limited-edition classic Aleigh boot will make its debut in the opening ceremonies and is available for us here at home too.

CENTER COLUMN: JULBO EXPLORER $125-190. Julbo’s top-of-the-line mountaineering sunglass, the Explorer, is designed to perform in high altitude environments, where eyes are susceptible to damage from the sun and snow reflections. Explorer is available with either polarized, photochromic, or anti-fog lenses and come with removable eye protecting side shells. They are shown here in white, with red and blue accents, for added Olympic style. UVEX P1US CHROME SOCHI EDITION SKI HELMET $275. Uvex helmets will be seen on over 500 athletes in Sochi and from The Race Collection comes this style infused blue chrome ski helmet. Designed with the safety standards required of Olympic level competition, the P1US is also 16% lighter than traditional helmets, as well as being 100% recyclable. THE NORTH FACE INTERNATIONAL NUPTSE VEST $160. The North Face is an official sponsor of US Freeskiing and is the US Freeskiing official competition uniform supplier. Amply insulated with 700-fill goose down, this North Face classic, the Nuptse vest, is extremely warm, lightweight, and compressible for travel. This Limited Edition is available in the official colors of a variety of countries, and is shown here in the striped French edition. Read More

 
 

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