Later this week, Los Angeles will kick off their annal design festival showcasing the city as a global design capital. And why not? The cities history includes the birth of mid-century design as well as the likes of Charles and Ray Eames, Neutra, Schindler and more. Whether it is world class architecture, the design studios of major auto brands, the creative forces behind entertainment and communications or a boutique studio focused on fashion or product — the design economy in Los Angeles is significant. For more information on the festival, vist it’s official site.

Nearly a year ago, I bought my first pair of Raleigh Denim jeans, right when they hit the shelves of the store. My plan was for them to slowly replace my first pair of raw denim jeans, the ones that I have had for nearly 7 months, the ones that I had already ripped holes in and the ones that I had already washed in the ocean. They were going to soon replace the jeans that I had grown to love so much. The only thing is, they replaced them much faster than that.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week just wrapped, and as usual, the attendees looked just as good as the runways! The beautiful Sydney weather allowed for lightly layered looks without too muss fuss, and I love how many people dressed playfully in brights. Here’s a sampling of some of my favorite RAFW street style looks.

Last week marked RAFW, or Rosemount Australian Fashion Week. We at Need Supply LOVE Aussie fashion, and carry a handful of designers from down under. Although their fashion calendar is the opposite of ours here in the states, the Spring/Summer collections are right on time to get me super excited about getting dressed for the sunny days to come. Here a few of my favorite highlights from RAFW.

Oyster has done it again- yet another great spread featuring one of my favorite ladies of all time, Bambi Northwood-Blyth. And as if the amazing photos and stunning cover weren’t enough, Issue #92 also features poetry by Dion Lee, an interview with Roman Polanski’s wife, Iranian band Yellow Dogs, Cults, nineties fashion, David Foster Wallace, and much much more great stuff packed inside.

Les Bobos are real. The real ones, anyway—work almost exclusively in fashion, marketing, advertising, and the music and art industries.  Damien Florébert Cuypers and New York Magazine teamed up to give us a bit more detail. Click here for the rundown.

I forget how I found out about Patagonia’s blog, but it’s not really relevant, the point is, I found it. There are very few corporate company blogs that I routinely check, but The Cleanest Line is number one on my list. For a company as large as Patagonia, and for one not to familiar with the companies work and environmental ethics, their well-run-attempt at a blog is a pretty damn good one. What can you expect? A little bit of everything; it’s quickly become one of my favorite reads, especially as I sit at my computer in downtown Richmond, miles and miles away from mountains, snow or surf.

Our good friend Mauricio over at The Blaaahg just showed us this. It’s a new commercial for the Touch Wood SH 08C shot over a 300-yard, handmade wooden xylophone, deep in the forests of Japan. The video, sound and overall feel is absolutely amazing. Click for the video.

Just some super simple, absolutely wonderful, vintage-inspired fashion photography. No smoke and mirrors. Kind of hard to top this. Steven Klein shoots Amber Valletta and her son for US Vogue. Pick on up on news stands now.

If you’re a fan of tradition, especially when it comes to denim, then you’re probably already a fan of Raleigh Denim. The North Carolina based company is one of the few in the country to own and continually use a traditional chain stitching machine, in this case, the Union Special 43200G. There are only a handful of them around, but very few people/companies actually use them in daily production. For more photos of original Union Specials, visit Cork Grips. Click for the video.

New York Fashion Week is underway, and well-dressed people from all over the world are flocking to the city. Here are my top picks of the best street style from NYFW 2011. Photos from Refinery29 and Mr. Newton.

We all know how big of an influence Kate Moss has been over the fashion world, but there’s another Kate that you should get to know if you don’t already. Kate Lanphear has worked at Australian Vogue, Australian Harper’s Bazaar, American Harper’s Bazaar, and now Elle, where she holds the esteemed title of Style Director. She’s also got a huge cult following and is well-known in the “street style” circuits for her edgy, rock n’ roll style and always amazing platinum hair. And, if that (and these awesome pictures, found all over the internet) isn’t enough reason to love her, she is originally from Virginia!

There’s just something about a photograph shot in warm weather that makes you love it a bit more. We just found these wonderful shots of Sophie Srej over at Touch Puppet that are filled with color, light, nature and a gorgeous wardrobe. Makes crossing off each day of winter a bit easier. Shot by Camilla Armbrust for L’Officiel Paris. Click for more.

A few days every six months, NYC becomes the destination point for brands, retailers, bloggers, and even just fans of Menswear. Capsule has quickly become thetrade show for Menswear, by creating a very open venue, drawing in some of the larger but elusive brands, and marketing their shows to the masses.  This years FW2011 was no different and did not disappoint; although the weather sucked, but thats NYC in winter for you.

Here’s a look at what’s coming up this fall from Woolrich Woolen Mills. Thee new line brings in an updated look as well as some help from Mark McNairy, the North Carolina-born, former creative director for J.Press and founder of  Mark McNairy New Amsterdam. Fall’s look will  bring some obvious touches from the designer with a look that’s somewhere in between European and American. As Definitive Touch says, “Call it Trans-Atlantic.” Click for the continuation.

Intel presents a Visual Life with Scott Schumannm, aka the Satorialist. A very visually pleasing video with some great words. Scott’s got a good head on his shoulders. Click for the video.

A smaller batch than normal, but still, top quality shit. Thanks, Justin, consistent smiles. Here’s a few of our favorites after the jump.

Have we got a nice little treat for you. To start the week off, we’ll be at Capsule NYC with many appointments to help keep you looking good throughout 2011. If you run into us up there, don’t be shy, we love meeting new people. Secondly, thanks to Everybody Taste, we landed on this great cover from Vampire Weekend of Plastic Bertrand’s “Ca Plane Pour Moi.” Click for the continuation.

This morning when I laced up my 8″ Irish Setters I thought back and remembered the first day I wore them. How stiff they were, how clean they were, and how many miles I had to go in them. Now, nearly four months later, they’ve broken in so perfectly that I prefer to wear them over any other shoe.

From the Heartland is an upcoming photo exhibition showing the hardworking men and women of Red Wing Shoes. The European exhibition starts in Berlin at Bread & Butter then moving to Copenhagen Fashion Week and ending in Amsterdam. Not to worry, you can catch all the photographs online starting in February.

We’ve become really fond of the FREE/MAN blog for some time now. One thing in particular they’ve done is given attention where it’s needed most, such as a two part interview with Raleigh Denim co-founder Victor Lytvinenko.  Click for the continuation.

The street style shots from Pitti Uomo are always a huge hit on the Internet… not only withthe blog set, but all the mainstream sites select the best images and dissect the style of the Italian and otherworldly gents perusing the garb from the Menswear Megatron trade show.  These are some of my favorite shots, and a little of what I picked up on and may stealfrom each of them… after all, we all steal, I just admit it.  *Top picture is an amazing photograph, love the glare from the window.

It’s hard not to love Free & Easy, the Japanese take on the preppy American lifestyle, especially when the December cover boasts a mean muggin’ John Malkovich. With the latest issue praising two of the most classic American materials ever created, the yin and yang of menswear, the issue pours into tweed and leather with some stylish photoshoots and beautiful typography that you can’t read. Still, it’s fun to look at. Click for the continuation.

Kind of surprised we haven’t heard of this guy yet. We saw Andrew’s work over at Cork Grips and had to spread the love. A nice little twist to menswear blogging, Andrew illustrates some daily kits with his own personal Russian touch. If anyone knows anything more about Andrew, we’d love if you shared. Click to see some of his work.

Last Octobers spread for Vogue Italia featured some wonderful work from Steven Meisel. We’re in love with those snakeskin gloves, all the texture, and of course, the print. Click for more.

We’ve always been a fan of T Magazine. From the design, typefaces and of course, content, they never fail to give us a good read all the way through. Their latest issue looks into the 67 year old Mick Jagger, Nicki Minaj, Todd Selby and more. If you weren’t able to scoop a copy last week, you can view the full issue here.

Gentlemen, place a bookmark on that “6-pack abs” article and feast your eyes on Manzine, a publication dedicated to the male phenomenon. Manzine is a UK-based zine with all things dedicated to lifestyle, attire, deep thoughts and the manly art of being manly. Very well put together with wonderful illustrations, this is one zine worth holding on to – maybe even passing down your little man. Click for the continuation.

Geraldine Doyle, the Michigan factory worker used as the model for the famous Rosie the Riveter poster “We Can Do It!” message has died. She was 86. Doyle said she didn’t even realize she had a famous face until 1982 when she was browsing a magazine and saw a reproduction of the poster. Doyle was only 17 when she took the job in 1942 at a metal processing plant in Michigan at the peak of World War II.

Marisol Suarez explores the universe of urban culture, from Berlin to Buenos Aires, from street art to the Dolce Vita in the form of hair through her salon, Studio Marisol. In 2000 she was voted as the best avant-garde hairdresser in London. In 2004, she took part in the huge Parisian exhibition “Is hairdressing an art?” and then was a Creative Director and Show Director at Toni & Guy for 10 years. Click for the continuation.

Imran Amed of the Luxury Channel sit’s down with designer Karl Lagerfeld in London to talk about fashion, technology and the combination of the two. Click for the video.

Following Chinese fashion trends might not be at the top of your list, but when Cathy Horyn of NY Times Style took a little trip she soon realized that this culture might be heavy hitters in yet another industry. Click here to read the very informative article, Year of the Couturiere , at T Magazine.

If you’ve ever been curious as to why there is tailoring and then Italian tailoring, this video from Inquiring Minds reveals some of the secrets to traditional Italian tailoring brought to you by some real deal Neapolitan masters. Click for the video.

The good people over at FREE/MAN just posted Part 1 of an interview with Victor Lytinvenko, co-founder of Raleigh Denim.

“We were extremely lucky to have recently spoken with Victor Lytinvenko who took some time from his frenzied schedule to speak with both myself and Darian. Our initial brief chat quickly evolved into an in depth discussion which spread over two calls, a week apart, both packed full of inspiring and frank conversation from Raleigh Denim’s co-founder. Victor’s openness and passion came to work as a prime catalyst for a solid and candid interview to date.” -FREE/MAN

The New York Times just did a nice little piece focusing on some of the classic NYC barber shops that have withstood the test of time and recessions as well as those coming into the spotlight. Today, lines form up at Manhattan’s new batch of vintage and traditional-inspired babershops for a good ol’ fashioned trim & shave. Click for the continuation.

We’re now carrying a nice little selection of books for, but not limited to the fashion and style-minded individual. These affordable and informative books take a behind the scenes looks at many of today’s styles, influences and historical references. From Marc Jacobs to the Sartorialist, we’ve got you covered. Click for the book list.

The Selby Is in Your Place was conceived when fashion and interiors photographer Todd Selby began taking portraits of dynamic and creative people—authors, musicians, artists, and designers—in their home environments and posting them on his web site. Nosy by nature, he wanted to see how personal style was reflected in private spaces. Click for the continuation.

One of the best photoshoots we’ve seen in a while.  Great use of film, location and amazing make-up by Phillipe Miletto. Shot by Viktor Viktor Vauthier for Eva Doll with Jason Leung as the fashion editor. Some of the photographs are NSFW. Click for the continuation.

The Selby has just teamed up with British brand Asos for the 2010 Holiday campaign, a study of individuals in their own environments. And for the most part, the model’s homes are just as stylish as the outfits. “Model’s Own” give us some insight into the lives and personalities of the faces, and plays off of the tradition of crediting a model for wearing his or her own clothes or accessories during a shoot. See the entire campaign here

We just want to give a big shout out to our good friends Victor and Sarah Lytvinenko of Raleigh Denim for recently opening their new store in North Carolina. The new store is located at 319 West Martin Street in Raleigh. If you’re in the area, you should really go check it out, especially that ceiling. Click for more photos of the space.

A while back we showed you the trailer for Apolis Activism‘s Vietnam expedition. This autumn, the brand traveled to Vietnam to begin developing a long term partnership with the factory responsible for creating Transit Issue, the most durable and travel-focused products that Apolis has to offer. This short film shows their journey. Click for the video.

Did you know that in a standard manufacturing process, producing one pair of jeans can use up to eleven gallons of water? Well Levi’s decided that they could do something about this whole process by creating their Water<Less Collection. This new line of denim will reduce their use of water by 96% and will be available in cuts such as 501. Click for the continuation.

Brooklyn based tattoo artist Scott Campbell just ended his first ever sold out solo show at Mexico Cities Vice Gallery (yes, related to the Canadian magazine) ahead of time. From Interview Magazine:

“An e-mail recently surfaced on Purple Diary’s Tumblr that was sent from New York-based artist Scott Campbell to Purple Magazine’s founder, Olivier Zahm. The e-mail simply read that Scott had some problems with his concerns being taken seriously by the gallery owner at his recent sold-out show at Mexico City’s Vice Gallery (an edition of the Canadian magazine of the same name)—so he pulled his work on the sidewalk in front of the gallery and lit it on fire. The post revealed something about Campbell’s state of mind—”It felt amazing,” Campbell wrote—but raised a lot of questions.”

Our friend Sway sat down with him last night in his Brooklyn home to find out what really happened down south. Click here to read the full interview.

Danny Roberts of Igor + Andre just did a new series of paintings for models.com, featuring the top newcomers on the runways, including my favorite model-of-the-moment, Bambi Northwood Blyth, Julia Saner, Arizona Muse, and more. Click here to see the complete series.

Spanish bombshell Gala Gonzalez is both the beauty and the brain behind amlul.com, which recieves over 15,000 hits a day. She is not just another run-of-the-mill fashion blogger. The site documents her own kick ass style (really, really amazing pieces), but also her travel, work, friends, and the goings-on in the fashion universe. Click to see some of her killer outfits, and check out Gala’s blog here.

“For those who haven’t been following, in late October, the world’s largest outlaw biker gang The Hells Angels,  filed a lawsuit against fashion house Alexander McQueen over the misappropriation of the club’s trademarked Winged Death skull-with-wings symbol.

While the situation might seem like a ridiculous back and fourth, the Angel’s lawyer, Fritz Clapp told reporters at Financial Times that the clubs concern was “getting [the products] out of the market, since they represent membership insignia, and anyone wearing them would be considered an imposter by club members.”  -Contra

And misrepresenting membership with the Hell’s Angels is not something you want to do. Click for the continuation.

Opening Ceremony just teamed up with BillyKirk for some very affordable, limited goods. Click to see the rest.

Our shelves have held the denim of Atelier de Production et de Création (A.P.C.). for some time now. This minimalist, cult favorite has brought consumers across the globe a love and appreciations for all things well made and simply designed. Interview Magazine’s Fraser Cooke caught up recently with Jean Touitou for a great explanation of past and present. From the early Kenzo Takada days to broadening their madras collection, it’s definitely worth the read. Click for the interview.

We’ve been keeping an eye on this very young blog since the beginning. It’s now getting major attention for the obvious reasons. Definitely worth checking out.

Take a cue from Hilary Rhoda in the November issue of Vogue Russia and pile on the layers for fall. Combine camel, denim and fur for the perfect cozy and cool look! Images via Studded Hearts

Our good friends at Apolis Activism just got back from their Vietnam expedition where they were product testing and documenting their travels as they normally do. “Raan Parton of Apolis and Videographer Dave Christenson were among the few on the journey.  Their trip was down the Ho Chi Minh trail which runs from North Vietnam to South Vietnam via 1950′s Russian Minsk bikes.  I’m excited to see the film in it’s entirety when it releases November 11” -F.Man

Click for the trailer.