Fuzz Factor

 

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FIRESIDE, COUNTRYSIDE, OR STREET SIDE, IT’S INTO THE WOODS WE GO. THESE FUZZY FLEECY LAYERS WILL KEEP YOU WARM AND TOASTY WITH CHIC CABIN STYLE.

 
ROW 1: LOUIS VUITTON ICONOCLASTS MARC NEWSON FLEECE PACK $5900. From the Louis Vuitton Iconoclasts series comes this Marc Newson backpack. As one of the 6 artists selected to design a signature piece, Newson has created a sculptural backpack, distinctive for its integration of soft shearling custom made for the winter months ahead. GORDINI WOOLY GLOVE $30. Warm cozy fleece combined with suede and Megaloft® insulation makes this one warm winter glove. Other features include box finger construction, toggle closure, palm and thumb reinforcement. Full wrap construction creates a glove within a glove. ETOILE ISABEL MARANT TEXAS KNITTED PONCHO $820. Made from a chunky, patterned blend of soft wool and cotton with a touch of alpaca, this Western-inspired poncho has a high collar, decorative fringe trims and open sides for chic extra layer of warmth.

ROW 2: IMPOSTER FAUX FUR TRAPPER HAT $220. Trap the heat with this fab faux fur trapper hat! Ear flaps can be tied up top for an alternate look too. BIRKENSTOCK ARIZONA SHEARLING $140. Now you can wear sandals all winter long with these cozy shearling lined Birkenstocks.

ROW 3: WOOLRICH WHITECAP BOOT $49.95. Come in from the cold with these cozy fleece lounge boots. PATAGONIA RETRO-X FLEECE JACKET $229. An all-time favorite, this retro fleece jacket is warm and windproof with that classic Patagonia style. GIESSWEIN GEROLDING SLIPPERS $136. These ultra plush lambswool slippers feel deliciously sumptuous. Anatomically-correct footbed and strong arch support provide extra comfort and support.

 

Happy & Merry!

 

 

MAY YOUR 2015 BE SPORTY & FUN!

23 Dec 1954, Florida, USA — Original caption: This Santa Claus helper has left Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his sleigh up north and has taken to water skiing at Cypress Gardens, Florida. He found no “rain” down south but did meet a little “dear” who joined him in this “Merry Christmas” from the sunny south. Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

 

Shreddin’ Cobain

 

 

In August of 1993, Nirvana was in New York to perform at the legendary Roseland Ballroom to promote the release of In Utero, the third and final studio album by the band. Jesse Frohman was hired to photograph Nirvana by London’s The Observer Sunday magazine while they were in town. This would turn out to be the last formal shoot for which Cobain was photographed before he committed suicide on April 5th, 1994.

Marking the 20th anniversary of his death, Thames & Hudson has published Kurt Cobain: The Last Session by Jesse Frohman. It is a beautifully designed art book filled with a rich edit of images of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana from the shoot that day. The book, which includes many previously unpublished images, is an insider’s look at Nirvana and Frohman’s now famous shoot. The image shown above is the color cover image for which there is also a black & white variation.

Also commemorating the anniversary is this new Kurt Cobain snowboard produced by Endeavor Snowboards, that features one of the most iconic photographs of Kurt Cobain ever taken from that shoot. Frohman was approached by Endeavor to create a special limited edition “artist collaboration” board, which had obvious appeal and timed perfectly with the release of the book.

Says Max Jenke, Creative Director of Endeavor, “I first saw Jesse’s photo at the Morrison Hotel Gallery, which has an insane collection of music photographs. These ones of Kurt are absolutely legendary though and I always wanted one! When we started discussing the early release program of boards, we wanted to add an amazing graphic story to the new tech we were releasing (The Channel by Burton). Music has always influenced our graphics, whether it was album covers, music videos, or the songs themselves. Nirvana was a band all of us listened to growing up and it happened to be the 20th anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death this year, so it all came together.”

I recently sat down with Jesse, an old friend of mine, to find out more about the shoot, the book, and the board. I first saw the snowboard on the Instagram feed of the uber hip and chic Paris boutique, Colette, where Jesse told me two boards were made available for a book signing at the store. Even though I’ve known Jesse for a long time, we had never talked about photographing Nirvana that day.
 
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Holiday Sparkle

 

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 PUT A LITTLE SHIMMER AND SHINE IN YOUR SPORT GEAR AND APPAREL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH BIKES, BAGS, BOOTS, PARKAS, SNEAKERS AND MORE THAT WILL HAVE YOU SPARKLING INTO THE NEW YEAR. 

LEFT COLUMN: VFILES SPORT PLUS SIDELINE PUFFER now $347. This full length synthetic fill parka will keep you shining in warmth all winter long! SCHWINN FRITZ FIFTY LIMITED EDITION STING-RAY BICYCLE now $399.99. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic bike, this limited edition Schwinn Sting-Ray has all the authentic details that made the original Sting-Ray famous. The chrome frame, banana seat with rear suspension, custom chrome springer fork, Fat Slik 20″ rear tire and smaller 16″ front tire make it a collectible masterpiece.  THE NORTH FACE BOREALIS BACKPACK $89. It’s the classic North Face all done up in holiday shine. It features a padded laptop sleeve, protective tablet sleeve, and large secondary zip pocket with more built-in organizational sleeves.

CENTER COLUMN: RUDY PROJECT HYPERMASK PERFORMANCE SUNGLASSES now $112.49. These ultralight and aerodynamic performance sunglasses provide a wide peripheral view, cutting-edge RP optics, and patented Quick Change lens technology. Adjustable nosepiece and soft rubber temple tips guarantee comfort, stability and fit, with excellent air circulation to prevent fogging. NIKE VICTORY GYM CLUB METALLIC DUFFEL BAG $110. Made with durable, water-resistant fabric, this shiny gym duffle will safely transport your workout gear and anything else you need on the go. Specialized shoe and wet/dry compartments provide versatile, convenient storage. ALEXANDER WANG LAMINATED HOODED ANORAK $325. This hooded anorak is laminated with a slick silver finish for tear-resistant, weather-repellent, statement-making shine.

RIGHT COLUMN: MOON BOOT WE PUDDLE JUMPER MID $89.95. Go lunar landing style with these shiny silver Moon Boots! Lined with cozy fleece, these space-age inspired snow boots will keep your feet dry and toasty all season long. KORAL ACTIVEWEAR LUSTROUS LEGGING $92. Put the party in your workout with these sexy shimmery leggings! MONSTER DIAMOND TEARS HEADPHONES $299.99. These flashy over-ear headphones make a big fashion statement, while being sturdily built and offering superior sound quality too. GOLDEN GOOSE FRANCY HIGH TOP SNEAKERS $565. These distressed silver denim high tops have playground style combined with cool holiday shimmer.

 

Twin Poses

 
THE CHINTWINS IN DANCER POSE
PHOTOGRAPHS BY NIGEL BARKER

 

Twin sisters, Kimberly Hise and Cristen Barker, or Kimmy and Crissy, are known on Instagram as the ChinTwins. Former fashion models, these two beauties stay lean and serene with their formidable yoga practice and have been sharing a move a day with their now over 20,000 followers since last summer.

Born and raised in Alabama, Kimmy still resides in her home state, while Crissy lives in NYC. Juxtaposed in their rural and urban settings, they have become Country Yogi City Yogi, demonstrating the identical pose on Instagram everyday. The twins show that the physical and spiritual benefits of these moves transcend their location — and their locations are everywhere and anywhere! From country roads to city streets, boat docks to roof tops, farmers markets to supermarkets, the ChinTwins are mirror images in their contrasting locales.
 

Hand stand downward dogHAND STAND, DOWNWARD FACING DOG

 

PadangusthasanaSTANDING HAND TO FOOT

 
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The Art of Sportography

 

 

The GIFT OF SPORT continues with these 4 new sport themed art books, celebrating the athletes, culture and lifestyle of surfing, baseball, cycling and snowboarding. Chosen for their gorgeous photography and layout, authoritative and insider point of view, these are our favorite gift books for this holiday season.

JOHN SEVERSON’S SURF

(above)

Born in 1933, John Severson revolutionized pop culture’s vision of surfing and surf culture through a prolific artistic output that spanned decades and disciplines. John Severson’s SURF explores his odyssey through painting, photography, film and publishing. Severson began his career as a painter, and later took up photography, capturing scenes of Hawaiian and Californian surf culture. In 1958, he expanded his repertoire and created a series of popular surf movies, such as “Surf Safari”, “Surf Fever”, “Big Wednesday” and “Pacific Vibrations”. The posters he designed for them remain collector favorites today. Severson’s graphic skills translated easily to Surfer magazine, which he founded in 1960. The magazine was the first to celebrate and revolutionize the art and sport of surfing, establishing it as a powerful pop culture phenomenon. John Severson’s SURF documents the birth of surf culture and serves as a testament to the indelible influence of Severson on its mainstream popularity.

 

holiday-book-jeter

JETER UNFILTERED

Relive and peek inside his unforgettable final season with the only authorized full-color book commemorating Derek Jeter’s iconic baseball career with the New York Yankees. Featuring archival images and original photos of the 2014 season from renowned photographer Christopher Anderson, Jeter Unfiltered is a powerful collection of never-before-published images. Fans will have unprecedented access to “The Captain,” as the famously private baseball legend takes us behind the scenes—inside his home, the stadium, the gym, at his Turn 2 Foundation events, fortieth birthday party, and more—as he looks back with candor and gratitude on his baseball career.

 

holiday-book-bike

1001 BICYCLES TO DREAM OF RIDING

The latest volume in the hugely popular 1001 series surveys the world’s most popular mode of transport, the bicycle. Lavishly illustrated, comprehensive, and authoritative, 1001 Bicycles to Dream of Riding celebrates the designs and individual stories behind the world’s most influential and high-profile models from every discipline, including mountain and road biking as well as BMX and track racing. A visually stunning compendium, this book allows readers to trace the fascinating evolution of the bicycle from its early incarnations in wood to the latest racing machines made of titanium and carbon fiber. Never before have so many bicycles been profiled within a single illustrated volume, and it is the perfect book for cycling enthusiasts and bike experts alike. Read More

 

Mile High Run Club

 

 
ROW 1: RUNNING SWAG AT MILE HIGH RUN CLUB; THE INTERVAL CLOCK; FOUNDER, DEBORAH WARNER; ROW 2: WOODWAY TREADMILLS IN THE STUDIO; THE PORTHOLE VIEW INTO CLASS; ROW 3: LENTICULAR RUNNING RESTROOM SIGN; EXERCISES OFF TREADMILL IN THE “DASH 28” CLASS; KETTLEBELLS
 
Recently opened in Manhattan’s Noho district is the Mile High Run Club, which hopes to do for treadmills, what spinning did for indoor bicycles. With 30 treadmills available, the classes combine running with music in a boutique fitness studio environment, and cater to both runners and all around fitness enthusiasts alike.

Founded by running coach and fitness trainer, Debora Warner, an Equinox alumni who developed a niche there training endurance athletes, Mile High Run Club offers two different types of treadmill workouts. “Dash 28” incorporates weights and strength training in a 45-minute workout for runners of all levels. It features 28 minutes of speed and incline intervals, in additon to kettlebell training and other exercises. The moves are designed to provide core and strength training for runners, in addition to injury prevention, and offer a great total body workout for all. Depending on your speed, 2-3 miles are run each class.

“The Distance” is a 60-minute advanced performance improving class with double the running and double the distance. It features continuous intervals, tempos, and hills, and is coached by elite runners.

Woodway treadmills are the machines of choice at Mile High Run Club, distinctive for their patented slatted wood belt technology that Warner says mimics the feeling outdoor running best. She believes they absorb impact better and likes the precise fine tuning on speed and incline.

So if you’re looking to improve your running or incorporate something new into your fitness regimen, Mile High Run Club is a great new addition to the Manhattan fitness scene. Classes are $34, in line with most a la carte fitness studios in the city. Mile High Run Club is located at 28 East 4th St.

 

Eddie Would Go

 

Photograph By Dan Merkel

The holding period has begun for the 30th annual “Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau”, a one-day big wave invitational surfing event requiring waves of at least 20 feet — wave face height over 30 feet– in order to be contested. The event, which has only been held 8 times in its history, was founded in recognition of the great Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau.

During the 1970’s, Eddie Aikau was considered one of the best big wave riders in the world. He was the first official lifeguard at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore, and became recognized for pulling people out of waves that no one else would dare to. His life took on mythic proportions after his untimely death during the “Hokule’a” in 1978. During the 2500 mile traditional Hawaiian canoe voyage, retracing the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian islands, the canoe developed a leak and capsized in stormy weather. Aikau set out on his surfboard, paddling towards Lanai in an attempt to get help. The crew was later rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, but despite great search efforts, Eddie was never seen again.

The “Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau” event was established in 1984 and was won by his brother Clyde Aikau in its first year. The popular phrase “Eddie Would Go” originated during that first contest. The waves were huge and conditions extremely dangerous. While the contest organizers were discussing whether to put it on, competitor Mark Foo looked out and said “Eddie would go.” The phrase stuck and spread around the Hawaiian Islands and rest of the world.

I have always loved the image above by Dan Merkel, which has become one of the most iconic images of Eddie Aikau. The minimal blue and yellow tonalities highlight the purity and beauty of the sport and let the soul of this lengendary waterman shine.

 

The Gift of Running

 

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THE GIFT OF SPORT CONTINUES WITH GREAT IDEAS FOR THAT RUNNER IN YOUR LIFE

(OR ALL-AROUND SPORTY SOMEONE)!

 

LEFT COLUMN: NIKE SHIELD FLASH MAX WOMEN’S RUNNING JACKET $495. This running jacket combines reflectivity and powerful weather protection to help keep you visible and dry on your run. The allover dot print produces 360 degrees of high reflectivity for enhanced visibility in low light. Laminated vents on the hood and back increase airflow while resisting wind and water with ultra-durable Storm-FIT fabric. SOLEUS ULTRA SOLE RUNNING WATCH $75. So fun it’s design, you’ll want to keep wearing this colorful sport watch even after your run. It features a 100 hr Chronograph, a 15 second backlight, and a hydration alarm that reminds you to fill up on fluids. GORDINI STASH LITE TOUCH GLOVES $35. Made with flexible ripstop nylon, these neon sport gloves are waterproof and windproof. They feature a rubber grip palm, breathable silk insulation, a spandex cuff with stash pocket, and are touch screen capable.

CENTER COLUMN: SMITH PIVLOCK ARENA SUNGLASSES $159. Driven by the needs of elite level athletes, the Pivlock Arena has an ergonomic face fit to perform in the most extreme conditions. Lightweight performance is further enhanced with two-position adjustable nosepiece, slide-on temple ends, and a vast array of performance mirrored lens tints. BEATS BY DRE POWERBEATS2 WIRELESS EARBUDS $199.95. Inspired by LeBron James, the new redesigned Powerbeats2 Wireless earphones will take your workout to the next level with its sweat and water resistant design, 30ft Bluetooth connection, rechargeable battery, 6-hour nonstop playback, and Beats signature sound. FEETURES ELITE RUNNING SOCKS $14.99. Ultra Light with a No Show Tab, these technical running socks deliver targeted compression on the arch where it’s needed most. Anatomical design enhances fit, delivering maximum comfort and protection from blisters. MIZUNO WAVE UNIVERSE 5 $124.99. The lightest shoe on the market, weighing in at less than 3 ounces, this race shoe or minimal trainer will have you running fast! U4IC midsole provides resiliency and a smooth ride at a fraction of the weight of traditional midsoles and the G3 sole features superior lightweight traction.

RIGHT COLUMN: THE NORTH FACE WOMEN’S BETTER THAN NAKED™ SINGLET $45. This ultralight, race-ready tank is constructed with stitchless seams in critical areas for reduced chafing. Engineered jacquard mesh with body mapped ventilation improves breathability down the spine and FlashDry™ fibers speed drying during long, sweaty runs. SMARTWOOL NTS MID 250 REVERSIBLE CUFFED BEANIE $30. For all your outdoor sports, this beanie is an all season essential and the reversible pattern lets you wear it twice as much. An adjustable ear band determines more or less heat and clean seams provide a no-bulk fit.

WANT MORE SPORTY GIFT IDEAS? CHECK OUT THESE FEATURES!

THE SOS GIFT GUIDE GOES OUTDOORS

THE CYCLISTS GIFT GUIDE

TIS’ THE SKI SEASON: THE SNOWY GIFT GUIDE

 

The 6 Things I Hate About Yoga

 
BUT HALLE BECKER IS NOT ONE OF THEM

Photographs by Jay Sullivan

I probably shouldn’t admit this, as the editor of a website about sports and fitness, but I don’t like yoga. I really don’t like it at all. I don’t like the music, how long the classes last, the seriousness of the teachers and the lack of personal space. But I do yoga like other people do workouts they don’t enjoy, because I know it’s good for me. I try to go with some disciplined regularity, once a week if I can bear it, because with all the running and spinning I do, I know how critical it is to balance out the intensity of those workouts with something stretchy. Whereas those workouts fly by as I dance my way through a SoulCycle class and endorphine out during a run, I find myself counting the minutes in yoga.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think yoga is an incredible workout, depending on the style. I think the toned yoga body, with its strong shoulders, high glutes and athletic quads, is one of the best you can have. I find myself awestruck as I look around the studio at regular people like me doing handstands and balancing on their arms with their legs tied in pretzel positions that I could never imagine getting into.

I joined Pure Yoga in NYC a few months ago assuming if I was paying monthly for classes I would force myself to go. That has kind of worked; I have a six class per month membership but only go about two to three times a month, so it has become very expensive, too.

So imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon a Hot Power Yoga class taught by Halle Becker, aka “Halle Homegirl,” that I daresay I enjoy. I must confess she had an advantage going in: Halle is also an instructor at SoulCycle, of which I am a devotee, and a family favorite teacher. I was greeted with hugs and high fives upon arriving at my first class, and received shout outs for my down dogs. Who has ever heard of shout outs in yoga??
 
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