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Mission Playground
Solana Beach, CA
URL: http://www.missionplayground.com
SHOP@: Whole Foods / Online

I first came across their products at WHOLE FOODS. Yea... a place where you’re probably not looking for fashionable goods. But, I keep seeing more and more cool products there and something you just wouldn't find at a regular store.

Since most of the products that Whole Foods carries are eco-friendly or simply have a healthier approach, I feel good about spending a little extra to support their business. (Oh, by the way, did you know that you get 5 cents back when you bring either your own grocery bags or bring back and recycle the paper bags when you shop there?)

Of course, when you are shopping for something you wear, the products have to be visually appealing. And I think Mission Playground does a very good job designing their product line and producing something that supports what they believe in.

URL: http://www.custo-barcelona.com
SHOP@: Custo stores all over the world (LA|JP) / Online

Oh my gosh... Where have I been? I love their clothes!!
I took my friend for shopping at Beverly Center the other day, and we came across CUSTO BARCELONA. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so here I am :) Each item was uniquely crafted, and all of their clothes have a 70s and early 80s feel with a modern twist. Very inspiring with funky designs and some Asian influence as well. :)

Their store also reminded me of FORNARINA which is another retail store I love and admire!!

URL: Prps
RELATED LINKS: New York Times | KIT ME OUT
SHOP@: Jake | SOLIS

Prps - A product with purpose...
Prps is designed to be worn and utilized before fashion, and they state "each item in the collection is conceived with a specific purpose and function in mind." They create their denim with the softest organic African cotton, woven and manufactured in Japan by a family-run company specializing in jeans. Each denim item is hand-finished into the most authentic vintage washes and each piece has it's own unique signature style. They also create cool t-shirts as well.

URL: HOLLISTER

Simple design and slim fit - California Soul :)
Hollister's women's polos and sweaters are cute! I like tops that fit tight and come down below my waist, so I'm really liking all their sweaters and polos!! I guess their sizing is smaller than usual, so if you usually wear Small, then you might want to try on Medium.

URL: FAFI | MySpace
RELATED LINKS: DOZEN | Flicker

Fafi - The Female French Graffiti Artist
I first became aware of Fafi when she released Artist Gacha-Gacha capsule toy series in Japan along with some other artists around the world back in 2003. At first, I didn't like her figures that much (I liked her drawing/painting style though)... but her figures started to grow on me every time I saw them. I was reading this guys blog this morning, and he wrote that he had to move the figures off his desk because they kept flirting with him!! I was laughing so hard!! But, I think fafi's figures seriously had the same effect on me!!

ARBOR (MAP)
102 Washington Blvd,
Venice, CA 90292
URL: ARBOR

"Using environmentally friendly, natural elements to improve style and performance."
Hip Eco-Friendly Skateboard / Snowboard / Apparel shop in Venice California. The store is located right by the beach.

URL: Cicatriz | Blog
RELATED LINKS: Web Design - Mocoro | Sound Design - Dibaba

I came across Cicatriz's online shopping store, and I was very impressed with their smooth transaction and simple (technically complicated) fashion show of each item.

The message is very straight forward, and it works! As an audience, it makes me feel like a good friend of mine is showing off his cool t-shirts and pointing out all the cool details. It is very convincing and exciting, and it definitely makes me want to purchase their products!!

URL: Loomstate
RELATED LINKS: Treehugger
SHOP@: Whole Foods | Revolve Clothing | Greenloop | Tobi

100% Organic Cotton clothing :)
The design, their philosophy, and their finished products - Simple yet high-end and good quality.

URL: Polyvore

Another addictive website, Polyvore!

This is like the perfect site for the fashion lover. You can view and choose from a wide variety of different clothes, accessories, shoes and more from different brands... all over the web. Basically, you can create collections of your own outfit online like playing with a dress-up doll. Each item links back to the original item found on the web, so you can purchase them if you really want the items you found. (Very tempting!!)

URL: UT | Shonen Sunday Magazine | UT Grand Prix 08
RELATED ARTICLE: Shonen Sunday 50th Anniversary | UT Manga T-Shirt

UT = UNIQLO T-shirts
UNIQLO has recently launched a new series of UT T-shirts in collaboration with the Japanese manga magazine "Shonen Sunday" for their 50th anniversary. I especially like Shonen Sunday's older manga like Tiger Mask, Golgo 13, Kitaro, and Ashita No Jo (the boxing one)! Some of the shirts are super cool!! They will be releasing new T-shirts each month until the end of this year, and some of these shirts will be available at our online Z-Grade store sometime in August... or maybe earlier!