Lifestyle VOCAL Lifestyle VOCAL

Able Archer: Purpose-Driven Bags

Able Archer presents a new line of purpose-driven bags that go everywhere and do it well as a quiet and competent companion. Inspired by the thankless work of international photojournalists, news writers and guerrilla filmmakers, Able Archer caters to the unique requirements of today’s globally active individuals – protecting their tools, and their ambitions. 

Able Archer

Able Archer presents a new line of purpose-driven bags that go everywhere and do it well as a quiet and competent companion. Inspired by the thankless work of international photojournalists, news writers and guerrilla filmmakers, Able Archer caters to the unique requirements of today’s globally active individuals – protecting their tools, and their ambitions. 

Able Archer innovates from vintage military equipment of the past century, combining classic army surplus sensibility with thoughtfully enhanced functionality and advanced modular carry systems. Using time-tested combat silhouettes, materials and hardware, Able Archer’s exterior is naturally rugged and functional while remaining low profile and familiar. Inside however, Able Archer bags are a high-tech haven for all our tools, old and new – cameras, phones, computers, tablets – using the latest materials for storage, customization and accessibility.

Under the ideal that our actions define us, Able Archer elevates utility and preparedness to a state of mind that drives the modest professional to carry on through borders, boundaries, and ultimately, to their objectives.

AbleArcher.co

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Lifestyle VOCAL Lifestyle VOCAL

The World's Finest Umbrellas Arrive Stateside

 BLUNT is making a worldwide splash with its revolutionary and stylish range of low-profile umbrellas designed in blustery New Zealand. Known as the strongest on the market with fully tensioned canopies, BLUNT represents the most significant advancement in umbrella design in over a century and is now landing in the United States with national distribution and engaging communication activity. 

BLUNT™ Umbrellas Officially Launches in the US to Sharpen One’s Weathered Style

 BLUNT™ is making a worldwide splash with its revolutionary and stylish range of low-profile umbrellas designed in blustery New Zealand. Known as the strongest on the market with fully tensioned canopies, BLUNT represents the most significant advancement in umbrella design in over a century and is now landing in the United States with national distribution and engaging communication activity. 

The inspiration to re-engineer the humble umbrella came from the realization that workmanship and quality was lacking in this everyday essential item, coupled with the very real risk of taking a fellow pedestrian’s eye out with the sharp tips of a traditional umbrella. Founded in 2009 by design engineer Greig Brebner, testing and refinement was undertaken in the exposed landscapes of New Zealand with a focus on a product that demonstrated quality construction through considered design. The result is an umbrella that can withstand the strongest of weather, has world-first blunt canopy tips for safety and presents a stylish, polished aesthetic.

At the center of the company’s philosophy is a desire to dispel the throwaway culture associated with the modern umbrella. As an extension of this philosophy, BLUNT proactively collaborates with likeminded brands and artists that share a strong creative and design focus. One of their latest collaborations incorporates a technology to create the world’s first “unlosable umbrella”, achieved in partnership with lost-and-found innovator Tile. Another limited edition collaboration features the creative work of renowned international artist and illustrator Michael C. Hsiung, presenting a cast of unique characters facing the personal ordeals of the elements.

Since its inception, BLUNT has rapidly expanded from New Zealand to become available throughout Australasia and Europe, as well as in South Africa, Canada and now in the United States. Design critics and press alike have praised BLUNT™ with accolades including the achievement of “revolution in umbrella design”, a “structure that falls between a suspension bridge and a NASA space probe” (The Wall Street Journal), and an umbrella with “architectural integrity as unbroken as the dome of St. Peter’s” (Wired). In 2014, BLUNT won a prestigious iF Product Design award and a Red Dot Design Award at the International Design Awards in Germany.  

The revolutionary canopy design and Radial Tensioning System (RTS™) ensure BLUNT umbrellas can withstand wind strengths far beyond levels in which users would normally feel confident raising an umbrella. In addition, each umbrella comes equipped with an approved 38-point quality check, fiberglass shaft for weight-strength optimization, wind-tunnel tested aerodynamic handling, blunt canopy tips for sidewalk safety, proven storm resistance, and a global two-year warranty. A total of nine models in a range of designs and colors are currently available for you to confidently take this winter by storm. 

For more information visit www.bluntumbrellas.com. For all media inquiries contact US Press Manager: Sarah Bronilla at press@bluntusa.com.

 

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The VOCAL Times – Infornographic / Able Archer Co.

Design consultancy infornographic was born in 2001 in New York City, working with clients from across the media spectrum.  At the early forefront of interactive design, infornographic helped brands mark their first digital presence from famed NYC skate brand Zoo York to NYC flagship Tribeca Issey Miyake.

Design consultancy infornographic was born in 2001 in New York City, working with clients from across the media spectrum.  At the early forefront of interactive design, infornographic helped brands mark their first digital presence from famed NYC skate brand Zoo York to NYC flagship Tribeca Issey Miyake.

Cultural mercenaries, infornographic has lent its services at various times to Nike, VICE, Doug Aitken, MTV, 3x1 Denim, XBOX and Staple Pigeon while playing key roles in the rebranding of digital music service Rhapsody and international fashion brand Evisu.

Last year, infornographic distilled its decade and a half of design experience into its first in-house brand Able Archer, a utility bag line mixing low-profile exteriors with high-design interiors, tailored to the needs of hardworking professionals. 

Infornographic
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Fashion VOCAL Fashion VOCAL

Introducing: Blunt Umbrellas

The team at Blunt abhor the idea that umbrellas are at the forefront of the throwaway culture. Their quest is to change the consumers acceptance of built-in obsolescence and shoddy workmanship one BLUNT umbrella at a time.

The team at Blunt abhor the idea that umbrellas are at the forefront of the throwaway culture. Their quest is to change the consumers acceptance of built-in obsolescence and shoddy workmanship one BLUNT umbrella at a time. These umbrellas are the result of merging a truly revolutionary design with the values of quality workmanship and painstaking material selection. Combine this with a mad scientist testing regime, they have created an umbrella we are super proud to hand on to you. Putting it bluntly, BLUNT umbrellas are the single most significant advancement in umbrella design, in over a century... or even longer. Who really knows how long, but they are without doubt, the world's best umbrellas – designed by New Zealand.

 

BluntUmbrellas.com

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Worldly Handbag Design for the Women of the World

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Exclusively released through WiNK stores, the Ramble On collection for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic python skin.

Laura Vela Launches Pre Spring Exclusively at WiNK in Time for the Holidays

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Exclusively released through WiNK stores, the Ramble On collection for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic python skin.

Crafted with only the highest quality leather sourced from Italy, Argentina and Spain, Laura Vela is redefining luxury through global influences to edgy, minimalist designs. For the SS14 Ramble On collection inspiration has been taken directly from Vela’s nomadic lifestyle throughout the world. Seeing clearly the direct correlation between travel and the personal development of character, emotions drawn from Parisian architecture to exotic landscapes of Buenos Aires bring a uniquely cosmopolitan aesthetic to the collection that compliment the considered and refined designs of Laura Vela handbags. To facilitate the connection to the source of inspiration, each item has been named accordingly: the Pari bag tells a story of Paris romance, Trope of summer evenings in Saint Tropez, while Mia communicates the distinctive feel of Miami sunsets.

“A woman’s handbag is the most personal part of her wardrobe. It should be a reflection of her, both inside and out,” informs Vela of her underlying philosophy. Through this her handbags compliment the free-spirited woman who exudes chic and effortless style; the true woman within all women.

The Laura Vela Ramble On collection for Spring /Summer ’14 exclusively at WiNK, New York City, and online at www.lauravela.com. 

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Designer Handbags in Authentic Python

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Designed for exclusive release through WiNK stores, the “Capsule Collection” for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic snake skin.

Handbag Designer Laura Vela Launches Capsule Collection With Exclusive Preview Trunk Show

 

Manhattan-based fashion accessories designer Laura Vela, specializing in luxury handbags for the stylishly confident woman, is debuting her latest collection at New York’s leading women’s fashion retailer WiNK. Designed for exclusive release through WiNK stores, the “Capsule Collection” for Spring /Summer 2014 presents progressive handbag designs in premium leather with striking compliments of exotic snake skin.

“A woman’s handbag is the most personal part of her wardrobe. It should be a reflection of her, both inside and out,” informs Vela of her design approach. Through this her handbags compliment the free-spirited woman who exudes chic and effortless style; the true woman within all women.

Crafted with only the highest quality leather sourced from Italy, Argentina and Spain, Laura Vela is redefining luxury through global influences to edgy, minimalist designs. This latest Capsule Collection incorporates uniquely versatile python skin to offer luxury handbags at a refreshingly accessible price - MRRP $250-$560.

 

WHO:         New York designer handbag brand Laura Vela.

WHAT:       Fall Trunk Show 

WHERE:      WiNK, 129 Prince St, SoHo, New York City

WHEN:        Tuesday, December 17, 2013

                   5pm-6pm    - Private Press Preview

                   6pm-9pm    - Cocktails & Trunk Show (open to public)

WHY:          To preview the SS14 Capsule Collection in authentic python, New York designer handbag brand Laura Vela is hosting a Trunk Show at the SoHo location of exclusive fashion retailer WiNK.

 

Laura Vela is available at select boutiques nationwide and online at www.lauravela.com. 

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