THE NEW NEW YORK

ATLANTA — The skyline and neighborhood of Buckhead Village are in the throes of change, thanks to a locally grown boy who wants to lift the area from a rowdy club scene to a fashion and community destination comparable to other high-end urban shopping districts. Ben Carter, founder and chairman of Ben Carter Properties, is spearheading a $1.5 billion, mixed-use project that has already signed luxury retailers Loro Piana, Vilebrequin, Bottega Veneta, Borrelli, Etro, Hermès, AG Jeans, Domenico Vacca and Oscar de la Renta. The project, which spans seven city blocks over eight acres, will feature more than 600,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, three world-class hotels, up to 1,000 luxury residential units and 300,000 square feet of top office space. Phase one of the venture, which is along Peachtree Street, East Paces Ferry, Pharr Road and North Fulton Drive, is scheduled to open in fall 2009. “It’s a great project because it brings to Atlanta something that [doesn’t exist],” said Thierry Prissert, president of Vilebrequin in the U.S., which will open a 750-square-foot shop. “Today you go to two malls [for luxury shopping in Atlanta]. It’s not that I don’t like malls, but when you have a choice between a mall and streets, where you have restaurants, shops and hotels, [the latter] is very appealing.” Not so long ago, Buckhead Village was a tough scene. In the 1980s, bars and nightclubs began moving into the small area, which is the nucleus for several posh neighborhoods and wealthy Atlantans, and is just down the street from those two high-end malls: Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza. The change forced men’s retailers like the Buckhead Men’s Shop to move to a quieter and safer location close by. Nearby homeowners complained about the noise that went on into the wee hours. Then, on Super Bowl Sunday in 2000, two men died of knife wounds from a fight with friends of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. The Buckhead Coalition and the Buckhead Alliance started making changes that included installing street lamps and security cameras, and even purchased properties and refused to rent them to nightclubs. After getting rid of the raucous clubs, the groups’ vision was for an area of high-end boutiques and restaurants, luxury hotels and high-rise condos. Carter, who was born and raised in Atlanta and who used to shop at the Buckhead Men’s Shop for his prep school uniforms, is helping considerably with the transformation. “Buckhead became a club scene like Bourbon Street, and people wanted to eliminate the crime scene,” Carter said. “A lot of properties were left empty.” He bought up nine acres, or seven city blocks, in the heart of Buckhead beginning in 2005, to help raise the rundown village to be in sync with its well-heeled surroundings. Hermès, the first retailer to commit to the project, is in Lenox Square and will open a 4,000-square-foot store at the project. Hermès will close its 1,500-square foot Lenox location in 2009. John Lobb, the luxury men’s leather goods boutique, is the latest to sign up, and it will occupy 902 square feet next door to Hermès. “A lot of retailers had looked at Atlanta and wondered why there wasn’t a luxury area and [as a result] didn’t want to be in Atlanta,” Carter said. “We felt Atlanta had the potential to have an environment like New York [Madison Avenue], Newbury Street [in Boston], Michigan Avenue, and Rodeo and Melrose. Today, we’re about 30 percent committed on the [retail] real estate square footage and they’re the leaders in the luxury world,” Carter said. “We’ve been very selective in our luxury mix.” His company is in negotiations for 100 percent of the 375,000 square feet of phase one, and is also talking to theaters and music clubs. “It will be a destination for a lot of reasons,” Carter said. Phase two of the project, which has 220,000 square feet, will resemble New York’s Meatpacking District and will offer trendy and fashion-forward retailers. It is scheduled to open in 2010. “The thing that’s interesting in the world of luxury retailing is it’s a very small world,” Carter said. “They’re very good at telling me about other retailers because they want the area to be good.” He said he’s interested in adding three or four more men’s designer single-brand stores. “Men’s wear has seen a great resurgence in the last few years, in my opinion,” he said. “And men particularly don’t like shopping at malls.” Twenty percent of the retail space will be men’s wear and 50 percent will be women’s wear, with restaurants taking the rest. The Streets of Buckhead area will have all parking underground with six valet stations, as well as self-parking. It will include outdoor sculptures, as well as works of art that will be placed on permanent exhibition throughout the new community. And the project will seek silver status in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification program.

The Right Cut

For the first time since the beginning of fashion-time, Rei Kawakbo's Comme des Garcons "Homme Deux" Collection will be available outside of Japan and exclusively at Dover Street Market in London.
Designed by Kawakbo herself, the "Homme Deux" Collection features classic suit, shirt, and tie styling built using only the best fabrics available. Did we add that all pieces are hand finished?
Visit Dover Street Market for more information.

What The Sol

If you grew up in North America in the last half century you probably owned a gang of them. Hot Wheels cars. 1:64 scale models of your favorite automobiles. As a youngster myself, I recall owning the Dukes of Hazzard special, a mini of my father's 69 Mustang Mach 1, and even a Vette or two. We did everything from race, to re-paint, to simply demolishing them in any manner possible. You can do that with Hot Wheels. Their pricepoint was low enough to keep your mom re-stocking you for years.
Now, I highly doubt that Mattel, the parent company who owns the Hot Wheels brand will want you to do the same with their 40th Anniversary Diamond Encrusted Car, unveiled at this season's NY Toy Fair.
Designed in collaboration with Jason of Beverly Hills and racking in at around 140k$US, this one of a kind mini car boasts 2700 diamonds, 18 karat gold casting, red rubies for taillights, black diamonds in the engine, and 40 individual white diamonds signifying its 40 year legacy... they probably would have tossed on some more but I think they ran out of room. Hell, its only 1:64 scale!
A boyhood dream come true.

Savior Feet

I really love these guys. They keep the sneaker fresh and funky check them out...........

As a need to fulfill their global audience & growing brand supporters, unable to obtain one of the hand numbered Premium models, which JB Classics has been producing for the past 6 years and they will continue to. They now introduce their second line - The Prime Label, maintaining the quality and making the brand available to a larger audience. The Prime Label – will not be found everywhere, however It will be distributed globally in select retailers, the price point of their Prime Label has been defined as their Mid Price Point Label (Retailing at $120 & under ), and will be packaged in a flip lid rope handle Box, with red sizing label, extra laces, and Black Sticker hang tags....
We give you a look at two Spring 2008 styles out of the Prime Label - the Getlo Eight One Five and the Getlo 3M Piranhas. You will see that this line still features special materials and color-ups.
Check them out in detail after the jump.

Didn't Nike Do This Already

Are we running out of ideas people..........With Easter only being a couple of weeks away, first sneaker companies are releasing their Easter inspired sneakers. First one that we come across is the Adidas Gazelle "Easter". It comes in pastel colors and an embossed bird on the back heel. Now available at Sold Out.

Don't Be Fooled

No need to waste my breath on this..................................Savior Sol the real Revolution for Retail. Quality at any Cost April 1. This Ad made me laugh people bite you even when u are still growing.

Reading is Fundamental

With brands popping up left and right within the last few years, few remain from a time when streetwear was hardly a blip on the map and the musical landscape of hip-hop was in its infancy. Inquiringmind had a chance to interview Adrian Aitcheson of Toronto originated Too Black Guys regarding how TBG has managed to stick around so long and it's ability to stay relevant. His insights on are invaluable as is his interesting answer to how the whole urban market collapsed. Check the interview along with the accompanying photography over at Inquiringmind.