Although summer is just around the corner, the fashion world is already into fall. Always one step ahead. The world fashion weeks have passed and videos, photos and media have communicated what we have to look forward to for the upcoming fall season. I know we should always live in the present, but when a collection comes out that is as good as Elise Øverland’s, it is hard to keep from longing for the future. The New York-based Øverland uses raw materials such as leather and silk in rich colours to produce structured, sophisticated and feminine designs. Inspired by rock and roll and performance art, the pieces are edgy and passionate and in a word, stunning.

The clothes inspire some imagination and creativity too. I would love to hang out with a wolf under the moonlight wearing pieces from Øverland’s new collection. Dramatic? Perhaps. But the pieces just seems to call for that sort of dramatic storyline. Check out a clip of Elise Øverland’s fall/winter 2010 runway show below:

- Kara Hornland

Is it possible to love everything in a designer’s collection? Color us naive, but we can’t seem to stop thinking about Patrik Ervell’s latest offerings for fall/winter 2010. After watching the video below, we’re pretty confident you’ll agree with us that Ervell’s line of modern-chic menswear is worthy of admiration. It’s simple and classic, yet unmistakably fashion-forward and sophisticated; it’s the type of clothing we want to fill our closets with and wear over and over again. Check it out for yourself:

- TC

Brothers Chris and Kirk Bray are the founders and creative team behind Billykirk, an accessories line founded on the principles of hand-crafted, classic, quality leather goods. The company’s name is taken from the short-form of Kirk’s full name, William Kirkland, while the company’s aesthetics were influenced by the brothers’ love of vintage, industrial, Americana growing up in the South.

The “Billy Kirk” collection began in 1999 with watch straps, and the line has since expanded into belts, wallets, satchels, travel bags and house wares. Their commitment to making beautiful, timeless goods make them the perfect pair to feature in our “Things That Never Go Out of Style” series here on corduroymag.com. Here are Chris and Kirk’s “top ten” lists:

Chris (on the right):
1. 35mm film
2. American-made tools, boots and folk music
3. Billykirk’s hand-stitched card cases
4. Brooks Brothers Seersucker suit
5. Chivalry (I am a Southern boy)
6. Grandpa’s old pocket knife and Zippo lighter
7. WWII stories of valor and unselfishness
8. My Gokey’s canvas and leather briefcase I got new in 1988
9. Signet rings
10. Monogrammed stationary

Kirk (seated at left):
1. White Jack Purcells
2. 1960’s Omega Seamaster watch
3. Early Stock Ford Bronco
4. John Stewart
5. Good fitting navy blazer
6. Motivation through hard work
7. Bonnie Prince Billy
8. “Catcher in the Rye”
9. Levi’s
10. Experimentation

Find out more about the brand and check out their latest collection online at billykirk.com.

- TC

Design darlings Rodarte and visual artist/photographer Todd Cole have teamed up for “Aanteni” — a high-fashion technofilm highlighting Rodarte’s spring/summer 2010 collection. “Aanteni,” which means “nowness,” stars model Guinevere van Seenus as she runs around the deserted grounds of a space lab in Hawthorne, California. The Rodarte sisters say the film was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the space race, which also inspired their latest collection of futuristic crochet knits, leather bandage dresses and distressed plaid.

The film is scored with an eerie soundtrack courtesy of LA-based experimental noisemakers, No Age. And even though the “plot” had has scratching our heads at times, the sheer scale and finale of this beautifully-shot clip will have you not only believing in Rodarte’s vision, but also in the wondrous possibilities of fashion, film and the future.

As signs of spring begin to show, thoughts of sunshine, bike-riding and short sleeves start to take over. And let’s be honest: getting that new “spring” ensemble feels pretty amazing. There’s lots of variations on the warm-weather outfit. But a great pair of sneakers will always be a constant. Lucky for the discerning sneaker-wearer, Converse has teamed up with one of the most iconic music acts in Rock & Roll history: Blondie.

Debbie Harry, the band’s infamous bombshell singer, has lent her image to the new Spring 2010 collection of Chuck Taylor All Star shoes (in stores now). Think classic “Chucks” with an 80s rock and roll twist. The sneakers come in both hi-tops and low-tops and are adorned with animal prints and the band’s album art, among other recognizable designs. Picture a little piece of pop culture history mounted to a rubber sole. It’s musical icon meets footwear icon, wrapped up in this perfect warm weather shoe. For availability and sizes visit converse.com and your local Converse retailers.

- Kara Hornland