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

New York-based accessories designer Chris Habana doesn’t believe in taking life so seriously. And the free-spirited Philippines-transplant-turned-Brooklyn-boy has carried this philosophy into his wonderfully unique and playful jewelry, which draws inspiration from everything from pop art to goth culture to Victorian-era costuming (His spring 2009 line, meantime, was reportedly inspired by “Saved by the Bell”).

That’s not to say Habana is fickle. He’s worked hard to develop his personal aesthetic since catching the fashion bug as a teenager, and successfully launched his namesake line in 2004. Now, just a little more than five years later, he’s turned his once homemade collection into a buzzed-about line that’s outfitting celebrities like Bjork and Alicia Keys, and appearing in the pages of Women’s Wear Daily, I-D, and Numero Homme. Chrishabana accessories now include hats and apparel, in addition to his signature cuffs and chains, which feature heavy-duty construction, bold, geometric shapes and one-of-a-kind details. They are definitely statement pieces. It’s clear Habana is still just getting started too, with new designer collaborations and projects in the works.

With influences and experiences this diverse, we knew we had to get Habana’s take on what he considers to be “timeless,” so we asked him to take part in our exclusive online series about “Things That Never Go Out of Style.” Here is his top-ten list:

1. The Golden Girls
2. My Sketchpad
3. Humor
4. My customized ripped jeans
5. My combat boots
6. Bacon
7. Friends
8. Dancing
9. Kimchi
10. My A.OK collaboration Madonna Cone Bra necklace!!!

Chrishabana pieces are available at Oak NYC, Revolve Clothing and select boutiques across the U.S. and Asia. Find out more about the designer and his latest collection at www.chrishabana.com

Hannah Byun is the talented designer behind Los Angeles-based hoisery line Hansel from Basel. The line’s name reflects its whimsical and quirky collection of tights, socks, leggings and accessories, made from creamy cashmere-wool blends and topped with fun details like buttons, textured patterns and embroidery.

Byun received studio art and art history degrees from the University of California, before starting her own line, which has become a fast celeb favorite and carried in stores nationwide. Byun is known for her light-hearted designs but is super serious when it comes to putting out a quality product. We wanted to get to know her better, so we asked Byun to take part in our exclusive online series about “Things That Never Go Out of Style.” Here is her top-ten list:

1. postalco stationary and travel wallets…can’t get enough of them. i have every size possible.

2. “sentimental education” by gustave flaubert – my favorite book forever and ever.

3. balenciaga cargo bag – it’s an oldie but i have 3 of them in different colors.

4. fjallraken backpack – it’s practically my briefcase. very functional and good for travel.

5. babycakes – my favorite bakery

6. alessi brothers’ “sea bird” – favorite song (right now)

7. abigail, my 4-year-old niece (favorite person forever)

8. my fob socks – so comfortable

9. minako, san francisco – one of my favorite restaurants.

10. wildflowers – i love little bouquets of random wildflowers from all over.

Hansel from Basel is available at stores like Anthropologie and Barneys’s across the U.S. and in select boutiques across North America. You can also shop online at www.hanselfrombasel.com. Over the next month, Byun will be donating 15% of all sale proceeds online to the Haiti relief aid efforts.

Designers Timo Weiland and Alan Eckstein make clothes for men and women whose idea of playing dress-up takes flight in full, fanciful garments that are rooted in strong construction and design.

If you find it hard to pinpoint the exact “Timo Weiland” aesthetic, you’re not alone. Descriptors as varied as “downtown preppy” and “Elizabethan England” have been tossed around to describe the frocks, which in our opinion, meet in that magical middle point of French civility-inspired garments that actually hold up to repeat wearing — and seasons. It’s clothing that’s foppish and dapper, but hardly frivolous. Think cropped blazers, knit sweaters and classic trench coats, updated with oversized collars, playful trim and button (and buttonless) detailing. The collection reflects what the designers say are their personal aesthetic sensibilities and a “broader desire to spur a return to the art of dressing.”

Born in rural Nebraska and raised between New York and Florida, Weiland majored in Economics, Spanish Literature, and Business Management at Vanderbilt University, before returning to New York to pursue a fashion career, which began with an eponymous collection of unisex neckwear. Eckstein, meantime, studied communications at FIT and held brief internships in the fashion industry, before teaming up with Weiland to launch their full label last year.

The two recently took time out to jot down some ideas for us as part of our web exclusive series of “things that never go out of style.” Here is Weiland and Eckstein’s top-ten list:

1. Good manners
2. Enthusiasm
3. An expertly-fitted button down shirt
4. Well-worn vintage loafers
5. A classic two-button suit
6. A sexy fit model that’s funny too!
7. Perforated leather
8. Polka dots
9. A record player
10. Baroque furniture

For more information about the designers (and to view videos and photos from their latest collections), visit www.timoweiland.com.

- TC

If we had to pick out our perfect capsule wardrobe, chances are, many of the pieces would come from upstart label Shipley & Halmos. Though Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos’ eponymous clothing line officially debuted in 2008, the company was born from a friendship that started almost a decade earlier. After meeting during college, Shipley and Halmos (the designers) founded California-based lifestyle brand Trovata. But the two soon got the itch to start something new and decided to relocate to New York to launch Shipley & Halmos (the label). A year later, they were nominated for the GQ/CFDA Best New Designer Award and also commissioned to design an exclusive women’s collection for Japanese retailer, Uniqlo, that sold out in days. Now they’re busy in the studio, working on their new men’s and women’s looks for fall/winter 2010, to be unveiled next month.

The Shipley & Halmos wardrobe is forward-thinking and current, while maintaining an effortless look and feel. It’s for the guy or girl who wants to look polished, but stand out just enough to make an impression, without going over the top. By focusing on silhouette, line, weight, print, and an interplay of fabrics, Shipley & Halmos’ designs fuse modernity and progression with classic tradition and form. As the designers say themselves, they “endeavor to create a new timelessness.” With that in mind, we asked Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos to take part in our exclusive online series of “Things That Never Go Out of Style.” Here is their top ten list:

1. Charles and Ray Eames
2. New York City
3. Ferraris
4. Beaches (actual sand and ocean, not the gripping Bette Midler film)
5. In-N-Out cheeseburgers
6. The Beatles
7. Parisian women
8. Seinfeld
9. “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
10. Lists of things that never go out of style

Shipley & Halmos is available in fine boutiques and stores across the world, including Barneys New York, Odin, Ron Herman and Dover Street Market. Find out more about the label at www.shipley-halmos.com.

- TC