The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » ethical http://www.thediscerningbrute.com fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:51:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Limited Edition Ties by Joshua Katcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/08/11/limited-edition-ties-by-joshua-katcher/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/08/11/limited-edition-ties-by-joshua-katcher/#comments Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:43:05 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=7242 Limited Edition Ties by Joshua Katcher
Hurrah! The Brave GentleMan label ties, designed by yours truly, have finally landed. The ties come in three styles of each fabric - a 2.5" wide tie (not a "skinny-tie", but not super-wide either), a classic bow tie, and a narrow bow tie. Everything is made in New York City in the garment center by expert [...]]]> Limited Edition Ties by Joshua Katcher
http://www.bravegentleman.com/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/t/ltie.jpghttp://www.bravegentleman.com/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/t/otie.jpg Hurrah! The Brave GentleMan label ties, designed by yours truly, have finally landed. The ties come in three styles of each fabric - a 2.5" wide tie (not a "skinny-tie", but not super-wide either), a classic bow tie, and a narrow bow tie. Everything is made in New York City in the garment center by expert tailors, and all the ties are made from organic cotton, hemp, rhemp and rPET (even with rPET made from plastic-bottle waste interfacing!)  They are $100 each and there a only a few of each, so they could very well be here today, gone tomorrow. Enjoy! ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2011/08/11/limited-edition-ties-by-joshua-katcher/feed/ 2 NOVACAS Fall 2010 http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/10/novacas-fall-2010/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/10/novacas-fall-2010/#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:31:15 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4968 NOVACAS Fall 2010
You have been patiently waiting for NOVACAS' Fall 2010 lineup, and here it is, 100% vegan, and sustainably leather-free . NOVACAS emerged from the phrase "No Vacas" meaning, "No Cows" in Portuguese, where the shoes are constructed under fair conditions, and consist of 100% PVC-free, high quality faux-leathers  (What wrong with leather?). Featuring last season's [...]]]> NOVACAS Fall 2010
http://www.novacas.com/images/lookbook18.jpg You have been patiently waiting for NOVACAS' Fall 2010 lineup, and here it is, 100% vegan, and sustainably leather-free . NOVACAS emerged from the phrase "No Vacas" meaning, "No Cows" in Portuguese, where the shoes are constructed under fair conditions, and consist of 100% PVC-free, high quality faux-leathers  (What wrong with leather?). Featuring last season's smash-hit the Leo, now in black, as well as my new personal favorite, a fold-down, refined work-boot, the Milo, in both black and gray. What I love about a refined work boot is it's versatility - great with some jeans for a autumn hike, and equally appropriate with some slacks, a blazer and tie.  The shoes will be available starting Sept 15th online and in-store at MooShoes (to pre-order, email MooShoes). Click here for a list of additional stockists. Their shiny new website was designed by DB contributor Troy Farmer of Raven + Crow.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/08/10/novacas-fall-2010/feed/ 3 Germany’s VILDE SVANER http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/07/13/germanys-vilde-svaner/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/07/13/germanys-vilde-svaner/#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 07:09:55 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4633 Germany’s VILDE SVANER
VILDE SVANER is a sustainably produced European line with a very wearable men's collection. The aim of VILDE SVANER is to conciliate ecological and economical sustainability with a way of aesthetically challenging fashion. That is why VILDE SVANER uses only organic and sustainable fabrics and establishes a transparent production process for the customer. Their garments [...]]]> Germany’s VILDE SVANER
VILDE SVANER is a sustainably produced European line with a very wearable men's collection. The aim of VILDE SVANER is to conciliate ecological and economical sustainability with a way of aesthetically challenging fashion. That is why VILDE SVANER uses only organic and sustainable fabrics and establishes a transparent production process for the customer. Their garments are made from recycled mens shirts or organic cotton, and everything is dyed and manufactured locally in Germany. They do use some leather in accessories, but I've spoken to designer Anne Gorke, and they are seriously considering switching over to an eco-friendly faux, which I think is a brilliant idea! ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/07/13/germanys-vilde-svaner/feed/ 0 Dirty Dozen, Have a Cow & Prime Peacoats http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/14/dirty-dozen-have-a-cow-prime-peacoats/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/14/dirty-dozen-have-a-cow-prime-peacoats/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:58:08 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4527 Dirty Dozen, Have a Cow & Prime Peacoats
• Timeless Navy coats get ethical. Dress to oppress (I mean impress...). I love Barney's exclusive organic cotton twill peacoat, inspired by Fidelity's classic US Navy coats. Barney's also offers a handsome Fidelity, organic cotton, toggle front peacoat in khaki. While an ethical military may never exist, the utilitarian clothing designed for it is often [...]]]> Dirty Dozen, Have a Cow & Prime Peacoats
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/34/94073857_8ec3ce9699.jpg • Timeless Navy coats get ethical. Dress to oppress (I mean impress...). I love Barney's exclusive organic cotton twill peacoat, inspired by Fidelity's classic US Navy coats. Barney's also offers a handsome Fidelity, organic cotton, toggle front peacoat in khaki. While an ethical military may never exist, the utilitarian clothing designed for it is often flawlessly functional. • The Dirty Dozen. The Environmental Working Group, a public health nonprofit, put out a list of the fruits and veggies to absolutely avoid unless they're organic. They analyzed almost 100,000http://www.studiobotanika.com/avactis-images/pimage_654_000000001_0.jpg produce pesticide reports from the USDA and the FDA. The “Dirty Dozen,” which contain 47 to 67 pesticides per serving, are the most dangerous because they have porous or textured skins that suck up more pesticides.
  1. 1. Celery
  2. 2. Peaches
  3. 3. Strawberries
  4. 4. Apples
  5. 5. Domestic blueberries
  6. 6. Nectarines
  7. 7. Sweet bell peppers
  8. 8. Spinach, kale and collard greens
  9. 9. Cherries
  10. 10. Potatoes
  11. 11. Imported grapes
  12. 12. Lettuce
Clean Fifteen. On the other side of this equation is the fruits and veggies that are not terribly hazardous if you get the conventional, non-organic varieties. These had the least detectable residues of pesticides:http://www.clarkart.edu/media/image/web/20100121-onions.jpg
  1. 1. Onions
  2. 2. Sweet corn
  3. 3. Sweet peas
  4. 4. Asparagus
  5. 5. Cabbage
  6. 6. Eggplant
  7. 7. Sweet potatoes
  8. 8. Avocados
  9. 9. Pineapples
  10. 10. Mangoes,
  11. 11. Kiwi
  12. 12. Domestic cantaloupe
  13. 13. Watermelon
  14. 14. Grapefruit
  15. 15. Honeydew
• Have a Cow, Man. Do you have some land? Enough for a cow or two to hang out on? Farm Sanctuary needs a few good men to be new dads to some recently rescued calves. What's better than hanging out with a giant puppy? Click HERE to find out how you can become the most ethical cowboy around. ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/14/dirty-dozen-have-a-cow-prime-peacoats/feed/ 2 ULTIMATE Father’s Day Guide for the Ethically Handsome Dad http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/06/fathers-day-for-the-ethically-handsome-dad/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/06/fathers-day-for-the-ethically-handsome-dad/#comments Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:36:56 +0000 joshuakatcher http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/?p=4470 ULTIMATE Father’s Day Guide for the Ethically Handsome Dad
Every Father's Day, we get dear-old-dad the same old stuff, but being a dad is cooler and braver than ever! Most fathers want what's best for the family- and now he can also help protect animals and the planet too. The best part is, when getting these ethically handsome gifts for pop, you don't have [...]]]> ULTIMATE Father’s Day Guide for the Ethically Handsome Dad
Every Father's Day, we get dear-old-dad the same old stuff, but being a dad is cooler and braver than ever! Most fathers want what's best for the family- and now he can also help protect animals and the planet too. The best part is, when getting these ethically handsome gifts for pop, you don't have to sacrifice style, taste, or pleasure. Nor do you have to compromise on what dad likes! These cool gifts are a spin on traditional Father's Day presents, from geeked-out gadgets and tools to socks and ties to sports gear and suits. I've even got recommendations for dads who have it all, from electric sports cars and motorcycles to Armani Bamboo Sports coats! Your father will be proud to be a personal hero to you and a superhero to the planet. Let's not underestimate what it means to be protector this Father's Day!

GIFTS:

• No one in the office will know! Organic Cotton Dress Shirts from Culturata, Velour, and Nordstrom. Organic cotton blows conventional cotton out of the water – growing conventional cotton requires the use of enormous amounts of pesticides, which has a huge environmental impact and presents health risks for those working around it. 25% of the world’s insecticide use and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticide goes to cotton crops. In 2003, that amounted to about 55 million pounds of pesticides being sprayed on 12.8 million acres of cotton, according to the Organic Trade Association. http://www.aussiebum.com/content/items/1265_banana_brief_brf_white/ZM_banana_brf_white.jpg• Organic cotton, bamboo, and banana fiber underwear & socks from Aussiebum & Nordstrom. Supporting sustainable and ethical fashion is more than just an outer layer. Keeping pesticides away from sensitive areas is something any man will get behind. . . Nordstrom Bamboo Blend Socks (3-Pack) Nordstrom Organic Cotton Boxer Shorts • Sports gear: Carpenter Trade, professional baseball glove  $280 In addition to superior performance, most people don't realize that the #1 cause of greenhouse gas emissions is from raising livestock for food and leather. Avoiding leather is one of the most powerful things to do for the environment. So have a custom made, professional-grade glove made with your dad's name on it. http://www.carpentertrade.com/images/Clarino3Views.jpg • Mens organic, cruelty-free grooming products and scents. The last thing you should give pop is a guilty conscience with products that have been tested on animals. Most razors and many mainstream grooming products are still tested on animals and are not made from recycled plastics, but these items are totally cruelty-free and sustainable. (Preserve, Jack Black, Herban Cowboy, the Body Shop) Triple Razor Replacement Blades White Musk® for Men Eau de Toilette Organic Grooming by Herban Cowboy Cologne Dusk 1.7 oz • Get your dad back into health with cookbooks, health guides, and diet books for dudes! The fireman's Engine 2 Diet, the Triathlete's THRIVE book series, Skinny Bastard, Meat is for Pussies, Vegan Bodybuilding and Tal Ronnen's amazing cookbook, the Conscious Chef. Buy The Engine 2 Diet book todayBook Cover Meat Is For Pussies book image Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness By Robert Cheeke THRIVE FITNESS • Stock the Pantry with delicious, gourmet food! Who says eating healthy means eating sprouts? What dad doesn't love dark chocolate, smores, gourmet sausage, jerky, dips, and healthy, meaty meal-starters? Vegan Double Chocolate Twinkies Twin Pack By Dulce Vegan Organic European-Style Chocolate Assortment By Sjaak's Smore Pies by Sweet & Sara Vegan Grain Meat Sausages By Field Roast Homestyle Beefless Tips By GardeinVegan Ground Beef By Match Primal Strips Meatless JerkyVega Sport Performance Protein Tub • Cruelty-free Accessories from NOHARM, Novacas, Bourgeois Boheme, Matt & Nat, Truth, and The Vegan Collection. Also check out the solar-charged briefcase from Voltaic, or a recycled canvas and vegetable-based faux-leather handbag. All sustainably leather-free. NOHARM Black Slip-on Vegan Ankle BootsBoBo Vida Black
Voigt Pebble Laptop Carrier BlackFaithless - Pebble Handbag BlackTellier - Snake Wallet Navy BELT BELT Solar Laptop Charger • Buy your dad a gift or experience on Charity Buzz and support your favorite charities. Hang with celebs, get backstage, go on trips, amazing experiences, sports tickets, memorabilia, delicious meals, and more! Large_list Large_list Large_list Large_list Large_list Large_list
• Satin Ties & Ties diverted from Landfills. With Jaanj's high-end, luxury, non-silk ties, you'll never miss the worms that get boiled alive. For cotton ties, the Hill-Side makes ties and pocket-squares from selvedge fabrics, diverting them from landfills and making really cool, classic square-end ties, pocket squares, and handkerchiefs. • For the Handy-Dad: Gadgets and tools or a Gift Certificate to GREEN DEPOT, an environmental living & building store. From recycled cotton insulation and a home composter to soy based paints and finishes, any dad into home improvement will love these gifts. • Lawn Order with Greenworks tools. From mowers, blowers, and log-splitters, to hedge-trimmers and cultivators, these greener lawn tools don't use fossil fuels and make self-sufficiency easy and green! 18in : 5-blades : Reel Mower7 Amp : 160mph : Blower10in : 20V : Li-ION Chain Saw5 Ton 15A Log Splitter • Vintage Sunglasses / Frames. The greenest gifts of all require no new resource extraction or manufacturing. Vintage is always an amazing option. Classic sunglasses are big right now, from aviators, wayfarers, and John-Lennon frames to the 50's Halo frames. sun_36.jpgvint_men_39.jpgsun_22.jpgvint_men_24.jpgsun_05.jpg • Enthralling DVDs of Oscar winner's and award nominees "The Cove", "Food Inc", and "End of the Line". The CoveFood, Inc. http://www.docurama.com/wp-content/uploads/art-downloads/NNVG169491-05.jpg

For the Dad with it All:

• Tesla Electric Sportscar. 0-60 in 3.9 secs, 288 hp, 236 miles per charge. Starts at $101,500 http://www.ecoautoninja.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/tesla_roadster.jpg • Electric Motorcycle from Zero $9,995, or Brammo at $7,995 Zero S Electric Motorcycle - Click Image to Closehttp://www.electricbikee.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/right_side_700px.jpg]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2010/06/06/fathers-day-for-the-ethically-handsome-dad/feed/ 6 May Contest: MATT & NAT! http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/05/01/may-contest-matt-nat/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/05/01/may-contest-matt-nat/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 17:55:17 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=1411 May Contest: MATT & NAT!
Holy crap! I am so excited for our May contest. I wish I could enter it myself, but it makes me almost as happy to be able to give something like this away to one of our lucky, loyal readers. If you don't know Matt & Nat yet, where the heck have you been? Read [...]]]> May Contest: MATT & NAT!
picture-2Holy crap! I am so excited for our May contest. I wish I could enter it myself, but it makes me almost as happy to be able to give something like this away to one of our lucky, loyal readers. If you don't know Matt & Nat yet, where the heck have you been? Read our interview with the creative genius behind the line, Inder Bedi, and find out why everyone from fashion icons to celebs go ga-ga for his jaw-dropping vegan and eco-friendly accessories.

You can win this $350 bag, Blockhead, in a few simple steps:

  1. Upload a video of yourself to Youtube explaining why you would never wear the skin of another animal, (click HERE for some tips) and what you think of The Discerning Brute and Matt & Nat. HINT! Creativity and humor are held in high-regard here at DB headquarters. Any format is acceptable, from songs to animations to annoying diatribes.
  2. Send us the link to TheDiscerningbrute@gmail.com. The Subject line must read: MAY CONTEST: Matt & Nat (otherwise it may get trashed). Inder and The Discerning Brute crew will decide the winner, and not only will you will win the bag, your video will be featured on The Discerning Brute, as well as Matt&Nat's blog!
  3. Include your name, what you do, and contact info so that we can send the bag your way.
  4. Deadline is May 30th.
  5. The winner will be announced on the blog June 1st.
blockhead Grey vegan canvas handbag with 100% recycled blue faux suede lining, tone on tone stitching, antique silver hardware, and MATT & NAT logo bar. The Blockhead features 2 main compartments with top zipper closure and 1 external zipper pocket on front. Interior includes zip pocket, cell phone and PDA pockets and 3 pen holders. Comes with detachable, adjustable shoulder strap.]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/05/01/may-contest-matt-nat/feed/ 1 Project Gunnway, Big in '09, and Faux Gras Foibles http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/15/project-gunway-big-in-09-and-faux-gras-foibles/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/15/project-gunway-big-in-09-and-faux-gras-foibles/#comments Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:50:51 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.com/?p=860 Project Gunnway, Big in '09, and Faux Gras Foibles
VegBuzz: According to VegNews, PETA is partnering with the popular television personality Tim Gunn (Project Runway) to front a new video to be unveiled at New York’s Fashion Week this February in order to raise awareness of the atrocities of the fur industry. I'll be there to see it - will you? Speaking of Fashion, [...]]]> Project Gunnway, Big in '09, and Faux Gras Foibles
VegBuzz: According to VegNews, PETA is partnering with the popular television personality Tim Gunn (Project Runway) to front a new video to be unveiled at New York’s Fashion Week this February in order to raise awareness of the atrocities of the fur industry. I'll be there to see it - will you? Speaking of Fashion, Some of the big trends to look out for in 'o9 include beach-bum hoodies, windbreakers, striped button-downs, high-contrast plaids, and harrington jackets. The fortune tellers at Men.Style.com continue to promote garments and designers without an inkling of social or environmental accountability. Here's a few ethical versions: Knit Hooded Mens Organic Hemp SweaterHand Me Down Jacket Patagonia Men's Windbreaker Jacket ORGANIC Striped Dress Shirt Faux-Foie Foibles. Ecorazzi recently covered the response from Chef Michael Ginor of Hudson http://www.sunwinefest.com/images/Celebrity%20Photos/michael%20ginor.jpgValley Foie Grasabout PETAs Faux-Foie Gras contest. He had this to say: “I think it’s great. People should always have alternatives. I also think it’s ridiculous in a sense, because you can find substitutes for steak. It’s another vegetarian thing. It’s not going to be foie gras, it’s obviously another PR campaign to try and get people to not eat foie gras. They’re not going to find an alternative to foie gras because there just isn’t one.” ]]> http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2009/01/15/project-gunway-big-in-09-and-faux-gras-foibles/feed/ 1 © Just Screw It http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/02/02/%c2%a9-just-screw-it/ http://www.thediscerningbrute.com/2008/02/02/%c2%a9-just-screw-it/#comments Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:22:20 +0000 TheDiscerningBrute http://thediscerningbrute.wordpress.com/?p=36 © Just Screw It
Adbusters is not just a great magazine. (If you don't read it, you certainly should.) Taking the momentum from anti-globalization activists of the mid-late nineties and crafting it into a refined movement of 'culture-jamming', the Adbusters community focuses on questioning corporate control of...well, everything. Who determines the status-quo? Who has permission to challenge and change [...]]]> © Just Screw It
Adbusters is not just a great magazine. (If you don't read it, you certainly should.)
http://theicarusproject.net/downloads/Adbusters07Cover.jpg
Taking the momentum from anti-globalization activists of the mid-late nineties and crafting it into a refined movement of 'culture-jamming', the Adbusters community focuses on questioning corporate control of...well, everything. Who determines the status-quo? Who has permission to challenge and change it? Adbusters has grown into a Media Foundation:
"We are a global network of artists, activists, writers, pranksters, students, educators and entrepreneurs who want to advance the new social activist movement of the information age. Our aim is to topple existing power structures and forge a major shift in the way we will live in the 21st century."
http://www.drivl.com/img/articles/Nike-sweat-shop.jpgFamous for making spoof-ads which file grievances with a plethora of coporate scum-bag-ness, Kalle Lasn and the folks at Adbusters Media Foundation are also the brains behind a shoe that aims to 'unswoosh' Nike. What's the beef with Nike? Sweatshops, for one. Add environmental recklessness and the power of a true corporate colossus, and it looks like a real monster. Find out more on why a Discerning Brute should never be caught in Nikes HERE. Can the David that is Adbusters take on a Goliath? Time will tell... http://www.educatingforjustice.org/nikewages/graphics/nike_ad.jpg The classic Blackspot Sneaker and v2.0: The Unswoosher are both designed by John Fluevog, known for his cutting edge innovativeness and flair. The shoes comply with vegan standards, and are being monitored by Robin Webb of Vegetarian Shoes in the UK. Order Blackspot V2
"...the Blackspot, from it's red toe-tip and hand-drawn anti-logo to its renegade billboards and TV ads, is designed to do only one thing: kick megacorporate ass. We're going to cut into Nike's market share, unswoosh that tired old swoosh and give birth to a new kind of cool in the sneaker industry." - Adbusters
What I love about these shoes is not just things like recycled tire parts (which makes so much sense to use for shoes - designers, pay attention) but the integrating of social, political, environmental, and animal advocacy into a product. Consilience! This is a paradigm shift within the capitalistic model - and a testament to to our generation that says :'cool' is not one-dimensional. 'Cool' is comprehensive and multi-dimensional, and should meet our need to take responsibility for things aside from aesthetics or how much money one can make at any cost. Order Blackspot Sneakers
DB's Etiquette Recommendation: The fact that a product like this exists is extraordinary in itself. Hold on to your standards! There is no reason to expect any less of the companies with whom you do business than an accommodation of your demand for accountability. You are paying for a product - but you are also paying for how it was made. If you wouldn't force a child into sweatshop-labor, kill and skin a cow, or destroy a river with chemicals, are you OK with paying someone else to do it just because it's out of sight?
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