The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » mens bags

Red Hot Accessories

joshuakatcher — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:09:45 +0000

Recycled fire-hoses make pretty handsome belts and bags. Elvis & Kreese's collaboration with an international group of outstanding artists – Lothar Götz, Olivier Millagou, Paul Morrison and Simon Periton - has resulted in a striking and sustainably leather-free line of accessories, made completely from materials diverted from landfills. Over 45 tons of it thus far! Even their packaging is made completely of diverted waste, and 50% of their profits go to the Fire Fighters Charity. Thanks for the tip from reader, Gareth!

New Matt & Nat, Israel to Ban Fur, Pussies Eat Meat & Sparrow Media

joshuakatcher — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:37:54 +0000

Matt & Nat has unleashed it's new website, along with a pretty rad spring/summer collection of vegan bags lined with 21 recycled bottled turned into faux-suede. If you're in the NYC area, you can grab the men's bags at Alter. Phoenix Briefcase, Black $239.00, Kronos Bag, Black $175.00, Fujiya Bag, Black $170.00, at ALTER I am stoked about my tough-guy pal John Joseph's (Cro-Mags front man, Ironman Triathlete, all-around vegan badass) new book that does not beat around the bush (ha...) about meat and its affect on the earth, our health, and animals. Yes, the title is controversial. Feel free to rant about it in the comments section. Or just pre-order your copy. Meat is For Pussies: The how-to guide for dudes who want to get fit, kick ass, and take names (Crush Publishing, 2010). "In Meat is for Pussies, John Joseph makes sure you never look at meat the same way. After painting a sickening picture of how things really are, John outlines a plan for a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. Do you want to continue living like a pussy, or are you ready to take back control of your life? It's your call." Sparrow Media recently did an exclusive, in-depth interview with Leanne Mai-Ly Hilgart (Vaute Couture). Sparrow Media's work is pretty amazing in general, so we recommend checking it, and all their stuff out! Big-ups to Discerning Brute Andy Stepanian for spearheading so many cool and important projects. The new film "Skin Trade", by Shannon Keith (Behind the Mask) has been released and is shocking audiences across the country. Gary Smith writes an excellent review of the documentary over at Elephant Journal. The film features Rory Freedman, John Feldmann, Todd Oldham, Alexandra Paul, James Cromwell, Jorja Fox, Peter Young, Joshua Katcher, Matt Rossell, Ingrid Newkirk and Dennis Kucinich. “Skin Trade” covers the fur industry like no other film has ever done – from the history of the fur trade to consumer fraud to the environmental toll of tanneries to truth-in-labeling legislation... systematically debunks the most common myths around fur, such as warmth, fashion, and the Canadian Fur Council’s laughable “Fur is Green” campaign. Speaking of fur... will Israel be the first country to ban fur, all together? Michal Lewin-Epstein's article on Huffington Post: "Ninety-five percent of Israel's textile products are imported from China and real furred items are occasionally mislabeled as fake fur, deceiving both the retailers and the consumers. A survey, commissioned by the International Anti-Fur Coalition and Let the Animals Live, conducted immediately after the February 2009 media investigation, showed that 86% of Israelis believe killing animals for fur is immoral. Moreover, nearly 80% back a bill calling for ban of fur trade in Israel. This media exposure and public support, together with the long-standing joint efforts of the International Anti-Fur Coalition and the Israeli organization Let the Animals Live, recently pressured Israeli Members of Knesset to endorse a law that would limit or eliminate the fur trade in Israel." Read the FULL ARTICLE.

May Contest: MATT & NAT!

TheDiscerningBrute — Fri, 01 May 2009 17:55:17 +0000

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 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:

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.
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!
Include your name, what you do, and contact info so that we can send the bag your way.
Deadline is May 30th.
The winner will be announced on the blog June 1st.

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.

Fresh Friday Finds

TheDiscerningBrute — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:08:30 +0000

1. John Patrick Organic Spring 2009 John Patrick has done it again! As one of my favorite designers, his dreamy, bucolic, utopian vision came to life at the Desmond Tutu center in Chelsea last month. This American Gothic reminds us that our land-base in primary, and taking care of it (like using organic cotton, fair-labor, sustainable practices - developing sustainable cottage industries, and growing your own organic cotton in the jungles of Peru) is crucial. Click here to view the complete collection for men and women. 2. Vegetable-Based Leather is my bag, baby! Vegetable-based 'leather' made by Amazonian natives from sustainable plant matter, and recycled canvas from cargo trucks. Need I say more? The bags and accessories from Paz Apparel are hot, and I love this oversized "Uptown Handbag". Thanks to reader, Ari for the tip-off! Also from Paz: 3. One of DB's favorite organizations, Sea Shepherd, will be featured in Animal Planet's 7-episode special series "Whale Wars". On Friday, November 7th Animal Planet will premiere Whale Wars at 9 PM ET/PT in the US, and internationally in early 2009. For additional information, photos and a sneak peak at the series go to: http://animal.discovery.com/tv/whale-wars/ 4. Peter Singer is the Godfather... I got the honor of meeting Peter Singer, father of the modern animal rights movement and author of "Animal Liberation" at a party for Karen Dawn's (Dawnwatch) birthday and book reading. It's not often you get to meet the person who set the new course for your life. I recommend reading both books! When Purchasing Books, I also strongly recommend supporting local independent bookstores. Use Indiebound.org as opposed to the not-at-all-ethically-fabulous Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Do it!!!

5. Autumn is in the Air And so are these seasonal smells from DB friend, A Scent of Scandal! Check out: OLD SCHOOL - granny smith, ROUGH PATCH - pumpkin, & TURNING TRICKS - candy corn. 6. Do Rabbits Scream? Find out more about Armani on peta.org. The answer is yes, and this new undercover video of rabbit fur farms in France and China is enough to make anyone give fur the cold shoulder. PETAs Armani campaign is in full swing. Get involved! 7. Shoes that will make you swoon A little bird told me that Elizabeth Olsen (Olsen Haus), whose vegan shoe line is blowing up and selling out all over the place right now, will be making vegan shoes for men that are as equally badass as her womens' shoes. And to get a taste of how she rolls, take a look at these: (All I can say is that I am looking forward to dancing in some blue suede-like mens' shoes.) More to come, stay tuned. 8. In Defense of Animals is taking on Zappos' hairy sales, exposing outdated primate nicotine experiments,planning for Fur Free Friday, and standing up to Puppy Mills. Check out their campaigns and get involved! . . . . . 9. Pick an Apple! Get out of town before the season is over. If you haven't been to the Hudson Valley in New York State for an autumn adventure, you don't know what you're missing! Click Here! or Here!

10.

Support Farm Sanctuary's Party for the Pigs: A benefit for the survivors of the Midwest flood disaster

In June of this year, Farm Sanctuary mobilized in Iowa to take part in one of the most ambitious farm animal rescues ever undertaken, after thousands of pigs were left to die in the Midwest flood disaster. During both land and water rescue operations, 69 pigs were rescued, including many pregnant sows who were once confined to gestation crates on factory farms. Now, these pigs, many of whom are still suffering from serious health problems, are at Farm Sanctuary receiving urgent care and undergoing rehabilitation.

On October 18, Farm Sanctuary will honor these survivors of the Midwest floods and raise critically needed funds for their care.

Please, help the pigs by attending the event or making a donation today!

PARTY FOR THE PIGS

Saturday, October 18, 6-9 p.m. Equality Center 1640 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C.

FEATURING

Hosts Persia White and Nellie McKay

A special performance by Singer/songwriter and Broadway actress Nellie McKay

And… Vegan hors d'oeuvres, a wine and beer bar, and a silent auction

Cocktail attire requested

RSVP now or call 607-583-2225 ext 221 to reserve your space. General admission tickets cost $50.

Faux Ever: Inder Bedi of Matt & Nat

TheDiscerningBrute — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:00:41 +0000

Eight years ago, a designer with a penchant for architecture, subculture, and bold ethics launched MATT & NAT - a line of vegan accessories that is unabashedly tearing down any notion that you can't be fashion-forward and an environmentalist. Anyone who is only one or the other might just be lazy. Inder Bedi, the brain in which MATT & NAT both reside - and the 34 year old discerning brute whose headquarters are in Montreal, makes no apologies for his commitment to animal advocacy and environmentalism. His accessories are always totally vegan, and are increasingly made from recycled and sustainable materials. The fact that the new fall 2008 lines are gorgeously-serious, structured, edgy, and modish is enough to make anyone do a triple-take as you walk by - but compound that with the fact that these accessories consist of treated cardboard, recycled soda bottles, and vintage faux-leather and it's a recipe for handsome ethics. Like Marshall McLuhan, MATT & NAT isn’t just the bag; it’s the message. Discreetly or proudly, to carry the bag is to carry the message. The Fall 08 collection takes its cues from menswear with a deep color palette, emphasis on heavy hardware, and a narrowed focus on larger all-use carryalls. Such a focused collection makes a bold statement. No other line says it quite as strongly as CARTON. With the success of spring 08’s experimentation in eco-fabrics, MATT & NAT is now exploring the world of paper. CARTON is fabricated from treated cardboard and retails for $150 - $295. Featuring vintage synthetic leather trims, bags are available in either black or natural, with the choice of mix-copper or antique silver hardware. The line is unique, powerful, and for those wanting to make a statement. There’s no question about it, CARTON is progressive, both in design & fabrication. Perfect for those cold winter days, FEUTRE is a line of heather gray felt bags entirely void of animal by-products retailing for $225 - $295. A first for MATT & NAT, the felt is 100% recycled water bottles. Bags are available in a choice of two trims: coffee or cement gray Japanese paper with lead-free copper hardware and a dark tonal lining. Masculine, distinct, and bound to be a classic, FEUTRE is minimalism at its best. Another first this season, BELTS. Made from synthetic leather, the line is comprised of traditional unisex hip belts that retail for $100 - $135. What sets these belts apart are the buckles in varying metals. Industrial in look, with oversized screw accents, BELTS iterate the design elements of the collection, and reinforce MATT & NAT as an avant-garde. I had a few moments to interview Inder, here is our conversation: DB: What is your inspiration for the upcoming collections? IB: Architecture, cinema and music DB: How did Matt & Nat come to be? IB: A desire to put out a vegan line that represents balance between the two voices in my head (matt & nat), the voices that we hear all day that inevitably lead to the decisions we make every second…matt & nat strives to balance us as people as well as the worlds of fashion and positivity. DB: Who are some of your celebrity fans? IB: Nathalie Portman, Woody Allen, Heather Mills, Eva Mendes, Charlize Theron. DB: How has fashion affected the green movement, and vice versa? IB: Fashion has placed pressure on green to be more sexy (Kelly Green?), the green movement has asked fashion to be more responsible….weird question for me…been doing this since 1997… DB: Does Matt & Nat have an official position on using skins, feathers, and fur? If so, why? IB: matt & nat doesn’t….but I do…which inevitably effects matt & nat, it’s a fashion forward line of accessories that will always be vegan… DB: What is your biggest concern with the fashion industry right now? IB: The extremes of ethical fashion and unethical fashion and the lack of lines in between. DB: Are there any accessories you want to make that you haven't been able to include in a collection yet? IB: Belts, soon! DB: Why should every fashionisto & fashionista care where their accessories come from, what they're made of, and who makes them? IB: Because we vote with our dollars, whether we like it or not. DB: What's the worst thing that's happened to you as a designer? And the best? IB: Took many years before matt & nat got noticed - best and worst thing. DB: Fill in the blanks: Every single person should make a dramatic change in their life at least once a year. Cool is doing it before it’s done, Chic is not in my vocabulary.