VOID Watch. Inspired by the Horizon.

"Nothing exists except atoms and empty space; everything else is opinion."
Democritus







Swedish designer David Ericsson has graced the universe with the VOID Watch. He launched the brand in 2008. His watches design innovation utilize "simple yet expressive shapes". If Swedish architects Gert Wingårdh, Sigurd Lewerentz and Gunnar Asplund were to collaboratively create a watch, the result would be David Ericsson's VOID watch.





The VOID Watch brings Scandinavian design to life on your wrist. The watches utilize simple geometry to make a profound statement. The design draws largely upon the horizon. As VOID so eloquently puts it "inspired by the horizon, the line where the sky and sea meet, a coming together of elements and a reconciliation of opposites"... Very well said.

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Lets Play Some Mind Games With NeuroSky's MindWave

"What's on your mind, if you will allow the overstatement?"
Fred Allen

EEG technology (or Electroencephalography) as it is referred to by the brainiacs among us, measures the fluctuations in ionic voltage from the current flow given off by the neurons in the brain. (Don't you feel smarter just by reading that first sentence?!?!)The MindWave, which is developed by NeuroSky, allows us regular folks to measure our very own EEG in the comfort of our own homes. It's like an elliptical machine or a treadmill for the mind. (It'll make your brain sweat.)

The Mindwave is a wireless and lightweight headset with passive sensors. It captures research grade EEG and runs for 10 hours on a single AAA battery. It measures attention span, meditation and other brain activity functions. Additionally, it is compatible with both PC and Mac. This is a techie toy if I ever saw one...



...such geekie goodness. Delicious!

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Excuse Yourself....I Only Wear Selvedge Denim Jeans

"Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives."
C. S. Lewis

The other one-tenth of durable happiness comes from having a great... really great pair of jeans. What makes a really great pair of jeans you ask? The answer is selvedge denim (derived from the term "self-edge"). These are jeans made on old-style shuttle looms. The fabric is weaved with one continuous cross thread. As the cross thread loops back to the edge and creates a "self-edge". Unlike projectile looms, the edge of selvedge denim jeans do not fray. On selvedge denim jeans, this edge is usually made very visible on the out-seam of the jeans (especially when a cuff is created). This does sound incredibly geekie but, it's really, really important and it is... "materially" significant (NO PUN INTENDED!!!)




America has long been the denim capital of the world. This has gradually changed over the last two decades. Kurashiki, Japan now holds that title. Thankfully, Cone Denim from Greensboro, NC is still carrying the torch for American denim. American denim of this quality is very expensive and very necessary (...very, very, necessary).




Ralph Lauren Rugby haberdashery shops (in NYC, the haberdashery is located at 390 Bleecker Street) have released a limited edition Cone denim jean in conjunction White Oak Mills with in their vintage slim cut. It can only be found at their haberdashery shops and cannot be purchased online. This is the second or third year of the event (it looks to be an annual occurrence). THE IS THE DEFINITION OF EXCLUSIVE!!!).... and the Sophistques LOVE EXCLUSIVE!!!

For details, call (212)462-4390

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Daniel Goleman's Social Intelligence (...The Most Important Kind)

"The nature of society is largely determined by the direction in which talent and ambition flow-by the tilt of the social landscape."
Eric Hoffer

We all NEED each other. LITERALLY!!! New revelations in science have shown our brains are "wired to connect". The good relationships and pleasant exchanges actually do have a health benefit for us. Studies have shown that people with great social experiences (relationships) actually live longer lives and their bodies fight off diseases at a higher than average rate. Daniel Goleman, the author of "Emotional Intelligence", expands on this hypotheses in his follow-up book "Social Intelligence". It's the quintessential MUST READ!!!



The main function of the brain is to connect with other brains. In those terms, we all essentially exist in a social economy (the emotional ebbs and flows of one person's emotions have a real effect on another person's emotions). Our emotions are contagious. If you smile at someone, there is a better than average chance that person will return the gesture. Even our slightest interactions create real hormonal affects...



...Now, go out and tell someone yeah love'em (...or at least give'em a hug).

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

The Lumigon T2 - Because Looking Great Is As Important As Being Great.

"Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
Steve Jobs

Those who know...know. Those who don't...can now say they do. The Lumigon T2... has arrived. It's the metro-sexual of smartphones. It's like the physics professor who only wears Armani suits. Not unlike any other fashionisto, the Lumigon T2 has a few fashionisto friends. High-end audio designer and manufacturer Bang & Olufsen provides the audio components by way of their patented ICEpower technology for the uber chic T2.




Lumigon is a Danish tech firm (which explains it's partnership with fellow Danish firm Bang & Olufsen). The T2 is powered by Google's Android 4.0. It has a stainless steel and Gorilla glass case with a 3.8 inch screen. But there's more...the T2 also doubles as an infrared universal remote control with a learn function and gesture recognition. (...This device is far from a one trick pony).



The Lumigon T2... the most interesting smartphone in the world.

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

Versace for H&M, Nov. 19th Event (the animal prints are appropriate for the savagery that will occur)... CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

"If you look good and dress well, you don't need a purpose in life."
Robert Pante

During a recent stroll through a New York City department store, a pair of sneakers designed by Versace caught my eye. I thought to myself, "I remember when Verace was as in demand as Louboutin currently is...". I paused and then released a sigh for the years passed and the sweet memories that accompanied them. When the question was posed to me, "Can Versace ever return to such heights?" I regrettably responded "I don't think so"...boy, was I ever wrong.




Never under estimate a room of driven and passionate marketers...VERSACE IS BACK!!! It's a seemingly simple equation. Input #1, co-brand with the hot retailer of the moment. In this case, it's H&M. Input #2, produce a low cost by highly limited offering. Input #3, have an of-the-moment big time celeb sport a few of the pieces in advance of their release. In this case, it's Kanye West. Output, you've just created what we call a "buzz". That buzz will only get louder until November 19th at an H&M near you. (Be there or be square...)





Can you say "I wear my sunglasses at night"...Miami Vice Vogue.

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques

C'était un rendez-vous... Like Vintage Speed Porn But Better

"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
Mario Andretti

It begins with a steady heart beat...and ends with a kiss. On a basic level, it's an awesome tour through the streets of Paris. On a deeper level, it's a "how-to" driving video (...for the wannabe James Bond stunt driver). On it's deepest level (it's very core), "C'était un rendez-vous" is raw, aggressive, avant garde film production genius. These are all true for two main reasons. First, it was shot in a single take. Second (and most impressive), the production crew had no city permits to shoot the film. Hence, it was NOT STAGED!!! (...the other pedestrians, cars, buses, and trucks on the road that morning just happened to be on the road that morning.)




Film makers rarely display this level of bravado nowadays. It there were one single mishap, this film may have never come to fruition. "C'était un rendez-vous" is a short film written and directed by Claude Lelouch in 1976 one early morning in Paris. It is literally eight minutes of non stop action. It will inspire you to try and recreate it yourself...(why not?!?!?)



All that keeps coming to mind is... someone should film the sequel in New York City. (Hmmm...)

Oz

Mo'Betta & Oz a.k.a. The Sophistiques