Buy This Cool Belt and Help Others Loosen Theirs. The Mission Belt Co. Donates To The Hungry.

Buy a belt, feed a family. That's the concept behind The Mission Belt, a company that donates a dollar for every one of their stylish leather belts sold, wholesale and retail, to help hungry families worldwide become self-sufficient.




The Mission Belt is simple, clean and unisex. Made of supple and smooth top grain double-stitched leather, they are available in three colors and with three sizes, provide a perfect fit for everyone. With no holes to stretch or wear over time (the belt buckle functions much like a seatbelt on an airplane) it always looks great on either men or women. It can be dressed up or dressed down. Not only is it the best belt ever manufactured, it's comfortably priced at $34.99 as well.





The tip of the belt inserts into the buckle, where a locking mechanism holds the belt in place from the back. To remove the belt, just press the small metal lever on the bottom of the buckle, and the belt slides out of the buckle.



On the back of the belt is a series of small, hard rubber wedges that have been carefully sewn into the leather of the belt:


There’s a metal piece on the back of the belt buckle that lodges against the wedges as you pull the belt to the correct fit. Then, it locks into place.

Black:

Alpine White:

Chocolate:


From their site:
The Philosophy: If you give a man a fish he eats for a day. If you teach a man to fish he can eat everyday. That sums up our philosophy and it works. Some of the core concepts behind our fight against global hunger and poverty are;

Sustainability & Self-reliance: That is the goal behind every dollar deployed. Our “Mission” is for families to continue to thrive after support ends.

Nutrition & Income: We work with organizations that help families reap the rewards of their animals and crops through consumption and sale of excess production.

Improved Management: This means that the projects we invest in focus on teaching families how to better manage their livestock and crops to keep them safe and productive.


Order your Mission Belt here.

Patrick Jouin Updates G.H. Mumm's Cordon Rouge Champagne Case and Saber for 2011

Champagne House G.H. Mumm & Cie renewed its association with designer Patrick Jouin and Les Ateliers d'Orfevrerie d'Anjou to create yet another sophisticated and original ritual for their Cordon Rouge champagne.


above: designer Patrick Jouin

This year the collaboration yielded another luxurious version of the carrying case and saber, packaged in a white painted and lacquered wooden box.



For 2011, the luxurious Isothermal case is made of white calfskin lined with alcantara and is now enhanced by a red ostrich leather cord. The GH MUMM logotype is embossed rather than printed on the Isothermic Cordon Rouge bag for this year's version:


And once again, it is packaged with the traditional Champagne Saber.


Last year, the companies' ceremonial Saber (a sword used to expel the cork in a masterful gesture) with a steel blade and leather handle was designed by Jouin, as well as the Cordon Rouge leather carrying case and the Georges' Champagne bucket, all shown below.

The 2010 Ceremonial Saber:


The 2010 Cordon Rouge Carrying Case:

The 2010 George Bucket:


G.H. Mumm

One Sweet Pillow. The Napoleon Candy Shaped Pillow in Leather by Eva Nip.

Hat and accessories designer Eva Nip's Napoleon pillow is a candy shaped throw pillow made of stitched leather, crafted in fun colors. The whimsical accent piece, originally made of felt, is now available in leather.







Originally designed in felt (shown below), the leather version adds sophistication and luxury to the design:

Available in tan pink, brown and ivory leather with matching stitching:

images courtesy of Behance and Spell

Buy the Napoleon pillow here.


See more of Eva Nip's work here.

Fashionably Dress Your Wounds With Leather Bandages

Scott Amron of Amron Experimental has come up with a chic and clever way to fashionably "dress your wound". The New York designer/artist and electrical engineer sells his "Hurt Couture" pressed black leather bandages 3 to a pack for $15. He claim that the leather actually breathes better. Not sure if that's true, but they certainly look better.



He intends to come out with some Louis Vuitton ones, too (shown above) but for legal reasons they are called Luis Vuitton bandages. Get on his mailing list for those here.


Interested in other types of luxury first aid?
• Swarovski studded bandages
• Alyssa Dee Kraus designs sterling silver and 18k gold band-aid jewelry
• Check out the sterling silver bandage rings by Michelle Lopez at Artware Editions.

Leather Engraved Brooks Saddle Bicycle Seats By Kara Ginther

Talented leather artisan Kara Ginther creates beautifully carved Brooks saddles. The intricately engraved bicycle seats are created in various colors, styles and types of leather.

She turns a 'blank slate' into a unique and functional piece of art, embellishing it with imagery that encompasses everything from western, nautical and nordic styles to floral, graphic and patterned ones:


Kara Ginther engraved leather Brooks Saddle Seats:

Nautical 2 (private commission):

Limited edition of 20 for London's Tweed Run:

Plaidle:

Fair Isle:

Artifact and Herringbone for a tandem bike:


Artifact 2:

Herringbone:

Damask:

Thistle (private commmission):

A paisley inspired design for Ahren of Banjo Cycles:

for Black Sheep:

For Sundance:

For Topanga Creek Bicycles:

Kara at work in her studio:


Kara Ginther also carves boots, luggage and more. Visit her site for more information.

all images courtesy of the artist