Once hidden away from consumers, artisans were relegated to the background behind luxury goods. But with the weakened economy, brands have tempered their extravagant stature by embracing their history and the people that hand make their products. In recent years artisans have been brought to the forefront and presented to the public to give insight into how their products are made. Brands like Hermes, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton have all marketed their tradition to craft. Hermes toured the U.S. in 2011 and 2012 with their Festival of Crafts. Over the weekend, Gucci made its way to Bloomingdales in Manhattan to host an “Artisan Corner,” and Louis Vuitton expanded its Soho storefront to include an in-store atelier where individuals hand letter your luggage. Though many of these occurrences function as marketing events there is value in them. It informs the consumer by offering a first hand look into the process and the time and effort that goes into making non mass produced goods.

This is not the Brooklyn Flea, this is the Dudesale! After its initial success back in April, Kinfolk (not the magazine) will be hosting another installment of the sidewalk sale organized by Jeremiah Mandel. He and his dudes, including backpack aficionado Jordan Viray will be hocking wares for all the vintage fanatics out there. Records, clothes, shoes, hats, toys, and of course rare gems like the Braun HL 1 fan and Enzo Mari animal puzzle set will be all for the taking. Come rain or shine, the Dudesale happens this weekend starting at 11am tomorrow morning. Dudettes are encouraged to come through. See photos from April’s event on Kinfolk.

Satoshi Kawamoto, doesn’t just have a green thumb, he has Green Fingers. The proprietor of several garden shops in Tokyo, is first and foremost a garden stylist. His overgrown rustic and lush gardens with layers of multiple plant species have the hallmarks of a western garden rather than the tranquil, minimal and orderly rock gardens of Japan. This style has brought the attention to many and has given him the opportunity to venture into other areas. He’s designed store interiors, exhibited his work, written multiple columns for Japanese publications, and operates four Green Fingers shops in Tokyo. Kawamoto recently released his third book “Deco Room with Plants” in Japan where he explores the myriad of ways to style your home with plants and to bring a little of the outdoors, indoors. You can find a copy at Inventory.

Mister Mort gives us a rare look inside Doug Bihlmaier’s beach house and it looks just as perfect as we imagined it to be.

We’re ready for the summer with the latest line from the Vans California collection.

LN-CC managed to obtain a small collection of printed materials on Comme des Garcon including issue 20 of Visionaire.

The tote bag to end all tote bags. Once you purchase this one you won’t need another. The “Ballast” bookbag from Book/Shop.

At an early age, Jamie Stoker wanted to be a cryptozoology, which is a the study of animals whose existence or survival is disputed or unsubstantiated, according to Oxford English Dictionary. Creatures like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster. Stoker found out early on that he did not excel in biology and science, two traits that are essential in this line of profession. Instead, he went on to become a photographer. Still, his fascination with these mythical creatures did not end as an adult. So he set out to Loch Ness. At this point, Stoker’s goal wasn’t to photograph the creature itself but the life and people surrounding the legendary lake. His photo series reveals a group of fascinating individuals that were drawn to the area and the beautiful landscape that is Loch Ness.

Yvon Chouinard and the company he founded, Patogonia, should be the model for all CEOs and companies. His love of climbing and the outdoors has made him an environmentalist and a responsible business owner that advocates conscious consumption. The life he’s lived has been an adventurous one that’s been documented in his memoir, Let My People Go Surfing and the 2010 film 180 Degrees South.

Patagonia recently collaborated with the team behind Montauk’s The Usual, Yasha Wallin and Emily Anderson to launched a new newsprint edition. The Vertical dives into the world of climbing with inspiring stories from people that have been involved with the company. Athletes, advocates, shop employees and Chouinard himself are interviewed and profiled in The Vertical. Copies are available at NYC Patagonia locations or online in its entirety.