Though Francis Ford Coppola’s lit magazine Zoetrope All-Story has been around since 1997 it doesn’t receive the attention that other magazines of its caliber gets. All-Story quietly publishes every quarter inviting a stellar lineup of guest editors and designers. A look at their back issues and you will be amazed by its list of contributors. The latest issue is no different, with Geoff McFetridge taking over the reins for design. Its been a long time since McFretridge’s early days as the Art Director of the seminal music / culture mag Grand Royal. A look at the pages will see how far he’s come from the punk rock / haphazard layouts GR was known for. The issue also includes stories from Dan Keane, Cody Klippenstein, Patrick Dacey, and the republication of Daphne du Maurier’s “The Birds” in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Hitchcock’s movie.

Andrew Groves’s illustration often incorporates natural elements where mountains, forests, and whimsical creatures often meet. His fondness for the outdoors has taken him away from the computer and into the field where he has applied his creative talents towards making more tangible objects. The result was an accessories brand for the outdoors that Grove launched in 2011 called Miscellaneous Adventures. Items include wooden spoons, knives and various other tools. This self-taught maker produces all the carvings by hand. Since the inception of the line he’s been approached by others for advice on how to make tools on their own. This has prompted him to start a woodcarving workshop. Grove has enlisted the help from Kickstarter to launch the project. The classes will be held in the forest in the Sussex countryside, giving the students a natural surrounding to work in. The funds will go towards all the necessary supplies that will assist in the classes. T Shirts, prints and tools are given to donors on various levels. Grove plans to launch his woodcarving workshop this spring.

It’s been said that science fiction no longer exist because everything that we’ve ever dreamt up has already happened or is in progress of happening. This is further proof. On first take, John Rogers’s Biostamp looks incredibly sinister, something out of George Lucas’s THX 1138 or any dystopian future where humans are tagged and monitored. On the contrary, this technology is used for good. Rogers and his firm MC10 have created a temporary tattoo that adheres to your wrist. It is capable of tracking your temperature, hydration and strain. Beyond the medical uses this technology can also be utilized by athletes in training to assist in optimizing their performance through data. It’s easy to see how this has commercial application to it. And it makes sense since MC10 is no stranger to consumer products, they already have their own FuelBand product as well as a Sports Impact Indicator on the way in partnership with Reebok. This is just another chapter along the way to the future. (via Dezeen)

Re-gifting isn’t always a bad thing, especially when it pertains to charity. Australian ad agency, BMF, launched a campaign called Mail Books For Good, in which they help donate books to homeless and disadvantage individuals in the easiest way possible. They came up with an ingenious idea of designing a dust cover that doubles as an envelope ready to be dropped in the mail. When you’re finished with the book simply fold the dust jacket over to seal its content. It wraps neatly into a prepaid package ready to be sent off. BMF partnered with Random House Australia to realize this idea. It currently only has a handful of titles under the campaign but the concept can be translated with ease to make it scaleable and effective. via Creative Review.

Local 172 was a stuff made of legends. During its launch in 2011 it garnered a lot of attention buoyed by the press promising a shop stocked with vintage Ralph Lauren, Pendleton, L.L. Bean, Woolrich and others. The store rarely opened and was available by appointment only. Meanwhile their tumblr teased us with their abundant finds. Then quietly, without much notice, they left their lofty Tribeca space and moved to the Garment District, where they presumably still operate. For some, it was the best vintage Americana shop that they never knew existed.

Now comes word about a similar shop based in Austin. Sam Hill, launched by Kyle Muller last July, began popping up in retail spaces, restaurants, and music venues, including Billy Reid and Stag. Open for a few days or even hours at a time and disappearing until the next event. His mobile storefront has been making its rounds and gaining the attention from Austin’s finest. Plans for future venues include a barge. Sam Hill specializes in men’s vintage military, collegiate, and workwear with a focus on American brands like Pendleton, Woolrich, Lee Storm Rider and L.L.Bean. For those that aren’t anywhere near Austin, you can get a taste of Sam Hill’s stock with their newly launched site with inventory constantly being added.

We’ve been a fan of UNITED ARROWS casual and refined classic designs for some time now. Unfortunately the label isn’t readily available Stateside. Their lookbooks may be the closest you will get to seeing their full line this side of the hemisphere. For Spring/Summer ‘13, UNITED ARROWS took a different approach, rather than the typical slideshow, they styled their own line of men’s and women’s designs with other labels and create a vertical scrolling wall of photos. It’s a mixture of in-studio and on location photographs of what appears to be all shot on film. Accompanying their casual suit and shirt designs, stripes and prints are in abundance. Leopard, floral, and of course camo are seen throughout this season’s collection. View their lookbook here.