Thank goodness for brands like Makia. They recently sent me a bundle of their latest Finnish-designed product including this permanent fixture on my coat rack: the Button Up Hooded Sweatshirt. Apparently it’s also a favorite of musician, actor, and Viking Vesa-Matti Loiri. If you’re still trying to catch up with Makia, check the documentary below or visit MakiaClothing.com

In 1872 a human-sized gold nugget weighing more than 600 lbs was unearthed from a dusty hill in New South Whales. Rumor has it that when the prospectors were chiseling away at this shiny mother lode, a future-historic skateboard was found deep within the core of the gigantic chunk of cheddar. Not knowing whether it was extraterrestrial, celestial, or just plain pugilistic, the archeologists decided to bury the skateboard and never speak of it again.
From the land down under comes a brand that you should certainly be paying attention to. PASS PORT is making premium skateboard decks and a range of apparel that confirms this is more than just another garage project… and quite possibly connected to the aforementioned true story. They recently dropped a new collection on their website, and fret not: you will soon be able to get your passport stamped, as there are rumors that Pass~Port will be available in the US soon. For more information visit passportal.com.au

Makia has beaten everyone to the Finnish line by announcing their endorsement of car racing prodigy Kimi Räikkönen. I must say this is brilliant, isn’t it?

Rapha just released an online lookbook to accompany their Autumn/Winter Collection. Click the images above to check it out.

Growing up in the NW, I never wore sunglasses- it was only sunny for like 90 days out of the year, and I always figured that shades were reserved for the upper-cool class. How foolish I was. Proof? I was chatting with a homie the other day who said he has some sort of crazy cataracts or micro-growths on his eyeballs from too much ocular exposure to the sun. That certainly ain’t cool, right? Well, fortunately a while ago the fine folks at Timber sent me an awesome box full of eyewear crafted from bamboo & skate deck plies and I was immediately impressed with the handmade feel of everything from the boxes to the press kit- so I want to introduce this independent brand to the readers of RadCollector.com. Remember: this summer, please cover your [eye]balls from the sun.  On an unrelated note, that new Timbaland single featuring Pitbull is awful, right? They can’t all be zingers. Put your pupil-peepers on the full collection at GetTimber.com

FTCSF will be hosting a special event on Saturday July 21st in conjunction with the release of Jack Curtin’s new Pro Model shoe, The Capitol by Fallen Footwear. If you’re in the area, stop by FTC for free bubbly beverages and good vibes. If you’re not in the area, check here for photos afterwards. Live music set by Cellski!

I’m not sure when this was released, but it’s freaking radical. Paul Smith collaborates with Rapha on this excellent excuse to ride in better style. From the photos I’m guessing it’s available in solid Rapha pink.

I’m 50% positive that I have dual personality disorder. Today I’m going to be all copywriterish about some of the new product from Rapha. These gents continue to amaze with the functionality and fit of the new Club & Super Lightweight Jerseys. The qualifications for wearing one? You simply need to ride a bike and ride it fast. Ditch the speed chute you’ve been wearing and get one of the best jerseys available from the masters of minimalism and craftsmen of smart style (sounds like something from the J Peterman catalog). Available at Rapha.cc and other fine cycling retailers worldwide.

Along with Dig A Pony owner Nicholas Musso, We Are Runts (WAAR) have been putting together a series of videos narrating the process of repurposing the “stuff” that reminds us of our youth; nostalgic items of naught.  The project manifesto states, “As we get older, our natural accumulation of “stuff” is inevitable.  Over time, an occasional claustrophobic freak out results in a cleansing that will thin the heap we’ve amassed, but regardless there always seems to be that stuff that never finds the bottom of a trashcan.  Depending on what you do or did, this stuff could be clothing, cards, photos, stickers, skateboards, records or CDs, etc.  One inevitable fate exists for them all…the dump, or someone else’s heap of stuff.  Very rarely do these things stay with us throughout our life, and we often reminisce on times when we had them, could fit in them, or even when we had a purpose for them.  It’s a shame to look back and wonder how much life and use was actually left in this “stuff”, or what a fresh eye could [have] made of them… The idea was to take them, regardless of condition, and define a new purpose for them, pool skewers and cruiser shapes… Enjoy.”

In an industry inundated with Limited Edition everything, it’s cool to see a brand like Fallen exercise some restraint and keep the collaborations to a minimum. This means that when they do release the occasional collaborative product, it’s that much more special. In this case, we have James Hardy’s pro model shoe, The Rambler, mashed up with his sponsor and camping culture enthusiasts Poler. Check the video for the credentials and check your shops for the product. Being released Fall 2012.