[ URBAN + TAKE(ØUT) ]

Urban Graduettes, would you let your man rock these?…

New York based artist MOMO has successfully collaborated with the Adidas brand Y-3 to create a collection of “fli-tops” with artistically architectural colorways. This capsule collection is a redux of the Y-3 Hayworth Mid II but it boasts designs similar to his work in the International Outdoor Urban Art Exhibition. Tentatively, these shoes will be part of a limited run of 350 pairs worldwide with a pricetag of about $320. They will debut in the US at Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out.

If you’ll be in the NYC area in 10 days, MARK YOUR CALENDERS for a night of fashionable debauchery like no other! In an effort to resurrect the shopping spirit in less than enthusiastic economic times, American Vogue along with tourism group NYC & Co., the City of New York and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have joined forces to boost the consumer spirit in America’s fashion capital, the Big Friggin’ Apple. Starting on the evening of the first day of NY Fashion Week, your favorite designer’s stores will be open until 11PM featuring extravagant shopping events. So far, over 700 stores in all five boroughs will be participating in events that range from sewing circles and barbecues to shoe capsules and sweepstakes. The city will be lite ablaze in celebratory glory as people are encouraged to take the competition out of fashion and shop (x3) alongside music and various other festivities.

What started off as the Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s brainchild, has matured into an event of epic proportions. “Little did I think when the idea of Fashion’s Night Out was first dreamed up this past March during the Paris collections that we would have over 700 and counting retailers, designers, and brands joining us on the night of September 10.” The celebration kicks off at Macy’s Queen Center at 5PM. Wintour, Michael Kors and a “surprise celebrity guest” will sign t-shirts for the first 50 people (Or should I say “customers” to keep within the theme of shopping?).

This special event will bring out a host of celebrities, designers and models who will join in on the festivities. Scheduled to appear are Manolo Blahnik, Thom Browne, Tory Burch, Roberto Cavalli, Francisco Costa, Frédéric Fekkai, Alberta Ferretti, Patricia Field, Carolina Herrera, Tommy Hilfiger, Derek Lam, Nanette Lepore, Trish McEvoy, Isaac Mizrahi, Kate Mulleavy, Josie Natori, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Oscar de la Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, Lela Rose, Rachel Roy, Maria Sharapova, Elie Tahari, Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang, Yeohlee, David Yurman, Lauren Bush, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cindy Crawford, Lynda Carter, Hugh Jackman, Karolina Kurkova, Liev Schreiber, Stephanie Seymour and Ivanka Trump (just to name a few). Via WWD.

There will be limited edition FNO t-shirts being sold at participating retailers throughout NY. I’ve been thinking about copping one since I saw one at this store in Soho. Forty percent of the proceeds from the sale of these shirts go to the National September 11th Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. There will also be a clothing drive at various retailers for the NYC AIDS Fund from September 10th to the 12th. Urban Grads and Graduettes, this will be a great start to an amazing Fashion Week.

To view a complete list of the events in NYC go here and then click on the respective designer’s name.

Back for the FIFTH time, Levi’s has teamed up with designer KAWS to bring us Urban Grads a Levi’s x Original Fake mash-up. The line features the infamous “chompers” on the back pockets of the re-edition of the 1947 and 1955 Levi’s 501 models. There is also a much baggier cargo pocket jean that was inspired by the Original Fake line. If I had to have anything more on my back pockets then this would be it. The teeth don’t overpower the back of your jean. They are a nice statement piece that say “this is a pair of Levi’s“…but something more.

These limited edition Levi’s can be purchased at Colette’s…if they aren’t already sold out.

A personal favorite here at the Urban Takeøut studios is Maison Martin Margiela. I was really diggin’ the bandeau inspired looks of his Summer/Spring ‘08 RTW line. I decided to put this post together to give you Urban Graduettes a more cost-effective way to show your appreciation for MMM.

No, these are not the same designs but they are ridiculously close. The cheaper alternative to the right is the “Summoning The Storm” tee by Liquid Blue.

Ripped jeans by Yodamnself.

And finally, the booties…Black leather ‘Soho’ collar sandals by Ash.

I was thoroughly shocked when I went into the New Orleans’ Saks today and saw the Dior Homme Spring ‘09 sneakers [in the black and white colorway] on the 50% OFF RACK. So at the risk of getting kicked out of the store, I took this picture and hit up the other chief editor of the Urban Takeøut blog. After a brief discussion we came to the agreement that in any other major city above the Bible Belt, these bad boys would have been expeditiously “scooped.” But sadly, my hometown has never been really fashion forward, or fashion stationary for that matter.

STEP IT UP!