Feel Good Fridays – Sea Bags

By Cator Sparks Published December 21, 2019

Summer is wrapping up but we can be reminded of our salty sailing expeditions all year round when we tote around bags from Sea Bags. The company has been creating bags and accessories from reclaimed sailcloth in the historic Old Port district of Portland, Maine since 1999. Today they have a wide assortment of not just duffles and tote bags but wine totes (hello!), iPad cases, dog bowls and shaving cases. All the sails have been used in the past so markings, weathering and various stamps and stripes are part of their charm.

Seabags has collaborated with many different companies but recently they worked with a great charity, Gulf of Maine Research Institute to create a limited edition tote bag and bucket bag. Fifty percent of every bag purchased will benefit GMRI’s scientific research around the sustainability of our natural resources and working waterfronts.

Recommended Videos

“Commitment to community has always been a cornerstone to our business model,” said Beth Shissler, President of Sea Bags. “This project underscores the broad sense of community around our largest natural resource and our traditional working waterfronts. And GMRI’s mission nicely complements our company’s commitment to sustainable practices.”

The special design features interconnecting bright green and vibrant blue waves – made from recycled spinnaker – wrapped around the white Dacron bag. Each bag is unique. Inside the large tote (14″ h x 18″) there is a hanging zip pocket in additional to the typical slip pocket located between the rope handles. The bucket bag is 9.5″h x 7″w and hangs by a rope handle knotted through grommets.

Even though beach days are over, these are great weekend bags, grocery bags (eco-shopping bro!) or even a laundry bag at school. And take note all you boat owners, send in your sails and they will make you a bag. Now that’s sailing sustainability!

Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual

Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…

Topics

Culture

Fashion & Style

Ulysse Nardin dazzles with blast sparkling rainbow high jewelry limited edition

Ulysse nardin's blast sparkling rainbow features mystery-set sapphires

Ulysse Nardin Sparkling Rainbow Liminited Edition

Ulysse Nardin transforms its avant-garde Blast collection into spectacular high jewelry territory with the Blast [Sparkling Rainbow], an eight-piece limited edition priced at CHF 451,700 that fuses haute horlogerie with gem-setting artistry. The timepiece showcases 211 rainbow-colored sapphires totaling 13.33 carats across the entire watch construction.
The original Blast collection, introduced in 2020, drew inspiration from stealth aircraft design to marry high function with unconventional aesthetics, establishing Ulysse Nardin's reputation as avant-garde icon. This high jewelry interpretation elevates that foundation through unprecedented gem-setting complexity while maintaining the collection's distinctive architectural language.
Central to the technical achievement sits the in-house UN-172 skeletonized movement featuring flying tourbillon, silicon escapement, and platinum micro-rotor visible at 12 o'clock. Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour with 72-hour power reserve, the caliber demonstrates Ulysse Nardin's silicon innovation expertise dating to 2001's legendary Freak timepiece.
The 45mm white gold case receives invisible setting treatment across 211 individually selected sapphires cut into 85 unique shapes. This rainbow spectrum creates seamless gradient effect encircling the entire watch while employing "mystery setting" technique that allows light passage through gems, creating floating stone illusions without visible metal frameworks.
Gem-setting complexity extends beyond case architecture to encompass bezel, dial, crown, and clasp applications, ensuring complete chromatic coverage across every visible surface. The rainbow arrangement requires precise color matching and graduated placement to achieve the seamless transition effects that define the piece's visual impact.
Construction challenges multiply when combining high jewelry techniques with complex movement architecture. The skeletonized dial must accommodate both sapphire setting requirements and tourbillon visibility while maintaining structural integrity and shock resistance expected from luxury sports watches.
The integrated white rubber strap and deployant clasp receive matching sapphire applications, completing the rainbow aesthetic while ensuring practical wearability. Despite extensive gem setting, the watch maintains 50-meter water resistance, demonstrating successful integration of jewelry and timepiece functionality.
Limited production to eight pieces emphasizes exclusivity while highlighting the intensive handwork required for each example. The mystery setting technique demands exceptional gem-setting expertise, with each sapphire requiring individual cutting and placement to achieve the floating effect.
This release continues Ulysse Nardin's tradition of pushing horological boundaries through unconventional materials and techniques. The brand's silicon escapement innovations combine with high jewelry craftsmanship to create timepieces that challenge traditional luxury watch categories.
The CHF 451,700 pricing reflects both the extensive gemwork and limited availability, positioning the piece among the most exclusive offerings in Ulysse Nardin's contemporary catalog. Eight-piece production ensures immediate collector status while showcasing the manufacture's high jewelry capabilities.

Fashion & Style

Mexican sportswear brand Hermanos Koumori joins Adidas for a new collaboration

Adidas, Hermanos Koumori update the Ultraboost

green ultraboost 5 sneaker on concrete

Not only is Adidas known for their stylish in-house designs that transcend trends, but they’re a powerhouse for collaborations with brands. Not afraid of pushing the boundaries, the athletic brand is teaming with Mexican sportswear brand Hermanos Koumori for a new partnership with a nature-inspired version of the Ultraboost 5. An up-and-coming brand leading the athleisure world forward, Hermanos Koumori lent their design touch to a new collection inspired by Mexico’s Monte Alto Nature Reserve. This collection also marks the first time the Mexican brand dabbles in a footwear collection, making the perfect combination of freshness and Adidas’ history. With a shoe that can easily function on hikes or while running around the city, this collaboration marks the perfect option for those looking for a clean, sleek performance shoe.

Hermanos Koumori x Adidas Ultraboost 5

Fashion & Style

Are boat shoes business casual? The truth about this seasonal shoe

Are boat shoes a business casual shoe?

tan and black sperry boat shoes

If you’ve ever had to search for a casual summertime shoe perfect for all types of events, you’ll know there’s very slim pickings. Besides an everyday sneaker, there are seldom options that add style with maximum traction and comfort for all your seaside adventures. Thankfully, the boat shoe was created to solve this exact problem. While designed to be the perfect shoe for setting sail, the boat shoe has transformed into a seasonal option that adds a sophisticated and preppy touch to your wardrobe. While the shoe has come a long way since its origins, there are still plenty of misconceptions about when and where it’s appropriate to wear boat shoes.

Are boat shoes business casual appropriate?