Frank & Oak’s Escondido Live at Noon

By Cator Sparks Published December 20, 2019

We talk a lot about fast fashion these days, H&M, Uniqlo and Gap, but the boys at Frank & Oak take the concept to another level. Based in Canada, Ethan Song and Hicham Ratnani work directly with manufacturers to create a curated collection of premium clothing and accessories each month.

“We love architecture, interior design, fashion and a certain lifestyle that was hard to find so we launched in February 2012 and do everything in house from shipping, photo shoots and design,” explained Ethan. “We launch a new collection every month focused on what we see as relevant at the moment, we don’t follow seasonal calendars,” he continued.

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Launching today at noon EST is Escondido, a 13 piece collection of summer essentials for that vacation where you just hang out in your favorite little spot and chill. Guys can find printed tees, French Terry crewnecks, slim-fit button ups and relaxed chino shorts amongst other treasures.

The boys are social media savvy and have kept their audience active on their page by asking them to post pictures from their summer adventures with the opportunity of winning the complete collection or a series of gift cards.

We love a site that appears laid back but has serious smarts behind it. Set your watches and click on at noon. They are known for running out of product at a rapid rate.

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…

Fashion & Style

F1 legend Montoya gets fourth custom Rolex in rose gold

Swiss customizer creates fourth Montoya Daytona with Colombian flag-inspired dial

Juan Pablo Montoya Rolex Daytona

Juan Pablo Montoya's illustrious racing career has been captured in a new skeletonized Rolex Daytona in rose gold by customization specialist Artisans de Genève, marking the fourth collaboration between the Formula 1 legend and the Swiss workshop.
The Colombian racing icon competed for Williams from 2001 to 2004 and McLaren from 2005 to 2006, securing seven Grand Prix wins and multiple podium finishes during his F1 career. His success extended beyond Formula 1 to include race wins in the American NASCAR series, establishing him as one of motorsport's most versatile champions.
Montoya has worked with Artisans de Genève on a series of Daytona chronographs designed to highlight his most treasured racing memories. Previous editions in steel, platinum, and yellow gold have now led to this rose gold piece that features an openworked dial with subdials in the blue, yellow, and red of the Colombian flag.
The latest iteration introduces a forged carbon tachymeter bezel framed with rose gold for the first time in the series. This combination creates a striking contrast while maintaining the racing aesthetic that defines Montoya's custom timepieces.
The eye of a Formula 1 engineer has been applied to every detail of the watch, including the sandblasting of the chronograph hand to prevent glare during use. This attention to functional details reflects Montoya's professional racing background and his understanding of precision timing requirements.
The ref. 116505 Daytona's 4230 movement has been completely disassembled, with each component beveled, sandblasted, and polished by hand. Artisans de Genève has fitted a newly designed triangular rotor in 22-carat gold, which is displayed through an exhibition case back following current fashion for Rolex chronograph customizations.
"The more you look at it, the more you like it," Montoya commented on the finished timepiece, reflecting his satisfaction with the intricate craftsmanship and personal touches incorporated throughout the design.
The collaboration between Montoya and Artisans de Genève demonstrates the growing trend of personalized luxury timepieces that celebrate individual achievements and heritage. The incorporation of Colombian flag colors provides a patriotic element while the technical modifications reflect Montoya's professional racing standards.
This rose gold edition completes a comprehensive collection spanning multiple precious metals, each representing different phases of Montoya's racing career. The progression from steel through platinum, yellow gold, and now rose gold showcases the evolution of both the partnership and the customization techniques employed by Artisans de Genève.
The meticulous attention to engineering details, from anti-glare treatments to precision finishing, demonstrates how high-end watch customization can merge aesthetic appeal with functional performance requirements developed through professional motorsport experience.

Fashion & Style

JJJJound and PUMA drop two chic, dark suede Mostros

JJJJound and PUMA update the Mostro sneaker

puma x jjjjound sneakers

While the Mostro has become the star of Puma’s recent releases, it’s been hard to classify the sneaker as anything but a statement design. Made to be seen, the Mostro’s often chunky silhouette is far from the slim look of its competitor, Adidas’ Samba sneaker. However, in its newest release, Puma has partnered up with JJJJound for a new minimalist look that delivers a subdued design to this iconic silhouette. JJJJound is no stranger to remixing iconic shoes, having done so in the past with other iconic brands like ASICS and New Balance. True to their brand, JJJJound has introduced a new minimalist look for the Mostro, making it a versatile option for Puma footwear fans.

JJJJound and Puma bring minimalism to the Mostro

Fashion & Style

Oliver Peoples and Alex Israel release charity eyewear for L.A. wildfire relief

Oliver Peoples and Alex Israel unite for Los Angeles

pairs of oliver peoples x alex israel

After devastating wildfires that plagued the Los Angeles area in January 2025, it didn’t take long for brands to jump in on the action. These wildfires, which burned over 180,000 acres according to Cal Fire, brought massive destruction and fatalities to the areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, and more. While the wildfires are long gone, residents of these locations are still reeling to get back on their feet.

In response to the devastation, Oliver Peoples has collaborated with contemporary artist Alex Israel on a special edition of the brand’s Oliver Sun frames. To help aid victims, 100% of sales will be donated to the Steadfast LA Foundation’s Modular Housing Initiative, which is currently assisting underinsured residents in getting back on track in their communities. With an accompanying campaign featuring Miranda Kerr, DJ Diplo, and Eric Nam, this project highlights what makes Los Angeles a home to these artists.