Rhianna in GQ: moody

Here's a behind the scenes look at Rhianna during her shoot for US GQ. Nice lighting.

Rapha x Oakley: shades of style

Rapha's Oakley team sunglasses have long been a grail item among cyclists, issued as they are only to team riders and never on general availability. Team Condor uses the black and pink frames, whereas Team Rapha-Focus use this rather fetching cream, with red, pink and blue stripe colourway.

Now Rapha is making a pair of Frogskins and Radarlocks available via auction to help promote and support the team. The winner also gets a set of team rider trading cards. Although who you're going to trade them with I have no idea.

Find the auction here.

Quiksilver track bike: not a surfboard

Quicksilver could be the last company you would expect to be associated with bicycles given their unashamed association with boardsports in the past. But if you see a wheel coming past, even if it's not attached to a bandwagon, you might as well jump on it.

Not such a bad thing in this respect, especially if you are into stealth-looking track bikes for getting about. Quiksilver has teamed up with Tange of Japan and Yuki Takamiya from Far East Smokin’ Skidderz to come up with this machine - all matt black with glossy patterns and deep section rims. The frame is alluminium, the forks and headset carbon, the rest up to you.

You will, however be lucky to get hold of one. Production is limited to 50 units and it will be available at Quiksilver stores in Japan. Of course.

Via Freshness

Kate Upton for Vogue Italia: tight

She might be everywhere you turn right now, but that really isn't enough Kate Upton for any man is it? Even  when she is decked out in dominatrix - style shiny PVC. This is a Vogue video - it must be relevant.

On the plus side you get to see more of Kate's curves than you would if she were dressed in, say, a hessian sack. Every cloud ...

Edifice x Present: come together

Nowadays if you have a retail operation it's only a matter of time before you get in touch with one of your suppliers and come up with a collaboration. We saw it in the previous post with Tricker's and End Hunting, and this season just about all the bigger independent retailers have got something going on. Some, such as The Hideout and The Bureau in Belfast have been doing it for years.

One of the most interesting collaborations so far this year is that between East London's Present and Edifice. Together they have come up with a solid capsule collection of jackets, shirts and knits, including the melton shawl collar short blouson, above.

Check out the rest of the collection here

Trickers for End Hunting: well soled

Another solid collaboration between Tricker's and End Hunting, with the Stow brogue derby boot. All the usual Tricker's refinements are present and typically British. These are hand crafted from calf leather with a Goodyear welted sole (naturally).

It's the colourways which make them stand out. You have the choice of navy with a cream pull tag at the rear, or brown with a blue pull tag. Subtle.

Find them here

Union 34: ride sharp

Cycling is without a doubt the most exhilarating and efficient way to get around town. But it is not without its pitfalls.

Aside from the obvious hazards of sharing the road with traffic of varying shapes and sizes, there is the sartorial issue to contend with. After all, lycra is all well and good if you're riding for riding's sake, but it does throw up its own problems if you're commuting to work, or cycling to the pub.

Thankfully, this is a dilemma that has not passed Union 34 by. The brand's launch range of cycle kit features bags and outerwear designed to work flawlessly while riding and look fantastic when off the bike.

Union 34 has introduced a capsule collection which includes jackets and trousers manufactured from weather and environment-resistant Schoeller nanosphere fabrics, which shrug off everything from water to oil. Designs are sharp enough to make the transition from road to office without the need for a 20-minute kit change. Bags are sturdy and equally at home on your back or on your bike and there's even a moisture-wicking shirt with subtle stretch for comfort on the bike. 

Products pictured: Capital jacket; Elements trouser; Stripe rucksack / panier bag; Paragon shirt.

Find out more at http://union34.com/