Soft, buttery leather and bright colors make Canadian handbag designer Hoakon/Helga truly stand out. Born in Alberta and raised with the Canadian Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Andrea Strand draws inspiration from the world around her. Her mother, who owned an antique store, nurtured her love for vintage sewing materials and fabrics, and it was only a matter of time before Andrea began creating her own special pieces. Nodding to the strong design elements found in Art Nouveau, Hoakon/Helga takes a classic bag and transforms it with bows, buttons and bold quilted stripes. Instantly recognizable, these quirky bags make a funky statement for any girl on the run.

Stephen Colbert was given the challenge of writing an Op-Ed column for The New York Times this Sunday, and he wrangled it good with his piece “I Am an Op-Ed Columnist (And So Can You!)”… frighteningly hilarious! Here’s an excerpt:

“Well, suddenly an option is looming on the horizon. And I don’t mean Al Gore (though he’s a world-class loomer). First of all, I don’t think Nobel Prizes should go to people I was seated next to at the Emmys. Second, winning the Nobel Prize does not automatically qualify you to be commander in chief. I think George Bush has proved definitively that to be president, you don’t need to care about science, literature or peace.”

Click here to read the rest of this tongue-in-cheek fiasco.

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The Get Fresh Crew get ready for their TRACE photoshoot as part of the “True Originals” New York vanguard feature in the latest “Styles Ahead” issue. Check it!

Like the sound of guilt-free leather? Check Ashley Watson’s rugged handbags, made from recycled leather jackets found at charity thrift shops. With plump straps and a juxtaposition of pockets and seams, each bag is slightly different, softly worn in and has a charming sense of history. The eco-inspired designer from Vancouver also makes wallets, belts and other accessories. But most popular are the elliptical-shaped shoulder bags – perfect for the grungy femme with loads of baggage.

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This week, the TRACE blog will be featuring 5 fabulous handbag designers who offer a little something for everyone. From the athletic styles of TRK+FLD, to the flirty Jamaican love of Alia Michele, we’re certain you’ll find something to satisfy your fashion pangs. Each day we’ll introduce you to someone new, so make sure to check in daily for the latest addition. Enjoy!

Most people think that chess is a nerd’s game, but with the advent of the 1st Annual Chess Kings Invitational things have definitely changed. The Hip Hop Chess Federation have turned the game on its head by bringing in the likes of the GZA, the RZA, Rakaa (from Dilated Peoples), and chess icon Josh Waitzkin. The event, taking place in San Fransisco this Saturday October 13th from 1-5pm is sure to make waves in the chess community. So shine up your pocket protector, dust off your fisticuffs and get ready to rumble!

So even though I’ve watched this alternate video for Kanye West’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” about a million times, I still can’t help but laugh every time. Not only does it feature NYC comic Zach Galifianakis, and indie rock darling Will Oldham, but it also boasts milkmaids clopping around on wood in the middle of a field. I mean come on, that is just pure genius! Featured on Kanye’s official web site, even the man himself can’t deny Galifianakis’ fiery passion when he’s spitting those rhymes like a natural. Solid!

Since I was a kid I would love getting packages from my grandmother in Venezuela, not necessarily for their contents, but rather for what said contents were wrapped in: bubble wrap! The feeling of popping those tiny plastic bubbles, the joyous sound it made, and the satisfaction of bugging everyone in the room was right up my alley. Of course, I’m not the only one who still harbors a secret love of popping bubble wrap, (Curb Your Enthusiasm has tackled the subject in the episode “Krazee-Eyez Killa”) I’ve seen many an adult dance with glee at the sight of a potential popping fiasco. Queue the creative gurus of Japan! Japanese company Bandai has offered up a toy that will entrance me for hours: PuchiPuchi the infinite bubble wrap toy. In Japanese Puchipuchi is the sound of a little pop, as well as the name for bubble wrap, and this toy mimics the sound and feeling of popping those little plastic domes. Their slogan really captures it all: “Anytime, anywhere, forever… you can puchipuchi.” But getting your hands on one of these portable gizmos is easier said than done, you can pre-order them from Japan, or wait until they make their way stateside.

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Thursday night (Oct. 4th) TRACER Dalia Davies attended VH1’s taping of their Hip Hop Honors, and gave us the inside scoop on what really went down: Gold rope chains were sparkling as far as the eye could see at last nights taping of the 4th annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors ceremony. This year’s honorees were A Tribe Called Quest, Whodini, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot, the producers of New Jack Swing and the movie Wild Style. A who’s who of the honorees affiliated protégés, past producers and collaborators did justice to many of each of the inductee’s eternal beats and lyrics. The night was held together by actor/comedian and host Tracy Morgan, who completed random credit checks on peoples hip hop authenticity. Crowd stopping performances included a dance off between Whodini, rapper Nelly and producer Jermaine Dupri, and Busta Rhymes coming out to rap his verse of Tribe’s cult hit “Scenario.” If you didn’t get in to the taping because of the hip hop police at the door giving attendants from the A-List to the D-List a hard time, you can still view repeated airings of the show starting this Monday, October 8 on VH1 at 10pm.

Courrier Monde, the prestigious French weekly devoted to contemporary culture published by Groupe Le Monde, launches their special Paris Fashion Week edition devoted entirely to TRACE Magazine. As the arbiter of global youth culture, we’re pleased to announce that kids across France and other French-speaking countries will get a chance to delve into the world of TRACE. The issue features photography by Kenneth Cappello (March/Alice Braga cover), Warwick Saint (April/Catalina Sandino Moreno cover), Ryan Michael Kelly (May/Eve cover) and Heidi Hartwig (June/Zoe Kravitz feature), along with excerpts from various issues that have previously graced news stands. This is truly TRACE’s time to shine, and with Paris Fashion Week in full swing we couldn’t think of a better time!