What does Alife represent? “Strictly New York Sh*t,” according to their MySpace page. If you're one that measures a brand by who wears it, take a peek at the Alife corral of photos, it's like a who's who of hip-hop and the NYC scene. But the once hard to find footwear brand (a.k.a., Ritefoot or RTFT) is looking to cross over and widen their reach with more of a lifestyle offering of apparel, accessories and beyond. Whatever you think about the new direction, there's no denying that Alife is still a red hot collaboration beast, teaming up with the biggest names above and underground to create gear that everyone covets.

Alife Bugged T-Shirt

Right now we're carrying the tees, but footwear will arrive shortly. Stay tuned!

See the Tobi Stylist streetwear picks in our Trend Report!

BB Dakota specializes in "fast-fashion," which is just industry speak for taking the hottest designer trends and quickly (within 90 days or less) making them available to the public at an affordable price. The idea is a proven winner (see H and M, Zara, Forever 21), and BB Dakota's success already has them thinking about going public. Just look at the collection and you'll see what all the fuss is about. Affordable trend that's delivered superfast, what's not to love? BB Dakota can fill your entire wardrobe for the cost of one or two pieces of a designer label.

The simple, flirty French designs of Mon Petit Oiseau come from a British expat now residing in L.A., designer Tracy Wilkinson. She got the name Mon Petit Oiseau from the English slang for girl, "bird," in full, "My Little Bird." Since 1999, Tracy's intention has been to awaken the bird in every woman. From the spring samples we received, the spirit of the collection is definitely youthful, feminine and quirky. We were also pleasantly surprised to find that the collection is made in the U.S.A. and features a few organic cotton tops and dresses! Check out the Mon Petit Oiseau Sneak Peek for Spring 2008!.

We already have some of it in, so shop Mon Petit Oiseau now!

Roughly 500 billion one-time use plastic bags are thrown out every year. This plastic rubbish places a strain on the environment by leaking into ecosystems, annually killing 100,000 animals of land, sea and air. Envirosax has a simple, no-excuses eco-friendly solution—reusable shopping bags.

If you're too cool to be seen with a granola bag, don't worry. This isn't the jute burlap potato sack your hippie granny carries around. Incorporating sustainable fabrics like organic hemp and bamboo, one Envirosax bag has the capacity of two disposable grocery bags, but what makes them must-haves is their funky style and fun prints! Envirosax figured it out. Give us a fashion friendly resuable bag and you'll make activists of us all! Make a difference and bring your own Envirosax bag the next time you shop! For a complete selection of eco-friendly brands, see our Eco-Tobi section.

Special Guests
Tobi hosted some special guests today from the Mayor's Youth Employment and Education Program (MYEEP). A group of local high school students visited and got to see how we bring Tobi to life. As a part of the day in the life of Tobi experience, we let the students design the Envirosax landing page graphic and pick the feature bag (the Flora Bag 5). Not a bad start to the portfolio, looks great!

Wrath Arcane's founders Brian O'Neill and Sean Bilovecky pull no punches in positioning their brand as activist and anti-big label. But, what's the deal with the controversial masks? "...we never want a model to sell our line...too many brands are 90% model, 10% clothing...and 0% about making our industry better." We can't argue with that. Wrath Arcane is produced entirely in the U.S.A., and features sportswear that's at once basic and edgy. Starting with familiar forms, Wrath Arcane is defined by its unique detailing. From snap convertibles to concept paneling, Wrath Arcane is a glimpse at the futurescape of sportswear without the over-the-top techno cliches. For a complete look at the Wrath Arcane coming in, check out Sneak Peek!

Dorothy Lee makes everything sweeter with her signature detailing. For Spring 2008, Dorothy Lee starts with soft fabrics and adds structure with tailored accents for a Parisian inspired collection with hints of bohemian and nautical. For a complete look at what’s coming from Dorothy Lee for Spring 2008, check out Sneak Peek!

This Dorothy Lee Bubble Hem Cardigan (yup, it’s one piece) is already one of our favorite sweaters for Spring 2008!

Livity Outernational is a multicultural collective of artists, travelers, musicians, teachers, activists and athletes dedicated to “a futuristic lifestyle movement” that wants to spread consciousness through fashion. Founded by Isaac Nichelson, Livity is an art as activism movement deeply rooted in the ideals of one-love, one-world community that most of us have touched through reggae, with the assistance of a few spliffs we’ll keep mum for now.

Oh yeah, the collection is irie too! Using sustainable materials like raffia straw, organic cotton, recycled plastics and of course, hemp, Livity weaves all that eco-consciousness into a green brand with sprawl cred. Do your part and pass Livity around to all your friends and help achieve the “Positive Creative Revolution.”

David (Tobi QA engineer + IT) feelin’ Livity with his Livity Cargo Pack and beanie.

Adam (Tobi designer, web + graphics) wearing the Livity Don Mon Fedora—Limited Edition!

We love pub! Today, we were lucky enough to be featured in an episode of Who What Wear TV, titled “Lazy Sunday.” As you probably know, the show is hosted by the founders of WhoWhatWearDaily.com, Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr. Their style insight and coverage of trends is always entertaining and educational, and they’re a fantastic resource for of-the-moment must-haves as well as where to shop for them.

With the chill getting serious this month, the ladies featured one of our hottest outerwear coats: the MK2K Anorak in Charcoal.

The MK2K jacket was so hot it sold out completely after the episode aired! Unfortunately, it’s not available for reorder, so we apologize for the big tease. But, don’t fret! We’ve got a ton of alternative outerwear options that’ll work just as well, like these Tobi Stylist picks:

La Rok Groupie Parka	Mike & Chris Emerson Coat
BB Dakota Tex Jacket

Stop by and browse the rest of our outerwear collection, and don’t forget to check out the Tobi plug on this morning’s episode of Who What Wear TV by clicking here.

Share your comments with us at feedback@tobi.com!

Hey guys, our favorite sweater is back. Remember grandpa’s old wooly? We’re talking about the cardigan of course! This spring, the effortless cardigan touches every trend, from prep inspired California chic (see Hotel California) to art school edgy (see Avant Casual), there’s a version for every guy.

Whether you like them fitted or drapey, with or without pockets, traditional or double breasted, the cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces you’ll ever own. You can wear a cardigan every day without repeating the same look twice. Casual over a tee or tank, or dressed up with a skinny tie, the cardigan is the quintessential layering piece. If you need a little friendly advice figuring out which style is right for you, or have questions on how they all fit, just ask a Tobi Stylist!

We have more cardigans coming soon from brands including Opening Ceremony and B. Son San Francisco!

Opening Ceremony Spring 2008 (coming soon!)

B. Son San Francisco Sheer Knit Cardigan (coming soon!)

Top, in the collage:

(top row, left to right) B. Son San Francisco Jersey Cardigan, Mike and Chris Union Cardigan, Filippa K Double Breasted Cardigan. (bottom row, left to right) Saint Augustine Academy Arthur Hooded Cardigan, Modern Amusement Exile Cardigan Sweater.

From oversized sunglasses to handbags that could easily double as luggage, bigger is clearly better when it comes to standout style. Now Cheap Monday turns up the volume with its unisex hoodies and sweatshirts. A baggy silhouette may seem tricky to pull off, but Tobi Style Scout is here to help!

Play off the hoodie volume and length with superslim jeans for a low profile (we’re not kidding, check out the dropped pockets!), laid-back edge. The Oskar Hoodie and the zip up Fiona Sweatshirt are both pajama comfy and give you a ton of everyday mileage with layering options. Assorted raindrops add a fun color statement.

Share your comments with us at feedback@tobi.com!

One reason we love winter: it's scarf weather! This month, Us Weekly features a Love Quotes Italian Linen Scarf in Raspberry Mousse. We've got Love Quotes in 27 colors, from candy colors to neutral shades. You can stock your entire scarf rack with Love Quotes. Check out our Under Wraps Lookbook to see all the cool ways we found to wrap 'em up.

When we say we only buy what we love it's not just talk. Here's our senior buyer Jennifer walking the walk in her own pair of fierce patent Faryl Robin Evangeline Boots! Plenty of room to tuck your jeans in, and the over-the-knee height invites some volume play up top. Easy on the feet, she can take this look from a hectic workday to a wild happy hour and beyond. Go go Jennifer! (Not TOO wild though, it's still Thursday!) By the way, she tested these in New York snow and they are plenty water resistant.

	onvertible fashion isn’t just about reversible windbreakers, it’s about a little creative thinking outside of the box. You can create new pieces by sticking a ring on your necklace or, in this case, wringing your vest into a scarf! Take a cue from cost-conscious avant-garde designers and follow MJ’s lead. She took a Splendid Linen Jersey Vest and twisted it into an impromptu scarf with just the drape needed for her outfit. It works so naturally that we would never have guessed the scarf’s previous identity. Let your imagination run wild, the crazier the idea, the more it invites experimentation.

	We asked MJ what prompted her to convert her vest, and here’s what she had to say: “My friend who gave me the vest said it is quite versatile and can be worn in many different ways. One night I needed a simple scarf to complete my outfit and thought the fabric of the vest would lie well on my shoulders. I placed it on, started to twist and tie and it became an instant neck accessory!”

	Dionne Scott is the winner of the Tobi sweepstakes! Dionne gets a $1000 shopping spree at Tobi, a trip to San Francisco with a stay at the Hotel Adagio, and a one on one session with a Tobi Stylist!

Stay tuned to follow Dionne's San Francisco adventure and see what she and our Tobi Stylist actually pick with the $1000!

Name: Dionne Scott Occupation: Lifelong journalist currently doing PR for a women’s rights organization Currently Residing In: Brooklyn, New York Describe your style. Boho chic with sex appeal and funky flare, unusual stitching or an unexpected detail (like keyholes in a shirt; skirt with an asymmetrical hemline and a different color slip underneath; or embroidery). Give me a pair of Ksubi jeans or James Jeans Dry Aged with a kimono or bell-sleeved sweater and funky tank and I’m in heaven. On occasion, I also like a little tailored femme, but always with a surprise detail. Think Sienna Miller dashing to Fashion Week—yeah right, I wish! Who are your favorite designers? Those I actually own and are some of my favorite clothes—Diesel, Ya-Ya, Faryl Robin shoes, Free People, and True Religion. Those I wish I owned—Sigerson Morrison shoes, See by Chloé, more Diesel, more Free People, Laila Azhar (just discovered), and Corey Lynn Calter. (Laila Azhar coming soon to Tobi!) How did you find Tobi? I can’t remember exactly, but I believe it was either in the British glossy magazine Grazia, or in a search for Ksubi jeans. What are you going to buy with your $1000 Tobi Gift Card? Oh God, this is really a hard decision. I’ve been eyeing this See by Chloé Drop Waist Dress for months, but half of my $1000 Gift Card would be gone if I buy it. Perhaps the United Bamboo Short Leather Jacket. Anlo or J Brand jeans. Maybe the Dolce Vita Platform Wedge shoes.

Share your comments with us at feedback@tobi.com!

Thanks to Altra for the pub! Great questions and hopefully we inspired more Asian American entrepreneurs to follow their dreams!