With Father's day just around the corner - now might be the time to help him update that sock drawer!  zoraab.com has launched their Sock Drawer Starter kits designed for every Dad in mind.  Each of the kits come in 4 and 6 pack kits. Prewrapped and selected, makes for an easy and useful purchase - just the way Dad would advise.

The Classic Sock Drawer Starter kit - for the sophisticated, dress sock only kind of Dad

The Relaxed Sock Drawer Starter kit - for the Dad who's always on his feet

The Comedian Sock Drawer Starter kit - for the Dad who is both fashionably and personality wise loud (my personal favorite)

The Sporty Sock Drawer Starter kit - for the active Dad always on the go from the casual work out, to the more intense runs, bike riding and trekking this 6 pack or shall we say 10 pair pack has it all.

And finally The Assorted Sock Drawer Starter kit which will really equip those soles for a versatile lifestyle and wardrobe. 

As always, it's always in the details! Wishing every Dad out there a very Happy Father's day :)

The Sock connoisseur 

As most civilizations with a rich ancient history strive through the struggle to move forward and evolve, when they succeed, the blend of the new and the old is a revolutionary place at which they arrive.

Take the Shanghai Restoration music album by Dave Lang; it integrates ancient traditional chinese instrumentals and blends them with electronic sounds and music created by more modern instruments -  not only does the album revive the past, but it breathes new life into the old.

The same applies to Shanghai based artist, Hong Yi's (aka Red) work which I came across in both the NY Times and WSJ. 

The portrait is of a famous Chines film director, Zhang Yimou. Yi spent over 3 weeks on the project using white, black and grey socks.

The insight that I had gained from a simple music album (Shanghai Restoration as mentioned above) was now being fleshed into a fuller perspective on most ancient civilizations' struggle. The perspective on evolution through the revolution of art and music.  

Yi originally from Australia described her inspiration:"When I first moved to Shanghai, I stumbled upon an old residential alleyway and saw bamboo sticks poking out of windows with laundry hanging onto them, waving in the air.  to me that was incredibly beautiful.  And the amazing thing is seeing something so traditional in a modern, pumping city like Shanghai."

An unconventional portrait in a conventional setting, being the sock connoisseur I am, I am completely taken with the magic that is captured in this portrait involving, oh you know over 500 pairs of white, grey and black quarter crews.  An innovative way to capture the essence of life of one man, but that reminds us all of our own humanity.

The details captured both on each sock and the canvas altogether, is truly beyond words. The facial lines come together to create, raw expression.

Who knew socks could help provide a canvas for an evolving civilization's story!

As always - its always in the details :)

The Sock Connoisseur