Shit Worth Checking Out: David King's photographs of Muhammad Ali in 1974 while training for The Rumble in the Jungle.

In 1974, Muhammad Ali trained for sixteen weeks in the Pennsylvania Mountains in preparation for the Rumble in the Jungle, his historic heavyweight title fight against George Foreman in Zaire.  These photographs were taken by David King during that training session and appeared in his 1975 photographic biography of Ali I Am King.  See more of his photos below the cut.  These are awesome in every way.

Shit You Should Buy: A tailor-made suit from Miller's Oath.

"At a certain point in your life you accept the fact that you need a tailor—a real tailor, who makes a suit specifically for you. It’s going to cost more than $3000, and you respect (perhaps grudgingly) the fact that that quite serious amount of money is going to a craftsman who’s learned his trade over decades; it’s going to buy cloth woven in the finest mills; it’s going to a cutter who’s refined his pattern to create a refined silhouette. Your money is not going to underwrite a luxury goods behemoth, it’s not going to anybody who appears in his own ads—it’s not going to anybody who has ads. You seek a local tailor."

A Continuous Lean published an article the other day on tailor Kirk Miller, who used the experience he gained at Paul Stuart, Thom Browne, and Barker Black to open Miller's Oath in New York on Greenwich Street.  Miller ensures the experience is a very personal one; he employs just one tailor, and takes all measurements himself.  As he says, "I want to have a connection with the men who come here."  See below the cut for some pics of Miller's work.

Paul Smith flagship opens in Seoul, Korea.

One brand that I've really been getting into lately is Paul Smith.  A little late to the party, I know, but his stuff was always a little colourful and eccentric for my taste.  Well, either my taste is evolving, or they've reeled it in a bit (my money is on the former), because lately I find myself liking more and more of his offerings.

Today, Paul Smith opened their new 3-floor store in Seoul, Korea.  Who gives a shit, I know; brands open new stores all the time.  But what caught my eye about this was just how well the design of the store matches the personality of the brand itself; a pleasant, effortless and, of course, colourful amalgamation of the classic and the modern.  Either that, or I was just looking for an excuse to share my newfound Paul Smith admiration.

Check out more pics after the jump.