shahidul alam hails from dhaka, the capital of bangladesh. alam studied chemistry in london, but after having started a promising career in science he chose to pursue a life in photography instead to challenge oppression and imperialism in all its forms. attacked, arrested, and threatened with death, alam has built back home what many consider to be the finest photography school in the world, in addition to award winning agency drik and the chobi mela photo festival. on wed - feb 29 [7pm] alam visits t2f to discuss his acclaimed photo book my journey as a witness. the book engages the realities of survival with the larger vision of building a more egalitarian society. from early images shot in england in the 1980s, to photographs of the last two decades, mostly in his native bangladesh, this is a journey from photojournalism into social justice. location: 10c sunset lane 5, phase 2 extension [d.h.a.].

© shahidul alam - morgue

we looked a little surprised when we first heard of these shoes from namibia, but seeing the authenticity and coolness, they quickly grew on us! schier is a shoe company based in swakopmund, the country's second biggest city. it makes one model only, the velskoen [pron.: fell-skoon] and known colloquially as vellies, and they're pretty much the ancestor of the modern-day desert boot. inspired by the footwear of the khoisan tribe, the vellies were first made in the 1600s by members of the dutch east india company who had settled in southern africa. today at schier, eight damara craftsmen assemble every shoe by hand, using wild kudu leather. the shoe consists of two cuts of skin, and not a single nail is used in the making process. the shoes are then finished by hand, using a knife to perfect the outer texture of the leather. nowadays vellies are worn by a varied demographic across namibia and south africa, from labourers to bush rangers to university students. currently schier's vellies can only be ordered online, but we hear they'll drop in a select number of stores in the u.s. next season.

© schier - proudly made in namibia

it's tough to pick a show in new york city when there's heaps and heaps to choose from. one of the must-sees at the moment is the ungovernables, new museum's 2012 triennial showcase. the show focuses on the urgencies of a generation who came of age right after the independence and revolutionary movements of the 1960s and 1970s. through materials and form, the works on display explore impermanence and an engagement with the present and future. these works represent 34 artists, artist groups, and temporary collectives from across the planet - totaling over 50 participants - born between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, many of whom have never before exhibited in the united states. participating artists include adrián villar rojas, public movement, hu xiaoyuan, slavs and tatars and mounira al solh [on through apr 22]. location: 235 bowery [nolita].

© new museum / adrián villar rojas - a person loved me [2012]

© acne - a luscious red retail environment

a dirty mind is a joy forever, oscar wilde once said. hailing from neighbouring sweden, acne's creative director jonny johansson's earliest memories of the danish capital are all related to its tolerant drugs climate and last but not least its notorious red light district. so, many years later johansson delights copenhagen with a second acne boutique that's inspired by these indelible impressions. similar to the boutique that was launched last january in paris, the store boasts a minimalist art gallery-like interior, but here it's boldly infused with gradations of ruby. the store frontage intentionally channels the experience of a local peep show with its windows blocked out to only reveal shoppers at head height. the velvet red carpet softens the vibe and adds a warm kind of intimacy to the striking retail space. location: pilestræde 40a [indre by].

© acne - we envisage skyrocketing sales here...

© episode no. - effortless style straight out of tokyo

the look and feel of episode no.'s a/w 2012 collection are very much japan. although featuring familiar classic silhouettes, it's all astonishingly effortless in style and meticulous in detailing, giving the collection an exotic edge. whether it's the denim, shirts, sweaters or cardigans, each of episode no.'s apparel items represent menswear with a soulful flair...and that we'd obviously love to wear! shown here are six looks that we particularly like.

episode no.'s a/w 2012 collection is available at select stores across the planet, including simons [montreal], grupo sportivo [madrid], barrow [bologna], cave [osaka] and iroquois [tokyo].

© episode no. - kakkoii desu ne?

in new york city, there's no better time to open a store than during new york fashion week. and that's exactly what diesel did with a brand new boutique in soho, its very first that's entirely dedicated to the diesel black gold collection. measuring a spacious 2,500 sq.ft., the lofty retail space has been designed by new york-based interior designer ryan korban. to accomplish a matching rock chic environment, korban lined the ceilings in striking gunmetal velvet to create visual drama, opening into a main gallery which feature a range of exclusive products. all this is juxtaposed with zebra wood and an imposing, custom-made leather screen. two eye-catching aluminum monoliths anchor the store interior, and also visually mark the brand's modernity and heritage. clothing is installed in suede-lined niches and wall-to wall dove gray carpet enhances the sense of comfort and luxurious intimacy. the new diesel black gold store carries the entire men's + women's apparel, shoes and accessories collection. diesel frontman renzo rosso flew in to attend the label's fashion show and mingle with guests at the store's star-studded opening party. location: 68 greene street [soho].

© diesel + vogue - a rock chic store interior, renzo rosso with party pals jefferson hack and stephen dorff [top to bottom]