No stranger to collaborations, Ace Hotel has added another great partner when they worked alongside Beams on this collection of goods that dropped this week. A few of the items were also done in collaboration with Buzz Rickson making this all the more interesting. Highlights include a deck jacket, chambray work shirt, and cinch back chinos, but there is also a small range of accessories, too. The collection is now available at Ace’s online store.

I still remember when a collaboration was the exception and not the rule. When we first started Highsnobiety, the collaboration game was already in full swing, and you’d have an especially good one every month that got plenty of people excited. Of course, as with anything, the more it’s done, the less interesting it becomes.

Recently I saw the Undefeated x Puma Polka Dot Pack in a store and it got me thinking about the current state of collaborations.

We have always been big fans of Undefeated and love what they do with their stores and the brand – it all just seems to make sense for the most part and the Undefeated sneaker collaborations have always been among the very best over the years. These days they’re working with Converse on new sneakers every couple of months and, of course, they’ve also entered into an extended partnership with Puma around the iconic Clyde.

Puma has not had the strongest run in recent years, but the Clyde was always well regarded in footwear circles, so a big team-up with Undefeated to resurrect the shoe seemed to make perfect sense.

When the first sneaker from that collection launched, an all leather Clyde sans Puma Form Stripe, I actually thought they might be on to something. It was very simple, but the quality material update, improved in-sole and color choices really made these easy to wear – an everyday sneaker that went with anything and worked for any occasion. Well played.

At this point we’ve seen five packs from this collaboration: leather, canvas, ripstop nylon, colorblock and polka dots. What we haven’t seen is a lot of excitement from sneaker fans and we certainly haven’t seen them on anybodies feet.

Perhaps Undefeated has kept things a little too simple? Or is it an issue with the Clyde shoe itself?

Read the rest of the article after the jump.

Beams has been very busy working on special collaborative product for their 35th anniversary. They have already worked with Puma, Incase, Clarks and others, next up is now their collaboration with outerwear brand Moncler. They present two jackets as part of the project, one coming with a classic grey flannel upper and the other one with a shiny bronze colored nylon upper. (Via honeyee)

The two jackets are now on sale at Beams stores in Japan.

After previously remixing the Disc Blaze and adding a Faas running sole to it, Beams teams up once again with Puma and this time around presents the Puma Faas Blaze, a remix of the Blaze of Glory sneaker. Once again the Japanese retailer upgraded the sneaker with a light weight running Faas outer sole. As part of the collaboration, the sneaker comes in two solid colorways, with the Beams logo only being featured on the in-sole.

A release is scheduled for December 2011.

One cool thing (amongst many) about teaming up with BEAMS is that you will always get a tastefully done product. Incase is the latest to experience just that as the two linked up on these simple and understated packs. The two limited edition packs(the canvas and denim pictured above) are currently available – the cotton canvas one is only available on the Incase webstore – via BEAMS’ online store and in BEAMS stores on November 15th.

Take a deeper look after the click.

For Holiday 2011 Japanese retailer Beams has teamed up with Red Wing. Together they present a navy suede version of the Round Toe Boots. A nice and clean looking every day boot, featuring a white Vibram outer sole, contrasting stitching and hiking boot eyelets accents. The boots are now available here.

Seiko’s WIRED brand of readio-controlled watches, teamed up with retailer Beams. The outcome is a range of classic looking chronograph watches with some nice functionality, while keeping an overall heritage look. Each watch comes with two canvas straps, one multi-color stripe strap and a solid color strap. The watches will release December 2012.

Take a look at the entire range after the jump.

For Fall/Winter 2011 Japanese department store Beams gets together once again with Dr. Martens. This time they present a dark brown version of the 7-Hole Wingtip Boot. The team-up just shows again, that if colors and materials are chosen right on the rugged Dr. Martens boot, the outcome can be both clean and classy. The proper outer sole also makes these perfect for the coming months.

At this point, it’s feels as though the Mickey Mouse watch is almost as iconic as a Roley. Not really as classy, but just as prominent the watch has been revisited once again by the Japanese folks at Over the Stripes and BEAMS. The retro Mickey’s arms move with the times, while interchangeable fabric straps keep it preppy, for years to come. Four face colors to choose from.

More images follow after the click.

Today we arrived in Tokyo and started with a more extensive stroll through the Shibuya shopping area. Being the world’s most dense shopping area, you have to be prepared to work your way through the streets. Addresses are not very easy to find, but with some asking around and a map you will find most of your stores eventually.

As usual, the stores that you most look forward to see might not strike you as that amazing in reality and others that you just wanted to quickly pass by, you end up being stuck for an hour. Shibuya is only one of many other shopping districts, and while we sure missed a lot, we give you here a little report on what we did see and can recommend. Overall there is no doubt, Tokyo is a retail mecca that is hard to beat.

Check out the full review after the jump.