It's been a while since we've come across any new efforts involving vending machines, but recently a nice one in the Paris Métro caught our eye. A week before Valentine's Day, fragrance retailer Sephora installed a series of machines at various Métro stations dedicated to selling Calvin Klein's CK One scent in a special, portable size.

From February 7 through February 20, visitors to the Métro's La Défense, Charles de Gaulle-Étoile, Montparnasse and Miromesnil stations could buy a special 15ml size of CK One at an on-site "CK One Pocket Store" by Sephora. Priced at EUR 10, the limited-edition pocket size is also available through Sephora itself. The vending-machine concept was created by Paris agency Nouveau Jour, which says it expects to use it abroad as well. A video on Daily Motion shows the campaign in action.

Another option, of course, would have been for Sephora to use the vending machines to give out free samples of the fragrances, much the way Fosfor's Boobox does. Either way, however, the approach is sure to generate far more interest and trials among trysumers than a traditional advert ever could. Keep the vending-machine ideas coming! (Related: Upscale vending machine sells curated luxury goods — Vending machines sell after-party shoes — Vending machines sell bathing suits at hotel pools — Touch-screen machine for interactive vending — Best Buy starts vending at airports.)

Website: www.sephora.fr
Contact: serviceclients@sephora.fr

The subscription services are coming thick and fast lately, automating for shopping-weary consumers the routine purchase of life's little necessities. Most recently it was men's skincare products; before that it was razor blades, greeting cards and more. The latest spotting? Men's undergarments—including socks, T-shirts and underwear.

'Sockscriptions', of course, are no longer new, dating back as they do at least 10 years. Florida-based Manpacks, however, expands the concept into an entire undergarment package, available for delivery every three months. Consumers begin by choosing one of four subscription packages, all of which use exclusively Hanes clothing. The JustSocks package, for instance, provides three pairs of socks every three months for USD 7 per shipment. At the opposite end of the scale is the MachoPack, which includes three shirts, three pairs of underwear and three pairs of socks every three months for USD 33 per shipment. Consumers can specify the colours and the styles they prefer—boxers versus briefs, for example.

Currently Manpacks ships only within the United States and Canada, but it aims to expand internationally soon. Time to help make that happen...? (Related: Household goods, straight from manufacturers.)

Website: www.manpacks.com
Contact: info@manpacks.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

It wasn't long ago that we saw the launch of Growth Bridge's subscription service for razor blades, and recently we came across a like-minded approach to men's skin care. Aiming to simplify the purchase process as much as possible, Canadian Bread & Butter offers skincare by yearly subscription with everything most men's skin needs in two seasonal kits.

Bread & Butter's 6-piece Winter Kit offers two tubes of both facial cleanser and moisturizer along with one tube of lip balm and one tube of body moisturizer. The 5-piece Summer Kit, on the other hand, includes two tubes of face cleanser, two tubes of SPF 15 facial moisturizer and one tube of shaving gel. All products included meet airline carry-on regulations. Kits can be ordered individually or by yearly subscription for a 12-month supply, with delivery in June and December. Pricing is CDN 49.99 to ship one kit or CDN 84.99 to ship both within Canada; equivalent orders to the U.S. cost CDN 64.99 and CDN 106.99, respectively. All products are Canadian-made and come with a free 60-day return guarantee. Within Toronto, Bread & Butter even accepts the empty tubes back as part of its cradle-to-cradle recycling program.

Whether it's razors, skincare products or household necessities, opportunity awaits those who can relieve consumers of the burden of making routine purchases. Bread & Butter, however, delivers only within the U.S. and Canada—one to bring to shopping-averse men in *your* neck of the woods...? (Related: Clothes shopping for men, no store visits required.)

Website: www.breadandbutterskincare.com
Contact: service@breadandbutterskincare.com

Spotted by: Stephanie Pirishis

There are few things we love more at Springwise than to see formerly drab and utilitarian products reborn with a splash of style. We've already seen that happen with fire protection kits, for example; now, another case in point is California-based *emera, which has targeted the practical (but often ungainly) camera bag.

*emera's 'Modern' and 'Quilted' tote lines are designed to be elegant but functional equipment bags for fashion-conscious urban photographers. Strongly built and water resistant, the bags are structured and padded to protect delicate photographic gear. Inside are modular dividers that can be arranged to suit the size and shape of cameras, lenses and accessories. The bags also feature internal compartments for small items such as memory cards, and have exterior pockets at each end. Prices are USD 149 for the canvas-exterior design (which comes in a choice of colours), and USD 169 for the quilted design.

*emera is now accepting wholesale orders, so retail camera shops around the world may want to start getting in line. Or are there other utilitarian goods that you could transform with a little flair for fashion? (Related: Puzzle books given a design makeover — Toilet seat covers, upgraded — Chic vomit bags for morning-sick moms.)

Website: www.emerabags.com
Contact: nathiya@emerabags.com

Spotted by: Amy Leung

Following in the footsteps of companies we've covered that let consumers customize their own sneakers and baby shoes, Sydney-based online shoe retailer Shoes of Prey is directing the design-your-own trend towards stylish, custom-made women's shoes.

Launched in October, Shoes of Prey's simple, online design tool puts bespoke shoes just a few clicks away for women wanting to design their dream shoes and have them hand-crafted to match their requirements. Customers choose the style, heel type, heel height, adornments and colours, and select from raw materials including calf skin, snake skin, fish skin, silk and more, which makes for a near infinite number of possible combinations.

Prices range from AUD 195 for ballet flats to AUD 300 for 4½-inch heels. International shipping is available, and the shoes take about six weeks to arrive. The service is backed by a generous returns policy which guarantees that if the shoes don't fit, Shoes of Prey will remake them until they do; and if the customer doesn't like the design, they can send the shoes back for a full refund or have a new design made for them free of charge.

Retailers—is this a model to be hot on the heels of? Shoes of Prey welcomes contact from merchants who are interested in offering the design-your-own shoes tool under their own brand. (Related: One-of-a-kind shoe art — High-heeled shoes, designed by the crowds.)

Website: www.shoesofprey.com
Contact: mike@shoesofprey.com

Spotted by: Ngaire Stevens