Terence Koh Interview
Terence Koh is one of those artists who you initially think, “what the hell, this isn’t even art.” But if you look deeper into his work, what he does and what hes about he is purely an artist and can’t help but to create. He seems like one of the few people are really free in everything they do, whether it’s a piece, an installation or what they say and how they talk to people. In other words, he’s pretty talented, but pretty weird. Kyle at Dejour had an opportunity to interview Terence but since he’s no a conventional artist, why do a conventional interview. Kyle decided to get 10 people he knows to each ask a question. I was lucky enough to get asked to contribute, so technically I interviewed Terence Koh I guess. Kyle curated the piece which is a funny read and look at one of the more interesting characters in modern art.
Read it here
Raf Simons Melange Knit
Raf by Raf Simons has a high percentage of good pieces in the small collection. This knitted sweater is one of my top picks. Up until I saw this one, I had only seen the grey version available at Gravity Pope and Tres Bien, however I am more partial to the colors of this version. It’s really soft and although it has a bit of an odd collar, I figure it would be easy to wear, a great weekender to lounge around, drink coffee, read blogs…that might be everyday for some of you making the sweater even more ideal. The price might not be too ideal as it ranges depending on the outlet of choice, but nice is nice.
Read more
RL Rugby/Is it so Hard?
I was going to blog about this Rugby jacket but quickly noticed the whole look was on point. I don’t know about you readers and where you live exactly, actually ya I do…BUT it is so easy to get lost in this small world of boutiques, independent clothing lines, online blogs and so on. I could go through a month of living in Vancouver and see 1 or maybe 2 people who can put together an outfit like this. People overall dress badly, really badly. It seems so rare to find somebody who puts a good outfit together from the shoes to the shirt, to the accessories, it’s unreal. Unless you’re in one of your favorite shops, even in main ’shopping’ areas it can be fairly disappointing. Is it so hard? Sport jacket, shawl sweater, the pants could be almost anything, just fit okay, and some fly boots. That’s it, it’s so easy.
Bowties
Do any of you guys wear bowties? (I assume most readers are guys and also assume most girls don’t wear bowties) I have never once in my life even put a bowtie on my neck, and there is a good chance I never will. I am not anti-bowtie, I just have never seriously considered attempting the look. I do think it can look pretty good in some cases, either if you’re going super preppy or if you have a really casual, wooly, work wear-y look. It’s definitely a tough one and I’d say 96% of people wearing them look pretty bad. Probably most guys who really make it look natural are over the age of 60, so I find it impressive if you can make a bowtie look good if you’re in your 20’s or 30’s. That’s a challenge.
This bowtie is by Alexander Olch
Freeman Sporting Club
I got an email yesterday asking why I’ve never written about the FSC, so I looked at the website, which I had been to before, and I don’t know why. It’s awesome. I have eaten at the restaurant*which is only associated by namesake, knew about the barber shop, and seen pictures of the clothing, but somehow hadn’t put the pieces of the puzzle together in my head. Freeman’s is a nice restaurant in New York with good fried chicken and waffles, but Freeman Sporting club is a nice clothing line, which also has a barber shop as well as some men’s grooming products. All of them look great as these guys obviously have good taste and a pretty good mind for business. I really love the concept and the execution is top notch. Being able to dabble in the different businesses you love and to do it to a level you’d want to, is impressive. New York is definitely one of the few cities that could support something like this which is quite cool.
In Jerome III’s Bag
Another Washington DC, Commonwealth fam member is next up on on the bag feature. Jerome III keeps his bag pretty light for a DJ and guy in the retail business. Either it’s commendable or something else I’m not sure. Either way some good pieces in a really nice tote, arguably the nicest ever.
Bag: Ralph Lauren Deerfield Leather Tote - Been a Ralph fan since 1st grade and it seems his products are only getting better. Book: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama….if you want to be a winner, got think like one. Phone: Black Berry Bold…..gotta have hook ups in the streets son! Camera: there are tons of photo ops in DC from the mall to museums to the drunk idiots in the streets of Adams Morgan and Connecticut Ave…Canon G9 is there to capture it all. OFake Teeth Fastener Jacket: Lightweight, sturdy and fits ill!! Rayban Wayfarers: Keeping it classic.
Outside of that I don’t need much. Simple dude who walks to and from work and then onto his DJing gig that night.
Friendly Fire
People: Ed Hardy, the human litmus test of taste | Elitaste
Retail: Everything at Tres Bien Shop is 25% off for foreigners, all the time thanks to the VAT Tax | Tres Bien
Product: Head Porter Plus Traverse Jackets are really dope | Sapporo
Product: Where does Nike get the aliens to come up with and make their products | Gizmodo
Question: Is it possible for a blog to be considered a ’sell out’ or should they stay true to what they represent? | My Brain
Henrik Vibskov Jacket
Windbreaker style jackets are readily available, but how many are actually good and would you really want to wear? Not many is my answer. This navy jacket by Henrik Vibskov includes the basic functions of a windbreaker, which is nothing more than a thin lining of material between you and the wind, while making something good. The length and subtle pocket details are what make this good to me. The 3/4 length with the waist drawstring is really ideal, along with the good neck height and silver snap buttons. Pretty much a perfect fall windbreaker, not to mention navy is a good choice.
Gitman - Master Shirt Makers
Gitman has been around since 1948 making some of the continents best shirts. While people seem to be getting back to putting importance and value on ‘Made in USA’ products, Gitman haven’t left these shores since their existence. They have a couple different lines in their range including the Gitman Vintage collection. Using some washed oxfords, toned down Madras and a slim cut, they go under the radar while producing top quality pieces. Gitman is also the exclusive manufacturer for one of our day’s most celebrated menswear designers, Thom Browne. While their website and name might not be a household banger in the contemporary market, their products and work with Thom Browne are definitely something to pay attention to.
Supply Grey Wool Shirt
I almost laughed a little out loud (lol’d) while writing this post, because, yes it is another grey wool workshirt/overshirt. However, it is quite good again. Supply, the best purveyor of Japanese dopeness in Australia, have been developing their in house line and this fall made some nice cut n sew pieces. For this wool shirt, they did a nice dark grey, put on some tasteful elbow patches, threw on a good flap chest pocket, and it’s a winner. Now if you go shopping at Haven you’re going to have to choose between Stussy Deluxe, Ransom, Supply and Original Fake (if they get that one). Pretty crazy how many lines have done them this fall. To give them credit, they are all different in their own ways in terms of shades, details and prices. It makes it great for us, lots of choices to decide from.
eBay Find: RL Polo Vest
I was searching eBay and decided to give ‘Ralph Lauren Vest” a try as I’ve been looking for a casual suiting vest for a cheap price. eBay made sense, and although I actually haven’t had any good steals on the bay lately, it’s always fun to browse. So I came across this pretty fly vest. Denim with a rich, red buffalo flannel on the inside. The denim looks like it’s been worn in just about perfectly and if you have the hat to match the red and black lumberjack you’re set. The vest isn’t what I was really looking for but it’s definitely a notable piece that no brand has done better this fall. $55 here
Head Porter Knitted Headwear
How would I ever keep the blog rolling if these clothing lines didn’t drop one or two items a day? It would be a tough job hobby. Head Porter Plus have been leaking us their fall collection over the last few months now and the latest to drop are these knitted head pieces. Although they don’t compare to the jump off red one that release in Asia a little while back, these ones look pretty cozy. Sometimes when it’s cold at home, or outside, throwing on a big knitted toque is perfect. I would definitely choose the single color joints and likely one with ear flaps and a pom pom on the top. If these are as comfortable as they look, I’d think about wearing it to sleep in.
Penfield x St. Alfred
In the midst of the work/outdoor wear ‘revival’ we’re seeing right now, Penfield continues to stay relevant in today’s crazy market of here today gone tomorrow trends and lines. This time they’ve teamed up with Chicago boutique St. Alfred to make a nice clean lightweight down puffer. I actually like the jacket quite a bit, but at the same time I’m disappointed. The projects they’ve done in the past with the likes of Stussy, Wood Wood and Alife were all so much better. Slapping a chest logo on the most plain coat in Penfield’s arsenal seems almost like a waste of time. Hopefully the rest of the Fall collaborations turn out a little more intesting. Read more
Alexander Olch Cashmere Tie
First off, thanks to Mr. Olch for the perfect tie. This grey Italian cashmere is really nice, grey is obviously the color of this fall, but it’s always great, it goes to with so much, fall, winter and spring it works, so having grey accessories makes a lot of sense. Throw in a premium material, perfect width, nice stitching details and you have yourself, or I guess I have myself, a great tie. Alexander Olch is definitely making waves in the fashion business with his fairly extensive collection of ties and bow ties. They are all designed and made in New York when Alexander isn’t working at his full time gig of film director, which he is right now. The tie has been well received into my wardrobe, casual enough to wear with jeans and nice enough to wear with a suit, now I just need a good suit.
Issue 7 Preview
It’s almost that time already. Just when I thought I was getting in the groove and it was becoming routine, turns out I just got slightly lazy and started focusing on other things a bit more. As is life and fortunately in online publishing with no other stakeholders, there are no deadlines officially. Also since the last issue launched a few dates into the month, I didn’t want to cut short their time to shine, so we are looking to have Issue 7 published around the end of next week or possibly sooner if nothing goes wrong. The issue is definitely the least fashion focused yet, while that is and has been the main topic for h(y)r collective, this month we talked to Black Milk about touring in Europe and his new album, Sarah Kahn, a French designer and art director, BPMW one of the most influential agencies in the business, (Malin+Goetz) and Mjolk. Lars, the designer of Mjolk was one of the most friendly and fun guys we hung out with back in New York, since I’ve become a huge fan of the collection and we are please to give an in depth look into him and his work.
