Plaid for the Paid
I kind of skipped over this article by the NY Times on plaid and it’s place in menswear today. I don’t know why, I figured if everybody else blogged it, I’m not going to, and if I’m not blogging it, it must not be that great. Well I was wrong. These looks, photography and pieces are beautiful. They absolutely killed it. Dean Isidro did a nice job on the photos but I want to know who the stylist is, I think they deserve some real credit here because putting together multiple plaids like this is not an easy task (also good casting on the model). There are several really good pieces in the spread but the Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garçons oxford cotton shirt with plaid wool patches had me going bonkers and scouring the Internet for the last 25 minutes. It’s crazy and I want it, or at least to get a better look at it. Anyways with a few exceptions a lot of the items are quite expensive and unrealistically going to be purchased by me or readers of this blog, but that doesn’t mean these images can’t serve as some great inspiration to see what you can come up with on budget. Click the image to see the best shots together.
Filson Factory
Charles Peterson published some beautiful shots of the Filson Factory in Seattle, which apparently lies behind the flagship retail location. The images are really nice and give an interesting look into not only the process, but the people who are making the pieces which have found a new popularity high in menswear. You can’t help but noticed the Asian presence in the shop, since there isn’t one white guy in the whole place to be seen. I don’t know what I expected, the old guy who started Filson bent over with leather for skin and a huge beard maybe? While the company is a traditional American brand and relies completely on it’s heritage for it’s image, it appears it is fueled by the faces and people of the new, extremely diverse America. I wish I had thought about driving down to the factory for this photo shoot, it looks beautiful.
Info via Selectism - A couple of my favorite shots if you Read more
Satorialude: Winter Class
While The Sartorialist is making most of us envious by posting too many tropical beach looks in mid-November, he is still filtering in a couple great winter looks. This one might seem like a surprise for a couple reasons, the turtle neck and also the LV bag. While I am personally fighting internal issues with turtlenecks and not wearing them, I think they have a place in a man’s wardrobe and can look great. When it comes to Louis Vuitton, I am actually a fan. I don’t own any pieces but I like the classic brown monogram as well as their innovation and creativity. As a brand I think they are definitely respectable from both sides. While Birdman and the likes might have put the look on overkill while ‘Staying Fly’ it will forever be dope.The parka is obviously nice and I like the suit while I have a real problem with smoking, don’t do it.
Friendly Fire
Photography: Polaroid cameras may be a thing of the past but the photos still live on thanks to Poladroid. (Link)
Travel: If you’re wanting to fly the coop for the holidays check T Magazine’s winter travel guide; beautiful places and photos (pictured). (Link)
Clothes: My love for Head Porter+ is back thanks to The-Glade’s fresh batch of goods. (Link)
Food for Thought: I’m a pretty big fan of the way J. Sakiya Sandifer thinks. (Link)
Been Busy
Sorry for the lull in blog posts the last couple days. I’ve been quite busy the last week getting issue 7 finished and published, finishing a school project and Saturday we we’re shooting the look book for Jonathan+Olivia most of the day. Everything sort of culminated down to a couple days. So my girl came for a visit and I have been trying to clear my mind, reorganize and get things in order to get back on attack. I should be able to get back on thangs today tomorrow so you don’t have to worry about finding another blog just yet. The photo has nothing to do with the post other than it was taken last week while I was rushing between the Stussy store, school and a quick meeting. I had to stop as the colors seemed really nice and once I looked around a bit more I realized how nice out it was. i guess there is something to be said for that smelling the flowers saying. So don’t let issue 7 pass you by, take your time and read it.
Issue 7 Live | Empty your Cache
Right on time as usual, issue 7 is now up live for your viewing, and I hope reading pleasure. I loved this image so much I changed it to the cover last minute. Beautiful shot of Lars Stoten in action. The main fashion feature this month is on Mjolk. I am seriously behind this collection, Lars is a great guy and a very talented designer. We also caught up with Black Milk, Edina from BPMW Agency, Sarah Kahn, an up and coming Parisian designer and New York based (Malin+Goetz). This issue is the least fashion intensive with some design, business, art and finally a music feature. I also want to thank Dexter Austria and Calvin Pais for their contributing this month on the ‘This is the Last time’ and ‘Olso - A new Look’ respectively. I finally spilled my tale of my first love in the Sneaker Diaries as well…ahh The Questions. I also took the chance to break down some of my favorite shawl neck pieces of the season. Be sure to read every word, look at every picture and enjoy every second.
Stussy Vancouver Chapter 2
This build-out on the Vancouver Stussy shop is well underway, I’ve been into the shop every couple of days and it feels like a different space each time. Matt and John are definitely on their grizzy getting the shop together. The 2nd chapter of the build out documentation is up on the Stussy Vancouver website with a nice break down on the different steps. This chapter I ended up taking all the shots, it’s been good working with these guys, now its time for the final push. Apparently there will be a few Stussy products dropping that have been kept on ice for a bit…
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.
Stussy Vancouver
The new website just launched today as I’m sure a lot of you blogger readers have seen. I wanted to mention it because I’ve actually had the opportunity to work on it, a couple of the shots I took out at the Mill and in the space are in chapter one and I’ve been working with Mark Gainor on chapter 2 over the last week or two. The shop is looking nice inside already. It’s been a fun project and I was happy to be able to be apart of it. Take some time to read through the site and enjoy some of Andre’s photos.
Inqmnd Buyers Buyable
Inqmnd is the truth, they handle their business. They do such a great job on the design, flash, web, production that everybody doesn’t mind that we have to wait so long between installments. This fall’s buyable is again amazing. Greg Washington is probably the MVP, although it seems like a team affair in Toronto. Greg does the photography and all of the web/fashion design and development. His skills are unmatched and combined with a great eye and taste in style and fashion, it makes you forget about the words, ya there are words in the feature. Greg’s work is incredible to me, it is one of the very few websites that leaves no detail untouched or un-thought. From the navigation to the music timing, to the ability to zoom in and out, its beautiful. I definitely aspire to get to this point at one day, hopefully not too far into the future - like 5-10 years or something…
In Mike’s Bag
And they keep coming. Next up is Mike from Portland. Reppin’ the Hecklewood fam, he’s been a long time supporter of h(y)r leaving contributions as Kix. He knows what’s up, the streets is up, that’s whats up. I love that flic of the Krink.
Alright first up is my bag. I had to go with the Raf Simons jump off. This thing is just too ridiculous with the shiny leather and overstated design. I don’t know if I could ever wear one but I really want to. Inside, always gotta have my BlackBerry. The new Bold is gonna be amazing but what I am really waiting on is the new Thunder… Next up. Gotta have reading material. The older I get, the more time I find myself reading…you should too. Expand your senses! Been on a Russian tip lately since the Georgia conflict. Working on Cement by Fyodor Gladkov. Gotta have magazines too so I threw in the Portland issue of XLR8R and the new issue of SLAP too. Gotta always have my Krink markers and these crazy Laser etched engrave moleskins to jot down all the mess in between my ears. Always taking pics these days. Wish I could afford one of those new Canon 5D Mark II. The sample video is insane! Oh and last but not least, gold shuffle for the music (I have broken way more iPods skateboarding then I like to remember) and an extra Hanes premium v neck just in case. Perfect in most situations.
Supreme Drop @ Nomad
Supreme is dope. The way they handle their business, their look books, their advertising, every angle is covered. I’ve talked about how much of special brand it is in the past, but everytime I take a deep look at what they’ve done and are continuing to do, I’m impressed. I personally really like their products of course, that is the driving force behind their success, but there are definitely other factors involved. No matter the craze, sneakers, panel caps, snap backs, whatever it seems like is being hyped, it doesn’t matter to Supreme. The trends almost evolved around them, whatever they do happens to fit it even if they are going in their completely own direction. The look book done by Cool Trans for the fall gear is another example. The images are so simple, yet look perfect. They make me want to be in the clothes, so that makes me think they are doing a good job. Anyways, you can get in some of their clothes this weekend, Nomad is dropping their second shipment.
Jean Touitou
The founder and owner of APC, Jean Touitou has done a more than respectable job creating one of the best fashion labels in my world. Everything is made well, fits well, looks good and is good. If I was a bit slimmer and richer I would like the brand even more. Mr. Touitou recently blogged a picture of himself on his blog from 1977 at Berkly, California. This is a really cool photo. I don’t have that much else to say about it. I wish I had a picture of myself shredding the pavement in the late 70’s. Fortunately I wasn’t alive then but there is something really great about having parts and eras of your life documented by photos.
Friendly Fire
Sweet Thing: Best toilet paper ever, even if it is 8.95 a roll. (Patina)
Reading: Ed Templeton’s latest book Deformer is out now, get it at Amazon
Advertising: Despite their Political INcorrectness, as a hip-hop fan I’ll never get tired of the St. Ide’s ads. (The Aesthetic Poet)
Blog: You probably already know that Vancouver is Awesome, well now so is the rest of Canada. (CanadaisAwesome)
Photography: Marc Jabobs is the lastest Terry Richardson victim. Spongebob is hard as fuck. (Supertouch)
Sartorialude
This is a fly look. It’s not ‘next level’ amazing nor will it every be out of style. It’s very difficult to wear a sport jacket and denim and look good, natural and stylish in my opinion. It has to be the right jacket, right denim, shirt and tie to pull it off. The worn in denim with a slight roll and wool tie dress it down nicely. Everything works and compliments everything else. The tote with the umbrella handle poking out, brown belt and dope tie bar are great. Trade in those Vans for some Common Projects and your done. It makes me want to go out and buy all these pieces and wear them. Although I have a couple, I probably couldn’t find the rest - it will never be that easy.
Shot via The Sartorialist
