Trimmed with Gold Above

Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid

2010-03-16T12:42:00.003-04:00

Weekend Preview | FREEDMAN's Look Book

2010-03-13T01:55:00.001-05:00

Freedman Clothing has done it. They have made the rain that has taken over New York that much worse and made me homesick. The folk/rock aesthetic of Freedman hits close to home (and we all know home is where the heart is) with their shirts being named after Southern California cities. And his use of contrasting but not conflicting fabrics and Navajo-pattern accents are yet again amazing. But my favorite this season has to be the Cambria Folk Rock shirt. The corduroy shoulders accents the brown in the plaid pattern perfectly. I will admit the Santa Cruz chambray is a breath of fresh air from the basic ubiquitous chambray. A couple more pictures after the jump.

The Denim Debate

2010-03-07T15:04:00.002-05:00

In October Ryan Plett of [you_have_broken_the_internet] fame approached myself along with 7 other people to be a part of a denim experiment. Ryan wanted us to be the lab rats for the grand Denim Debate. With almost 30 contributors now wearing in 23 different denim brands the Denim Debate has been launched and will be a constantly updated source for everything denim. My denim of choice: the Rogue Territory Stanton. Made from Cone Mills sanforized raw selvage denim and made in the USA.

Vans Heritage | The Off The Wall Pack

2010-03-04T06:57:00.006-05:00

Back in August -- I know I'm a little late on this bandwagon but I will never give up an opportunity to talk about Vans no matter how late I am -- So, back in August Vans, the world's first skateboard shoes, launched their idea of a heritage line called Off The Wall. It consisted of 3 of the original colorways of their now infamous Eras, one colorway of their slipon, one of their Old Skool '77 and one of their Mid Skool '77. Launched with a limited edition box donning a vintage picture and a quote by Two John himself. They are surprisingly the Eras are only $5 more than the basic styles while the Old Skool '77 are no different in price and both can be purchased here (the slipons and Mid Skool '77s are sold out, sorry).

The Blues of an Icon of Cycling | Brooks Saddles

2010-03-02T18:55:00.002-05:00

Part One:

Part Two:

The Brooks Saddles Production Team x Baron Philipp von Kap-Herr

American Express | Wes Anderson

2010-02-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

American Express x Wes Anderson

Apolis Activism x Rapha | Transit Elite Film

2010-02-18T22:18:00.004-05:00

Apolis Activism x Rapha

Band of Outsiders F/W 2010 | Homage to the Polaroid

2010-02-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

Weekend Warriors: True Stories or Thom Browne?

2010-02-06T16:34:00.001-05:00

True Stories (1986) or Thom Browne (2007-08)?

The Hells Angels

2010-02-03T00:48:00.002-05:00

Berdoo, the mother charter of the Hells Angels MC World, was started in 1948 in San Bernardino, CA and still exists to this day. As an official men's club, with their love for beards, bikes and leather jackets, the original members met as the first legs of many of their rides from Fontana to Oakland at the Blackboard Cafe on Chester St in Bakersfield. And to join you need only fulfill 6 requirements: 1. Be male, 2. be white, 3. have a valid driver's license, 4. have a working motorcycle (preferably Harley-Davidson), 5. not be a child molester, 6. not have applied to become a police officer or prison guard. The HAMC through out the next 62 years will be known for drug peddlers, rabble rousers, and an overall motley crew. They will cause many problems, like the Altamont free concert, and cause many deaths, such as the River Run Riots, but will stick together like a true brotherhood through it all.

Oldboy

2010-02-02T00:48:00.003-05:00

Represent | Expac at the Ace Hotel NYC

2010-01-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

ExPAC 5 tomorrow night at Ace Hotel New York - an evening of Northwest sensibility brought to you by Adam Davidson. Co-hosts and DJs J. Escobedo Shepherd MD, Rezound and Sam Hockley-Smith are spinning downstairs in LIBERTY HALL, and we have drink specials for Washington and Oregon ID holders. Friday Jan 29, 7 to 10pm. Rsvp to expac@acehotel.com. See the full invite on our facebook page.

Ralph Steadman vs. Gerald Scarfe

2010-01-26T18:42:00.003-05:00

Ralph Steadman is known as the epitome of Gonzo Art having work very close with Gonzo writer Hunter S. Thompson on the art for the Rolling Stones article, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The success of this lead Thompson to recruit Steadman again for a series of articles. His work also extends to the art for a version of Alice in Wonderland and a book on Sigmund Freud.

Gerald Scarfe of a similar style is best known for his work with the television show Yes Minister and his work with Pink Floyd for the cover art of The Wall and for the animation in The Wall. Scarfe also had a series of political cartoons featured in the New Yorker and was the Production Designer on the Disney movie Hercules.

Oh, so similar but oh, so different.

Martin Greenfield

2010-01-21T19:45:00.000-05:00

Martin Greenfield x Galen Summer

Quoddy x South Willard = Ultimate Spring Shoe

2010-01-20T22:47:00.002-05:00

BROWN SUEDE BRICK SOLE CHUKKA BOOT

Quoddy for South Willard

Brown Suede

natural handsewing

brown laces

antique eyelets

brick sole

glove lined
$275.00

A Supermarket in California by Allen Ginsberg

2010-01-20T22:36:00.002-05:00

What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!
What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!--and you, Garcнa Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?

I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old grubber, poking among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.
I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed the pork chops? What price bananas? Are you my Angel?
I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of cans following you, and followed in my imagination by the store detective.
We strode down the open corridors together in our solitary fancy tasting artichokes, possessing every frozen delicacy, and never passing the cashier.
Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors close in an hour. Which way does your beard point tonight?
(I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and feel absurd.)
Will we walk all night through solitary streets?
The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses, we'll both be lonely.
Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent cottage?
Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-teacher, what America did you have when Charon quit poling his ferry and you got out on a smoking bank and stood watching the boat disappear on the black waters of Lethe?

Berkeley 1955

I wish they all could be California girls

2010-01-15T13:49:00.006-05:00

The Life Archive has a series of pictures 10 pages long strictly titled California Girls. Being that I love my California girls I thought it best to share a few with you.

Gant x Michael Bastian

2010-01-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

Gant x Michael Bastian

Some-thing(s) Worth Fighting For.

2010-01-14T00:17:00.007-05:00

I'm With Coco Reinstate Hank

Shaun Sundholm Design

2010-01-13T23:08:00.006-05:00

Shaun Sundholm, originally from Portland, OR (Go Ducks!) and with a dope first name, is a designer (graphics) and an advertising expert who has a keen eye for the beautiful. His website is beautiful and his work is for sale on etsy.

Shameless Self Promotion

2010-01-12T08:07:00.001-05:00

William Gentle, one of the best and least praised photographers of our time, gave me the honor of being photographed for his photo blog, Back Yard Bill. It was fun and he showed me parts of Brooklyn I could have never imagined existed. Check it out at backyardbill.blogspot.com

Then I was approached by the genius behind Style with Benefits, Becs, about a Monday (Mensday) style panel. Among the few are Max of All Plaidout, Nick of A Time to Get, Lawrence of Sartoirially Inclined, Paul of Components of Enthusiasm, Will of Momentum of Failure, and more. So, what are you waiting for.

And while riding on the coattails of my favorite store and job, the New York Times featured Hickoree's Hard Goods and my picture. Check it out on The Pulse.

Obsession | The Gourds

2010-01-11T00:57:00.012-05:00

Started in 1994 in Austin, TX The Gourds is a small, tight knit crew of guys just having a little fun, as seen in the covers they choose to do. But with their own music, there is one song they are especially known for and they didn't even write it...The Gourds - Gin and Juice (click to listen)

The Gourds now The Gourds then

Why Can't It Be The 60's

2010-01-07T19:24:00.003-05:00

Whether it is movies set in the 60's or images of the early 60's, there is an undeniable amount of edge that the normal man portrays while in the most formal of outfits. The boys were suave; the men were dapper. And the women...what I can say about women is only an attempt at describing their unbelievable, indescribable beauty. The 60's has always been an inspiration for me from Jean-Luc Godard to Mad Men, from Marcello Mastroianni to Tom Palumbo and now including C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon) and Tom Ford's A Single Man.

Daniel Day Lewis

2009-12-28T00:01:00.000-05:00

Mr Lee's General Store & Haberdashery

2009-12-22T00:07:00.001-05:00

Mr Lee's General Store & Haberdashery

Savings at the Brooklyn Flea

2009-12-21T09:00:00.000-05:00

Starting January 9th the Brooklyn Flea will be moving indoors for the unfortunate inclement weather to come. The new site? The Williamsburg Savings Bank Tower at One Hanson Place in Fort Greene. The site is in almost original condition from it's once glory days and still sits as the tallest building in the borough that it resides. Truly a perfect place for flea market.

Hollander & Lexer

2009-12-21T00:39:00.009-05:00

Hollander & Lexer
358 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217

Handmade | The Sailor's Whisk

2009-12-17T00:01:00.004-05:00

Made out of a single piece of rope only a few inches long the sailor's whisk was the multipurpose tool on board ships. Used for cleaning, cooking and washing with these became commonplace among sailors of all degrees of seniority. Made in a plethora of sized using scrap rope on deck these tools have been a lost art for many years, but recently have seen a small resurgence. Recently featured in the London's Design Museum only a few folks still make these -- specifically a gent in Suffolk, England and one in New Hampshire, U.S.A. -- the traditional way, by hand. Most can be found online for a small fee of around $10.00 - $25.00 and can be used for just about anything.

At a Whim

2009-12-14T00:01:00.002-05:00

While at the Hickoree's Hard Good's Pop-Up Shop the other day we received our first shipment of our first print-based periodical. No it is not Free&Easy or Lightning or any other magazine that like the rest will fade into the online realm. This periodical stands out among the rest for it's impecible attention to detail and it's attention to the finer points in life.

Whim Quarterly is a "humor" periodical done the right way with a well designed layout and hilarious articles by writers from Urban Daddy, The Daily Show, Cash Cab (both Cash Cab and Cash Cab: After Dark), National Lampoon, The Late Show with David Letterman, and more plus Emmy award winners and nominees with other greats such as Elliott Kalan, Devon Coleman and Craig Robinson. At only $4.00 you get your money's worth. If I had a penny for each time I laughed I would have made the $4.00 back by the 3rd page.

The articles are amazing with the Whim Exclusive Ayn Rand's Newly Discovered Picture Book and Why Robots Are Cooler Than Cars: But Not As Cool As Dinosaurs to Street Names of New Drugs Your Kids Are Taking and "Water: It Tastes Like Crap!". But my absolute favorite is the Excerpts from The New Astronaut's Cookbook whose main ingredient in each recipe is a secret ingredient we are carrying at the Hickoree's Pop-Up Shop. Plus, you get a free toy with your purchase. So come on by and pick one up along with the secret ingredient for your next astronaut meal.

Hickoree's Hard Goods goes Brick and Mortar

2009-12-11T02:04:00.000-05:00

Taking lead from their success at the Pop-Up Flea this past month Hickoree's Hard Goods has decided to be the first installment at the continuously rotating store-front space in Brooklyn, Metropolitan Green. The store is filled with everything from their website (Old Hickoree's, The Hill-Side, Leather Man Ltd, Heritage Leather Co, etc.) plus a little more (Old Hickoree's not on the website, Sol Mate socks, Folk Shoes, etc.). I will be working the store part time so come stop by to check the place out and pick up some fantastic Hanukkah gifts for each night. Join us next Friday for the Launch party. And Check after the jump for pictures of the installment.

Walk In Their Shoes...For One Night At Least

2009-12-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Of all my favorite places to purchase items online there is only one place that I will call my Favorite Brick & Mortar Store. This particular store has brands ranging from Rogue Territory -- a favorite denim line of mine -- to Sugar Cane, from Left Field to Alden and have an aesthetic that stand alone among a sea clustered men's shops. As you might have guessed that store is the one and only Craft run by Pete, Rosa and Bill. Well, tomorrow Craft will be adding yet another amazing company to it's already well curated list with a launch party at their store. The Wolverine 1000 Miles Boots have become so fond of Craft that they have given Craft distribution rights. That says a lot. So check it out tomorrow.

Forged in the Fires of Mount Doom | Parveen

2009-12-07T15:47:00.003-05:00

Well, not exactly. More so in the hearth of a village in India by a woman by the name of Parveen. Parveen is an independent blacksmith in a small unknown town in India. She specialized in make shears for barbers and tailors, each hand forged of bronze and steel. Each item after being forged each edge is then sharpened -- enough to cut my hand picking up the closed shears by the blades. They are weighted to a T and hand stamped "Made in India (12)". They can be found at random places around the world but only one place in the USA, DARR in Brooklyn (disregard the automated music that can't be turned off on their site).

6 Months from now | 2010 FIFA World Cup

2009-12-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

The time has come -- well the six months before the time -- to start getting excited for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Just moments ago the FIFA World Cup Draw Ceremony commenced to choose the groups for the initial rounds of the 2010 FIFA World Cup which will be played in South Africa for the first time. Here are the groups.

But this WC will be a little different this year thanks to the R&D department of Adidas. This year the WC will played with the newly designed, just announced Jabulani, meaning celebration in Zulu. The Jabulani went into development only 24 hours after the 2006 WC and is designed to increase power and accuracy.

The developers of the ball gained input from a many well respected players and some not so well respected players -- Sorry, Orlando Pirates -- to develop this ball which looks significantly different than any other seen thus far. The first thing you may notice is the lack of your typical 32-panel soccer ball. The Jabulani is an 8-panel soccer ball, 1/4 the amount of a regular soccer ball, and 6 less than last WC's 14-panel soccer ball. This was done for the simple science of the striking surface. Each thread in the ball takes away from the striking surface and the more surface, the more power. The second development that makes this ball significantly different is less noticeable but more important. The Grip'n'Groove technology added to the ball is a series of wavy lines on the surface of the ball called Aero Grooves that will grip the shoe giving the ball increased accuracy. More power + more accuracy = more goals. Or at least that is the theory.

From the PO Box...Various Wins and Purchases

2009-12-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

This month has been great. No bills -- only get those bi-monthly -- have come this month which means that certain purchases and wins have been filing up the mailbox. Who doesn't like receiving packages...

Vintage Vanity Fair

2009-12-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

what i saw today

2009-11-24T03:21:00.001-05:00

I'll give you two hints, it starts with an 'M' and ends in an 'E'. Richard Haines and his wonderful blog what i saw today honored me by posting a sketch of myself alongside sketches of a few other tastemakers from the Pop-Up Flea this weekend (James of Secret Forts, Paul Underwood of Urban Daddy and others). Check it out here...

eBay Win of the Month

2009-11-24T03:10:00.004-05:00

Last week while perusing the eBay market -- where I spend most my time is wasted -- I stumbled upon a pair of beautiful boots. After checking them out, doing a little research and triple-taking the starting price of $19.99 I clicked the watch item for this beautiful pair of 1940's Wolverine moc toe work boots.

Knowing very well the beauty of this specific item and the demand for an item such as this I expected -- like most items I put under my watch list -- to have exceeded a price beyond what I could afford. Especially being made of Shell horsehide, being in such pristine condition, and having been resoled already. There was no way I was going to be able to get this item -- especially after boasting about them a little bit at the Pop-Up Flea this weekend, stupid me -- but as the clock counted down and the last 30 minutes came till the end of the auction I couldn't help but notice that there was one other bid. So, with one minute left like any good sniper I shot in a max bid of $40.00 and won these beauties for a total of $26.00. Sorry for sniping but I couldn't help myself.

Penguin Classics Great Ideas

2009-11-23T23:59:00.001-05:00

In a series of stand alone text Penguin has released some of the most profoundly written and most profoundly designed covers I have laid my eyes on. Now these are some covers you are allowed the judge the book by and oh boy, do they make me want to read them. Penguin has taken some of their best books on philosophy, politics, science and even war and published them with letter-pressed and individually designed covers. If you haven't seen them here are a few of my favorites.

Summer Nostalgia

2009-11-23T00:02:00.000-05:00

Winter Inspiration

2009-11-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

With Winter, seemingly, just around the corner and the weather starting to get that little bit of chill I thought it no better time than to start getting my sweater inspirations up and going. Will be roaming the local thrift stores, flea markets -- those that are still up and running, and clothing stores for anything that can make me look this cool. As you can tell the letterman sweater is a huge hit for this season in my eyes and there is no better place to get once than the Make Your Own section of Rugby. If your in New York, Chicago, Northern California, Texas, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, or Washington DC stop by a shop and get made or if your in the 21st century hop onto Rugby.com and do it there.

Preview

2009-11-19T00:31:00.004-05:00

I was approached not too long ago about a phenomenal opportunity to be involved in among some of the best out there. I graciously agreed and until I am able to tell you what it is...I give you this.

Tweed x BBC

2009-11-19T00:30:00.002-05:00

Harris Tweed x BBC

Men at Work

2009-11-18T00:09:00.002-05:00

With this season of Mad Men over and the last episode ending with Sterling Cooper's loss of their office space and their unfortunately setup in a hotel suite my mind drifted to the once high status of the desk. In the 21st century the idea of a corner office has been lost. Where corner offices once stood, cubicles have taken it's place. And where glorious desks once sat, multiple desk-style units have take over the wall space. So, here is my tribute to the days of corner offices, grand desks and the lunchtime martini. Here are men at work.

Don Draper's former desk

Canadian Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson

Atlanta, GA Mayor William B. Hartsfield

New York, NY Mayor Robert Wagner

Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy

RFK's Brother and 35th President of this United States of America John F. Kennedy

Some desks more unconventional than others, Ernest Hemingway

LIFE Archives | Hunting in the Old Days

2009-11-17T00:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the LIFE Archive was gracious enough to present us with some of the best pictures of "Hunting in the Old Days". Between picture of Papa Hemingway and Ike (Eisenhower) we are given a very American (at least those are the pictures I chose to feature) perspective of hunting when the Remington or the Winchester was a man's best friend.

Northern Austrailia, 1931

Theodore Roosevelt on African Safari, 1909

John Lachenmaier (left) with safari trophies, 1951

Ernest Hemingway on African Safari, 1937

Dogs and Hunters, 1946

Goose Hunt in Louisiana, 1955

Ike and Coke on quail hunt, 1961

Father and son, 1955

Steez Biting the Big Blue

2009-11-13T07:01:00.000-05:00

This winter there will be a major theme in the clothing I will be choosing. The weather will significantly different than I am used to and I will need clothing that will need to be thicker and stand-up to harsher weather than I have ever lived in. I am going to need to put a lot of trust into the clothing I buy. North Sea Clothing has been a trusted name in nautical heavy gauge sweaters since the first World War when they were created as Royal Navy War Office issued garments. They were later taken in by motorcyclist as a insulation to the Barbour/Belstaff motorcycle jacket during harsh weather.

The weather will get to points where ears ache immediately upon exit of buildings and as much as I am not excited about that or the people wearing stupid looking earmuff I am excited to purchase myself a $10.00 Rothco USN-issue Watch Cap, made in America for Americans.

And lastly, I've always been told if your head and your feet are cold then your entire body will feel cold, so I'll take two weeks worth of these. At only $5.00 a pair and made for the Extreme cold you can't go wrong.

The only reason to go...Freedman's, of course.

2009-11-13T06:46:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow from 1 to 6 Ron Robinson will be featuring Freedman's for their month long gifting extravaganza. Freedman's will be featuring their Holiday line in the custom shop at their Melrose location as well as be offering their famous custom shirts to customers, where customers can design their very own beautiful custom shirt alongside Randy Freedman himself. So head over and check out the fun. While you're there tell Randy I say hi and that I really want a shirt.

Click image to enlarge for more visible details.

The Billykirk No. 155 Card/Cash Case, Pt. 3

2009-11-12T03:43:00.001-05:00

It has been a total of 3 months of constant, everyday use and it has been scratched, mashed, beaten and sat on in the process. So what story does my Billykirk card case tell? Read it and see.

The leather has stood up to the most unsettling of situations and has aced the test of time (3 months time). In the process the leather has been scrathced, indented and has even darkened in some points of major wear. The waxed cording has soaked in a little indigo and a little dirt giving it a great coloring. There is no sign of stretching, tearing or any other sign of deterioration. By far on of the best investments I have made. Hopefully with a little more time, this will be a quality entry into [YOU_HAVE_BROKEN_THE_INTERNET]'s Well Worn series.

The Lost Art of the Postcard

2009-11-11T03:08:00.000-05:00

I have always had a soft spot for personal correspondences. I try to write as many letters as I can, when postage permits me to, but the idea of sending a postcard is as familiar as taking off your cap when in the presence of a lady. It is almost a foreign letter. Well, I give you a little homage to that which is foreign yet in its content so familiar.

Palladium x Oil x Los Angeles

2009-11-10T03:36:00.000-05:00

My father wore his in Israel, I'm wearing mine right now. Palladium the original boot of the Israel Defense Force and now the official boot of the urban explorer.

Palladium x Los Angeles

Beautiful Decay

2009-11-09T07:02:00.000-05:00

There is something very beautiful in this seemingly post-apocalyptic decay of the once decadent hometown of fellow blogger Mr. Moy of Getting Beat Like You Stole Something. French photographers, Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre takes us on a photographic tour of Detroit's once decadent now decaying past.

Michigan Central Station

Farwell Building

Donovan Building

Bank Vault

United Artists Theater

St Margaret Mary School

Fisher Body 21 Plant

Ballroom, Lee Plaza Hotel

Imogene + Willie

2009-11-06T18:08:00.000-05:00

Imogene+Willie + Project Artisan

Billykirk x The Scout

2009-11-05T23:32:00.000-05:00

"Brothers Chris and Kirk Bray have been producing leather goods for the last ten years. They launched Billykirk from Los Angeles in 1999, learning their craft from a third generation leather maker. A simple leather strap kick started the business, a decade later their collection has flourished into other offerings that consists of bags, belts, shoes, wallets, hats and other accessories. Since expanding and moving their operation to the East, they've employed a group of Amish leather makers to produce much of their line, while wrapping up production in their studio. We visited the brothers over the summer to observe their operation first hand and to discover the beauty behind the process."

Billykirk x Brennan Stasiewics x The Scout

Apolis Activism + The Nepal Project

2009-11-03T23:37:00.001-05:00

Shea, Raan and Stenn have done it again. The gentlemen at Apolis Activism have taken their small company and put it to good use once more with the Nepal Project. Following their collaboration with Filson for their Philanthropy bag dubbed the Uganda project -- for the reason that they sourced their canvas from Uganda in conjunction with the non-profit Invisible Children -- Apolis Activism partnered with the non-profit Citta for their second "Project".

Apolis is offering 3 different cashmere items for their Nepal Project. Each item is 100% cashmere from Nepal and is offered in a navy or heather scarf, a heather crew-neck sweater, and a navy or heather beanie. Beautifully constructed from the finest of cashmere. Would you expect anything less from them?

Princeton - Martina and Clive Krantz

2009-10-30T23:17:00.000-04:00

On Sale Now.

On Any Sunday...Or Any Other Day of the Week

2009-10-29T19:28:00.000-04:00

There is absolutely no reason now to say you have never seen it. Iconic in every way.

Miles Fisher - This Must Be The Place (Cover)

2009-10-26T00:46:00.000-04:00

Singer, Actor, Extraordinaire. Take a gander at his acting reel.

Welcome me back to the Blogosphere.

2009-10-24T16:36:00.000-04:00

I know, so everyone who once came to my site has left and won't see this post until I show that I am back for good. Well, I have a lot to talk about so be prepared. It is dangerous territory I have let myself fall into, but let me crawl my way out.

In the past 2 months things have changed. I am an LA-expat residing in New York still participating in my intern for the Men's Outerwear division of Polo Ralph Lauren. I have had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Yamaguchi of The Last Scout, Mr. Passarella of A Fresh Take NYC, Mr. Rojas of Archetype Showroom, Mr. Osborne of Public School, and Mr. Ciongoli of 13th & Wolf. And have been in the presence of Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Bastian and many others. These are things that LA, as much as I love it there, just does not have to offer you.

I have been fortunate enough to attend many events the most recent being the Gant 60th Anniversary launch party and exhibit and an event at the NY flagship of Billy Reid. But the best part about NY are thrifting and visiting all the old stores which I have planned to talk all about in future posts. For everyone still out there thanks for holding on and for everyone else, I hope to see you back. Enjoy the rainy weekend East coast and Enjoy the nice weather West coast.

Weekend Fun | Polaroids at Space 15 twenty

2009-08-20T03:01:00.000-04:00

EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Polaroid Group Show

Gallery Space presents EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE: A Polaroid Group Show

In conjunction with the release of the special edition Polaroid film and camera kits, Gallery Space at Space 15 Twenty in Los Angeles is hosting a month-long group show of Polaroid photography. The original Polaroid instant photographs on view in Everything is Possible will reflect the unlimited possibilities of working with this unique format. Everything is possible.

The exhibition features work from

Alana Celii

Ali Bosworth

Andrew Post

Arthur Ou

Brad Troemel

Cass Bir

Charlie Engman

Dusdin Condren

Hasisi Park

Jackson Eaton

Jason Rosenberg

Jessica Williams

Kava Gorna

Leon Batchelor

Lina Scheynius

Madi Ju

Marcelo Gomes

Margaret Durow

Mark Borthwick

Michael Hemy

Mikaylah Bowman

Mordechai Rubinstein (AKA our very own Mister Mort)

Nicholas Gottlund

Nicole Lesser

Peter Zachary Voelker

Serge Leblon

Sylvain-Emmanuel Prieur

Vava Ribeiro

Wai Lin Tse and

Ye Rin Mok

Opening Reception: Friday August 21st, 2009 from 7-9pm

With a special live performance by Mark Borthwick

A limited edition zine of the show will be available for purchase at the event.

Gallery Space 1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028

RSVP: info@space15twenty.com

Check out the flyer here.

The Last Remaining Cowboy | Freedman's Clothing

2009-08-19T03:01:00.000-04:00

Being greeted at the door of Matt Freedman was of no surprise for the older brother and face of Freedman's Clothing Randy Freedman was doing what few other brands attempt to do. Randy was on his way back from the children's hospital in downtown Los Angeles working with children on an art project which will be displayed this weekend at the the launch of their ready-to-wear line at Ron Robinson in Santa Monica. The launch and art exhibit which will include artwork by friends of Randy's including custom painted shirts and much more will be accompanies by Freedman's custom shop where you can get a made-to-measure shirt of your liking.

Hand painted shirt by Dave Dickey

But Randy didn't start out in the world of Design and Merchandising, in fact Randy didn't start out in Fashion at all. Randy was the guitar technician for Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, and many other musicians and fell into the fashion industry some years later. When he realized that he was wear a select few of his shirts that he had picked up over the years from vintage stores and thrift shops. Striking his curiosity as to what made those specific shirts so different than any others he sought out on his journey to recreate the perfect shirt. And I must testify that after trying one on there is no way I was going to take it off. From the fit to the detailing, Randy Freedman created a well fitted and beautiful piece of art.

The collection is built off two different fabrics (to start). A corduroy which comes in several different colors and wales (SPOILER ALERT: There is a beautiful pinch-pleat grid pattern introduced as well) and a denim in different shades of indigo. Beautiful snap buttons in assorted colors to complement the each shirt with 3 on the sleeve to create that western look but each shirt lacks the top button, yes the top button forcing you to relax and stop strangling yourself with ties and too tight collars. And from there each shirt is different whether there be the inclusion of a Navajo print detail or a contrast piping or even a contrast back yoke. Unfortunately due to their little knowledge of the ability of their manufacturing house to hand certain task their infamous rising sun back yoke was not included in this ready-to-wear line, but that will be remedies in the seasons to come.

But much of the vibe came from the showroom and workshop itself being that it was originally the house the Freedmans grew up in. Rather than your average showroom and workshop Freedman Clothing is houses in a 1960's style house built for entertain and filled with music and Grateful Dead memorabilia, rolls of fabric and racks of shirts. Other items include half a hand painted/carved surfboard made to look like the Freedman Clothing logo, embroidered pieces of Grateful Dead artwork and the word "CREATE" made from paper machete'd letters.

But when it comes to presentation, and if you know me -- or if you don't you will soon find out -- you know that I think, presentation is everything. You can have an amazing product but if you don't present it in the right way it will have no appeal. So that is why I was so attracted to the way Randy and Matt had displayed their product as shown below. Along with personal crates that each said Freedman on it or something to that point was Navajo blankets to match their Navajo detailing, a signed guitar by of course Ben Harper, and plethora of other trinkets that screamed out old West. Your attention was grabbed and you understood their inspiration in seconds. Merchandising at it's finest.

But the main reason I went to talk with Randy was to know everything I could about his custom shirts. So, Randy walked me through the process of getting a custom shirt made starting with the consultation. This is where the nitty gritty happens and you get to personalize the shirt. Having a plentiful amount of options to choose from lets start with fabric. The fabric is the most important part obviously and the different fabrics will create a different shirt. So you have the option of choosing from a denim/chambray of all different colors and weights, corduroy in different colors and wales, and flannels in a multitude of different plaid and plain colors. Then Randy will have you try on a ready-to-wear shirt depending on your size to see what from that needs or could be fixed to your liking. And once the sizing is done comes the small details like stitching (specifically chosen for it's strength), buttons (personally made for added strength) and anything else available like Navajo print ribbon to add the the placket on the cuff or the back yoke and/or the addition of the rising sun on the back yoke.

All the choices for custom details (loving that gingham under the table)

Once all that is done, sometime later Randy will call you back for either the final product fitting or a muslin fitting depending on how difficult the fit might be to get down. Randy then finished up the product by adding the cuffs and hemming the bottom of the shirt and within a few short weeks you will have yourself a custom shirt by Freedman Clothing. Now you might be thinking to yourself that this is way out of your price range, but I must say that for how often you will be buying an off the shelf shirt the approximately $250.00 is quite reasonable. But maybe that is a little expensive, well go this Saturday and pick yourself one up from Randy's Launch Party at Ron Robinson for $190.00 and up. My Brooks Brother shirt cost more than that and Randy's shirts fit me better than anything I have ever tried on.

Certified Americana: I would say so.

The Pocket Pal | The Apache Pocket Pistol

2009-08-18T03:01:00.000-04:00

I sometimes sit around thinking to myself that true gangsters must have a problem storing all their weapons between the knuckle dusters, the gats, and the shanks. Okay, well I don't really ponder such things but if I were a gangster, a mobster or a cowboy there would be the conundrum of where I would store all my weapons and other accoutrement. There is the possibility of a holster but with your hands in pockets how useful is that? So, in 1869 L. Dolne à Liege developed a patent for a steel and brass revolver. Not your average revolver. An 8mm caliber pepperbox revolver that folds away to be a total of 1.5 inches in width with a handle that folds away to become a slightly useless knuckle duster and a dagger that folds out no longer than an inch. Overall this work of art is absolutely useless unless your point blank. The pepperbox revolver action is as accurate as would be a blind sniper. So basically the only use for one of these would be to carry around with your around town for the periodical mugger. But if I were a gangster I would carry some sort of modern model for show. But is the original worth the $4,000 for an original? You decide.

A New Perspective | Tilt Shift Photography

2009-08-14T03:01:00.000-04:00

My Father and I used to work on HO trains when I was young always changing the town to be something a little bit different. Whether it was trying to recreate my Father's hometown of Utrecht, NL or some perfect imaginary town of your wildest dreams. But we were to indecisive and in the end the train tracks, houses, store fronts, barns, hotels, cafes and fake plant life were put into their respective boxes and placed in the garage. As a kid I was so tired of looking up at everything so to have the perspective of looking down at something made me feel larger than life and I loved it. So when I found this tilt-shift motion picture of East Los Angeles I fell in love. The angle, the shift, and the tilt make this whole video seem like you are looking down at an HO train track and it brings me back to the days of ol'.

Tilt-shift photography, a technical mix of mechanics that boggles my mind, and Smallgantics, a post production digital effect where each level of the image is blurred respectively, are the techniques used in this video and other such as the Harrowdown Hill video by Thom Yorke. These effects can trick the mind into assuming that the relative size of an object is different than it actually is, kind of like a when guys use a raised truck or a large gun to trick the...well, you get the idea.

EverLASTing | The Alden 966 Wing Tip Blucher

2009-08-13T03:01:00.000-04:00

Lately there has been one shoe that has gotten the blogging world back to American made shoes rather than the Italian and English shoes that have inundated the market as of late. That shoe is by the same company as the one that made me think twice about my career and wanting to be a stylish and adventurous archeologist. The same shoe by the last remaining New England shoe maker having been created in 1884. That shoe is the Alden 966 Wing Tip Blucker Oxford. Okay, so all that build up and you already knew what it was I was talking about. You had to have looked at the title. Nevertheless with Fall right around the corner I have been looking for good alternatives to my Vans and my Sperrys. I could think of nothing better than switching out my sneakers for something more formal with a casual aesthetic.

In Los Angeles there is no room or season change to warrant the layering and the outerwear that the Fall/Winter seasons usually brings along with them. The worst that L.A. gets is the usual Winter rains and for that I have my waxed Moncler Conder. But besides the rains the weathers tends to become timid and dry in which case my Vans and Sperrys will no longer be acceptable (well, I could wear them but why waster my Summer shoes on Winter). That is where the Alden 966 comes into play. They are an acceptable shoe to wear sockless with a pair of khakis, an OCBD and a baseball jacket or with a pair of jeans, a flannel BD and a Belstaff International.

The part that attracts me to the Alden 966 is not that they are made in America but that they are made in America using some of the finest leathers and tanneries around. The insole is made of a heavy duty leather and tanned using specially made pure vegetable tannage. That the shoe is fully lined using a special stock of high grade glove and kip leather. That specially designed lasts and steel shanks are designed to unsure comfort. That each shoe is hand stained and polished to get that perfect patina. And this whole process is done for you and your satisfaction. Not for them, though I am sure they wear their own shoes and for good reason. If you have tried on a pair go and do it I can assure you that you will never take them off.

For some great pictures of a pair of Alden 967s check out Ryan's new pair at [you_have_broken_the_internet] | Arrived: Alden 967

The Billykirk No. 155 Card/Cash Case, Pt. 2

2009-08-12T03:04:00.000-04:00

With the embossing finished and all the parts ready for assembly all that is left to reveal is the wax-infused cording used to tie the whole thing together. And that is where Kirk, the second half of Billykirk or the whole of being that Kirk is William Kirkland to be shortened by their father to Billy Kirk, steps in. Where Chris did the embossing Kirk stitched it up to finish the production process.

Using a single cord to stitch the card case, each seam is stitched in a cross pattern to give it that extra amount of strength. the back is stitched and then the bottom and tied off back where it started. Check below for more pictures of the whole process.

Kirk stitching up the backside to start to process.

Stitching the loop closure to the card case

The making of the cross stitch for double the strength

A quarter of the bottom seem finished... almost there.

The final product all stitched up.

And the final product...stitching, embossing and all.

I would like to thank Chris and Kirk for taking the time to take pictures of the process for me so that you can have something to enjoy. They were a great resource when planning my purchase and I would recommend their service to anyone. Their products live up to their reputation and their service is top notch. So what are you waiting for. Shoot them an e-mail.

Endorsed | The Find: Port Authority, LA on Valet Mag

2009-08-11T15:10:00.001-04:00

My weekday mornings start the same way every Monday through Friday. I grab myself some breakfast either at home or at 4 'n' 20 diner and either behind my Macbook Pro or my iPhone (yes, I am a huge mac nerd and wouldn't use anything else if it were up to me) I check two sites, the first being the Material Interest at men.style.com and the second and by far one of my favorite online resourses The Edit at valetmag.com. That is why I was so honored to be featured today on The Edit as The Find for Port Authority, LA. Cory, the editor-in-chief has a real eye for the up and coming and a real knack for the editorial side of lifestyle and fashion. Having only just started Port Authority, LA a little under a month a half ago it was a great to feeling to be featured on a website with such a reputation as Valet. Check it out on Valet by clicking on the picture or check out Port Authority, LA to get a dose of the West Coast.

Thanks Cory for the endorsement.

The Billykirk No. 155 Card/Cash Case, Pt. 1

2009-08-11T03:03:00.000-04:00

The process was started a little over a week ago when I e-mailed Chris Bray, one half of the infamous Brothers Bray at BillyKirk, about the possibility of a custom wallet like explained in a previous post (Fall Buying Guide | Fall = Custom). And this past week has been filled with questions, answers and communication between himself and myself trying to pick the leather color, the wax-infused cording color, and what and where I would like embossed on my new custom wallet. And with a little help and some suggestions the wallet has gone into production. But you won't have to wait Chris has kindly agreed to keep me updated of the production process.

It all starts with the same birth that all wallets come from. The basic cut-out for the No. 155 card/cash case from Amish leather workers in the state of Pennsylvania is made of one whole piece of leather. The strap is a separate piece of leather and that is where I chose to place my embossing. And having adopted my Opa's (and his Opa's and his Opa's and so on and so forward) name it means a lot to me so that is the obvious choice for my embossing.

The Supplies

The start of the embossing

Chris Bray himself working out the embossing

Now all they need is the assembly, check back for Pt. 2

The Rose Bowl Flea Market Find | Vintage Red Wings Irish Setter Boots

2009-08-10T03:10:00.000-04:00

There are a few tactics to navigating the flea market jungle. And one such as the ever famous Rose Bowl Flea Market is no exception. The RB Flea is large and tiresome to walk around in search for a single or maybe even a few items and that is exactly where I failed when approaching it in my last 4 visits. Though by luck I and obviously others had walked by Rin Tanaka on our visits but this time specifically I took a different approach. With no real need for anything specific I walked in their with as open a mind as possible and came out with an amazing item in disrepair. The vintage Red Wings Irish Setter Boots that I found looked like hell or at least that they have walked there and back. They are in complete disrepair and the sole is worn down to the point of almost no visible tread so all in all this will either be one huge project or a fun time for the Red Wings Retail store by my house.

Hopefully mine will be closer to 50% of what the J. Crew reproductions to the left look like. But in all reality Red Wings will probably hand them back calling them a lost cause. In that case I will wear them till the first sign of deterioration shows -- not that the show hasn't already started deteriorating -- and then they will sit on my shelf next to my 1930's copy of Call of the Wild, a set of deadstock Cat Paw heels, my copy's of Harley Davidson: Book of Fashions, Into the Sunset, and 100 Buffalo Bill Posters and a few other items. Too bad I didn't break them in myself but they fit like I had so it's all the same in my book.

Don't Miss Out | The RRL Bowery Boot Preview

2009-08-09T04:06:00.000-04:00

The world-renowned DoubleRL (RRL) is hosting for one night only the preview of The RRL Bowery Boot at their Prince St. (N.Y.) and Melrose (L.A.) locations. Each store will be given 22 pairs of the mid-century style constructed boot for sale right there. That means that only 44 pairs were made for distribution in the U.S. and we all know how hard it is to buy from Japan so don't miss out.

Head over to one of the two RRL stores from 6:00 - 8:00 PM to check out the bench-made, hand burnished full grain analine cowhide from Chicago's own Horween Tannery RRL Bowery boots made with goodyear welt contruction, a non-corrosive steel shank, and vintage deadstock Cat's Paw heels. But don't let the $750 price tag deter you it is well worth it relative to the 72 hours and 78 individual steps it takes to construct just a single pair of these amazing shoes.

For exclusive pictures check out MW's ACL Exclusive | RRL Bowery Boot | A Continuous Lean.

Fall Buying Guide | Fall = Custom

2009-08-07T03:12:00.000-04:00

This Fall will be my first Fall spent in Los Angeles in the past four years. As the temperature gets to it's highest point in August I disregard all temptation to buy myself more shorts and look toward what the future will hold; colder weather and darker skies. But there is a significant difference between this and any other typical Fall. I will not be looking toward J. Crew for my entire wardrobe like I thought I would at the end of Spring. In fact this will have a little more personal of a theme and it has started with a few great companies doing what they love. This Fall I am heading to my local custom clothiers. And the first place I am headed to is...

At Rogue Territory I am able to get anything I want done with basically any of the many fabrics he has in stock. With it being colder weather I am gonna go with the thickest weave selvage denim I can find. No wash (ie. raw) and a classic fit with detailing to my liking including suspender buttons and a buckle-back. I could not ask for more and if I can I most likely will.

My next stop will be to the computer to contact...

The leather working of the Brothers Bray at Billykirk on the eastern coast is unbeatable. The leather workings that they do making card cases, zipper wallets, bi/tri-fold wallets, belts, different compatibles, cuffs and bags are beyond anything that I have seen on the market. Their bags being brick mason inspired and their compatible include items for your bicycle, cufflinks and other masculine items. But most of all, their custom work including a variety of stitching along with personal embossing makes their card cases that much more desirable. A brown leather card case with natural waxed cord and my initials "CB" on the back will make an heirloom to pass on when I do exactly that.

And once I get a place to put my money I'll be heading to the one place that I have yet to write about but will be in the near future...

From Randy Freedman himself, the ex-guitar technician for Ben Harper started making shirts in early 2008 and has been doing one helluva job. Making custom shirts for friends on tour gave Randy the idea to open up shop making custom shirts for the public. My ideal shirt would be a denim workshirt with a buttondown collar and mermaid liberty patches in each sleeve. Maybe epaulets and I'd stick away from the snap buttons if possible, but since I am visiting Randy's shop in a week I don't have all the details. So, spare me till I can give you more next week.

Though the theme of Fall will be custom clothing including the custom item from Billykirk, but for the most part the best accessories are those that have been tested with time. Those are the items which can be made custom and those are the items that will be accompanying the custom wear.

*Freedman Clothing Workshirt
*Pendleton Sir Pendleton Wool Shirt
*Stetson Mercer
*Cooperstown Brooklyn Dodgers Cap
*Apolis Activism x Filson Original Briefcase
*J. Crew Shawl Collar Fleece*Persol Folding Sunglasses
*Hamilton Vintage Military Watch
*Billykirk Custom Card/Cash Case
*L.L. Bean Bean Boots
*J. Crew x Red Wing Original Irish Setter Boots
*Alden Wingtips

Find of the Day | Sailors Nude Liberty Cuff Patches

2009-08-06T03:01:00.000-04:00

Like all good men these days the ideal and wont to be just like Steve McQueen is running wild and the ability to dress like him is exceptionally hard and takes some work. But with a little research and some basic knowledge of his movies it only takes a little time to find the best details of each outfit and assemble them in a way that is Steve McQueen inspired but not a complete rip-off of his complete outfits. Plus who wants to look like they are walking right off a U-Boat. Well, any shirt can have a little Steve McQueen and Vietnam inspiration just by adding these to the inside of your cuff. The liberty cuff patches are a beautiful way to take an ordinary shirt and make it beautiful. And you can get these on eBay from a downwards of $5 and don't need to pay your life savings away on a Mister Freedom shirt.

SAILORS NUDE LIBERTY CUFF PATCHES, U S NAVY

"One pair of Mermaid Liberty Cuff patches. Left and Right cuffs. These were un-authorized patches which were sewn on the inside of the cuffs of the U S Sailor's Dress Blue uniform. We turned up the cuffs once we were off of the ship and off of the base. Liberty Cuffs have been around since WW I(a bit rare though)but gained their big popularity during the Viet Nam War. There were numerous versions from that era but they have seemed to die down in popularity since Viet Nam. Over the years Mermaids and Dragons have been the most popular and the Mermaids still seem to be hanging in there.

These cuff patches are embroidered on silk and measure 2" X 5" each and are brand new, never been sewn."

So go ahead and try and out bid me for these with 3 days to go.

Check out the dragon liberty cuffs

The Book Report | Into the Sunset: Photography's Image of the American West

2009-08-04T03:02:00.000-04:00

Of all the photography books there has been none done so well as the MOMA's compilation of images from artists ranging from Edward Ruscha to Ansel Adams to Julius Shulman to David Hockney. The list goes on and on of the contributors of to Into the Sunset: Photography's image of the American West. Not only does the inside warrant looking but it breaks the "don't judge a book by it's cover" rule. The cover caught my eye and the title dragged in. I don't have to reiterate my love for the American West and the South West but this book exemplifies everything beautiful that once was and what has become. The foreword by Glenn D. Lowry the Director of the MOMA and essay from the author of the book and curator of the MOMA exhibit of the same title Eva Respini really sets the pace for the compilation. Have looked through book 6 times already since I bought it a day ago I will find myself looking through this many times more for inspiration.

More pictures of the book and select pictures from the book after the jump.

Ansel Adams. Mount Williamson, Sierra Nevada, from Mansanar, California. c. 1944

Eadweard J. Muybridge. Valley of the Yosemite from Mosquito Camp. 1872

Robert Frank. Covered car - Long Beach, California. 1955

Julius Shulman. Case Study House #22. 1960

For more check the book out yourself and enjoy the 133 photos from over 60 different photographers. There are some gems and some even more precious photos to inspire you over and over again. Jump in and get a feel for American West the way it is meant to be felt.

The Preference | Cuffed or Rolled?

2009-08-03T03:04:00.000-04:00

There comes a time in every man's life where he will have to make the most important decision of his life. To cuff or to roll. Are you a man who prefers a more precise cuff to the lackadaisical roll? Or do you prefer a more devil-may-care roll to the stuffy cuff? There are those who cuff and roll for the basic necessity of needing to stop their pants from rubbing against the ground and will head straight for their tailor and ask for their inseam to be shortened. But those are not the gentlemen I am referring to right now. The ones I am referring to are those who take inspiration from the utilitarian style of workwear or the classic East Coast style of the Ivy-Leaguers. Those who wear their selvedge denim with a 2" cuff or those who wear their crisp chinos rolled 2" above their Sperrys.

Now I understand more than anyone that it is all a matter of preference and for utilitarian reasons. That a cuff can sometimes be used to shorten the pants without adding too much weights and that a roll can be done to add weight but with no break in the pants. But when it comes to my own personal preference I usually stick to the roll whether it is a pair of selvedge denim jeans, a pair of chinos or a pair of beat-up jeans. The roll for me is not that thick break in the silhouette from your feet to you legs and it does not leave that unsightly wear line when you decide you want to uncuff the pant legs.

But these aren’t an easy style to pull off. There is the possibility that you try something new and roll the bottom of the pants and instead of getting this cool devil-may-care roll effect you get this tubing at the bottom of your pants that just looks down right silly. Or maybe you cuff the pants and when you think the cuff is just right you realize when you get home after the day out that you looked just like Justin Timberlake at Fashion Rocks 5. But what is life without a little chance, without testing the boundaries?

Now you can just screw the whole damn thing have the pants break way more than they should and/or drag on the ground to only end up having to throw away a perfectly good pair of pants. But that is your call. Nevertheless your pants should not be the only thing you think about rolling and I’m not talking about a joint. Your sleeves have the possibility to be rolled or cuffed as well. And they have the same effect that rolling or cuffing your pants does. The utilitarian purpose of the sleeve is not for added weight though but for beating the heat. And there are many ways of doing but according to Esquire there is only one proper way.
Though the cuff/roll of your shirt is different than the cuff/roll of your pants. But it still comes down to your preference and how you feel comfortable. For me if I cuff my pants I will roll my sleeves but if I roll my pants which is most of the time I will cuff my sleeve though I have been toying with the idea of rolling both.

Stolen from the Source | GQ's The Hair Primer

2009-07-22T03:01:00.000-04:00

With the new season of Mad Men coming this August 16th -- you bet your life I'm counting the days -- People are looking to the show yet again for style influences. From tie bars to collar stays to french-cuff dress shirts with beautiful cufflinks the style that these men have is undeniable. But their style was head to toe and the head was a very important part of their image. Now make it one of yours with this guide from the gentlemen at GQ. Get a cut and take some advice from the true Mad Men at GQ.

C’mon, who among us doesn’t suffer through a bad-hair day now and then, or obsess about what kind of product to use, or stress about going gray? We grabbed six very different real guys, threw in a heap of expert advice, and figured out how to make the most of the head we’ve been dealt.

Six Things You Need to Know Now

• Do go to a hair salon if you’ve got a longer, more elaborate coif.

• Don’t go to a salon if you want something standard, like a side part or a pompadour. An inexpensive barber will do.

• Do shampoo and condition your hair.

• Don’t wash it every time you shower—a couple of times a week is enough. (Your hair’s natural grease is healthy.)

• Do get a fresh cut in preparation for a big event, like a wedding.

• Don’t get it done the day before. Unless you’re Kid Cudi (see slide 4), your hair needs a week after a cut to look its best.

Scott Ewald, 36
Visual merchandising coordinator, Hickey Freeman

The Throwback
Want to look like Cary Grant? First, determine which direction your hair naturally falls. Then notice how Scott combs his hair to the side and back at an angle, not directly across. He also reaches for Queen Helene hard-to-hold style gel to get that shellacked look. A choice side part, however, starts with the right cut. Find a barber you like, get him to follow these steps, and return every two or three weeks.

1. On Top: Trim and layer with scissors so hair lies back on top and fades into the sides.
2. On Sides: Electric clippers with a No. 2 guard.
3. In Back: No hard lines—fade the hair naturally down the back of the neck.
4. On Top: Every third time Scott sees his barber, he has him thin his hair by shearing it with toothed scissors.

Kid Cudi, 25
Musician (new album: The Man on the Moon: End of the Day)

The Neo-Fro (And How To Manage It)
1. The look Cudi calls “grungy” is actually very tidy. His barber uses electric clippers to create clean edges that frame his face.
2. He does let his curls go a bit, however. But who doesn’t right now? Just check out Kanye and Jay-Z.
3. Bigger hair, though, doesn’t mean a bigger beard. (He ain’t Rick Ross.) Cudi keeps it trim, fading seamlessly from his sideburns.

Kid Cudi on his ever-evolving do: “When I lived in Cleveland, I had a barber who was by appointment only. We’d just kick it in his shop—I’d play him some of my music, and we’d crack jokes and watch movies. In high school, I kept a Caesar for a while, I had a Mohawk, and I used to apply these texturizer kits so I could have the bomb S-curl. I used to think I was [singer] Carl Thomas. Now I’m letting my hair grow out a bit, and I have this guy called Lyte who cuts my hair twice a week. Since I’m letting it go longer, I just get a trim and a lineup. I don’t really get the full cut anymore. I’m embracing my grungy look.”

Kurt Schroeder, 42
sales, Ever Clothing

The thinner—or more receding—your hair, the shorter you should keep it.

Get a Grip on Pomade

Kurt Schroeder has sported the same rockabilly-inspired haircut for twenty years. The key to its success is pomade.
• If you’re hard-core about your pomade, you can’t go wrong with Murray’s. It’s heavy-duty grease that essentially doesn’t wash out. (Just be careful: When Kurt got married, his wife got tired of throwing out pillowcases and made him switch brands.) Here’s how to apply it: Open the can and run hot water in it. When it’s nice and lubed up, dip your fingers in and scoop out a little bit. Rub it between your fingers, then run your fingers through your wet hair. Comb, like Kurt, or style with your hands.
• If you want a pomade that doesn’t rub off on your wife’s linens, consider water-soluble pomades, like 360 Style (which Kurt digs) or Cool Grease (a popular Japanese brand).
• If you’ve got thick hair, consider clay-based pomades by brands like Baxter of California, American Crew, and Fekkai for Men. They’ll give a grittier feel and a matte finish.

A Good Barber’s Secret Weapon

All text and Photos courtesy of GQ

The Rose Bowl Flea Market Find | Harley-Davidson Book of Fashions 1910s - 1950s

2009-07-21T03:01:00.000-04:00

After been at the Rose Bowl Flea Market last weekend for 3 hours already my blood sugar was low, I was dehydrated and as Bill Sack said it as we passed each other upon entry, "I was uninspired". But it was just about time to give up and head home for lunch when it caught my eye. It was a strange placement for a book, in the middle of the vintage clothing area across the bridge and right next to some fantastic vintage military and motorcycle wear.

The book that caught my eye was among the colorful Freedamn books I was first introduced to at American Rag Cie. The cover was distinct and curling from the sun and heat but the book was too good to let get out of my grasp. But when another one was pulled out and it was in mint condition, my wallet followed suit. And then came the shock. A small Japanese gentleman asked me a very unusual question, "What would you like me to write?" I was utterly confused. And with a quick thought I quickly asked him if he was the author. And so he was. So I had him purely sign his name.

I really wish I had the energy or the ability to act on my toes and have interviewed Rin Tanaka, but I was not able to. But fortunate to me I was speaking with a good family friend who had informed me that Mr. Tanaka was a friend of theirs. Maybe that interview will go from the lost opportunity to a reality. You will just have to wait and see.

Oh and thanks Bill for reminding me but Karl over at Rogue Territory pointed me over to this post last week when I told him about this book so check out Michael Williams experience at the Rose Bowl in buying the same book. There is an uncanny resemblance in the experience we had, maybe that is a part of Mr. Tanaka's gimick. Only unlike Michael I was not privvy to the book like he was before purchasing it. His knowledge is usually far more expansive than mine is. And sorry Michael for jacking your post, it is too good of a book to let go untalked about. Check out his post here... ACL | Harley Davidson Style 1910 - 1950

The Long Awaited | Katin USA Custom Surf Trunks

2009-07-20T09:40:00.001-04:00

A month ago I had the distinct pleasure of participating in and writing about a rare opportunity presented to the public by the generous brothers at Apolis Activism and the Mother and Son team at Katin USA. And with that opportunity came a 4 week long wait for the final product. But as of Saturday that wait had ended and my new custom-fitted, hand made Katin USA surf trunks had arrived. I picked them up in the early afternoon from American Rag Cie. and couldn't help but stop by to see Karl as I waited for them to be pulled and bagged. Not having a fitting first and going straight from measuring to production made me nervous. I wasn't quit sure if I would actually like them or if all would go well so I went classic. Okay I went simple, but it was well worth it. In the end what I got was a pair of trunks that are timeless. Not only in the construction which should last me the rest of my life but the style could work just as well in the 50's as it could in the 60's. 70's all the way to today.

So, basically my weekend was spent at the beach wearing in the canvas of the shorts. If I knew how to surf I would try them out, but that will be my next venture. I promise by next summer, and if anyone knows how and is willing to teach, I would love to hit the beaches so hit me up. Nevertheless, the shorts are a one of a kind, designed by me and I could not have asked for more (well, I could have but I wouldn't have wanted to). So, check them out after the jump along with some old photos.

Lifeguard Red with an Off-White competition stripe

signed and dated...Sato Shimura 2009

Original owner, customer and Sato Hughes back in the day

Getting Personal | Rogue Territory

2009-07-15T03:01:00.000-04:00

When it comes to custom clothing most people with automatically think of suits, shirts, and jackets but what about everything else you wear on a daily basis? What about the one pair of clothing that goes through the most wear and tear? Well, that is wear Karl Thoennessen steps in. Formerly in the field of marketing in San Diego Karl moved to L.A. to fill a gap. A gap that he had noticed in the denim business. And after some time of losing hope, Karl met the gentlemen at Work Custom Jeans in Echo Park where he traded marketing help for the ability to learn the trick of the trade of the custom denim business. And boy, did he learn quickly. After barely anytime Karl opened up shop in the Jean Shop at American Rag Cie. Rogue Territory was born.

In a 8' x 10' space where American Rag was about to set up a Tailor's station for their Jean Shop, Karl showed up out of nowhere and offered them the opportunity to do a little more. Karl, the one and only behind the company, has expanded the company from making any style jean you wanted from the small selection of selvage denim to making a 5 piece ready-to-wear line for the likes of Craft and expanding their custom offerings to two different price, a $400 and a $700 option. So, if you're opting of a custom pair of jeans you would be best to opt for the $700 which includes a personal measuring session by Karl himself, a consultation about the different options for fit, pockets, fabric and more, and then he pins you up to give you a rough idea of the fit which from that he makes a pattern that he keeps on file for future reference. Once he doesn't need you anymore he sits down at one of the two single needle machines to make you the best pair of jeans you can ask for. Now, all I need to do is convince Karl to use this article as payment for my pair. -- Karl, you getting this? -- But, check it out in the far back reaches of the American Rag Cie. Jean Shop and tell him Shaun sent you, not that it will get you anything. Check out some pictures of the place after the jump.

The Resurgence of the Man | The Hill-Side

2009-07-10T03:30:00.000-04:00

As the runway shows progress in Milan and Paris the trends show nothing more than feminine frills and nonfunctional design. See-through mesh clothing, tights, hair accoutrement, and the like but the companies that my eyes are focused on are not on the runway. In fact, they are not even in most stores, they are in the hands and pockets of a select few true men out there. And if you look close enough you just might see the canvas tag on the edge of that beautiful selvage chambray handkerchief that reads The Hill-Side.

Emil Corsillo, part owner and designer of the Hill-Side, is one of those men. So, while he was in Los Angeles I could not pass up the chance to talk and get to know the man behind the selvage chambray. So, I invited him to join me for an early afternoon drink at Coach & Horses, a phenomenal dive bar on Sunset. It didn't take long to point him out with his familiar but new canvas bag, Folk shirt and vintage Oliver People glasses. So we sat down and ordered a drink.

From there we talked about the progress of The Hill-side, how it's taken off to the point where they are turning stores away for their first season and saying no to a very, and I mean very, large account that would take them from the small brothers-owned company they are to a powerhouse in no time. And all for good reason. Emil and his brother are creating a relationship and a trust between themselves and the stores that have taken a chance in purchasing their product before they had a reputation to back themselves up with. And what a smart choice those stores made.

Emil then reached down to grab the canvas bag that looked all to familiar. I didn't realize till I was already on my way home that he had showed me an all canvas bag with leather handles and straps and brass buckles from the L.A.-based Heritage Leather Co. As he grabbed the bag, I noticed his logo stamped on the front and when he pulled out a rolled piece of canvas I knew I was in for a surprise. Unraveling the canvas to reveal some of the most beautiful ties I have ever seen was like opening a birthday gift that you couldn't keep. Excited, happy, and appreciative to only have the contents wrapped back up after the line was shown to me. And as I looked at each piece, it was the little things that mattered that made The Hill-Side what it is.

The love of a product is most expressed in the details. In the hand stamped number on the back of each tie, the selvage edge at the edge of the ties and handkerchiefs, the store that was expressed with each individual tie, and the line sheets that were professionally printed on card stock and hand tied with string. The care that was put into each item he handed me, even though they were samples made each of them that much more special. Restoring my faith in the once thought to be ever lost art of the hand made/hand tailored apparel item.

The Millenial Masons

2009-07-07T03:08:00.000-04:00

In a time where secret societies are feared for what the outside does not know about them, a new group of men take the idea of the Freemason to new and younger level. From the depth of the smokey rooms that was once believed to be the same types of places that our Founding Fathers were plotting their "New World Order" a group of your gentlemen arise and break the barrier of what it means to be a Freemason in today's society. And where is this change taking lead from? None other than all over Los Angeles. Take a look at what the Los Angeles Times had to say just over a month ago.

IN LOS FELIZ, across from a 7-Eleven on North Vermont Avenue, a few dozen men in their early 20s to late 80s share a dinner behind closed doors. Some wear full tuxedos with bow ties and jeweled cuff links, some have shoulder-length hair, and others wear open-collared shirts that reveal the slightest filigree of tattoo arching across their chests.

Over Italian food, retired lawyers and judges sit elbow-to-elbow with owners of scrap metal yards and vintage clothing boutiques. They hold forth on philosophy, the weather; they rib each other and joke about saving room for cannoli. As they reach for seconds, they reveal skull-cracking rings emblazoned with a compass and a square.

Meet the millennial Masons. As secret societies go, it is one of the oldest and most famous. Its enrollment roster includes Louis Armstrong and Gerald Ford, and it has been depicted in movies such as “The Da Vinci Code” and “National Treasure.” Once more than 4 million strong (back in the 1950s), it has been in something of a popularity free-fall ever since. Viewed with suspicion as a bastion of antiquated values and forced camaraderie, the Masons have seen membership rolls plummet more than 60% to just 1.5 million in 2006.

Only now the trend seems to be reversing itself, and nowhere more noticeably than in Southern California. The reasons seem clear. In another Masonic Hall, this one on La Cienega, a Sri Lankan-born banker, a sunglasses-wearing Russian immigrant and a continent-hopping Frenchman break bread, poke at their salads and chat about their health.

"For a time it looked as if Masonry was going into a sharp decline, if not the death throes," said UCLA history professor Margaret C. Jacob, who has written extensively about the fraternal order. "But it looks like it may be making a comeback."

That's because the Freemasons, whose tenets forbid soliciting or recruiting members, have enthusiastically embraced the Internet as a way to leverage curiosity about an organization with its roots in Europe's medieval stonemasons guilds. Freemasonry today sees itself as a thinking man's salon, a learned society with a philanthropic bent.

"We had a record number of new members last year," said Allan Casalou, grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of California. "We added 2,000 men, which is the most since 1998 and our seventh straight year of membership increases."

And, to paraphrase that Oldsmobile campaign, these definitely aren't your father's Freemasons. They are bar owners, male models and olive-oil brokers. They are men like Zulu, an L.A. tattoo artist with a swirling Maori-inspired design inked across his face and a panoply of metal piercing his ears, nose and face. They are men like Jonathan Kanarek, who runs a men's vintage clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard and whose retro chic wardrobe of polka-dot ascots, glen-plaid jackets and smartly pressed pocket squares earned him a spot on Esquire magazine's 2007 list of best-dressed real men in America. And they are men like Daemon Hillin, whose surfer-dude looks and blinding white smile can be found on Japanese TV, where he plays sidekick and comic foil to the Japanese version of the Hilton sisters.

They are also all men who want to be part of an all-for-one and one-for-all brotherhood built on shared ideals, philosophical pursuits and a penchant for rings, aprons and funny hats. As Zulu bluntly put it: "I joined because I was looking for people to hang with that were like-minded but also hip and cool, and a lot of tattoo artists tend to be drunks and druggies."

Hillin, who originally joined the Masons in Temecula, moved to L.A. and is interested in the Santa Monica-Palisades Lodge No. 307, one of the youngest and most diverse congregations in the state (the average age of active brothers is just 33). The lodge's senior deacon, Jim Warren, calls it " 'Star Trek' without the chicks." "We have every possible national origin, ethnicity and religious denomination you could imagine," he said.

Warren credits the Internet. "We were one the first lodges in the state to have a website up," he said. "That led to a huge spike in membership."

Other lodges followed suit, putting up their own sites and drawing a crowd. That's how prospective Mason Johnny Royal ended up at the door of Elysian Lodge No. 418 last month. Intrigued by the distinctive Masonic architecture that graces most halls, the 31-year-old publicist with sideburns to his chin and hair to his shoulders and a Renaissance lute player tattoo on his right forearm hit the Web.

What he read about the Masonic ideals -- wisdom, strength, beauty and the pursuit of knowledge -- made him decide to pursue membership. "My generation wants to be part of something beyond itself," Royal said. "I want to learn; I want to participate."

The Web generation

THE INTERNET hasn't only made it easier to learn about the Freemasons, Casalou says, it's changed the type of men coming forward. "There is so much information on the Internet that by the time someone comes to a lodge to seek membership, they already know a lot about Masonry," he said. "Which is a big departure from previous generations. And it means they are more likely to be active participants."

Zulu became curious about Freemasonry after tattooing Masonic symbology on several clients. He joined five years ago at age 39 and now serves as webmaster and senior warden of North Hollywood Lodge No. 542. He has also gone on to become both a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner (Masonic membership is a prerequisite for both), and next year he will become the leader of his lodge. "I'll be the first black worshipful master in the lodge's history," he said, using the proper term of respect.

But he probably won't be the last. Because California's contingent of Freemasons is expected to grow, the average age of its members, once 71 and now 65, is expected to drop. By 2018, as Casalou predicts, the state will be awash in 55-year-old pre-retirement Masons giving each other secret handshakes, wearing ritual aprons and invoking the Grand Architect of the Universe.

The Internet continues to help. Zulu said that he gets at least four e-mails a week from prospective Masons around the globe who see his tattooed and pierced visage at the lodge website and want to be reassured such an alternative look isn't a barrier to membership.

"Yeah, I think it's going to become hip and chic to be a Mason," Zulu said. "And that could be a dangerous thing."

For more information visit the in depth archives and expanse knowledge at the National Heritage Museum: American Masonry.

The American Heritage Masonic Museum
4357 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90010

Tuesday-Saturday
10 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
noon - 4:30 PM
Free admission and parking

Doing it Right | Mr. William Sack

2009-07-06T03:01:00.000-04:00

Of all the obsessives, fanatics, and connoisseurs within the fashion business, there is none quit like Mr. William Sack. Bill, as he informally goes by, has been a professional retail associate for quite sometime making his way from street/urban wear to the likes of the Stronghold and his current venture Craft. At Craft he works with the owners Pete and Rosa to build the brands and collaborations that will grace the store in the coming seasons plus any other task that may come about. With this type of freedom Bill is given the ability to do research and merchandising and is able to let his creative side flow to expand his already vast knowledge.

Photo by Christopher Jovan

It is rare to find a person that truly knows the difference between selvedge, selvage and salvage. To even know someone who can pinpoint a first production of the LVC over other production runs of the same reproduction Levi is rare if unheard of. Bill Sack, as he called himself, is a sponge when it comes to quality and functional items. And just talking to him for a short amount of times really showed the expanse of his knowledge. So, I commend you Bill for doing what you love, loving what you do and doing it right.

Doing it Right | Black Watch

2009-07-02T03:05:00.000-04:00

Named after the Black Watch tartan of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and authored by the menswear guru Jon Patrick of The Selvedge Yard. Having worked with and for the best at Hartmarx and Polo has given him the skill and knowledge to be a teacher among the novice bloggers out there on the scene including myself. Wise is not the only aspect of J.P. that makes him unique, it is his attitude. J.P. once told me "don't ever screw someone over in this business, you'll never live it down." You will always find that someone knows someone who you have screwed over or helped out. And I have taken his advise very seriously offering my help to anyone anywhere who might need it -- seriously take me up on it whether it be a small trade show that you need help running or find some obscure fabric in a place where few apparel fabric shops can be found.

So, when I saw that J.P. had posted a little something about vintage Los Angeles on Black Watch I decided that it was something worth a look and worth a post.

(42nd) Black Watch (1881) presents L.A. Stories Told Through Vintage Pics | UCLA Archives

Find of the Day | Suits Made to Order

2009-06-30T03:10:00.000-04:00

With my dream to open a men's shop, similar to Craft with a hint of Freeman's Sporting Club and a tad of Smith+Butler, I am always looking for cool antiques that would work well in my new store. Unfortunately there is no store and therefore this beautiful piece of work is up for grabs. So take while you can with it ending at 9:00 AM PST.

Early Paint+Foil Glass Tailor Sign SUITS MADE TO ORDER

The Place To Go | Craft, Los Angeles

2009-06-30T03:08:00.000-04:00

Shopping in Los Angeles is extensive but monotonous or poor. You either find the same old things you could buy at Barney's or your looking at Sean John or Enyce, oh and don't forget Ed Hardy. I won't deny there are a few diamonds among the mounds of coal, The Stronghold and South Willard, but to find a Burmese Ruby in the bunch was fantastic. So, while on a run to the Pacific Design Center, I made my second trip to Craft, a Los Angeles men's store by husband/father and wife/mother Pete and Rosa Arbelaez. Located in the 513/515 building on La Cienega, it is a must see for anyone looking for the best. With a collection from Alden, Sugar Cane Co., Buzz Rickson, Left Field NYC and Kicking Mule Workshop you can't go wrong. Pete and Rosa have graciously accept to be interviewed so expect more in depth information about what to expect in the Fall, and what to know about them. Oh, and a few great pictures, since this one was borrowed from Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean for the GQ Blog.

Craft, Los Angeles
513/515 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048

The Unveiling | Port Authority, LA

2009-06-29T11:05:00.000-04:00

I would like to announce that my new site, Port Authority, LA, is up and running. It is a compilation of pictures of, about and portraying LA with some head to toes. The logo is a work in progress so expect trials of new ones every so often. Thanks.

Port Authority, LA

Find of the Day | Take Ivy

2009-06-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

It isn't rare but it isn't that common either to find a copy of Take Ivy on eBay, so when I found one currently at $599.99 today it was just another day on eBay. But this time I found one that actually had a few days left till the end of the auction. Now, don't go bidding your saving away, this gem will raise in price at least another $300.00 before the action ends. It is in pretty good condition with just a tear to the jacket on the front top corner.

TAKE IVY

Update on new site...

2009-06-26T03:01:00.000-04:00

Another of and the last of the updates on the new site until I announce it for its unveiling. The site is done and ready to go I am just tweaking some final minor details. So here is the deal, the new site will be a compilation of pictures of and portraying the attitude of Los Angeles. I will be moving my head to toe's to this site including the very special one by Clint of The Constants Kept and my find of the day which will change slightly will also be moved to this new site. I am excited about this because I have an extensive library of pictures on my computer that I had no idea what to do with for the longest time until now. If anyone else has a site similar please comment or e-mail me, I would love to check it out.

Today in History | The Untimely Demise of Farrah Fawcett

2009-06-26T00:01:00.000-04:00

The past Tri-Delt and international sex icon Farrah (formerly Ferrah) Fawcett passed away in Santa Monica yesterday after a three year battle with cancer. It was tragic and we will all miss our Angel.

Doing it Right | A Continuous Lean

2009-06-25T03:02:00.000-04:00

I have always been partial to Mr. William's attitude towards commenters on his site and towards his everyday style. He is a snazzy dresser, clean cut, and has one of the most extensive thermos collection known to mankind. But I was tipped over the edge today when after his multiple visits to L.A. he finally wrote about it and as opinionated as he might be the post was quit shocking, especially from a New Yorker. So, check it out.

Mr. Williams (center) with Jim (left) of Lead Derby and Chad (right) of Crate Denim and Secret Service LA

ACL's opinion of West Coast Style Americana...

Obsession | Money

2009-06-23T03:01:00.000-04:00

When looking to update my websites all too amateur design I came across these. Vintage banknotes for far more than they were originally worth. So a two dollar bill can be worth $93.00 in less than 100 years, I should definitely start a savings account...under my bed of the oldest bill I can find but I probably shouldn't have said that. Anyway I'm not hear to talk about the worth of a vintage bank not but the beautiful design that once went into them rather than the color and randomly placed numbers and hidden pictures though those are cool and all.

The history of the United States currency is a long and grueling one with the gold and silver standard being pegged and unpegged to the paper currency. But the history of the design is of an unknown nature to me though I wish I knew more. So fill me in if you know anything. Check out the beauty.

Layout change

2009-06-22T10:15:00.001-04:00

Completely revamped the layout of my site. Tell me what you think. Likes, dislikes, funny comments, or just say anything you want to say.

Event Recap | Apolis Activism x Kanvas by Katin MTM Event

2009-06-19T03:01:00.000-04:00

As I get out of the car in the parking garage of American Rag Cie I am greeted by a dapper young gentleman in a blue oxford, linen tie, Rag + Bone jeans, leather boots and an Apolis Activism jacket. After sparking up conversation on the walk to the front doors it is revealed that he is one of the three bothers in charge of Apolis Activism. Shea, the one I spoke to the most and met in the parking lot, was a great guy, both kind and interesting having travelled the world with his brothers and being versed in culture. And it definitely showed in their ability to hold themselves in manner befitting of a gentleman and in their concepts/designs.

Taken straight from their site..."They anchored this vision in the word Apolis, which translates as 'a citizen of no country' — where there are no flags and no borders, humanity is our common cause and greatest priority." Their vision and recent collaborations makes this company unique and worthwhile.

Glenn and Sato Hughes of Katin

So, it was not surprising that they recently collaborated with Kanvas by Katin, a 50 year old this year veteran to the world of surfing. Started by a couple first in the market of boat covers and sails, a surfer commissioned them to create a pair of board shorts that would stand the rough lifestyle and brutal sea salt that comes along with being a surfer. And so they did. As Glenn Hughes, son of the Sato Hughes the owner and seamstress for Katin since 1961 when immigrated to the USA from Japan, put it the pants could stand up on their own. With that said how could I pass up on the opportunity to get a pair from the best, I didnt.

Having waited for the gentleman before me to get his pair and having been a little bit of a nag, by the time my turn came I knew exactly what I wanted. So, I told him. I wanted them to look as original as possible, so I get Red canvas shorts with the original patch on the bottom left leg, a off-white -- they called it beige -- 4' competition stripe. Each pair of custom shorts will be made by hand in their Surfside shop by Sato Hughes and will come signed by her.

Now I get to the conundrum of whether I should wear them or frame them. Most likely I will wear them. Nevertheless, they never seem to stop amazing me. Not only were the brothers of Apolis Activism and the mother and son of Katin there but Katin brought their whole crew and a photographer from the world famous Japanese magazine Free&Easy was there.

The crowd was intimate and of course fun, and I see a hopeful future for the two brands. Especially with the new collaboration between Apolis Activism and Filson...a little preview of their bag to come right below. Their involvement with Invisible Children and with other not-for-profit organization is right up my alley. So check them out and get involved.

TWGA for All Plaidout | Things My Father Taught Me

2009-06-18T03:01:00.000-04:00

For Father's Day Max Wastler, the mastermind behind All Plaidout, asked me to write a feature on my father's style. The e-mail went something like this...

"...I'm reaching out to some folks re: Father's Day. I know very little of your relationship with your father, but if you'd like, I'd love to have you contribute a short write-up on his style. What you've borrowed from him. What you never could. What you never would. That kinda thing. Contribute photos, yours or stock. Whatever you like..."

With no questions asked I agreed to write about the Things My Father Taught Me.

Apolis Activism x Kanvas by Katin MTM Event

2009-06-17T03:01:00.000-04:00

With summer being as elusive as it has ever been and June gloom getting the best of Los Angeles, today's sunshine was a breath of fresh air or at least warm air. But the one thing I love best about the warm weather is the chance to get back into the water. But my one problem is getting to the beach and seeing all those baggy, hanging-off-the-ass board shorts. Why can't they just buy a pair that fits them? Well, not only can they buy a cool pair that they can flaunt at the beach but also a pair that is personally made for them, meaning they will actually fit properly how the board short was originally designed to fit. So to all those douche-bags, I mean beach goers who can't seem to buy a pair of board shorts that fit...here you go. Head over and get yourself a pair.

New Addition

2009-06-16T18:31:00.001-04:00

There will soon be a new addition to the TWGA family. No, not another author, but another site by a completely different name. Until it's unveiling it will be underwraps. All I will say is that it will change the way TWGA is and posts will be slightly less frequent -- probably a MWF-type deal or less -- and will be information based, ie. journalistic interviews and articles. More information to come as the completion nears.

Find of the Day | Vintage Craftsman Tool Box

2009-06-16T03:02:00.000-04:00

In light of Father's Day this weekend I will be posting a series of Father approved items. These are pleasantly useful and pleasantly fun. The first is, at least for my Father, one of the most useful and beautiful things I could get him. Having a garage filled with tools, both hand and mechanical, the only thing wrong is that they are scattered all over the garage. Maybe he needs a wall to organize everything rather than a tool box, but whatever.

So, check it out for yourself on eBay for some descriptions or after the jump for some pictures of the insides. It ends today at 9:45 AM so go quickly and try to beat me.

VINTAGE WOODEN CRAFTSMAN MACHINIST TOOL BOX 5 DRAWER

Weekend Recap | SSLA/ATtG Pinewood Derby

2009-06-15T03:01:00.000-04:00

The last and final post about the pinewood derby. It was a ton of fun, got to meet some interesting people and saw some creative people's work in action. So, with no further ado here is the much awaited unveiling of the TWGA & DAD entry for the derby...

Check after the jump for more pictures of the cars, the derby and the winner...

The Track with Chad of Secret Service LA looking down from the starting line

The Trophies: First Place, First Loser, Best in Show, and Worst in Show

The line-up as it was when I first got there

The line-up as it was when I left

TWGA & DAD's Entries (AKA my entries) and the one on the left I got from my Aunt at only a few months old and glad I could actually use it

A Time to Get's Entry

Steven Alan West Coast's Entry

Getting Beat Like You Stole Something's Entry

The Winner and Beer Supplier, Nakhon's Entry

The Vael Project's Entry

10 Engines & Son's Entry

Dianna Maggio's Entry (Jimmy Shoo)

A Continuous Lean's Entry

Lead Derby's Entry

The Ship Wrecker (Not sure who entered this one)

Best in Show and the First Loser, Mr. Winter's Entry

The real deal

Video | Band of Outsiders, 1964

2009-06-12T03:02:00.000-04:00

Pinewood Car = No Time for Anything

2009-06-12T03:01:00.000-04:00

With my lack of time for anything but the finishing of my pinewood car I have decided that the best thing was to update everyone on the progress and to give a few pictures of pinewood cars after the jump. And check back Saturday night for the final product which will be unveiled after the event along with some pictures and a write up. Enjoy.

1st Annual SS/STG Good People Revival & Pinewood Derby

2009-06-11T03:02:00.000-04:00

When I was young I was not one to be apart of the boy scouts, cub scout, or any other type of scout that may exist. My after school activity usually consisted of hanging out at the shipping and fabric houses at my Mother and Father's work or hanging out with my Mother at home after she quit to raise me.

So, when it comes to activities like camping, and certain arts and crafts I am what some may call a newb. That is why I jumped at the chance to participate in a Pinewood Derby. But it is not your run of the mill pinewood derby or in other words it not a PG-rated boy scout pinewood derby. But with only a few days to go and the 13th coming fast. So, if you haven't started you're screwed which means one less car to beat. So, come for the food, the drinks, the betting, the voting or the shit-talking cause it is bound to be a blast.

Check out the progress after the jump. And I hope to see everyone there or at least their car.

Find of the Day | Style with Benefits

2009-06-10T03:02:00.000-04:00

Style with Benefits is a phenomenal site chronicling the life of a transplant -- New Jersey to L.A. -- twin in the best way possible, through words, pictures and quotes. I thank her for finding me for if not I would never have found her. It is an amazing opposition to my one-sided male-friendly site. After the jump will be a few quotes and pictures from her site. So, check it out for yourself to get the full effect, plus Rebecca is beautiful and stylish so it makes it that much nicer and to glance through.

Doing it Right | Getting Beat Like You Stole Something

2009-06-10T03:01:00.000-04:00

When it comes to posting I stick to what I know and that mainly includes things of a masculine nature. Between the WWII-era eBay finds, the vintage car and air shows, and the different places I write about they are all aimed at one specific gender...Men. So, when I want help with the other side of life I look to one place, Getting Beat Like You Stole Something. The one and only Greenjeans, AKA Jon, has the best section I have seen on any blog out there "Stuff for your girl".

"Stuff for your girl" is a phenomenal section of...well, stuff for your girl and not a single thing on their can be seen as subjectively likable. They are all top notch choices from a wide variety of styles and categories of fashion. In fact, my favorite -- which can be found after the jump -- came just in time or in other words the day before the birthday of an ex-girlfriend and close friend of mine who I just so happened to purchase two item for based off the recommendations from his site.

But don't be deterred if you don't have a girlfriend, there are plenty of wonderful posts on his site about great things for just men. Especially yesterday's post about Gost. A great clothing line with some wonderful graphic tees. So check it out and enjoy, it is definitely worth your time.

stuff for your girl

Snoozer Loser just released some awesome new accessories for the Summer. Although this quartz one is actually from their Spring collection, I still love it. I bet your girl would look pretty awesome rocking this with a simple white tee and some denim. And for 18 bucks, it's totally worth her smile, isn't it?

This Gypsy necklace is from the new line of accessories and is pretty dopeshow. I think girls like fringe necklaces, but I'm not sure. All I know is that any girl who likes this necklace probably has a cool dress to go with it.

This is by far my favorite piece of the new line. It's a pendant from the '60s designed to hold $2 in quarters. So cool.
This is the ideal 'just because' gift. Unique, pretty, and with a hint of whimsy. Just like her right?

Sonia from Snoozer Loser makes it way too easy for us guys. They even come wrapped in a hand-stamped jewelry box tied with silk ribbon. Seriously, you have no excuse now.

Get it all here.

Find of the day | Le Labo

2009-06-09T03:02:00.000-04:00

With mass produced scents/perfumes/colognes -- what ever it is you want to call them -- costing an upwards of $100 it is nice to see a company that takes your scent seriously. Le Labo having been on 3rd street for less than two years has already made it's mark on the West Coast. So if your looking for the perfect scent for that summer wedding to cover up the sweet smell of sweat or the perfect gift for that girl in your life your first stop should be Le Labo for their $58 travel size bottle. The best part is that they will personalize the smell specifically for your based off of your 12 base scents and from their they take the beaker and weights to make it absolutely perfect then personalize it that much more by putting your name on the bottle. Not into perfumes well they also have lotions, oils and the like. So check it out. You will not be disappointed.

Le Labo
8385 West 3rd Street
(323) 782-0411
Daily 11am-7pm