Barley Harvest Season scored a preview of their selection of Viberg boots coming in for 2011 in the Free & Easy October issue (with Steve McQueen on the cover). The ‘exhibition‘ was hosted in a fairly cool looking furniture and design store.
Tag: Free & Easy (page 2 of 3)
From the September issues of 2009 and 2010 – the more recent one is still available at Context if you’re not near a Japanese bookstore. About a quarter of the issue was dedicated to the “Rugged Country Life” with lots of pictures of outdoor clothing, log cabins, wildlife illustrations, rustic furniture, and miscellaneous gear.
My Rugged 211 is a new book out in Japan by Minoru Onozato, the chief editor of Free & Easy, and it is essentially a visual reference guide to about 200 pieces of “rugged” clothing and gear from his own collection. Examples include well worn boots, some obscure military jackets, and a selection of surprising designer pieces sprinkled in. The two bonuses of the book: the photography is well done and Onozato focuses in on the details that make the items great, and that the text is published in both Japanese and English.
Is it a must buy? If you’re a vintage enthusiast, it would be a nice addition to your bookshelf, but for more regular folks I think the money spent on the book (it costs roughly $60-65 USD) would be better used on a few issues of Free & Easy instead, many of which will show some of the same pieces shown in the book.
If you’re curious on the format, several Japanese blogs have more pictures:
http://www.bhs-nyc.com/news/2010/09/my-rugged-211.php
http://blog.sweetroad.com/2010/09/my_rugged_211.html
http://ameblo.jp/ware-house/entry-10652465891.html
http://shop.plaza.rakuten.co.jp/vintage-works/diary/detail/201009170000/
Where to find it: contact your local Kinokuniya bookstore.
From issues Vol. 12, No. 133 and 134.
Ideas for my next place, from the Free & Easy July 10 issue… If you’ve ever shopped around for bookshelves and have very particular tastes, you’ve probably also found it difficult to find ones that you like. I think in my case I will need to scour for vintage antiques or go custom.
Frank Muytjens has been making frequent appearances in Free & Easy over this past year and the current issue for September has him showing off some his bags. I’m surprised that he carries so many different communication devices, though I’m not surprised that he’s a Leica man.
Related post: Frank Muytjens in Free & Easy
In the August issue of Free & Easy there is a great section on indigo goods and after-market dyeing customizations. When are the American and European designers going to pick up on this? I want to see some more interesting blues out there.
Scans from factory visits in Last (Volume 12) and Free & Easy (July 2010). The Free & Easy piece focused on the new postman inspired shoes, and for now in Japan will be exclusive to the Rugged Museum.
Taking inspiration from the latest tweed runs, Free & Easy came up with a “Jacket Run” version for summer in their July issue where they focus on using lighter fabrics. Lots of great classic bikes and accessories are included.
Some inspiration from Free & Easy to get things started.
