Free & Easy’s November issue focuses on heavy duty and manly clothing inspired by movie archetypes. There are also sections on Lee Riders, varsity jackets, Americana clothing for kids (I’d like to see a whole issue just for this topic), and Rocky Mountain Feather Bed down vests.
Page 75 of 97
I was just recently introduced to the artwork of Andrew Wyeth when a few pieces from a private collection were on display at the Seattle Art Museum. I had originally gone to see the Michelangelo exhibit (which turned out to be a bit boring), but the cost of the ticket was redeemed when I came across Wyeth’s paintings. One piece in particular captured my attention – it was called “Cape Coat” and featured his model Helga standing in front of a tree in winter.
From Wikipedia:
Andrew Newell Wyeth (July 12, 1917 – January 16, 2009) was a visual artist, primarily a realist painter, working predominantly in a regionalist style. He was one of the best-known U.S. artists of the middle 20th century and was sometimes referred to as the “Painter of the People,” due to his work’s popularity with the American public.
In his art, Wyeth’s favorite subjects were the land and people around him, both in his hometown of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and at his summer home in Cushing, Maine.
One of the most well-known images in 20th-century American art is his painting, Christina’s World, currently in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
If you have a chance to see any of his paintings nearby, definitely go check them out. The digital images online do not capture the emotions, depth, colors, and details that are apparent in person. The photograph above was taken by Bruce Weber.
Superior Labor’s FW2009 stuff is now getting to some Japanese retailers, and it looks like they’re adding much more work and outdoor focused clothing to go with their usual set of bags. Pictures from Yield, Garden, Lock Stock, Casanova, and Pas De Chat.
First up – new boots!
Sculpture artist Matsuzaki Katsuyoshi was just featured in another exhibition at the 45rpm stores in NYC. Its last day was today (sorry, meant to post this earlier) but his works are often on display there at the stores just in case you’re in the neighborhood and want to check them out.
The theme was based around his small stone statues called omamori. More info on 45rpm’s site.
I think I’d like one to hide near my front door.
Spotted in the November 2009 issue of Free & Easy.
Available at WTD&W/E. (or maybe you can just have Inverallan make you one)
Blackbird is now carrying some models from Quoddy at their Field House store: three blucher styles in brown, black, and navy, black ring boots, and black chukka deck boots. All with camp soles.
Update: They’re now available to purchase online.
(the pair I picked up)
First up, a piece on expensive denim in today’s economy: Link
“It was all just a fad,” said Jeff Rudes, a founder of the hot-denim-label-du-jour J Brand Jeans and an astute observer of the suspiciously inflated prices of fashion’s most eternally reinvented staple. Like any commodity that becomes overpriced, there eventually comes a market correction. And denim’s day of reckoning was long overdue.
Thoughts: A “crash” in designer denim prices was indeed very long overdue, and the only jeans that will continue to do well past the $300 mark will be those that are sold to denimheads (a very niche market to begin with).
And the second piece on “power” jeans: Link
When Dmitry Medvedev dined with the Obamas in July, the Russian president appeared both relaxed and powerful. He hit that elusive note by pairing his fine blazer, crisp buttoned shirt, and expensive-looking leather-soled shoes with dark, straight jeans.
Power jeans are increasingly common in high-ranking business and political circles. Indeed, jeans are now a legitimate part of the global power-dress lexicon, worn to influential confabs where the wearers want to signal they’re serious—but not fussy—and innovative.
FFS! That elusive note they’re hitting is not one that exudes a look of power and seriousness, but of a man who do not know how to dress himself. Just because you can wear denim with a sportcoat does not mean you should!
I took a short trip up to Ballard this morning to check out Blackbird’s fun new shop called “The Field House”. Along with their selection of Woolrich, Filson, and RRL, they’re also selling locally crafted goods and small vintage items. Read on to see more pictures.
Address:
5465 Leary Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
From an essay she wrote in the current issue of GQ Style:
We dress to conform: business suit, dinner jacket. We dress for fun, fantasy, fancy-dress or roleplay. Or we dress simply to be ourselves. And when we want to be authentic, we choose workwear. Workwear has been a vital element in the social revolution of the past 60 years. In 1950 it was invisible; now it is everywhere. It defies the notion that familiarity breeds contempt.
