Here’s a look at an editorial found in Dapper Dan Magazine #4 issue highlighting Kris Van Assche’s Fall/Winter 2011 offerings. The shots are shown in black and white, shedding light on the structured pieces that come in a more contemporary fit. The editorial was done by Vassilis Karidis and features Dan Felton. The man’s tat game is pretty serious and it’s just what the shoot needed.
Red Wing Heritage and California’s BLENDS have teamed up for this limited edition collaboration. Blends has custom designed a classic 6″ Round-toe boot in black suede to promote its Made in the USA campaign, which supports American-made brands and works to reintroduce American craftsmanship to a new generation. It’s been working as more and more are appreciating the work and detail put into each Red Wing boot made.
For this project Tak Kato, Blends creative director, picked the classic 6” Round Toe with the idea to make them more casual. He chose to utilize a suede upper, a concept that has never been used on the 6” boots in the USA before. He used tonal stitches to keep the boots simple and reflect a more casual look. Simplicity and minimalism are a key aspect of Blends design concept. In addition, he added the DNA of the classic Irish Setter sports boots by adding hooks at the top as opposed to eyelets all the way up.
The BLENDS x Red Wing Heritage collaboration will be released this Saturday, December 10th as a limited edition of 150 pairs. More looks and a video highlighting the collaboration below.
Yesterday marked the opening of the GQ at Park & Bond Holiday pop-up shop. The two have been working together through GQ’s shop on the Park & Bond site but this is the first time you’ll see both GQ and Park & Bond commanding a brick and mortar space. So what can you expect in terms of products? Well, there’s a lot to cover including “GQ Selects,” a selection of products handpicked from the pages of the magazine by the editors; GQ’s “Best Stuff of the Year,” as featured in the December issue; and a specially curated selection of products from Park & Bond, including the best designer brands for outerwear, apparel, denim, accessories, footwear, watches (new and vintage), tech, grooming products, and much more.
There’s a wide selection of impulse buys as well, all of which are priced under $50. The holiday shopping season is definitely in full effect. And beyond all this goodness, you can also expect to see a lot of what can be found through Park & Bond’s online site. It’s a diverse bunch with brands like A.P.C., Filson, GANT, Jack Spade, Mackintosh, Thom Browne and many more in the fold.
Presented in partnership with American Express, the temporary retail experience will be open through December 18, though it will be closed this coming Monday and Tuesday. Open from 11am to 6pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am to 7pm Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. More looks of the space below.
Here’s another Leffot exclusive for you all. Steve and co. have teamed up with New England’s Alden to deliver their classic Longwing Blucher style in Color 8 and Black Shell Cordovan finishes. The leathers were tanned by the fine folks at Horween Leather Company out of Chicago and are nothing short of perfect. The Black Shell Cordovan version is really something else as it features red lining that creeps out in a very subtle manner, giving the shoe an added touch. Both styles can be had through Leffot.
Atlanta-based Sid Mashburn has teamed up with Swedish footwear label Tretorn to re-envision their classic Nylite sneakers. Sid and his team hand-dyed a limited batch of 250 classic blue-on-white Nylites in a bright fluorescent yellow. Sid calls the finish “Optical Bright Fluorescent Yellow GN”. The Day-Glo Tretorn Nylites are available exclusively at Sid Mashburn for $95.
Outlier has entered the travel goods segment with this collaborative effort with Hyperlite Mountain Gear. The Minimal Backpack is waterproof, featherweight and backcountry tough. Expect this piece to handle all the ruggedness of the outdoors as a pair of pants from Outlier would. The shell is made from Nonwoven Dyneema, which is startlingly lightweight, fully waterproof, and ten times stronger than steel.
The Minimal Backpack is made in Biddeford, Maine, USA. Available now on the Outlier Webshop.
UGG has turned a new page for Fall 2011, bringing a well-thoughtout collection for men to the table, at a time when American heritage brands are claiming the boot market as their own and leaving others to pick up the crumbs. The reason we’re mentioning UGG, and trust we had no intention of ever highlighting them in the past, is because they’ve done a few things differently this time around that have caught our attention. It all starts with the Hannen Boot. The folks at the Australian footwear brand were kind enough to send us over a pair to try out and there’s no lying when we say we’re impressed. And honestly, a part of me isn’t surprised. There’s a reason every gal I’ve ever known owns a pair of UGGs — they’re extremely comfortable. The Hannen boot is no different. When you blend the boot’s Vibram outsole (yes, that Vibram) with UGG’s signature sheep skin lining, it’s like walking on lotion. Kudos to anyone that gets that reference.
The ultra-rich, oiled and waterproof leather shell comes in an impeccable Cordovan finish that’s ideal for the winter months, especially this year when different hues of red are seen in the collections of some of our favorite designers. The price point for the Hannen is below many of the other work boot styles out there as well — $240 at UGG. There are more detailed shots of the boot below so be sure to check those out and head on over to UGG to pick up a pair.
GANT Rugger has dropped a leather goods collection which consists of a few key pieces, all of which will be perfect as holiday gifts or personal acquisition. They’re produced by Tärnsjö Tannery, a small family owned company about two hours north of Stockholm, Sweden and one of the few remaining tanneries in Europe where the process is still 100% organic. The end result is of the highest quality possible and features leather that will age and wear beautifully. Every piece is handmade and shows Gant’s passion for quality, value for money and keeping the heritage alive. The collection delivers the goods in two colorways, natural undyed and cognac. The lineup includes a leather slip case, phone cover, card holder and belt.
The goods are available now in limited quantities exclusively online and at GANT stores in New York City. Shop the leather goods collection at GANT.
Here’s a look at Viberg’s iconic #145 Oxford in two-tone suede finish. It features vintage tan suede quarters and mocha suede vamp & counter, topped off with a smooth brown leather tongue. Viberg is now in its third generation and the family owned business continues to amaze us with these impeccably crafted pieces of footwear. Don’t expect that to stop anytime soon.
One of the hardest things to find nowadays is a good looking camera strap to accompany your latest splurge. Portland’s Tanner Goods come through with a few leather camera straps to give us all what we’ve been looking for and then some. They’re constructed from 4/5 oz. Horween Chromexcel leather with each piece burnished, dyed, waxed and stamped with Tanner Goods’ signature mark by hand. They’re available now in a range of finishes through Tanner Goods.
i