The Red Cap of Courage
Best Made Co. just made their debut into the apparel world, and like everything they do, they spare no expense or attention to detail. This cap is 100% cashmere knit, emblazoned with the Best Made badge of courage, it is limited quantity and comes packed in a wooden crate with a personalized certificate. Best Made Co. didn’t stray far from their roots as an axe company, but that didn’t stop them from doing it all the way.
I really like the attention to detail with this hat, but I think what makes it really strike a chord with me is the fact that it reminds me of the Anderson movie, The Life Aquatic. This is the most official-looking, unofficial Team Zissou hat I’ve seen on the market today.
You’ll find more information on the Best Made Co. website. If you like it well enough, you can buy it in their store.
Posted by: Josh Abe on March 3, 2010
Filed under: Couture | No Comments
Fashionary
Fashionary is a sketchbook with templates on each page of models to alleviate the time-consuming process of drawing a proportionate model to design clothes on. It’s a pretty simple idea, but I’m sure it’s hugely helpful to those of you fashion students out there.
You can get it on Etsy right now. $16 isn’t bad for a really nice notebook.
Posted by: Josh Abe on March 3, 2010
Elysse Ricci
Have you ever marveled at the signage and print collateral in Urban Outfitters and wondered who’s behind it? Whenever I can make it over to a UO store, I’ll usually pick up a copy of their latest catalog for inspiration. The mastermind behind the overall theme for Urban Outfitters is Philly-based designer Elysse Ricci. Her simple but unique style has set Urban apart as an innovative brand that seems to stay ahead of the curve.
Go check out her website for more great stuff.
Posted by: Josh Abe on February 13, 2010
Filed under: Couture, Design | No Comments
CXXVI Spring 2010 and Giveaway
CXXVI just released their brand new Spring 2010 line, and if there was any doubt that Matt Gorton and Jon Contino were on their way to major success with their new endeavor, the inevitability is now obvious.
They’ve expanded their already stellar lineup of vintage-American/nautical-industrial inspired design to feature a plethora of solid, simple but eye-catching graphics hand screen printed on tshirts as well as a range of other products such as duffel bags, beanies and iPhone sleeves.
I’m thoroughly impressed with the new line, and everyone I’ve shown it to has immediately expressed interest in purchasing the entire collection. CXXVI’s style and attention to detail promises to yield continuing success and a zealous following by anyone who encounters it. You can go check out the whole Spring line on the CXXVI website.
As an added bonus: Matt and Jon were generous enough to hook us up with a few shirts and a beanie to give away.
Here’s how to win some great stuff:
Write a haiku about a fishing trip. It can be a serious story about how your friend was eaten by a jaguar shark, or a hilarious anecdote about the one that got away. It doesn’t matter what it’s about, it doesn’t even have to be true, it just has to follow the standard 5/7/5 format. I’ll be picking the winners based on how creative the haikus are. Also, don’t forget to include your shirt size in your comment and your email address in the field provided.
I’ll pick the winners on Monday February 1st.
Happy haiku-ing!
Posted by: Josh Abe on January 25, 2010
Filed under: Couture, Giveaway | 34 Comments
Caulfield Preparatory
Vincent Flumiani’s Caulfield Preparatory is a brand new line of clothing I read about over at Limited Hype. His stuff has a really classic Americana-prep/sailing-inspired style, and it’s clear that this brand is way ahead of the game. The bright blues and light fabrics are going to be the main focus of many Spring 2010 lines, and Flumiani is definitely doing it right. Each piece has both a hardy practical side, as well as an interesting flair for detail. I like to think that the name is referencing Catcher in the Rye’s main character, Holden Caulfield, and I’m almost positive that this is exactly the kind of wardrobe he would have.
There is a beautiful landing page on what I believe to be the future Caulfield Preparatory website, but you can actually go check out and purchase pieces over at Revolve. Everything is a little bit pricey, but at the very least, these photos are great for inspiration.
Posted by: Josh Abe on January 22, 2010
Filed under: Couture | No Comments
Shrimp Sauce Giveaway
I got an email a little while ago about this really unique tshirt company named Shrimp Sauce, and I really dig their stuff. What I like about it is that it’s not just the same old company name and logo printed on every shirt, but it’s actually a brand and a lifestyle featuring with a wide range of designs and inspirations.
I thought it might be nice to do something a little different with this company, so I emailed Patrick Byrnes, the brains behind Shrimp Sauce to ask him a few questions:
What’s the deal with the name? What does it mean, and what’s the story behind it?
Shrimp Sauce is blood to the body. The name comes from its deep southern influence and roots–indulgence at its finest.
How did you start the company, and where do you want to go with it?
In the depths of the swamp, Shrimp Sauce has been waiting years to emerge. In the shadows it watched, mimicking society’s desires, beauty, death, and closure. Then it rose from the Swamp to begin a Cultural Pilgrimage–it will always evolve and produce to spread.
What makes you different from every other tshirt company?
Shrimp Sauce is not a not just a t-shirt company but a company of Southern Gothic influence. And it is not one thing or one person; it’s everything and everyone. Shrimp Sauce is the influence of feelings produced on an “object” for the individual for whom it speaks to. It’s the nightmare of life. It is irony. It is Reality.
What’s your inspiration for the designs? Where do your ideas come from?
The South’s ironies. From all those that sleep all day and lurk all night.
I also thought it would be nice to give you guys a chance to score some Shrimp Sauce swag, so Patrick was kind enough to send over a couple short-sleeve shirts, a long sleeve shirt, and a ton of buttons and stickers to giveaway to a few lucky readers.
Here’s what you can do to win some free stuff:
Comment on this post and tell us what your favorite part of the deep south is, and why. This can be anything from fried chicken to mardi-gras… it just has to be part of the heritage of the deep south. Also: be sure to include your email address in the field provided so that I can get in touch with you (it won’t be shown to anyone but me). But especially, please be sure to indicate your shirt size in your message.
The winners will be chosen based on their answers and shirt size, and a few runners up will receive button and sticker packs.
I will announce the winners on January 22…so hurry up and enter while you can!
If you’re digging the line and want to see more, check out the Shrimp Sauce website for more products, look-book and info.
Posted by: Josh Abe on January 19, 2010
Filed under: Couture, Giveaway | 24 Comments
Billy Reid Box Set
I’m trying to stay away from a “gift-guide” as much as possible, but I wanted to share this with those of you looking for a gift for your boyfriend, brother or buddy.
Inside this sturdy hand-crafted box are four unique t-shirts, each featuring one of four independent artists, and a DVD of Old Crow Medicine Show’s live performance at the Tennessee Theater. It’s an entertaining and useful gift for any man you know, or maybe for yourself.
Posted by: Josh Abe on December 19, 2009
Filed under: Couture, Music | No Comments
