GHOST TOWN OF BODIE, CALIFORNIA

I've been several times to the Ghost Town of Bodie and every time I wondered, how is it possible that this town was abandoned from one day to another.

Bodie is an original mining town from the late 1800’s. What’s left today stands in a state of “arrested decay” and is maintained by the California State Parks System, who took over the town in 1962 to make it a State Historic Park.

In 1859 William (a.k.a. Waterman) S. Bodey discovered gold near what is now called Bodie Bluff. A mill was established in 1861 and the town began to grow. It started with about 20 miners and grew to an estimated 10,000 people by 1880! By then, the town of Bodie bustled with families, robbers, miners, store owners, gunfighters, prostitutes and people from every country in the world. At one time there was reported to be 65 saloons in town. Among the saloons were numerous brothels and ‘houses of ill repute’, gambling halls and opium dens – an entertainment outlet for everyone. (text by bodie.com pics by Chad's Drygoods)

CHAD'S STORE LOCATOR IRON & RESIN GARAGE - VENTURA, CA

When I walked through the streets of Ventura, I smelt the scent of gasoline, leather, and wax when I passed by a 100-year-old building pilled with clothing, boots, surf gear and motorcycles.

In 2012, Thom Hill & Jackson Chandler started Iron & Resin in a sleepy SoCal beach town Ventura their company called Iron & Resin. Both of them worked in the surf industry and heavy bored with the pointed sameness of brands surrounding them. Iron & Resin was meant to be a throwback to the days when a couple of California boys could fall into business just because they were doing something they loved. In that perspective, Iron & Resin takes made-in-America commitment, motorcycle cool, maker aesthetics, and a dash of core-surfer sensibility and comes out with a lifestyle brand.

Of course I could left empty handed and bought myself an Iron & Resin mug and patch.

Whenever you wil be in Cali make sure you check out this beautiful curated store:

THE IRON & RESIN GARAGE

324 E. Main St. 

Ventura, CA 93001

805-643-0737

INSPIRATION LA - VOL.6 BY RIN TANAKA

Last weekend Los Angeles turned into one great big come together for vintage lovers.

The 6th annual vintage clothing & Americana Fashion Gathering “Inspiration” was held by Rin Tanaka, the author of the “My Freedamn!” book series at the “fashion center” location in Downtown Los Angeles: THE REEF. 

During this two-day show, a total of over 150 exhibitors had set up unique and very special booths displaying their own inspiration. Including 50 fashion brand exhibitions, 20 artist booths and 70 vintage fashion & antique dealer booths. (pics via Yuri Hasegawa)