WINGS, WHEELS & ROCK'N'ROLL - LEWIS LEATHERS

Wings, Wheels & Rock 'n' Roll - Vol.1

A 240 page book with 1600 photos detailing the legends, the leathers and the legacy behind Britain's Oldest Motorcycle Clothing Company.

Rina Tanaka & Derek Harris took a deep look at the first 60 years of Lewis leathers, covering its early history detailing images of flying, motoring and motorcycle clothing from the 1920's onwards. The story told through vintage catalogues and advertising material from the company's collection along with previously unseen pictures of the Racers, Riders and Aviators who wore the brand, bringing to life the story of one of Britain's truly unique and iconic clothing companies.

Release date is end of March 2017.

INSPIRATION NYC - VOL. 7 BY RIN TANAKA

This past weekend (October 16th & 17Th) Rin Tanaka brought his Vintage fair from the West Coast to New York City.

The two-day show brings together over international vendors and exhibitors offering unique and one-of-a-kind merchandise on exhibit and for sale—including American vintage apparel manufactured from the 1900s-1980s, vintage-inspired-to-contemporary fashions and accessories from boutique and corporate American and Japanese companies, surf and skate exhibitors, plus artists and artisans, hot-rods, antiques, records and audio equipement, as well as live music.

I wish I scheduled my trip to NYC for this weekend, unfortunately you can't have it all. Inspiration LA is coming up next year, so maybe...... (pics via gear patrol)

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)

THE SOUVENIR JACKET - EAST MEETS WEST

Party-time was at an end for young Americans in 1965. Soon huge numbers of American baby boomers had received draft notices from the government, due to escalation of the Vietnam War. By the mid 70's a total 8,766,00 American soldiers had been sent to "the hell on Earth" located in Vietnam and Cambodia. If they could survive and were able to return to their hometowns a few years later, many souvenir items bought in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam were brought back home with them. Embroidered jackets were very popular souvenir. There have always been many souvenir shops around U.S. military bases in Japan. Okinawa-made tour jackets had been increasing especially since 1960s because huge numbers of American soldiers were staying at Okinawa bases before being shipped out to Vietnam. (input from Rin Tanaka)