J.CREW SPRING/SUMMER 2017

Already synonymous with classic, a word used generously by men’s designer Frank Muytjens at his presentation today, J.Crew reached a new level of American classicism for Spring. 

A nature-lover and country-living enthusiast, Muytjens is forever roaming atmospheric American landscapes in search of authentic Americana, whether a preppy enclave like Martha’s Vineyard or the grand vistas of Yellowstone National Park. Last season he was taken with the pastoral patina of a trove of old horse blankets he discovered. This season he found inspiration in the photographs of Mike Disfarmer, whose engaging portraits of rural Arkansans in the early 20th century are about as classic as it gets.

A lot of the offerings resulted from looking at archival pieces, Muytjens said, but from a new perspective. As it turns out, and this has no doubt been true throughout history, it takes quite an effort to achieve effortlessness. “You should see our rooftop,” he laughed, referring to his team’s experiments in sun-bleaching that informed a nicely faded pink crewneck sweater. Although, it was an extra-thick cable-knit cardigan next to it that stole the sweater show.

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

MICHAEL BASTIAN SS17 LOOKBOOK

For Spring, Michael Bastian found a muse in Miles Davis—both sonically and sartorially. “His progression is so interesting,” said the designer. “His sound went from very controlled cocktail music to making experimental frog noises on the trumpet . . . and his look went from sort of Ivy League prep to really freaky.”

Bastian is gifted at taking themes and distilling them, subtly, into garments that are ultra-luxurious (a friend of this reviewer likes to call him the American Loro Piana). He studied Davis’s penchant for narrow double-breasted suits, and made a knockout tuxedo with similar buttoning. Channeling the jazz star’s funkier vibes, Bastian wove cord leather lacing down the entire leg of moss green corduroy trousers (they’re adventurous, though manageable). Even a Lurex intarsia trumpet on a navy cashmere sweater, the most direct nod to his inspiration, felt cool and not camp.

In jazz, too, Bastian located a sporty tempo—he had some excellent double-face track jackets, and a perforated element that ran from anoraks to suede inlays on jumpers. “I geek out over fabric,” he said, lifting a lean cotton-mesh blazer to reveal that it’s entirely see-through in sunlight. He has further reason to geek out: Imminently, Bastian is revealing a diffusion line, with “suits that are in the $600 to $700 range.” Music, no doubt, to many a gents’ ears. (text & pics via Vogue.com)

SMOKEY THE BEAR IS ON HIS WATCH

FILSON IS CELEBRATING SMOKEY BEAR

Smokey Bear was born in 1944 as part of a national advertising campaign to try and prevent forest fires. His first words were: “Smokey Says – Care Will Prevent 9 out of 10 Forest Fires,” followed closely behind by: “Remember … Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires.”

In 1950, Smokey, a black bear cub, was rescued from a wildfire on New Mexico’s Lincoln National Forest. His paws and hind legs badly burned, the five-pound-cub was nursed back to health in Capitan, New Mexico.

Filson has worked with many industries and organizations over the last 119 years, but one of our most special relationships has been with men and women who work in the woods, from outfitting timber cruisers in the early 1900s to providing standard-issue uniforms for the U.S. Forest Service in the 1940s.

This year, Filson is introducing a special line of products to help spread the message of one of our favorite outdoorsmen: Smokey Bear.

The centerpiece of the collection is the limited-edition, individually numbered Smokey Bear Watch. Limited to 1000 pieces, the 43mm watch comes boxed with a certificate of authenticity, a book that tells the story of Smokey Bear and the Filson relationship with the outdoors, a bandana featuring Smokey's image and outdoor safety tips, and six postcards of reimagined vintage Smokey posters. The collection also includes a Smokey Bear t-shirt, a Pendleton-wool blanket, a powder-coated water bottle and a Smokey Bear cap.