DRAKE'S LONDON NOT JUST A TIE

The London-based company’s lookbook features the British designer, writer and man-about-town Jason Jules and model Eshan Kali, individuals who are both noted for their style.  Under the direction of Drake’s Creative Director Michael Hill, the lookbook represents the most complete collection yet; a diverse, confident and refined expression of the brand’s aesthetic.

This season for the first time, Drake’s will be offering their own British-made denim and dress trousers, allowing the brand to complete the ensemble and tell its full story.

The collection draws on Britain’s deep connection to the land and outdoors, pairing it seamlessly with Drake’s everyday wearable design philosophy.  Jackets are both rustic and elegant.  Ties, scarves and pocket squares focus on texture and handcraft, featuring a broad range of new designs and some reinterpreted classics.  The theme of texture continues across the brand’s brushed cotton shirting and beautiful lambswool and Donegal knitwear.

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)

COLDER DAYS ARE COMING.....

Colder days are coming.....but when I don't know! Make sure that you are prepared for those colder days ahead, one of the things you need to stack in your wardrobe are rollnecks. You never can go wrong with basic colors like black, navy, burgundy, grey and camel.

Rollback or turtleneck-like garments have been worn for hundreds of years, dating at least to the 15th century.

From the late 19th century on, rollnecks were commonly worn by athletes, sailors and naval officers. Since the middle of the 20th century black rollnecks have been closely associated with radical academics, philosophers, artists and intellectuals. Just that you know where they come from. (pics via Snap Leon)