THE STRONGHOLD

On my last trip to the States, I entered the world of The Stronghold Company on 1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. I spoke with Brittany Paradise, she just returned from Amsterdam where she used to work for Dept. She told me in a very enthusiastic way the history of the brand, which started in 1895. In that time the jeans was just produced for the area, Levi's was produced for the San Francisco area and The Stronghold for the Los Angeles area. It was produced till 1949, if you see an old Hollywood movie and Charly Chaplin is wearing his denim overall you are damn sure that this is a Stronghold. As from 2004 the label is back on the market, made with the old world workmanship, selvage fabric, and trim of the original, with a distinctly modern style, fit, and finish. You can buy your jeans of the rack or a made to measure, which will be specially made for you in house on the first floor. Whenever you are in Venice, CA. go see this great store.

KINGS OF EAST COAST PREP

Bernhard Gant 1949

Ralph Lauren 1967

Tommy Hilfiger 1985

The preppy look started after the WWII people got more sparetime then ever and they also dressed themself more casual then ever. Mr. Bernhard Gantmacher, started his company Gant in 1949 in New Haven, CT., know at that time as Gant Shirtmakers. Ralph Lifshitz started in 1967 with a few ties under the label "Polo" In 1972 he released the polo pique shirt in 24 colors with the polo emblem and the rest is history. In 1985, Tommy Hilfiger started his preppy journey with some guerilla marketing on Times Square, New York.  Happy 25th anniversary Tommy!

Tommy's guerilla campagne 1985

Can you fill in the blank spots?

TIGERFEET

Undercover tiger

It's hard to overlook the animalprint trend in the womans collections this fall, whether it's a belt, a shirt, a skirt, but most of all the shoes. My favorite is  the "undercover tiger" in the last picture.

GANT IN THE 90's

GANT Fall/Winter 1993 Brochure

GANT Fall/WInter 1994 Brochure

GANT Fall/Winter 1995 Brochure

GANT Fall/Winter 1996 Brochure

Today I found some old GANT brochures from the 90's. The first time I got in contact with the brand was the fall collection of 1993. The whole brochure was shot in the beautiful Yosemite National Park. The next year they visited the Adirondacks, back to the East Coast of the U.S.A. I will come back with some inside pics of the brochures asap.

DOUBLE RL @ MELROSE

It's allways a pleasure to enter the world of Double RL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHAD

Today, 1 year ago, I started my blog Chad's Drygoods. My first post was "today is a good day" at that time I didn't know, that it would be so much fun to share my pics and stories with the rest of the world. Today I will post my 380th post and launch the new look of Chad's Drygoods.

 Ms. Monroe will blow the candle for me.

CHAD WOULD GO.......

On a normal Saturday, Chad would go with his International Van from the 70's, to Chad's Place in Bear Lake, Ca. for a few beers with his friends, but not tonight....

RALPH LAUREN SPRING/SUMMER 2011

 

 

 

 

 

Polo Jeans presentation

These are the first pics I found on the internet of the Ralph Lauren Spring/Summer 2011 collection (www.cafe.se)



J.CREW SPRING/SUMMER 2011

Bold on the Street posted some great pics of the J.Crew Spring/Summer 2011, less color more in the way of Mr. Freedom and the Japanese designers would do. Great Toggle coat and tote bag.

GOODMORNING WAIKIKI

Ooooh I mis those great moments of breakfast in the Hula Grill. Whenever you are in Waikiki make sure you once have breakfast in the Hula Grill, this restraurant is situated oceanfront at the Outrigger Waikiki.

The Eggs Benedict are great, but also the Macademia Pancakes and and and..... 

ALOHA......WELCOME TO THE NORTHSHORE

Surfers paradise, the Nortshore starts in Hale'iwa, Oahu (Hawaii). November is the season for the pro surfers, this year is a little different, after the death of triple world champ. Andy Irons.