From The Book Shelf: Debut

Recently picked up a book from the local Library that showcases a behind-the-scenes look at Saint Laurent's first year (1962) as an independent designer featuring outstanding photographs by Life photographer Pierre Boulat. The book is called "Debut: Yves Saint Laurent 1962"
Here are a few of my favorite images found within the pages.

I am a big fan of behind-the-scenes. I really enjoy seeing how different folks go about doing what they do. I also quite enjoy seeing the creative process, particularly when it involves sketches.

Well back to it...
Hope your week is a good one and the weekend even better.

Cheers &
Stuff,
'MrRay'
>>>--'Keep On Crow'N--->

Spring Collections: 68&Brothers.

The new spring 2009 collection from 68&brothers is up here.
Looking over the goods offered it is not so much a spring collection as it is a collection of goods that are available with a spring delivery date.
With that said, I am not sure were you can get the goods state side, but I am really liking their 'Army Hood' jacket. The simplicity of the jacket and the fact that it is a pullover attracts me for some reason. Also really into the 'Fireman Pants'. I am a big fan of the details on these pants. The fit I am not so sure about.I know they are both based off of actual workwear samples from days gone by... Here is a question, with today's remakes of old workwear is it ok to update it with modern fits and finishes or is it best just to knock it off and try and keep it as close and true to the original? Is that really designing of is it just styling a look? If you are a real traditionalist then you would buy the original to begin with and scoff at the remake. But if you are down for the look, style, function, and dear I say, trend, then does this matter as long as you feel good wearing it? I will give my thoughts on this on a later date....


Anyway, I also found this on their site while rooting around a bit. This jacket is a must have! I am not sure who it is made by..? (downside of not knowing Japanese Kana and Katakana) I have been wanting to build a jacket out of an old army blanket since way back in 1999 when I had the idea while sitting on the dock of ZCMI department store waiting for a delivery to come in while I was working there.....

Have a good one.
Cheers.

Band Style: Vampire Weekend.

Good sound and great dressed style and Columbia school grads. What more do you need? Enjoy.

Oxford Comma


A-Punk


Mansard Roof

A little Madness.

Some popy tunes for you to enjoy by 'Madness'.
Did I mention they have great style?
Cheers.

Want: Red Wing Boots.

I have been seeing a lot of 'heads up' on Red Wing boots. Though the style that most of them are talking about I am not so much a fan of, they do have quite a selection that I find myself longing to place upon my own feet and do some walking, hiking, and just plan man work. Here are just a few that tickle my fancy.1911 Gentleman Traveler

1907 Classic Lifestyle

8113 Iron Ranger

8111 Iron Ranger

595 Mens Chucka

Check out Red Wings current collection here.

*side note*
I do find it quite interesting how traditional workwear has become so popular... Now when I say this keep in mind that I use 'popular' loosely coming from the trenches of menswear fashion found along the coast of the good ol' USA, the mens trade rags, and so called 'hip' blog sites. With my recent relocation to a somewhat rural town in Utah I find that I am now in the midst of people who have been rocking this stuff all of their lives working on their farms, ranches and homesteads. I wonder how they feel about it? Whatever they feel this is what is so exciting about fashion taking things that are comen and making them something special or very interesting. I am actually quite excited to shop feed sores and thrift shops to fill some of my fashion needs. Since I am not able to afford the fancy designer versions of workwear, with no steady income coming in right now, I am quite content spending what I can on the actual OG brands and doing my own little pinning, tucking and tailoring alterations to make it fit just as good or better than the expensive stuff. Now don't get me wrong I really like what brands like Engineered Garments, RRL, and Earnest Cut and Sewn are doing and if I could I would own pieces from them but for now I will look to them for styling and then make it my own with what I got....
Long live the rugged style and mans need for workwear!
Cheers.

Bow Tie Tying.

I have wanted to start rocking the ol' bow tie but it always seams like it is a mistery to do.... well with the introduction of you tube you can find how to videos of just about anything but most are just crap well this is a good how to, very well made if you ask me. So go out and get yourself a nice bow tie and follow this here vid and make it happen!

The Young Knifes

Just found this here band and quite enjoy their sound and their style. Enjoy.

Turn Tail


Up All Night

Put Your Foot Down.

It has been a while since I have had a chance to sit down at the ol' computer as of late cause we have been up in Utah visiting my parents. While here they sold their home of 14 years so we decided to stay and help move... 14 years is a lot of stuff to move! I will share more about our trip once I have time to sit down and go through all of the fotografs and what not.

While checking my email today I got an update from PagesOnline, an online fashion mag from Australia, and they had a nice article about Marsu. Marsu is a custom and high fashion shoe maker for men. I love good shoes! Take a peek at their goods.

Chronicles of Never

I am on this Auz fashion trip right now... well today at least. Anyway, the Chronicles of Never has their new line up for S/S'09. It is a very dark line, but the grafx are really good. You can go to their site and actualy download their latest season look book which is fun to have. But more than their clothing I have to say that their shoes are amazing! I love the unstructured hand crafted work they do. To bad I do not have the funds to run around in a pair. If I made shoes this is how I would make them.



these would have to say these below are may favorite.

Pong in Style.

Today while jumping around the ol intronet I found an image of Naomi Yotsumoto of Japan on ITTF web site. So naturly I had to find out more about her... Since I do not read Japanese very well I did not get a lot of info.

What I could gather is she is a pro table tennis player who makes her own outfits for play. I am not a super fan of her exact style but I love that she is doing her own thing and enjoying herself. here is a little excerp I found here

Her uniform obsession began after she graduated from college. “I wanted to show myself. So with that, I wanted to change the image of ‘Table tennis is stupid.’ ”
She has designed the uniforms that she is wearing [in the Japanese National Championships]. She wore a cream number that exposed her left shoulder and also had a “Paris daisy” in her hair. She advanced to the quarterfinals in the mixed doubles, but lost in the fourth round of the women’s singles.
“Without a doubt, I wouldn’t wear gear that would be a hindrance to my play. (As for the loud uniforms), I understand the pros and cons, but I want to continue with it.”

I hope she keeps it up and look forward to see more of her in the future.

Also on fashion and TT, at the VW womans world cup in 2007 they had a fashion show...

It is not the best looking fashion, well not the syle that I like or would design, but at lest they are doing somthing about the stail uniform looks that are in ProTT. I think woman's golf has the right idea and start for style. Now to work on the men's wear.

One Needs Music To Dance.

For a short while I have been sharing my thoughts with Quinn about style and what not of various bands and movies. I must confess I have started to watch movies more for the styling than the story or to be entertained.... Thought I guess that is my form of entertainment to find great style and insperation while wittling my time away watching the lives of others on a screen...
Anyway. So I want to share in the next few days weeks or months my favorite best dressed bands and movies.

Lets start with bands today.
In no order but the order of style.

Shout Out Louds.

The Killers

No Killers video but you can watch sum here.

OKGO

The Kinks

I think I will update this regularly. And if anyone out there, if there is anyone that reads this silliness has any suggestions please comment. Thank you for your time.