Saturday Night Cruise-In

Last Saturday we went to the vintage car show in Hastings before we flew back the following day. Fred had told me before it was going to be a blast if the weather was nice. I guess we were lucky because the clouds looked threatening all day, but no rain.

When we arrived in Hastings we could see old muscle cars completely filling Hastings main street. I have never seen so many cool cars in one little town. Partially because the old muscle cars are more of a niche in Europe. Anyway, I was literally stunned by this collection of Mustangs, Chevelles, Challengers, Corvettes and other rare old cars. I had the time of my life strolling down the streets, checking out the cars, listening to their rumbling blocks and talking to the owners. Next year I hope to visit the car show in Minneapolis, which should be even bigger. My favorite was a yellow Charger. What is your favorite muscle car?

The Hallett Docks

Last week Red Wing Shoes published another lovely video. This time Red Wing shines a light on the Hallett Dock Company. The workmen of the company that dates back to 1959 have been depending on Red Wing Shoes for as long as they can remember. The video shows the boots in some characteristic American action. Just the way we like it. Source: SlamXhype.

Red Wing Visit - Update II

Our main man Matthijs at Red Wing Shoes had some serious fun in Minnesota the last couple of days. He will post about a lovely vintage car show he visited in Hastings tomorrow. In the mean time our German colleague Fred sent us some traditional Red Wing pottery and one of his latest vintage treasures: old stars (and stripes). Stay tuned.

Naked & Famous x Tenue de Nîmes collaboration

Tenue de Nîmes have teamed up with the denim-heads at Naked & Famous for a limited run of 24 pairs of jeans in a 13oz green, rope-dyed army repro denim. The mid-green color proved a particular challenge since the dye is very unstable, but the hard work has paid off, giving us a beautiful and truly inspired army-color. More info here.

Anti Freeze

What happened to the times when even ads for 'Anti Freeze' were beautiful? Thanks J for sharing.

Stop in the Name of Burgers

The Red Wing 'Dream Team' is heading towards Red Wing, Minnesota for this season's collection presentation. Our main man Matthijs is in good company when you consider Dan Dahl, Fred Bschaden, Gabor Magyar and Michael Williams at A Continuous Lean are all part of the crew. But not one meeting in the US can take off before one ate America's finest: A Burger.

Please share some sneak previews with us here guys!

Karakuri

Japan has always been a pioneer in creating cutting edge robotics. Jonathan shared an inspiring video with us this weekend of Hideki Higashino, one of the few remaining craftsmen that are determined to keep the history and tradition of Japanese Karakuri - the craftsmen making 'automata' - alive. Japan's modern robots can be linked to these Karakuri. Let the video speak for itself. Shot and edited by Matthew Allard.

Summer Tote Bag by Double RL

Double RL is a mystery in the business. Because of a strict 'no-online' policy the vintage label by Ralph Lauren is only available in an exclusive number of stores around the globe. Nothing of the 'Ricky and Ralph Lauren' goods will be distributed through official web-stores, but of course we will provide you with the best Double RL must-haves every once in a while. Have a look at this thick canvas tote bag by Ralph Lauren. This Double RL accessory is made from rough denim-like cotton canvas with a white sailor print on both sides and vintage leather handles. This is the perfect carrier for your laptop, newspaper and other basic needs on a lovely summer day. Available at the Red Wing Shoes store in Amsterdam in three different designs.

Project Smallholder - Take 1

My good friend and former classmate Ravi started a business a few years ago. He grows organic vegetables on his own allotment of about an acre in the centre of the Netherlands, selling the harvest on the market in Utrecht. He would forever complain about the quality of today's work boots so we decided to support him with a proper pair of Red Wing Shoes. Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely summer evening on the land. Sharing good stories and sweet memories around the fireplace. Here's Take 1, the start of a sequel with the Red Wing Shoes Store Amsterdam.

Pecos

The problem with putting stuff on display in the shop is that it typically only takes 5 minutes before somebody would like to buy it. This is what happened when we wanted to take some pictures of my Red Wing Pecos at Tenue de Nîmes. Because they aged really nicely and the indigo of Menno's Naked & Famous Broken Twill denim gave the boots a blue shade we thought it would be a nice pair to share on the blog. Unfortunately these images serve another purpose since one of our customers would not leave the shop without buying them from me. I guess I have to start all over again.

CS Bell x Tenue de Nîmes

Tenue de Nîmes have teamed up with Paolo Bellini, a Dutch vintage aficionado and founder of CS Bell. Bellini has created a very exclusive series of hand-made canoe packs for the Dutch denim store. The bags, produced in Amsterdam, are made of thick canvas and leather. The design of the large backpack is based on traditional canoe packs from North America. 

The heavy, army-green canvas has been treated with a precise mixture of wax and parafine to resist bad weather and water in particular. The shoulder straps are made of bridle leather straps, each four millimeters thick, that have been riveted on the pack by hand. Each bag is stamped 'CS Bell' on the inside.  A 'canal green' and beige Tenue de Nîmes expedition patch is found between the shoulder straps referring to the traditional Amsterdam-green color, often used to paint the bridges over the canals in the city centre. The packs are water-repellent and the spacious compartment makes it a great pack for everyday use.

The maker of the CS Bell packs is Paolo Bellini himself, as he was traditionally educated in the craft of leather and fur manufacturing. Being a devoted camper and having extensive knowledge of army and outdoor clothing, he decided make his own packs that would withstand the challenges of both the North Pole and the urban jungle. Backpacks made for a lifetime instead of a single season. 

The CS Bell X Tenue de Nimes Canoe Pack is exclusively sold at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam at €299,90.

Wm. J. Mills Co. Laptop Bag

Wm.J.Mills is one of the brands we would love to team up with soon. In new York we came across this lovely blue canvas laptop bag with a tone-on-tone heavy zipper and the characteristic white logo patch on the side. Stay tuned for more great Wm.J.Mills Co. accessories.

Vintage Millitairy Omega

We came across another lovely vintage Omega tonight. Have a look at this stunning watch with an unbelievably clear black dial and nearly spotless steel case. The original stainless steel cathedral hands are in excellent condition. The Omega cal. 410 manual movement has 17 jewels and Incabloc shock protection. Its manual movement allows you to take a close look at it every morning when you wind it.

Vintage Red Wing Boots

Although nothing beats a new start, a blank piece of paper - boots are like denim: the more they are worn out, the better. We often put our vintage Red Wing boots on display and all day, every day, we get ridiculous offers from collectors who wish to buy them from us. We kindly tell them that selling the shoes would feel like turning away from a close friend. Luckily for them the internet is like a 'boot refugee camp' full of pairs that are desperate to find a new home. Like, for instance, the vintage Red Wing Irish Setters above. Show them some love people.

North Sea Knitwear

We are completely aware of the oddness of falling in love with a heavyweight British sailor knit when Spring hits Amsterdam, But we had to share this piece of art with you right after Joachim teased us tonight. You are looking at a lovely Shawl Collar Sweater by North Sea Clothing, made using the same British wool as the submariner. The sweater has a brass shank anchor collar button and a characteristic long waist rib. We will have to wait until we can rock this in real life - but until then we hope you enjoyed the teaser as much as we did.