A Swan's Wing Dyed in Red

New blog address Dyed in Red

2011-09-06T14:14:00.004+02:00

It is the beginning of a new online era.
Please change your RSS subscriptions into THIS LINK.

See you on the other side...

Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam - Online Soon

2011-08-22T16:42:00.003+02:00

Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam is excited to announce it will soon open its online Red Wing Shoes Store. This September, to be more precise. The store is going to stock a unique, broad range of Red Wing Heritage shoes, as well as a truly one of a kind range of accessories. Some of the brands on offer include Double RL, American Optical, Duluth Pack, Heritage Leather Company, Royal Republiq, Tanner Goods, The Hill-Side and Nigel Cabourn.

The Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam crew would like to make special mention of the daily updates on the new Red Wing website that they will provide. Aside from the evident focus on all things Red Wing, the site will also shine a light on any things that boots and workwear aficionado's alike would love to gather.

More soon at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam.

Red Wing Shoes Leather for Burton

2011-08-22T08:55:00.003+02:00

Red Wing Shoes provided top-notch snowboard brand Burton with some characteristic Red Wing leather. The gents at Burton created a shoe with it that really compliments the work boot heritage. It feels great to be able to board on shoes that strongly reminds us of our favorite boot brand. Thanks Mitch for sharing. Via HS, originally posted by Fred at RW1905.

Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam 1 Year

2011-07-29T18:35:00.001+02:00

On July 22nd we celebrated the one year anniversary of our Amsterdam based Red Wing shoes store. We would like to thank everybody for a legendary event.
For those of you who were not able to make it, we made a video report. It was a night of beers, burgers, bourbon and of course a few brownies (we love you Queen of Tarts).

This autumn will be all about boots and denim people. Let the rain begin!

Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam 1 Year Anniversary

2011-07-22T14:19:00.003+02:00

Today we celebrate the one year anniversary of our Amsterdam based Red Wing store. The shop in the nine streets pays tribute to the rich history of the brand, which was launched in 1905 by Charles Beckman, having spotted a growing demand for sturdy work boots.

For those of you have never stepped foot in the store, the shoes are displayed on top of steel and antique glass show cases, which are filled with coal. The dark, concrete walls have been decorated with workman's tools that date back to the days when Red Wing was a fledgling company. One wooden wall, which itself was made from materials from an old Amish water tower, is used to exhibit most of the accessories on offer. Everything between these walls reminds you of the history of Red Wing, but in a contemporary setting.

Soon Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam will offer their complete assortment online too. The first official web-store of the brand will be launched next month. More about that soon. Check out all the images for a more complete interior impression or visit SXH to see more.

Tenue de Nîmes Indigo-dyed Chuck Taylor All Star

2011-07-12T21:46:00.005+02:00

This Friday Tenue de Nîmes are launching a collection of special, hand-dyed, natural indigo, customized Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes. The Chuck Taylor All Star serves as a perfect muse for Tenue de Nîmes. With deep roots in style and culture, both the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe and indigo denim have led somewhat parallel lives. The Chuck Taylor All Star shoe and a pair of jeans have long been a staple of youth culture and music and have served as a symbol of independence for decades. Fittingly, Tenue de Nîmes asked the legendary denim experts, the Manabe family from Okoyama in Japan, owners of the Momotaro brand and Rampuya dyeing factory, if they would be able to indigo-dye a limited amount of 50 pairs. More info here.

Red Wing Shoes at Bread & Butter

2011-07-09T14:21:00.010+02:00

Our friends at Red Wing shoes were in Berlin this week to attend the Bread & Butter show. The brand presented its new highlights for the next Spring Summer season. Amongst many other highlights we hereby present the finest shots from their L.O.C.K. booth. Please beware of the new hand-sewn boat moc (made in Maine), the new Chukka in the Wabasha family and the blueberry boat shoe. Enjoy!

Vintage Red Wing Boots

2011-07-04T13:00:00.002+02:00

If any of you are planning to go on a nice hunting trip have a look at this rare, vintage pair of Red Wing Irish Setter Camo Boots. But even if you're not, have a look too. These rare boots are the perfect buy for the upcoming winter season or just for the ever expanding vintage collection. More vintage Red Wing finds soon.

Quote

2011-07-02T13:00:00.000+02:00

"Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager."

Susan Sontag

Vintage WWII Fireman Jacket

2011-07-01T14:00:00.002+02:00

We came across this stunning vintage fireman jacket from the 1940's. The 'Fall City' jacket is in beautiful, used condition but still solid as a rock. Do not miss the great clip fastening that allowed the fireman to unfasten his jacket without taking his gloves off. The jacket seams to be made of a super-solid duck material and shows a great wear out. I'm sure Nigel Cabourn would love to have a closer look at this puppy. Thanks Jonathan for sharing.

Saturday Night Cruise-In

2011-06-30T18:27:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-29T14:18:00.009+02:00

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

2011-06-29T13:54:00.006+02:00

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

2011-06-27T12:02:00.005+02:00

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

2011-06-25T18:16:00.004+02:00

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

Stop in the Name of Burgers

2011-06-23T13:42:00.006+02:00

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

2011-06-22T12:09:00.004+02:00

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

2011-06-21T21:27:00.005+02:00

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

2011-06-14T20:33:00.006+02:00

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

2011-06-11T13:23:00.004+02:00

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

2011-06-07T12:24:00.002+02:00

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

2011-06-05T11:59:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-04T11:46:00.001+02:00

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

2011-06-02T11:51:00.003+02:00

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

2011-06-01T23:35:00.004+02:00

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.

Print 2.0 - Journal de Nîmes interviewed by Hypebeast.

2011-05-30T23:51:00.004+02:00

Hypebeast's Eugene Kan interviewed us a few months ago on the redefinition of the 'Print Craft'. Kan was wondering if print is a dying specialty, or simply a medium that changed dramatically. To get an idea of what sort of views and beliefs are routed in both the young and established print world Eugene Kan at Hypebeast interviewed Clark Magazine’s Romain Dauriac, Inventory’s Ryan Willms, Green Soccer Journal’s Adam Towle, HIDDEN CHAMPION’s Hidenori Matsuoka and yours truly: Tenue de Nîmes’ Menno van Meurs. Here is a brief highlight from the interview:

EK:Based on your relatively niche content, do you think that the Internet has to play a crucial part in the marketing and awareness of your magazine and what it represents?
MM:Well the beauty of the internet is that you are able to get in touch with like-minded folks from all over the world in a split second. Thanks to great network with online media players, like Hypebeast, we are able to spread our thoughts and beliefs very accurately. You simply reach extremely committed audiences that especially go to blogs and websites to get this kind of specific content. This is how niche content gets a perspective. My marketing background makes me very interested in these kinds of changes in media. We came from a strict push paradigm and right now stuff has turned around dramatically. People come to you for content, not the other way around. So as long as you know where your audience hangs out they will learn about you eventually.

Read the full article and the rest of the interview here. Please let us know what you think.

KSK Commando Smock

2011-05-28T12:09:00.002+02:00

My search for a good smock has continued since my previous posts in February. The SAS smock I wanted is hard to come by and since then I came across some other good ones. The KSK Commando Smock is one I found in my collection of Japanese literature. It features a 2-way zipper, hook-and-loop fastener, 2-much pockets and comes in various sizes. This type of jacket looks so much better than all the designer reproductions. The only thing might be the sizing. Increase your beer intake if you want to have this slim fitted. It costs 75 pounds on RawVintage.

Bike Portage Strap

2011-05-27T11:09:00.001+02:00

People must think I am Dutch because I like to post about bicycles. That is indeed the truth. Yesterday I came across the accessories of Walnut Studiolo. These accessories for the bike are handmade in Portland, Oregon. They have designed some crafty looking stuff to use on your classic bicycles.

One of my favorites is the Bike Portage Strap. I live in Amsterdam and I am used to carrying my fixie up stairs, around road blocks etc. This does not hurt my shoulder, but the strap does make your live easier. In a very stylish way that is. Available on Etsy for $34,-

Bike Spoke Ring

2011-05-26T20:23:00.001+02:00

There is no need to always use precious metals for jewelry. The implementation of a recycled wheel spoke is ingeniously inventive. It has a form that is almost immediately recognized and the soldered edges give the ring an industrial look. Available here for $55.

Tattoo Pin Up

2011-05-25T23:06:00.001+02:00

Hubba hubba.. I haven't seen a lot of pin-up art including tattoos. It could be an original piece or maybe the tattoos were added later. Regardless, I love it. A quick search for some background only lead to the Deviant Art page of a girl nicknamed Gio Sama. Let me know if you know more about this piece.

Sugar Cane Vintage Wash & Premium Care

2011-05-23T20:39:00.002+02:00

What should we do with a nice rigid denim when it's dirty? I have multiple ways of keeping it clean but I have never used any form of washing machine or detergent. This special treatment by Sugar Cane involves eight steps to clean your precious jeans. The treatment seems to be denim friendly so I am going to give it a try for my current project, a selvage 501. More info on RAWR Denim.

Dinky Army Truck

2011-05-22T17:23:00.002+02:00

"Hey this is an army car we can afford..!" I am having a hard time resisting buying this truck. Vintage toys have a great attraction to me. They show a great amount of wear. Some kid must have enjoyed it for years.

Joe King Helmets

2011-05-21T11:42:00.001+02:00

An open face helmet is something I always wanted, since I found a bright yellow one as a kid in the bike storage in front of our house. My dad used it when he drove around on his Moto Guzzi. So if you ever saw a little kid on a 3-wheeler with a yellow helmet he could drown in, yes it was me.

The custom helmets by Joe King in Brazil are the best of the best. The guys from Eat Dust pointed them out while talking about bikes and helmets. I told them it was a bit hard to find a good one because of my large head. I look like Toad from Super Mario with a regular open face helmet. Joe King use a variety of shell sizes and models, so even I should be able to find a suitable one. Take a look at their website and check out the retro designs. The Easy Rider helmet above is my favorite.

The Burning House

2011-05-18T17:41:00.002+02:00

Your house is burning down. What are you going to grab in the split-second before you escape to safety? Pictures? Money? Your girlfriend? Are you going to choose practical stuff or your beloved memorabilia? It is a hard question. I know for sure the first thing I´d do is put my boots on and right after I´d throw all my jeans out the window.

My brother sent me the blog "The Burning House". Each post is a picture - with description - of the stuff people would save from their house first. The outcome is a very varied collection treasured possessions. Each person has different items, but a lot of people want to save their cameras. They must assume their partner will save him or herself. Luckily a few people want to save their boots as seen above. This blog is a must follow. Thanks Jonathan for sharing.

Deadstock Red Wing Shoes

2011-05-17T11:02:00.008+02:00

Dead-stock products are what all us denim and boots aficionado's love to possess. When the Red Wing team hit Tokyo recently they came across an unexpected basement full of the brand´s treasures from the past at Made in the World. The store had an impressive range of 1950's Oxfords and black and brown 'Postmans'. For those of us who are not willing to pay nearly ¢1000,- for such a pair of treasures, Red Win, to our great relief shared an interesting tidbit with all of us: "Thankfully, we’re still making many of these identical boots to this day, the same way they did way back then." More images at the Red Wing site. Photo Credit: Michael Williams at ACL.

Russian Iron Worker

2011-05-15T14:08:00.002+02:00

Just came across this picture of a Russian iron worker. His work clothing consists of cotton rags with patches all over. It is in grim contrast to the romantic image of blue collar work we are used to. Would this poor man would have guessed that patchwork would become really fashionable? I guess not.. (via LIFE)

Eat Dust Wallet

2011-05-14T18:09:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I had a drink with the guys from Eat Dust Clothing. Keith and Rob are genuine motorcycle fanatics and have a lot of experience in denim. These passions are clearly visible in the denim brand they started last year. Eat Dust Clothing is about good quality jeans and apparel with details inspired by classic motorcycle and their culture.

A month earlier I noticed on their blog that they were releasing a limited edition, hand made wallet. It is made by Chris Earhart from Holliday. The combination of natural tanned leather and the Japanese 13 3/4 oz. ringspun denim instantly caught my eye. K&R were kind enough to send me some good pictures for our blog. Imagine how the denim will fade and the leather will obtain a rich dark brown patina. The wallet comes with special packaging and includes a t-shirt. Release info and price will be added to this post asap.

Master Engineer

2011-05-12T15:14:00.000+02:00

The 2268 11" Engineer is the toughest work boot in the heritage collection of Red Wing Shoes. It is inspired by the old work boots designed for engineers and truck drivers. We call it the Master Engineer. Heavy, rugged and enduring. The first engineer, the 919, was released in 1941.

The 2268 is made of 2.2mm Black Chrome leather. The Neoprene Cord outsole is extra thick, includes a 2-piece heel and a steel re-inforcement. An engineer needed those characteristics to be able to do his job securely. With sources of extreme heat, burning ambers and dangers of heavy machinery you can't be protective enough. The boots are still favorite among bikers and surprisingly also photographers.

As one of our customers stated: "Being a photographer is less romantic then it seems. It involves a lot of carrying heavy stuff from one place to the other. I destroy almost any type footwear in no-time. That is why I like this boot, it lasts and it protects my toes." Available for 319,95 at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam.

Honda CB750 "Cyclone"

2011-05-11T21:50:00.000+02:00

If you want to know how to turn a motorcycle from 1970 into a beast check this out. It is the Honda CB750 from 1970 rebuilt by Steve 'Carpy' Carpenter. The original does not look cool at all - if you ask me - but the outcome of this cafe racer project is dazzling. It features a silver / black paintjob inspired by a Ford Mustang. The front disk brake has so many holes you can play circular mastermind for at least a year. The mean steering wheel with small side mirrors and the upgraded rear tire do wonders for the bike´s appearance.

I watched "The Secret" yesterday and now I am only thinking about this bike. Hopefully it will show up in front of my house tomorrow! Or should I start saving money? Might be a better idea. More pictures by Jared Schoenemann on Bike Exif. Thanks Gabor for sharing.

The Shipwrights

2011-05-10T23:30:00.000+02:00

Our dear friend Joachim Baan published a very special set of photos today. Lee Jeans donated a few pairs of raw denims to the employees of a shipwright where they build Botters, a typical Dutch fishing boat. Joachim went to the shipyard and truly captured the spirit of local craft and the endurance of denim workwear.

"Behind the beautiful facade of the old village of Spakenburg, an almost lost world of real craftsmanship is hidden. Last year, my friends at Lee gave all the shipwrights a pair of unwashed jeans. One year later, a few pairs haven’t survived the hard work and though conditions, but a few aged like hell. Under a thick layer of oil, tar and paint, and patched together with extra ruler pockets the denim was hardly recognizable and almost look like waxed jeans. A beautiful setting for this original workwear. Enjoy the bigger picture on our Flickr page."

Vintage Irish Setter US20

2011-05-08T14:18:00.001+02:00

Here is my latest find from the magical world of Ebay. Just purchased this humongous prairie boot from Irish Setter. It is a size 20D, standing 26cm tall and 40 cm long. It looks completely different because of the dimensions. To compare: my size 10D is 23 cm high and 32 cm long.

From the pictures alone I would say the boots are made from Oro-Russet Portage leather, but it might be Oro-iginal. It is hard to tell though. It was originally used by shops as display material. A big boot always makes a good impression. Sorry for the bad pictures. They came straight off Ebay.

Black Chrome Oxford

2011-05-07T12:04:00.000+02:00

The Work Oxford is the little brother of the famous 6" and 8" Mocs. It was intended for factory managers who moved from the office to the factory floor. The low silhouette provides a feeling of instant freedom around the ankles when sitting behind a desk. The construction is a bit different from the higher Mocs. The toe area is made from a single piece of leather instead of two and it features a welt construction looking similar to a Norwegian welt.

The Black Chrome is a sturdy black full grain leather with a shiny look. The patina will change over time and will become more matte. It comes with black laces but as you can see the gold/tan laces are adding flavor to the boots. Available for €259.95 at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam. (picture via redwing1905)

Melt Me Ring

2011-05-06T11:38:00.001+02:00

Silver is one of my favorite materials for jewelry. I am not an accessory addict, but I do like to wear rings and stuff that remind me of special moments or people close to me. This way accessories can be so much more than a form of personal decoration.

The EM Melt Me ring is a design I like. The silver rings are manipulated in a molten state. This method creates an effect that makes every ring unique. Available here for approximately €100 euro. (via trendhunter)

HBH Bandana

2011-05-05T19:00:00.001+02:00

Hummingbirds' hill is a USA style restaurant and bar in Tokyo. I stumbled upon their website while searching for some jewelry that I found earlier in the Free & Easy. I instantly noticed the HBH bandana which stands out from the rest of their HBH Goods.

I really like the design and they are surprisingly cheap. A bandana costs only 840 yen (which is roughly €7.20) and 3% of their revenue will be donated to the Japanese UNICEF.

Beach Buggy

2011-05-03T22:49:00.002+02:00

When I was really young the Beach Bugyy was the most exotic car I could dream of. With its aggressive looking body, big wheels and steel roll bars it looked like a prop from Mad Max. It took years before I found out that the Buggy was based on the Volkswagen Beetle, another all- time favorite.

This is not an all-weather car, but in a dry climate I can not imagine a car more fun to drive. Light, powerful and stunning. Read more info on the history of the Beach Buggy on the Manx Club Page. (images via JAS Buggies)

Men at Work

2011-05-01T15:17:00.000+02:00

Check out these wood engravings from the 20's and 30's. Would love to have some of these on the wall of my living room. They all depict scenes of people at work. I found them on the blog FRENCH CANCAN. A great vintage blog by the way. Check out more of them here.

Moc Toe Classics

2011-04-29T18:02:00.000+02:00

Our friend Wytse from Red Wing Shoes came to our store for a quick interview and to take some pictures. He also took the opportunity to shoot some of our vintage pairs. The 877 and the 875 displayed above and below are amazing. They are some of the ultimate classics in our store.

Follow Red Wing Shoes via their new blog on redwingheritage.eu. It will be updated frequently. The Q&A will be released soon. Have a good weekend!

Beckman Black Cherry

2011-04-28T12:08:00.000+02:00

We are familiar with the Beckman model as a dressed work boot. This shoe deserves a bit of extra recognition. The Black Cherry stands out from the 3 other colorways in originality. It gives some Rock&Roll attitude to the boot and has some similarity with Cordovan leather. Only because of the burgundy color, because it is not made from the same animal.

When I mentioned this in the S.B. Foot Tannery our guide told us that a few years back Red Wing Shoes had the intention of using Shell Cordovan for their shoes. They ordered the Cordovan leather but the delivered hides could not match their quality standard. That was the moment RW instructed the S.B. Foot to produce their own dressed leather. The result is now referred to as Featherstone from which the Beckman collection is made.

Wooden Crutches

2011-04-27T22:05:00.001+02:00

Lately I have been enjoying hunting for all things vintage more and more. It started a few years ago with a focus on vintage Ray-Bans and my Omega watch. This old hobby has grown into an Ebay addiction looking for watches, denim, jewellery, jackets and old army stuff.

Just now I found these old army crutches from the 40's. Buy them and you are able to break a leg and still look cool. I am joking around, but you have to agree contemporary crutches are hideous. Isn't there a designer who can do something about it? In the meanwhile you can buy them at Apothecary Zero as interior decoration.

Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots.

2011-04-26T23:24:00.001+02:00

Today I found some cool pics via the LIFE archive in Google. Looking for old denim pics I came across a picture of veteran performer Vaughn Monroe enacting the song "Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots." My curious nature made me gather some background information. The song was a hit from the Cheers in 1955. Vaughn covered the record.

This song is supposed to be the first real biker song. Not sure how the pictures were used in the magazine, but they look great. Vaughn wears a classic leather jacket, his straight cut jeans folded up high and he wears a pair of aviator sunglasses. Who knows what kind of motorcycle this is?

Listen to the original record from the Cheers below.

Volkswagen 166

2011-04-24T17:07:00.001+02:00

Having a car in Amsterdam can be a real pain in the *ss. Sometimes it seems a boat would be more useful in the summer months. No traffic jams along the canals and a lot of fun during Queensday. A bit of both would come in handy though.

This type 166 "Schwimmwagen" was used by the Germans in WWII. It is the most mass-produced amphibious vehicle ever. The design looks like an army bath tub on wheels. Really cool. The black colorway seen above is way better than the camouflage. (Pictures via Serious Wheels)

Camouflage Tie

2011-04-23T11:52:00.002+02:00

A tie can spice up your appearance. It provides your outfit with a touch of sophistication when you are dressed casually. The 100% cotton ties from The Hill-side are great for this. The camo print is a bit unusual for a tie but that is a good thing. The fabric is sourced from Kojima, Japan. Made in the USA.

'Overdressed' is an alien concept to this tie. Available for €79,90 in Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam.

Carharrt BBQ

2011-04-22T17:46:00.001+02:00

Enjoying warm evenings with friends, grilled meat and chilled drinks is much fun.Therefore the need for a good BBQ is obvious. I used to go for a cheap instant BBQ, but my past experiences have learned these are far from ideal - they're to hard to fire up and keeping them hot is even harder. Not anymore: Carhartt is currently selling a foldable BBQ. It is made from stainless steel and comes with a carrying bag. They were already sold out in the Amsterdam Carhartt Store so I just bought mine via The Original Store for 25 pounds. (via Selectism)

Concrete USB Stick

2011-04-21T16:04:00.000+02:00

This Concrete USB Stick from Kix Berlin will put some weight in your pocket. You will be able to store extremely heavy material. Ok, no more jokes. These USB sticks come in 1 and 4 GB versions. Good design. (via LifeonSundays)

Levi's Track Bike

2011-04-20T09:41:00.001+02:00

While browsing around for more pics of the Levi's cycling denim, I came across a special Levi's track bike. It was made with the help of UNIK bikes, Fixerati - both from Belgium - and Brother Cycles from the UK. The blue paintjob is sick, the denim stitching, denim saddle and grip tape are also cool details.

The red parts could be skipped as far as I'm concerned: too visible, compared to a red tab on the jeans. Also the backpocket on the saddle looks nice, but I can't imagine this is comfortable to sit on.The bikes will be given a away as a prize for a Share and Win game on FB for Levi's Europe.

Levi's Cycling Denim

2011-04-18T22:29:00.001+02:00

Levi's is introducing specialized cycling denims. As 90% of my body is always covered in denim and as the proud owner of a fixie I wanted to see what this is about. Cycling blog Prolly sat down with the creative team and put some items to the test. The collection will consist of both jeans and a jacket. Levi's has developed a special nanosphere treatment to avoid stains and smells.

The denim looks a bit cheap unfortunately but the details on the jeans are nice. A zipped back pocket, a U-lock holster, fluorescent 3M lining on he cuff, a gusseted crotch - nice - and a higher cut back area. The jacket is a rebuilt version of the trucker jacket. It has a stretching construction around the back, with air vents, 3 pockets, a scooped tail and longer sleeves. Levi's will release some special editions so I am hoping for a jacket in Cone denim with my name on it. Click here for more pics.

Nigel Cabourn Red Army Satchel

2011-04-16T14:11:00.001+02:00

The Army Satchel by Nigel Cabourn is a precious piece from his collection. It is inspired by one his father used when he served the army in WWII. It is made from bright red oilcloth cotton (waxed canvas) and has a big main compartment with big zipper and 2 small front pockets. One piece available in our shop for €529.90. Made in the UK.

Gold Ray-Ban Aviator

2011-04-15T13:01:00.001+02:00

Looking for a special pair of aviator sunglasses? I found one. It costs only $1990 dollars and is made of 14K gold. That is a little over 50% gold in the frame. Definitely a collectors item and not something to walk around on the beach with.

It is a limited edition from the 80's, only 1,000 pairs have been made. The frames were manufactured in Germany. It features 58mm brown mirror glasses, special "GOLD' branding, a wooden box and warranty. You can find the Ebay auction here if you feel ready to empty your savings account.

Europeans by Yamandu

2011-04-14T18:22:00.001+02:00

Our friend Yamandu Roos is currently traveling in Scotland for his ongoing project called 'Europeans'. As always he travels alone, mostly driving his red Peugeot 205 called the "Eagle". On his trips he takes photographs of the people he meets and the European landscapes he crosses. Yamandu does it the oldfashioned way: without a digital camera so the output remains a mystery until he is back in Amsterdam. The result of his previous trips around Europe is simply amazing and can be seen on his Flickr page.

For his current trip to Scotland Yamandu took a pair of Red Wing Shoes 877's with him. He is giving them a rough time in the highlands. Luckily he takes pictures regularly with his phone. We have already seen him ride horses, walk through the mud and pick wild garlic. Follow Yamandu on his ongoing Europeans project with us through twitter and his website.

Mustang Station Wagon

2011-04-13T22:18:00.001+02:00

In Europe, you don't see a lot of American muscle cars. Now, with gas prices reaching record heights every week, chances of you spotting one, outside a vintage car show, are becoming slimmer every week too. I have always been a fan of Ford Mustang's and their high-powered counterparts produced by Shelby. Especially the first "generation" of the car, which was produced in 1966.

This is the first time I encountered pictures of a Mustang Station Wagon. Can you imagine this car in your driveway? Not bad at all: a hearse meets muscle car. It seems Ford never produced Mustang Station Wagons themselves. Either people involved with Ford did so themselves or custom car builders produced it as a prototype. (via Fffound)

The Hill-side for Japan

2011-04-12T23:18:00.001+02:00

The Hill-Side has created a pcoket square and has pledged to donate all profit of this item to the International Rescue Committee.

According to my source: "The character printed on the square reads "Wa," which is actually an 8th Century written name for Japan. Having a unique, hand carved woodblock made for this project, only adds to the special feel of this pocket square. Today, the idea that Japanese culture is based upon "wa" or harmony is a source of faith and pride for Japanese people." (via FREEMAN)

Great to see this kind of initiative to help Japan and the victims of the earthquake.

Red Wing Stoneware

2011-04-10T15:58:00.002+02:00

Our friend Birgit traveled to Japan a while back. She found these cups from Red Wing Stoneware Co. and thought it was Red Wing Shoes merchandising. Unaware they have no direct connection to the shoes she took a picture for us. We knew that Red Wing was also famous for its pottery, but we were quite amazed it is sold as far away as Japan.

Red Wing has been the place for pottery since German immigrants introduced it there in 1865. There have been multiple companies producing a variety of stoneware. This florishing business continued until 1967, when Red Wing Potteries stopped its production. The industry could no longer compete with Asian competitors. This old style of pottery is still highly valued by collectors and enthusiasts. A number of companies currently produce pottery in Red Wing. For instance Red Wing Pottery and Red Wing Stoneware, which produced the cups above.

Resoled Red Wing Engineers

2011-04-09T12:00:00.002+02:00

Boot Repair Shop Hukurokuju is an authority on the repair of boots. Something I can pretty much only tell by looking at their blog, as their website is entirely in Japanese. However, the pictures of their resoled boots are stunning. This is actually an understatement- the images speak for themselves.

Take a look at this pair of resoled 2268 Engineers. They replaced the original rubber outsole with a thick leather one, with a layer of rubber underneath. Amazing. This takes breaking in your shoes to a new level. Follow the Hukurokuju blog here.

Honda CB160 Cafe Racer

2011-04-08T17:42:00.001+02:00

Do-it-yourself projects are good to keep you off the street. The outcome is not always what you expect, if there is any outcome at all (looking at myself). This Cafe Racer Honda CB160 that I found recently might have been made on a "coffee cup budget", the end result looks cool. Not too much fancy stuff, just cool details and "an amalgamation of parts". Read more info here. (via Return of the Cafe Racers)

Hallet Docks Video by Red Wing Shoes

2011-04-07T23:02:00.001+02:00

The next episode of the Red Wing Shoes video series is a testimonial from Hallett Company. This company from Duluth, Minnesota enters its fifth decade in the business of transloading, stockpiling and delivering a variety of bulk commodities for the maritime industry. President Jerry Fryberger , with the company for 47 years, explains why work boots are mandatory on the work site where cranes, trains and heavy equipment pose safety hazards. Even Carhartt gets some unexpected exposure..

Filson Red Label

2011-04-06T18:50:00.001+02:00

Filson launches Red Label, which is designed by Japanese nanamica. Included in this collection are both apparel and accessories. Shown above and below are six versions of a Shooting Upland Shirt, 3 Bush Shirts and one Button Down Shirt.

Also in this collection are 3 bags in 3 colorways each: a field bag, a tote and a zipped tote. The clean red, white and blue bring me in a Queensday mood. I sincerely hope the sizing of the shirts is not too Japanese- oriented, otherwise it will be hard for us - tall Dutchies - to fit in. Prices of the shirts are around €200,- a piece. (via Selectism)

Jam Home Made x Dickies

2011-04-05T23:55:00.000+02:00

Japanese maker of jewelry and accessories Jam Home Made celebrates its 10th birthday by collaborating with Dickies on 3 special 3/4 length colorways of the chino. Jam has done some collaborations in the past with Stussy and Adidas, but this is more to my liking. The short version of this classic chino is - what I would recognize as - Japanese styling. Wear this with an Work Oxford or Work Chukka, only proper socks allowed or no socks at all, and you could be a model in the Free & Easy.

Cool details are the strap to taper your pants, embroidery and Jam Safety Pin keychain on the back. The strap is ideal for using on a bicycle. The pants will be released in May in Black, Grey and Khaki.

Greg Chapman Interview

2011-04-03T15:54:00.001+02:00

Greg Chapman - the creative director of Schott NYC - was interviewed by William Yan of We Are Not Pilgrims. The outcome is a short video about Schott NYC and their Perfecto brand. It shows how his personal history and experience have a creative influence on their new line. Enjoy.

Schott NYC x William Yan x We Are Not Pilgrims from Sam Sneed on Vimeo.

Queen of Vintage vol.2

2011-04-02T12:40:00.001+02:00

A small batch of Rin Tanaka's "Queen of Vintage volume 2" arrived in our shop. It features Kathleen Schaaf - owner of vintage fashion store Meow - as curator and shows an incredible selection of her collection of vintage clothing. Her store will celebrate its 25th birthday this year.

The book includes a variety of overalls, swimwear, western, sports and casual wear. The pictures are great. This book is potentially dangerous if you have an Ebay addiction. Be warned. We only have a few copies, so don't wait if you want to add this to your collection. Available at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam and Tenue de Nimes for €75,- euro.

Locomotive Tattoo

2011-03-31T13:00:00.002+02:00

Everybody has a hobby. Some like music, some -me included- like jeans, some like tattooing, some like trains and some.. like both! Our friend Jonathan sent us this crazy picture. I am going to have a 877 tattooed on my forehead next week. Not.

Deus Jockeys

2011-03-30T18:41:00.001+02:00

Australian custom motorcycle manufacturer Deus had the bright idea to hire the Harold Park Paceway for a day, get some riders to do laps and shoot a film. Not only is the abandoned horse racing track very good scenery, the additional combo of sun, dust, motorcycles and a great soundtrack do the job. You just want to go there and race around the track yourself. (via Pipeburn)

Deus Ex Machina - Harold Park Paceway Revisited from Deus Customs on Vimeo.

Yamandu's Work Gloves

2011-03-29T20:43:00.001+02:00

Last weekend I ran into friend and photographer Yamandu at Tenue de Nimes. He brought us some real Budweisers (a story for later) and some good stories. He was preparing for a new trip as part of his #Europeans project. This is going to be amazing. He left today so follow his journey!

While having a drink he told me about his Dickies work gloves. He said they were the coolest on the planet, and for a special reason. He explained that he always used them for the bbq: he thought it was fun to pick up red-hot coals with his gloves. I imagined they would look burned and hell yeah they do! (pictures by Yamandu Roos)

Red Wing Boat Shoe Navy

2011-03-27T14:46:00.001+02:00

We are preparing ourselves for a day in the park. On my packing list are my American Optical sunglasses, a Pendleton Motor Robe, a book and a new pair of boat shoes. We are ready to enjoy the spring weather!

For your own preparation, two colorways of the Boat Shoe by Red Wing Shoes arrived in the shop. A classic boat shoe silhouette with boot durability. This type of light shoe can be a real "treat to the feet" on a hot summer day. It comes in Navy and Mahogany for €179.90. The Sand Yuma colorway will arrive any day now.

Waxed Michigan Coat

2011-03-26T22:13:00.002+01:00

Recently Carhartt WIP released 3 jackets in permanent waxed cotton. This industrial way of waxing a fabric - instead of a garment - should, according to Carhartt, ensure rewaxing is no longer necessary and hte initial coating will stay on after washing. Not sure but I think waxing a garment is better because it allows you to include the stitching in the process, a known weak spot in any water resistant product. Any experts want to share their thoughts on this?

The best of the three is the Michigan Coat, a traditional work jacket with corduroy collar and four pockets in front. Hidden features are the cotton lining and inside storm cuffs. Available in four colors Carhartt Brown, Cypress, Black and Dark Navy. The black waxed canvas surprised me a bit, because it sounds like Darth Vader raping Indiana Jones, but the outcome is good.

Journal de Nimes Nº7

2011-03-25T11:56:00.001+01:00

Yesterday the 7th Journal de Nîmes was released. The North American issue is a fact. It is a good read, extensive info on the 501, Cone Denim and the Japanese passion for North America. Also you can find background info on the Red Wing Shoes Mohave military leather and an overview of our road trip last June. Read the whole magazine here.

Red Wing Shoes Repair Video

2011-03-23T22:33:00.006+01:00

In a bygone era, cobblers lived in every major town and would both build new shoes and repair broken shoes for their customers. In some places, shoes are still made with hand-cut leathers and sewn on soles - shoes that last a decade or longer, rather than a few months - with proper repair. Meet the team who helps restore timeworn Red Wing shoes. If you prefer your boots to have a little history - you will appreciate the restoration process we go through to revitalize a pair of well-used boots.

Special Prairie Boot

2011-03-22T23:10:00.001+01:00

It is always fun when we have our friend and photographer Pim van Ingen in the shop. This weekend he told us the story of how he gave his 8" Mocs in Hawthorne Muleskinner a special treatment. After wearing them once he decided he found the color too light. He took a brush and Rapide leather conditioner and started conditioning his boots.

After doing so the most superficial part of the rough surface area came loose. He removed this with a cloth and conditioned the shoes again with a brush. He liked the texture that his special treatment had created and he told us the leather was instantly more supple.

We would not advise this kind of treatment on a roughout, but we do have to admit we like the look of his boots. Thanks Pim for the photos!

Red Wing vs. Uwe Afferden

2011-03-21T10:51:00.011+01:00

Our Red Wing friend Fred from Germany (local agent for brands like Red Wing and Nigel Cabourn) has probably one of the coolest showrooms we have ever seen so far. He represents our beloved shoe brand in a store by Uwe van Afferden in Dusseldorf where he is surrounded by incredible design, interior and all kinds of must haves like Roberu, Levi's Vintage and customized Red Wing shoes.

Have a look at his custom Red Wing Iron Ranger which he gave a black toe and heel cap. Ridiculously cool right? Whenever you visit the German city promise us you will drive an extra block to be overwhelmed by this amazing store and the way it fits the Red Wing product. Thanks to Fred for the inspiration.

Noblesse Oblique Exhibition

2011-03-20T22:50:00.001+01:00

Scott Campbell has opened a solo exhibition called Noblesse Oblique in the OHWOW gallery in Los Angeles. Not around the corner for us, but that is an extra reason to show some of his works. He uses a wide variety of materials like ostrich eggshell, graphite, currency, copper and neon.

His use of cut currency is very special. In one piece a staggering $11,000 worth of dollar sheets is used, to carve out a skull to create a 3-dimensional piece of art. All artworks show strong influences by Campbells background as a tattoo artist. He honors his background, as the name implies, but still seeks a new context for the art normally seen on someones skin. Read all background info on OHWOW and see more pics at Slamxhype.

Slate Blue Round Toe

2011-03-18T12:09:00.002+01:00

One of our favorite newcomers for spring is the 6" Round boot in Slate Blue. It has already gained rockstar status as a collaboration with Nigel Cabourn on a lot of blogs, but that is not the case. What is for sure is that it is a beautiful grey/blue roughout eye catcher. The boot is a basic model from Red Wing Shoes. It just about covers the ankle and has the signature Crepe Wedge outsole with Traction Tred. This will age just as formidably as the already familiarized Red Wing Shoes roughouts like the Muleskinner and Mohave.

For the picture it was laced with rawhide laces. This matches perfectly with the brown welt. The boot comes standard with gold/tan laces and the chrome rawhide laces seen in the picture below. The chromes are awesome but we would recommend burying them under a plant for 2 weeks to give them a worn out look. A dip in a puddle outside might also do the trick. Available at our shop for €239.90.

Apolis Common Thread

2011-03-17T17:31:00.001+01:00

Apolis have released a video called Common Thread. It was made by New Yorker Jeff Taylor, from Lonelyleap Film, a production studio in London. The video itself displays the spirit of their "common thread" vision which Apolis describes as "connecting the hands that make our product to the hands that own our product. We really consider it a privilege to be doing what we love.."

Gathering great people around you while working on things you love is the best. Nothing but respect for these people and the way their brand operates in the global market. Watch the video below.

Lonelyleap Film, Case Study: Apolis, "Common Thread" from Apolis on Vimeo.

Palette Coasters

2011-03-16T22:45:00.001+01:00

Design duo Labyrinth has created a very transportable set of coasters. The standard euro pallet was scaled down to on tenth of its original design. The stackable coasters are exact miniatures, quality stamps included. Doing all the lifting for you, it is not only for heavy drinkers. (via Selectism)

Self Edge Navajo Bracelet

2011-03-14T22:51:00.001+01:00

One of the latest copies of Free & Easy got me interested in Navajo jewelry. A short search on the internet did not really match what I was looking for, but this bracelet from Self Edge is to my liking. It is a very simple single-grain leather band, with 925 sterling silver hand cut S-hook.

It is made by Jeanette Dale, who has 45 years of silversmith experience. She still follows her first mentor's advice: "Leave some mark, a saw mark of something to show that the jewelry was handmade." Beautiful with a rough edge. Available in two colors at Self Edge for $70 dollar. (via Hypebeast)

Harley-Davidson found in the toilet

2011-03-13T13:27:00.001+01:00

It must be the ultimate dream for any car or motorcycle lover to enter a barn in a remote place and find the vehicle you have always dreamed of having. Especially when it has stood the hands of time and is in mint condition. I have heard some stories before, but this is so cool we had to share it with you.

It is the story of a Harley Peashooter that was found in the toilet of a mine. In the 40's a Mr Bicker heard stories of a Harley that was left behind in a mine in Western Australia. It was located after an extensive search and it was in mint condition. Quite extraordinary after sitting in the men's room for 20 years. The owner could not get it started and decided to sell it. At home, Mr Bicker easily managed to start it. In January this year, the HD Peashooter auctioned for $125.800 at Bonhams Vegas Auction. Read the full story on pipeburn.com. Thanks Jonathan for sending us the info!

Custom Branded Engineer

2011-03-11T06:27:00.001+01:00

A while back we posted about custom Iron Ranger shoes. Master tanner Andy Rhein, of S.B. Foot Tannery, knows a thing or two about custom shoes. He had several completely unique pairs made. Andy is always very enthusiastic and immediately explained how he tanned the leather and got the shoes made to his specifications.

When I received a tour today, he was wearing a pair of custom Engineers. It is made from bull leather. This is a male cow, used not for meat but for breeding. Their hide is much thicker than normal steer and the leather has a special texture to it. The hide was put in the ground for 5 months, dug up, cleaned and dyes were added. This is basically the way leather was tanned 500 years ago. He got the leather cut in a way that the branding marks are covering the instep and the toe area of his boots. Amazing. .Thanks Andy for your time!

SB Foot Tannery

2011-03-10T05:53:00.002+01:00

Red Wing Shoes have released its second video today. I am completely exhausted from the flight today, but still I have a big smile on my face after viewing this vid. It shows you a little bit of the SB Foot Tannery and the way leather is produced. I already had the privilege to meet Dave Hill and Andy Rhein before and I am glad I can share this experience with you now. Their amount of knowledge on leather and "the shoe" is almost unprecedented. Enjoy.

On the way to Red Wing

2011-03-09T11:05:00.000+01:00

In 30 min I am off to Red Wing. Quite exciting to go there for the second time. I am going to visit the factory, the tannery and have some interesting meetings. Hope to learn more about leather and product development. I will keep you posted. The picture above is a view over Red Wing and the "barn bluf". It was taken between 1865 and 1890 by Charles A. Zimmerman. I will keep you posted.

Camel Boat Boot

2011-03-06T16:50:00.001+01:00

The weather is beautiful today, so we are enjoying our life on sunday. The sunshine encouraged me to try on some of the new spring-summer styles of our collection. Today's favorite was the Boat Boot in Camel Muleskinner.

This model in roughout leather is ideal for the warmer season, although it is not averse to a bit of rain or dirt to stimulate the aging process. It features a waterproof boat sole, leather laces and thick contrast stitching. Available now at Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam.

Rewaxing a Barbour jacket

2011-03-05T17:31:00.001+01:00

Clothing store Lark from Vancouver has produced a beautiful instruction video. It explains how to rewax your coat made from waxed canvas. A Barbour coat is used in the video, but this method will apply to any other brand or product too. The video itself is well-produced, the instructions are clear, the environment fits the product perfectly and I like the background music. Enjoy.

Lark - Rewaxing your Barbour. from CASTE on Vimeo.

Stevenson Overall Co. Blackleader Coat

2011-03-03T21:04:00.001+01:00

Spring is around the corner but I could not resist posting this winter coat. Stevenson Overall Co. is mostly sold in Japan, and only a few stores carry their collection in Europe and US. Too bad because the Blackleader railroad coat by SOC. is what might be considered a piece of art.

At first sight it looks kind of basic, but it's fitted with amazing details. Firstly the leather re-enforced pockets and sleeves - got to love that. New for me was also the combination of the shawl-neck collar and the double breasted buttons. The little chain attached to the tag, going through eyelets around the back, is a great finishing touch.

Red Wing Retail Marketing

2011-03-02T23:27:00.001+01:00

My dear brother sent me this picture which he received from one of our friends. It is a fine example of American retail marketing. Just put all competitive prices on a list, add some conditions and tape it to the window. Life is so easy.

I am going to do the same tomorrow with a few additions: like: "Trying is free, but only today and tomorrow." and "Be warned, it is not going to be your last pair of Red Wings." Thanks Jonathan for sharing!

Maiden Noir x Timex Expedition

2011-03-01T21:20:00.001+01:00

There are occasions in life where you do not want to wear your favorite watch. Your brother's bachelor party or for example, or maybe that rock concert you visited with your old friends. That calls for an affordable solution that still displays the time accurately.

Maiden Noir has collaborated with Timex on the model Expedition. Called the 'vintage military watch' it comes with a silver case, black dial and two branded canvas bracelets. It is packaged in a small cardboard box with military print. Always a pleasure to see such details. It costs approx 140 euro and is sold at Stless. I find it affordable for a watch, but you can make it work with a smaller budget. Just buy an Expedition on Ebay and change the strap. (via Highsnobiety)

United States Of Americana

2011-02-28T18:51:00.002+01:00

No one can deny the big trend in fashion referred to as "heritage" or "Americana". This book by Kurt B. Reighly provides background information on the trend. Not only fashion but also music, grooming, crafts and entertainment. Basically all fields of American culture which are becoming more and more popular lately. The book is an easy read and I find it very entertaining. Illustrations by Aaron Bagley. Available at Tenue de Nimes for €12,95.

Red Wing Shoes Truck

2011-02-27T14:54:00.001+01:00

Spring is on its way and the Ely Surplus Store ( in Ely, Mn.) has new stuff coming in. We like that this statement is best visualized by a picture of a big Red Wing Shoes delivery truck. In our store new stuff has arrived too so pay us a visit and check it out. Thanks to James from 10engines for sharing the picture!

Vintage Hamms Beer Crate

2011-02-26T16:33:00.001+01:00

While hunting on Ebay I stumbled upon this wooden beer crate. I like old crates as means of storage in and around the house, but you can also sit on them or use one as a side table. The old American crates are nice because of the typical branding and signage. This typical one caught my eye because has clearly been in use, but it is in a good state.

The Hamm's brand is also interesting. Not only does this brand come from St. Paul, Minnesota, it also has some history. During Prohibition the brand survived by producing soft drinks and food products. Typical is the fact that Hamm's is more famous for its jingle and mascot than their beverages.

See a vintage commercial below.

Norse Projects FW11 Lookbook

2011-02-25T21:57:00.000+01:00

Norse Projects have created an impressive lookbook for their Fall-Winter collection of 2011. The photographs have been taken at one of Denmark landmarks, the scenic cliffs of Møn. The white chalk cliff form the background for a collection from which I am eager to get my hands on.

Their outerwear looks good as always, with a complete mixture between contemporary technical items and traditional items. My enthusiasm is mostly aroused by their jackets, knitwear and gloves. See more pictures at the189.

Red Wing Shoes Factory Video

2011-02-24T10:57:00.000+01:00

This factory video by Red Wing Shoes was released yesterday. It takes you to the factory and explains why so much is done by hand. Meet plant manager Roy Smith and retired leather cutter Shirley Sommerfield. Amazing to see the real hand and eye coordination needed to perform a single stitching. The coming weeks additional videos will be released. We will keep you posted.

SAS Windproof Smock

2011-02-23T13:52:00.002+01:00

The good thing about having a blog is that when you post something new, we instantly receive messages from friends and followers providing us with suggestions and comments. Soon after my post about the Arktis Smock I received an e-mail from our friend Paolo pointing out a smock which he thinks is even better. Thanks for sharing!

I had therefore had no other choice than to show you the Special Air Service Windproof Smock in Olive Green and Plain Desert Tan. This smock is issued to each member of the famous SAS regiment. As the name implies it is windproof, made from a dense Oxford weave cloth. This weave allows the cotton fibres to swell when wet, which helps the water repellent finish in keeping you dry. It is currently out of stock, but it's worth waiting for. Made by SAS in Lancaster, England.

Girls and Classic Car Advertisements

2011-02-21T11:07:00.002+01:00

These old car ads are cool. Exotic old cars combined with feminine beauty. A very good combination. Funtasticus has collected a set of old mouthwatering old ads. This type of marketing is not very serious, but we find this type of advertisement really humorous. When they were first published it was probably meant as serious marketing strategy, but then it should have included the text "female driver included". (via FFFound)

World War 2 Bunkers

2011-02-20T14:43:00.001+01:00

As a kid I was always fascinated by army bunkers. There are quite a few in Holland, the remains of the second World War when the Germans occupied the Netherlands. A bunker has a cave-like attraction on me: I want to go in and explore the unknown.

Photographer Jonathan Andrew has made a very appealing photo series about bunkers in Holland, Belgium and France. All bunkers are shot with a dark overtone that emphasize the grim history behind these structures. Interesting is also the information on his website about the type and function of each specific building. (via Swipelife)