SHINOLA - FROM MOTOR CITY TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

"Where American is made"

The name Shinola was a household name from 1907 till 1960, as a American brand of wax-based shoe polish. The original trademark of the Rochester, NY based company was filed in 1929. Shinola/Detroit LLC purchased the name from the defunct shoe polish company and now they're putting a shine on new Made in the USA products like watches, bicycles, leather goods, journals and....shoe sine in Detroit, Mi.

They recently opened a store in New York, the store itself has been meticulously renovated to honor the history of the neighborhood and the building. From a design standpoint, inspiration the comes from artist Donald Judd's library in Marfa, TX, and they managed to get their hands on an incredible 1930s Bronze Mercator map, which in all honesty is worth coming into the store just to see.

Shinola Tribeca Flagship

177 Franklin St.

New York, NY 10013

917-728-3000

GATEWAY DINER - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN HOLLAND

Last Sunday I was biking through my town and all of a sudden I stood face to face with an original American Diner. Hidden in the middle of a park close to the centre of Almere. The Diner dates back to the late 40s and it's original place was Philipsburg, NJ. at the border of Pennsylvania & New Jersey in a Philipsburg was the gateway between those 2 States that's why they called it the Gateway Diner.

The legend was that the Rolling Stones ate here in the 1970's and raved about its authentic 'Jersey "diner culture". This was probably a stopping-off point between gigs in NYC and Philadelphia.

After some wandering around through Germany, the Gateway Diner opened it's door in 2010 at it's present location Beatrix Park, Almere. Finally I found my place to get that American Experience and sip on a original made Milkshake......I'll be back. (most pics are mine except the first & last ones) 

THE BEACH HOUSE OF MR. RRL - DOUG BIHLMAIER

Mister Mort had the change to take a peak in Doug Bihlmaier's beach house. We all know Doug as Mr. RRL, he started in the 80s as a stylist for Ralph Lauren, developing the looks for the showrooms, stores and advertisements. Today he is Head of Ralph Lauren Vintage. His beach house is packed with Americana, you can see his love for Indian art as well. I don't know whether the picture of the kid in the cowboy suit is Doug in his younger years, but if it's him it make sense why he loves Western & Indian art.

FILSON & PENDLETON FW 2013

A peek in the Dutch showroom of Pendleton and Filson.

It's always fun to visit Tobi's Agency in Amsterdam and sharing our passions, but enough said about me, myself and I.

Safety orange makes an appearance in the forthcoming Filson Bag collection, it shows up on backpacks and daypacks contrasting well with the classic oiled canvas. Furthermore the clothing has new updated shapes, let's call it more European. My personal favorite for coming Fall is that beautiful woolen vest in navy with a grey shoulder piece.

IT'S A MANS WORLD - FITZROY & EVEREST

Fiztroy & Everest opened it's doors in 1994, in Rotterdam - Kralingen. It was then that Olivier van Schaik decided to make from his passion his job. The store and the workshop are situated in a building from 1898. When you enter the store the first thing you notice is the smell of leather. The store is packed with luggage from years far behind us. Every piece is restored by Olivier leaving it's patina but just give it some love and care. Olivier talks with passion about the items he has in the store, how things where made in the old days, that's what he admires most. Every guy can find something he would like to have in his boys room or driving around his classic car. Behind the store and workshop he has a warehouse packed with great stuff, ready to be restored as you can see in the last pictures.

OUTDOOR LIFE MAGAZINE - COVER ART

Outdoor Life is an outdoors magazine about hunting, fishing, survival and camping. Outdoor Life was launched in Denver, Colorado in January 1898. Founder and Editor-in-Chief (1898-1929), J.A. McGuire, intended Outdoor Life to be a magazine for sportsmen, written by sportsmen, covering all aspects of the outdoor arena. The first issue covered topics including a moose hunt in Alaska and advice about Native Americans. Some of the original sections were titled, "Photography", "Trap and Target" and "In the Game and Field".

I think those beautiful covers of the magazine from the 30s, 40s and 50s are worth to frame and hung on the wall as "menswear art". You can find them on Ebay where they change from owner from 10 till  more then 50 bucks.

100 YEARS LEE UNION-ALL 1913 - 2013

1913

THE LEE UNION ALL

Said to be inspired by his chauffeur, when he repaired his car, H.D. Lee gets the idea to design a suit, that supports both: from the waist down and protects the upper body.

A jacket and trousers are sewn together and thus form a long-armed suit. Since the overall is suitable as a one-piece work clothing for car mechanics, railroad workers, farmers and other occupational groups, the Union gained immediately popularity All across the country. With the jumpsuit H.D. Lee was only responding to his chauffeur who was complaining that his uniform was dirty every time when he repaired the car of his boss. The Union-All work clothing makes Lee a household name. 

2013

THE LEE UNION ALL

Lee 101 is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Union All with 101 units available worldwide in a Kaihara lightweight overdyed selvage chambray. You can do the job. (last 3 pics from the Lee 101 SS 2013 campaign)