BARACUTA G9 - THE ICON FOR ICONS

If there is one thing which is constant in Manchester, England - it's the rain. In a city where it rains more often than it doesn't, Rainwear was big business in the early 20th centuary. Brothers, John and Isaac Miller ran the Baracuta factory, making rainwear for brands such as Burberry and Aquascutum. When they branched out into their own brand, Baracuta soon became synonymous with the finest Raincoats. 

By 1937, the Miller Brothers were looking for a new, functional design for a working man, and which would also keep them dry in the rain. They came up with what would eventually become the Baracuta G9. This shorter jacket meant the wearer would have the benefit of a shower proof coat while he was still able to move around, unhampered by a longer raincoat or mac. With the design including collar button fastening, elastic waistband and cuffs and button fasten pockets nearly finished, the Miller Brothers took their idea to Beaufort Castle, Scotland. In the presence of Lord Lovat, the head of the Fraser Clan, the Miller brothers requested that they be granted permission and licence to use the famous red Fraser tartan in the lining for the new Baracuta Jacket. With the agreement in place, the Miller Brother's began manufacturing the Baracuta Jacket in the classic G9 style, as well as other variations.

Over the years the Baracuta G9 built up a reputation. In the 1950's Baracuta G9 Jackets were being exported to the US as 'Sports Coats' for the early Mods looking for that Ivy League look. In 1958 Elvis Presley wore the Baracuta G9 in the flim, 'King Creole' propelling the jacket to the forefront of fashion. Other fifties and sixties icons picked the Baracuta G9 as thier jacket of choice - Frank Sinatra, Arnold Palmer, Gregory Peck, and perhaps most famously, The King of Cool - Steve McQueen, who made the Natural coloured Baracuta G9 an integral part of his 'look'.

The Baracuta G9 is back for Spring/Summer 13 ready for another generation of aesthetes to take it to their hearts.

BELSTAFF NOT JUST FOR BIKERS

A genuine British heritage brand.

Belstaff's history can be dated back to 1924, when it was founded by Harry Grosberg in Stoke-on-Trent. The first company to use the now famous 'Wax Cotton', Belstaff originally produced waterproof, breathable garments for both men and women. The phoenix logo which sits on iconic designs such as the Trialmaster was chosen to symbolise continuity and renewal through both good times and bad. Renowned for its legendary jackets, Belstaff's patrons of the past have included motocross prodigy Sammy Miller, the revolutionary Che Guevara, Amelia Earhart and the ‘king of cool’ Steve McQueen. Belstaff's classic belted wax cotton 4-pocket jacket became an instantly recognizable staple on the racetrack and in the city streets.

THE ERNEST "HEMING" WAY

I was inspired by my visit at the showroom of Navy to post some pictures of Ernest Hemingway.  These pictures represents him, his hobbies big game hunting, fishing, drinking and his profession -writing. He was born in Oak Park, Il. on July 21st 1899, his nickname was Pappa. During his life he published 15 books. He committed suicide at the age of 61 in Ketchum, Idaho.

A FILSON CLASSIC - THE CRUISER

In 1897, Filson opened his first store, Filson’s Pioneer Alaska and Blanket Manufacturers. With the Gold Rush in full swing, Filson found a niche market providing functional gear and apparel for miners enduring the arduous Northwest conditions. Filson became a trusted label offering a variety of high quality and highly resistant products made from materials that would become ubiquitous with the Filson brand. The original Filson store operated its own mill on-site and manufactured clothing, blankets and knit goods made from the heavy weight, water repellant Mackinaw wool fabric.

The Filson Cruiser was first released in 1914 and would go on to become one of the brand’s iconic designs. The Cruiser name and the unique design were officially patented on March 3, 1914 (US Patent #1088891). A favorite of lumbermen, the Cruiser was named after timber cruisers who surveyed the logging land. In the 1920s, the wool Cruiser and pants were so admired that they were affectionately dubbed the “Alaskan Tuxedo,” the outfit of choice for anyone working in the timber industry. By 1927, the patent was no longer in effect, allowing other brands to reproduce the design. To date, the Cruiser has become one of the most widely imitated pieces and has remains one of Filson’s best selling items today.

Filson’s expertise in outdoor outfitting and his slogan “Might as Well Have the Best” was reflected in his use of materials. Whether active in drenching rain or severe cold and snow, Filson made a natural fabric that would stand up to the worst abuse, and keep functioning for years and generations to come. For more than 100 years, Filson is renowned for its proprietary fabrics including Mackinaw Wool, Tin Cloth, Shelter Cloth, Cover Cloth, Rugged Twill and Bridle Leather.

Filson’s Mackinaw 100% virgin wool comes from a small band of hardy sheep in a special region of the U.S. that is woven to Filson’s unique specifications, it is proven to provide greater resilience and more natural insulating qualities. Last fall, Filson introduced a limited edition of the Cruiser in the original Scarlet color limited to 897 pieces, which was sold out rapidly. But don't be sad there are a lot of other great color options available, for more details click here.

THE AMERICAN DINER

Empire Diner - New York, NY

11th Street Diner - Miami Beach, FL

Nifty Fifties Diner - Port Thownsend, WA

Rock & Roll Diner - Oceano, CA

Sally's Diner - Erie, PA

Scotty's Diner - Fort Worth, TX

101 Cafe - Oceanside, CA

Circle Diner - Latham, NY

Square Diner, New York, NY

Palace Diner - Hauppauge, NY

Denny's Classic Diner - Cortez, Co.

Americans love to eat and nothing could be finer than eating breakfast, lunch or dinner in an American Diner. On my travels to various parts of the States I love to have breakfast in one of those oldies myself as well. The first diner was created in 1872 by a man named Walter Scott, he sold food out of a horse-pulled wagon. The first manufactured lunch wagons with seating, appeared throughout the North eastern US in the late 19th century. As the number of seats increased, wagons gave way to pre-fabricated buildings in the heyday of the diners in the 1950s. We all know those streamlined buildings. The typical American diner serves mainly fried or grilled food, like fried eggs, bacon, hamburger, hash browns, waffles, pancakes etc. The food is usually quite inexpensive and cooked to order. I'm looking forward to next week when I will travel through the Rockies and hopefully can visited one or two of those All American Classics. (above you find some pics from my previous travels)

SPERRY A PASSION FOR THE SEA

Inventor Paul Sperry

How it all begun

Advertisements from the past 

JFK and Paul Newman made boatshoes popular

The Authentic Original aka A/O

It's all about details

Collaborations with Band of Outsiders, Penfield and Jeffrey's

It all started when Paul Sperry bought himself a Nova Scotia Schooner back in the 30s. He learned that a wet deck was very hazardous with ordinary sneakers even with crepe soles which were fine on a dry deck but felt like roller skating when wet. On a winter's day in Connecticut he let his cocker spaniel dog Prince out for a morning exercise, he seemed to have no trouble running all over the snow-covered backyard. Mr. Sperry looked at the paws of his dog and saw little cracks or cuts going in all directions. An idea was born. He took a piece of rubber, cut it with a penknife, and cemented it under an ordinary pair of sneakers. These wave-like grooves became the inspiration for Mr. Sperry's latest patent, called Razor-Siping and maximized the traction. The Authentic Original Sperry Top-Sider was first introduced in 1935, sold for $ 4,50 a pair from a rented office space in New Haven, CT. Every pair was sold via direct mail, upon a certain moment that Abercrombie & Fitch placed an order, and Mr. Perry gave them the exclusive rights in New York. The popularity of Sperry as a casual shoe grew after WWII. During the 1950s when the restrictions on the use of rubber were lifted and the fact that pictures of John F. Kennedy and Paul Newman in boatshoes where spread around the world, made people want to look like their idol. Today, more then 75 years later, the brand has some great collaborations going on with Band of Outsiders, Penfield and Jeffrey's just to name a few. "Sperry a passion for the sea"

CHAD IS BORN TO BE WILD

Last year I visited the Harley Davidson Museum, which opened it's doors on July 12, 2008. The story about the Harley-Davidson Museum is a true story that started in a family's backyard shed in 1903. The place of the shed and the museum is Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's a story told through steel and brick, leather and chrome, and hands of skillful craftspeople. The museum houses a Harley-Davidson from every year of build as from 1903 till now. The first one called Serial Number One is beautiful displayed in a glass case. Further you can find lots of posters, magazines, clothes, trophies all telling you the story of an American Icon. Part of the tour through the museum is a stop at the restoration area, where the founded gems are carefully restored.

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING

HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY

LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE

AND WHAT EVER COMES OUR WAY