CHAD MEETS JACK SPADE

Most of you already know that I have a weakness for Jack Spade, I love their products, the bags, the wallets and the collab. with Barbour etc. But what I like the most is the quirky way they display their stores and the use of props. The store on Abbott Kinney is displayed in the same way as I saw in the stores and showroom in New York & the store in London. Once they might open a store in Amsterdam, when I'm lucky! 

CHAD @ GANT RUGGER VENICE, CA.

GANT Rugger @  Abbott Kinney BLVD, called by GQ the coolest block in America and won the LA Racked Award for Best Men's Store 2012. 

Do I need more reasons to pay them a visit? I was welcomed by Rene & Danny, who showed me around and told me that the flooring came from an old gym. The fitting rooms are made from old doors and the wall system is a Danish design from the 50s designed by Poul Cadovius. The store is cleaner then the stores I visited in New York. call it "West Coast Style". In the store you can find the collections of Gant Rugger, Yale Shirts and Gant by Michael Bastian. Even a nicely curated collection of Gant By Michal Bastian for the girls. Rene & Danny told me that some Hollywood celebs already found their way to the store, just to drop a name Ed Helms (Hangover) is a regular.

THE BROOKLYN CIRCUS

I promised you yesterday some goodies, well here they are! Last saterday I visited The Brooklyn Circus shop. The guys were so nice to let me shoot some pictures to share with you. I very much like the style of the updated varsity inspired clothes and the old props, like the football helmets etc. You can see and feel that everything they do in the store is with love, how they present the garments and how they welcome and help the customers, like myself. 

"The Brooklyn Circus/BKc story begins in 2006 in a quaint neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York with the aim to strengthen consumers’ appreciation for classic aesthetics and antique motifs whilst upholding the pillars of modern design within a hundred year plan. With time-tested values of classic American craftsmanship, a love for urban tradition, vintage sensibilities, and an endless search for the timeless silhouette" 

RESTAURANT TIP - TRATTORIAN

Italy came a little closer to Stockholm with the recently opened restaurant Trattorian. We enjoyed a great Italian diner with nice wines. It ain't just the food and the wines that brings you in an Italian mood also the whole interior, the large tables gives you the idea to be invited for diner by an Italian family.

CHAD IN SEATTLE, WA - EMERALD CITY

Seattle - Starbucks - Space Needle

Pike Place Market - watch out for flying fish

Living history

Ebbets Field Flannels

Blackbird in Ballard

Filson Store and Factory

The last stop on my trip was Seattle, the largest city in the Northwestern United States. Just 114 miles south of the Canadian border. Birthplace of Starbucks and Grunge music. It's great to visit Pike Place Market, but be aware of flying fish. Get in line for a cup of coffee in the first ever Starbucks or walk to another corner and get your coffee directly. Near Pioneer Square you find a shop called Ebbet's Field Flannels, here you can buy yourself baseball hats & jersey's of long gone teams. From here it ain't far to the Filson Factory and Flagship store on 4th Av. It's difficult not to buy a canvas bag or some Filson by Sebago boots. My last stop is Blackbird, located in the hip neighborhood Ballard. The store is filled with Filson bags, Aden shoes, Billykirk belts, Obey, A.P.C. etc. 

LONDON UNDERCOVER, CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

The London Undercover pop-up store was open for 4 weeks only and closed it's doors today. Situated at Monmouth Street @ Seven Dials, the perfect location for a pop-up store like this. Last Saturday I met Jamie Milestone in the store, who told me that they will close down for the season and looking for another spot for Fall, as fall is a great season for umbrellas even in a country which is known for their rainy days. The store contained not just umbrellas of the brand, but also fur felt Bowler hats, cashmere scarves and bags, which are handcrafted in England by John Chapman. London Undercover was established by Jamie in 2008 with the aim to turn around the umbrella and return to its rightful position as a fashion accessory. And so he did umbrellas with the map of London, an English Breakfast, Camo prints etc. Also some great collaborations with ACL, Carthart & Dutch pride Tenue Denim and more will come. Look forward to see Jamie back in the new Pop Up Store.

JACK SPADE, LONDON OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Thursday March 29 the doors opened of the first Jack Spade Store in Europe, based @ Brewster Street, next to Stone Island and "coming soon" Woolrich Store. Jack Spade launched their collection in an environment just like their stores in New York & Chicago. The collection is presented between props like old calculators, gnomes and salt & pepper sets like hamburgers. The inside of the wall-units are covered with pin-up girls. The first Jack Spade bag was sold to a hardware store in 1997. In 1999, Jack Spade opened the first store at 56 Greene Street, New York. The concept was travel bags, trench coats and general merchandise. It was modern haberdashery mixing found furniture, model rockets, vintage Playboy magazines and classic products: Levi's 501 jeans, Timex military watches, Lacoste tennis shirts and Mackintosh raincoats. Over time, Jack Spade took their reputation for well-made, functional and stylish products and applied it to clothing. Thanks to the Jack Spade team for letting me taking these pictures!