THE ART OF WINDOW SIGNING

Sign painting is the act of taking a specific kind of brush, and with various kinds of paint, and applying it to a 2 or 3 dimensional surfaces creating letters, forms and/or symbols.

Sign painting was/is a learned craft. It has a very long history within the realm of "artisans-crafts". Historically, apprenticeships were the means of learning the craft. Though many, in the earlier history of the craft were self-taught. An apprenticeship could last for years, depending on the skill of the apprentice and the knowledge of the "master". The skills learned were varied and some quite complex. Basically, learning to manipulate a lettering brush was the core of the learning process. This skill alone could take years to master. There were a number of associated skills and techniques also taught, such as: gold leafing (surface and glass), carving (in various mediums), glue-glass chipping, stencilling, silk-screening. (text via Wikipedia).

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.

STORE LOCATOR - FRANS BOONE, SLUIS

Tucked away at the border between Belgium and The Netherlands you can find Frans Boone, Sluis

Frans wasn't in today, he was in Italy on a business trip selecting some products and brands which can fine tune the collection for Fall 2013. I was welcomed by Menno with a hot coffee and a nice chat. The store is separated by a big red cabinet into two different rooms. At the entrance you feel the rough outdoors with collections like RRL, Pendleton blankets, Red Wing, Gitman Vintage,  & Howlin'. The other room has a yellow sofa as a great eye-catcher, here you find a Salvatore Picolo shirts, Boglioli, Alden, Tricker's just to name a few brands. Frans Boone is cherry picking in every collection, and create special editions as well. You may call it "Very Frans Boone"

NEW YORK IN THE EVENING

Bill's Bar & Burger, Best in Town

Rugby Bleecker Str.

RRL Bleecker Str.

Hogs & Heifers Meatpacking

I had a great evening. I don't have to explain why, I guess?!

LONDON THROUGHT THE EYES OF CHAD

Albion @ The Boundry, Shoreditch

Nike ID @ Boxpark, Shoreditch

Covent Garden

Rugby, Covent Garden

Globe-Trotter, Burlington Arcade

Albam @ Monmouth Str.

Neal's Diary

The Vintage Showroom @ Seven Dials

Pizza East, Portobello Road

RRL Mount Street

Brick Lane

"Tourist Traps"

This weekend I visited London, spent most of my time in the upcoming area's like Shoreditch, Brick lane, Sevendials to name a few. Had a great breakfast in the Albion on Boundry Street, a splendid pizza at Pizza East on Portobello Road, it's worth the long walk from Notting Hill Station. Popped my eyes out at The Vintage Showroom and RRL, you can find the originals at The Vintage Showroom and the copy's at RRL. Even the guy I spoke at RRL worked before at The Vintage Showroom. Visited the first Pop-Up Mall in Shoreditch, all the stores and restaurants are located in sea containers, enjoy some frozen yoghurt on one of the pick-nick tables. Visit Brick Lane on Sunday next to vintage shops you can smell and taste all the flavors of the world, as the street is packed with food stands. It's hard not to do anything touristic in London, so even I had a High Tea in the Orangery of Kensington Palace, and took some pictures of the Big Ben and Horse guards.

BANDANA ART - DOUBLE RL

Last week, I had to transform my winter ties into the summer versions, as you probably know, you can't walk around with wool ties anymore. By surprise I found a bunch of Double RL bandana's, which I bought several years ago on a trip through the United States. The prints are great and they look like a million dollar on this shirt, but the problem now is........do I have the guts to wear them like this, or shall I just use them as a handkerchief. 

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF RRL

Welcome to the world of RRL. The stores represent the feeling of the brand, rugged, vintage and filled with Americana. It's all about styling and entertaining the customer, there is so much to see. Click on the pictures to enlarge them and find out yourself.