How's this for "vintage-inspired"? Victorinox, the Swiss army knife guys, have teamed up with Christopher Ræburn, a UK designer, for a limited-edition collection of pieces made from de-comissioned Swiss army surplus. Ræburn, after hunting around Switzerland for materials, returned to his London studio and got to work crafting these unique pieces. This hoodie, for example, is made from two different colored military air-brake parachutes. You can't get much more authentic than that... and hold the jokes about matching pants.
The captain's coat is made from military coats, but here's the trick: The inside is lined with over-dyed military bedsheets.
And then there's also this parka, made from army sleeping bags; we're guessing it's warm. The collection, eight items in total, will be limited to 100 copies of each piece—probably because if they wanted any more, they'd have to raid Austria for supplies.
Scott Sternberg Reveals His Greatest Fears
Off the Cuff: Riviera Club
A Q&A with Best New Designer finalists Joe Sadler, Greg Ullery, and Derek Buse of Riviera Club
You guys got the idea for your line while playing a round of golf. Who won?
Joe: I did. I shot the lowest round of my life. I warned Derek that I wasn't good, and then all of a sudden I was dropping putts from 20 feet. He thought I was hustling him.
Derek: Joe won hands down. It wasn't even close. But Greg wasn't even golfing. He was in the golf cart with a broken leg.
Greg: Or else I would have taken them down.
When was the best time for golf style-wise in your opinions?
Derek: Oh, man. In the '20s-'30s it was bow ties, ties, knickers, argyle socks...I mean, it was incredible.
Joe: Do you remember at the Masters last year? Ryan Moore was wearing cardigans, ties, the same kind of stuff? That was pretty awesome. Golf's weird, though, because there's so much technical clothing out there.
Have a biggest gripe about golf clothing?
Joe: The shoes are the worst! Almost no one's done a decent golf shoe. Well, except for those Ecco shoes that Fred Couples wore last year at the Masters. They sold out instantly though. You couldn't find them anywhere.
Maybe you guys should consider doing your own golf-only line.
Greg: Yeah, that would actually be amazing. I'd love to.
Who would be the face of your line?
Derek: Arnold Palmer, definitely. Even though he's like eighty-something, he's got some major style.
Greg: I'd say Tiger. Kidding!
One last thing: I've heard that you guys are fond of a game called 'night golf'. What the hell is that?
Greg: It's actually top secret, but we'll let you in on it.
Derek: We were at our friend's cool spot in La Quinta, which is right on the golf course. Joe's mom had given him a glow-in-the-dark golf ball and it had been sitting in his golf bag for years. So it's nighttime, and one thing led to the next, and all of a sudden we're out on the golf course hitting this ball around. We kept snapping photos because it looked like a shooting star when you hit it in the air. Whoever had the digital camera would run up to the green and find the flag and wave the camera screen in the air so you knew where to hit the ball. Balls come flying at you, which might not sound like fun, but totally is.
Joe: There are some rules though. You're not allowed to wear shoes. You can only have three clubs. And, lastly but not least importantly, you have to be holding some sort of alcoholic beverage at all times.
Greg:You forgot one. You have to run, everytime. No walking. No exceptions.
Five Questions For Best New Designer Finalist Kirk Miller
...and if you haven't already, check out our photos from Kirk's beautifully appointed suit shop in Manhattan, Miller's Oath.
The Pantsless Sweater
"I don't mean to appear smug, but whenever I wear this sweater I can't help but feel like the handsome man from one of those cigarette advertisements from the 1970s. This feeling creates a certain confidence, an awareness of the magnitude of my desirability, my musk. I am a handsome man. And handsome men must behave handsomely."
Via The Awl
Alexandre Plokhov's Return
Not all the action at fashion week happens on the runway. Lots of it happens
in intimate showrooms, where smaller or newer designers decide to present their work. I personally always appreciate these visits. Instead of a big show full of pomp, you get the pleasure of the designer personally taking you through his collection, pointing out details and talking about their ambitions for the season. It's a conversation, rather than a bombardment of imagery.
So, it was a real treat to see former Cloak and Versace designer Alexandre Plokhov's namesake new menswear line in Paris recently, at his little space off of the Place des Vosges. Yes, Plokhov is back. And much of the styling he's known for—razor-sharp cuts and angular construction—is still here, but now he's working in new materials, such as thick, military-like wools; lamb fur; soft Japanese-weave jersey.
For those of you who could not be there—and can't wait until the collection is in the stores for Fall—Plokhov and film director Douglas ("Unzipped") Keeve created a short video. You can watch it here.
More Proof that the Future Involves Dressing Like True Grit Characters
Hey, you know when a trend is really blowing up? Besides us telling you time and time again that this whole True Grit thing is for real, Citigroup—yes, a bona-fide financial instituation—also says so. People dig dudes with horses. And gingham. According to Citi: "The whole western, open-range denim story has legs. I think it's going to be impactful to the consumer, because they're still into a very strong casual lifestyle business." Here's to yet another excuse for buying some shearling and laying the smackdown.
Hey, You Can Stop Washing Your Jeans Now
Good news for all you filthy purist bastards out there who've gone six months or a year or longer without washing your precious selvage (this writer included, more because hey, gotta save quarters!): Turns out your britches might not be that dirty. ABC News caught up with Canadian student Josh Le, who wore his 15 months straight and compared them to the bacteria levels of another pair that were worn 13 days. Guess what? The schmutz count was about the same. Even though this study was conducted by one student, from Alberta, the lazy college freshman in me just put off laundry another few days. He'll take it where he can get it.
Ads We Actually Like: Oliver Peoples Short with Devendra Banhart and His Banging Girlfriend
If you thought it was impossible for a dude with a soul patch to share a tub with a woman of this caliber, well, you probably don't know much about Devendra Banhart. There the wily indie lotarhio is, lovin' all over real-life girlfriend Rebecca Schwartz for an Oliver Peoples-commissioned short. This is what happens when you can speak Spanish and sound all mystical and stuff while doing so. On behalf of mankind, we salute you. Oh, and nice glasses, by the way.
Via Stereo
Imogene + Willie Hits the Web
We're happy to report that the denim studs down at Nashville's Imogene + Willie—one of our favorite independent stores in the country—are finally selling their goods online. Although you're sure as hell not gonna get a better experience on the web than you would hitting up the store itself, a jean junkie paradise housed in a former gas station, the site is still not-to-be-missed. Each pair of jeans they sell is made on an antique loom by the tag team efforts of an in-house pattern maker and seamstress. Get 'em while they're hot.
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