The gentlemen at Fine & Dandy, purveyor of accesories for dapper guys, were kind enough to interview me for their blog’s latest feature: New School Dandies. Shouts to Enrique Crame III, Matt Fox, and, of course, Mr. Charles Henry. Thanks very much, fellas.
I was honored when James of Secret Forts asked me to send him a Head to Toe. The first guest HtoT of many, I’m sure, please give mine a look-see when you have a chance.
7 Eyelet Maine Hunting Shoe, 1930s
First thing Friday morning, I linked up with fat cat photographer Foster Huntington of A Restless Transplant and The Fat of the Land. We toured the facilities of LL Bean in Freeport and Brunswick, Maine. In the coming week, we will feature photos from their headquarters, their factory where Bean Boots and Boat and Totes are made, and their historical archives. And I will provide a word or two about the current state of things at a company. Special thanks to Mary Rose MacKinnon and Mac McKeever at Bean for their incomparable hospitality and inexhaustible enthusiasm throughout a truly wonderful day.
River Drivers Shirt, 1980
Promotional Bean Boot Rollerblades
While shopping last spring for summer wedding ties, I came across author, illustrator, textile designer, and teacher Lena Corwin’s jazzy floral neckties, and I knew I’d found a style maven (she even made one for her wedding, pictured above). She has a fantastic blog, an even better store, and a killer eye. Come to find out, she lives in the neighborhood. If offered, Lena, I will be taking one of your printmaking classes sometime very soon. And here’s hoping she offers more ties like the ones pictured sometime in the near future. Let’s all support this wonderfully talented local artist and author. Keep up the great work, Ms. Corwin!
Image c/o The LIFE Archive
Currently rereading L.L. Bean: The Making of an American Icon, grandson of L.L., former president and current Chairman Leon Gorman’s account of the retailer and its quirky history and culture. Still near the book’s beginning, he’s rather humdrum about his own accomplishments instead relishing in the sneaky tricks of subterfuge he used to improve the function of the company despite his aging grandfather’s stubborn aversion to change.
I enjoyed his inclusion of notes from a book kept in the year after he returned from service in the Navy. His black book notes speak to his belief that “good retailing requires good intuitive judgment, based on absorbing a great many factual details about products and how they work and look.”
- In upgrading lines do not neglect mid-priced items and alienate average customer — offer something to a wider range — avoid isolation into A&F elitist area.
- All special requests rate prompt and careful attention — if customer takes time to write, deserves our time [in response].
- Stock line of merchandise to extent that if a person walked in without a stitch on he could be completely outfitted for a trip anywhere.
- Composite of various recommended camping [equipment] lists — refine in detail and be represented in each item with best appropriate [item for purpose]. Bean’s is a specialty house — merchandise should be new, unique, traditional but hard to find.
- Go easy on the haberdashery items.
- Assumption: Profits in camping equipment not significant (money made in clothing and shoes) — trade up and offer best available where possible and good value maintained — put don’t price us out of our bracket.
- No gimmicks, games, etc. in the catalog.
- Catalog: Keep it simple.
- Continue to look for unique staple merchandise [and] avoid fads even though they may sell.
“I had no idea Father Flynn was a two wing looper!”
“Brotha’s got skillz.”
“Well put, Monsignor. Very well put.”
Urban Daddy reports that new table tennis club SPiN New York is accepting membership applications. For $500 annually, the 300 founding members will receive a 50% discount on table reservations, paddle storage, locker room access, access to Members Only events, and much more. The plaid-clad lad looking like Richie Tenenbaum? Yeah, that’s me.
Image c/o The LIFE Archive
Judging from childhood photos, my earliest career aspirations could easily be summed up in one word: cowboy. Rarely was I without my black 4X Beaver Stetson, Dan Post boots, Rodeo Champion belt buckle, and a pair of cap guns at my hip. Tooling around the LIFE archives, I came across George Silk’s photos of Mr. George Girdler, wild horse hunter of Australia. I call him The Motorcycle Cowboy.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_S-SvYJYsg&hl=en&fs=1]
In the trailer for Public Enemies, Johnny Depp sports two exquisite pairs of sunglasses. If you have any information, of if you’re in contact with Colleen Atwood, I would love to learn more about Mr. Depp’s eyewear for the film.
Special thanks to Ryan Willms, Creative Director of h(y)r collective magazine, who mentioned all plaidout today on his blog, On the Daily. If you’re unfamiliar with Ryan and the h(y)r collective, please check them out. It truly is a daily read.