Excerpted: And You, Brutus?

Japanese Men's book, BRUTUS, has a few stories that caught my attention in their Fall/Winter issue. I am told that they concern Engineered Garments' collaboration with Golden Bear of San Francisco, Alden of New England and Italian milliners Borsalino. Or at least that's what my translator has told me.

Out&About: Here&There.

It's Coming: The Rig Out from Oi Polloi, #3.

Way back when, I brought you the very first issue of The Rig Out, Oi Polloi's zine. Well, their latest effort, issue #3, is set to touch down at Secret Forts in the coming days. The new issue promises to be all that you've come to love from The Rig Out but, better.

The Fall Three: James Fox, 10Engines.

James Fox is the man behind 10Engines. Simply put; Family/food/rural/library/transatlantic/vintage. 'Nuff said. What follows is what has James Fox stoked on Fall. It's his Fall Three.

Open For Business: One Trip Pass + Ace Hotel.

The coastal caravan has pulled into LA, the boys have set up shop and they've flung the doors wide open for business this very day. If you're in the area, head over to Cleveland Art and have a look at the treasures, knickknacks, curio, tchotchkes, mementos, souvenirs and other awesome stuff they picked up along the way.(10% of sales will go to paddle to live) Open only for a few days so "Come hear tall tales and collect handsome memorabilia from a secret society of innovative and one-of-a-kind party animals, some of whom we’ve been up to no good with on this very road trip.." (See announcement below for hours)
One Trip Pass + Ace Hotel
833 East 3rd street
Downtown LA,CA

I (HEART) Alexis Krauss.

Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.

Been a fan of Sleigh Bells since first hearing the loudness of "Crown on the Ground". Phil Pinto's video for "Infinity Guitars" gives further reason to be wary of rogue cheerleaders strutting around Brooklyn with baseball bats. (Crushing out hard on Alexis Krauss. Right?)

Jake Davis Shot Me.

I spent a recent afternoon with Jake. By now, you know who he is and you know what he does. They're called Test Shots. I've always been a huge fan of them and they're always done so well. When Jake called me up and said he was ready to turn his camera on yours truly, I was like "'bout time." Kidding. Click over to have a look. Had a great time doing it and a huge thanks to Jake for placing me amongst such venerable company.

The Fall Re-Boot, pt. I : Red Wings.

After spending all summer in canvas sneakers, when Fall arrives, I'm ready to dust off my Red Wings, rub some oil into them and put some more miles on 'em.
Here are a few pairs lovingly collected over the years.

Motorcycle Diaries: Apolis Vietnam Expedition.

Seems as if there's wanderlust in the air. In the spirit of travel and adventure, Global Citizen Raan Parton, of Apolis, is heading out on what sounds like one hell of an epic field trip(next time, fellas).
Motorcycling through the Vietnamese country side on old Russian Minsk bikes, Raan will be working on some product development, field testing some recently released Apolis Transit Issue gear(the Expedition Duffel being a standout and perfect carry-all for such a trip), documenting the modern face of Vietnam and, along the way, having a hell of a time.

Moving Pictures: New York Through the Years.

(had to include this.)

On the Road Again: One Trip Pass + Ace Hotel.

Good buds Jou-Yie and Jay Carroll, of the Ace Hotel and One Trip Pass respectively, have struck out onto the open roads of this great nation in a Chevy pick up with Airstream in tow. Their mission; driving from Portland, OR to Los Angeles, CA, to "rediscover American craft and standards, humor, kitsch, oddities, and the beauty of storytelling through artists, craftsman, individuals of character, stores, markets, wilderness and urban sprawl." With no real set agenda, they'll be stopping wherever looks interesting and visiting some totally rad people along the way, the entire endeavor culminating in a pop-up at Cleveland Art in LA next week.
Keep up with their adventures at both One Trip Pass and Ace Hotel's blog.
And godspeed gents.(photo credit: Nate Bressler)

The Fall Three: Todd Barket, UNIONMADE, SF,CA.

I met Todd opening day of his most excellent shop UNIONMADE in my former neck of the woods, San Francisco. Located on Sanchez street, it's in the heart of a neighborhood brimming with warmth, good eating and since this past November, a singular bay area destination for tried and true American goods sold by one of the nicest guys out there. Without further ado, Todd Barket's Fall Three.

Moving Pictures: The Illusionist.

As a huge fan of both Jacques Tati and The Triplets of Belleville, The Illusionist is at the top of my holiday movies list. Based on a 40 year old script by Tati. Opens in LA and NY December 25th.

directed x Sylvain Chomet

The Fall Basics: In the Hood

It's been a grey and rainy afternoon in New York and with Labor Day having come and gone, it's generally around this time that I start wrapping my head around Fall's impending arrival en force.
Don't get me wrong; I love Fall. The change in climate, the turning of the leaves, brisk mornings, brisker evenings are all things in New York(and just about anywhere else)that make the city new again. Trade the madras for flannel. Let the beard grow back in. Take the a/c outta the window.
And it's in this frame of mind that I present a brief sampling of one of my favorite garments: the hooded jacket.

Excerpted: Frank Muytjens, T Magazine.

Following on the heels of the recently opened Men's Store on Madison Ave, Frank Muytjens, Head of men's design at J.Crew and good friend of Secret Forts, gives Sandra Ballentine of T Magazine(2010 Men's Fall Fashion Issue) a look at a few of the many layers of his own personal style, what inspires him and where he gets away from it all.

The Fall Three: Max Wastler, All Plaidout.

With Fall beginning to take hold, I've enlisted a number of comrades to give me three things, whatever they may be, that they're stoked on for Fall. It's Fall stoke. And you can't fight the stoke. It's The Fall Three.
First up in the series, and very appropriately, is one of the first guys I met after doing Secret Forts for a little while; Max Wastler of the ever-popular All Plaidout. Truly an all around great guy and great friend, he and I met through mutual friends while previewing Apolis Activism's A/W09 Collection back in February of '09. He was the only guy in the room who could tie a bow tie. I found that quite impressive.
Max always has an unique, fresh and unexpected perspective and with All Plaidout, continues to be a singular voice among the din. With pleasure, I present Max Wastler's Fall Three.

Finishing Touch: Levis Workwear + Billy Reid.

A behind the scenes look at the creation of Billy Reid's workwear line with Levis. Billy and legend and good friend of Secret Forts, Carl Chiara, get their hands(gloved hands)dirty to get the finishes just right. Nice glimpse into the creative process and collaborative spirit of the project. Look forward to seeing the goods first hand. Due September 10th.(video via Cool Hunting)