Simple is Beautiful: Volvo 240 Wagon.

A study in pared down simplicity, the 240 wagon, last produced in '93(I thought '92), marked the end of an era for Volvo. As Volvo phased it out, the (relatively) sleeker 740 wagon visually italicized the straight lines of the 240. But unlike an ill fitting suit, the 240's boxy construction remains classic, damn near iconic even. Simple knobs, dials and push buttons. Red for heat, Blue for cold. Utilitarian and smart. No computer-controlled anything. Reliable and, famously, safe(which I can attest to personally). The soccer-mom car from my youth. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, Chief Designer at Volvo for forty years (1950-1990), he is quoted, wryly remarking on the success of the 200 series, "it might be due to the fact that the car is a little square and sluggish, just like the Swedes themselves." Square and sluggish as it may be, my 9'6" Dan Taylor would look good strapped to the top of it.

Shred-Proof: Apolis + Kanvas by Katin.

Apolis continues their collaboration with Kanvas by Katin, the fifty year old boat cover turned board short makers in Surfside, CA. The Chambray swim trunk made by Katin in Southern California. And as the Apolis guys aptly demonstrate, they're shred-proof.



Available for pre-order now at Apolis and Context.

Not Since 1961.

Congrats Chi-town.

Ode to an American Great: Dennis Hopper, 1936-2010.

Screen Test from Andy Warhol's The Thirteen Most Beautiful Boys, 1964. RIP.

On the Subject of American Classics: The International Travelall.

In (the) Details: J. Crew.

Details check in with Jenna Lyons, Frank Muytjens and Andy Spade on two words J.Crew knows well, American Classics. Click HERE for their short list for summer.

On the Desk of: Secret Forts.

things on my studio desk at this moment.

R.I.P. : Louise Bourgeois, 1911-2010.

Pictures of Pictures of: Jasper Johns.

A longtime hero of mine. iPhone photos of photos from the catalog accompanying his 1996 MoMA retrospective.

Debatable: 3Sixteens, Six Months in.

Up over at Denim Debate now is the most recent installment of this year-long saga of a man and his jeans. Or is it a chapter in the epic tale of men and their jeans? Either way, get over THERE and check it out how my 3Sixteen's hold up during my very specifically calibrated 24 oz. Banquet challenge.

The Long and Short of it: Hanover Pebble Grain Longwings.

The longwing has certainly come 'round again. My father wore them most every day of his adult life. He did his residency at Johns Hopkins in them. He wore them to my little league games on weekends. I'm sure most father's had a place in their closets for a pair.
Mark McNairy's soled them in redbrick. Winn Perry has their double waterlock sole for inclimate Portland days. Blackbird offers a shortwing. I've been very much wanting a pair of the waxed tobacco longwings Alden did for J. Crew and although a very sound investment, I've yet to press go on it.
Bringing me to this recent find. US made Hanover "LB Sheppard" signature pebble grain longwings. Didn't pay a lot for 'em but they'll do the trick. For now.

Object Effection: Edition L'Orange.

*Caran D'Ache Pen
*Yuketen Triangle backpack
*Petzl climbing knife
*Rolex
*Jielde signal lamps