Incoming: The Apolis Indigo Wool Chore Jacket.

From the start, Apolis has been a serious favorite here at Secret Forts and over the past few years, I've had the pleasure to come to know the Parton brothers and consider them among the most righteous of dudes. I started crushing on this indigo dyed chore jacket back in March '10 when I had the pleasure of working with Shea when he blew into town for a few days. Recently, I returned home from a trip out west to this beauty awaiting me.

Moving Pictures: Apolis Vietnam Expedition Film.

In addition to working at the factory day in and day out, factor in two 60's era Russian made motorcycles, 1,500 miles put on them, eleven break downs, torrential rains, several near death experiences, very nearly having passports confiscated by the military police and you have a trip of a lifetime, many new friends, countless memories and stories to tell. The guys at Apolis have distilled some of that into just under four minutes. Beautifully done fellas.

Apocalypse Tomorrow: Apolis Vietnam Expedition Film Release.

In the name of walking the walk, good buddy Raan Parton of Apolis spent a few weeks last month motorcycling through the cities and country sides of Vietnam. The expedition presented a prime opportunity to field test some of the latest Apolis gear including the super awesome Expedition Duffle, their waxed canvas anorak and the Patagonia for Apolis rain slicker. And if you kept tabs on their travels, you'll know that the afore mentioned came in quite useful along the way.(See below photo)With cinematographer Dave Christenson along for the ride, the boys documented days and days of what must have been the trip of a life time. And after cutting through hour upon hour of shot footage, they've a final edit, a teaser for which you can watch below.
If you're in the neighborhood, they'll be previewing the film at American Rag Cie's Newport Beach location tomorrow(Nov. 9th). And if you make it to the event, give those guys a bear hug for me.

Film + Event: Expedition Preview & Nov. 9th Event from Apolis on Vimeo.

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.

Essentials: Apolis Activism.

Great friends and all around great dudes, brothers Raan and Shea Parton(L. and R., respectively) of Apolis Activism let GQ in on their 10 Essentials for SoCal living. Check it out HERE.

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.

Profiling Modern Activism: Apolis + Rod Arnold of charity: water.

Back in March, I teamed up with my buddy Shea Parton from Apolis Activism and a small team to produce a few profiles on modern activism in action. The first was Michael Daube of Citta International. The second, and just up on the Apolis website, focuses on Rod Arnold, Chief Operating Officer at charity:water whose prime objective is bringing safe drinking water to developing nations. From the Apolis site, "At Apolis, we recognize that authentic results come from daily partnerships. Each season, we feature a modern activist whose work represents our vision to empower people and communities. This spring, we acknowledge Rod Arnold at charity: water for partnering with us to create the Restore Haiti Initiative and this is the story of how it all began."
It was an honor to be apart of Apolis's continuing recognition of good people doing good things. Scroll down for the profile video and click HERE to have a look at the day in the life of a modern activist.

APOLIS ACTIVISM PROFILES: ROD ARNOLD from Dave Christenson on Vimeo.

In the Air: Head to Toe, Spring.

*Vintage BSA Rucksack(LA Flea Market)
*Canon SD780/ACL&Co. sm zipper bag/Pentel auto pencil
*Field Notes/ACL&Co Cigarette pouch
*Timex easy reader/Postalco notebook/Parker Jotter
*Striped Oxford Cloth 5 panel cap
*Ray Ban Wayfarers
*Velva Sheen Pocket Tee
*Wrangler jean jacket
*Apolis plaid camp shirt

Spring Layers: Shirt Jac'in.

Yeah, it's been in the 80's the past few days, but it ain't summer yet. Enter the shirt jac, or over shirt, however you want to refer to it.
Below, a few of my go-to's.

On the Subject of: A Day Well Spent.

Some additional photographs from Loose/Luggage,videographer/photographer Adam Sjoberg's site from our day spent chronicling modern philanthropy for Apolis. Adam shot the video on Michael Daube and took photos throughout the day. CLICK OVER to his site to have a look at more.

Epic Field Trip pt. II: Apolis Profiles, NYC.

When Shea Parton emailed and asked me to lend a hand on a couple of profiles he was coming into NYC to shoot, I accepted without hesitating. If for no other reason than the Parton brothers are some of the absolute greatest guys you're bound to cross paths with.
Then factor into the equation that a)Apolis makes clothing that you want to wear all the time b)do it in a way that creates real and tangible hope and opportunities for developing economies around the world and c)did I mention they're some genuinely great guys.
Our day started early in Jersey City at the home of Citta International's Executive Director, Michael Daube. From there, into the city to shoot on the streets of Soho and NoLita. Then to where Michael takes meetings, his good friend David Byrne's studio. A roving pack of gorilla film makers(*trying to grab shots at a cafe on Mott, we were almost shut down until Shea got on the phone) and activists

Was a day well spent and with great peo
ple involved. Huge thanks to Shea for making it happen and getting me involved.And thanks to Michael for allowing us to tag along for the day.
I am also sure that by now, you've seen that Apolis has re-launched a super clean, awesome new home on the world wide web. Click over and have a look. Poke around for a minute and you may run into yours truly.

Moving Pictures: Rapha + Apolis Activism.

In late 2009, Shea Parton of Apolis Activism, Cole Maness of Rapha and videographer Dave Christenson took a trip to Kathmandu, Nepal to finalize the project that had brought them all together, the Transit Elite sweater. 70% merino wool, 30% cashmere, it is the marriage of the understated style of Rapha and Apolis Activism's continuously growing dedication to sustainable production methods on a global level. In their own words, "NEPAL BEING ONE OF THE WORLD’S CAPITALS FOR ADVENTURE CYCLING, THE STARS BEGAN TO ALIGN. LEADING US TO SEEK OUT RAPHA WITH OUR MERINO CASHMERE SOURCE, THE HAND KNIT STORY OF CITTA’S WOMEN CENTER AND THE CLASSIC HIMALAYAN TERRAIN. RAPHA WAS INTRIGUED WITH THE PROJECT AND AGREED TO HELP CURATE THE PERFECT REWARD AFTER A LONG RIDE – THE TRANSIT ELITE SWEATER."
This video gives a glimpse into what was surely a once in a lifetime experience. Well done fellas.

TRANSIT ELITE from Dave Christenson on Vimeo.

Head to Toe: From the Closet of Secret Forts.

Thought I'd do something a little different and pull together a look from my closet. What I wear and carry and what it all goes in.

*Ebbets Field Flannels Los Angeles Angels Cap
*Canon SD780
*Postalco note book, Parker Jotter, Pentel o.7mm drafting pencil
*Hill-side plum violet chambray hankerchief
*Moscot Lemtosh
*Case Sod Buster jr.
*Timex w/ Nato Band
*Keys to the studio w/ Swiss Army Classic SD on hand made key lanyard
*Apolis Activism + Filson Philanthropist briefcase
*Scarf made from a length of cut & washed Belgian linen from Libeco
*F.S.C. Waxwear parka w/ wool lining & hand made leather togels(yep, I made 'em)
*J.Crew marled wool & leather gloves(washed a few times)
*Woolrich Woolen Mills wool Maine Guide Jacket
*John Weitz Union Stamped oxford (Nashville thrift store find)
*Leather Man Ltd. Trace Carrier belt
*3Sixteen SL-100 raw selvedge jeans
*J.Crew Vermont-made Camp Socks
*Generic Man Suede Chukkas

On the Subject of: Friends in the News.

Fox News LA checks in with the Parton brothers of Apolis Activism. Good friends doing good things. Shea writes, "their Los Angeles bureau visited our office and nearby manufacturing to document our operation as they are featuring businesses worldwide that are providing signs of an economic rebound. Fox will be highlighting my brothers and I, the people we employee, and a preview of our recent travels to Nepal – preparing for the February release of the Transit Elite Sweater."
Look for the segment to air tomorrow(1/12/10). Until then, have a look at a behind the scenes look.

A couple things...

I don't write much but...Raan and Shea Parton, 2 of the 3 brothers behind the label/cause Apolis Activism, were kind enough to invite me for a visit to the Gitman showroom for an informal viewing of their AW '09 collection. And after having obsessed over the styling and general right on-ness in the look book Raan had emailed me, I must say that these are clothes that are meant to be touched and felt and worn. They are that good. I can't say enough about these guys and what they're doing. Plus I got a chance to take a good look at the Apolis/Filson/Invisable Children briefcase. (Perfect)
Also there, it was my pleasure to meet Ryan Huber, co-owner of Context in Madison, WI, Marie Havens of Invisible Children(partners with Apolis on a number of various pieces/projects) and Max, the man behind All Plaidout. (check out his recent post on "The Brothers Parton").
It was a real pleasure. A big thanks to Raan and Shea for the invitation and chance to meet everyone.
A good Statement of Apolis Activism's mission can be read here.

(Click red for links.)