Goin' Back to Cali : US Made Sierra Designs, 60 /40.

I know that it's not even the Fourth of July yet, but let's talk about a particular favorite topic here on SECRET FORTS; parkas. And one in particular, Sierra Designs. Thanks to the diligence of some very good friends, you'll no longer need to try to figure out how you're gonna get your hands on a Sierra Designs US Made 60/40 short parka.

Field Report : UNIONMADE, Santa Monica, CA.

Just back from a quick trip out to LA and while there, I had the chance to get out to UNIONMADE's newly opened outpost within the red barn-like Brentwood Country Mart.
Opened in 1948, the Brentwood Country Mart has been a mainstay for west siders for decades. More recently, along with the likes of the shoe repair shop, Reddi Chick and Sweet Rose's, add to that list shops like Monocle, Turpan and now UNIONMADE.

The Map : UNIONMADE, Santa Monica, CA.

Todd Barket and Carl Chiara, the good people behind UNIONMADE, arguably one of (if not the) best men's shop's in the country have recently opened the doors to their second shop in Santa Monica.

The Fall Three: Carl Chiara, Levi Strauss & co.

I always consider it such a pleasure when I get the chance to catch up with Carl Chiara, director of brand concepts and special projects for Levi Strauss & Co. This past week, Carl was in town from San Francisco for Levis' SS'11 preview, held at the Levis Workshop in the former Deitch Projects space on Wooster. I met Carl at UNIONMADE opening day. We talked about our shared interests in furniture making and wood working as he hand made many of the fixtures in the shop. A Renaissance man, he's a good friend to Secret Forts, an always gracious and humble guy and this is Carl Chiara's Fall Three.

Solid Rock & Shifting Sand: Unionmade Fall Lookbook.

My good buddy Todd at UNIONMADE(the crazy-good men's shop in San Francisco) sent over the shop's Fall Lookbook. Todd says, "We shot it up on the coast of Sonoma County on Blind Beach and Goat Rock Beach. It's about 10 Miles up the coast from Bodega where was The Birds was filmed. Yours truly art directed and styled it." Shot by Brooklyn-based photographer Jason Rodgers, Todd enlisted friends and customers as models and crew, providing craft service himself. " We loved their looks. Overall a really easy shoot with lots of nice people. I was nervous about doing any kind of imagery for the store but I like what we did." Rightfully so Todd. Very well done gents.
Click over to UNIONMADE to see the rest of the looks.

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.

Everybody's Work is Equally Important: Levis Fall10 Preview.

Wednesday night, I hiked west across town, back to the same spot where LL Bean Signature first previewed, for a look at the latest offerings from Levis designers Carl Chiara and Janine Chilton-Faust. I met Carl back in November in San Fran, when I paid Unionmade a visit on opening day and was happy to get a chance to catch up a bit, have a look at Fall10, and congratulate him and Janine on work well done.
Having basically invented the blue jean as we know it today, Levis works both the tried and true while giving it a few new turns. Overall, good looking stuff. Boyfriend dressing is still in full effect for the ladies. For men, well layered, work & outdoors inspired pieces and, of course, denim in a variety of washes and colors.
Had the chance to see some folks I hadn't in some time while having a few beers in preparation for my hike back east toward Brooklyn.
Good times. Good People. Now, Go Forth (to the rest of the post).

The Map: UNIONMADE, SF CA.

I used to live in San Francisco, maybe 15 years ago or so. Having just made a brief trip back for the weekend, it was great to see a shop like UNIONMADE(become a fan on Facebook) filling a void in San Francisco's retail landscape.
If I had to stock my Secret Fort for a long winter, I wouldn't have to go much further than a stop into UNIONMADE. Focusing in on American Heritage products, UNIONMADE has opened only this past weekend at 493 Sanchez st. (@18th). Start with coffee from 4 Barrel and take a stroll over to 18th and up toward the Castro and take your time. There are great things along the way: Bi-Rite Creamery, Tartine Bakery, Delfina restaurant, Dolores Park...and once you get your fill of some of SF's edible best, make your way into UNIONMADE to cap it all off.
It was a real pleasure to meet and talk with Todd Barket, proprietor, about all of the last minute mayhem right up to the opening.
It's a warm place, with friends of Todd and Carl's dropping in to wish good luck and help out around the store. Being a bit of a furniture maker myself, UNIONMADE'S furnishings, handmade by Carl Chiara at their home up north on the Russian River and out of sustainably grown timber from a local lumber yard, nod respectfully to Donald Judd. And check out the vintage Pashley in the window.
The shop offers American goods of both new and old provenance. You'll find the likes of Filson travel bags, classic Woolrich shirtjacs, SNS Herning sweaters, Rogues Gallery flannels, Alden footwear(including a custom styles exclusively for UNIONMADE), Hill-side ties and scarfs to name a few with more to come. Newly opened, it's a place that will continue to evolve, though the foundation is seemingly all there.
Both Todd and Carl are the nicest of guys (with an extremely sweet, newly adopted Greyhound) and have a real handle on things there at UNIONMADE.
If you're in the area, make it a point to stop in, have a chat and take a look. Help support the independent retailers who are doing things right.

UNIONMADE
493 Sanchez @ 18th.
SF, CA
94114
tel:415 861 3373

(Thanks Todd and Sam for hospitality and best of luck.)

*spotted: related post @ ACL