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)

First Look: Oak Street Bootmakers.

A few months back, a good pal was in town from the windy city. In his Hulme travel bag, some seriously handsome, well made footwear. Samples of the debut collection from Oak Street Bootmakers. I was instantly a fan.

Empire State of Mind.

Looking forward to this. The time lapse video is nuts. Atlantic City circa 1920, built in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Boardwalk Empire. September 19th. HBO.

Preview Trailer #4

Debatable: 3Sixteens, 9 Months In.

I've been wearing these 3Sixteens for 9 months now. Head over to Denim Debate to have a look at their fading glory. (Psst. My jeans are up here. But more on that later.)

In Good Company: Hickoree's Hard Goods + J. Crew.

Having made the hike uptown(from Brooklyn, hence hike) the other morning to have a look at J.Crew's newest men's store at 1040 Madison Avenue, a curious thing has happened since.