BREAD & BUTTER WINTER 2013 – THE JAPANESE INVASION

DENHAM SPRING 2013: MILITARY STANDARDS MEET MUSIC FESTIVAL

El Taco Truck (FOOD)

In life, there is nothing but to drive on and drive proud.

Every man dreams of driving a Lamborghini, Lotus, or Land Rover. Sometimes we think a new ride will make us more of a man. But today we will introduce you to Nikola from Stockholm whose set of wheels is a pink Taco truck yet his journey of life…is beyond cool.

If the urge for a different set of wheels is a constant in your life, a change of perspective might be all that’s needed to see your car in a new light. Nikola is a tattoo shop owner, a Harley Davidson rider, an old stuff treasurer, a taco cook and a pink Taco Truck owner.

In the video shot by the Indie Cities, Nikola will take you to his work places talking about his inpiring lifetrack he had been to and how he started off.

SCOTCH & SODA AMSTERDAM COUTURE

To the famed denim city, Amsterdam, the Nine Streets area continues to be a magnet for cool stores, and one favorite store of us is this Scotch & Soda Amsterdam Blauw. Check it out. Plenty of denim treasures are here to be found.

In August 2011, following the success of the newly launched Amsterdams Blauw denim diffusion line in 2010, Scotch & Soda started off this standalone Amsterdams Blauw denim store housing the label’s high profile collection.

As we browsed through the shop, one of the most notable features of the store we found is the fitting rooms, which take cue from Amsterdam’s rich history! The pods are actually repurposed toilets that you can still see around Amsterdam today, while the curtains are reclaimed sails from the Dutch ships of the 17th century. This is one thing you will never find from any other town. So why not here?

As for their collections and selections here, we clearly spot similar elements in their design yet the aesthetics are obviously in line with the brand's distinct modern denim brand image. You can check out the full collection now on their website.

Behind the glass window display and the original exposed brick walls, antique ’Dutch White’ floor tiles and reclaimed Singer sewing stools from old factories, it’s not just a shop, but something like a denim-deli, where you escape the hectic shopping experience and take it slow. It’s a place to drop by, relax, enjoy a good coffee, have a chat and immerse yourself in beautiful products. Pop in, people. The place is worth it.

To see the latest Amsterdam Blauw F/W 12 collection check out the Scotch & Soda website, or if you’re in Amsterdam drop by the store at Berenstraat 15, Amsterdam 1016 GG, Netherlands, 0031-207882635.

“The idea was to do something that was completely different from others stores in Stockholm” – said the guy in the video. You might think ‘aww..bullshit! Everyone says that.’ Does the Unionville really live up to hype? Prepare your ‘whow!’ face and check out this video.

We’re big fans of the awesome Unionville store in Stockholm. The store is an inspiring destination for all the denim purists and has a really great backstory – which is why we were excited to see this video by Indiecities.

Here in the video Fredrik of Unionville told us about how he teamed up with Douglas and Hampus of Blue Highway jeans six years ago and they make their denim in the store out of a workroom out the back. You can’t get more hands-on and local than that!

Apart from Fredrik, Douglas and Hampus’ masterpieces. One thing you can be sure about is how pure and raw the store offers. There is only raw denim sold in Unionville, no pre-faded jeans allowed here which means they stock the very best names in top quality, well-crafted jeans such as Ironheart, Spellbound, Edwin and Denim Demon, among others.

Denim Inspiration: Mac DeMarco Video

This awesome grainy monochrome video is for the Canadian Musician; Mac DeMarco’s single, “Exercising with My Demons”, featuring him and his crew of friends all dressed in full denim looks.

Then who the heck is him? He is one famous badass we wouldn’t dare bother. This twenty-one-year-old Mac DeMarco has been making quite a name for himself since he launched into the indie scene last Spring. The single, “Exercising with My Demons” is one of many bizarrely funny promo videos that have set this Canadian wild child apart from the barrage of manufactured and unoriginal indie bands. DeMarco is known for his impressive slough of cassette-only releases that feature his infamous slacker, yacht rock guitar riffs, and crooner dad vocals and this single is the perfect example of his wildly delirious style.

For the video, shot on 35 mm by Demarco’s friend and cinematographer; Evan Prosofsky, this captures the moments when him and the denim clad crew roams the streets of Montreal hanging outside stoops of local churches, bench pressing weights, and skulling cans of fruit sodas. Check it out. This is one denim scene you don’t wanna miss.

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NATURAL HABITATS AN EXHIBITION OF MOTORCYCLE PHOTOGRAPHY

It’s hard to tell what the photographer and sideburn contributor Sam Christmas is more obsessive about: motorcycles or photography matter. But their love of each comes through on every masterpiece shown at the Natural Habitats: an exhibition of motorcycle photography.

Custom-choppers, rare bikes and the odd burn-out are things you will find here.

If you are in East London right now, guys, don’t miss this out. The British photographer; Sam Christmas opened the doors to the “Natural Habitats”; his new photo exhibition recently showcasing the faces of the UK’s fast-growing custom bike scene, alongside their unique motorcycles and personal spaces in which they work. The portfolio of bikers ranges from Benny Thomas of Boneshaker Choppers, Drew, Reino and Paul of The Black Skulls and ark Eley of Eley Kishimoto. Sam lenses the guys (most of them are his close friends) in their personal workshops, garages, bedrooms and even bowling clubs. One of the key personalities in the exhibition, Nicolai Sclater aka Ornamental Conifer, also showcased a display of his hand-painted gas tanks and helmets.

Here at the exhibition, you’ll also find a pop-up shop curated by Kingdom of Kicks featuring the Great Frog London, The Black Skulls, Eat Dust, Sideburn, Boneshaker Choppers and more.

The best part is the exhibition is free! It runs between Friday 25 January – Sunday 3 February 2013. The place is open 9.30am-5.30pm Mon to Fri, 12pm-6pm Sat & Sun
Find them at 71a Leonard St, London EC2A 4QS

MARITHÉ + FRANÇOIS GIRBAUD AND JEANOLOGIA PRESENT THE WATTWASH™ TREATMENT + OZONE INSTALLATION AT PROJECT LAS VEGAS.

The Denim industry needs change and some brilliant people have figure out how to do it. Here is a video speaking to the world here comes a “clean” jean for a “vintage” aspect.

For anyone bothered the pollutions created by the old process of denim wash, we have good news for you. These denim geeks keep the denim scene colorful, well, this time, clean by introducing some new technology of denim wash we call it more eco-friendly! No more acid, no more chemical wash with lots of water waste. Marithé + François Girbaud and Jeanologia present the WATTWASH™ Treatment + Ozone Installation at PROJECT Las Vegas. The idea is to use laser to create any worn look to denim. Check it out. This laser is sick! You have got to see it yourself.

In the video, introduced to PROJECT by Adriano Goldschmied, Founder & Creative Director of Goldsign and one of the biggest promoters for sustainability within the fashion industry, this revolutionary “green” wash technology significantly reduces the amount of water used to wash denim. The technology was created by Jeanologia and will be on display at the show in a large-scale, Marithé + François Girbaud installation within workroom. Check it out.

DENIM FORECAST 2013

f you've been walking by some major denim stores lately (which you should, there are some great new stuffs updated from the New Year) you would have noticed that color stuff is getting to take part in the window display now. So what is the denim trend is going to be? Let’s check this journal out.

For Spring/Summer 13, denim geeks are still all sticklers for detail, and the jeans worn on the streets this season says it all. According to our fellow, Denimoholic, it seems like colors are invading the denim world in its greater control this year. This mean a series of COLORFUL COLLECTION in Chinos & Jeans are ready to kick off!

And more, we can expect to see mills and laundries include sustainable product lines, offering organic cotton or recycled cotton/polyester alongside cotton alternatives such as Tencel.

For those who scratch your head to the word, “Tencel®-Denim is a brilliant, super-soft fabric. It breathes, feels cool in the heat and warm in cooler temps. At the same time, it makes the skirt extremely easy-care and crease-resistant. The characteristic denim lends it a casual look which is emphasised by the sporty brass-coloured quilted seams and decorative top stitching.”

The report dig deeper and what they found is that Alternative fabric choices can be seen all over the mill industry this coming season.

5 WASHED JEANS THAT WOULD FIT REAL GUY

Today, nothing could be more mainstream than denim. Whether you’re after vintage, destroyed or the palest powder blue wash, we’ve selected the very best new jeans that fit your characters kneeling down before you now.

Stone Washed

This found a kindred spirit in denim. It’s a fit of a modern fashion jean with the character and attitude of a well-worn classic blue jean. Made for those who live the honor, tradition, and everything true wrapped up in the word ‘cowboy’.

Vintage Washed

Don’t let this lost art gone. Today’s average male has no clue about the fine art of the wash that their grandfathers and some of their parents used to take part in. From James Dean in the classic film Rebel Without a Cause to the Greasers in S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. This wash is classic and suit your noble manliness strut. A gentleman would walk into a store for this.

Bleach Look

Stylish, street smarter have flocked to this kind of washed jeans. You might as well be the cool kids on the block or fashion bloggers. And yes, for those of you who wants to show the other casual side of yours, these jeans are the perfect throw-on item for a weekend of errands.

Destroyed Jeans

Jeans, of course, used to be the badge of the rebel; the man who broke from the traditional dress of society and rejected the old way of doing things. Everytime you want to have a rule-breaker day, grab the destroyed washed one. You know it. You’ll feel like a bad ass.

One Washed

One washed not only gives the appearance of broken-in denim, yet create a more refined look. It shows you love things to be simple and might as well be a down-to-earth person.

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AMSTERDAM DENIM, K.O.I. (KINGS OF INDIGO)

Last week, we gave some new cool denim stores in town just for us all to have more places to dive in. Today, we’re rounding up another denim heaven to hit up for the holiday. K.O.I. is the name. And it stands for -- King. Of. Indigo.

King of Indigo may be one of Amsterdam’s newest denim family members
But the label is accepted, so well that we couldn’t look further, as a leading sustainable denim brand in the market. They put the best foot forward when thinking about cool clothes that are environmentally friendly. The Dutch denim label Kings of Indigo does just this and launches a denim collection for spring 2012. At the K.O.I., they produces every garment with conscience by recycling and repairing. One thing we love most about the brand is that they make jeans with a great fit and conscience. Have your eyes on every piece, they do mix American authentic heritage with a fresh Japanese eye for detail and quality.

And now you can raise your glass for its first pop-up store in Amsterdam’s denim district to showcase its RRR concept and second evolution of blue dyed denim. The store is located in the renowned denim district, The Nine Streets which is a home to Denham, Tenue De Nimes and Scotch & Soda’s Blauw so apart from K.O.I, you still can have more place to swim in cool vintage stuffs as much as you want.

"The pop-up store is mainly to show our product directly to the consumer – for them to see the full range and also to promote the Repair and Recycle. I think its important to communicate this sustainable concept to the consumer as there is roughly 40% of clothing still being disposed through garbage. We want to show that recycling an old pair of jeans is valuable, its not garbage" - Tony Tonnaer, K.O.I. owner and founder

We had a chance to talk to some fellow who did make it to the store and told us they do expand every season and take on a new product group. May be, we should take a tour to the store sometimes. We think it’s worth it.

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