If you've stopped in the Nolita RRL shop you know the fellas in there are of the nicest of retail specialists. Exactly the opposite of most stores today, you can actually hang out there, have a decent conversation that's not all about 'where'd you get those?' Brooks came to NYC a few years ago from sunny California and brings those vibes to Prince Street. Saw him earlier today at Ray's in a great old fedora and was reminded of these photographs I took last winter. One of the great things about working retail for RRl must be that you don't have to wear all Ralph Lauren product when working. The kids there are able to mix it up and do that quite well. I don't think they would wear other modern designers but they do mix vintage better than most people I see these here days.
Always been a huge fan of this bag. Motorola Razor Copped 2 pairs o' tennies Denim underwear for the kiddies over their diapers. gangster with the red cloth out the back pocket. Stetson Open Road, I mustve shot this hat 100 times since being out West. Love me a needlepoint loafer Love old Jansport! Those vests the Japanese and cool guys everywhere lust for. Huge fan of a proper tab collared shirt. Hazy shot but one of the best looks I saw. Good look rock star. I dont really want to show you the full length, he kinda messed that part up. OK, here it is. We've all seen Buddy Lee dolls, but I never get tired of shooting the lil' guys. Did you read this shirt??
The next time you find yourself in San Francisco do yourself a favor and stop by the the recently furnished Levis store. On the lower level where the Tailor Shop is housed, LVC has stocked the floor with all 9 Made In These United States 501’s from 1890-1966 (1890, 15, 33, 44, 47, 54 501z, 55 & 66). If denim isnt your flavour, youll find a bevy of the most classical of american vintage items along with a sprinkle of LVC 1920’s Made In America tees, henleys, Sunset shirts and a personal favorite, the 1936 Type I jacket. Love a pleat & buckleback!
The vintage tees, flannels and military pants (ALL MADE IN USA) sit on repurposed white oak barn siding that has been plane & sanded. (for you interior folk) denim wall- Constructed from salvaged city of San Francisco scaffolding that was deemed unsafe for SF city workers..ties nicely with the city that gave birth to Levi’s & the 501! 50’s L.L. Bean 70’s Harley Davidson I love how the masking tape they used for inventory purposes remained on!
In addition to selling vintage and LVC, the tailor shop is now cranking out aprons of canvas duck and lining a selection of Big E type 3 denim jackets with 1940’s camp blankets. I normally have problems with reworked vintage but i quite like these. Two jeans from 1890-1900 are being redone. The Barnyard (shown above) and the Spurbites shown below (worn by some cowboy, the cuff area is all beaten up from his spur) and will be available at this location. Both jeans were originally made right here (w/ pure indigo dyed 90z Amoskeag plain selvage denim) in Hippie Dippie San Fran Skippie.
Would you look at their hats! If you want to have fun with your fedora, take a page out of their book!
Forgive me for not crediting the names of the artists shown above. If you know who painted what, please do share as you always do.