Woolrich Woolen Mills Cord Track Jacket…. by Shaun Dangerfield

It's been a little while since I posted last, I'm in the middle of buying a house and sorting Ardour's new goods out with Saul so slightly snowed under but we have plenty to report shortly.

I clocked this in the sale stateside in December bookmarking it for January and it arrived today.
A beautiful piece it is too, going back to my roots and a love for cord this is a great throw on jacket but in a lovely rich chestnut colour, well sleazy.

Bring on the long summer all dayer's….

Forestbound…. by Shaun Dangerfield

I'm a sucker for a good passion based story, especially about individuals who are into something and create themselves a niche from it.

Alice Saunders created her own business Forestbound in Boston from her love of vintage and having the vision to recreate, while doing my rounds for vintage cloth and materials I found her website and browsed through her handmade goods that she so proudly creates from vintage military items and vintage textiles, canvases, denims and leathers.

I'm sure her products are an acquired taste but they are right up my street, when a fabric or material can almost shout out what it's about, it's history and where it's been well then I'm hooked, you got me, it had me at hello.

I have attached a few photo's of her work but I found a great video which tell a lot more about her than I ever could on a blog piece so I have attached those below too.

There is also a great vintage section on there selling pretty much classic vintage American products, this New Hampshire Paper Service sweatshirt is such a great looking piece, and I've earmarked the WW2 US Navy sewing kit too, lovely kit.

Today's Wears...By Saul Wilks

Black Ivy Style...By Saul Wilks.

For those who have followed us closely over the years you may remember a brilliant documentary I posted up focussing on the photographers of the famous pictorial magazine Life.

If I had the time, money and space I would definitely look into collecting older issues because some of the work featured in them is mesmerising, not to mention inspirational.

These photographs I've posted show an interesting take on Ivy style, something that both Shaun and I are fascinated by and also influences some of our Ardour Brand garments and ideas.

To my knowledge these were shot during the early 60's and portray the aforementioned fashions being sported by working class black kids - and they look amazing.

Sometimes I feel as though I was born into the wrong generation, these styles resonate with me greatly and these pictures definitely speak a thousand words.

They're quite simply breathtaking.

Colimbo Hunting Goods Observer Parka...By Saul Wilks

Since I last posted I must admit to having spent some serious dollar on new clobber. That's the rewards you get for spending Christmas in work, but then that's the epitome of swings and roundabouts I guess.

As a result I've got a magnitude of ace clothing to post up over the next few weeks, but if I actually get around to doing it is another matter, so don't be surprised if there's no update for another few weeks. However, I at last found the time today to head out and do what I do best.

Colimbo Hunting Goods is without doubt one of my favourite labels around and as it's Japanese made with a heavyweight construction, they never fail to produce killer looking garments that will see you right through a nuclear fall out.

Getting hold of it is like trying to get hold of a nice fresh pile of rocking-horse excrement, ie, it's an arduous task to say the very least. The couple of bits I have copped for have all been imported from State-side, Williamsburg to be exact and without doubt one of the best shops on the plant, Hickorees of the big apple, NYC.

I don't even worry about getting hammered by customs any more, the stuff they stock and the stuff I've bought is always worth a financial arse intrusion. Anyway, one of my latest picks was the Observer Parka, a rugged, durable jocker of a coat that would probably keep you alive in the Arctic circle - it really is that good.

I decided it was too good not to shoot for sinister so I headed out looking something like a crack dealer and did just that.

I'll keep the spiel to a minimum and let you take a goosey gander at the precarious shots I took instead.

Be warned, they're proper menswear like.

Ciao.

Ardour Brand Record Section...

We have now added a music section to our site, something that is obviously so close to our hearts and along with selling older and used vinyl we will also be selling new vinyl from our choice labels.

And we are proud to have secured a UK distribution for Washington D.C based PPU Records.
A label that is built on Soul, Synth, Boogie and Funk and reissues rare and deleted records as well as new productions, we are extremely happy to have this on board and you can check out our vinyl section in the link below…

ARDOUR BRAND RECORDS - VINYL SECTION

I have put a couple of records we have online below so you can appreciate the full track, good lovin' from Caprice, Henri Rich's disco monster and the heavy sound of The Pinch.

Shaun

Ardour Brand 11oz Hickory Stripe Denim Shirt...

We have finally received the sample back for our 11oz hickory denim shirt, we are extremely happy with the end product and they are now going into production.

It's taken 5 months to get to this stage from initial design and changing features with it but it is now in into it's final phase.

In terms of quality and material it is up there with the best, we have paid a premium for the denim and for the manufacturing and that is definitely in the final mix.

11oz hickory stripe denim
Wooden buttons
Pleated upper back
Tab pocket
Tab chest for sunglasses/glasses/pens
Button down collar

We will be able to do the full shoot for it soon but it's nice to put up the sample and show how far we are with it.

Shaun

6:30am Snap shot… by Shaun Dangerfield

12th January 2014
Wolverhampton - 6:30am

Journal Standard, Bellerose snap shots... By Shaun Dangerfield

A couple of pick up's towards the end of last year that I pulled out today, a nice lightweight knit from Journal Standard and a pin stripe shirt from Bellerose, nothing ground breaking but I'm getting on now ain't I ? I'm going for comfort.  That's a lie, I just like them.

I thought I'd take some shots of them while the neighbours gaze in and over from the top window obviously wondering what the hell I was doing.

I like details, I enjoy the shots of the stitching or the cut, the weave and the contrasting colours, the labels and the materials. I want to shout it from the rooftops... I don't really, that's a stupid comment.
I want to shout it up to the neighbours window though, I don't think they would understand they look like they enjoy a good bush, and some pruning. Who am I to judge.