We can’t get enough of Quality Peoples, hailing from Mexico/Hawaii and spreading Aloha all over the world. If you haven’t already started following their blog do so here, and their instagram: @qpeeps is mighty fun to follow as well. Here is a glimpse at their new look book. QP makes us happy.
Love Jules Leather is back and our favorite leather crafting genius’s Jules and Joshua have been very busy. See their newest additions to the Love Jules Leather line below and make sure to check out their Etsy site for lots more amazing product. Our favorite new items are a dead draw between the Ben Wannamaker Throwback Pro Model - HIGHTOP Leather Boat Shoes – Pebbled Red and Navy Blue Cowhide with Pendleton Details, and the Recycled vibrant red leather fanny pack – hand cut, sewn, and riveted – with the nautical striped belt. Are you kidding, it doesn’t get much better than what is going on here.
Pink happens to be a color that permeates Hong Kong and the locals pretty heavily, whether it’s on keychains, phone cases, wallets, shirts, bracelets of Hong Kong girls and guys. However, place a pink haired Australian model into the scene and suddenly she sticks out. The difference between model Eve Smith is that she rocks the pink hair but still looks chic (leaving the horrid style of the music artist Pink in the dust, bravo to Eve who styled herself). Jeffrey Chan on the other hand captures moments of travelling mixed with high fashion poses. His attention to capturing Eve’s focus is flawless.
via Ben Travato
My friend refers me to a barbershop on Broadway and Main in Vancouver BC. My friend has amazing hair, and I can’t help but be impressed by how neat it always looks. I call in and schedule an appointment for the next day because I want my hair to be as neat as his.
I arrive at the Belmont Barbershop and it’s absolutely amazing. To say it’s decorated well would be stupid, because there are no decorations, instead there are gentleman artifacts and it’s like a man museum in there. As I enter, both of the barbers, Dustin Fishbook and Rich Hope look up. I’m not sure but I think Dustin might have nodded at me, but no words are exchanged. As I sit I can’t help but admire the details in this shop and the way it is run. An older gentleman comes in selling hair product, Dustin, who has a shaved head and an impressive beard and tattoos quickly inspects the product, nods, and goes back to the task at hand; giving a good-looking guy a stylish haircut. That description was shit, but it’s a hard to describe. A man with great shoes comes in. A man with a beard and tattoo’d sleeves comes in, he has on big leather boots.
Then the man in Dustin’s chair get’s up and pays. Dustin motions to the empty chair, I’m not sure what to do and I stare at him blankly. He motions again and I realize that it’s my turn. I think I mumble off something like, “I like it high and tight”, and clumsily shuffle through a few photos of a haircut I like, the photos are terrible and I’m not even sure if he sees them. I am turned away from the mirror looking at the doorway, so I have no idea what is happening to my hair. I’m thinking in my head, “Does he know how I want it styled?”, “Did I explain what I wanted at all?” He starts immediately and I can’t believe how quickly he moves but in such a way that each gesture seems purposeful and meticulous. Nothing is said as he works except that he asks if I want my eyebrows trimmed. I mumble, “yes please”. I try to sit as still as possible. Then suddenly after working in an amazing smelling thick wax and working it through with a comb, he spins me around in one smooth motion.
I am looking at myself in the mirror, except it’s not me. It’s a badass version of me. The guy sitting in the chair looks like a hip 50′s character/modern New York artist/punk-ish refined biker/20′s war hero. I say three words, “It’s fucking awesome.” Dustin says nothing and simply bows.
Don’t go to Belmont Barbershop if you want bullshit small-talk with prissy stylists that don’t give a shit about what you have to say. Don’t go to Belmont Barbershop if you want flower smelling lotions and people to wash your hair with tepid water.
Go to Belmont Barbershop if you want the best haircut in the world, done by true professionals who know what looks the best, and that talk about badass shit like surfing, motorcycles, and hockey. I will do everything I can to get my haircut by Dustin or Rich next time I am in Vancouver and for now I am refusing to take the wax out of my hair one day later, because as I sit and type this I feel too damn cool.
photos by The Belmont Barbershop
It’s late and I’m struggling to get through the rest of my design project. I’m spaced out and can’t focus until in my drifting state I land on this page.
Immediately the static draws my attention and I’m looking at a TV in a living room that seems to be set far away. A drink sits on the table and the clock blinks 9:36. I’m prompted to turn up my volume and I do so, while clicking on the icon hovering in the middle of the screen.
As the video begins I am now completely focused. My own clock blinks 2:30 AM and for the first time in hours, I feel completely tuned in.
It’s a series of text placed over moving organic imagery. Abstract inks and sky’s overlapped in a sort of low-fi dance. As the frames switch, the music weaves it’s way into each blending image. It’s unbelievably beautiful and mesmerizing and as the words start to soak in, the story unfolds.
Fast forward a few weeks and I have the opportunity to speak with the minds behind My Lost Uncle. Jani Maunula lives in Helsinki, Finland. Antti Meriluoto, his partner in creativity lives there also. Jani and Antti became friends working together at design in Golla which is a bag company for portable electronics. ”Antti was AD and I was developping Denim Line and Black Line for business people. We both got bored of strict working hours from 9-7 and we developed this project based on my Innovation studies. Last year I went back to university for one year course after 10 years in fashion business.”
Now that I begin to understand their past, I’m still trying to comprehend what this project is all about. How is this mysterious video linked to fashion and design? It becomes clear as Jani and I continue our conversation. His Uncle’s story was thought to have ended in the sea in 1979. Years after his disappearance and perceived death, Jani received a postcard in the mail. It said one sentence.
His Uncle Andreas’s journey was intended to finish in New York, instead it is a complete mystery to the world and especially his family as to where he ended up. This doesn’t seem to be the focus however for Jani and Antti, the inspiration comes from the idea of the postcard, the ocean, and the concept of following your own beacons.
“Antti and me are having a thought about the similarities between oceans and space. Those both are unknown places, dark and even scary. When thinking oceans and space imagination can be limitless. In the past sailors travelled using light towers and stars as their guides in the darkness. Then there was no electricity, light towers used real fire, stars are on fire.”
Jani and Antti are headed to New York to tell the rest of the story. Their vessel will be design and fashion. A culmination of their love for fashion, art, design, colors, of the ocean, mystery, film, lighting, and adventure. My Lost Uncle is becoming a movement, charged by the past.
We will watch as the next part of the story unfolds. What type of fashion designs will be drawn from these two creatives? Simply the idea leaves me smiling as I sit on my computer late at night. The concept of channeling a loss, or an event in one’s life into creative fuel, even if everyone doesn’t completely understand all the elements that inspire you and where you are going, that excites me beyond belief. We have all lost, or been lost. We all have our beacons, whether they are loved one’s, professors, peers, or the stars. In the case of My Lost Uncle, and Jani and Antti, we are waiting in anticipation to see what will be created and wish them calm seas, and clear skies.
Hey all you Witness This readers! How goes it? Let me start this post by kindly introducing myself. My name is Erica, I live in the beautiful town of Cardiff by the Sea, and I just turned the fabulous age of 26. I love love love fashion, always have and definitely always will. I started creating things when I was just a kid; think purses made from Vintage Harley Davidson tees (using a glue stick & craft scissors of course), and from that point on I knew that creativity & fashion would always be a part of who I am. I went to school for fashion merchandising and now spend my fabulous days freelance blog writing, shopping, creating, and of course- running my own site, Fashionlushxx.
I put together this post for all of you to let you in on some of my favorite summer look’s here in sunny San Diego! Hope you all enjoy & be sure to check out Fashionlushxx for outfit posts, trend reports, and a bunch of great DIY projects!
Little Black Dress for all seasons: I love black, and I don’t care what season it is- it is always acceptable to me (especially when in the form of a LBD). For the summer season, a flowy black frock with a bit of lace like the one you see me wearing above or a black maxi dress will be perfect additions to your summer wardrobe. See the full look here.
Tribal Prints: This trend has taken over, and I can’t seem to get enough of it. Here you see me rocking a tribal print mini skirt with a clashing (yet still matching) tribal print cross body bag and an oversized, super soft, Brandy Melville tee. This look is great for a day at the beach or even shopping with your friends. See the full look here.
Floral Denim: Once summer hits, the time comes to pull out all of your adorable Daisy Dukes, but don’t let them get stale. When you have over worn your favorite denim shorts, mix things up with a fun pair of floral print shorts instead. Added points? Pair your floral print shorts with stripes for a perfectly mismatched look! See the full look here.
Light & Lovely Layers: Summer days are always so nice, but when heading into evening layers are the way to go! For an edgy, yet boho, look- layer a fringe kimono with a motorcycle inspired leather jacket. Leather isn’t too heavy; so it’s the perfect add-on to a summer time outfit. Check out the full look here.
Don’t Forget your Belt: Belts are the perfect addition to any outfits. At least I think so. Lately I am loving the whole “boyfriend belt” trend, which is basically wearing an extra long belt (maybe even your boyfriends) and looping it around itself. This trend looks great when you pair it with a girly floral print skirt, a fun maxi dress, or even a pair of skinny jeans with a half-tucked in t-shirt. See the full look here.
