Albam Clothing Fisherman’s Cagoule Jackets

The Search continues...

Now that the weather is on the turn my search for a coat continues, with my mind made upon the rare and fine thing that is Albam's Clothing's, Fisherman jacket.

Initially released in 2007, the cagoule is constructed from silicone-proofed cotton, has a detachable hood, a rather cool rear pocket and distinctive large buttons. It came in a range of colours, including Yellow, Orange, Navy, Teal and Beige, and a Navy/White check version? The rarity is due to Albam's limited production runs, so 'when it's gone, it's gone' - this also leads to the fact that these jackets now sell for more used that they did when new! I think they were £140.00 new...

An indication of the jackets 'legendary status' is that they have been much copied over the last couple of years, namely by Top Man and French Connection, however you can't beat the real thing. Now, Albam do re-issue from time to time, however in their most recent one the jacket sold out in hours!

Having spent the last eight weeks working alongside copywriter Jim Pyett who just so happens to own the 'one to have' original Apple Green version, I was convinced and therefore my search steps up a pace. Jim acquired his on ebay (bargain/lucky £60), which happens to be the best place to find one of these. I happened to be watching a Burnt Orange version pre-Christmas that sold for £160.00 - I want one but possibly not that much!

The jacket was also featured in issue 4 of online style magazine, Umbrella. Which happens to be well worth checking out.
http://www.umbrellamagazine.co.uk/

Ebay watch:
Jan 2012   Red (sz2) below £155
Jan 2012   Beige (sz2)  £112
Jan 2012   Green (sz3)  £134
Jan 2012   Orange (sz2) £124

Alvar Aalto: In the Master's Home

The Next Generation of Finish Designers Infiltrate the Icon's Helsinki Abode

Nice feature on nowness.com who invited Finland’s top contemporary design talent to showcase their work in the home of the country’s greatest most celebrated aesthete, Alvar Aalto.

http://www.nowness.com/day/2011/9/9/1622/alvar-aalto-in-the-masters-home

The Modern Touch

Julius Shulman: Visual Acoustics 

I know that I've mentioned 'Visual Acoustics' previously, however this is a lovely little piece of film taken from the documentary. Photographer Julius Shulman was largely responsible for introducing architectural modernism to the people of California. His images not only brought new work to light in the 50s and 60s, but intuitively communicated the unique optimism and rigor of the international style. Shulman died in June this year at the age of 98, but not before taking part in the filming of Visual Acoustics, a documentary about his work and practices. In this clip of the film Shulman revisits the site of his most famous photograph, a shot of Pierre Koenig’s Case Study House #22 from 1960.

Watch here: nowness.com

Fine things: North Sea Clothing

North Sea Clothing from The Garbstore

Check out this great bit of kit from North Sea Clothing, the Carbine Lanyard. Lets be honest is a key ring, but the quality is stunning, made from vegetable tanned navy blue English bridle leather with marine grade 316 stainless steel bow shackle and carbine hook. The Carbine lanyard is traditionally cut, hand stitched and finished.

North Sea Clothing accessories are all bench made by artisanal craftsmen in England. The products are all hand stitched (no sewing machine used) involving the use of two needles and linen thread treated with natural beeswax. The work is then held in a clam (a wooden handheld saddler's vice) while the stitching is done. This is a highly skilled job, carried out by a single craftsman. This type of stitching is stronger and more flexible than machine stitching. All the edges of the work are hand creased (this is the decorative tooled line at the edge of the leather) using a heated handheld tool. Edges are then stained and burnished, by hand, to finish.

Available from The Couverture & The Garbstore

couvertureandthegarbstore.com

NORTH SEA CLOTHING

The Expedition

North Sea Clothing also offer outstanding knitwear garments of beauty as well as functionality - hence their motto, 'Whatever the weather'. I love the heritage of naval issue garments, for example the 'Submariner' - this sweater was War Office issue to the Royal Navy in both world wars. 
Made in England with British wool, and amazing value for money.


northseaclothing.co.uk

EAMES: The Architect and The Painter

Film


The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Ray Eames are widely regarded as America’s most important designers. Perhaps best remembered for their mid-century plywood and fiberglass furniture, the Eames Office also created a mind-bending variety of other products, from splints for wounded military during World War II, to photography, interiors, multi-media exhibits, graphics, games, films and toys. But their personal lives and influence on significant events in American life – from the development of modernism, to the rise of the computer age – has been less widely understood. Narrated by James Franco, Eames: The Architect and the Painter is the first film dedicated to these creative geniuses and their work.


OPENS NOVEMBER 18th AT THE IFC CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_YMzmuBBBzo