Heddels

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Tumblr
  • Google Plus
  • Soundcloud
  • Vimeo
  • Youtube
  • Snapchat
  • RSS
  • Home
  • FAQ
  • Sale Finder
    • Sale Finder
    • Sale Finder Shortlist
    • Sale Finder Gallery
  • News
    • Announcement
    • Events
    • Latest News
    • New Releases
    • Weekly Rundown
  • Fades
    • Fade Friday
    • Fade of the Day
    • Send Us Your Fades
  • Education
    • 101 Primers
    • History
    • How To
    • Op-Ed
  • Buying Guides
    • Five Plus One
    • Lists
    • Reviews
  • Profiles
    • Item Number One
    • Brand Profiles
    • Interviews
    • Store Profiles
  • Tools
    • Store Guide
    • Dictionary
    • Denim Finder
  • Shop
  • Store Guide
  • Denim Finder
  • Dictionary
  • The Basics
  • Brand List
  • About Us
  • Contact Info
Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

Heddels

  • Home
  • FAQ
  • Sale Finder
    • Sale Finder
    • Sale Finder Shortlist
    • Sale Finder Gallery
  • News
    • Announcement
    • Events
    • Latest News
    • New Releases
    • Weekly Rundown
  • Fades
    • Fade Friday
    • Fade of the Day
    • Send Us Your Fades
  • Education
    • 101 Primers
    • History
    • How To
    • Op-Ed
  • Buying Guides
    • Five Plus One
    • Lists
    • Reviews
  • Profiles
    • Item Number One
    • Brand Profiles
    • Interviews
    • Store Profiles
  • Tools
    • Store Guide
    • Dictionary
    • Denim Finder
  • Shop
Christian-McCann-of-Left-Field-NYC-Exclusive-Interview

Christian McCann of Left Field NYC – Exclusive Interview

Nov 19, 2012 | Interviews | by Dennis DePrimo
Comments

We were given the chance to have a chat with Christian McCann, owner of the acclaimed NYC based denim house, Left Field NYC. Over the course of this interview he tells us what his company is all about, why raw denim is so significant to him and his line, and where he wants to take the Left Field NYC in the future.


RD: Please state your name and role in Left Field NYC

CM: Christian McCann. Creator, Owner, Designer, Production Manager, Accounts Receivable, Shipping Manager – I pretty much do everything.

Indigo Chelsea Jean - Left Field NYC

Indigo Chelsea Jean – Left Field NYC

RD: Can you give us a little bit of insight into Left Field NYC‘s history, along with what spurred you to create the brand?

CM: Left Field started in Brooklyn on Atlantic Ave. in ’98, after trying to find a job in NYC and deciding the corporate life wasn’t for me.

I had 6 months unemployment from a job back in Philly buying men’s clothing for Anthropologie (I had no idea what I was doing at the time). I used to collect vintage clothing from Thrift Stores in North Philly and I thought I would try to sell them to Japan. Problem was, I didn’t even have a proper internet connection back then (approx. 1993), much less a way to connect with Japanese buyers.

But, the seed was planted. I worked with an Italian manufacturer to create a military inspired collection while on a buying trip in Italy, and that gave me the confidence to start my own brand after relocating to NYC.

I was inspired by all the cool ass clothes I was seeing in Japanese fashion magazines, not to mention the lack of interesting American men’s clothing at the time. But, I felt like with the Japanese designers, you could tell that they didn’t grow up in America. Their interpretation was different.

I had the idea to do vintage style sweatshirts. I wanted to make them with the old school chenille letterman patches and wool felt stitched letters. I got yelled at a lot in Chinese, and had a lot of Garment District factory doors slammed in my face. I remember calling fabric Mills and asking for sweatshirt fabric, and they all hung up on me. I wreaked of inexperience.

RD: What first sparked your interest in raw denim?

CM: When you start out raw, it’s like having a blank canvas. Your jeans become a fingerprint. A document of your life experience. Something totally unique. To me, it’s soulless to buy jeans that have fake whiskering and finishing. I cringe when I see people wearing jeans with bad bleaching all over them. I can’t understand why anyone would wear something so dreadful.

Cone Mill Greaser Jean - Left Field NYC

Cone Mill Greaser Jean – Left Field NYC

RD: What do you think is the most important part of making a quality pair of raw selvedge jeans? 

CM: Jeans are fairly simple, like a hamburger. So, it’s all about using quality ingredients. There are a lot of people making quality jeans in America, and using Cone White Oak denim and blah blah blah, but what differentiates my jeans from the others is the personality of the brand.

I always try to incorporate some history in my clothing. The denim is inspired by coal miners. I grew up two hours away from the Anthracite capital of the world, and I’ve always thought there was no tougher worker then a coal miner. And not that romantic, old west gold mining story.

Just pure grit. Tough ass American men working in the pit of hell, claustrophobic spaces underground, cold and wet with no natural light and black dust in their lungs.

RD: Which piece from the Left Field line is your favorite and why?

CM: I like the new Half Moon Duck Hunting Vests a lot. I used Martexin waxed fabric for the shell and Woolrich for the liner. Both companies that have been doing their craft in America for decades and making really special workwear fabrics.

Half Moon Duck Hunting Vests - Left Field NYC

Half Moon Duck Hunting Vests – Left Field NYC

I love the half moon opening, but I added a piece of fabric to the vest so the moon wouldn’t overlap when buttoned like the original. That bothered me and I felt it was a necessary change. I kept the original fowl pocket on the back in case anyone actually went hunting in it. Although, I doubt many of customers will. Fortunately, it also fits an iPad perfectly.

RD: What is the next step for Left Field?

CM: Just want to keep expanding the product line. I started the line with no money and regret not coming out with a proper collection because of it, like other brands with big financial backing. I would like to open a store in NYC in the near future so I can finally merchandise the brand the way I think it should be.

Tags: chelsea jean, Christian McCann, cone mill greaser jean, exclusive interview, half moon duck hunting vest, Interview, left field nyc, raw denim, selvage
9
SHARES
ShareTweetSharePostEmail




Related Articles

Podcast #4 – Karl Thoennessen of Rogue Territory

Hsiang Chin Moe, Kapital Filmmaker

Hsiang Chin Moe of Kapital World Movie – Exclusive Interview

Luke Cho of Mildblend Supply Co. – 25 Years Ahead of the Curve

3sixteen-Decade-Collection-Commemorative-Denim-Exclusive-Interview

3sixteen Decade Collection – Commemorative Denim, Exclusive Interview

Getting Started

New here? Have a look at our seminal guides to get you started.

  • The Three Tiers of Welted Boots and Shoes: Entry, Mid, and End Level
  • Complete Guide to Boot Care
  • Guide to Leather Wallets
  • Three Tiers of Raw Denim
  • Best Entry Level Raw Denim Jeans
  • An Overview Guide to Leather Grades
  • Your First Pair Of Raw Denim
  • Guide to DIY Denim Repairs
  • Essential Raw Denim Breakdown
  • Clean and Wash Your Raw Denim
  • Rundown on Selvedge Denim

Free Daily Newsletter

Join over 10,000 subscribers and sign up for our free daily newsletter!

Sales Finder Shortlist

Our weekly exhaustive list of all the best menswear sales on the web.

Latest Edition - Apr 20, 2018

Brands Directory

Our picks for the best makers and manufacturers around the globe.

  • 3sixteen
  • 3sixteen+
  • 3×1
  • 45rpm
  • Acne
  • Ande Whall
  • A.P.C.
  • Baldwin Denim
  • Beams
  • Big John
  • Brooklyn Denim Co.
  • Buzz Rickson
  • Carhartt
  • Civilianaire
  • Denham
  • Dickies 1922
  • Eat Dust
  • Evisu
  • Eternal
  • Freenote Cloth
  • Full Count
  • G-Star
  • Hiut
  • Imogene + Willie
  • Imperial
  • Iron Heart
  • Japan Blue
  • Jean Shop
  • Kamikaze Attack
  • Kapital
  • Kings of Indigo
  • Knickerbocker Mfg
  • Lee
  • Lee 101
  • Levis
  • Levis made and crafted
  • LVC
  • Left Field NYC
  • Momotaro
  • Mr. Freedom
  • Naked & Famous
  • Noble Denim
  • Norman Porter
  • Nudie Jeans Co
  • Old Blue
  • Oni
  • Pike Brothers
  • Pointer Brand
  • Pure Blue Japan
  • Railcar Fine Goods
  • Raleigh Denim
  • Red Wing
  • Real Japan blues
  • Rogue Territory
  • Roy
  • Ruell and Ray
  • RRL
  • Samurai Jeans
  • Shockoe Atelier
  • Skull Jeans
  • Stevenson Overall Company
  • Studio D’Artisan
  • Sugar Cane
  • The Denim Store
  • The GRO Project
  • The Hill-Side
  • Tellason
  • Taylor Stitch
  • Tender
  • The Flat Head
  • The Strike Gold
  • The Stronghold
  • Thorogood
  • The Real McCoys
  • Unbranded
  • United Stock Dry Goods
  • WH Ranch Dungarees
  • Williamsburg Garment Company
Show Full List

Popular

  • fade-of-the-day-thorogood-6-soft-toe-boots-3-years-pair-front-and-side

    Fade of the Day – Thorogood 6″ Soft Toe Boots (3 Years)

    5 Comments
  • weekly-rundown-1000-shirt

    For Sale: Vintage Patterned Shirt, £500,000 OBO: The Weekly Rundown

    4 Comments
  • samurai-17oz-denim-hiking-backpack-front-side

    Samurai 17oz. Denim Hiking Backpack

    3 Comments

Latest Fades

  • fade-of-the-day-warehouse-lot-900-1-year-1-wash-front-back

    Fade of the Day – Warehouse Lot 900 (1 Year, 1 Wash)

    No Comments
  • fade-friday-oni-517xx-2-years-4-washes-1-soak-in-hands

    Fade Friday – Oni 517XX (2 Years, 4 Washes, 1 Soak)

    No Comments
  • fade-of-the-day-grant-chronograph-tan-watch-strap-3-months-front

    Fade of the Day – Fossil Grant Chronograph Tan Watch Strap (3 Months)

    No Comments

Heddels

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Tumblr
  • Google Plus
  • Soundcloud
  • Vimeo
  • Youtube
  • Snapchat
  • RSS
  • Help & Info
    • About
    • Advertising
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Policy & Disclosures
    • Shop
    • Sitemap
    • Writing
  • News
    • Announcement
    • Events
    • Latest News
    • New Releases
    • Weekly Rundown
  • Fades
    • Fade Friday
    • Fade of the Day
  • Education
    • FAQ
    • 101 Primers
    • History
    • How To
    • Op-Ed
  • Buying Guides
    • Five Plus One
    • Lists
    • Reviews
  • Profiles
    • Item Number One
    • Brand Profiles
    • Store Profiles
    • Interviews
  • Tools
    • Sale Finder
    • Store Guide
    • Dictionary
    • Denim Finder

Free daily newsletter

News, giveaways, and more sent right to your inbox!

(c) 49 Oz. 2011 - 2018