Inspiration LA has come and gone again. It was a weekend of vintage and repro fashions capped off by the world famous Rose Bowl Flea Market.
Over 100 exhibitors gathered to greet a host of buyers, press, and the general public at the LA Mart/Reef Center in Downtown Los Angeles and we were on the ground to soak up the vintage sights, sounds, and smells. Here’s our report.
Himel Bros.
Dave Himel’s Shinki horsehide jackets are made so well that you’ll never need to buy another. The only caveat is they’ll set you back a couple months rent ($2000-$2500).
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For those of us with more modest means, his new collection uses the same construction techniques as the horse coats but is made of American steer-hide. They start off softer and will only run you a little more than a month’s rent ($1200-1500).
This D-pocket rider jacket has a special “Freudian” split back.
But if you’re a horsehide fan, don’t worry, the full line is sticking around plus some new additions like this side-zip asymmetrical racing shirt.
Red, Wite, and Blue
LA born and bred jeanmakers Red, Wite, and Blue just want to make the clothes they want to wear. Inspired by the hot-rod style workwear of the 1940s and 50s, Mario and his team design and construct their clothes in-house.
Period details abound including buckle-backs, exposed rivets, suspender buttons, and western style pockets.
They also do hats, like this 1940s newsboy style cap made from a deadstock grosgrain jungle cloth meant for N-1 deck coats.
Levi’s Vintage Clothing
LVC had every era of 501 out for sale. All of which could be hemmed and chainsitch embroidered right on site.
Lewis Leathers
Ace Boot Co.
White feather Mfg. Co.
Farhad Sefidpar (pictured above with Bandit Photographer/Cory Piehowicz) aims for a different era, reproducing the fashions of turn of the century American workwear. He may be based in Vienna, but his American details are on point.
Leather tabs instead of rivets,
Arrowhead & Co.
PF Flyers
Our friends Stack-Aly and Parry Grimm were out again for PF Flyers. Their new made in USA line is made just down the street from their office in Boston and set to launch in the coming months.
Also of note was this rubberized leather duck boot, apparently PF was a brand of choice for hunters and fishermen alike in the 1940s and 50s. Their booth’s historical decor was period perfect as usual.
Masterson’s
Back at Inspiration 2013, Michael Masterson set up a booth with two lights, one of his shirts on a hanger, and nothing else. He brought a bit more this time around, but the shirts are still the star of the show.
2×1 twill denim, custom molded brass buttons, zig-zag chainstitch on the placket, and triple-stitch construction round out this no compromises workshirt.
Beyond the denim, he also does a variety of hand-dyed and fermented plant indigo shirting. The label falls in line with Masterson’s aloof mystique, an embroidered indigo molecule simply stating “For Those Who Know”.
He also hand embroiders a leaf design at the end of every indigo-dyed placket.
Later on day 2, he even rolled in one of their fermented indigo vats and dipped on site.
The smell was hellish but the results divine.
Dehen 1920
Dehen began producing sports and knitwear out of their Portland, Oregon factory some 85 years ago. Letterman’s jackets, team uniforms, club jackets; you name it they produced it. It wasn’t until 2011 though that they created their own house line Dehen 1920 to pair their own designs to their construction.
They can still make any varsity combination imaginable (like this one for Self Edge), but they’re also putting out N-1s, buffalo check overshirts, cardigans, and motorcycle sweaters. The sky’s the limit when you’ve got your own means of production and we look forward to seeing where it takes Dehen.
Thrux Lawrence
Thrux Lawrence founder Tanden Launder set out to making the hardest wearing carry goods around. His line of 8-9oz. leather/24oz. canvas totes, backpacks, and messengers make a Filson feel like a grocery bag so I’d call that one a accomplished.
Thrux has since continued on to belts, key fobs, wallets, and even pants–all made in-house in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Railcar Fine Goods
Railcar Fine Goods is back with another flavor of pomade–Supreme hold for extra-unmanageable locks! Otherwise, it’s denim as usual for Steven Dang and his crew.
Be sure to stop back again tomorrow for Part II, where we’ll cover the latest from Freenote Cloth, The Real McCoy’s, Burgus Plus, and many more!
