Eye Candy: Steve Mono Bags and Accessories

Steve Mono‘s bags and accessories just hit my radar recently thanks to this post from Nico over at The Bengal Stripe. Made in Spain from vegetable tanned leather and some textiles as well, the line is comprised of clean and modern takes on classic shapes.

Totes, briefcases, and postal bags feature pretty heavily, with other small accessories like glasses cases and belts also making a showing. Leather options are available in a number of colors including black, chocolate, whiskey, blue, and mustard. When it comes to textiles, there are even a few waterproof fabrics on offer.

Pricing hits around $75-$100 for the smaller accessories, and climbs to $500-$600 for the leather bags. Textile bags and other pieces like wallets and dop kits fall somewhere in the middle. Not cheap, but considering the more expensive pieces are clearly the sort of thing to be approached with an “investment piece” mentality, not out of line.

Available direct from Steve Mono via email (stevemono@stevemono.com), or you can get some of the collection from Opening Ceremony.

—Jonathan Evans

(Images courtesy of Steve Mono)

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Objects of Affection: Apolis Activism Belts

Apolis Activism just added a very nice collection of belts to their ethically-produced and sustainably-sourced line of goods. A welcome development, indeed.

There are 4 models on offer: a standard buckle, a double ring, a pelican hook, and a hoofpick closure. Each is available in brown, and the standard belt also has a black version. All of them look great, but the pelican hook and hoofpick are the real standouts, in my opinion. An interesting buckle that doesn’t read as overstyled is always a win.

All the belts are made from 9 oz. vegetable tanned Italian bridle leather and all the hardware is brass. The leather weight is a huge selling point for me because it’s highly versatile: sturdy enough to work with jeans, but not so bulky that you can’t pair it with chinos or trousers for a slightly less casual feel.

Everything is put together, one by one, in the good ol’ U.S. of A. Prices hit at $98 for the standard, $114 for the double ring, and $138 for the (significantly more complex) pelican hook and hoofpick versions.

Everything is available at Apolis Activism’s online shop, and comes rolled inside of a metal tin. A nice finishing touch for an altogether solid set of wares.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Apolis Activism)

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(capsule) NY: ML Brown & Co.

This buckle is what originally drew me to the ML Brown & Co. booth…

To wrap up the (capsule) NY coverage, a few shots from ML Brown & Co.

Mathieu Brown, AKA the “ML Brown” of the company name, is a fellow Brooklyn resident and all around very nice guy that makes a line of belts, wallets, and accessories that are certainly well-deserving of some recognition.

The belts are all done in veggie-tanned cowhide, and finished with aged brass hardware. Some of the detailing tweaks that Mathieu included–like a three-piece keeper (below),  and an unusual, asymmetrical ring closure (above)–were great touches to liven things up while keeping it smart and subtle.

More belts…

One of the coolest things at the ML Brown & Co. booth was actually a one-off production that Mathieu and a friend of his finished off the evening before (capsule) NY. The utility bag below was created because they figured they should have something special for the event. I’m glad they decided to go for it.

Canvas and leather utility bag…

The leather strap system, combined with the laundry-bag-style cord closure at the opening, allows for an enormous amount of variety in carrying configurations. Short carry handles (as shown), over the shoulder, and cross body can all be done easily. Just adjust the length of the main strap at the D-rings up top and then decide if you want to feed it through one, both, or neither of the smaller perpendicular straps.

And because everything’s already secured by the simple cord system, you could probably get pretty inventive if the desire struck. Personally, though, I’d  stick with the configuration here or let the main strap free and just sling it over my shoulder.

The body of the bag is heavyweight cotton canvas. Going by what I know about the belts, I’m thinking that the strap system is veggie tanned cowhide with brass hardware.

ML Brown is stocked at Freeman’s Sporting Club and Ernest Sewn, among a number of other spots. You can also get the main collection stuff (bags, wallets, and small accessories) online. Just hit up the site and click around.

—Jonathan

Ed’s Note: I didn’t actually see the wallets personally. But judging from the quality of the belts and bag, I’m gonna go ahead and take a leap of faith in endorsing them, too.

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(capsule) NY: Ally Capellino

British bag and accessory designer Ally Capellino‘s SS 2011 collection was actually featured here a little while ago. But now that I’ve got my own shots from (capsule) NY, it’s time to take another peek.

I said on the last go around that Capellino really hit the mark with designing pieces that are “timeless, but never boring,” and I’m very pleased to note that this proved entirely true upon in-person inspection of the goods. I’m also happy to report that the veggie tanned leather line was very nice in person. Sturdy leather with a fantastic hand (dare I say “buttery” once more?), it’s the kind of stuff that will develop even more character and personality as it ages.

Picture time:

Natural leather accessories…

And a few more…

Some of the standbys on the right. Veggie tanned natural leather pieces on the right…

The updated Richard. Mentioned this last time, and I still like it…

I took a good few shots of the new veggie tanned natural leather line, especially. It’s a really solid set of pieces, and the leather is really damn nice. I just couldn’t help myself:

Still more pictures:

A special edition denim rucksack for (capsule)…

I was a big fan of this particular card case…

That about sums it up…

—Jonathan

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(capsule) NY: Yuketen

Yuketen’s S/S 11 preview from (capsule) NY was pretty damn solid, if not chock full o’ new stuff.  A couple of new designs, and whole fuck-ton of color, and a good deal of interesting detailing were really the name of the game with this collection.

For those unfamiliar: Yuketen, helmed by Yuki Matsuda, creates handcrafted shoes, luggage, and accessories from top-quality materials. The company has a strong, and well-adhered-to, commitment to creating pieces that are inspired by the more rugged side of American history.

In keeping with this philosophy, everything is made to exacting standards and the finished product is solid as hell.  Not surprisingly, it comes with a pretty hefty pricetag to match ($300+ for most of the shoes).

It’s the kind of thing where “investment piece” is actually an accurate term, though. As I understand it, these are the kind of shoes (and bags…and wallets, belts, etc…) that will last for nigh-on a lifetime.

Keeping that in mind, a thoughtful collection that stays pretty true to a core selection of styles–and does most of it’s adventuring in the realm of color and ornamentation–is probably a good thing. If it’s going to last for decades, a piece better damn well look good throughout those many years.

More shots from (capsule) NY:

Many, many variations on a few core models…

Country Loafer. Hells yes…

Studded loafers. I’ve got to admit, I like the brown version of these guys…

Really damn serious tooling and ornamentation on the leather on some offerings…

Detail shot…

A hardbottom option is always nice…

A brand new model showcased at (capsule) NY. Similar to the Ghillie Moc, but seriously decked out. Also the heaviest shoe that Yuketen currently makes. Apologies for the absolutely horrendous lighting here…

A better shot. I’m terrible at estimating weight, but I’m guessing this shoe weighed somewhere between 2 and 8,000 lbs. Probably closer to 2…

Final detail shot of this one. It’s a bit much for me, but I was definitely impressed by the construction and downright solidness of this model…

Straight up old skool Creeper steez. I don’t know how the hell one could actually wear this shoe, but it was fun to look at it…

This lacing detail on these canoe mocs was a really great touch…

More canoe mocs. Lots of color options…

I like this boot. I don’t know if it’d work in my wardrobe at all, but I dig  it nonetheless…

From the front…

And the all-important Vibram outsole. Long-wearing and lightweight…

It’s all about the olive drab this Fall. Reliable sources confirm it. According to Yuketen, it’s also all about bright, embossed kicks, too (bottom row)…

There was a whole table-full of accessories on display as well: Belts, wallets, card cases, key chains, and shoe horns…

A number of color options, including navy, green, and black…

And how’s about a little oxblood leather/logo fun to round out the set?

Well done to Yuki and the team.

—Jonathan

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(capsule) NY: Naked & Famous Denim

Ok. Yes. It’s kind of a gimmick. But 32 oz. denim that can stand on its own all damn day is still pretty neat…

Naked & Famous is a brand that tends to inspire healthy debate amongst the type of people that would actually, you know, sit and debate denim. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of ‘em.

One the one side: I know that Naked & Famous doesn’t do it for some denim purists. It really has to do with their tendency to do things like 32 oz. denim. While neat, it’s not particularly practical and tends to come off as something they did because they can, not necessarily because they should.

On the flip side, there’s the people like me. I’m definitely pro-N&F, despite the fact that I’ll be the first to admit that some of their more…eccentric…denim options are things that I wouldn’t really wear (though I really do enjoy looking at them).

For a pair of modern jeans with a solid fit, and at a generally reasonable price point, I think they’re a great option. The denim tends to be quality stuff, and the fit, especially, is really on point. I’ve got a pair of Skinny Guys and a pair of Weird Guys, and I really enjoy wearing both of them. For me, fit is king when it comes to jeans, so the fact that N&F pretty much nailed it on that front means that they’ll always get love from me (barring any horrific turns on the fabric/construction fronts).

Another note on the denim: Naked & Famous consistently comes out with new and different options. At (capsule), aside from the 32 oz option and among a plethora of others, they showed an 8 oz cotton/linen blend that felt like it’ll be a godsend come next summer. Gotta give ‘em credit for pushing out something to keep denim freaks from sweating themselves to death in mid-July.

To get down to the stuff from (capsule) NY, the Momotaro denim collab was a standout if you ask me. It had the best hand (in my opinion), and the minor tweaks like modified stitching on the back pockets and Canadian/Japanese flag-printed pocket bags elevated it to a whole other level.

Leather accessories, that linen blend denim, and an indigo warp/red weft option take honorable mention.

Time for more shots:

7mm thick natural and black leather belts. Pretty intense, but these looked solid, wearable, and altogether well done..

Red warp/ white weft. I can’t pull this off, but I like it…

Indigo warp with a red weft. Ever since the Julian Red Nikki Six (pink weft) came out, I’ve been into this sort of treatment…

Indigo print on a red leather patch to match the theme…

N&F’s Citrus denim. Same idea with the indigo warp/colored weft. Already in stores though…

Leather accessories: Wallets, card cases, and lighter cases. And yes, that’s an origami crane done in leather at the top of the photo…

Chino jeans. Dig it…

The Momotaro collaboration jeans. My favorite of the bunch…

The coin pocket has a very subtle selvage detail…

Momotaro stamped buttons…

A dual branded leather patch…

Slightly modified back pocket stitching. I really like this…

Classic red line selvage…

Country flag pocket bags round out the package…

More origami…

Button downs. In chambray…

Oxford cloth…

Gingham, and flannel…

Time for a couple of the more intense denim options. Wearable? Maybe. Maybe not. But definitely interesting.

Ok, let’s see if I get this. I’m pretty sure it’s is an uncorrected alternating twill. Not entirely sure if I got that right, but I’m pretty damn sure it’s 3 inch sections of alternating right hand and left hand twill. The weave also isn’t corrected to prevent twisting, so there’s gonna be some intense leg twist as it’s worn and washed…

I didn’t ask the story behind this bag, and I didn’t open it. But my completely uneducated guess? Denim cooler. Why not?

And just in case you were wondering whether you can score a raw denim yarmulke? Well…yeah. You can. That spool is the stainless steel from a style that I covered earlier…

Altogether, a very nice collection of goods. A little bit of eccentricity, but a whole lot more sensible and solid wares. And I can’t stress enough, the fit on N&F’s jeans is impressive. I’m looking forward to this stuff hitting the shelves so I can start trying things on.

That’s that for Naked & Famous from (capsule) NY.

—Jonathan

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Objects of Affection: R6 for Garbstore Exclusive Belts

R6 is the product of a collaboration between Regent Belt Company and design shop 6876, and they make some damn nice leather belts. That’s the first layer. Simple so far.  You with me? Of course you are.  Want to throw in another collaborative layer? Good.

Garbstore has a set of exclusive colorways on offer, so really, the belts here are a three-part effort.  The Courier Belt shown above features a functional pocket, which seems pretty damn handy. The black/beige combo is Garbstore’s alone.

The Leadberry Belt in the following shots has a leather roller, which is a detail I’ve really come to love lately. The black and brown versions are a general release, but the brown/tan and navy/gray combos are exclusives.

They’re all gonna run you £85, or around $123 US. Get ‘em at Garbstore (link takes you to the main R6 page at Garbstore, so you can check out the totes and lanyards from the effort, too)

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Garbstore)

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Objects of Affection: Tanner Goods x 3sixteen Belts

It dropped! And it’s nice. The Tanner Goods x 3sixteen belt that I posted some preview shots for back at the end of April just hit the 3sixteen online shop. Contrary to my preliminary information, this guy won’t be hitting actual shelves anywhere. It’s an online-only offering.

A rehash of the details: 13 oz. natural Enlish bridle leather, hand stitching, waxed and burnished edges, and salvaged antique buckles. Each buckle is unique, and there are only 24 belts total. Limited edition is kind of an understatement. The belts are all pretty much one-offs, which is pretty damn cool.

Remember: The natural leather will darken to a golden brown with age and exposure to the elements/your clothing/the world at large.

More pictures for your viewing pleasure:

$132 and it’s yours. Hit up the 3sixteen online shop to get it.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of 3sixteen)

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Eye Candy: Tanner Goods Belts

One more round of eye candy for this Sunday evening. This time, it’s from Tanner Goods.

I’m currently on the hunt for a new belt, hence the leather goods blowout this weekend. Tanner’s selection is damn solid. I’m leaning towards the Standard Belt in Natural/Nickel, but it might be the Double Tongue in the same color combo. Both are done in 11 oz. English bridle leather. Like all Tanner’s belt, the edges of the leather are hand burnished and waxed, and it’s all put together in Portland.

Standard Belt – Natural/Nickel

Double Tongue Belt – Natural/Nickel

The 13 oz. version is essentially the standard, but in heavier leather. Tanner’s “Golden” leather is pretty much their Natural leather, but it’s been pre-conditioned with oils.

13 oz. Belt – Golden/Nickel

Of course, the “Havana” variation is damn handsome as well.

Standard Belt- Havana/Nickel

Double Tongue Belt – Havana Nickel

Click on over to the online store to pick one up for yourself. The Standard will run you $74, the Double Tongue is $82, and the 13 oz. is $88.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Tanner Goods)

Ed’s Note: I owe one awesome reader, Stuart, a post on Aero Leather Clothing that was supposed to come today. I’m still knee deep in research, and I want to make sure it’s a good one, so it’s going to be later (either tomorrow or Tuesday). Sorry, Stuart!

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Eye Candy: Kenton Sorenson Leather Goods

Some more eye candy for today. This time, it’s a few selections from Wisconsin’s Kenton Sorenson. He hand crafts a line of leather goods, and they’re damn good looking.

Many of the pieces are done in natural leather, so they darken to a rich golden brown over time. In a few shots, you can see the before/after to get a better idea of how the leather will develop as it ages.

On to the photos!

Click on over to Context to see more of his offerings and pick something up for yourself. The belt holes are all hand punched to your size when you order, which is pretty cool.

—Jonathan

(Images courtesy of Context, which you can probably tell from the watermarks on a couple of ‘em)

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