Gearing Up | ‘Helden’ The Line
Pour some sonic syrup down the ole’ ear canal while we transition into our new look. Orchestrating the event is none other than the Thin White Duke himself. Nuff’ said.
Henceforth, enjoy.
A Celebration | Ayrton Senna’s Winning Way
Today we celebrate a man who knew the limits of racing like no one else – a man concerned with the pursuit of truth and self-understanding, to push his own limits to the edge of his human capabilities. We are talking about the young Brazilian who took Formula 1 by storm and became the youngest 3- time Formula 1 World Champion – Ayrton Senna.
On this day 18 years ago, a life of passion came to its end too soon at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.
“Few people do really know myself, they just don’t understand… somebody that has left behind thousands of miles away family and friends… Being so young, and always in a fighting way… Nothing has ever come easy”
Lightbox | Elbow Grease and Grime – 1942
Brought to my attention by a friend of mine, we give you a fantastic set of images from the Office of War Information made available by the Library of Congress. Depicting the hardy efforts and faces behind aviation production and American life, are iconic Kodachrome transparencies by Americana photographers Alfred Palmer, Jack Delano, John Vachon and Howard Hollem.
Bringing back 1942 in all it’s rich and saturated glory are these dramatic images that include glimpses of the Douglas aircraft assembly plants, North American Aviation and the Chicago & North Western Railyards. Take a step back into 1942 and take in the sights and sounds of the noblest of modern times. A big thanks and tip of the hat to James for sending this our way. More images after the jump. (more…)
DRIVEN | The Bolivian Badlands
Tucked away in the heart of South America, we rendezvoused with a very special vehicle – the Hummer H1 Alpha. Set in the jungles of Bolivia, we beat on everything from pavement to bedrock while tickling the engine block of a vehicle that can’t be shaken. Weaving our way West through the sprawling mountains, we descended into mountain valleys and shuffled alongside tropical ravines. Emerging through Los Valles of Bolivia, we took in the scenery of a landscape capable of wildly morphing at any turn.
A little get away of sorts, we escaped society with a mildly packed backpack and only the clothes on our back. Our voracious machine filled the void with its 6.6 liter groans, and we were more than happy to oblige. For more of our retreat into the Bolivian Jungles, head on over to UrbanDaddy’s DRIVEN.
The Sartorialist | Lunch for 25
Marking The Sartorialist’s first video debut, Scott Schuman reveals Lunch for 25. Featuring the dapper cognoscenti at Pitti Uomo, the heavyweight summit includes cameos by Nick Wooster, Simone Righi and of course Mr. Schuman. With the aid of Garance Doré, frame after frame of well executed personal trimmings mark a visually awesome assembly. If only we could be a fly on the wall at such a meet – that role surprisingly went to Kanye West. For now pull back a chair and pour yourself a limoncello, The Sartorialist’s Lunch for 25 will provide the dash of sprezzatura.
Treading | Red Wing Iron Rangers Black Harness
Our love for the craftsmanship by the hand of Red Wing grows deeper with each encounter. Put through the toughest of paces, the Red Wing Iron Ranger’s in Black Harness have the swagger for the meditatively formal and for the outright tough. Part of their Heritage collection, the No. 8114’s are a cap toe boot made of Black Harness leather featuring an even more durable Nitrile cork sole. Channeling the classic with a 6″ ankle, its form is reminiscent of boots built with a nod to sophistication in comparison to its tactically inspired contemporaries. In conditions threatening the worst of outcomes, a light wash restores them to in-rank inspection passing status. Rakish attitudes may ensue. For a list of stockists, head over to Red Wing Heritage. More to come of the Iron Rangers on foreign soil.
TGT for DRIVEN | 1968 Porsche 911
Shaped by the brilliant mind of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the iconic first generation 911 would come to define the Porsche marque more so than anything to date. The Classic Car Club of Manhattan invited us to immerse ourselves in the car that started it all. Spending a day in upstate New York at the Orvis Sandanona grounds for a day of sporting clays and cars, we absorbed the intoxicating vapors of performance and made realizations that only the CCCM can afford you. For more on the “Steve McQueen” Porsche 911, head on over to UrbanDaddy’s DRIVEN.
Strapped | Horween Leather NATO Straps
Our friends at Gabarro Straps have turned us on to yet another fantastic product. Made of Horween’s renown shell cordovan leather, it is the most handsome addition to a Submariner since, well, ever. Providing the necessary warmth to the classic tool watch is tough, especially if you’re not sporting a 5512, sans gilded hour markers.
Evoking that devil-may care, bound-for-adventure attitude, Horween leather NATO straps classes it up like none other. Providing that measured dose of character, it ages unlike any other similar material and improves with time. Contrary to ordinary leather straps, it darkens and replenishes itself with your own bodies oils. Better still, it is supple and remains so without ever taking on any odor. And to our surprise? It wears as slim, if not thinner than ballistic nylon NATOs.
Although it carries a hefty price tag relative to the short-lived lifespan of ordinary straps, it justifies itself in long-run, only to become something you can call uniquely your own.
Doing It Right | The Redford Shuffle
We don’t often break protocol and bring you a Doing It Right midweek, but when we do it’s because of a moment like this.
Rockin’ Aviators better than General McArthur are few and far between, but Mr. Redford here does it like he penned the book himself. While exiting his chauffeured Buick Electra outside Mary Lasker’s in New York, a fantastic sartorial moment was caught on film. Channeling every bit of “The 3 Days of the Condor” a full year before its production, truly says a lot about the pictured gent.
Study up, most things done right have already been done before.
Workworn | A Shirt to Live In – Homespun
It seems that the good folks at J.Crew have gotten yet another thing right besides their now longstanding In Good Company collaborations and brand relationships. Joining the pack is Canadian newcomer Homespun Knitwear.
Based out of Vancouver, Homespun Knitwear is responsible for the faithful recreation of 1930s undershirts that are sure to take a beating. Having both long sleeve and short sleeve henleys, they are more versatile that one might imagine. Not to mention they are damn comfortable.
Using unbleached yarns and use of ultrasoft Canadian cotton, these shirts are sure too please. Think a James Darmody look without the skullcrushing tendencies. Do yourself a favor and get yourself a pair while you still can – you won’t be sorry.
TGT for DRIVEN | Range Rover’s Evoque at Whistler
Last month, we spent a day with Range Rover in Vancouver getting the first look at their newest incarnation of off-roading luxury, the Evoque. Set in the mountains of Whistler Blackcomb, a private stretch of the famed mountain was prepared for us to push the limits of the new Evoque. Through sun, rain, gravel, light rock-crawling and snow, our English thoroughbred pierced the scenery at Whistler Mountain only to arrive looking better that when it was delivered to us, as a mud covered object of irony. For more on the Evoque’s ascent of Whistler Blackcomb, head on over to UrbanDaddy’s DRIVEN.
Weathered | J.W. Hulme Co.
For those of you needing an introduction, J.W. Hulme Co. is the purveyor of fine leather products out of St Paul, Minnesota. With an enduring history in curating the needs for adventure, the skilled hands at J.W. Hulme do not skimp when it comes to craftsmanship and use of quality materials. Up for your viewing pleasure with close ups of their well thought-out trimmings and finishing touches, is their Weekend Satchel.
Featuring their ultra rugged but supple Greystone canvas bolstered by a full leather bottom, this bag will take a beating. Weather you have 12 gauge shells strewn along the bottom or a respectable selection of ambassadors from your wardrobe for a weekend outing, it puts the “man” into gentlemanly.
For more images click through. Note: Boykin Spaniel not included.
The Gentleman's Topcoat 