CHAD @ WINDSOR PRESS DAY

Yesterday I was invited for the Press Day of Windsor at the Dylan Hotel in Amsterdam.

The collection of Windsor Men & Woman Fall/Winter 2013 was presented at the Ariana Room.

As I am a sucker for menswear I only had eyes for the Windsor Men collection, sorry girls! And again my eyes where attracted by that soft lightweight Harris Tweed which is specially made for Windsor.

THE BUTCHER - IT'S BLOODY DELICIOUS!

Right in the heart of Holland’s most famous market: the Albert Cuypstraat in Amsterdam. The happening scene of young urbans in ‘De Pijp’ as the perfect setting for this new concept. A Stylish burger bar serving top-quality burgers, prepared on the spot using only the freshest ingredients without losing perspective of good value for money. The relaxed atmosphere of The Butcher and the professional service level make for the ideal trendy yet relaxed meal out.

‘The Butcher’, the name says it all. The chefs choose to work only with the best quality meat: Aberdeen Angus beef thus committing to creating the ultimate burger. From the choice of meat, to the selection of herbs, the freshest vegetables, the magic signature sauces, right down to the homemade bun, The Butcher stands for quality, quality and more quality.

Attention to detail at all levels, from presentation of menus to food wrappings, napkins and more gives The Butcher a distinctive tone of voice and standout appearance in Amsterdam.

It’s bloody delicious!

BRITISH INVASION BY TIMOTHY OULTON

I was invited by Timothy Oulton for the "Grand Opening Launch Party" of their Amsterdam Gallery. Everything was perfectly arranged in a British way, starting with the shuttle service from the parking lot to the store in a true Brit, the Mini Country Man driven by a guy with a bowler hat. The smell in the car was British potpourri and the music British classics, like the Beatles. At the entrance not 1 but 2 " English Guards" The store was decorated as you can and may expect from Timothy Oulton, lot's of sporting props, type writers, trophy's and tea mugs etc. The eye catcher of the store is a yellow submarine placed at the entrance in a fish tank. Go check for yourself it's worth a detour. Timothy Oulton, Amstelveenseweg 136, Amsterdam. It was a great night with great champagne and lovely finger food.

CHAD GOES OUTDOORS IN AMSTERDAM

Recently, I paid a visit to the showrooms of Pendleton & Filson in Amsterdam. Tobias of Tobi's Agency welcomed me with some coffee and soon we talked about our passion, Americana. In the eighties he get this Americana virus, working in a (vintage) clothing store in Amsterdam and finally started in the 90's his import/agency with true American products like Pendleton, Filson and Dickies. As a passionate fly-fisher he knows what he can expect from a Filson product and this knowledge he transfer to his dealers. The showroom houses in an old warehouse of a former Amsterdam shipyard and still you can see the dry dock in front of the building. The main floor is reserved for the collections of Dickies, Armor Lux and Pendleton blankets and the mezzanine is filled with all kind of Filson bags, tin cloth pants, cruiser jackets, tin cloth hats and even fly fishing cases. Tobias, I'm looking forward to another cup of coffee.

CHAD @THE MODEFABRIEK, AMSTERDAM

Yesterday I spent a few hours @ The Modefabriek, I started with a nice cup of coffee served by Deco. Found a some nice 5 pockets by Atelier Noterman a Belgium brand with it's roots way back in the 40s of the last century. Goodies from New Balance form the Us, Uk and Far East collection. Sebago not just for the boat but also for the street as from ss 2013 in a beautiful Horween leather quality. Mason's showed their "Backlight" collection of painted shorts, jackets and T-shirts, but also a great scala of colors in pants and shirts. My favorite area was Blueprint with labels like Lee & Lee 101, Filson, Blue Blood, Nudie, Wolverine, Brass Midori, Dickies etc etc. 

DENIM & SUPPLY, THE SPRING EDITION

A view of the Spring 2012 collection at the Denim & Supply Store in Amsterdam. Is there anybody who knows how many mannequins they have in this store?

LEE STORM RIDER JACKET - HISTORY REPEATING

Paul Newman in a Lee Storm Rider Jacket

A Raw Denim, A used and an inside out Lee Storm Rider

the original labels

"Loco" Jacket

Chambray Quilted overshirt

Alaskan lining blanket

Tonight, I paid a visit to the Lee Showrooms in Amsterdam and I got a full explanation from Rutger on one of the icons of the brand. 

In 1931, Lee introduced the famous Lee Rider jacket. It was a slim jacket that had inward slanted breast pockets for easy access. This jacket was introduced with the cowboy in mind. The "Slim" jacket was the very first shorter, more tailored western-style jacket. In 1933, Lee launched what was to become one of its most famous designs, the Storm Rider Jacket. It was a winter version of the "Slim" Lee Rider Jacket and it featured a Alaskan Blanket lining, a product which was used for horse blankets. And it had a corduroy collar, which was softer for the neck than a denim collar. 

For Fall/Winter 2012 the Alaskan Lining of the Storm Rider Jacket is the red thread of the Lee 101 line. The lining is used several garments for example in a chambray quilted overshirt, on belts, wallets a Denim "Loco" Jacket coated with Teflon and even the chairs are covered with the Alaskan lining. You can find the Lee 101 collections at selected dealers throughout Europe.

After several hours, lots of info and photo's I went home, not brainwashed, but stonewashed.