SHINOLA - FROM MOTOR CITY TO THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS

"Where American is made"

The name Shinola was a household name from 1907 till 1960, as a American brand of wax-based shoe polish. The original trademark of the Rochester, NY based company was filed in 1929. Shinola/Detroit LLC purchased the name from the defunct shoe polish company and now they're putting a shine on new Made in the USA products like watches, bicycles, leather goods, journals and....shoe sine in Detroit, Mi.

They recently opened a store in New York, the store itself has been meticulously renovated to honor the history of the neighborhood and the building. From a design standpoint, inspiration the comes from artist Donald Judd's library in Marfa, TX, and they managed to get their hands on an incredible 1930s Bronze Mercator map, which in all honesty is worth coming into the store just to see.

Shinola Tribeca Flagship

177 Franklin St.

New York, NY 10013

917-728-3000

GATEWAY DINER - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE IN HOLLAND

Last Sunday I was biking through my town and all of a sudden I stood face to face with an original American Diner. Hidden in the middle of a park close to the centre of Almere. The Diner dates back to the late 40s and it's original place was Philipsburg, NJ. at the border of Pennsylvania & New Jersey in a Philipsburg was the gateway between those 2 States that's why they called it the Gateway Diner.

The legend was that the Rolling Stones ate here in the 1970's and raved about its authentic 'Jersey "diner culture". This was probably a stopping-off point between gigs in NYC and Philadelphia.

After some wandering around through Germany, the Gateway Diner opened it's door in 2010 at it's present location Beatrix Park, Almere. Finally I found my place to get that American Experience and sip on a original made Milkshake......I'll be back. (most pics are mine except the first & last ones) 

HACKETT FITS PERFECT IN IT'S NEW JACKET

I had the pleasure to visit the brand new showroom of Hackett in The Netherlands. Recently they moved from Amsterdam to Haarlem, situated in a monumental building from the 1890's, with it's original ornaments. The collection is divided over 3 rooms with each it's own atmosphere. Starting with the tailored collection called Mayfair. Then there is a room for the Aston Martin & Cooper collection. The Cooper collection is a collaboration with the Cooper family (indeed the ones from Mini Cooper) nowadays they are making bicycles. The Cooper collection is sophisticated and functional. The largest part of the main-floor is reserved for the Hackett Casual collection. This room is extended with a conservatory. Club blazers, fair-isle's, cricket sweaters and bow-ties, you named it and you find it in this area. Last but not least the accessory room, this room is one big suitcase packed with shoes, from espadrilles till Belgian loafers, bags, cufflinks and much more. Thanks to the nice staff it was a great experience to see the world of Mr. Classic

VERSO BEACHCLUB, ROCKANJE

This ain't The Hamptons nor Ibiza, this is Verso Beachclub in Rockanje a small dutch seaside village near Rotterdam. Just a little stroll from the parking lot and you fancy yourself in a beach house at the Hamptons. The beachclub is nicly decorated by Eichholz. Watch the sunset from the lounge chairs on the deck while you enjoy a refreshing beer and some fingerfood. "Life is a beach"

STORE LOCATOR - DESII VINTAGE, FIRENZE

Meet Mr. Carlo Alberto Andreani of Desii Vintage, you can find this small well curated store

at Via de Conti 17/19 - Firenze. Indeed, in the same street as UB. The store is packed with vintage

shoes like Red Wings, Tricker's, John Lobb etc. Nice broken-in Belstaff Jackets, Woolrich, vintage Louis Vuitton luggage etc. etc.

This is a man's "one stop wet dream".

GANT RUGGER CONQUERS BUCKTOWN

Gant's latest outpost sees the still-on-fire brand heading to the Midwest, opening in Chicago's hip Bucktown neighborhood. This latest expansion brings the Rugger store concept to Second City but blows it out with a 2000 square foot space that stocks the complete Rugger line of clothing and accessories plus the brand's ongoing collaboration with Michael Bastian. The store's interior is as covetable as the clothes; a mashup of mid-century Danish furniture, repurposed barn wood and schoolhouse doors, and kitchen accessories that give a nod to Rugger's foodie fascination. Stylish Chicagoans should stop by today to get their hands on Rugger's crazy good army-inspired Pre-Fall '13 lineup that'll fight off winter wardrobe fatigue when the temperatures start to drop.

Gant is located at 1702 N Damen Avenue in Chicago.

(text & pics via GQ)

THE ONLY WAY IS........ UB, FIRENZE

In a hidden street called Via dei Conti, I found UB, named after it's owner Ubaldo. The store has a beautiful customized metal door and window. When you enter the store you don't enter another vintage store which just sells some vintage furniture and decor. All pieces are carefully searched for, selected and restored. Next to great retro furniture, vintage signs you see the love for sports-stuff, better said cycling. Great pieces of vintage woolen cycle shirts are all over the store. So peacocks next time when you visit Pitti Uomo stop by @ UB and see it for yourself.