so.hard.

RK's

Rainy Sunday...

Social Media FAIL - Urban Outfitters

This is exactly how you do NOT write a rebuttal statement to false allegations claimed against your company... Stating facts that you cannot prove, trying to shift blame by stating your not shifting blame, and trying to use a track record of past "support" does not make this statement effective.  Instead Urban, you should learn how to write apathetically and praise the small designers, trend-setters, and businesses which you build your company's own trends upon.  You may be 100% correct in your rebuttal, but you sound like a jaded high-schooler stating "I had that dress first". Apologize, Apologize, apologize for the confusion, and then state facts in a unobtrusive manner to not pass blame on the accuser.  You are a billion dollar business with research teams, and accounting and buying departments, she's a young designer who sees the big conglomerate company with her idea for sale. It's also not like we've neeeeeever seen you do this before... just state that you purchased product X at said time, show the purchase order with names blacked out and prove that you admired the product and found it last year. Case closed.  If you need help, call me, I suggest next time not giving this press release to an anxty intern.

This is how you tell a story about your brand.

I'm seriously emotional about this video... the music, the story, the way it's shot.  If you do not watch this video and demand to experience the world you live in you must be dead.  People exerting themselves to physical limits and just the shear beauty of what these riders must have seen blows my mind.  This is in a word, brilliant.  It's simple, this company makes and sells biking as a beautiful and elegant sport and embodies that throughout their brand.  When you market and tell you brand story in innovative, thoughtful, and meaningful ways you will not loose.  If this video cost 50K to make and they never recoup that cost, they will have still have made the right decision to produce this project.  It's emotional, it tells the story of what riders encounter during their rides and the journey that it takes a rider on physically and spiritually.  If you have ever rode, you know the feeling when you watch this... that anxiousness to get back out... the joy from when you are 50 miles out on a ride in the early morning and you're so tired and hurting and then you look up and realize you and your group are the only people you can see for miles and miles... its freedom, an escape... its beauty, and suddenly your pain is gone.  Ok, I'm going to go tune my bike and plan a trip... absolutely fabulous job Rapha.

Leather Footstools by Omersa

this is amazing... Very den worthy...
After mastering the art of making pigs, Dimitri Omersa embarked on expanding the range of animals. He started by introducing the very popular rhinocerous, elephant and donkey. He struck up an "exclusivity" deal with Liberty's of Regent Street, London in the early 1960's to sell these items. This arrangement expired during the mid 1970's. Animals from this period can be found with the word "LIBERTY" embossed on the underside of an ear! Dimitri Omersa had to look overseas to expand his market. He took the animals to North America (originally sold through Abercrombie and Fitch) and developed a significant following which we continue to enjoy.

WIWT

Alden x Unionmade
Rogue Territory Stantons
Rugby Gingham
Rag & Bone 2-Button
Stanley & Sons Pocket Square *bandanna

Leffot by Rancourt | Beef-roll Penny Loafer

This is a great looking loafer made from Chicago's Horween Leather Chromexcel leather, as you're all are aware this is a really nice, nearly weather resistant leather that stretches and molds to your foot like a glove.  This particular (natural) color is one of my favorites because of how much the leather will darken and burnish over time... great looking shoe Steven!  Pick them up at Leffot.

Help Wanted

I need a web developer in Chicago, websites, online stores, etc... all should be easy for you... I should be able to keep you busy and help build partnerships and future clients for you as well... email me at Ryan@cu5tom.com.  Thanks in advance.

Epaulet | Hancock Tassel Loafer

these are great, and the chromexcel will stretch and mold to your foot perfectly... nice job Mike!

so sick of this...

worst spring weather I can remember...

will build/do this for my wife...

BEAST...

highly recommended for you audiophiles out there... only nit would be to make a removable grill... I wanna see the thing pound... still have never heard or seen this one... but rumor has it that it will hurt you...

Half.

so well done... nice little scenes of Chicago... I hear those CTA bells in my sleep...

navy tassels...

I'm sorry but these are just beautiful...

thoughts

Nike Run Free 2

been doing a lot of stability work lately and the free's should help my ankles and calfs prepare for a long summer of training... and of course, they look fly...

sick.

this + Me and D.C. + iPhone recording in a cab = NYC July...

Grimsvotn Volcano in Iceland

these images are stunning...

truth...

This is exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life... this type of work and challenging businesses to think on their own, to break through siloed organizations and create environments where they all have a voice... it will happen and those that see that and change will prosper... email me if you have questions.

The Joneses | Gingham 5-Panel

Should be available for summer... 

Inspiration