Viberg Service Boots – 18 months.
A year and a half in, my Viberg 1950 Service Boots are aging very nicely. The Dainite soles have proved to be both durable and practical (NY sidewalks can be slippery and slushy in the wintertime) and the brown harness leather still looks great after taking a beating. As a reminder, here’s what they looked like brand new.
Tsukiji Fish Market.
Last fall, I traveled to Tokyo with my business partner and good friend Kiya Babzani to view Spring collections from all of the brands we carry at Self Edge. While there, a trip to the world famous Tsukiji Fish Market was in order. I will admit that I am not a major sushi connoisseur; I know what I like and am pretty easily pleased, but this was my first time in Japan since childhood and I had to experience what the freshest sushi in the world tasted like. I was not disappointed.
Chapter & Verse Agency.
This week marked the launch of our new office and showroom space for 3sixteen: Chapter & Verse Agency. We took ownership of the space on January 1st and finished renovations in time for NY Market week a mere two weeks later. It’s where we’ve been meeting with retailers this week to show them what’s new with our brand and the ones our showroom now represents.
A few years ago, Johan and I wanted to be able to do sales and consulting work for other brands, but it didn’t seem to make sense to conduct that business under the 3sixteen name, as we are known for our clothing. Johan coined the name of the agency – Chapter & Verse – which is both a nice tie-in to our own brand’s name (3:16) as well as a phrase that refers to conducting business with great attention to detail. This year, though, marks the actual launch of the agency as a physical showroom and a business to help both established and newer brands gain market share through sales and PR work. It’s nice to see an idea finally come to (physical) fruition, and marks a new step for both Johan and me professionally.
Beyond its function as a showroom, we took this space because it’s a retail storefront and thus provides us with lots of flexibility. We envision it as being a daily hub where friends and colleagues can connect, exchange ideas, network, and enjoy really good coffee. It’ll also be the home to monthly gatherings, art/photography shows, and perhaps even a few special temporary retail events. Our first office space 5 years ago was also on Allen Street and, like this one, was a retail space. There was something special about being so accessible to friends who were in the neighborhood passing by – I’m looking forward to having this space function in a similar way.
Chapter & Verse Agency
162 Allen Street
Lower East Side, NYC
@cvagency
Thomas Hooper’s Studio.
Two weeks ago, Davi and I spent the morning at Thomas Hooper‘s art studio shooting him for an upcoming 3sixteen Singularities piece. Here are a few things that caught my eye.
Look for the piece to debut on 3sixteen.com in early August.
Summertime Footwear.
Once summertime rolls around, I put the boots away in the closet and switch over almost exclusively to canvas and suede sneakers. I just don’t feel right trudging around in clunky, heavy footwear in the sweltering weather. For the past few summers, I’ve started on a fresh pair of white Purcells that end up looking (and smelling) haggard by the time September rolls around. As much as I’d like to keep them, I always toss them and move onto another pair the following year. This year I was given these UNDFTD Purcells as a gift and they’ve really grown on me. I’m now wearing them at least three times a week.
At first glance they’re plain old white Purcells, but they’ve got the red and navy accents that mimic the Chuck Taylor and their trademark tally mark logo on the leather pull tabs on the back.
The inside of the sneaker is lined with a lightweight black terry which feels pretty amazing when worn sockless. I’ll be sad to see these go come the Fall.