NOM DE GUERRE IN MEN'S NON-NO NOV2007

(note: due to this being an unprofessional translation, quotes should not be taken literally)

Nom de Guerre, meaning "pen name" in French [more specific origins of the term here], is a brand from New York. The brand consists of four young people, each working in different activities. The main director and shop owner is ISA SAALABI. With ISA; the ex-editor of W Magazine and graphic designer from Visionaire magazine [as well as another that the article does not mention -- presumably former Stussy shop manager Wil Whitney]. The four work hard to create refinement through daily use clothes.

"It was really natural for the four of us to begin a clothing brand. We all have different specialties so we thought that would make this really interesting," said Isa, but he mentions that it didn't necessarily have to be clothes. "We have different personalities and diverse specialties, however, the common thing is all of us are very close to N.Y. subculture. I believe that only we could do such extensive things. We chose to make clothing because that is what our lifestyle reflects. Nom de Guerre is a sideline product of what our creativity produced."

Their clothes making is strongly based on function and utility; they only make clothing that can be worn daily and has a certain basic style. Their basic concept is a military-inspired style with the addition of a different set of tastes every season.

"We come up with ideas when we are talking about various things: music, a documentary that we saw, history, and so on. We bring what we see and hear to a conclusion and that is how we end up with our clothes."

This season's theme is young Americans. Check-shirt, argyle knit and blue denim which shows American young culture the time before of the Vietnam war. Nom de Guerre represents the front line of N.Y. subculture to bring you the real feeling of N.Y.

BAND OF OUTSIDERS

Here are two amazing pieces of outerwear from Band of Outsiders.

Wool Navy Peacoat [$1668] Sizes: 2, 3
Made from Melton Wool, a medium-thick, tightly woven wool, with a heavily brushed nap that gives the fabric a smooth finish, with no warp or weft yarns visible.



Black Calvary Twill School Blazer [$1399] Sizes: 40, 42
This is black version of the popular, shrunken-fit Band of Outsiders staple blazer.

COAL CONSIDERED

This month has seen our first winter arrivals from the much loved local brand Coal. This season they have also introduced a new line, Coal Considered, which further pushes their idea of putting "consideration" towards the uniqueness of the design while still keeping it classic.

"The XL" in heather black, silver, and army green ($54) -- Acrylic/polyester/camel wool/lambswool blend

"The Taylor" in grey, black, and deep sea ($48) -- Acrylic
The stitching in the back is designed so that the cap sits perfectly in a slouched fashion.

"The Theo" in dry khaki, heather grey, and deep sea ($34) -- Acrylic
As with the Taylor, the stitching on the back of the Theo is designed for the cap to perfectly slouch on your head.

"The Sid" in grey, black, and natural ($42) -- Angora/wool

"The Randle" in grey ($42) -- Wool/viscose

"The Theo" fingerless gloves in heather grey and deep sea ($30)

B.SON COWL NECK T-SHIRTS

We have received a new shipment of our beloved cowl neck t-shirts. These look especially nice layered under a jacket or cardigan. Size up for an extra slouchy look or down for a slightly less intense look.

In the past weeks we have received several new B.Son pieces, including U neck t-shirts several varieties of sweatshirts and cardigans. Stay tuned for further information on those arrivals.

B.Son Cowl Neck t-shirts ($65) -- Available in white, grey, black, smoke, and night.
Sizes: XS, S, M

WINGS + HORNS SCARVES

More wings + horns items to show! Warm yourself this season with these great merino wool scarves. A rough edged, slightly rough merino wool is used to really give a great aesthetic. The buffalo check scarves have one checked side and another of a darker shade.

Scarves are approximately 80x11".

Grey Big Buffalo Check ($96)

Off-White Big Buffalo Check ($96)

Olive Big Buffalo Check ($96)

Grey Little Buffalo Check ($96)

Olive Little Buffalo Check ($96)

Brown Solid ($96)

Black Solid ($96)

TROGLODYTE HOMUNCULUS

Troglodyte Homunculus is an offshoot of James and Gwendolyn Jurney's famous New York brand/store Seize Sur Vignt (which Blackbird also carries selected pieces from). This collection combines the aesthetic of 1950s and 60s british workwear with the fine Italian manufacturing processes that the Seize Sur Vignt label is known for.

Quite simply these are some of the best dress shirts you can get your hands on. Please note that the size listings for these shirts are in the traditional English format: Neck x Arm length.

Blue Walleye Woven Shirt [$175]
Sizes: 15.5x33, 16x34, 16.5x35, 17x35, 17x37

Lined Pocketbook Woven Shirt [$180]
Sizes: 15.5x33, 16x34, 16.5x35, 17x35, 17x37

Guam Flying Fox Woven Shirt [$180]
Sizes: 15.5x33, 16x34, 16.5x35, 17x35, 17x37

Louisiana Vole Cotton Flannel Shirt [$192]
Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Berington Cave Lion Cotton Flannel Shirt [$192]
Sizes: S, M, L, XL

UNIS

Unis has had a store on Elizabeth Street in New York since 2001. Since then, many people have fallen in love with the clean look, and superb standard of quality, that this brand established early on. Especially interesting are some of the fabric treatments they use, such as the polyurethane coating on the M-65 jacket (making it perfect for Seattle), and the combination Cotton/Metal cloth used on the military shirt.

Left: detail of floating liner
Coated Canvas M-65 Jacket [$439]
Sizes: 38, 40, 42, 44

Foster Cotton/Metal Military Shirt [$370]
Sizes: 38, 40, 42, 44

Felix Plaid Cotton Shirt [$188]
Sizes: S, M, L, XL

Dexter Coated Nylon Bomber [$340]
Sizes: 36, 38, 40

Deacon Adjustable Wool Trousers [$219]
Sizes: 28, 30, 32, 34

Oliver Skinny Twill 5-Pocket Jeans [$145]

Sizes: 30, 32

WINGS + HORNS TIGER FLEECE BLANKETS

Yet another wings+horns arrival were these blankets made from the heavenly Tiger Fleece material. As with the hoodies, these blankets have a speckled outer layer with the inside being of an unbelievably soft fleece (refer to this post for further information on the fabric.)

The blankets are available in a large selection of colors and two sizes: small (approximately 40x66") and large (approximately 66x80"), both of which are very practical. The smaller one can easily be used for travel, decoration, or general use around a home. The large one can still be used for general home use but may also be best suited to use on a bed. So far these have been very popular as gifts!

Tiger Fleece blankets in: black, grey, navy, olive, and brown.
Sizes: small ($86), large ($120).