T.v. COAHRAN AT MARS BAR ON FRIDAY

Come see our sales guy Leo play with his band, T.v. Coahran, on Friday. They're playing at the Mars Bar with PWRFL POWER, Squall, and Fresh Cherries from Yakima. See you there!

T.v. Coahran
w/ PWRFL POWER, Squall, and Fresh Cherries from Yakima
Friday, May 2
Mars Bar
609 Eastlake Ave E.
Seattle, WA 98109

HOW TO SPEND YOUR TAX REBATE, AMERICAN STYLE

A recent article on men.style.com, "The 600 Club", suggests some cool American-made goods to buy with your tax rebate. The idea is: spending your money will stimulate the economy, but spending it on American-made goods will keep the money in the U.S. and increase the value of the dollar.

This got us thinking about Blackbird items that are made in the USA. Here's a list of things you can buy in our store that will make Uncle Sam proud (click on the links to see more product info):

Lynchburg, VA - Moore & Giles - leather goods
New York and California - Obedient Sons - suits, shirts, and jackets
California - Baxter of California - men's grooming products
North Carolina - Rag & Bone - shirts, pants, and jeans
New Jersey - Malin + Goetz - grooming products, candles, and fragrances
Somewhere, USA - Loden Dager - pants and shirts
San Fransisco, CA - B. Son - cotton jersey shirts
New York and California - Band of Outsiders - suits, shirts, and ties
New York - Patrik Ervell - jackets, shirts, and pants
Los Angeles, CA - Simon Miller - jeans
Portland, OR - Tanner - leather belts
Somewhere, USA - Sharp's - grooming products
Made by the Amish in Upstate New York - Billykirk - bags and wallets

Photos from "The 600 Club" on men.style.com
[right: Band of Outsiders shirts and ties, ties available at Blackbird]
[left: Patrik Ervell jacket, available at Blackbird]

TANNER NATURAL LEATHER BELTS

Like your favorite pair of jeans, Tanner's natural belts get better and better over time. The strong Oregon cowhide picks up the oil from your hands, dirt from park benches, and indigo from your jeans and slowly becomes darker and richer as you wear it. The nickel hardware does the same with oxidization. Of course, the rougher your life, the better the belt. Our before & after photo will show you what we mean:

[left: 9 months - right: brand new]

Tanner - Standard Belt
8/9 oz. heavyweight natural latigo leather
[also available with black powder-coated hardware]
DETAILS: Make sure to go up a size from your normal waist measurement (if you're a 32, get the 34, if you're a 31, get the 32).
sizes 32, 34, 36, 38, 40
$77

WANT LES ESSENTIELS DE LA VIE - KANSAI COMPUTER PORTFOLIO

The WANT L.E.V. Kansai combines the function of a briefcase with the manageable size of a portfolio. Like all WANT products, it is designed to fit your needs to a T. The computer seen below is a 13 inch Macbook. Check out the special details:

WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie - "Kansai" Computer Portfolio
Italian leather in black
2 in. x 13 in. x 9-1/4"
$475

The portfolio's structured seams, smooth zipper, and flat handle give it a sleek shape when closed.

The interior panel has a large zippered pocket, two flat pockets and a front pocket that fits a small notebook, wallet, or iPhone. Behind the panel you can tuck away your papers, books, and magazines and then use the snaps on the sides to secure everything in place.

A legal-sized notebook may be secured inside the portfolio, as well.

The portfolio may also be used as a discreet cover when using your laptop.

Here's the Kansai comfortably zipped shut with our laptop, notebook, and magazine in side. Just like their bags, the portfolio features WANT's signature gold and silver zipper.

The zipper tab snaps over the handle's button to keep it out of the way and make sure your portfolio stays closed and aerodynamic.

OPENING CEREMONY CANDLES

New arrivals this week include these lovely candles from Opening Ceremony. To go along with the Olympic theme of their stores, these candles are named after past locations and years of Olympic Games. The candles are made from natural soy and the scents are meant to invoke imagery of the areas.

Opening Ceremony - Munich 1972 9oz candle
DETAILS: "Scented with chamomile flower, orange flower, and muguet."
$44


Opening Ceremony - Nagano 1998 9oz candle
DETAILS: "Scented with green tea, bergamot, citrus accord, wild mint, and lily jasmine."
$44


Opening Ceremony - Los Angeles 1984 9oz candle
DETAILS: "Scented with citrus accord, lavender, wild violet, white musk, and jasmine."
$44

THANKS FOR COMING TO OUR WAREHOUSE SALE

Thanks to our loyal customers, the Ballard Boutique Warehouse Sale was a huge success. We had a great time at the New York Fashion Academy with our customers and friends from Olivine, Tweed, Market Street Shoes, and ReSoul. Thanks to all of you who came and made it a fun Saturday!

loyal Blackbird customers at the head of the line

the line just kept going down the block

customers hunting for the best deal

our customer, Peter, happy with his purchase

SCANDINAVIAN DESIGNERS IN HUgE MAY 2008

This May issue of the Japanese men's fashion magazine HUgE has a great feature on many Scandinavian designers, including a handful which are carried here at Blackbird. Below is a translation of the ones we have at the store. As usual, these are rough translations so the designers' words should not be taken literally.

The first section, "about a Scandinavian's Movement" gives six designers a set of six questions to answer. Below are the questions followed by the answers from the designers carried at Blackbird.

"1.What is the brand's concept?
2.What is the theme of the 08S/S collection? What was the image of the collection? What is the most recommended item in the collection?
3. What is the most important concept for making your design?
4. What inspires you when you design?
5. In Japan, fashion from Scandinavia is very trendy now. What is the most admirable thing about Scandinavian fashion?
6. What kind of idea do you have about Japan as fashion market and style?"

Acne Jeans

"Advertisement company "Acne Creative" made one hundred denim jeans for their clients and friends. The popularity was immediately apparent and lead creative director Jonny Johanson to launch the brand officially in 1997. Since the beginning, they have won all the major Swedish fashion awards.

1. Acne Jeans is for someone who wears clothing and represents the characteristics and style of the brand. All of the items of the collection has a specific concept but the wearer can comfortably mix the items with other brands.
2. In this season, we are took inspiration from the English adventurer of the African savanna in the great photographer Peter Beard's creation" Hunter with a camera for a gun."
3. We think quality, material, design, comfort, and stability are most important.
4. Subculture that is different from fashion. We have to identify subculture as new fashion so we always have an interest in it.
5. We are a growing brand in this Scandinavian fashion boom so I don't think we are supposed to answer, however, all of the Scandinavian brands have succeeded to mix design and comfort.
6. I like Japanese fashion such as Yohji Yamamoto, Commes des Garcon, Undercover and Number (N)ine. We consider the Japanese market as a big challenge for us to overcome."

Julian Red

"In 2002, Mattias Lind started the brand in Gotenborg, Sweden. They started to make jeans and in 2003, the collection finally started officially. They named the brand after a character in Bret Easton Ellis's novel "Less Than Zero."

1. Our concept is a psychological design balanced with futuristic looks when you actually wear our clothing. Our brand is avant-garde and tends to be very sensitive for fashion movements. We try to improve our quality of material and tailoring techniques.
2. For the 08S/S collection, the main inspiration is Amedee Ozenfant, Le Corbusier and the starting of purism. We needed to find a way to back to the basic concepts of clothing such as they were working.
3. To illustrate the confusion on one's mind.
4. We think inspiration is to find a very nuance from life, art, society, music and fashion and to illustrate, or make a comparison. Our work is very conceptual. Our work comes from a development of emotions and objections.
5. First, we are good at making visual concepts to present ourselves. Also, like Japanese brands, we care very small details that contribute to the overall fit and design.
6. We have respect for Yohji Yamamoto. Japansese consumers are much more motivated about fashion than consumers in Europe or America."

Following the question section is "departure from Scandinavia" which goes on to give brief bios for eleven more brands, including Blackbird old time favourite Filippa K and one of the newer brands to the store, Pudel.

Filippa K

"This brand has been leading the Scandinavian fashion scene for a very long time. For 08S/S they took inspiration from American army classic styles after the WW2. The collection has a masculine look which mixes good old American trad style with relaxed elegance."

Pudel

"The designer Lina Osterman graduated from London's Saint Martins College of Art & Design. Pudel started in 2005A/W and took base in London. Unlike other Scandinavians brands, this brand provides genderless clothing with a minimal and clean style. Its very original concept is attracting many buyers from London and Japan."

DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN COTTON/LINEN VEST

We have one more of the much loved oversized vests (shown originally in this post) from Diet Butcher Slim Skin's spring/summer collection. The one previously available sold almost immediately so act quickly if you had your eye on it before!

Diet Butcher Slim Skin - Chunky oversized knit vest
in used black, 70% cotton/30% linen
DETAILS: This was the specific piece that had us all drooling when we saw photos of it in the season's catalog, and the final product does not at all disappoint. It is made from a super chunky and rigid cotton/linen blend that is unlike anything else. The placement of the heavy metal buttons works perfectly to allow for many different wearing styles and the belt can be tied to allow for a slim or more oversized look. This piece works perfectly on both men or women. Pictured above with Diet Butcher Slim Skin double layered tank top and leather boots, covered here.
sizes: one size
$895 (Sold out)

LOVA TANK TOPS

Just in time for this beautiful Saturday in Seattle! These Lova tank tops are incredibly light and airy and are going to be much appreciated as the weather starts turning warmer. Wear them layered underneath a wide neck t-shirt, under a jacket or cardigan, or even alone as the summer really gets into full force.

Lova - Tank top
in blue/white stripe
DETAILS: 100% rayon
sizes: coming soon
$68


Lova - tank top
in white with blue dots
DETAILS: 90% modal, 10% cashmere; features very beautiful subtle striping effect
sizes: coming soon
$68

J'adore Want les Essentiels de la Vie.

Want les Essentiels de la Vie bags are a god-send for guys and gals that like to stay organized on the go. The geniuses behind this coveted label, Dexter and Byron Peart, truly thought of everything. These beautiful bags are a perfectly crafted balance of timelessness,
toughness and functionality.

All bags are made in Italy by the same factory that makes Prada's luggage.
That means that these are super nice quality pieces that will last a lifetime.

Sean, the newest member of our sales team (my current muse), is pictured below
with two styles of Want les Essentiels de la Vie bags.
You may notice the added charms from Japan. We brought these back from our Tokyo visit last month where we saw a major trend where guys added little fun trinkets to their business gear.


De Gaulle - 14" Briefcase
in grey leather
$1075

An amazing carry-on travel companion and everyday bag, the De Gaulle is stream-lined for heavy traffic, tight aisles and airplane seat accessibility. It perfectly accommodates a 14" Mac Powerbook (there is also a 17" version) and has various internal pockets made especially for your Moleskin journal, Wallpaper City Guide,
pens, cell phone or PDA, and various other accouterments.
It also comes with an adjustable shoulder strap.
(We carry both the black 17" with gold hardware and the black 14" with silver hardware.)



Malpensa - "24 hr Travel Bag"
in black leather
$1495

The perfect 24 hour travel or everyday bag, the Malpensa accommodates all the bare essentials for an overnight excursion while maintaining the sleek and slender appeal
of Want les Essentiels de la Vie.
The interior includes two small snap-closure pockets (perfect for toiletries), one large zipper pocket (great for underwear and socks), two adjustable straps at the base of the bag
for securing an umbrella or a rolled garment, plus an adjustable shoulder strap.

SHOE SALE - 25% OFF

It's the time of year to freshen up your shoe collection, so from now until May 5th we're offering 25% off* all shoes by the following brands:

Acne --- Spring Court --- Surface to Air Paris --- YMC

Just a few of the shoes available for 25% off.

*no free shipping; may not be combined with other offers

KSUBI SUNGLASSES

These sunglasses from Ksubi eyewear are a perfect way to embrace sunnier weather this season. We love details like a hidden adjustable nose-piece and silver tips on the temples.

Ksubi - "ifould" sunglasses
available in red or black
onesize
$235

Ksubi - "Bayliss" sunglasses
available in purple or black
DETAILS: adjustable nose-piece to allow glasses to sit higher or lower on the nose
onesize
$210

Ksubi - "Willy" sunglasses
white
onesize
$180

DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN

More Diet Butcher Slim Skin has arrived, including the already incredibly popular boots and shoes. Get ready for a whole bunch of pictures. Every time I thought I had everything I needed, I just found more details to try and photograph.

Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D81P142 Narrow pants
in black, 100% cotton amundsen
DETAILS: A really incredible fitting pant in a fabric unlike anything else. Although these are 100% fabric, just by touching it you would swear it was either a wool or rough linen blend. Check out the close up photos too to see the beautiful subtle texturing. They are lined from the top to knee in cupra, have logo'd button details, riri zipper at the fly, and are made in Japan. Size 1 fits approximately a 28, 2 approximate a 29. Worn in the pictures with D81D007 Shoes (shown below).
sizes: 1, 2 (Sold out)
$482


Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D81C292 Double layer tank top
in ecru gray
DETAILS: This tanktop is fully double layered. With the two layers coming together at the sleeves and hem, the collar is left free to drape and hang as you wish. The top layer is a light 100% cotton while the bottom is 80% cotton, 20% silk, both layers of a t-cloth fabric.
sizes: 1, 2 (sold out)
$245


Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D81D009 Leather boots
in dark brown, 100% cowhide
DETAILS: Absolutely stunning! Every detail of these boots contributes to them being like nothing you will see again. The official color is listed as dark brown but it is such an interesting shade which in some areas appears almost as a very deep purple. Just by handling these you can really see such a huge amount of hand workings which went into them, including the nailed inner and outer soles, incredible stacked heel, and dye processing.
sizes: 1 (41), 2 (42), 3 (43)
$1275


Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D81D007 Leather shoes
in black, 100% cowhide
DETAILS: And the already famous shoes from the collection! These feature many of the same beautiful details as the boots, particularly the hand nailed inner and outer soles and stacked heel, but have a slimmer silhouette and very original toggle tie closure. The color is a gorgeous black/very dark charcoal shade which varies slightly throughout the shoe.
$1250
sizes: 2 (42)