Showing posts with label Press. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Press. Show all posts

SABOTAGE TIMES: HATS TO SEE YOU THROUGH TO SPRING

London-based online magazine Sabotage Times featured our Bird Boy Knit Cap with their selection of 11 Hats to See You Through to Spring.
You'd be hard pushed to find me out and about without some kind of lid on this time of the year. Which is a good excuse to spunk fifty odd quid on this years smartest bonce warmers.

Blackbird’s Bird boy hat, a tightly ribbed cap as they say over the water, is a replica of the one worn by the real Bird Boy of Ballard. Who’s not actually real. With a removable Bird Boy pin badge and poem on the satin ribbon, suave. (text and photo by Sabotage Times)

The gray color featured is currently sold out, but we currently have black or olive available online. We also have a new navy color available in-store, soon to be online. If interested in navy, just send us an e-mail with order inquiries.

Blackbird - Bird Boy Knit Cap
in black
shop


Blackbird - Bird Boy Knit Cap
in olive
shop

GQ's TEN BEST INDEPENDENT MEN'S STORES IN AMERICA: THE FIELD HOUSE



GQ Magazine recognized The Field House as one of 10 Best Independent Men's Stores in their November issue!  Thanks GQ!

BLACKBIRD ON THE VALETMAG HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE


LARS ANDERSSON ON THE FASHIONISTO




Models Asa Fox and Adam Keller were shot in Lars Andersson's Spring/Summer '11 collection for online fashion news source The Fashionisto.

See the full story here and shop the Fall/Winter '10 collection here.

PRESS RELEASE: BLACKBIRD RUNWAY PRESENTATION

Photo Credit: Adam Sinding, Le 21éme Arrondisement

On Thursday, October 7, 2010, Seattle-based men's wear boutique Blackbird presented its Fall/Winter '10 collections at Discovery Park's Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle, WA. Eleven models walked down three connected runways in front of a live musical performance by dark Brooklyn artrock trio GHXST.

The styling for the runway show presented gradual progression of genres to show the wide diversity of Blackbird's labels and its customers. The show opened with classic, heritage-inspired looks by American staples such as Pendleton, Filson and Woolrich Woolen Mills before progressing into a more modern mood with Robert Geller, Fidelity and Vandalist by Vandal. The final articulation was an homage to the boutique's more industrial designers, featuring Japanese cult-favorites Julius and Diet Butcher Slim Skin, Los Angeles-based dark luxury designer Odyn Vovk and Swedish knitwear designer Lars Andersson.

The runway presentation was used as a means to raise funds for and draw attention to the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, an organization founded to serve as a focal point for Native cultural renewal and regeneration in the Greater Seattle area. In attendance were Blackbird customers, local and national press and a wide variety of representatives from Seattle's aesthetic and cultural worlds.

Sponsors of the Blackbird Runway Presentation included: Gene Juarez, Ace Hotel, Xanté, Dry Soda Co., Barbour, Baxter of California, Diptyque Paris, Filson, Jonboy Caramels, Lulu Organics, Malin + Goetz, Moore & Giles, Obey, Pendleton, Stanley and Steven Smith Teamaker.

For the full image gallery, visit our Blackbird Runway Presentation album on our Facebook page.

BLACKBIRD OWNER, BUYER NICOLE MILLER in OUT MAGAZINE (ONLINE) THIS WEEK


Our Owner, Buyer and Creative Director Nicole Miller was interviewed this week for an article in Out Magazine's online version in an ongoing series called Truman Says.  We are always a little shy about press but WOW, what a fantastic publication.  We feel honored to be part of Out Magazine.  Check us OUT (wink-wink)!

THE FIELD HOUSE MAKES THE GUARDIAN'S SEATTLE TO-DO LIST

Internationally respected and widely read UK based news source, The Guardian, has an excellent travel section which was recently made even better by their recent "Going Underground in Seattle" feature. Writer Chloe McCloskey's diverse suggestions included seeing a show at Neumos on Capitol Hill, getting tattoos at Super Genius, coffee at Stumptown and Cafe Vita, and a shopping excursion to The Field House right here in our little cozy corner of the city. Check out the original Guardian.Co.UK article here.

JULIUS DESIGNER TATSURO HORIKAWA INTERVIEWED ON SCOUTE

(photo courtesy of scoute.org)

Online magazine, Scoute, just posted a fantastic interview with Tatsuro Horikawa, designer for Japanese cult label Julius. There is a lot of assumed or otherwise false information floating around out there about the brand, but this interview digs deep for the truth of Horikawa's mind. Click here to check it out.

"Located somewhere in-between various well-known areas such as big city Shinjuku, shopping paradise Shibuya and trend central Harajuku, Sendagaya is hard to classify and the Julius HQ even harder to find. The Atelier is a concrete bunker, whose entrance can only be found hidden behind tight rows of black, high-powered motorbikes and the designers own “Batmobile” lookalike BMW, which he uses for inspirational runs around the city and to connect him to his factory-like Industrial Art Space on it’s outskirts. Once down the steep stairs, one can enter a concrete warren of black clad disciples all intensely engaged in various aspects of disseminating the Julius Aesthetic into the outside environment. It looks more like an anarchist sect or religious cult than a fashion movement, and in fact, “fashion” is not really a word that Tatsuro Horikawa cares much about. In the space there is original Horikawa designed metal furniture and several of his own bronze art pieces and paintings as well as giant prints from the latest MA shoot. It is here, that he oversees every aspect of the creation of his collections, from the coating on the denim to the music mixed specially for the cat-walk and the pictures for the look-book. Everything is done in-house and much of it, for example the photography and styling, personally by the designer and his assistants.

The man himself is also difficult to track down. Doing much of his designing very early in the morning and finding much of his inspiration very late at night, early evening is the time he spends in production meetings and testing out new designs. In fact it soon becomes apparent that the designer and his staff are usually dressed head to toe in prototypes from future collections as well as his own archive, resulting in pieces on the Paris runway which have already been road-tested to the limit. When in residence, surrounded by staff, clothed totally in black, covered in esoteric tattouage and with his trade-mark intense gaze, he is instantly recognisable. One might say that his soft spoken voice and shy friendly manner come as somewhat of a welcome surprise." (text from Scoute. Click here to continue reading)

MALIN + GOETZ FEATURED IN VANITY FAIR

Vanity Fair's new October issue includes a great little feature on Blackbird apothecary favorites, Malin + Goetz. If you're not entirely familiar with this amazing line of skin and haircare products, the article gives a great overview of the simple yet focused perspective from which the company's founders, Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz, have decided to tackle today's skincare conundrums.

From Vanity Fair's October 2009 issue:

Five years ago, New York-based Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz set out to create a modern interpretation of an old-world apothecary, harking back to a time when skin care meant simply washing and moisturizing.

"Skin care should be easy," Malin says. "We've just taken that to the most luxurious level."


Most of their face, body, and hair products are for both women and men, and there are special products to nurture sensitive skin and those complexions that are more resilient. Their beauty ethos is all about balance and duality. "Everything throughout the brand is about this synergy," says Goetz.


Malin + Goetz debuted in 2004 with 11 original products and has since expanded its line to more than 50, including two new unisex eaux de toilette, two shampoos, and a hair mask, all of which come out this fall.


And, because theirs is a problem-solution brand, bottles are labeled in green for body, red for hair, and blue for face, lest you find your skin-care options luxuriously overwhelming.

-Jessica Flint

Malin + Goetz - Synthesized Geranium Leaf Eau de Toilette
DETAILS: Malin+Goetz's synthesized geranium leaf is scientifically engineered for its green fresheness. Innovative and modern, this fragrance performs on its own or as one half a system to create a unique sensory experience. Formidable and long-lasting, this fragrance performs on its own or paired with the subtle freshness of our Petigrain Tonic, creating a unique sensory balance tailored to an individual or couple. NOTES: Top notes of green apple and cyclamen. Middle notes develop with beautiful geranium and coriander and dries down to a subtle musk.
$48

shop

Malin + Goetz - Gentle Neroli Shampoo
DETAILS: Synthesizing natural neroli extract with hydrating amino acid protection to effectively purify and balance all hair and scalp types, including processed hair and sensitive scalps. Unlike traditionally harsh detergents, this mildly foaming shampoo rinses free of residue and built-up without drying, stripping, or irritating. Calming neroli and moisture-rich proteins strengthen and protect leaving hair healthy and scalp conditioned. Natural fragrance and color. Easily integrates into daily maintenance and prevention regimen.
$20

shop

Malin + Goetz - Intensive Hair Mask
DETAILS: Malin+Goetz intensive hair mask scientifically blends essential fatty acids with natural plant extracts and wheat amino acid proteins to restore dry, damaged, and chemically processed hair. Effective for all hair and scalp types, this fortifying treatment helps replenish moisture and repair damage for advanced, residue-free conditioning and detangling. Nutrient-rich grapeseed helps strengthen and protect while meadow foam seed nourishes, leaving hair soft, shiny, and healthy. Natural fragrance and color. Easily integrates into daily maintenance and prevention regimen.
$25

shop

SUPERMODEL MUST-HAVE: CIRE TRUDON CANDLES

Vogue's September issue reports that Brazilian supermodel, Isabeli Fontana, loves to give Cire Trudon candles as gifts: "Ernesto for my boyfriends, Mademoiselle de la Valliere for my girlfriends." Something to think about, gang.

Cire Trudon - Ernesto Candle
DETAILS: In a hotel of Havana, sizzling unde the stubborn sun of the revolution, fierce overtones of leather and tobacco meddle with resolution the waxy silence of wood. Breaking out of the cool dimness, sly grimaces emerge, framed by the smoke of cigars and the barrels of guns. NOTES: Leather and Tobacco.
9.5 OZ. 80 Hours.
$75

shop

Cire Trudon - Madame de la Valliere Candle
DETAILS: Secret powers of a naked flower... For the love of Louis the XIV, Mademoiselle de Las Valliere enveloped herself in the sweet and shattering intensity of tuberose. Damp fragrance of an intoxicating love. From the King's bedroom to her convent, Louise de le LValliere personified this deeply sensual flower, which plump and overwhelming aromas are that of true, blinding, almost spiritual love. NOTES: Tuberose
9.5 OZ. 80 Hours.
$75

shop

BRIXTON DRIFTER FEATURED ON COMPLEX.COM as BEST HATS FOR SUMMER 2009



Brixton - Drifter
in natural
DETAILS: This classic straw-framed hat is well suited to someone that wants to wear something truly their own. The Brixton Drifter Hat is built for the drifter in each of us. It features a black band with white stripes, the Brixton logo, and a smooth gold lining.
$50.00
shop

STYLE.COM -- SAFETY LAST

Yesterday men.style.com launched a feature on five designers who are creating some new and very exciting things and straying far from the pack of tradition. In addition to general information and past-season shots, the article features also some sneak peaks to the designers' upcoming spring/summer 2010 collections which will be soon shown in Paris. The article starts off with Rick Owens who has, in the past couple years, really started becoming known in the more mainstream fashion world, and is soon followed by Blackbird favourites Julius and Odyn Vovk.

Click here to go to the article's opening. Click here to go directly to the Julius slide or here for Odyn Vovk.

Below text courtesy of Matthew Schineier and men.style.com, photos from the respective designers.

JULIUS -- "Japan's Tatsuro Horikawa founded Julius in 2001, after working for several years on his earlier label, Nuke. Horikawa's meticulously detailed, military-inspired pieces—most in black—are carried at some of America's most directional menswear boutiques, including New York's Atelier, San Francisco's The Archive, and Blackbird in Seattle, but that success hasn't seemed to lighten the designer's moody disposition. "I am obsessed with the image of 'black' in Japanese religion, in Zen," he writes. "It is the total color of complete and utter grief.""

SS0210 PREVIEW





ODYN VOVK -- Austin Sherbanenko founded Odyn Vovk (pronounced odin vock, Ukrainian for "one wolf") after dropping out of fashion school and setting up shop in downtown L.A. In the time it took most of his peers to graduate, Sherbanenko—who's inspired primarily by music like hardcore, punk, and Scandinavian black metal—is gaining traction with the new generation of forward-minded buyers.


SS2010 PREVIEW


DBSS BAGS on DAILY CANDY


(click on photo to read what they said)

MEN.STYLE.COM SPRING 2009 BUYERS' GUIDE

(above comic from Moomin Trolls by Tove Jansson -- available through Drawn and Quarterly)

Yesterday saw the publishing of the coming season's installment of men.style.com's buyers' guide. Every season they select a number of shops to feature some of their top picks for items coming to them for the season. For the second season in a row, Blackbird was featured in this guide and our picks are below. All photos by Steve Torres/men.style.com, text by us.

Click here to go to the article's opening page or click here to jump directly to the beginning of our section.

In addition to our selections, we are also proud to point out Barneys New York's choice in one of the collaboration pieces that Brett Westfall did for Rei Kawakubo's Comme des Garcons Homme Plus line -- click here for that slide.

Woolrich Woolen Mills - Upland Jacket
Woolrich Woolen Mills has us very excited for this new collection. Daiki Suzuki does a great job making an Americana style which can be worn by anyone, no matter their preference towards the workwear influence.
$475


Common Projects - Canvas Safari Boot
Just as people began to think that Common Projects collections would continue to be safely predictable, this season is bringing in some very cool changes and new designs. The Safari Boot stands out from the collection of sneakers as something that can easily cross into a number of different styles.
$375


Robert Geller - Leather Zip-Bomber
Seattle summers are quite mild so a leather jacket can get a lot of use. This washed-lambskin bomber is easily adapted to your wardrobe and is perfect for everyday wear.
$1860



Odyn Vovk - Indian-Print Curve Seam Tee
This is the young designer's very first collection and the sophistication in design and ideas is quite shocking. These supima cotton/micro modal blend t-shirts fit long and slim. The elegant draping easily adds a slightly dramatic touch to even the most basic outfit.
$156


Vanishing Elephant - Skinny Roll-Leg Jeans
Cropped or rolled pants is a perfect summer style which has already been becoming very popular. Wear these with any outfit to add a bit of laid-back youthfulness.
$145

ITEMS IN MEN'S NON-NO JAN 2009

A couple of our top items of the season were featured in the most recent issue of the famous Japanese men's fashion magazine Men's Non-no.

Robert Geller - Waffle Knit Hoodie
in black
DETAILS: Relaxed-fitting sweater knit hoodie. Double zip closure. Two side pockets. Made from a cozy and warm 36% wool/34% acrylic/20% mohair/10% nylon blend. Made in Japan.
sizes: 44, 46, 48, 50
$560
click here to buy


Tim Hamilton - Scarf/Hood with Pockets
in maroon
DETAILS: heavy 100% wool knit, pockets at both scarf ends, made in Italy
sizes: one size
$312
click here to buy

ONLINE MAGAZINE: VALET


While we were all asleep, Cory Ohlendorf, of the new online magazine ValetMag.com, wrote up an article on Blackbird's Mercantile collection. Check it out!

SCOUTE GIVAWAY


This month, Blackbird has partnered with Scoute, one of our very favorite online magazines, to offer its readers a chance to win a $350 Blackbird gift card. Check out their publication and sign up to win!

Here's some info about Scoute that I scraped from their site: "scoute is an independent online publication focusing on fashion, travel and culture. scoute is based in europe with correspondents throughout several locations in asia and north america... scoute was initiated in early 2008 and is the result of a common desire to create and publish interesting content."

LOADS of PRESSE


As a reader of this blog, you are part a small niche of consumers, retailers, creatives and marketers that participate in our very specific and new genre of menswear. As big as it may seem sometimes, this is truly a small and fragile market. Men's Vogue is gone. DNR is gone and now, more than ever, we need to support each other to keep this industry alive and healthy.

One week ago I launched my very first online store to crazy amounts of love and support from bloggers, traditional marketers, avid fans and customers around the world. Before the launch, I was terrified that it wouldn't be good enough. I was terrified that it would break... and it did a little. Mostly I was terrified that you wouldn't care. But you did. Thanks to everyone for believing in Blackbird and supporting what we do.

And here's a special thanks for all the press and positivity big and small. If you have some spare time, check out some of these sites.

NY TIMES LOVES BALLARD

Today's online version of the New York Times sports a little Ballard on their front page article entitled 'A Seattle That Won’t Blend In'. Check out the article and/or the photo essay and think about paying us a visit.

Ballard Sunday Market

Veggies

Music Man

Kings Hardware

Tractor Tavern

Golden Gardens (beach)