Wes Anderson's Moonrise Kingdom, Vintage Workwear, Rugged Accessories and the Red Wing Iron Ranger Work Boot

Moonrise Kingdom is the wonderful new film by director Wes Anderson. This film takes viewers along for the ride on the journey of Khaki Scout Sam Shakusky and school girl with edge Suzy Bishop, two twelve year old kids in the midst of growing up and experiencing their first summer of love while on an adventurous run. Pursued by an all star cast of adults including Edward Norton as Khaki Scout Troupe Leader Ward, Bruce Willis as the lonely Town Sheriff Captain Sharp and Suzy's together yet detached parents played by Bill Murray and Francis McDormand. Harvey Kitel as Khaki Scout Commander Pierce, Tilda Swinton as Social Services (love that name or lack there of) and Anderson film repeat offender Jason Schwartzman as Cousin Ben also add their special talents. Moonrise Kingdom is set in the year 1965 on the island of New Penzance located off the coast of New England with the mother of all storms approaching. Sam and Suzy's journey and pursuit is filled with the humor and wit that we've come to love and expect from a Wes Anderson film along with set design and details that fans of vintage workwear and rugged accessories will no doubt appreciate. The use of Hank Williams Jr. tunes throughout the film is another nice choice.

Items of interest include narrator Bob Balaban's low top "Gumshoe" version of the iconic L. L. Bean Maine Boot, Khaki Scout uniforms similar to the vintage version made for the Boy Scouts of America by vintage workwear manufacturer Sweet Orr, the Safety type glasses worn by many of the cast members, Sam's Blue Bell Herringbone Twill Coveralls, Metal Water Coolers and Ice Chests, the Industrial Metal Desk and Chairs like those manufactured by The General Fireproofing Company and the Red Wing style Moc Toe Boots worn by Cousin Ben.

Sweet Orr Boy Scouts of America Shirt Box courtesy of Suntrap

Red Wing IRON RANGER boots after 1 year on the job

Last year we were contacted by the film's producers inquiring into of the possibility of using a pair of well used Red Wing Iron Ranger boots belonging to yours truly. Seems Wes had run across said Iron Rangers previously pictured on this very blog and we were more than honored to offer them for use on the new project from one of our favorite directors. A virtual handshake type deal was struck and since this was to be a small budget film a screen credit / thank you along with a production shot of the boots in action was accepted in lieu of rental payment. Knowing the attention to detail that Wes always brings to his films along with the knowledge of the directors ability to achieve his vision in any number of alternative ways made his choice of this particular pair of boots all the more special.

Red Wing IRON RANGER boots after 2 years on the job

Mr Billingsley photo courtesy of Moonrise Kingdom & Focus Features

We were excited to hear that Moonrise Kingdom had been chosen to open the prestigious 2012 Cannes International Film Festival followed by openings in New York and Los Angeles in May. Eager with anticipation to see the new film from one of our long time favorite artists and directors along with the cameo appearance of the Red Wing IRON RANGER boots belonging to yours truly, we recently made the short trip to Hollywood, CA to catch Moonrise Kingdom at the ArcLight Theatre.

The film was a joy to watch from start to finish with the appearance of Sam's foster dad Mr. Billingsley (aptly played by seasoned actor Larry Pine) wearing the Red Wing Iron Rangers while conversing at the table in a perfectly period correct kitchen right around the film's ten minute mark. The thank you to yours truly and The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co. as the end credits rolled was an especially nice treat.

Even with the bias that comes with having contributed on the minutest level to this highly enjoyable piece of work, we can not recommend Moonrise Kingdom highly enough for your summertime viewing pleasure. Go see this film and enjoy an opportunity to smile and laugh while taking a trip back to those youthful days of long summers and first loves.

Official Site:
http://www.moonrisekingdom.com/
 
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/MoonriseKingdom
  
YouTube Page:
http://www.youtube.com/moonrisekingdommovie

 

RED WING IRON RANGER 8111 Boots & Lee 191Z Jelt Denim Dungarees... kickin' it with my boy Miles

Spending some quality down time with our Jack Russel terrier Miles. Wearing some favorite gear including RED WING 8111 IRON RANGER Boots and 1960s Lee 191-Z JELT DENIM Dungarees.

Santa's Got A Brand New (Vintage) Bag

Vintage Woolrich Vest-Jac

Vintage Woolrich Mackinaw Hunting Jacket

Vintage Woolrich Vest

Vintage GLOBE MFG. CO. canvas fireman's trousers w/ plaid flannel lining

NOS vintage Carhartt hunting cap with cotton flannel lining

Vintage Red Wing boots, model 8180 circa 1994

Via this mornings LA TIMES Image section:  Glenn O'Brien, author of "How to Be a Man" and GQ's "Style Guy" columnist: "I kind of like the traditional outfit, although a tartan might be a nice variation [in] a red-based plaid. [Santa Claus] probably wears Woolrich — the really, really super-heavy wool trousers, jacket and vest that are made for hunters, which will be good so he won't be mistaken for a reindeer. He'd be wearing those American-made Red Wing boots that are really hip right now, and beards are back. Santa's more in style than ever now".

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and all the best this Holiday Season.

SETTING SUN....One Sun Sets Allowing Another Sun to Rise, THE RISING SUN & CO. Move Part I

I spent the better part of Saturday afternoon and evening helping our friend Mike Hodis, proprietor of RISING SUN & CO., get started with the relocation of his work shop and retail space. Known as one of the finest denim & canvas tailors in the nation if not the world, RISING SUN & CO. is moving from their Old Town Pasadena location to what will be their new home, just a few miles down the street to East Pasadena.

While it is a shame to see Mike have to dismantle his wonderful old shop of 5 years, the new space has as much if not more of the same flavor and character that has complemented the RISING SUN & CO. line of vintage inspired, fine tailored goods so well. Rest assured that as the sun sets on the old location, a new day will dawn and a new sun will rise, giving birth to a new chapter in the ongoing evolution of the iconic brand.
 

I believe the shop will be open for business thru the end of the week or till the end of the month so by all means do your part and purchase some goods to help lighten the load. Best to call 1.626.793.3479 or email info@risingsunjeans.com to confirm their status before you drop in.

The once clean & organized Rising Sun workshop, reduced to a mere shell of its former glory

The Motley Moving Crew L to R, Alex, Mike, Brendon and hiding behind the tree...Marion

The Crew joined at halftime by Julian, moving a few of what must have been 100 rolls of selvedge denim and duck canvas

The taking of these shots accounted for roughly 10 minutes of what was to become a 9 hour day. While I worked up a bigger sweat than I have in a quite a while, picking up a nice blood blister on one of my digits and offering a bit of knuckle flesh as a sacrifice to the moving gods, it was all good. And I thought I worked hard...Mike's brother Alex took time off from his day job of building-out stores for the likes of Levis & other well known brands to raise the work ethic bar and show how it's done. A tip of the old engineer & workman cap to Alex for busting some serious ass!  It was truly my pleasure to lend a hand to help a friend and hopefully make what must surely be quite the daunting task a little less daunting.

Marion sporting one of Rising Sun's Racer Tees

Julian's friend Thaddeus switched out of his street clothes and donned a Rising Sun chore coat and some vintage hunting pants to get dirty while lending a hand hauling some fabric

The photos here provide a brief glimpse behind the scenes of a very long and busy Saturday. The beginning stages of the relocation focused on moving the work shop and the many vintage sewing machines and the rolls upon rolls of selvedge denim and canvas duck fabric used to construct so many wonderful garments. These photos will be even more interesting to look back at and provide perspective once the dust settles and the phoenix rises from the ashes. Look for more on the new shop in future posts.

The sweat soaked darker portions of the tongue and ankles on my Red Wing Iron Rangers show just how much effort was expended. Seen a few hours after getting home Saturday night

My trusty Salt & Pepper convert cloth cap seen at about midnight Saturday night, some 3 hours after wrapping up work.  Had kind of the old stanky gym clothes thing going on. This hat's gonna need a soak

Roebucks Union Made Carpenter Jeans, Red Wing Iron Ranger Boots & RRL Work Cap

1970's era Roebucks UNION MADE 7 pocket carpenter dungaree.
Started off a few years ago as dark blue deadstock that I used sporadically while painting. These are used for work and do get quite dirty, thus requiring regular washing. The lighter blue denim fade is the result.  Currently seen after wearing them for 3 weeks straight without washing while on my current remodel project

 Details include United Garment Workers of America UNION MADE label, Sears Wear Tuff pocketing, Made in USA 

Red Wing Iron Ranger work boots. About 6-8 months after their last appearance before the camera here

 Just about broken in

 RRL "Fit Well Built Well" work cap that has taken the place of my RRL Truck Label duck canvas cap.
Cap started with a bit of damage process but has picked up some serious sweat & grime, or as some would say... funk

 Earlier today, stripping off some nasty latex paint from a front entry door. Wearing the dungarees, boots & cap pictured above. Gotta love Southern California and the fact that I'm outside in a tee in the middle of winter

 Pulling 12 to 14 hour days for 5 days straight in order to finish up this job and get to preparing for both Inspiration & The Rose Bowl.  

Free & Easy #10 October 2010

It was privilege to grace page 078 in the October 2010 issue #10 of the seminal Japanese fashion and culture magazine Free & Easy.  As part of the Blue Worker feature, I was in good company along with local custom boot craftsman Julian Imrie. More on Julian in the post to follow. 
   

Photo outake courtesy of Akilla Kojima

Photo outake courtesy of Akilla Kojima

I thought I would provide a few details on what I was wearing, the process & such.

I was contacted by F&E and asked if I had carpenter jeans, coverall jacket & overalls to be used for the next issue which would focus on Denim. I replied that I did and that carpenter jeans were part of my daily wardrobe. They then asked for engineer jackets of which I told them I had many. Finally, I was asked for overalls with real wear & character, which I just happened to have though not currently part of my weekly rotation. I have owned this particular pair of Lee Jelt denim overalls for about 6 years. I used to wear them on the job once or twice a week before either they shrank or I grew, so now they only get broken out once or twice a year while painting. I would have preferred to wear some carpenter jeans and a great jacket but hopefully another chance will present itself in the future. Not wanting to miss this golden opportunity, I gladly squeezed into the overalls and headed off to work.

I was working on some drip irrigation in Burbank, California the morning the photos were taken. I remember it being about 11:00 AM and the temp already hitting 98 degrees, oh man, that pool was looking good.

After the shoot I changed into my carpenter jeans, handed the overalls and a few of my tools off to Akilla to take and photograph under better conditions and finished up my work on the drip system.

This is what I was wearing.

Ghost tag (stitching that held the original flasher)

Lee long L snap & original  brass laundry tag 

1950’s Lee Jelt denim 91-SB overalls

1950’s Washington Dee Cee convert cloth salt & pepper work shirt

Backside label

Loomed inside tag, note Made in the USA.

1996 RRL Made in USA salt & pepper work cap. This salt & pepper work cap is the first piece of Double RL that I purchased back around 1996 and to this day is still a favorite. I was the beginning of my love for the iconic label and all things salt & pepper fabric related.

1950’s era OshKosh promotional bandanna. I have become a big time fan of bandannas these past few years for both wiping my brow & for soaking in cold water for instant cool down on hot days. This Osh Kosh version was picked up a few years ago as deadstock and had recently been added to the rotation.

All Valley Handyman Service tee shirt. The All Valley Handyman Service tees are American Apparel hand screened here in Southern California and feature the backside inspirational quote by Carhartt clothing founder Hamilton Carhartt, with who I share the same basic concept of how to run my business. 

Big thanks to Jonathan & crew of Fresh Pressed for all their great work.

Red Wing Iron Ranger 8112 boots. These have been my daily work boot for the past year give or take and are holding up great. The smooth cork sole is ideal for not trapping dirt or rocks like a lug sole and wears much better than the crepe soles. I also like these boots for their wide toe box that provides plenty of room. Some of my Irish Setter type Moc-Toe boots are a bit cramped & claustrophobic.

 THORLOs are the best socks I have ever worn. They make a huge difference when standing on your feet for a good part of the day. A great example of value for your dollar & quality that lasts, not to mention still proudly made in the U.S.A. They also have the nicest customer service ever and free shipping with purchase of 3 pair or more. I even seem to recall them having a yearly sale. Support their good work! 

I have worn Persol sunglasses for over 10 years, so last year when the time came to get prescription glasses these Persols with transition lenses were my first choice.

I recently converted this pair of new old stock Persol sunglasses to prescription lenses so now I’m covered both inside & out.

 Leather tool bag. My alternative to the conventional tool belt to hold the basics.

Big thanks to Zip Stevenson for the hook up, Akilla Kojima for the nice photos & the folks at Free & Easy for the great magazine.