The beautiful new DOUBLE RL & CO. online store has just opened their doors for business. With the spot on design aesthetic that has been a RRL staple since day one and true old world feel featuring RPPC & Tin Type style photographs that look like they were taken straight outta the Disfarmer Studio, the new online store is not to be missed. Check it out and buy some goods, you won't be sorry.
1970's era New Old Stock Lee Jelt Denim Union Made •SANFOR SET• Dungarees, Lot 050-6041 Made in USA. Sold via The San Fernando Valley Mercantile Co.
Pocket flasher along with size and lot tag sewn into lower pocket seam
Backside of pocket flasher seen inside of back pocket, also United Garment Workers of America AFL-CIO union label. I particularly like the opening portion of the description that reads "Designed for a tough day's work, day after day. Pure brawn to meet the stress and strain of the most rugged jobs."
Back pocket with Lee R MR, MADE IN USA printed label. Details include subtle two tone yellow stitching, triple stitched back yoke & leg seams and pocket corner & hammer loop bar-tack reinforcements
These dungarees share many of the same design details as the highly desirable 1940's-1960's era red and black label Lot 191Z Jelt Denim dungarees including angled front pockets, front rt side coin pocket, rt side pliers pocket & hammer loop, half lined back pockets, subtle two tone yellow stitching and Lee stamped copper dome rivet reinforced front pockets
Lee embossed snap closure
Talon 42 brass zipper
Bar-tack reinforced crotch and fly along with more two tone stitching, this time in yellow & black
Close up of the upper front pocket Lee stamped copper dome rivet, yellow stitching and belt loop bar-tack
Aerial view of the fantastic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium, site of the WWII Battle of the Bulge
Ayrton Senna en route to winning the 1991 Formula One USGP at Phoenix Arizona. Senna would go on to win the F1 World Drivers Championship that year.
With Friday morning practice at Spa set to take place in approx 4 hours and in honor of the 20 year anniversary of the smoking hot lap laid down on what is arguably the finest natural road course in the world, turn up the volume and enjoy this fantastic clip of THE BEST Formula One driver of the modern era (quite possibly of all time) pushing his McLaren MP4/6 powered by the awesome Honda V12 to pole position at the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit during qualifying for the 1991 Formula One Grand Prix of Belgium. His blast up the one and only Eau Rouge (the best corner on one of my favorite tracks in F1), seen at the 16 second mark of the video below and the scream of the Honda V12 are not to be missed! Truly smile inducing stuff.
A great evening was had Wednesday night at the RRL Store on Melrose which in addition to featuring the clothes and accessories that we all know and love, showcased some fine vintage iron courtesy of BROUGH SUPERIOR, who built top of the line bikes between the years 1919-1940 and are often referred to as the Rolls Royce of motorcycles. Truly a fitting brand to share the RRL space. This post will focus on the bikes with possible future posts touching on the clothing side of things.
I believe this to be a 1920's era BROUGH SUPERIOR
Fry Smith food truck was on hand serving up their signature gourmet "topped" fries and Fat Tire Ale was one of the beverages of choice. The large turnout included many bike enthusiasts, most arriving on their preferred method of transportation. Caught up with some old friends and made some new ones. While I'm normally not one to notice or care of such things, there were many "names" in attendance including the silver haired motor junkie Jay Leno and Jillian Barberie of Good Day LA. Among those with whom I am impressed and I do care about were sculptor, designer & collector extraordinaire Jeff Decker, Greg Chapman of Schott NYC and the man who for me was the evenings highlight, the one and only Alain DeCadenet. I know of Alain from his days as both a gentleman racer (and a rather fast one at that) and host to the late great program on The Speed Channel (now SPEED TV) Victory By Design. Seems Alain is better know these days for being a vintage bike enthusiast based on the attention he gathered while starting his classic bike and heading off into the So Cal evening.
I still cant get enough of this great clip of Alain being buzzed by a Spitfire years back. Good for a big smile and laugh every time!
Big props to the fine folks at RRL including but not limited to Ben, Travis, Carlos and Ryan, for the great event which showcased their top notch hospitality and ever present sense of style.
To be expected... yes, appreciated... most definitely. Thanks guys!
1940's era Carhartt UNION MADE •SANFORIZED• Dark Brown Canvas Duck Cap in a rarely seen primitive style. Details include stingy brim visor and simple construction reminiscent of early "cake" type baseball caps. Really liking the elongated stitching used to secure the Carhartt ScriptHeart Mark Trolly Car printed label.
United Hatters Caps & Millinery Workers Union label
Great vintage Railroad Engineer Doll offered up by our friend and neighbor Jason this past Sunday at the Rose Bowl. We can always count on The J-Man to brighten the dark mornings and long days with his spot on sense of humor and tales from the trenches. He literally rolled over using a shop stool on casters as his method of transportation, holding this guy which he referred to as a small version of yours truly. This pint sized engineer's express stripe uniform included engineer cap, 2 pocket engineer jacket with watch chain, cuffed overalls and a denim work shirt. A nice alternative to standard bearer Buddy Lee. I believe he's still looking for a good home, interested parties can contact the Good Humor Man via the STARLITE ROOM and be sure to check out his rants via his BEER, BAIT and AMMO blog.
