Writing, reviews, interviews, photography.

Posts by A. Frankel

In Support Of Portable’s “Curator’s Conference”

Posted on August 16, 2012

Portable (one of the most important online curator’s of video pertaining to the arts, culture, fashion, and more) has announced their “Curator’s Conference” in New York City on September 5th, 2012 and we couldn’t be more excited to be in attendance. I’m no conventioneer, I’ve never been to a conference before, but something tells me this is going to be a little different than your typical workweek “vacation”. It’s a one day event held in the Walter Reade Theatre at the Lincoln Center featuring nine thought leaders from within the creative industry ranging from filmmakers to thought provokers all with one thing in common: presenting highly curated content. Here’s Portable’s official release about the event:

The Curators Conference is a day long event featuring the leading international curators and creators of culture across fashion, film, design, music and technology. Debuting at New York Fashion Week, the Curators Conference features the presentations, ideas and conversations of thought leaders who are at the forefront of their respective industries.

The event is catered to creative professionals, with the format exploring the many worlds where curation and creativity intersect with modern culture. We offer a diverse range of speakers—from digital strategists to music video directors—and focus on generating ideas, conversations and emerging trends. Portable hopes these exciting events will inspire audiences, foster industry innovation and promote risk taking within creative disciplines.

The Curators Conference takes place on September 5th, 2012 at the Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Center and is the first in a series of conferences presented by Portable in New York City. 

The list of presenters includes the following:

Susie Bubble – Editor and owner of Style Bubble, an online commentary and presentation of women’s fashion.

Warren Fu – One of the most important music video directors working currently in addition to a creator and designer for several huge films including the newer Star Wars series and Indiana Jones.

Philippe von Borries – Founder of Refinery29, a company intersecting content creation and commerce, based around the fashion industry.

Soraya Darabi – Media maven with work including projects with The New York Times, founding Foodspotting, and sitting on the board of General Electric.

Chris Corrado – Show director for Capsule, an incredibly important fashion industry event spanning a few cities over several dates, and director of sales for BPMW Agency.

Gia Coppola – A fashion photographer and filmmaker working with the likes of Vogue Japan and Jason Schwartzman for an Opening Ceremony short.

Josh Rubin – Editor in Chief of Cool Hunting, an incredible online publication regarding literally all things cool.

Rodrigo Calvo – Head of the New York Office for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a boutique hotel booking service.

Carrie Scott – Director of the SHOWstudio Shop, the quirky retail portion of a fashion industry film giant.

We’re very much looking forward to attending this incredible conference as well as meeting all of you there, too. Make sure to buy your tickets soon! They won’t last forever.

If you buy your tickets within the next twelve hours from the publication of this article [12pm. Central time 8/16] you can receive 50% off the face price of your admission with the code “CONFERENCE12”. This ends at midnight 8/16

Categories: Announcements, Travels

We’re Expanding!

Posted on August 9, 2012

It’s official. Many of you are already aware but on Saturday morning I will be packing up the vehicle and permanently relocating from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. It’s a decision I made years ago and the timing has finally proved right for my girlfriend and I to make it our new home. The move will take a little over a week (we’re taking our time: it’s a long drive) but we’ll be up and fully operational by the end of the month. We couldn’t be more excited to explore another side of the country and bring you even more diverse programming. Steve, the ever-talented creative director of The American Classic, will still be here in Philadelphia maintaing our East Coast perspectives, so not to worry: there will still be plenty of content generated from here. This also gives us access to a whole host of cities, brands, shops, creators, innovators, and events that we were sad to be uninvolved with before.


If you’d like to follow along on the move and the cross-country road trip, you can follow me on Instagram (@alexfrankel). There will likely be a photo recap of my time traveling but more will come from Instagram that won’t make it on the website. As always, thanks for your loyal readership. See you on the West Coast!

Categories: Announcements, Travels

Field Trip: Trove General Store in Paoli, PA.

Posted on July 31, 2012

Ever heard of Paoli, PA? It’s a little town on the main line heading out from Philadelphia wedged into a block of towns that overlap into each other, each one somewhat indistinguishable from the last. At least that was my impression before we spent some time chatting with Foster & Charlotte, owners of the fine Trove General Store situated right in the middle of town. Let me clarify that “town” refers to a series of shopping centers and subdivisions situated off of the main drag, Lancaster Ave. The place isn’t rural; it certainly has a suburban feel to it. But stepping inside the shop immediately lets you know that these guys mean business in selling their extremely high quality goods and you shouldn’t be alarmed by their exterior appearance.

Make no mistake, we love this shop. I’d visited before but this trip was Steve’s first time and I think he thoroughly enjoyed the space. But these goods can be purchased at a number of places (with the exception of their jeans collaboration with Tellason and iPhone case collaboration with Truman/Teranishi Handcrafted), some of which can be found within the city limits of Philadelphia. So why are these guys out here, roughly 30 minutes outside of the city? Because the people here still use the stuff the way it was meant to be used. Foster & Charlotte had a great point, and we completely agree, that most folks sporting heritage American wear don’t actually use it the way it was intended to be used. Much of their clientele uses the Pendleton blankets, the Filson coats and bags, and Red Wing Boots for work and/or manual labor, not a costumed masquerade down Walnut St. with camo-printed pink-selvedged duck cloth pants. There’s something to be said for that.

Their brand list is astounding and the product range is incredible as well. They carry everything from gardening products, home goods, and bath products to clothing, flasks, and footwear. If you want a real-deal look at some of these amazing products, hear an informed opinion, gain some perspective on using heritage products, and meet some folks who are genuinely glad to see you, take a trip out to Trove. We highly recommend it. Click below to see the entire photo set.

Categories: Photos, Travels, Writeups

The Standard Relay: White’s Boots x Imogene + Willie, Moore & Giles Apron, Baracuta Promo Video, Explosions in the Sky, & more.

Posted on June 22, 2012

Moore & Giles Leather Work Apron

For those of us who don’t work behind a desk

To tell you the truth, I’ve grown a little tired of seeing companies churn out work aprons and charge an arm and a leg. It’s exactly what’s wrong with “workwear”, or maybe it’s the point of why it’s cool in fashion. Either way, I dig these aprons quite a bit. They’re more expensive than most but the pockets are well thought out, they’re cut extremely well, and the leather looks quite durable. Somehow they pull all this off without it appearing even remotely bondage-esque (via Cool Hunting).

Postcard from 1952

by Explosions in the Sky

I’m aware that Explosions in the Sky has it’s share of haters out there but it plays frequently at The AC HQ here in Philly helping to keep an air of focus in a very distracting environment.

White’s Boots x Imogene + Willie

Excellent collaboration between two companies

Imogene + Willie, primarily known for their denim, has churned out an awesome boot with the famous White’s Boots. While White’s isn’t as gargantuan as Red Wing, which has permeated almost every level of menswear, they do excellent work and these boots are a testament to that. They remind me of my RW Iron Rangers but I like the lines and trim on these quite a bit more. Make sure to check ’em out (via FREE/MAN Brand).

Baracuta ’12 Promo Video

The classic jacket in HD

Simple Threads

He’s been busy churning out the good stuff

Ryan from Simple Threads is a good all around dude. We’ve interviewed him in the past and had a few phone conversations with him over the years and as of late he’s been a bit quiet. I noticed he’s put out a few great articles lately, particularly one on “wearability” and it’s importance. As always, accompanied by great photos. Check it.

Presidential Campaign Posters

Ready-to-frame from the L.o.C.

The Library of Congress has put out a book of ready-to-frame presidential campaign posters from years of candidates. Obviously it doesn’t cover all of them but it’s still an excellent idea with great execution (via Gear Patrol).

Categories: The Standard Relay

Inquiries & Responses vol. 8: Rogue Wave Surf Shop

Posted on June 11, 2012

Rogue Wave Surf Shop

Charleston, SC.

This is the eighth in a series of interviews with people who have a keen interest in menswear, style, design, or generally cool stuff. Most of these people are doing something of great note that you should absolutely take a look at.
In the early spring I took a trip to escape the cold and rain of Philadelphia and hit the road with my band to play some shows in the Charleston, SC. area. Not only is the area remarkably beautiful but the people are also incredibly hospitable. Charleston’s a town that, through thick and thin, has looked ahead without forgetting it’s past. I had an afternoon off and wanted some recommendations of places to check out so I sent an email to K. Cooper Ray, better known as the man behind Social Primer, asking for some hometown advice. At the top of the list was the one and only Rogue Wave Surf Shop, known for their quirky approach to peddling both surf goods, menswear, and lifestyle functions. It was a rainy afternoon so I cruised by a few shops and saved Rogue Wave for last.

 

I met with owner Rhett Boyd who was quite honestly and quite unexpectedly one of the nicest and most genuine dudes I’ve met since starting The American Classic. With basically zero knowledge of what I do or why I was there, he showed me around the two room shop on the first floor of a beautifully secluded house on the north side of the main drag through Charleston. I snapped some photos and checked out the goods while his wife and young son visited outside. The shop sells products from Baxter of California, Iron & Resin, Imogene + Willie, Gato Heroi surf boards, Penny skateboards, Yellow Rat trunks and shirts, and many more including a few pairs of selvedge denim and other accoutrements. There’s some amazing things on the horizon for Rhett and his company and we’re excited to watch it unfold. We bounced a few interview questions back and forth and this is what we wound up with. Click below to read the full article and interview and view all of the photos.
Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews, Photos, Travels, Writeups