Writing, reviews, interviews, photography.

Posts by A. Frankel

Inquiries & Responses vol. 06: Teppei Teranishi of Truman Handcrafted [UPDATED] Now Teranishi Handcrafted

Posted on October 10, 2011
This is the sixth 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.
Somehow I managed to catch Teppei Teranishi of Truman Handcrafted and (rock group) Thrice fame when he wasn’t on the road, at a venue, or knee deep in some other variety of project. I didn’t want to pester the guy too much because he’s very busy and frankly, his work speaks for itself; extremely high-quality American-made products that are styled well and are unbelievably clean in their design. That being said this is the shortest interview done for the Inquiries & Responses series as well as the only unedited one to date.
Truman Handcrafted has this look about it and I can’t quite put my finger on it without becoming repetitive but the cleanliness of the designs really stand out to me. Nothing flashy and no ridiculous branding being shown off. The current lineup of goods includes a tote bag, iPad/laptop portfolios, an iPhone case, a variety of wallets and bracelets, and probably most impressive to me is the gorgeous journal cover. Additionally, by clicking to see the full article below you’ll get a little look at a briefcase prototype from Truman (the 1st photo). Everything’s handmade by Teppei in his home on Vashon Island, WA. where he gave us a little photo tour and answered a couple of questions. Click below to read the full interview and view the photos.
I wanted to note that Teppei has changed the name of his company to Teranishi Handcrafted. You can find his products online under that name henceforth.
Categories: Inquiries & Responses, Interviews, Photos, Writeups

Closed for the Weekend

Posted on October 8, 2011

The past few weeks have been pretty hectic with returning to Philadelphia, lining things up for the site for the fall curriculum, and working on several records and films. I hope you’ve been enjoying the weather changes wherever you are and are ready for the good winter ahead of us. The photo above is from my grandparents home nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. I haven’t been there since last winter but this was taken after a fresh snow melt which reminded me of this time of year as the air grows crisper and long-tucked away layers of clothing emerge from closets and drawers having been forgotten for the past warmer months.

I also hope you’ve been enjoying the materials published here lately. Getting to talk with designers, small businesses, and emerging brands has been an exciting and eye-opening experience for me as I develop what this blog is really about. There are some very exciting things coming in the next few weeks including interviews, write ups, and event coverage that I can’t wait to share with you. It’s sort of been an unwritten rule that I’ve maintained while writing here for the past few months but I think for a while at least I will be closed on weekends. All posting will occur between Monday and Friday unless something is urgent or time sensitive or I absolutely cannot wait another second to share it with you. It gives me time to explore and expand the horizons around these parts and it gives you time away from the computer or phone or whatever you read this on which these days is an invaluable time we all need.

I’m inching ever closer to launching the shop and I’m very excited to get this ball rolling. I know there’s growing interest in what’s happening with it so I’ll say this: it will be extremely small, highly curated, mostly unstructured, and as affordable as I can possibly make it. It’s an interest I’ve held to do something like this for a long time so when the time is right and everything has put itself in it’s proper place, the shop will launch. Starting small is the best way to approach this and I hope to see it grow into something pretty amazing.

Thanks again for reading and, as always, follow us on Twitter for more updates.

-Alex

Categories: Essays

The Standard Relay: Birth Control case from Draught Dry Goods, Makr video, Steve Powers, and Matermathu

Posted on October 4, 2011

 

Makr Box Printing:

A cool short video showing the process Makr goes through to stamp their boxes. Using a letterpress to do this has always been an addition of cool points for me. Found via FREE/MAN.

Birth Control Case from Draught Dry Goods:

Well, I couldn’t believe it either but frankly that’s not the point. Draught Dry Goods has now put out a black leather birth control case for your purchasing and quirky-using pleasure, as pictured below. They’ve also got a cool fall/winter collection out right now featuring some leather bicycle grips that are worth a look.

 

Steve Powers' Beer Cozis:

Had to run this one because the guy’s from Philly. Steve Powers, of Philadelphia Love Letter Project fame, has released some beer cozis and they’re pretty clever. Found via Curated Magazine.

a Curated Magazine.

 

Tellason Interviews:

Cool little piece about Telason Denim. Again, found via FREE/MAN.

 

Matermathu Teaser video:

I don’t like to mix work and…well, work especially when it has to do with something I’m financially or creatively involved in which is why this is the last post of this edition of The Standard Relay. I play in a blues-rock band called Matermathu (may-ter-muh-thoo) based out of Philadelphia and we have a record coming out soon titled “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”. Here’s a teaser video to promote the song “Cold Love”. Let me know what you think.

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Categories: Photos, The Standard Relay, Writeups

The Standard Relay: Letterpress How-To, Hickoree’s Store, Steven Alan Jacket, & Raleigh Denim x Need Supply Co.

Posted on September 27, 2011

Raleigh Denim x Need Supply Co.: Collaborations are an awesome way to be exposed to the genius of different brands without busting your piggy bank wide open. Both Raleigh Denim & Need Supply Co. do great work and this collaboration is no exception. A great looking canvas pant dyed with indigo in a great cut. It’s expensive but if you’re in the market, this is a pretty good way to go. Found via Selectism.

Steven Alan Seaside Slicker: Steven Alan, while expensive goods no doubt, generally does a good job both creating their own goods and having a well-curated collection of others. This jacket is no exception and as put by Gear Patrol, this jacket is a nice alternative to typical American jackets you’ll see as the weather changes.

Hickoree’s Brick & Mortar Store: As reported by Secret Forts, the gentlemen from Hickoree’s Hard Goods have now opened their first brick and mortar store in NYC recently. The photos are superb and give you a great idea of just how diverse the stuff Hickoree’s pedals is. Check ’em out both online and in-store.

Letterpress How-To: While cutsie, this video does a great job of showing (in a very general way) how a powered letterpress works. I’m still a fan of keeping it old school with the fully manual models but this is an awesome showcase of the process. Thanks to visual artist and my good friend Nick Fadely for sending this over.

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/22639018]

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Categories: The Standard Relay

Notes from the Field: 3 Potato 4

Posted on September 25, 2011

I took a low key trip on Sunday with my friend Mark to check out a shop I’d heard about for a while in Manayunk, PA called 3 Potato 4. They specialize in vintage furnishings and random objects and have made quite a name for themselves in the process. Having been around since 2007, they’ve had plenty of time and done a good job of keeping the collection rolling. Most of the stuff they had, while amazing, was seriously out of our budget but I managed to pick up a commemorative pennant from the first lunar landing in 1969. The pennant is by no means rare, you can even find it for cheaper online but for a spur of the moment purchase in an unexpected location I was quite pleased. They open their doors to the public two days a month for their “Barn Sales” and are worth a look if you’re in Philadelphia. It’s an easy train ride to Manayunk if you’re just visiting but they also have most of their stock online. Happy hunting.

Next Barn Sale: Oct. 29th & 30th, 2011 10am-5pm

Location: 3 Potato 4. 376 Shurs Lane Bldg. A. Philadelphia, PA 19128 (267) 335-3633

Categories: History, Photos, Writeups