New York Made Us This Way

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Images

—01. Familiar fonts.
—02. Printed interior.

Words

If they mean: cash strapped, highly strung, and homesick; then yes, New York certainly did. Meant as an ode to the city, and the people that inhabit it (some of whom are partial to a good outfit or two), New York Made Us This Way is an exhibition of works by Jake Davis cultivated from his Test Shot project, and currently on display at Nepenthes New York. To celebrate the event, which also coincides with the store's first anniversary, Nepenthes have released a rather interesting take on a traditional white pocket t-shirt. A familiar font adorns the center, giving the pocket an unusual looking placement; one that's perhaps more washing and camera trickery than design. The back features a montage of screen shots from various Test Shots Jake has produced over the last couple of years, which has been printed on the interior of the shirt rather than on outside of the fabric. Years ago I once saw a similar design on a Bjork t-shirt at Magma in London; I thought it looked good then, and still think it looks good now.

—Jake Davis
—Nepenthes NY

INVENTORY Editors by Jake Davis

Last week in New York we happened to be in between appointments when Jake messaged me to come drop by for an interesting video project he was putting together. Generally all of us at Inventory like to stay on the other side of the lens but Jake had a simple concept that felt fresh and included a great list of subjects. He was kind enough to include the Inventory editors; Simon Roe, Owen Parrott and myself. The Test Shots are leading off the series that will play out on Jake's blog and be viewable in HD in a much bigger format at Jake's Vimeo page. The videos offer a genuine glimpse into the people and their personalities and really take the idea of a street style photograph to a new place. Thanks again to Jake for including us, enjoy. — —

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What Would you wear in your Secret Fort?

I saw this post over on allplaidout and I love it. The two bloggers met up recently and a third party exclaimed to James of Secret Forts, "You look like your blog." Of course he does right? With the million and a half product blogs out there, how many bloggers actually practice what they preach and pine after the products they post, or actually wear the outfits they post? My guess is not very many. So I feel that's why there has been a tight circle of blogs recognized in this little niche market. The sense of honesty and actually living your blog in the real world is important. I personally wear the items I write about (unfortunately a small portion) but still, the ones I really can afford or want. I know Michael over at ACL and Jake also are in the same boat, and there are others. It's the reality of our tastes that help us connect with each other, as well as the readers. It's always been something that urks me about some other sites I suppose, but I've never really touched on it. So there it is, practice what you preach. Thanks to the other bloggers out there for making the Internet more interesting. *In Addition: I do realize a lot of blogs have to get traffic and actually rely on making money for their job. So personal accounts and thoughts might not have a place. There is a balance, and it can be tough.

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Jake on Grey Sweats

Our friend Jake Davis made a couple posts last week on the place of grey sweat pants in a man's wardrobe. They've been in front of our faces with spring and summer looks, but nobody has really talked about them or mentioned them like this. They do seem like a 'new thing' when paired up with a button down and a toggle coat, but when you see the athletic images of Mr. Ali running around in them, there is something more there. Both styles and looks are slightly different, but Jake's point of a truly stylish person taking their aesthetic to everything they do, whether it's the library, the gym or a date, is really interesting. I agree with Jake's comments on both the potential of great sweats the ease in which you can make them look really bad. It probably does take somebody with a extra good eye and taste to pull them off well, but you really should be able to make them look just as good when you're hitting the gym. So good luck to those who are willing to try it, check Jake's blog for more insight.

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Create and Live Now

That's the message I got from Jake Davis' recent breakdown on the current state of creativity in the city. While I have never been apart of the New York scene and grew up in a different era than a lot of the most interesting creatives of our past, I can take something away from Jake's post. While his comments have somewhat of a focus on New York, the message is global now. People have been taking a lot of inspiration from the past and some are using it as that, inspiration, while some are merely replicating it - or trying to. The future and present is what we have and where all the potential in the world is. It's ours to mold and create, there are fewer limitations than ever. In conclusion, stop listening to Joy Division and do you now. Jake is basically a h(y)r columnist and contributor by the way, he just posts on his own blog and I have to link it.

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Issue 9 is Live

It's been a minute, a busy month and busy year. 2009 has since arrived and so has Issue #9 from h(y)r collective. I am really excited about the issue. We have features with Velour of Sweden, Colette, some of the best bloggers around in the Business of Blogging, Vancouver's local tailor, Albert and we also take a look at some of the best brands, films, products and retailer of 2008. We also got a chance to focus in on Erik Schedin and Kenta Goto, both very interesting and inspiring designers. I took a minute to reflect on some of my favorite items in my closet and my dad and I put together a series of photos from our trip to Paris. I really hope you enjoy the first issue of '09. We have a great line up to come for the following months and we are really excited about the year to come. Thanks to everyone. READ ISSUE 9

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Re-up: The Real American Life Or Perfect Storm

For those who might have missed it, Jake Davis put down one of the most lengthy blog posts you'll find in the style/fashion world the other day. It did of course touch on some interesting perspectives and takes on the way things have gone in the last decade. Jake's personal journey through the evolution of menswear has been pretty intimate growing up in the heart of New York city. He knows things. He's been there and been apart of it and has definitely been killing the blog game as of late. His taste is perfect, his words are strong - you should probably give it a read, here.

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