It's here No.9 and we think it's our best issue yet. Full of great features including: Viberg Boots, Hobo & Sailor, Owner Operator, Mamnick, Arpenteur and more!
It will be available from 6pm from our new webstore: aficionadomagazine.tictail.com
Thursday, 18 February 2016
Interview: Otterwell
Today is No.9 day - the day we release our ninth issue. To celebrate this we had a chat with Alex Otterwell, to discuss his brand and shop, and find out more about those ace trousers and shirts he's been busy making. Words below are from our catch up with Alex:
When did you make the decision to start Otterwell again? Could you explain a bit about the brand and the first collections from a few years back?
The decision to start Otterwell again officially started at the start of 2015. I left a job I was unhappy in and started working towards building a business of my own. I think I'm one of those people that needs to work for themselves rather than others.
The early products which can been found flowing round the internet were of the back of a University project to create a business. Whilst the items we made were great I never saw it as brand or business it took me a few years to realise that what we did was actually ok.
For those reading this who have never heard of Otterwell, Its a brand and store based in Manchester. It’s run sole myself , our clothes are either made in the UK or USA and we also stock several like minded brands.
This time, are we right in thinking that Otterwell is more of a store, rather than just a label?
Yeah your spot on! The reason for doing both is that whilst I love designing my own products I also love finding new brands and also I think I would annoy myself having to be so biased to my own label and only wearing one brand.
Could you explain just how much work goes into the garments you create?
The actual design process is quite a quick one for me as I'm never trying to reinvent the wheel. Everything is based more on old designs or a spin on the past. The work doesn't really start, not that it ever feels like work until we are in the manufacturing process and sampling. Actually finding good factories is a ball-ache! So that takes a lot of time! But it’s not unusual to end with 4 or 5 samples to get the fit and details right.
For example on the Parka we all thought we had cracked it and just before production I realised that the sleeve length was measured around my arms, Which is great for me but anyone over 6 ft would have been fucked!
What's the inspiration behind the pieces?
It’s a worn out word in menswear but heritage. I use it because it covers a lot as one day it can be Workwear the next Ivy League and then it can be Rockabilly or Skinheads! Quality is a massive aspect of everything I do, I've been using this moto recently ‘ Of Buy Better, Buy Less’ which might seem strange coming from some one who needs to sell to make a living. What I'm trying to say is that it’s better to buy 4 really good quality shirts a year and be able to keep them for the next 5 years than 15 poor quality ones. I see a lot of brands who just churn out low quality products on the back of the brand name whilst making massive profit.
How do you decide which other brands to stock?
It’s usually brands I've worn or used, so I know what the customer is buying. Baracuta has just landed this week which a perfect example of this. I've got the G9 Harrington in two classic colours, I've worn them for years and paired with a pair of 501’s, Oxford button down and Brogues its classic style which can not be beaten or age!
Personally, what are your favourite brands at the moment? What's your outfit today?
So today, I'm wearing Double Denim, Fuck-sake is that allowed! I've got a Real McCoys USN Chambray shirt, Orslow 107 jeans. Chup Socks and Redwing Moc Toe Oxfords. I dropped some orders off before so put on a new Otterwell Coverall sample (jacket) that I'm testing out.
My favourite brands at the moment or the ones I seem to wear most usually with a Otterwell shirt are Alden, Red Wing,Post Overalls, The Real McCoys. Actually I tell you who I'm really liking is 3sixteen. I bought a few bits of theirs when I was in America last year on Honeymoon and its amazing gear, I’d love to stock them!
What is a typical day for you like running the brand and store?
It’s never 9-5! I normally spend the mornings getting orders sent out from the day/night before. That can often take the whole of the morning. I’ll be checking and answering emails as I go along. Once that’s out of the way it can vary from designing, factory visits speaking to suppliers. I quite enjoy the variety of it. Social Media is also a massive part of building the brand so I try to get an Instagram post out every day but its a lot harder trying to post as a business and not a person. I’m just getting used to twitter but I go on and I’m like why would anyone care If I had chips for me tea, so end up clicking off, terrible that isn't it!
What plans do Otterwell have for the future?
For 2015 it’s all about growing the store as both a brand and shop and having a more solid image of what it is for both myself and the customer. Something I think thats not crystal clear yet. With this you will see a more concise range of products and brands.
In 2016 I would like a physical space for the store. I'm not sure about a shop but more of a destination where you can try on the clothes and buy what you need in a cool place, have a chat, a coffee or beer and just hang out with like minded people.
Monday, 15 February 2016
Interview Archives No.4: Transalpino
As we edge ever closer to the release of our issue No.9 (out Thursday/Friday) we thought we'd dig into our archives of interviews and put them up on our blog for you. Last year saw the relaunch of the go-to deadstock trainer store Transalpino, and in our last issue we asked Jockey from the shop some Q's - here they are:
How did
the opening of the new store come about?
We reopened our
store on Bold Street Liverpool opposite SIZE? on May 1st this year (2015). It
all came about a bit sudden, I was in between careers after importing from the
Far East for years and was looking for something new to do. Around this time a
lad I know was organising the first Laces Out trainer festival in Liverpool and
as I still had a bit of old stock from the old shop in the attic decided to have
a clear out.
I couldn't
believe the response, I walked away that day with a few quid in my pocket and
the seed was sewn, I started picking up bits and pieces for the next festival 6
months away and Lo and Behold had another blinding day, I thought fuck it I'm
gonna launch the website again and started picking up more bits, mainly pre
worn, mentioned it to a few people who told me how much they missed the shop
and were sick of what the high street had to offer and the seed got bigger.
An opportunity
came along that premises opposite SIZE were available and I couldn't let it
pass me by, dipped into my life savings and took the plunge. I felt it was a
big gamble but on the first day we opened there was a queue outside the shop
and the takings that day equalled the best ever day in the old Transalpino
which closed in 2010.
You've
already got hold of some pretty big exclusives (SL Loop etc) - how important is
it that you continue to find and introduce styles like this to the UK market?
Hugely
important, that's what we're all about to offer something that isn’t on the
high street, many people comment on similarities to the old Wade Smith shop and
I find that flattering as that's probably our benchmark.
He was bringing
back stock from Europe in the early days which was the foundation of his
success, I suppose we're the modern day equivalent and we're actually only a
100 yards away from his original store.
Of course this
is the internet age and people can search for their 'grails' from the comfort
of their living room which some may think makes our job tougher - and of course
it does, but I enjoy the challenge.
A new line of
clothing is also taking shape - is this going to be a permanent addition to the
store as well as the trainers?
The clothing was
also always going to be revived as we had a steady following with our tees in
the original store. This time round we like to extend our offer beyond just
tees with sweats and ski hats already on order but we won't rush as we want the
brand to grow organically with the needs of our customers.
What
are your current favourite trainers in the store?
Well we sell OG,
Pre worn Issues and new stock, personal favourites change from time to time and
I'm sure some people love a certain trainer but wouldn’t wear it themselves,
currently out of the new stock the SL Loop wins hands down, I purchased my first
pair off myself three months ago and then kept another two pairs, I haven't
worn another pair of adidas since, like walking on air when their on your feet,
by far the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. Getting back to the other
stock, as I write this in the shops I'm looking across at Columbia, Dublin,
Koln, Bern and FH82s all of which are beauties in their own right.
It's
only early days since the new store opened but what has been the most sought
after trainer so far?
As above (SL
Loop) by far but it seems to be a North West thing. The sought after list is
endless, always getting ask for Columbia, City Series etc. but if I had a pound
for the amount of times I've heard 'Got adidas Kick? They were my first trabs'
I wouldn’t have to sell trabs for a living. Our customer base is diverse from
age 12 to 65 and a lot of the customers are none footy lads as well. Everyone’s
got their personal favourites that remind them of a holiday or a bird or just
reminds them of good times.
Has
the market changed since the old shop?
Definitely! It’s
a more diverse customer base as I said earlier, we have female trainer sniffers
now which I didn’t notice the last time round and as we now sell pre worn which
we didn’t last time we are able to offer a bigger variety and at times the
vintage section looks like a museum for trainers. Furthermore, there's trainer
festivals popping up like Sole Bloc in Glasgow and Laces Out in Liverpool which
gives us a chance to reach out to prospective customers.
My buying habits
have changed enormously as well, we have lads coming in selling their
collections for various reasons, maybe they've met a bird and/or buying a house
or having a kid and it’s time to let go, I've had other lads coming in and
selling me trainers at way under what they could get on eBay as they want to
see their trabs go to a good home, a bit like a family pet they've got to get
rid of.
What
plans do Transalpino have for the future?
The Trainer
market is like the housing market, it has its slumps like the last time we was
trading we hit a slump, I believe we are in the middle of a boom at the moment
fuelled by younger lads showing off their collections on social media, its
seems to have created a fashion of cyberoneupmanship, I've been described
amongst some of these groups as profiteering! But the positive feedback has far
outweighed the cyber warrior set.
At Transalpino
we've got a 5 year plan to develop the shop into the best deadstock shop in the
world bringing in other trainer brands as we grow, it may be a bold statement
but I think it’s a goal that can be achieved. If we don't make it at least
we've come a long way from kipping on train station floors and in foreign
police cells in Europe in the 80s looking for the spezial pair of trabs....
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Two-Tone Socks from Outdoorswear
We appreciate good socks here at Aficionado - in particular those that look good, last for ages and are well made. Luckily, the Holme Moss Standard socks from Outdoorswear Co are just that - crafted right here in England and their recent Two-Tone releases are rather special. Available in Grey/Navy and also Dark Green/Royal Blue - they are available as part of a duo-pack where you can save a bit of money too.
Useful pouches and wallets can also be found over on the Outdoorswear webstore from Rivendell Mountain Works of the USA, and also their own range of Rambling Pouches which are carefully crafted by bag making specialists in the UK.
Useful pouches and wallets can also be found over on the Outdoorswear webstore from Rivendell Mountain Works of the USA, and also their own range of Rambling Pouches which are carefully crafted by bag making specialists in the UK.
Monday, 1 February 2016
Mt Rainier Design SS16
Even though there seems to be storm after storm hitting the UK at the moment - it's time that brands and shops start looking to Spring/Summer garments, and if Mt Rainier Design's SS16 collection is anything to go by - that is only a good thing.
We received some rather ace imagery from the chaps at Mt Rainier Design featuring their SS16 collection - and thought we'd showcase it right away - mind, where we are, it is actually fairly mild today - too early for the Suicoke collab? Maybe so - we also caught sight of some rather nice baggage from the brand which will be featured in the next issue of our magazine.
Monday, 25 January 2016
Clarks x 6876 Desert Boot
Late last year we featured the incredible collaboration between Clarks and 6876 and looked in detail at these crepe sole masterpieces(http://aficionadomagazine.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/clarks-x-6876.html). The reason why we've done this post just for the Desert Boot is because the price has been revised on them over at the 6876 webstore, which means you can purchase a pair for £75 - superb value, and at the time of writing almost a full size range left - so quick, go and treat yourself to a pair!
Thursday, 21 January 2016
SALE PICKS #2: Universal Works
As we're long term admirers of Nottingham's Universal Works we felt it only right to feature our favourite sale items from the brand. It was tough narrowing it down to three but after much tea drinking and scratching of heads we made the following choices:
Dundee Jacket - Navy Matt Nylon
It could be the collar, the cuffs or the buttons - but we just think this an ace jacket. Versatile - you could layer it or wear it is a standalone jacket, it ticks all the boxes and of course you can't go wrong with quality of the Universal Works outerwear range so you know you're onto a winner.
Fatigue Pant - Navy Twill
Fatigue pants seem to be the trouser of the moment - if there is such a thing. It's easy to see why they are so popular, though. Comfort - they won't suffocate your waist or your legs, and these sit really well with boots, or trainers. Oh, and they're made using UW's special Twill.
Workshop Denim Worker Shirt - Indigo Chambray
Proper bit of shirtage for't lads, or lasses, here. From the top quality Workshop Denim range - the worker shirt is right up our street - couple of sizeable yet neat front pockets and a nice deep shade of chambray. And we haven't even mentioned that it was manufactured in London using some pretty special machinery.
Shop the Universal Works SALE:
Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Rivendell Mountain Works at Outdoorswear
We've been following USA bag-makers for a number of years now. Top quality, hard-wearing, packs and pouches - what's not to like? And they look great too! Outdoorswear Co. now stocks a selection of their pouches including the ID/Coin Case and also the Half Moon Pouch - in a variety of colourways. We recently had a chat with Eric from RMW which you'll be able to read in our next issue - due out early Feb. In the meantime - head on over to Outdoorswear and treat yourself to a pouch.
Thursday, 7 January 2016
SALE PICKS #1: Kinoko
We're back and this year we're going to be using the blog a lot more and updating with news, features, interviews etc on a regular basis - as well as that we've also started working on our next issue so keep your eyes peeled for that but we will of course be revealing more on that over the next month or so.
Anyway - SALES - that time of year where you can save yourself a bit of money and what better way to start our look at this years bargains than with our pals over at Kinoko. They've reduced a variety of really pieces and we've decided to showcase a few of our favourites:
Anyway - SALES - that time of year where you can save yourself a bit of money and what better way to start our look at this years bargains than with our pals over at Kinoko. They've reduced a variety of really pieces and we've decided to showcase a few of our favourites:
Patagonia Down Snap-T Pullover
A serious piece of outerwear from outdoor specialists Patagonia - this the Down Snap-T Pullover has everything - it looks ace, is extremely warm and will be a winter wardrobe staple for years to come - a timeless classic, if you like.
Arpenteur Ligne Claire Walker Print Tee
One of the coolest tees we've seen, Arpenteur got these particulary tees spot on - in our opinion. And you can't go wrong with a grey tee especially not with that print.
The Hill-Side Knit Cap
Kinoko stock a particularly impressive range of Hill-Side products - including tees, shirts and socks - but this, the Hill-Side Knit Cap makes it onto our sale pick list. Made in Japan using special Pima cotton, this is a piece of winter headwear, that you'll still want to wear in the summer.
Shop the Kinoko SALE:
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