BULLDOG SKIN

A name is important. Just like a good pair of jeans and a great haircut. They all have the potential to make you a star, or vice versa.

Case study: Chip and Pepper Foster, names with star power. So much so that I was convinced they couldn’t be real until I did my research, which consisted of watching any and all of their youtube videos and realized their success was inevitable; a perfect symbiotic relationship between name, person and star potential.

And did I mention they are twins? There is not one, but two of them. Identical twins with perfectly neglected, shaggy blond locks, blue eyes and enough energy to kill a moving horse.

In everything they do, they exude a genuine, passionate, infantile excitement and exuberance. It makes one wonder how these clothing designers have managed to build a multi-million dollar enterprise while staying so damn cool, and (let’s face it) adolescent. It came as no surprise when Chip offered this explanation: “We puke first, check each other’s pockets for cash, then head to Tim Horton’s for a double double.” Coming from these two, what surprised me most was where they were headed; Tim Horton’s. Seemingly insignificant, it says everything about who they are: two guys who have made their livelihood from capitalizing on the California culture, who call Malibu home, yet who remain distinctly Canadian and proud of it. With Canadian wives and children lucky enough to be carrying two passports, they make regular visits to Canada, specifically Lake of the Woods, where they do everything Canadian – beer-drinking, lake-swimming, wake-surfing, helicopter-flying, followed by more beer-drinking.

With the recent launch of their new Wet Wear line, Chip and Pepper are celebrating the past while looking to the future. They have brought back their original sunglasses-wearing bulldog and put him on modern fitting t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies in new light-weight fabrics. How did they come up with the idea for the bulldog? They first toyed with the idea of two gorillas, then two sharks, and finally a joint-smoking crab. In the end, the bulldog was the best fit. “The dog is a mix of good and bad. And a bulldog with shades is just super badass.” Only a year shy of their 25th anniversary in business, Chip and Pepper are proud to know their bulldog is a pop culture icon, right next to the Campbell’s soup can. To what do they attribute their success? “We basically try to do everything to the best of our ability and develop strategic partnerships.” This is true of the recent Wet Wear line that launched in conjunction with S3 stores across Canada and is promoted by their new skate team based in Venice Beach, California. They add, “We want things to be organic and develop naturally – just catch the wave,” a fitting analogy coming from a surfer who makes clothes for surfers.

It doesn’t hurt that they have all the right people wearing their Chip and Pepper denim line either. Their work has been all over the hottest bodies in Hollywood, from Beyonce, Rachel Bilson, and Sandra Bullock to Josh Duhamel and Gisele Bundchen. Then there was that one time when they ran into their friend Tommy Hilfiger – a king of denim – actually wearing their jeans! All Chip and Pepper can say of the experience is “Amazing!” When they met him again for lunch, he asked them to make jeans for his son. No big deal.

Then there was the time Pepper was in a restaurant with his wife and they saw Sandra Bullock wearing Chip and Pepper denim. Never one to shy away from an opportunity, he felt he should honour this celebrity’s brand loyalty with an explicit insult fitting for a cheating ex-husband. His wife quickly shushed him, stepping in to ask if she liked her Chip and Pepper jeans, to which Bullock exclaimed, “Oh, I LOVE my Chip and Peppers!” Although Chip and Pepper continue to look for success, they think it’s a good sign everyone from power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z to all the cool kids (the real skaters, surfers and boarders) are wearing their clothes. “It’s the Chip and Pepper movement.”

The tandem, who hail from Winnipeg, Canada, started their business in 1983, selling their t-shirts out of the back of a van. In ‘87, they came out with their first clothing line entitled Wet Wear, and then started chipping away at the denim industry in ‘89. Beyond designing, they are also known for their charity work, hosting a cartoon show, playing games of celebrity hockey, hosting TV style segments, playing cartoon characters (bulldogs dressed as humans, naturally) and singing songs about their brand (most notably, “Chip and Pepper Get Hip or Get Out”). I was even privy to a solo concert via Skype.

So what’s next for Chip and Pepper? Besides world domination through denim and sportswear, they’re about to begin shooting a docudrama entitled 8 Days with Chip and Pepper, and, they tell me none of it is staged – only their house is cleaner than usual and everything from their garage is now on their driveway; a list that looks something like this: cars, vintage denim, caribou, and Hawaiian chandeliers.

In case you still haven’t got a grip on just how cool Chip and Pepper really are, you should know they wrote a letter to Paris Hilton (a friend) while she was in jail offering her premium denim in which to greet fans, friends and foes after her stint behind bars. And yes, she replied. She wanted the jeans.

So what’s the next step for Chip and Pepper? Getting Obama into their jeans, obviously!

Words: Alexia Anastasiou  Photography: Conan Thai

Backpack: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Holt Renfrew)
Shoes: Keds (Little Burgundy)
Shoes: Native
Watch: Vestal

Kristy J
Jacket: Comune
Top: H&M
Skirt: Lifetime

Chlöe
Dress: H&M
T-shirt: Lifetime
Sweater: G Star
Pants: American Apparel

Photography: Alan Chan | Styling: Deanna Palkowski @ Liz Bell | Makeup and Hair: Andrea Tiller for NOBASURA using TRESemmé Haircare Models: Chlöe and Kristy J @Rad Kids for NOBASURA

SAM: Cardigan: WESC | Tank: Lifetime | Skirt: Cacharel @Gravity Pope Tailored Goods
DAVE: Cardigan: Fred Perry @Boysco | T-shirt: Comune | Jeans: Levi’s
CHRISTIE: Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs @Holt Renfrew | Sweater: WESC

Hat: Brixton

Sunglasses: Zanerobe

Keds @Little Burgundy
Converse @Livestock

Backpack: Jansport

Photography: Alan Chan | Styling: Deanna Palkowski | Makeup and Hair by: Andrea Tiller for NOBASURA using TRESemmé Haircare Models: Sam Lee, Christie Burke, David Mattatall @Rad Kids for NOBASURA

People judge you by your bag. Diamante-encrusted clasp equals trashy valley girl. Expensive looking leather satchel empty save for a copy of Kerouac’s On the Road is a sure sign of a non-prescription eyeglass-wearing hipster. Oversized backpack wearers identified by a slight hunch as they bear the brunt of their schoolbooks are often sadly identified as nerds. Regardless of what group you identify with, Vancouver based bag company Herschel Supply Co. may be able to take some weight off your mind with their range of simple, classically designed backpacks and bags for adults.

Co-owner Jamie Cormack set up shop with his brother Lyndon and the pair kept it in the family by naming the company Herschel after the adopted hometown of their great grandparents who emigrated from Scotland to Canada (and yes there is a tartan bag in their collection). The brothers draw inspiration for their bags from vintage mountaineering, American heritage, world travel and fashion. “I have been traveling a lot of late and really pulling ideas and inspiration for all type of places,” explains Jamie. “I have been looking at everything from footwear to old vintage flags. But really inspiration comes from just building things that we like.”

As they launch their Fall line with new styles, fabrics and designs, Jamie is confident that the future looks bright for Herschel. “We are already out growing our office in Gastown and are looking forward to introducing a few new brand extensions for Fall. So in the next year we have a new work space, more bags, kids’ bags, more fabric options, wallets and luggage coming up.”

The best thing about these bags is that they are durable, affordable and they look good. That’s all you need to know really.

[www.herschelsupply.com]

Words: Sinead Keane
Photography: Tyler Quarles
Styling: Charlotte Stokes
Model: Julian at Liz Bell

It’s about time you ditch that itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie-yellow-polka-dot-bikini for something a bit more original. Swimwear companies are upping the ante when it comes to merging fashion with function, and you don’t want to be left behind. If you’re not sure where to start your search, why not try a couple of buzz-worthy ones on for size.

Anna Kosturova’s swimwear has graced many famous bodies, including those in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which she describes as the holy grail of the industry. As a youngster, she spent her summers lounging by the pool from morning to night, and it is because of this she believes she developed her love for all things aquatic. Designing swimwear was a natural progression for her, “I’m just perpetuating my childhood dream by making the beach my office.”

Well known for using crochet in her pieces to give her control over design, structure and texture, Anna Kosturova promises that, “There will always be lots of colour, sparkle, and emphasis on maximizing the hotness.” If you’re a fan of her innovative designs, that’s good news. Anna has big plans for her company—she envisions offering a head-to-toe resortlook, that would include wrap dresses, swimsuits, shoes, bags and dresses.

If you’re looking for something a little more earthy, add a botanical touch to your wardrobe with Maaji Swimwear. In 2002 the brand leads, Veronica Velez and Manuela Sierra, launched the Columbian company. Producing creative swimwear with an eclectic yet modern flair, designers mix patterns and textures to bring uniqueness to each piece. Their 2010 collection, Botanical Touch, brings elegance to bohemian style and offers an array of options including strapless, oneshouldered, halter, and one-piece.

As if you didn’t already have enough excuses to leave work and hit the beach, now you have two more. If you’re in the market for a new swimsuit, be sure to check out Anna Kosturova and Maaji Swimwear. They’ll guarantee that no matter where you are, you’ll arrive in style. Mojitos are, unfortunately, not included.

[www.annakosturova.com]
[www.maajiswimwear.com

Words: Alicia Wrobel
Photography: Felix Wong

North Star is set on proving that successful comebacks are not just reserved for fresh-out-of-rehab celebrities. After a 20-year hiatus the iconic sneaker line hopes to generate the same popularity today as it did in the Seventies and Eighties.

Started in the Forties by the Bata Corporation, North Star gained popularity with their famous ‘Design 38’ model, which was a classic jogging shoe. Millions of pairs were sold in Canada during the sportswear movement of the Seventies and could be found on almost any foot during that decade.

Revitalizing and rejuvenating North Star has been made possible thanks to its design team, Adrian Aitcheson and Pablo Mozo, who have decades of experience building and designing brands all over North America. Their latest creative collaboration was for Team Canada’s apparel at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The inspirational designs and colour schemes for the relaunch of North Star came from Adrian and Pablo’s love of the outdoors, summer camp and the vibrant spirit of Canadian athleticism.

The Canada Day 2010 sneaker collection will focus mainly on the two most popular styles of the past, a comfortable walking shoe, the Jogger, and the high top sneaker, the Bullet. With a clean design and classic primary accent colours available, these throwback-inspired shoes are guaranteed to get you where you need to go.

[www.northstarsportswear.ca]

Words: Alana Turner
Photography: Geoffrey Knot
Styling: Nadia Pizzimenti, judyinc.com
Model: Patrick at Elmer Olsen
Hair and Makeup: Adele DeVuyst

What defines the perfect pair of shoes? Vancouver designers Damian Van Zyll De Jong and Matthew Penner think they should be unique, comfortable, lightweight, washable and capable of nixing odour-causing germs. Since launching in 2009, their Native shoes label has been selling unique sneakers all over the world. The affordable line features comfortable slip-ons in a variety of bright colours with no need for laces; the shoes are designed to naturally hug the shape of your foot.

Not just content with unique designs, Damian and Matthew want Native to be different on all fronts. They achieve this through the materials and processes used to construct each of their shoes. Adamant about creating a product that is easy on the environment, the duo decided the best way to make light and airy shoes would be to experiment with a foam-injection mold of Ethylene-vinyl Acetate, or EVA – a cross somewhere between rubber and vinyl. The shoes are made from animal-free by-products and create zero waste and next-to-nothing energy emissions in the manufacturing process.

Native’s designs are variations on their three classic models: the Miller, the Jefferson and the Corrado. Skateboarder Chris Miller inspired the Miller sneaker, while the Jefferson was named after a street in Brooklyn a partner currently lives on. The Corrado earned its title after an incident at an important trade show in Las Vegas years back, when a Mr. Corrado gave Native an extremely hard time before allowing the shoe line access into the show. That show helped give their sample line a solid footing in the fashion world and contributed to rave reviews in the US tradeshow market that year.

While Damian and Matthew continue to learn and grow with each day and trade show that passes, a veteran line of casual, comfy sneakers is giving its previous run of adoration and demand a second go this spring.

[www.nativeshoes.com]

Words: Alana Turner
Photography: Geoffrey Knot
Styling: Nadia Pizzimenti, judyinc.com
Model: Seamus at Elmer Olsen
Hair and Makeup: Adele DeVuyst
Clothing: Tee- Model’s Own, Shirt- H&M, Shorts- H&M

Check out the trailer here.

Dark wash. Medium wash. Light wash. Skinny. Straight. Bootcut. Flare. Trouser. Low rise. High rise. Basic. Sandblasted. Distressed. Ripped. Though it’s a wardrobe staple, picking the right denim can be a long, arduous task. Over the last couple of years there have been several brands that have really stood out from the masses as providers of unique premium denim.

Citizens of Humanity’s creative director and CEO, Jerome Dahan, developed his vision based on the logic that “a good fit and an interesting wash isn’t good enough anymore.” Dubbed “Citizens” by lovers of the brand, Jerome Dahan and Adriano Goldschmied design the line out of their LA offices. Featuring a flawless mix of American and European styling, models like the Avedon Slick Skinny for ladies, and the Sid Classic Straight Leg for men will have wearers turning heads.

Like Citizens, Joe’s Jeans are designed out of LA, but offer something truly original. They have their own jegging collection (jeans + leggings) with over 40 different treatments and washes. The jeggings look nearly identical to regular jeans but fit like a glove—a great option for a wide range of body types, but more specifically for svelte figures who have trouble finding form fitting denim. If you’re looking to stick to more traditional denim, the president of Joe’s Jeans, Howard Codas, recommends the popular Honey bootcut and Chelsea slim fit for women, and the Classic Fit and Brixton skinny for men.

Tucked away on Queens Street in Toronto, you’ll find Klaxon Howl. Owned by Matt Robinson, the vintage-inspired pieces that fit between the walls of the store have become favourites of fashion conscious men. Though there seems to be a tilt towards vintage wear in the last few years, few are able to marry it with the modern in a way that’s appealing and interesting. Klaxon Howl does not suffer from this syndrome. Their seamless blending of the old with the new creates pieces that will stand the test of time. They pride themselves on the fact that “all designs are produced in small batches locally using construction techniques on Union Special sewing machines and vintage fabrics and notions.”

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to ease the process of finding the perfect jeans, check out the websites of our denim picks for the latest lines. You’ll find accessories and shirts that will pair perfectly with each style of denim. Just don’t throw your old Levi’s away—they might be worth something one day.

[www.citizensofhumanity.com]
[www.joesjeans.com]
[www.klaxonhowl.com]

Words: Alicia Wrobel
Photography: Felix Wong

Our sixth in a series of six artist designed shirts is now up in our online store.

“Defense Merger” by Brian Donnelly, Available till May 1st, 2010.

Brian Donnelly is a Toronto-based artist who paints naked bodies with animal heads. His striking work can usually be seen on massive canvases in galleries around the world. Defense Merger is your chance to own a piece by Brian and wear it too!

Read more about Brian here.

Limited Edit[ion] is printed exclusively on FINN BRAND t-shirts by www.mycommunitee.com

Famously known as ahead of their time in denim designs, the small Swedish clothing line Julian Red emerged from the eclectic underground art and music scene below the streets of Sweden and is now hanging with top name designers and appearing in fashion weeks all over Europe. The men’s and women’s clothing line was named after head designer and mastermind Mattias Lind’s alter ego, Julian, who is himself based on a character from Bret Easton Ellis’ Less Than Zero, a story of a rebellious punk with a love of art, fashion and music. Red symbolizes being like no other colour and therefore is meant to mean “nothing in particular.”

In 2002, after Mattias graduated from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, he began designing denim that was stylistically different than what was ‘in’ at the time, and focused on jeans with a slimmer silhouette and used a variety of selvedge denims. Mattias’ early designs for Julian Red’s jeans were originally hand-made by a group of tailors who specialized in religious garments. The denim became popular after nightly appearances onstage on members of The Rapture and unannounced runway shows at nightclubs that stirred up so much attention that Julian Reds became the must-have item in New York City at the time.

Soon, with the help of a team of five passionate individuals spread out all over Sweden, with backgrounds ranging in engineering, economics, fashion design and art, Julian Red expanded from the little underground secret it was years ago to a well-known and respected clothing line.

Julian Red and its sister company, Julian Julian Julian, or 3-J as it’s known, are designed with spontaneous life choices in mind. Attention to detail, quality fabrics, affordability and pushing the limits are the design team’s mantra.

Mattias’ creative team is sure that by “the third word [Julian] you’re ours.” Having infused 3-J with the creative spirit of Julian Red, Mattias and his team are currently working towards “gracefully expanding” the lines in the near future and are looking forward to reaching individuals that value bold expression with high quality fabrics.

[www.julianred.com]
Words: Alana Turner
Photography: Konrad Junikiewicz

Our fifth in a series of six artist designed shirts is now up in our online store.

“Collecting Gretty Pirls” by the dark. Edition of 100, available till April 1st 2010.

the dark made a name for himself years ago by placing epic and sprawling stencils on the streets of Vancouver’s worst neighbourhoods. Tired of cutting stencils and dodging the police, the dark has moved on to photography and painting and has shown his evocative, haunting and, well… dark work in galleries all over the world.

Read more about the dark here.

Limited Edit[ion] is printed exclusively on FINN BRAND t-shirts by www.mycommunitee.com

Regardless of the city you live in, it has become increasingly difficult to weed out the bad seeds on streets littered with shoe stores claiming to offer quality footwear. Fortunately, there are a few sure-fire solutions. A visit to anyplace carrying Vancouver’s Fluevog Shoes or Dayton Boots will have your tootsies tapping happy tunes in no time.

Fluevog Shoes prides itself on creating funky shoes that, once purchased, are unlikely to be seen on the feet of anyone else in the city. These “Unique Soles for Unique Souls” boast the rare quality of “40 years of the same man at the helm [of] a North American design brand.” This man goes by the name of John Fluevog
.

Contrary to nearly every other shoe on the market, when you look at a Fluevog, each carefully named style tells its own story. The women’s Canas, for example, are three-inch heels wrapped in luscious suede. They resemble the sort seen on flappers from movies and photos of the Thirties.

A visit to the company’s website shows that Fluevog’s stylish creations have become favourites not only of the Average Joe, but of widely recognized celebrities as well. Before their show in Vancouver a couple months ago, “Jack White’s whole band, The Dead Weather, came into the Gastown store … They all bought Fluevogs,” says Stephen Bailey, Fluevog’s marketing manager. Though Fluevogs have made quite the name for themselves, you won’t see them following any fashion trends as John purposely avoids reading and looking at fashion rags. Fluevogs are made more for the trendsetter rather than the fashion follower.

A short drive east of Fluevog’s Gastown store, Dayton Boots’ neon, boot-shaped sign towers over the sidewalk of East Hastings. Founded by Charlie Wohlford in 1946, the brand takes pride in having manufactured every one of their boots out of East Vancouver. Originally catering to loggers, the demographic has since expanded to include Supreme Court judges, cowboys, construction workers, motorcycle owners and miners. In fact, people like them so much that Stephen Encarnacao, CEO of Dayton Boots, has stated, “We know over a dozen kids named Dayton. At least half of whom may very well have been conceived while…” well, you can fill in the blanks.

Dayton’s boots are known for their durability and labour-intensive 230-step manufacturing process—according to Stephen, it’s not uncommon to see a customer come in with a pair of boots decades old and on their third or fourth resole. How does Dayton produce this kind of quality? The leather used is two times thicker than most other premium boots and each piece of leather is meticulously inspected before put into production. Though the line first focused on classics made primarily for their function, it now offers what are referred to as fashion crossovers—boots with all the function of the classics but with a bit of twist. The popular Driver boot, for example, is an above the ankle black boot with a white leather heel.

Whether you’re a trendsetter looking for something funky and unique, or a bad ass in need of a sturdy and long lasting boot, Fluevog Shoes and Dayton Boots are go-to brands for guaranteed quality.

[www.fluevog.com]
[www.daytonboots.com]

Words: Alicia Wrobel
Photography: Tyler Quarles

Stepping into Mr. Lee’s General Store and Haberdashery is like stepping into a captured moment in history. The Thirties-inspired gentlemen’s store, which is attached to a barber shop, gives the feeling of going back in time, when the focus was on giving men what they needed to be slick, stylish and suave. Large weathered cupboards and drawers display an eclectic range of goods like straight razors, hair creams, bags, sunglasses, cinnamon toothpicks and big glass jars of candy. Mr. Lee’s was opened in December 2009 by a group of three friends and is loading its shelves back up after nearly clearing out everything during Christmas. Although the store specializes in men’s needs, women will also find a fair share of unisex items. Mr. Lee’s is also your only source in Canada for Portland’s Stumptown coffee.

109 East Broadway, Vancouver
[mrleesgeneralstore.blogspot.com]
Words: Alana Turner

Haven Select is a new high-end clothing store in the heart of Gastown, steps away from the famous Gassy Jack statue. If you’re finding our recent weather too harsh to tackle, it also has an online store displaying all its products, including sale items. It couldn’t be easier. The store space itself is minimal, allowing the quality clothing to take centre stage. Haven Select features the best in men’s streetwear and active attire, including Levi’s vintage collection, Nike apparel, and Acronym. In keeping with the upcoming Olympics, Haven is launching a special capsule of products in collaboration with Maiden Noir. The collection follows the theme of “The Great North” and includes heavy flannel shirts, cotton tees, beanies and tote bags. These are a unique capsule of products to commemorate the Olympics—for information on availability, styles, and pricing check out the website below.
7 Gaoler’s Mews, Vancouver
[www.havenshop.ca]
Words: Rochelle Keenaghan