On Location: The Solutions Foundation Annual Reception

The Solutions Foundation is a Las Vegas based non profit focused on drug and alcohol prevention and awareness for teens and young adults.  Once a year they have a fundraiser to gather and thank their supports and build community awareness.  This years event was an enormous success, Im sure somewhat to do with the presence of a few Smith Brand Bow Ties.  

All Joking aside, The Solutions Foundation is doing some really incredible work in the Las Vegas valley.  To find out more or to get involved, check out www.solutions-foundation.org

The New Smith Brand Logo

You see that there logo?  We are test driving what will hopefully be the new Smith Brand identity.

It's called a Kamon; a Japanese family crest.  We tweaked the original a little to encompass the process driven and quality focused work taking place at Smith Brand.

The family crest we started with is the Daki Ine (抱き稲).  I know you are saying, "Hey wait a minute, this looks like a rice farming family, not a dynasty of bow tie makers?"

You would be right about that, but we like to be constantly reminded that the work we do started with nurturing and harvesting fibers like cotton and wool.

The delicate and tedious process we go though to make a bow tie does not start with us, it goes clear back to the moment a cotton seed was planted, or a lamb was let loose in a fertile and lush field of grass.

We like to remember that the work we do, putting the finishing touches on these rich and natural textiles, would never be possible without the hard work of every pair of hands before ours.  

Smith Brand x Huckberry x The Bold Italic

We are Super excited to announce "The Bold Italic" sale happening right now  (yes, right this moment) at Huckberry.com.

Huckberry is a members only guide to apparel, gear and travel for the active life.  For the next 8 days they will be hosting an exclusive sale curated by The Bold Italic, featuring Smith Brand Bow Ties at about 20% off.  These ties are not available anywhere else, and for a seriously good price.

So stop reading this, and get over there and support a good company that supports other good companies.  Smith Brand is only 1 of 7 great local San Francisco companies that are being featured this week.  

Dogpatch’s own Rickshaw Bagworks produce bike-friendly messenger backs that are timelessly cool, unflinchingly functional and styled in their own custom tear and water-resistant tweed fabric that is literally made from recycled bottles.

Triple Aught Design creates legendary, adventure-inspired apparel that is equally at home in a Hayes Valley coffee shop and on the cables at Half Dome.

South Park’s Public Bikes are European-inspired bicycles that are elegantly designed and perfectly suited to urban excursions.

Alite Designs’ mission to get urban types out into nature – even if it’s only the Presidio or Golden Gate Park - is evidenced in their unique and playful bags and camping gear.

Based in the Mission, Boreas makes beautiful and practical outdoor equipment that is perfect for “dayhikes and dayjobs.”

Headline Shirts awesome graphic tees celebrate our vices, failings, shortcomings and the unique charms of San Francisco. Headline’s take on the “I Heart SF” shirt - with a lone twisted mangled bicycle wheel standing in for a heart - perfectly captures the frustratingly lovable charms of living in our city.

Man With Bow Tie Tattoo Faces Trial

This dude, Eric Lozano, is really making a bad name for all bow tie enthusiasts.

I would recommend many, many activities while wearing a bow tie, anything from getting married to nervously picking up a prom date, walking your dog or working nearly any job, operating heavy machinery or going on a blind date to name a few.  However, one past time I would not suggest, is the one taken up by Mr. Lozano:  getting in an argument with your previous roommate about an article of clothing while sitting at a stop light in separate cars and proceeding to shoot him in the head.  

The bow tie tattoo is apparently worn by the Playboy Surenos gang of Omaha, Nebraska, giving the perception of the members being gentlemen.  

Call me culturally insensitive and or regionally ignorant, but where I'm from, shooting another human being in the head is generally frowned upon and considered very much un-gentlemanly.

Back to School

This is a second grade class at Garfield School in Canal Funton Ohio in 1938.  I'm sure the kids were "dressed up" for picture day, but it's still impressive that nearly every 7 year-old in this photo is dressed better than most of the San Francisco work force.  

How to Wear a Bow Tie Vol: 3

The gentlemen above has done a great job of using his bow tie to complement his overall casual approach on a classic and formal look; broadcloth button up, tie and suspenders.  

Bow ties are often seen as neat and tidy, however, as demonstrated above, they can also be a bit disheveled and messy.  The fussy nature of a bow tie does not always have to be fought, embrace it, let it reflect your mood or the days temperament.

New Handmade Dopp Kit

I had been keeping my eyes out for a new dopp kit to keep my personal effects when I travel.  I was looking for something durable and well made, timeless and more aesthetically pleasing than the sandwich baggie that the TSA would prefer I carry.

I never came across the perfect bag, so, as most things of this nature go for me, I decided to make one myself. 

I knew the general dimensions of a kit I would want, so the first step is to sketch something approximate, then turn that rough drawing into a solid pattern.  

Due to the nature of the contents, a durable water proof material would be ideal.  I went with a corded vinyl I salvaged from a military surplus seller.  The original fabric was used to bag camouflage netting in the battle field, so it should have no problems holding my shaving brush and shampoo.  After transferring the pattern onto the vinyl, I was ready to cut and begin construction.  

After a few quick stitches with the bag inside-out, I attached the zipper and was ready for the final details.  

I attached pull tabs on either end of the zipper and was ready to go.  I am really happy with how this bag turned out.  The vinyl I chose offers enough structure to keep its shape and form, all while holding the random bits of personal junk I drag around with me.