Work has me in Vegas for the better part of the week. I may or may not be posting from the desert. I will definitely be posting some things that I see out there upon my return to civilization. I sure wish Las Vegas still looked like these Kodachromes. See you on the other side.
She's a nice lady
A long awaited package arrived last week to my delight. The contents of which were a batch of customized promotional items that I have long loved — the diamond shaped motel key chain. A few companies still produce these things as cheap give-aways, but I managed to find a company in Wisconsin that still manufactures them for hotels / motels. I haven’t been to a motel with an actual key in like 20 years, so I’m not sure who is actually still using these things. All that aside I was happy to find them and quickly (some would say impulsively) had a batch of 500 made in ACL’s signature orange. It was funny, the form said “enter the room numbers that you would like to have made,” so apparently my hotel has 500 rooms!
A little acknowledgment to ACL’s second full year of holding down this corner of the internets. The past year has been some of the best of times and some of the worst. Of amazing opportunities and of difficult challenges. Things will never be the same for me as a person after these past 12 months — it has been a year of learning and self assessment, a time forged of realigned priorities and hope for new possibilities. I’m happy to have come out of it with both feet firmly planted on the ground. In my everyday life I tend to consciously or subconsciously use a lot of my father’s sayings (something our family has come to know as “CJisms”) and one of them came up more than the others in 2009. With business being tough, everyone would ask how I was doing (not really about ACL, about my “day Job”) and I would always reply with a CJism via Benjamin Franklin. I would say: “I wake up everyday and check the obituaries, as long as I’m not listed it is a good day.” That’s how I felt for most of the year.
That’s not to say good things haven’t happened or it wasn’t a good year, it was just tough. I’m happy with what ACL has become and I am still excited to post and share things with everyone everyday. I’m also happy people support the little companies on The American List. Every once in a while I get an email from people at the companies listed, they are always gracious and appreciative of the list. I treasure those emails, and the thought that collectively we are making a difference. More than anything, I’m grateful that you guys choose to spend part of your day with me. I’ve learned to take things less personally and to roll with all of the BS that comes with something like ACL.
At the end of the day (or year as it may be), I’m happy for the friendships ACL has brought me — and you guys know who you are. I want to specifically thank the fellas at GQ for the support and for taking a chance on an unknown kid. Andrew Comer, Adam Rapoport and Michael Hainey — thank you. Bobby Solomon for all of your hard work in making ACL look and work great — I owe you one (or ten). I also specifically want to mention a few people that really mean a lot to me and have been unwavering supporters both personally and professionally: Sean Sullivan, Randy Goldberg, David Coggins, Nick Maggio, Mordechai Rubinstein, Josh Moore, Jason Ross, Nick Schonberger, Mark McNairy, Aaron Levine, Brian Awitan and Paul Witt. Much respect and thanks for everything. Look forward to more in 2010.
-MW
Related: ACL | One in the Books
Above: Cole Rood & Haan, Co. for ACL.
Since I never made a formal announcement, let me take this opportunity to walk you through some of the goods in the ACL Shop. The whole idea of launching an online store came after the idea to start making these little zipper folios to use when I travel. I would actually end up using the little bags daily while ferrying my laptop and camera from home to work. Well, the bag idea was hatched in 2005, long before ACL. When I finally got my act together and decided to move forward with the production of the bags (which will be restocking early next week) I got to thinking that a shop full of zippered folios isn’t very exciting, so I pulled together a small collection of things that I wanted to wear or use. Most of the items in the ACL Shop are unique to the store, collaborations like the Cole, Rood & Haan Co. chukka and the Billykirk canvas briefcase.
Here’s to good food and a great day with your friends and family. Thanks to everyone for their continued support, I sure do appreciate it. Just like last year, video via James Fox / 10Engines.
It has taken me this long to get back in the saddle and post a recap of the second Pop-Up Flea. It was really exciting to see everyone come through and to see people excited about picking up some new gear. A big thanks to my partner in the endeavor Mr. Randy Goldberg for all of his hard work.
I also want to thank all of the vendors for participating. Gitman Bros. Vintage, Hickoree’s Hard Goods, Billykirk, J.Crew, Jack Spade, Alexander West, Farinelli’s, Epaulet, Alexander Olch, Ohio Knitting Mills, Tanner Goods, Tellason, Michael Andrews Bespoke, C’H'C’M, Schott NYC, Sit and Read Furniture, No Mas, Digby & Iona and Amass.
Finally, appreciate all of the coverage for the event. Check out: Racked, Selectism, Cool Hunting, Uncrate, Design Obvserver, Put This On, Valet, All Plaid Out, Secret Forts (twice), What I Saw Today, New York Magazine and others (sorry if I missed people).
With the dust settled on another successful event, I will say that Mr. Goldberg and I are taking a serious look at a new city for Pop-Up Flea III in the coming spring. Can you guess?
Announcing the lineup for the second ever Pop Up Flea. Everything kicks off this Friday afternoon at 3pm and runs throughout the weekend. The complete dates and times are below. See you there.
Friday, November 20th, 3pm-9pm
Saturday November 21st, 11am-7pm and Sunday the 22nd 11am-6pm.
201 Mulberry Street, Between Spring and Kenmare
New York City
Get Handsome.
ACL & Co. bags…
Dearest ACL brethren,
The plan all along has been to launch the ACL Shop this fall, something I have been saying for months now. Well in the interest of quelling the impatient messages and comments (everyone is asking me everyday), I feel it important to set the record straight. THE ACL SHOP IS GOING LIVE ON NOVEMBER 23RD, 2009. This of course, barring force majeure. The shop will be offering a limited selection of goods under the ACL & Co. label, plus collaboration items from a few other designers (which will be announced on the 23rd). The selection will be minimal at first with new goods coming in every month for the next several months.
Those of you in New York City on November 20th – 22nd will have the option of getting first crack at the ACL Shop merchandise at the Pop Up Flea. I look forward to seeing you then!
Boom…we’re back. After a successful summer event, my partner-in-crime Randy “Freedom” Goldberg (of UrbanDaddy fame) and I knew what we had to do, bring this baby back for another round of Pop Up Flea goodness. Expect a killer line-up of new and vintage goods from all of your favorite brands, plus a few surprises thrown in for good measure. Mark your calender, November 20th – 22nd at 201 Mulberry Street in NoLita. Get Handsome. Pop Up Flea Official Site
Behold the list / map / guide to flea markets across the U.S., plus a few international editions. This list is by no means complete, so if you see something that is missing feel free to suggest in the comments. Happy flea market hunting.
View Flea Markets in a larger map
I’m headed out to Las Vegas this week for the apparel trade shows. ACL will be updating as usual, with show coverage coming through near the end of the week. I already know a few cool new brands that I want to check out, so you have that to look forward to. Anyone that is out in the desert for the week — hit me up. Or if you see me at Circle Bar send over a domestic and say hello. As always, the drunken “behind the scenes” action — and hopefully some video poker victories — will be taking place on the ACL Twitter.
Las Vegas c.1951
Las Vegas c.1951
Las Vegas c.1951
Kodachromes via The Owls Go on Flickr
When I moved to New York I came here with the intention of spending about six months in the city and then heading to law school. That was nearly a decade ago and I live without regret. I would have either been an excellent, or a terrible attorney, most likely the latter. Even though I never got my J.D., I sure do like to watch me some Law & Order and the funny thing is along the way I found one of my style icons. When the opportunity arose to write for Antenna I knew exactly who I should tributize (as Mr. 3000 would say), one Jack McCoy. The Fall 09 Antenna is on newsstands soon, treat yourself to a copy.
Click for a larger "original" scan.
