From the Desk of… is a window into the world and workspace of some of ACL’s most stylish friends.
Graphic designer, hardcore music lover and American patriot, the stylish Mr. Jeremy Dean graciously agreed to allow our prying eyes on his desk at Urban Outfitters. Mr. Dean has been a long time ACL reader and was the impetus behind my recent field trip to Philadelphia. He, along with the other gentlemen on the men’s team, have really impressed me with the direction they are taking the store. Okay, enough chit chat. Take a few minutes and poke through Jeremy’s desk, I’m sure he won’t mind.
Jeremy’s description:
I still have a Rolodex and I keep it open to 1 of the 2 numbers I still use in there: the courier to deliver stuff to our silk screen maker and the number for the silk screener. I have a mug from the silkscreener so really I only need it for one number. The Ed Roth books & My Freedamn #3 are on loan from my friend Andy Cruz. Tucked inside that little cardboard envelope is an amazing vintage Roth catalog from 1970 in mint condition. I keep meaning to give it back, but it just never seems to make it.
Some other gifts from Mr. Cruz also made it to my shelf. 1. The Helvetica pencil case by a company called Swiss Schule and 2. the vintage 1960’s Dynamo lettering machine with drag racer head on it. It just showed up in a box one day. Random and awesome. Next to that stuff is a plain kraft cardboard box. It contains the remains of my Great Grandfather who was shot down over Nagasaki in WW2. Also pictured, is the newest Free and Easy and 2 of our Men’s Trend direction books that I help produce here at Urban.
The Mr. Dean name placard was my father’s during is tour of duty in Vietnam from 1967-69. I’ve kept it on a desk it at home or at work since the age of 7. The poster is from one Mr. Andy Beach from his show at KIOSK last year. For all you record nerds (I know you’re out there) that Faith “Subject to Change” is blue vinyl, 1st press. It was gifted to me from a friends collection.
Also on the shelf there are a few more books that include a vintage scout manual from the 40’s, Ed Roth biography, a photo book on the “TEDS” as well as a book on the English rockers. A t-shirt suggestion from my oldest son hangs on my wall along with a copy of a Bad Brains flyer from Irving Plaza in 1983, plus a birthday card from the U.O. Art department designed by international artist Andy Rementer. Off to the left is an ever growing stack of magazines, mostly consisting of Free & Easy, HUGE and old issues of Relax.
More shots from the Urban Outfitters offices below.
See more From the Desk of… here.
I could get very comfortable in digs such as that.
very nice…
i wasn’t sure what “hardcore” meant in the first paragraph, but 1st press of the FAITH LP? sickest.
Prime real estate! It’s always fascinating to me to see those who grew up on hardcore connected with the fashion industry. Especially those with a first pressing of the Faith LP!!!
Always interesting and inspiring, I really enjoy discovering another’s workspace. Can’t wait to see the next one.
Beautiful space, but the orientation of desks makes absolutely no sense to me; instead of creating a black hole in the middle of the space, why not place them in lines perpendicular to the windows? Diagonal, perhaps. Even taking into account the glare on screens, I think it might be a layout that would, if nothing else, be more democratic in terms of quality of deskspace. I would be so irritated if I was denied a view of the ships.
Ancestral ashes are an interesting, if unusual, desk accessory. Don’t know if it’s going to catch on, though.
the lint in my dryer is more interesting. ed roth books and a faith LP: oooh, serious “street” cred. *yawn* oh yeah, we’re talking about UO here. ACL: get better soon, please.
Slippy, are you sure you’re at the right site?
Wait, I don’t comment on blogs…
slippy,
do you know WHO ed roth is? you disappoint me.
if i may ask, please, more of “from the desk of”…one of my favorite things you do so well
really slippy, you feel like you need to rip on this guy because you don’t like his desk and his collection of chachke isn’t cool enough? really? really?
oh wait, i don’t comment on blogs either…
Now that I see how much you worship the UO crew I understand why you hate V V so much. The people from V V are just the more authentic version of what UO wishes it was now. UO was cool in middle school.
You seriously are still stuck on that? You are a VV freedom fighter for sure. Are you heir to the faux-preppy throne or something? I hope so, because this is just sad otherwise.
ACL
Great post, Michael.
An issue of Metropolis, I think from last year, had some amazing shots of UO’s headquarters (shared with Anthropologie and Free People). I recommend checking it out: http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20070725/a-stitch-in-time
I had to google VV to see what he was talking about. Vineyard Vines I assume? Sad indeed.
I was always a bigger fan of the Void side of the Faith split, but I’ll cede to it since it’s first press.
Not sure why everyone is so enthralled with that Faith LP… not that rare (even the 1st pressing) and not that good. It’s not like he’s got an OG “Pay to Cum” or “BDTW” on red/blue.
feel pretty cool now that I know Jeremy and I are both drinking out of the same style of travel mug
http://bangpotential.com/2009/02/strong-buy-contigo-stainless-steel-mug.html
@ Black Cat I used to have an OG “Pay to Cum” and there is no way I would leave it at the office!
I’m just lazy and sanz record player at the moment so there it stays. Next to it is a Fang “Where The Wild Things Are” LP too. Again, not all that rare.
I’m shocked at the number of people that actually know of the faith. I thought that was reserved for those of us who actually grew up in DC. Also, the void/faith split is earlier than stc.
Jeremy,
Wasn’t ripping on you for owning it (I own it, too). Just pointing out how it’s weird that people seem to be flipping their lid over a decent+ HC record of semi-rarity.
Ah, I’m just old and cranky. Keep up the good work Jeremy and ACL.