Just getting around to this, but it sort of is the perfect weekend for this type of thing. This past month the Japanese magazine Huge published an issue centered around all things American. The topic was approached in a uniquely Japanese way, which is to say it was comprehensive and something that seemed much closer in structure to a catalog than a magazine. Huge made in USA was very obviously based on the 1970s magazine Made in U.S.A. (pictured below), which was a watershed moment for many American brands in Japan. The copy below (Made in U.S.A-2) was a gift from a colleague in Tokyo who I work with on Red Wing. According to him, this magazine (which currently fetch about $250 per issue) is what really put the Red Wing Shoe Company on the map in Japan. Made in U.S.A.-2 is for me a prized possession and a constant source of inspiration.
Huge covers a lot of familiar ground by including folks like Wood&Faulk, Dehen, Stanley & Sons, Archival Clothing and a host of other American manufacturers. There are also some surprises and new finds along the way. If you live anywhere near a Kinokuniya you can still get your very own copy of Huge (June). If you are looking for a copy of Made in U.S.A.-2 best to search on Yahoo Japan auctions and hope the seller ships to the good old USA.
Beautiful!
i want one of those portland growlers.
I’ve learned so much from you over the last couple of years Michael, and posts like this one really highlight how much ACL has become part of my life conversation. Thank you.
Both of the mags look amazing!
If only here in Portugal people had this kind of admiration for what is made here.
i need to try and get hold of huge
Got it!! To bad it was so hard to find in the states.
@mat – Huge is available via Inventory – there’s a link on this page on the right.
Pushing editorial design. Love the layouts and rough look.
Found it in a bookstore in Japan Town, San Francisco. They still have copies. Kinokuniya bookstores. Also picked up Tools from Huzine. Similar, but a neat little book form.
Great looking magazine! Love the layout and pictures.
J. Crew men’s store in NYC has a couple copies as well as the Hizune published Tools book referenced above. Both are great.
Kinokuniya Bookstore in Little Tokyo Los Angeles has some copies in their store.
Those growlers are nice. the magazines have a beautiful look too
Speaking of Made in the USA, I just bought a tennis stringing machine, very cool, heavy and well-made (and economical), made in IL: Klippermate.