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Japan’s Hiroshi Nozawa is a nature-loving design savant who made his name cuttin’ clothes for such tiny, unheard-of brands as uhhh Snow Peak, Fjallraven, and Columbia. He’s since hung out his own shingle with Norbit, a line designed around notions of “hybridity,” aka, garments that fit both outdoors and urban contexts. I interviewed him for last spring’s edition of eyeC (linky) and was so impressed by the craft that goes into every Norbit garm. Follow them on IG, then save thine pennies to cop pure rockstar shit like the brand’s overdetailed Field Jacket.
Nov 10, 2020
Related Recs
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Continuing off of my last outdoor apparel rec through the GO OUT magazine, I still can't stop myself from browsing outdoor apparel. Especially fleeces, vests, puffers, pants with excessive pockets, etc. Some of these pieces are super hard to come by in the US. Personally, I feel like I've been trapped inside outdoor brand bubble that consists of Arc’teryx, Patagonia, North Face, Fjällräven, etc. Recently, I've discovered This Thing of Ours, a UK based retailer that curates different brands around the world. They pride themselves in having more low-key brands and browsing through their Coats & Jackets section, the catalog speaks for itself.
Jan 7, 2021
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I still have no idea what to actually call this brand. It’s as confusing as it is beautiful. Sometimes it’s called Niche. But on Instagram and in the labels of the clothes, it’s called This Time and sometimes Its Inconspicuous Presence. Whatever you wish (or are supposed) to call it, the pieces are designed by Nepenthes alumn Takumi Oomura. I’ve bought an embroidered gauze camp collar shirt the past two summers, and they’ve been my favorite pieces I’ve bought each season. The florals are ever-present, the fits and fabrics are breezy, and the textures are mind-blowing. This past season they did a pair of paint-splattered natural-colored jeans where the small splatters were embroidered instead of...splattered. They didn’t fit me. Still great though.
Jun 29, 2021
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In the late ‘90s, there were two choices for cool snowgear: Errolson’s Burton [ak] kits, or Mikey’s Holden. The brand (founded by pro boarder Mikey LeBlanc) got red hot in the ‘00s but faded out before a recent revival. I saw their FW20 collection in Denver last January and fell in love. There is legit functional ski gear that’s one degree of Visvim mixed with casual jackets that look like Veilance meets Yves Salomon. It’s a fresh perspective if there ever was one, and one of my favorite brands of this moment. Check ‘em out.
Nov 10, 2020
Top Recs from @alex-rakestraw
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Czech outerwear label Tilak is the hidden gem of superlative shells. Everyone knows Arc’teryx. Some know Norrona. But Tilak flies under the radar. While I love their GORE Pro power armor the Raptor MiG, the brand’s Odin Jacket is my reco for an all-season #techwear jacket. The Odin is made from treated Ventile cotton, a tech that dates back to WWII-era flight suits made to keep downed pilots alive at sea. On this jacket, it keeps you dry and comfortable without the clammy (#clammgod) feeling of a giant membrane. It also looks fucking badass and is only like $300, which is a steal for such a quality piece.
Nov 10, 2020
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In the late ‘90s, there were two choices for cool snowgear: Errolson’s Burton [ak] kits, or Mikey’s Holden. The brand (founded by pro boarder Mikey LeBlanc) got red hot in the ‘00s but faded out before a recent revival. I saw their FW20 collection in Denver last January and fell in love. There is legit functional ski gear that’s one degree of Visvim mixed with casual jackets that look like Veilance meets Yves Salomon. It’s a fresh perspective if there ever was one, and one of my favorite brands of this moment. Check ‘em out.
Nov 10, 2020
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Oh MAN is this the hidden gem of #clouterwear. Patagonia’s WornWear ReCrafted program has been serving up sustainable Frankensteins since this time last year, and the garms have only gotten better. While they’re technically unisex, the boxy fit and c-c-c-crazy colors make these tiny shirt/big pants compatible in a way that disappointingly few “cool” coats really are. If your WCW has a snap-front skirt, she needs like four of these. Bonus: every jacket is handmade by LA’s Suay Sew Shop, a woman-led ethical production shop fighting for garment workers’ rights. Follow them on IG. They’re doing great stuff and making cool clothes to boot.
Nov 10, 2020