VIDEO | LEVI'S SPEC BERKSHIRE BOYS

Love every second of this, especially the opening title shot.  Nice work (again) by Varsity Creative, who never fail to be awesome. More of their stuff here. - M

VIDEO | GANT S/S 2011 "LIFE LIKE A FILM"

Another fantastic video by the producer/director duo, Tom Rand and Brennan Stasiewicz. You might know them from the craftsmanship video series over at The Scout. This time they take us backstage for the Gant by Michael Bastian presentation in NYC. The video captured the whimsical, charming, and I'd say, best side of the collection, which is quickly shaping up to be seminal one for Gant.

The actual presentation itself took on a decidedly more classic, cinematic feel than the locker room inspired Fall collection, but I still don't think the styling quite did the collection justice.  I've been more impressed by actual pieces up-close-and-personal than I was upon being introduced through the presentation.  Most successful were the ensembles that revolved around a structured piece, like the shawl collar jacket + bow tie get up (below), versus this dandy-meets-jock-meets-JFK, Jr get up, which fell short in my eyes.

Still, I am very impressed by the mature progression that took place over just one season, so I implore you Mr. Bastian to keep evolving past the bath sandal. - M

Shirt. Found.
F/W 2010  <--- versus --->  S/S 2011

More shots of the S/S collection after the jump.

PHOTOS | AMERICA IN COLOR

A friend of mine recently sent me a link to this absolutely spectacular set of photos compiled by the Denver Post. The collection is from an exhibit by the library of congress.  "These Images", they say, "are by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, [and] are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Depression on America’s rural and small town populations."

I've pulled the images that I found most striking, and not surprisingly, they illustrate the continued, if not enhanced, pride in self presentation in the face of the chaotic, uncertain times of that era.

Is it any wonder that the comforts of work wear, traditional construction and whole fabrics have emerged once again? - M

See more after the jump and at denverpost.com.