Journal

Written by Ethan Newton    Our view of ourselves is a complicated thing, and a complex issue with far reaching repercussions on our lives. For as much as we hope to see ourselves clearly, no man alive sees the truth in himself. Or of himself, for that matter. Every relationship we have is a mirror that reflects an opinion we take as truth. With every smile from a pretty girl, or rebuttal, we continue to paint this picture of who we are. A complex bit of art, we paint it, paint over it, making an image in our heads of our...

Written by Ethan Newton    On this point I must play devil’s advocate, and I offer in my defense that I have been daily assaulted by both those overtly conscious of appearing “sprezz”, and those so nauseatingly pretentious that any misconduct with the ‘rules of classical dressing’ becomes akin to a personal attack on their propriety.In the time I have been involved in this industry of menswear, I have seen that the pendulum seems to swing very far to either side of balanced by those prone to judge. While it is true that many take the idea of appearing effortless too...

Written by Ethan Newton  There is a discernible thread that runs through, or rather ties together, various endeavours and endeavourers in this world we inhabit, the community we have built. From a handmade florentine giacca to a Detroit made d-pocket motor jacket, the application is different, the aesthetic at odds, but a spirit of craft and utility, beauty in function and economy has them inexplicably linked.Travelling south in the wardrobe, an engineer boot from the 50’s, Cats Paw with its distinctive white spots on the sole, cordovan uppers rubbed to a gleam, canted heel and cinched straps, shares a distinct heritage...

Written by Ethan Newton    A little skill, with perseverance, can make the most humble of things better, and truly great things in to art. It is a beautiful thing, to be able to create something with your own hands from very little.  So it is with polishing shoes. A tin of wax, a cotton ball, a little water - even an ordinary pair of shoes will benefit, while a great shoe will be transformed. I learnt the method I use from a dear friend, using Saphir Wax, a touch of water, to lay fine coat upon fine coat of wax...