Will Pratt always knew he wanted to open a coffee shop. While learning his craft at Blue Bottle Coffee, he met someone who shared his dream – his future wife, Kathleen, who managed one of the San Francisco locations and later led the company’s New York expansion. By the year’s end, Will and Kathleen decided to make their dream a reality when relocating to Portland, Maine to open Tandem Coffee Roasters.

             Together, the couple renovated a 1930′s brick building in Portland’s East Bayside neighborhood, transforming it into the perfect place for their cafe & roastery. The natural light in the building is plentiful and the aesthetic is clean and minimal, perfectly highlighting the structure’s exposed brick and wooden beams. When designing the space, Will & Kathleen knew that they wanted to keep the floor plan as open as possible – it was important to them that their customers could see the roasting process as they sat at the bar, sipping their drip coffees or seasonal espressos. The layout creates a sense of connection between the customer, the roasters, and the fantastic cups of coffee they serve. Through their passion and hard work, Will and Kathleen have succeeded in creating a truly unique coffee experience.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

Tandem Coffee Roasters

Will Pratt always knew he wanted to open a coffee shop. While learning his craft at Blue Bottle Coffee, he met someone who shared his dream – his future wife, Kathleen, who managed one of the San Francisco locations and later led the company’s New York expansion. By the year’s end, Will and Kathleen decided to make their dream a reality when relocating to Portland, Maine to open Tandem Coffee Roasters.

- Read More

             Your watch might say it’s 10 PM, but at Holeman & Finch, it’s burger time. These burgers are so delicious, so famed, and there’s only 24 of them. Patrons come in hours ahead of time to put their name on the list and some have experienced the crushing sense of defeat when they discover that they’ve missed the cut. If you think it’s just a gimmick to hype up the restaurant, think again. People who missed out on them during the week can get them all day on Sunday. So why is this particular burger so tasty? According to co-owner and head bartender, Greg Best, it’s a lot like a good drink: it’s quality ingredients crafted with the greatest care.

Tell us how Holeman & Finch got started.

GB: Holeman & Finch was kind of the brainchild of a drinking session with my now-partners: Linton Hopkins, Gina Hopkins, and Regan Smith. When I moved to this city about nine years ago, I realized this was an amazing market to create a bar in. It was a kind of new, very young scene just starting to take root. My partners at the time were Regan Smith and Andy Minchow. We all worked for Emeril Lagasse. We all moved here to open a restaurant for him and we decided that this is the place to do our own thing. Long story short, we all went to work for independents. I went to work for Linton and Gina Hopkins at Restaurant Eugene and we became close friends. One day, when the landlord here asked Linton to expand his fine dining restaurant, he said, “There’s no way I could possibly do that,” I piped in with, “Hey I have an idea. Let’s open a bar.” Holeman & Finch is essentially a bar that was created to be the bar that chefs and bartenders all wanted to drink at after work.

We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the famous burger. Can you tell us the story behind it?

GB: Sure, absolutely. So when Holeman & Finch opened about four and a half years ago, there wasn’t much of a late-night dining scene in Atlanta and we really wanted to draw that service industry crowd in after work. We decided, “Hey, we’ll do some fun thing that’s kinda off the menu and it’ll just be word of mouth” and we decided to do a cheeseburger because who doesn’t love a cheeseburger, right? The big thing about the burger is that we decided to really geek out on it. It’s not a geeky chef burger with foie gras and pork and bacon; it’s just an American cheeseburger. But we took every single facet of it: the bun, the meat grind, the type, how we cooked it, and we basically spent about 3 months of R&D on it before we decided to do this kind of down-low cheeseburger. We only do 24 and the reason being is, in the beginning, there were only 2 shelves available on a baker’s rack and each fit one sheet tray of burger buns, so that’s how the number started. We never thought in a million years within months there would be a cult phenomenon.

Another thing that seems really important to Holeman & Finch is really simple, quality ingredients and crafting them with care. How did that get started and what are your feelings about that?

GB: I think too often we get lost in making things more complicated than they need to be, and that’s in every walk of life, not just the restaurant business. Our concept was really simple and fundamental: it was to take good things and show them off for what they are, not necessarily who we are. It naturally evolved and took root in our drink program and our food menu. Nothing was meant to be overwrought, but we do care. We genuinely love what we do, so it’s how do we share that love with minimal impact to the guest experience and it just became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

What would you say to someone who’s doubtful of the dining and food scene in Atlanta?

GB: I’d say spend two nights in a row going out in Atlanta and you’ll realize quickly that we’re every bit as exciting and—I would argue—even more dynamic than those other food cities. Because of the nature of this city and how it’s laid out, everyone kind of evolves into their own style rather than being on top of each other where everyone borrows from each other and you have this homogenized aesthetic. I love the scene here in Atlanta. I would agree that five years ago, it was very young, very immature. Thanks to a whole bunch of really talented people who were willing to jump, I think this city is, in a big way, now a contender.

The origin story behind hot chicken on the restaurant blog is really cool. Do you have any personal food stories that you’re really fond of?

GB: For me, one of the most instrumental experiences I ever went through was going and spending about 11 months in New Orleans. My love for cocktails really took root there. One thing in particular that I thought was amazing was the idea of the sazerac. It’s the official cocktail of the city of New Orleans. It’s an amazing, delicious rye drink with bitters and a little bit of absinthe, but what was interesting to me was all these places that celebrated the fact that they make an amazing sazerac, none of them made it the same way. So I thought how brilliant! It just goes to show that cocktails are a philosophy. They’re not necessarily a recipe. And so, whenever I’m making sazeracs for people, I love talking about, “Hey, this may not be like the last sazerac you had. This is what I believe to be my personal best sazerac.” We can always just get lost down this rabbit hole and make four sazerac variations and it’s just a fun way to start dialogue.

Because you know drinks really well, what would you recommend that would pair really well with the burger?

GB: We have a drink here called The Oracle, which was off one of our early cocktail menus. It’s rye whiskey and lime juice, orange bitters, has a little ginger liqueur and jasmine as well. It’s bright, it’s floral, but it also has a backbone. It cuts right through the fat of the burger but it’s also very quenching and refreshing. I think it’s one of the ideal pairings for sure.

The restaurant is not only a service industry, it’s very much a creative industry as well. How do you stay inspired?

GB: One of the things my partners and I figured out early on was that it took more than just eating and drinking in other restaurants to get excited. So one of the ways we stay inspired is that we get really involved in local music culture. We know a lot of amazing musicians here in Atlanta. My partner Linton and I just started a radio show called “Feed Radio”, which is really exciting. So music is one way and a friend of ours is a graphic artist who’s done a lot of creative work with us in the past recently just came to work with us. We have these weekly meetings where we sit down and basically immerse ourselves in fonts or beautiful paintings or different cool, creative graphic art pieces from around the world. It’s just a means to constantly stimulate and keep ourselves excited.

Tell us a little about the H&F Bottle Shop.

GB: So between Restaurant Eugene and here at Holeman & Finch spending about collectively 7 and a half years preaching the good word about these esoteric spirits for all these different styles of cocktails, what I realized was that probably the most important thing about cocktail culture was ensuring that people took it home. Otherwise I think there’s the potential for this to be kind of a fad. I think it’ll last longer than just a trend, but I wanted to be able to enable people (laughs). I know this sounds horrible. For years people were asking us, “Where can I get this spirit?”, “Where can I get these tools?” and we would be like, “Ah, online maybe.” Then we said, “Why are we doing this? Why don’t we just open up a bottle shop?” That was the impetus behind H&F Bottle Shop. We’re a really cool little boutique, wine and spirits shop. We’ve got beer as well. We’ve got bar tools, we’ve got bar guides. We play old vinyl and just hang out down there. We give out recipe cards when people buy spirits just to help them experiment at home. It’s just an extension of what we do. It’s a halfway point between peoples’ homes and ours.

Any words of advice for drinkers?

GB: Keep it simple. You should always be willing to try new things and experiment, but always test the level of talent at the bar that you’re at. Start with a beer or maybe a straight spirit on the rocks and ask the bartender about it, and if they have some depth of knowledge, maybe strike up a conversation. I’m not saying go out there and tell people, “Hey, can you make me a veiux-carre flip”, because unfortunately that’s happening with our culture right now. Just really, get to know the bartender and have an open mind. Don’t feel like you need to push yourself into drinking things you’re not comfortable with because more often than not, you’re not ready for it and it’ll make for a negative experience and you won’t truly appreciate it when you may be able to appreciate that same thing not long down the road.

Greg’s picks at Holeman & Finch:

Hand-chopped steak tartare, veal sweetbreads, and the farm egg and pancetta carbonara

Greg’s picks around town:

Cakes & Ale in Decatur, Bocado on the Westside, The Optimist, Pura Vida in the Highlands, Leon’s Full Service, and Victory Sandwich Bar.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

             Just what is southern hospitality? If you watch a certain Food Network personality, it would appear to be loud, annoying and heart-stoppingly greasy. It’s a synthetic warmth that lasts as long as the TV glows and dissipates as soon as it’s shut off. Real southern hospitality doesn’t consist of a series of contrived “hey y’alls” and it certainly doesn’t taste like a barrel of pork fat. Thank goodness for Empire State South. Here, you’ll find southern cooking to be effortless, elegant, and with a taste that’s so fresh and clean, you’ll be surprised it came out of a jar (most likely pickled by the chef himself). We spoke with Executive Chef Ryan Smith about what he thinks makes the south special and how it’s made Atlanta a food city to be reckoned with.

What does southern hospitality mean to you?

RS: I think it’s the culture that’s been a big draw for me. When I moved down here [from Pennsylvania], I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. It was just more that I was moving to a bigger city and really the past 6 years is when I really got interested in the history of southern food and the culture, retelling the story of what happened a hundred years ago, and trying to find what that food was and what it meant to people back then. There’s a lot of people who are actively trying to restore that, so it’s kind of exciting to part of that or trying to be part of it, I guess. To me, that’s what I think about when I think about southern hospitality: how food ties into family and tradition and experience.

Was there anything that cooking and eating in the south has taught or changed you?

RS: All of it, really. I think that’s best reflected by how this specific restaurant has gone through so many changes in the past two years. We’re constantly trying to figure out who we are and what we are and a lot of that is a reflection of who I am as a cook. Just being influenced by tradition and history, we’re also opening our eyes to other cultures that have moved to the South in the past 30, 40, 50 years. That’s opened and changed my mind about the South in general, so it’s kind of the new South with the direction we’re going. As much as people label Southern cuisine, I don’t think it’s right for anybody because it’s constantly evolving like anything else.

Do you have any opinions about people who judge Southern cooking based on Paula Deen’s?

RS: Oh, that’s a touchy subject. Do you read Hugh’s [Acheson, ESS chef/partner] blog? [Laughs] Me and Hugh share the same views on how that works. There’s obviously a stereotype that some people have towards Southern food if they’re not well-educated on what it’s really like—being heavy and greasy and fatty and pork and fried chicken—and all that stuff’s great and deserves a spot on the Southern table, but I think what’s more plentiful, when you go to eat at someone’s home or a gathering, is that there’s more vegetables than anything! There’s pickles, preserves, bread, rice and it’s not all about the meat and the fat. Of course that’s involved, but it’s involved in every cuisine and it’s all over the world. I always kinda hate to hear that because I don’t think it’s fair. But I guess it’s true of anyone passing judgement on anything

What do you look for in gatherings that every host or home cook should keep in mind?

RS: For me personally, what I like is over the past decade that I’ve been here, I’ve been very fortunate to cook with a lot of great people around the city and I’ve made a lot of friends. I like to feel that that’s building a sense of community. For example, this year, my girlfriend and I are hosting Thanksgiving for people who can’t be with their families. We sent that invitation to people that are in the industry that are friends so we’re going to have a big feast and everybody brings something. It’s amazing, the energy you get from it because you never get to see these people, everyone works so much in this industry. Events are so important because we can just hang out. Holidays when restaurants are closed are good because everyone can spend time together. I think that’s a huge part of building a sense of community and supporting that because otherwise we’re never gonna grow as a community or a city.

What are your favorite off-duty places in Atlanta?

RS: Ooh! I spend a lot of time on Buford Highway. There’s guy that I used to buy seafood from, who knows a hell of a lot about little tiny holes-in-the-wall way up and down Buford Highway, so he’s taken me to a couple places. I live very close to The Octopus Bar so I go there every once in a while. I’m a huge fan of Decatur. I love Brickstore and Leon’s and 246 and Twain’s. Everyone there’s super cool and they’re a super tight family in a small restaurant community inside a big restaurant community. They’re all just really good people so I love spending time over there.

What do you think has led to the growing interest in the Atlanta dining scene?

RS: I love it. I think what’s happened is that smaller, independent restaurants are starting to take risks and open things and be more chef-driven. It’s a lot more personal that way. There’s nothing wrong with big corporate restaurants, but it strips away that personal feeling you have when you walk into a place that you can tell is very genuine and focused on what they’re doing. I think that’s been happening a lot and it’s being supported, which is great. It wasn’t at first, but I think it’s blown up in a really positive way, so it’s exciting to see.

Do you think that the food is more important than the story behind it, or do they all go hand-in-hand?

RS: Oh, they play hand-in-hand. I’m a firm believer that if people hear a story about something, it makes their experience that much more better. It makes things taste more delicious before they try it. Not that that’s easily done if you’re serving 240 guests every night. But that’s an important part of it. I think the whole package is important and you have to have everything for it to go to the next level.

Hugh and I went to Las Vegas last year for a little boys’ trip and we ate at a Thai restaurant called Lotus of Siam. So we just asked them to cook for us and asked them to point us in the right direction. We ate some amazing food. One of the dishes was crispy rice and sour sausage. Each grain of rice was perfectly crisp in this insanely attractive way that just blew my mind. I wanted to come back and have that influence a dish. So we spent a week tinkering with Carolina Gold rice and how do we handle it and cook it, do we want starch on it or do we want to wash the starch on it? We figured out how to cook it so we could achieve that same texture. Then integrating sausage—sometimes we put in hot dog or bologna in it to have fun with it—and just use a coddled egg. That’s kinda where it came from. It’s like savory cereal.

Do you have any favorite flavors?

RS: We’re heavily influenced by preservation, so natural sourness through fermentation is really attractive to me because it’s not a very recognizable flavor to the natural palate. I really like that and I think it’s fun to play around with. So we ferment a lot of vegetables and meats and integrate them in different ways. That’s kind of the direction we’ve gone with recently. Acid in general, like pickles, are always good.

Cokes in glass bottles always taste better, and your starter, Things in Jars, is delicious. What is it about things in glass containers that make them so delicious?

RS: I think it’s a mental thing with presentation and the idea of preserving. I think it’s exciting that you can preserve something while it’s in the peak of the season and you can enjoy it later in the off-season. It’s difficult for a restaurant to do it, too. We obviously do a lot of it [points to wall of preserve jars] and that’s about a tenth of what we have here. We have a bunch downstairs. I don’t know very many people who serve pickled okra in December or stewed tomatoes that we bought in June. It’s kinda fun. I do think it’s a mental thing, though, kinda like the story thing. It makes things better. It’s mind trickery! [Laughs]

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

On the run or rather hear this story? Listen-in:

             Whether it’s after a hard night partying or before a hard day of work, brunch makes everything better. And while there’s a lot of great places in Atlanta for brunch, no place does it better than West Egg Café, which doles out brunch love all day long. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Sunday morning brunch crowd who often wait 2 hours for a table (ok, 45 minutes, but it feels much longer!). Unlike New York, we don’t usually wait in long lines for anything unless it’s absolutely worth it. And with a menu boasting items like fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, coca-cola cupcakes, pig and grits, chicken and waffles, and boozy milkshakes, it’s worth every penny. We chatted with West Egg co-owner, Jennifer Johnson, about what makes brunch the most magical part of the day.

West Egg is a reference to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Why did you choose it as a name for the restaurant?

JJ: The Great Gatsby is one of my all-time favorite books. In fact, my husband and I (we’ve been married now for 15 years now) had a reading from it at our wedding. So before the restaurant was even a twinkle in our eye, it’s always been close to my heart. When we decided to open on the Westside of Atlanta, we started out as a breakfast-all-day kind of place. I thought I could have a little not inside joke—I love it when people recognize the reference—but worst case, if nobody recognizes the connection, you’ve got West Egg, hopefully it rolls of your tongue and it’s geographically correct. And best case scenario someone asks, “Is that from The Great Gatsby?” That’s how we got here. We ended up moving from our old location down the street back in 2010 to this space. It was the first time we put the quote up from The Great Gatsby that referenced West Egg and let people in on what perhaps was an inside joke then.

What makes brunch so much more magical than any other meal of the day?

JJ: It’s funny, we talk about that a lot. Saturdays and Sundays are our two busiest times, but Sunday is always busier than Saturday even though we’re open for the same hours and we serve the same menu on both those days. There’s something magical about Sunday. Years ago, it probably started out as a religious connection for some people, that Sunday was a day where people say “I’m not going to run my errands today because the stores don’t even open until 12 something” because Saturday tends to be that day that’s filled with so many other things. Sunday, I think, is that day where people are willing to say, “I’m going to commit myself to my day being about waiting for brunch for a while, sitting down for brunch, having a cocktail with brunch, being with friends” and I love to see that. There is something magical about people who commit a day to relaxing and rejuvenating them back to the week.

West Egg definitely has a neighborhood feel. What role do you think a restaurant plays in the community?

JJ: I love that you think that, because I do think of West Egg as being a neighborhood-driven restaurant. You always hear about chef-driven and we have a wonderful chef and wonderful pastry chef here, but I like the concept of neighborhood-driven. When I was in school, the places I always gravitated to were the independent restaurants that weren’t very expensive that you could go to on a regular basis. You look forward to those special occasion places, but the places that were close to my heart were the ones that became the concept of the third place, where it’s not home and it’s not work, it’s another place where you feel totally at home. To us, it was really important we create a place where you could come several times during the day. We cover for all the meal segments, we’ve got coffee, we’ve got wine, we’ve got Wi-Fi, we’ve got the kind of place where you can come in dressed up, you don’t have to, and you can bring your family. And a big part of that was to make a place that was affordable. We wanted a place that people could still get out of the house to be with their community, be able to afford it, and feel like they have that experience.

How do you like your eggs?

JJ: Sunny-side up or over easy, I like ‘em raw and runny. I like it when the egg is like a sauce to everything else I’m eating.

Now that you’re in the business of breakfast, what is a deal-breaker for you when you go out?

JJ: Ooh good one! I have to think about this one… I’m easy to please. I don’t think in my life I’ve ever sent food back. I think it’s in the nature of you know who the people in the kitchen are wherever you go and you know they’re working hard to get it right. If the egg sat for too long, it may have been over easy when they put it on the plate, but it might have sat there for a second while they’re waiting for something so by the time it got to you it was over medium. There’s almost no deal-breaker in that sense because I’m going to be a happy customer no matter what you put in front of me. And eggs are not easy to get right because of the timing. I love potatoes, I love all things carb and I always order them when I eat here. I wanna make sure they’re making them well. I don’t like them deep-fried. They cook them on the flat top so they’re a little caramelized on the outside with a little caramelized onion that are still soft on the inside. It’s really like the basic things. If you’re going to do something simple—eggs, potatoes, a chocolate chip cookie—you have to try your hardest to make the best egg, potatoes or chocolate chip cookie you’ve ever put in front of somebody. Because when it’s complicated and the ingredients are kinda fussy, you can kinda get away with more. But with the simple things, you have to get it right.

If you ever had to leave Atlanta, what would you miss the most?

JJ: I am a huge fan of the Botanical Gardens here. The whole compound of Piedmont Park and the Botanical Gardens is a beautiful core to our city. Especially with the kids now, we spend a lot of time there. Being part of this development, the Westside development, has been exciting. When I was transitioning from lawyer to here, I had this moment seeing all the city planning and I love watching cities develop in a smart way. It doesn’t always happen and sometimes it happens with a few trials and errors. Seeing the Beltline. Oh, I don’t want to leave Atlanta because I want to see what happens with the Beltline and I’m so excited about that! You can finally connect to all parts of the city in a way that doesn’t necessarily involve our cars.

Tell us about The General Muir.

JJ: The General Muir, we’re calling it a tribute to the New York Jewish deli. You’re not gonna walk in there and be like, “Oh, this looks just like Katz’s!”. We hope our pastrami that we’re going to cure in house and smoke in house will be as good as Katz’s. It’s a project that’s really dear to my heart. The General Muir is the name of the ship that brought my grandparents and my mom to this country in 1949 after the war. They landed in New York where my mom grew up in the Bronx and I’m really excited to honor them. It’s their journey, but it’s the journey of many of our families that have come to the country and be part of the wave of, in that case, it was sort of last wave of the deli culture and what they brought from Eastern Europe. We’re gonna honor it and we’re going to push it out of the traditional mold. We’re excited Chef Todd Ginsberg, who was previously at Bocado, is going to be one of our partners in the project and we know he’s going to take the best deli you’ve ever had, like bagels in house, then it’s also going to be his take on whatever he wants to do. So we’re really excited! We’re aiming for an opening in December/January.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

On The Menu, West Egg

Whether it’s after a hard night partying or before a hard day of work, brunch makes everything better. And while there’s a lot of great places in Atlanta for brunch, no place does it better than West Egg Café, which doles out brunch love all day long. Don’t believe me? Just ask the Sunday morning brunch crowd who often wait 2 hours for a table (ok, 45 minutes, but it feels much longer!).

- Read More

On The Menu, The Optimist

When you step into The Optimist, it’s hard to believe that Atlanta is a landlocked town. You’re instantly transported to a beachy spot with fish house-friendly fare like corn milk hushpuppies and fresh oysters on ice. But look closely (or rather taste it), and you’ll find that the quintessential southern attitude is so ingeniously melded into the flavors, that it’s no wonder that Esquire declared the place as the “Best Restaurant of the Year”.

- Read More

On the run or rather hear this story? Listen-in:

             When you step into The Optimist, it’s hard to believe that Atlanta is a landlocked town. You’re instantly transported to a beachy spot with fish house-friendly fare like corn milk hushpuppies and fresh oysters on ice. But look closely (or rather taste it), and you’ll find that the quintessential southern attitude is so ingeniously melded into the flavors, that it’s no wonder that Esquire declared the place as the “Best Restaurant of the Year”. We caught up with the busy Executive Chef Adam Evans right before a dinner rush to learn more about sustainable fishing and what he considers really delicious.

Why was the restaurant named after a small sailing dinghy?

AE: It’s actually Ford Fry, who’s the chef-owner of the restaurant. His father actually came up with the name because he was into sailing as a child so he thought it was a cool name. So he threw out a bunch of nautical terms and that one kind of stuck out.

Tell us what your earliest food memory is.

AE: A lot of my early food memories are big fish frys with the family at the lake house. I have a lot of good memories with my grandmother who’s a great cook, my mom as well. Being in the kitchen doing southern food was a big childhood memory. With overfishing threatening the marine environment, how do you source ingredients that are both satisfying and responsible? You have to be careful with where you buy from, mainly. The MSC certification, the Marine Stewardship Council, regulates fisheries and if you want to buy responsibly, you need to make sure your purchaser is buying them responsibly. We have great local vendors that are sourcing seafood responsibly so it makes it easy for us to buy sustainably.

The corn milk hushpuppies are incredible. Where did that idea come from?

AE: It’s a fish house and we wanted a really great hushpuppy because every fish house I’ve ever gone to has a really good hushpuppy. I really like the fresh corn in there. I always do a corn puree and I’ve done it with food for years. If you take corn and you juice it and when you whip it up over heat, it thickens naturally because of the starch in the corn. So I thought that would be great to fold that into the hushpuppy and make this really rich, creamy corn style hushpuppy. We have corn milk in the hushpuppy as well as the kernels of corn.

And the spread next to it?

AE: The spread is cane sugar butter. We take steamed cane sugar, whip it into butter, add some salt and that’s the dipping sauce, as well as the powdered sugar on top. As a chef in the kitchen, what is one tool that you can’t live without? God, everyone asks me that question. [Laughs] I would say now wood fire is something I don’t like to cook without.

What are your favorite places to go to when you’re off-duty?

AE: One of my favorite spots in Atlanta is The Octopus Bar because I live 2 blocks away from there. It’s convenient, plus I love the guys over there and what they do.

If you knew you weren’t going to be here tomorrow, what’s the last thing you’d want in your mouth?

AE: It’s funny you ask this because a month ago, I made a big batch of fried okra at my house. I got some really nice okra from a local farm. It was so good and it looked so good… they were all like perfect 2-3 inches of okra. I fried them up in a cast iron skillet: cornmeal, corn flour. When I was eating it, I literally ate like a pound of it and I told someone that this would be my last meal.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

             Set in the heart of the ‘Carolina Lowcountry’ between Charleston and Savannah, it’s hard to imagine a more quintessential southern retreat than that of Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, South Carolina. With over 20,000 acres of low country land and 32 miles of riverfront, set out with a mindset towards environmental conservation, the planned community seems to stand as an island in its own right – cut off from the hustle and bustle of it’s big city neighbors by a buffer of marshes, forests and rivers. It’s almost easy to forget your destination on the four mile drive from front gate to village square, but once you arrive, the only thing slipping your mind is the world outside the community.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

A trip to the Carolinas

Set in the heart of the ‘Carolina Lowcountry’ between Charleston and Savannah, it’s hard to imagine a more quintessential southern retreat than that of Palmetto Bluff, in Bluffton, South Carolina. With over 20,000 acres of low country land and 32 miles of riverfront, set out with a mindset towards environmental conservation, the planned community seems to stand as an island in its own right – cut off from the hustle and bustle of it’s big city neighbors by a buffer of marshes, forests and rivers.

- Read More

AZ Postcard

It’s a sure thing, Arizona. You’re sure to wake up to morning doves cooling in the yard, sure to adding some color those cheeks, and you can be sure that spending a long dinner on the back patio will be about friends and good food—never once wondering where your jacket is. We started our first night in Phoenix with our toes in the pool, wine in hand and lit up palm trees in sight. In our travel to Arizona, there is a common thread through it all, your feet get on that soil and you can’t help but slow down. With typical plans to do and see a lot, Arizona has a magical way of just throwing your schedules out the window and your feet into the pool.

Gatherings, The Smith

Being in New York when not traveling, we found it completely refreshing to have had a large part of our staff in one room. In this gathering, we celebrated the born day of one and a marker in our history. Serving dishes within fair lines of seasonal American brasserie, the taste of The Smith’s offerings met the compliments of our candle-lit table. Thankfully, the atmosphere was matching.

- Read More

             Being in New York when not traveling, we found it completely refreshing to have had a large part of our staff in one room. In this gathering, we celebrated the born day of one and a marker in our history. Serving dishes within fair lines of seasonal American brasserie, the taste of The Smith’s offerings met the compliments of our candle-lit table. Thankfully, the atmosphere was matching. Settled in Midtown (the East Village and soon to be Lincoln Center), we recommend you try the Brooklyn-style Fried Calamari and a pot of Mussels with chardonnay-dijon broth.

A variety of photos can be sought below:

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

On the run or rather hear this story? Listen-in:

             As the air adopts a telltale autumnal feel, a familiar refrain is that of F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” This famous phrase is true to an extent, but for most of us work, school, and life continue in familiar routines. Thus a need that remains constant for people like our friend Sarah Kim—a freelance editor and urban cyclist—is that of an affordable, reliable backpack. We met up with Sarah on a fine fall afternoon for a leisurely bike ride around the city, stopping at regular haunts for coffee and relaxing chitchat. Everything Sarah needed—a camera, an extra sweater or two—she toted around in a Duluth Pack, which have been manufactured in the USA since 1870. Their hiking rucksacks are able to withstand years of weathering and abuse, and when transplanted into an urban environment Sarah’s Scout Pack impressed us by showing just how utilitarian a Duluth product can be. Whether your routine includes biking or walking to work or school everyday, urbanites like Sarah look for simplicity, durability, and water-proof construction in their bag of choice; in this sense, Duluth Packs serve their purpose impeccably: by keeping everything safe in a comfortable and understated manner, without the flashy bells-and-whistles that most backpacks sport nowadays. With an elegant profile and a touch of Americana flair, the Scout Pack serves Sarah well when she needs to bring her laptop in tow for a coffee-and-writing session (it has a padded laptop pocket, after all). We’ve even heard of folks bringing their Scout Packs in to the office—though perhaps lacking the properness of a briefcase, Duluth Packs are just as classic. Speaking to the inherent quality of each Duluth product, the Minnesota-based company offers a lifetime guarantee on each bag.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

On the run or rather hear this story? Listen-in:

             Crisp orange leaves, backyard football and a trusty, off-duty shirt are the building blocks to delve into fall. Our collection from Hamilton 1883 is more than adequate to get you through this season, or a decade. The elegance and luxury of Italian fabrics comes to a meeting-point with the brash exuberance of American traditions. Icons such as plaid and Western shirts are given new life through intricate details and tailoring. The simplicity and reliability of having go-to attire is further refined with the addition of bayou stripes or rust-colored contrast stitching. A collaboration between Two Inch Cuffs and Hamilton is not only a chance to acquire one-of-a-kind items, but an opportunity to participate in the legacy of an essential men’s catalog. Days of when “imported” meant that the highest quality materials were being sourced are revisited, and updated with a modern fit and feel. Whether you are looking to standout on casual Friday, or to simply make an impression during an autumnal picnic—we have you covered for either situation.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

Duluth Afternoons

As the air adopts a telltale autumnal feel, a familiar refrain is that of F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” This famous phrase is true to an extent, but for most of us work, school, and life continue in familiar routines. Thus a need that remains constant for people like our friend Sarah Kim—a freelance editor and urban cyclist—is that of an affordable, reliable backpack. We met up with Sarah on a fine fall afternoon for a leisurely bike ride around the city, stopping at regular haunts for coffee and relaxing chitchat.

- Read More

Hamilton 1883 FW12

Crisp orange leaves, backyard football and a trusty, off-duty shirt are the building blocks to delve into fall. Our collection from Hamilton 1883 is more than adequate to get you through this season, or a decade. The elegance and luxury of Italian fabrics comes to a meeting-point with the brash exuberance of American traditions.

- Read More

On the run or rather hear this story? Listen-in:

             After a year of contributing her eye for photography to our in-house editorials, we sat down with Aysia Stieb to talk about her role within our brand and some of her favorite moments on the West Coast. Aside from her words, we rummaged through our archives to highlight a selection of photos that defines the empathy of Stieb’s work. Traveling state lines from San Francisco to Las Vegas with just the request of a brewed coffee, Aysia has established herself as a photographer that bleeds caffeine and passion. Breaking in deeper, her humorous personality reflects most portraits she can be found in and her adventurous spirit as an optimist. On-boarding as the youngest of the bunch, it’s hard to believe that she can rival the experience that charters our staff but she has, indeed—and brilliantly so. Having photographed editorials thousands of miles away from our home, Stieb now joins us in the East to continue her work and perfect her life’s goal.

Read our full conversation below:

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

AS: Let’s see… I’m a California girl, a young photographer, and a coffee-enthusiast. Currently, I’m student in Baltimore at Maryland Institute College of Art where I’ll be studying photography and all other forms of art for the next four years. I’ll say I’m a freelance photographer, but at this age I’m really just trying to discover how I like to spend my time and therefore how it ascertains my future. I have dreams of owning a coffee shop or two based out of San Francisco, living with both an English and French bulldog near Ocean Beach, and photographing editorials for my favorite lifestyle magazines. All of my aspirations as well as current infatuations are what influence my daily life thus my photographic work.

How would you describe your wardrobe?

AS: Always comfortable and appropriate, men’s workwear and Americana-inspired, with all the right amount of girly hints. Yes, I have a great love for men’s clothing. I love the simplicity of each base article, but then individualized by small detail, quality, and how it’s styled. I like incorporating that into my style; wearing certain signature pieces of clothing like cropped trousers, a neckerchief, or hat, that is varied each day by the detail and way I style it with more girly items like patent leather shoes or a dress. I always mix random thrift store pieces which I sometimes alter by dying or cutting, with quality classics that will last me a lifetime.

Tell us about an editorial you will never forget.

AS: There are too many good times associated with all things I shoot for TIC! Traveling is always memorable and shooting on the beach is something I always come back to. But one I will never forget is shooting the band Portugal. the Man in shirts from The Cuff Shop. I’ve been the biggest fan of Portugal. the Man for a very long time, but the singer and lead guitarist John and I began to talk a little over a year ago always ranting about men’s clothing and jeans. One of the many times they came through San Francisco we decided to meet up and do a small shoot at a coffee shop near the venue The Independent and at Alamo Square Park, with a beautiful view of the city. The shoot was very easy-going, but the entire fact that I was able to chill with and photograph one of my longtime favorite bands is honestly like a dream come true.

In your work, there’s many captivating landscapes that you include. How do you find these locations?

AS: They’re my home! The majority of the locations I shoot at are surrounding my Northern California home, all within an hour drive. I live right below beautiful mountains completely covered in vineyards and just minutes away from the Russian River or beach. It’s also a short drive directly into San Francisco, which holds some of the most beautiful landscapes in the midst of a large city. Other landscapes are taken while traveling down to Southern California during the summertime, either on a spontaneous road trip with my friends or the annual trip to Coachella. I’m incredibly lucky to call such an inspiring and diverse place my home.

As a photographer, is there anyone else’s work that you admire?

AS: I always find new photographers every week whose work I admire, in addition to the classics. Usually they are current working photographers who are doing what I want to do, so I always find inspiration in their lifestyle as well as work. But right now I’m really into Jody Rogac, Wolfgang Tillmans, Seishi Shirakawa, Stephen Shore, Merlene Marino, and always Man Ray and Lee Miller. Also, I’m currently surrounded by so many magnificent artists all the time while at art school, it’s easy to find a fellow peer whose work I really admire.

What are your thoughts on the use of film in today’s digital era?

AS: I believe as a photographer, one must know how to thoroughly use both film and digital. I love film for certain reasons and digital for others, it’s all about what’s preferred for the process of making pictures, rather than what the end product is. When working, certain processes and aesthetics may require film, while others might work better with digital. I wouldn’t say they are interchangeable, but definitely necessary to know how to utilize both. Personally, I love both. I shoot digital for most of my freelance work to get a quicker final product that can be put through multiple platforms easier. I shoot a ton of film for personal work and documenting my life. I love shooting with instant film in my Polaroid land camera, it feels almost like a combo of film and digital because you get such a quick picture that is still candid with uncertainty.

An variety of Stieb’s work can be sought below:

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

In-house, Aysia Stieb

After a year of contributing her eye for photography to our in-house editorials, we sat down with Aysia Stieb to talk about her role within our brand and some of her favorite moments on the westward coast. Aside from her words, we rummaged through our archives to highlight a selection of photos that defines the empathy of Stieb’s work. Traveling state lines from San Francisco to Las Vegas with just the request of a brewed coffee, Aysia has established herself as a photographer that bleeds caffeine and passion.

- Read More

             The sun is not the same. That’s the thing we’ve learned with traveling. The sun simply does not hit your shoulders the same city to city. In New Mexico, there’s a dry warmth in the air from the time the sun rises to far past when it sets. This is different than exploring in the usual metropolitan as we needed to lean on our own sense of adventure and curiosity. So we hopped in the car and drove down a road we didn’t know; but with the purple mountains surrounding and the sun just dipping the edges of the skyline, we found it easy to keep entertained just by following the scenery. As the night was ending and we made a quick dash to the side of the road, hopped on a median and watched the sun drop below the mountains – with a camera in hand of course. New Mexico leaves you at ease, there’s a warmth in the city and people. No hype, no flashy lights, just real raw beauty to experience.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

A trip to New Mexico

The sun is not the same. That’s the thing we’ve learned with traveling. The sun simply does not hit your shoulders the same city to city. In New Mexico, there’s a dry warmth in the air from the time the sun rises to far past when it sets. This is different than exploring in the usual metropolitan as we needed to lean on our own sense of adventure and curiosity.

- Read More

NM Postcard

Life is just a little quieter in New Mexico. Even still, with just as many people walking the streets as any another place, there’s a wonderful blanket of silence that falls between the desert mountains of New Mexico. Locals stroll a little slower, say hello a little longer, savor food for a while more. Just far enough away from bustling cities, yet not so far you feel without a thing to do. With warmth coming up from the ground as well as from the sky above, New Mexico will leave you feeling tucked away just the perfect amount.

Apothecary Delivery

When it comes to grooming and skincare men don’t want too many products, they want the right products. We have just received a new shipment of your favorite apothecary items direct from California. Handmade combs, shave oils and natural soaps can help tame the most uncouth of appearances into well-trimmed gentlemen.

- Read More

—

Designed and crafted in California, Farm Tactics channels an outdoors lifestyle with dashes of West Coast psychedelia. The Rock Climbing Tote is made from durable nylon and features vintage rock climbing rope as handles—inspired by designer Kyle Ng’s father, a rock climber himself. Not only ideal to bring for a weekend at the local campground, but it also serves for grabbing zucchinis, homemade sodas or your favorite publication. A combination of prints and color-blocks add a touch of personality and depth to a structurally sound bag—a camouflage base, digital camouflage bottom and mint front pocket build a fluent contrast. The tote is made in the USA, and can become the cornerstone of a simplistic, clean wardrobe to reveal your inner daring nature.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/digi-camo-protocol/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/digi-camo-protocol-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/digi-camo-protocol-journal/#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2012 05:59:54 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=11025

Digi- Camo Protocol

Designed and crafted in California, Farm Tactics channels an outdoors lifestyle with dashes of West Coast psychedelia. The Rock Climbing Tote is made from durable nylon and features vintage rock climbing rope as handles—inspired by designer Kyle Ng’s father, a rock climber himself.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/digi-camo-protocol-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted-journal/#comments Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:43:22 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=11014

MADE & CRAFTED

Levi’s illustrates the roots of American culture; their Made & Crafted line adds playful alterations. The bare desert is juxtaposed with lively prints that come from all corners of the country.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted/#comments Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:30:19 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=11000

             Levi’s illustrates the roots of American culture; their Made & Crafted line adds playful alterations. The bare desert is juxtaposed with lively prints that come from all corners of the country. Western shirts, horseshoe belts and indigo striped vests offer a variety of options that add a little touch of freedom and rebel to anyone’s day. This collection allows a step outside of our daily routines to search for ourselves amongst an open sky of our own journeys, and with the proper attire to match. European tailoring meets domestically sourced fabrics, and something new and functional has been created. You can forge your own legacy or add chapters to a pre-existing script.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

MADE & CRAFTED
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Levi’s Made & Crafted
Project Las Vegas

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
South Las Vegas, NV 89119

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/made-crafted/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero-journal/#comments Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:36:01 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10983

VELVA SHEEN + PISTOLERO

When you envision backyard baseball, roaring muscle cars and making an honest living off of a hard days work, Velva Sheen is what comes to mind. Completely made in the USA, from the farm to the tailor, Velva Sheen has been made in Cincinatti, Ohio since 1932 and receives all of its cotton from North Carolina.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero/#comments Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:07:09 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10967

             When you envision backyard baseball, roaring muscle cars and making an honest living off of a hard days work, Velva Sheen is what comes to mind. Completely made in the USA, from the farm to the tailor, Velva Sheen has been made in Cincinatti, Ohio since 1932 and receives all of its cotton from North Carolina. Carefully editing the American staples of t-shirts, chinos and bandanas, these items should serve as a a foundation for every man’s weekend attire. There is an attention to a modern cut, which assures this way of life will continue on.
             Boots are the way to make a statement: I care about quality and am ready for any situation. Pistolero is making classic American boots and shoes; Goodyear welts, full-grain leather and long-last soles make up every pair. These boots can be blended—motorcycle rides, work sites or weekend jaunts can be had. They stand out, not because of loud prints or bright colors, but because their iconic stature is enough to catch attention.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

VELVA SHEEN + PISTOLERO
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Velva Sheen
Pistolero
Project New York

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
South Las Vegas, NV 89119

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/velva-sheen-pistolero/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear-journal/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 23:19:37 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10960

PORTRAITS OF MENSWEAR

Friends, faces and interactions make every excursion worth the while. Past and first-time guests of the journal were kind enough to lend their time for a series of portraits—the behind the scenes circle of Two Inch Cuffs.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 22:59:45 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10942 Anton Wetterlöf, Daniel Wellington

             Friends, faces and interactions make every excursion worth the while. Past and first-time guests of the journal were kind enough to lend their time for a series of portraits—the behind the scenes circle of Two Inch Cuffs. We want to share the individuals and trendsetters that provoke us to better mold and refine our aesthetic. Each person has a developed sense of self that resonates deeply through their look. Not only are our friends dressed well, but also we are most inspired by their lives of intrigue and travel. This catalogue of current menswear should serve as a starting point for your next night out, thrift store dig or weekend travel.

Dao-Yi Chow, Public School

Steven Delong, Ernest Alexander

Marcus Troy, Marcus Troy

Spencer Singer, Billy Reid

Sho & Hide, Velva Sheen

Eric Cano, XXL

Kortney Hastin, Norman Russell

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

PORTRAITS OF MENSWEAR
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Project Las Vegas

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
South Las Vegas, NV 89119

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/portraits-of-menswear/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn-journal-2/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn-journal-2/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 20:16:20 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10934

UNIVERSAL WORKS, PERCIVAL + WHILLAS AND GUNN

Universal Works, Percival and Whillas and Gunn are brands that explore age-old traditions and reinterpret them for a modern, style-conscious audience. Ferryman jackets are given slimmer, more tailored cuts; Australian Outback silhouettes are ready for life outside of harsh conditions.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn-journal-2/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:49:58 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10911

             Universal Works, Percival and Whillas and Gunn are brands that explore age-old traditions and reinterpret them for a modern, style-conscious audience. Ferryman jackets are given slimmer, more tailored cuts; Australian Outback silhouettes are ready for life outside of harsh conditions. It’s the idea of relating an image that is functional to the next generation that has a yearning to continue the previous legacy. Japanese fabrics are able to make bold statements that are reinforced through the craftsmanship of British needlework and Portuguese shirt-makers. There is the want to reveal a story that will grow in a respectable direction.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

UNIVERSAL WORKS, PERCIVAL WORKS + WHILLAS AND GUNN
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Universal Works
Percival
Whillas and Gunn
Project Las Vegas

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
South Las Vegas, NV 89119

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/universal-works-percival-whillas-and-gunn/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-pre-fall-2012/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-pre-fall-2012/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2012 21:11:46 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10804

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-pre-fall-2012/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-catalog/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-catalog/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:30:51 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10795 SON OF THE SOUTH PRE-FALL 2012

The transition from the taxing days of August to brisk September evenings has us reaching for heavier-weight knits, shirts and scarves. The South and its penchant for American-made workwear inspires us—duck canvas jackets, twill trousers and handmade leather goods round out a rugged yet kempt look. The manicured lawns of historic homes and the fun-spirited nature of an afternoon on the trail lend equal influence. It’s natural slub tees layered under flannel shirts, Cone Mills White Oak denim made in the heart of Appalachia and the sense of freeness to put together functional outfits your own way. This pre-fall find your new favorite piece to bear an Indian summer, start a semester or express your individual look. COMMISSION Ruben Hughes Creative Director, Dan Pratt Photographer, Corey Stokes Lead Stylist, Jared Blake Stylist, Roosevelt Morgan Hairstylist, Armando Martinez Project Coordinator, Joshua Sparks Product Specialist, Matt Welty Writer, Model Johnathon @ MSA

FEATURES Farm Tactics Fischer Rogue Territory Tellason Teranishi Handcrafted

- See Lookbook

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/son-of-the-south-catalog/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather-journal/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:24:36 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10633

LOTUFF LEATHER

Lotuff is handcrafting bags, briefcases and wallets in New England, sourcing their leather from Pittsburgh to create a completely American made product. The leathers come in a variety of colors but find their resonating purpose in the understated details. While maintaining the utmost attention to quality, there is the intention that the items will survive and thrive in any environment, from urban to wilderness.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather/#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:18:45 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10635

             Lotuff is handcrafting bags, briefcases and wallets in New England, sourcing their leather from Pittsburgh to create a completely American made product. The leathers come in a variety of colors but find their resonating purpose in the understated details. While maintaining the utmost attention to quality, there is the intention that the items will survive and thrive in any environment, from urban to wilderness. Solid brass hardware, six-layer handles and flat bottoms are included on the bags as well a full-repair service on all products. Patina will increase with everyday use and the strength of the leather assures these leather goods will be around for a lifetime.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

LOTUFF LEATHER
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Lotuff Leather
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/lotuff-leather/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand-journal/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 21:13:17 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10615

WOLVERINE BRAND

Everyone needs an everyday boot, a fail safe wardrobe staple. Wolverine has been producing footwear since 1883 and their 1000 Mile collection is an assembly of styles originally crafted in the 1930s.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 21:09:40 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10614

             Everyone needs an everyday boot, a fail safe wardrobe staple. Wolverine has been producing footwear since 1883 and their 1000 Mile collection is an assembly of styles originally crafted in the 1930s. All shoes and boots feature a welt construction, vibram heels and Horween leather, time-tested traditions that are the epitome of long lasting. In their latest offering Wolverine has an included a suede wingtip manufactured by Allen Edmonds and other footwear that features a mixture of canvas and leather. A multitude of colors are the assurance that you can find the perfect tone that will compliment the fashion forward or the casual guy.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

WOLVERINE BRAND
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Jared Blake Men’s Stylist
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Wolverine
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/wolverine-brand/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans-journal/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:55:29 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10605

PUBLIC SCHOOL JEANS

Public School is exploring their American heritage and reinterpreting it as something they can stamp as their own. They have crafted their jeans from the storied Cone Mills in North Carolina while using YKK zippers that are molded in Kentucky-constructing the pants in New York City, it is a truly American made product.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 18:45:53 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10596

             Public School is exploring their American heritage and reinterpreting it as something they can stamp as their own. They have crafted their jeans from the storied Cone Mills in North Carolina while using YKK zippers that are molded in Kentucky-constructing the pants in New York City, it is a truly American made product. Making sure they continue thoughtful innovation, Public School has created a pair of white canvas pants with a selvedge outseam, the pants have a multi-colored texture and also come in a candle wax coated version that easily gains patina and contrast. The jeans are available in three leg openings, 13″, 14″ and 16″ and are sure to have an ideal fit-not too tight but slim and clean.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

PUBLIC SCHOOL JEANS
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Public School Jeans
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/public-school-jeans/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international-journal/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:35:02 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10578

BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL

Waxed cotton motorcycle jackets, cut-off sleeve sweatshirts and Oxford shirts-all essentials to the King of Cool, Steve McQueen and Barbour. They’ve been crafting outerwear on the British Isles since 1894, made to combat the elements and keep you comfortably dry.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international/#comments Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:33:33 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10577

             Waxed cotton motorcycle jackets, cut-off sleeve sweatshirts and Oxford shirts-all essentials to the King of Cool, Steve McQueen and Barbour. They’ve been crafting outerwear on the British Isles since 1894, made to combat the elements and keep you comfortably dry. Barbour also offers a full repair service on all of their waxed cotton jackets that make your favorite 20-year-old jacket feel new again. The details, like a sandblasted finish on an International jacket or an American flag on the collar base of a plaid shirt make all the difference.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Barbour
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/barbour-international/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods-journal/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:30:33 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10549

Interwoven Vintage Goods

The owners of Interwoven connected to bring the best of vintage Americana as their passions led them together. Selling clothes that date from 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s, they had amassed a one of a kind archive of American history.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:27:54 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10545

             The owners of Interwoven connected to bring the best of vintage Americana as their passions led them together. Selling clothes that date from 40s, 50s, 60s and 80s, they had amassed a one of a kind archive of American history. It was their collective interest in history as a living, breathing object that engulfed their love for style. Originating with selling old books, stamps and coins, it then turned into a search for deadstock denim, wingtips and workwear. Within their Brooklyn store you can sense the humble flea market roots that their business remains true to.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

INTERWOVEN VINTAGE GOODS
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Interwoven
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/interwoven-vintage-goods/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches-journal/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:46:08 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10541

Daniel Wellington Watches

Combining the timelessness and elegance of British watches with the quirkiness and enduring light-hearted nature of Nato straps, Daniel Wellington is the story of an unknown style pioneer. Simplistic, minimal and carefully edited, these watches are ideal for warm weather as they are easily dressed up or down.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 20:41:54 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10528

             Combining the timelessness and elegance of British watches with the quirkiness and enduring light-hearted nature of Nato straps, Daniel Wellington is the story of an unknown style pioneer. Simplistic, minimal and carefully edited, these watches are ideal for warm weather as they are easily dressed up or down. Perfect for a New England back porch get together, the playfulness embodies the preppy spirit. The interchangeable Nato straps give quick diversity for all of your moods and wardrobe combinations. Japanese quartz movements will give an uninterrupted lifespan to a watch you will be able to pass on.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DANIEL WELLINGTON WATCHES
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Daniel Wellington
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/daniel-wellington-watches/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery-journal/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 16:24:14 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10518

Dickies 1922 Heritage Delivery

Recreating the past to the most time consuming details—Dickies 1922 Collection is inspired by authenticating Depression era workwear and reintroducing it to a modern audience. Using vintage patterns to ensure a replicated production, the shirts feature a perfect fit around the waist to avoid pooling and puddling, and pants that include a full, straight cut with a comfortable fit.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery/#comments Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:45:00 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10500

             Recreating the past to the most time consuming details—Dickies 1922 Collection is inspired by authenticating Depression era workwear and reintroducing it to a modern audience. Using vintage patterns to ensure a replicated production, the shirts feature a perfect fit around the waist to avoid pooling and puddling, and pants that include a full, straight cut with a comfortable fit. The use of Cramerton Army Twill gets its roots from Major Stuart Cramer to provide U.S. servicemen with a quality American product. As a result the entire collection is made in the USA, including a collaboration with The Hillside—two loud-printed but appropriate shirts. Manufactured in a Uvalde, Texas, all items are produced the old fashioned way on shuttle looms and cut from selvedge cloth. You’re guaranteed to get long-lasting use for your weekend projects or rugged, awe-inspiring vacations.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DICKIES 1922 HERITAGE DELIVERY
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Oscar Zabala Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
Dickies 1922
Project New York

LOCATION
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/dickies-1922-heritage-delivery/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/82-mercer-street-postcard/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/82-mercer-street-postcard/#comments Sat, 21 Jul 2012 16:23:31 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10490

82 Mercer Street Postcard

Settling into Soho amidst the sleepy stillness of a Sunday morning, we arrived at 82 Mercer Street for Project New York. Brick walls, hard-worn floorboards and the latest menswear greeted us as we entered the two-story space. Returning amongst a variety of friends, photographers and writers―The Blogger Project―we’ll be covering the show for the next three days.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/82-mercer-street-postcard/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations/#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2012 18:34:52 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10385

             Pocket combs, culinary magazines and natural denim—a few of our favorites around the shop. We collaborated with Christine Mitchell of N’East Style and assembled an illustrated collection of must-have summer essentials. Resonating throughout the pieces is an attention to detail, and the strength of their aesthetics is reinforced through the black and white sketches. The Boston influence of a classic and clean look is translated through Mitchell’s style and colorless camouflage prints reveal their craftsmanship. These portraits capture a well-dressed yet casual New England lifestyle that is ideal for spending afternoons along rocky coastlines and evenings strolling down cobblestone sidewalks. Whether pairing a raglan-sleeved baseball tee with a pair of swim trunks at the beach or a short-sleeved plaid sport shirt with chino shorts during humid August nights—versatility is paramount when selecting your everyday items.

Multicolored Baseball Tee by Farm Tactics Rock Climbing Tote by Farm Tactics Boardshort by Saltbox Super Sport Shirt by Taylor Supply Co. Infantry Short by Taylor Supply Co. Issue 6. Summer 2012 by Port Magazine Pocket Comb by The Motley & Speert Natural Jean by Tellason

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

SUMMER ILLUSTRATIONS
curated by N’East Style for Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Christine Mitchell Illustrator
Writer Matt Welty

FEATURES
N’East Style
The Cuff Shop

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations-journal/#comments Sun, 15 Jul 2012 18:24:57 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10383

Summer Illustrations

Pocket combs, culinary magazines and natural denim—a few of our favorites around the shop. We collaborated with Christine Mitchell of N’East Style and assembled an illustrated collection of must-have summer essentials. Resonating throughout the pieces is an attention to detail, and the strength of their aesthetics is reinforced through the use of black and white.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-illustrations-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/saltbox-swim-shop/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/saltbox-swim-shop/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:55:04 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10268

            To start our summer getaway we’re relying on sweltering days, a balmy breeze and the quintessential above-the-knee swim trunks—perfect for catching the best waves and sleek enough for an afternoon on the boardwalk. As the evening cools down we find it fitting to pair Saltbox shorts with a lightweight hooded-sweatshirt, both in appropriate but bright seasonal hues. Quick-drying and featuring a front coin pocket—Saltbox’s Drift Boardshort is more than just swimwear, it plays as an icon for the in and out of the water beach lifestyle. Featuring raglan sleeves, a pocket near the shoulder and a soft-to-touch 100 percent cotton fabric, the hoodie by Saltbox is strong enough to last more than a few seasons and American as ever in its aesthetic and styling. Whether you are taking fashion cues from black and white Paul Newman photos or trying to live your own Endless Summer, the versatility of quick-drying trunks and a light, quality sweatshirt will surely get you through the summer days and mild nights—having a beer, conversation or evening with someone special around your favorite coastal town.

A selection of Saltbox boardshorts and hoodies are available for purchase in The Cuff Shop.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

SALTBOX SWIM SHOP
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Matt Welty Writer
Ruben Hughes Photographer
Armando Martinez Project Coordinator
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Retoucher Aysia Stieb

FEATURES
Saltbox USA

LOCATION
Englewood Cliffs, NJ

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/saltbox-swim-shop/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/10259/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/10259/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2012 03:23:05 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10259

Saltbox Swim Shop

To start our summer getaway we’re relying on sweltering days, a balmy breeze and the quintessential above-the-knee swim trunks—perfect for catching the best waves and sleek enough for an afternoon on the boardwalk. As the evening cools down we find it fitting to pair Saltbox shorts with a lightweight hooded-sweatshirt, both in appropriate but bright seasonal hues.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/10259/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist-journal/#comments Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:40:08 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10322

Summer 2012 Playlist

Two Inch Cuffs and DJ L.R present a summer playlist comprised of our favorite tracks, but in a second round―for you.

- Listen In

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2012 23:12:45 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10319
SUMMER 2012 PLAYLIST

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ―Henry James

A recommended playlist comprised of our favorite tracks:

“Magic” by Girls
“Days” by The Drums
“I Look To You (ft Kimbra)” by Miami Horror
“You Can” by Body Language
“Fall Right In” by Beach Fossils
“Daydream” by Youth Lagoon
“My Life” by Best Coast
“Take It Easy” by Surfer Bloof
“Share With Me The Sun” by Portugal. The Man
“Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey
“Meantime” by Givers
“Sun Hands” by Local Natives
“Lights Out, Words Gone” by Bombay Bicycle Club
“Something In The Way You Are” by Kimbra
“Get Some” by Lykke Li
“Don’t Move” by Phantogram
“The Wave” by Miike Snow
“Verona” by Geographer
“Baby I’m Yours” by Breakbot, Irfane
“Bright Lit Blue Skies” by Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti
“Younger Than Yesterday” by Real Estate
“Float On” by Modest Mouse
“Ready to Start” by Arcade Fire
“Tonight’s The Kind Of Night” by Noah And The Whale
“Lovely Cup” by Grouplove

Listen to our Summer 2012 Playlist, here.

SUMMER 2012 PLAYLIST
curated by DJ L.R for Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
DJ L.R/ Brittainy Joyner Disc Jockey,
Aysia Stieb Album Photographer

PLAYLIST INQUIRIES
brittainy@twoinchcuffs.com

DISCLAIMER
Two Inch Cuffs doesn’t own rights to any songs listed above.
This playlist is for strict enjoyment.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/summer-2012-playlist/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara-journal/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:12:33 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10213

A trip to Santa Barbara

After arriving in Santa Barbara, California this past weekend, we had just enough time to hit the beach before sunset. Our longtime, native friends grabbed their surfboards while we picked up our cameras and walked barefoot along the coastline discussing our plans for the remainder of our Southern California road trip.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:07:45 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10192

            After arriving in Santa Barbara, California this past weekend, we had just enough time to hit the beach before sunset. Our longtime, native friends grabbed their surfboards while we picked up our cameras and walked barefoot along the coastline discussing our plans for the remainder of our Southern California road trip. The sun began to lower slowly and created a mystical light coming through the clusters of palm trees and peaking over the beach houses. The sky turned to a purple hue creating a pastel color palette across the ocean, and we couldn’t help but to become incredibly inspired by this California sunset. Nights like these are why we plan for many more beach trips on the Pacific, this summer.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

A TRIP TO SANTA BARBARA
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Writer/ Photographer

LOCATION
Butterfly Beach
Santa Barbara, CA

TRAVEL INQUIRIES
concierge@twoinchcuffs.com

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-trip-to-santa-barbara/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up-journal/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:09:19 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10158

Field Study Pop-up

Setting up shop this past weekend in Los Angeles—Field Study, a pop-up event which resembled a next-level camping excursion took place. We traveled down the California coastline and arrived in the City of Angels to be greeted by vintage tents, taxidermied rams and quality-made sportswear.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up/#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2012 02:14:44 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10145

            Setting up shop this past weekend in Los Angeles—Field Study, a pop-up event which resembled a next-level camping excursion took place. We traveled down the California coastline and arrived in the City of Angels to be greeted by vintage tents, taxidermied rams and quality-made sportswear. Lined with futuristic artifacts of American western culture, we were able to converse with and sample new garments from some of our favorite designers. Most notable were the displays and racks made from rock climbing gear. While continuing with the concept of strong, timeless classics there were also the emergence of loud, vibrant patterns and colors to brighten your selection of staples. With the idea of drawing influence for future seasons and connecting with old and new friends in mind, we were able to thumb through denim, lightweight shirts and sturdy rucksacks—essentials for summer fun and exploration.

Kyle Ng, designer and owner of Farm Tactics

A selection of Farm Tactics tees and bags are available for purchase in The Cuff Shop.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

FIELD STUDY POP-UP
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Matt Welty Writer
Photographer Aysia Stieb

FEATURES
Farm Tactics
Rogue Territory
Fjällräven

LOCATION
Field Study
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/field-study-pop-up/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman-journal/#comments Sat, 26 May 2012 18:17:43 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10072

A Conversation with Kaie Wellman

Whether exploring an unknown urban center for the first time, or trying to find a local hidden gem—Rather books are our go-to source. Kaie Wellman, the editor-in-chief of Rather, sat down with us for an in-depth and informative conversation about the inspiration behind her publication.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman/#comments Fri, 25 May 2012 01:50:40 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=10048

            Unearthing the must-see shops, restaurants and travel destinations, Rather is a series of books that focuses on giving out-of-towners the local experience. Each book is centered on diverting readers from tourist traps and revealing the true essence of large and smaller cities. While delivering quality journalism, Rather seeks to tell you about your new favorite coffee shop, eatery or boutique. We took time out to sit down with Kaie Wellman the editor-in-chief/ creative director of Rather and get her perspective on travel tips, authenticity and the importance of print media.

The contents of each city’s borough is broken up into eat and shop categories. Above, Rather Portland An eatery glimpse into The Beagle in New York. Above, Rather New York City The very unique custom collective known as the Woodshop in San Francisco. Above, Rather San Francisco

We catch up with Kaie Wellman, the author behind Rather for a humbling Q and A. Read our full interview below:

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what you do?

KW: I’m an editorial designer and art director by training, a travel publisher by happy accident. I began the series (originally known as the eat.shop guides) back in 2003 as a way for me to talk about my hometown of Portland via pretty pictures, cheeky copy and a filter that was way different than most travel guides. After selling out of a print run of 10,000 copies of eat.shop portland via the old “sell out of the trunk of your car (i.e. no business plan)” approach, I figured I was onto something. Over the course of the next 8 years, the series grew to 25 cities around the world.

How do you choose the places that you write about?

KW: I’m most interested in places that feel like they have a crazy passionate owner behind them, and from the moment you walk in the door of their business you become immersed in their experience. I search for the storytellers and visionaries, whether it be the fourth generation of a family making snow cones in New Orleans or a twenty-something who bypassed law school to craft one-of-kind pieces of jewelry.

Tell us a travel story you will never forget.

KW: Probably my favorite trip of all time was when I spent a month in Sri Lanka and India with my mother. It was one of the first times I had ever been exposed to that type of human experience. We sometimes found ourselves in the midst of a sea of humans and it was both unnerving and exciting. It made the colors seem brighter, the smells more intense and it made me feel like my nicely packaged American way of living was bland and static.

Can you give our readers some advice on how to best explore an unfamiliar city?

KW: Dive in feet first. Find a neighborhood that speaks to you—I’m drawn to the fringe ones that are just beginning to develop—and start walking. There’s nothing better than being on foot, so you can peek around corners and poke about in the interesting spots that call your name. I love nothing more than spending an entire day walking the streets of a town. Though I’m exhausted by the evening, I’ve also earned the multiple meals (3 plus at a minimum and at least one stop for sugary sustenance) I’m sure to have had.

What was your inspiration to start writing about traveling cities?

KW: I had gotten to the point in my career where I didn’t want my creative output being dictated by others. This coincided with a time in Portland where there were exciting things happening in the food and retail scene, but the media was still giving a clichéd portrayal of it as a place to drink beer and wear Birkenstocks with wool socks year round. I saw the city differently. It was through a lens of a native, but also someone who had lived and worked in NYC, Paris and Tokyo. Once I realized my design-oriented filter and way of telling a visual story resonated, I figured—what the hell, let’s find this story in every city.

What do you feel your responsibility is to create quality, thoughtful print content in today’s digital era?

KW: I love print. It’s that simple. I’m trained as a print designer and I will always love the magic of when ink meets paper—it’s such a craft and I hope it doesn’t get lost. Additionally, even though I get a fair chunk of information electronically, the content that stays with me, that really sinks in, is almost always via print.

Rather New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland and Austin are available for purchase in The Cuff Shop’s Bookshelf.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

A CONVERSATION WITH KAIE WELLMAN
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Matt Welty Writer
Justin Grasso Photographer
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Joshua Sparks Product Specialist
Retoucher Danny Well

FEATURES
Rather

STOCKLIST
The Cuff Shop
www.shop.twoinchcuffs.com
concierge@twoinchcuffs.com

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/a-conversation-with-kaie-wellman/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 02:07:22 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9922

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man-journal/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 20:39:14 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9912

Shop Sessions | Portugal. The Man

From coast to coast, psychadelic-rock band Portugal. the Man, has been touring the states playing songs from their latest album “In the Mountain, In the Cloud”. Known not only for their experimental music but also for their Americana style, the band stepped out on a Sunday afternoon in lightweight utility shirts to ankle length trousers and trekked the hills of San Francisco with us.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/shop-sessions-portugal-the-man-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-at-fox-theater/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-at-fox-theater/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 16:21:07 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9882

            After recovering from Coachella, we felt the need to go back to one of our favorite performers of the weekend, St. Vincent, for a full evening of guitar-shredding in heels and hip-hop style drumbeats to accompany the experimental rock. St. Vincent and tUnE-yArDs captured the large audience at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California with their breathtaking musical talent as well as stage performance. We couldn’t help but to dance along with our friends as Oakland-resident, tUnE-yArDs, performed her song “Bizness” with drum loops on repeat and a line of saxophone players behind the front-woman, Merrill Garbus. Garbus’ performance was lively and got us even more excited for Annie Clark of St. Vincent to hit the stage. The stage turned pitch-black and filled with fog from the ground up as a tall figure in black lather shorts and high heels walked into the middle of the stage. Annie Clark automatically began to shred on her guitar beginning with “Cheerleader” and “Marrow” while doing her signature, electric moves across the stage. Clark continued to awe the crowd song after song along with her exceptionally cool band behind her. After seeing St. Vincent at Coachella, we knew what was going to come next as her set came to a close. We made sure to rush our way to the front of the crowd so Clark could crowd-surf above us as she performed her entire new single “Krokodil” while crawling amongst the crowd. The audience grew loud and excited after her hardcore act, leading to an encore. The concert ended and we all met back up outside the beautifully-designed Fox Theater, still in shock and amazement from tonight’s performance. St. Vincent is surely at the top of our list for best live shows; we are still dreaming of her electrifying performance.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

ST. VINCENT & TUNE-YARDS AT FOX THEATER
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Photographer/ Writer Aysia Stieb

FEATURES
St. Vincent
tUnE-yArDs

LOCATION
1807 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA 94612

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-at-fox-theater/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-journal/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 16:19:11 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9877

St. Vincent & tUnE-yArDs at Fox Theater

After recovering from Coachella, we felt the need to go back to one of our favorite performers of the weekend, St. Vincent, for a full evening of guitar-shredding in heels and hip-hop style drumbeats to accompany the experimental rock. St. Vincent and tUnE-yArDs captured the large audience at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California with their breathtaking musical talent as well as stage performance.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/st-vincent-tune-yards-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmedstock/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmedstock/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 03:38:29 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9823

            Last weekend, we packed our bags and took a trip down to Baltimore to participate in a one-day pop-up market known as Confirmed Stock. Stationed in the corner of an abandon church turned venue, our shop space aimed to present a comfortable and modern atmosphere reflective of our Northern Californian inspiration. From lightweight washed shirts to chino pants to rock climbing totes, there were plenty of versatile pieces to fit into one’s existing wardrobe. Based solely online, we appreciated the challenge of pulling together a space that fit into our aesthetic. Two months into our unique menswear collection, think of this as a glance into what possibly could be the basis of a brick-and-mortar shop.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

THE CUFF SHOP AT CONFIRMED STOCK
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Danny Well Photographer
Writer Ruben Hughes

FEATURES
The Cuff Shop
Confirmed Stock

LOCATION
2640 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmedstock/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmed-stock-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmed-stock-journal/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 01:58:37 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9799

The Cuff Shop at Confirmed Stock

Last weekend, we packed our bags and took a trip down to Baltimore to participate in a one-day pop-up market known as Confirmed Stock. Stationed in the corner of an abandon church turned venue, our shop space aimed to present a comfortable and modern atmosphere reflective of our Northern Californian inspiration. From lightweight washed shirts to chino pants to rock climbing totes, there were plenty of versatile pieces to fit into one’s existing wardrobe.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-cuff-shop-at-confirmed-stock-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-journal/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:39:05 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9785

The Jean Story with Ruell & Ray

At Two Inch Cuffs we present our introductory pair of raw denim. The Spence Slim Jean is as authentic and unique as the deep American roots that inspire Ruell & Ray. Handmade in Tennessee, this run of deadstock 15 oz. Japanese selvedge denim will never be repeated. The Spence will become more beautiful with age and promises to last for years of wear.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-ruell-ray-spence-slim/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-ruell-ray-spence-slim/#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:37:29 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9768

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/the-jean-story-ruell-ray-spence-slim/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-spring-summer-2012/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-spring-summer-2012/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:12:54 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9686

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-spring-summer-2012/feed/ 3 http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-catalog/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-catalog/#comments Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:02:54 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9678 CALIFORNIA COASTLINE SS 2012

The time of year when grapevines sprout green and warm ocean currents reach the beaches: spring/summer on the California coast. We couldn’t help but take a trip down the sun-kissed coastline by way of Napa Valley and the Bay Area—exploring the beautiful outdoors along the way. We refined the Americana-inspired prep aesthetic for these more active pursuits, packing our satchels and totes with chambray shirts, slub knit tees, relaxed-fit chinos, transitional accessories and maybe a bottle of wine or two. We invite you to join us on our idyllic post-winter journey. COMMISSION Ruben Hughes Creative Director, Aysia Stieb Photographer, Sam Hine & Matt Welty Writers, Model Kellan Alexander

FEATURES Archival Clothing Farm Tactics Fischer Industry Of All Nations Metsa Ruell & Ray Sebago Sketchbook Teranishi Handcrafted

- See Lookbook

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coastline-catalog/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-this-march/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-this-march/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:12:33 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9633

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-this-march/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-march-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-march-journal/#comments Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:42:55 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9521

In- stock this March

This month marks the opening of our e-commerce storefront, The Cuff Shop and we’ve searched through our stockroom to bring you everyday essentials. From Truman Handcrafted to Archival Clothing, we truly appreciate items that will continue to wear well throughout the years. We invite you to turn the page with us.

- Read through our round-up

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/in-stock-march-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-qsw/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-qsw/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:05:47 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9399

            Inspired by the coastline of Maine, Quiksliver has introduced a women’s contemporary collection that borrows from the boys style with a romantic twist. Using vintage sailing flags from the archives of the waterfront, you will find many of these designs are incorporated into their cardigans and crewnecks. With gentle materials such as silk prints, sable/pocket watch prints, soft cotton and vintage wool these Los Angeles based products bring femininity to each stitch of their collection. Grasping the Americana vibe with such a cohesive assemblage, we truly appreciate an intriguing women’s lineup with a thoughtful background.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY THREE | QSW
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
QSW

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-qsw/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles-journal/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:00:35 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9392

Day Three | Pashley Cycles

From fine leather handles to quality Brooks saddles and the sturdy frame in between, Pashley has stood the test of time by creating British bicycles since 1926. Venturing into bicycle accessories as well as apparel, Pashley’s beautifully constructed British craftsmanship is constantly present in every product.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:13:26 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9369

            From fine leather handles to quality Brooks saddles and the sturdy frame in between, Pashley has stood the test of time by creating British bicycles since 1926. This season is the first time they are offering more than just the basics. Venturing into bicycle accessories as well as apparel, Pashley’s beautifully constructed British craftsmanship is constantly present in every product. Beginning with step-throughs, they now build lifestyle bikes for men, women, children and commuters. We’ve got our eye on the Guv’nor and the Leather Handlebar bag, which would make an enjoyable ride in both the city and country.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY THREE | PASHLEY CYCLES
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
Pashley Cycles

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pashley-cycles/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/postcard-globe-trotter-camo-luggage/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/postcard-globe-trotter-camo-luggage/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:01:27 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9359

POSTCARD | GLOBE-TROTTER CAMO LUGGAGE

When it comes to traveling, we tend to be very particular about the type of luggage that we use. Heritage brand, Globe-Trotter, has adopted a traditional craftsmanship and timeless aesthetic which is often sought after. Introducing, a variety of camo luggage carry-ons, this special collaboration with Nick Wooster puts luxury in travel.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/postcard-globe-trotter-camo-luggage/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes-2/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes-2/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:33:13 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9349

Day Two | Nepenthes Shoes

Spurred out of a love for Americana, Nepenthes has put together an impressive mix of innovative shoes for the menswear market. Taking a look into their Fall/ Winter 2012 collection, you’ll see everything from studded pebble grain wingtips to suede boots that have really peaked our interest.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes-2/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:45:00 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9327

            Spurred out of a love for Americana, Nepenthes has put together an impressive mix of innovative shoes for the menswear market. Taking a look into their Fall/ Winter 2012 collection, you’ll see everything from studded pebble grain wingtips to suede boots that have really peaked our interest. These high-quality shoes bring uniqueness to a simple, everyday outfit with their varying textures and accents. Binding Japanese aesthetics with a proverbial twist, we can’t help wanting to sink our feet into these shoes.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY TWO | NEPENTHES SHOES
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer

FEATURES
Nepenthes

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-nepenthes-shoes/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/9283/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/9283/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:01:44 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9283

Day Two | Rising Sun & Co.

Located in an early 1900′s wooden storefront, Rising Sun & Co. presents their American-made denim and carefully crafted products. With strong influences from 1930′s workwear, they create their products using antiqued period machines, meticulous patterns, and diligent sewing.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/9283/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-rising-sun-co/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-rising-sun-co/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:51:47 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9262

            Located in an early 1900′s wooden storefront, Rising Sun & Co. presents their American-made denim and carefully crafted products. With strong influences from 1930′s workwear, they create their products using antiqued period machines, meticulous patterns, and diligent sewing. We appreciate their desire to resuscitate the quality in American craftsmanship. With denim stacked in wooden crates, large wooden tables and beautiful typographic signs across the walls, we feel as if we are in the center of their hometown workshop. Rising Sun & Co. is based out of Los Angeles, CA, where their designer Mike Hordis conjures elements of the 1900′s with a 21st century mindset, generating clothing perfect for the modern working man.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY TWO | RISING SUN & CO.
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
Rising Sun & Co.

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-two-rising-sun-co/feed/ 2 http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-recap-las-vegas/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-recap-las-vegas/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:37:11 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9258

Postcard | Day One Recap

After an 8 hour flight, check-in at the Luxor Hotel and our first day at Project Las Vegas, we gathered at a festive-like cafe to reflect on the day’s work. It has been a very different experience on the west coast as the time zone pushes us a couple hours back from a perfect mindset and the weather doesn’t completely agree with our travel gear. Never the less, we enjoyed everything from Project Wooster to the Billy Reid station, and all of the conversation we engaged in along the way. Two more days to go and we look forward to covering more brands that embody the same philosophy that we do.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-recap-las-vegas/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid-2/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid-2/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 01:00:46 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9245

Day One | Billy Reid

Stationed in a comfort wood embedded space, Billy Reid has always been known for their traditional clothing but modern day aesthetics. This collection, from Florence, Alabama, displays a sense of place and a true reflection of it’s creator.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid-2/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid/#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:18:15 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9224

            Stationed in a comfort wood embedded space, Billy Reid has always been known for their traditional clothing but modern day aesthetics. This collection, from Florence, Alabama, displays a sense of place and a true reflection of it’s creator. Billy Reid loves to experiment with fabrics such as deer skin, shearing, camel hair and waxed cotton, making their clothing alternative to the typical brand. Deeply in-touch with their Southern roots, they also incorporate Parisian inspiration. Reid strongly highlights his desire to bring back the vanity of American culture which something we strongly believe in.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY ONE | BILLY REID
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
Billy Reid

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-billy-reid/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/woolrich-john-rich-bros-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/woolrich-john-rich-bros-journal/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:44:52 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9216

DAY ONE | WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS.

Displaying a simple lounge featuring a few number of developed outfits, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. captured our wander eye with their full length installment. The welcoming and homelike ambiance combined with their large format portraits hung on the walls, give us inspiration for the colder seasons.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/woolrich-john-rich-bros-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-woolrich-john-rich-bros/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-woolrich-john-rich-bros/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:43:07 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9197

            Displaying a simple lounge featuring a few number of developed outfits, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. captured our wander eye with their full length installment. The welcoming and homelike ambiance combined with their large format portraits hung on the walls, give us inspiration for the colder seasons. Workwear jackets and sartorial pioneering were strong inspirations for their Fall/Winter 2012 collection. Displayed across the showroom, accented by leather-bound couches and greenery, their British-inspired clothing is something we certainly covet. Made in Italy, this collection is the perfect combination of workwear, formality, and ease.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY ONE | WOOLRICH JOHN RICH & BROS.
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
Woolrich John Rich & Bros.

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-woolrich-john-rich-bros/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster-journal/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:04:00 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9182

Day One | Project Wooster

Based on the south end of Project Las Vegas, the large and rustic Project Wooster profiles some of the finest Japanese brands in the market. From United Arrows to Kapital, you’ll find items that truly define a uniqueness in menswear with a twist that is mainly inspired by American culture.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:05:24 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9152

            Based on the south end of Project Las Vegas, the large and rustic Project Wooster profiles some of the finest Japanese brands in the market. From United Arrows to Kapital, you’ll find items that truly define a uniqueness in menswear with a twist that is mainly inspired by American culture. Bonding craftsmanship with quality, each curated collection easily brings out character and personal details that is often disregarded in this day and age. Natural themed with camo accents and massive lighting fixtures, the decor of Project Wooster represents the ground floor of an ideal showroom. Tailored to a fine point with years of experience to go with this insulation, it’s possible that Japan is doing it better than us.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY ONE | PROJECT WOOSTER
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Aysia Stieb Photographer
Project Coordinator Joshua Sparks

FEATURES
Project Wooster

LOCATION
Mandalay Bay
3950 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-one-project-wooster/feed/ 1 http://twoinchcuffs.com/road-trip-playlist/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/road-trip-playlist/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:10:52 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9135
ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST

“Half the fun of the travel is the aesthetic of lostness.” - Ray Bradbury

A recommended playlist comprised of our favorite tracks:

“Paradise Cove I” by Pete Yorn
“Street Song” by Alejandro Escovedo
“We Are Young” by The Shaky Hands
“When Will You Come” by Wavves
“Breaking My Heart Again” by Aqualung
“16th And Valencia” by Devendra Banhart
“Beach Comber” by Real Estate
“California” by In Like Lions
“Don’t Move” by Phantogram
“Foreign Language” by Flight Facilities
“Holidays” by Miami Horror
“Life in San Francisco” by Girls
“Lights Out, Words Gone” by Bombay Bicycle Club
“Never Never” by SBTRKT
“Our Deal” by Best Coast
“Run Right Back” by The Black Keys
“Scale It Back” by DJ Shadow
“West Coast” by Coconut Records

Download our Road Trip Playlist, Here

ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST
curated by DJ L.R for Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
DJ L.R/ Brittainy Joyner Disc Jockey,
Aysia Stieb Album Photographer

PLAYLIST INQUIRIES
brittainy@twoinchcuffs.com

DISCLAIMER
Two Inch Cuffs doesn’t own rights to any songs listed above.
This playlist is for strict enjoyment.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/road-trip-playlist/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/9125/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/9125/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:57:29 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9125

ROAD TRIP PLAYLIST

DJ L.R and Two Inch Cuffs present a spring playlist comprised of many highway bound favorites.

- Listen Here

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/9125/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:45:50 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9090

            As we continue our travels throughout California and the West Coast, we couldn’t help but to stop by one of our favorite shops in San Francisco: Taylor Stitch. Taylor Stitch is an independent shirt-maker, where each shirt is cut, sewn, and completed by hand. Their San Francisco shop, located perfectly in the cultured and creative Mission District, is the only place to get fitted for one of their notable custom shirts. The customer has the ability to select a fabric from their large selection of quality materials, as well as a collar, cuff and front style, to create an ideal dress shirt. The Taylor Stitch shop also carries their very own woven silk scarves to bear the winds of the coast, handmade ties, quality denim and plenty of menswear products from local American designers. We especially love their flannel reproduction of the Mission Reds baseball team cap from the 1930′s line up. Aside from their beautiful custom-fitted shirts, they also have custom-measured shoes with designs ranging from penny loafers to chukka boots, with a variety of leathers and soles to choose from. They have a large American flag strung across the ceiling of the store with inspiration and art posters that cover the walls of their workspace in the back. There’s sliding ladders on each wall and use of wooden furniture and displays, creating a fresh and comfort environment to relax and indulge in. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, Taylor Stitch is the perfect place to accommodate your handmade, quality needs.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

INSIDE 383 VALENCIA STREET
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer/ Writer
Coordinator Ruben Hughes

FEATURES
Taylor Stitch

LOCATION
Flagship
383 Valencia Street
San Francisco, California 94103
+ 1 415 322 8773

LINKS
Full Collection

SALES INQUIRIES
contact@taylorstitch.com

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/fischer-chambray-work-shirt/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/fischer-chambray-work-shirt/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:35:42 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9082 Pairing thoughtful modern aesthetics with reliable traditional fabrics, Fischer clothing is designed to complement the wearer’s existing wardrobe. Designer Kristina Angelozzi focuses on crafting true sportswear—which is versatile, wearable and desirable. Because their collection is produced in limited runs, much of our Fischer items are made expressly for Two Inch Cuffs.

Inspired by archival work shirt designs, the Chambray Work Shirt by Fischer retains authentic detailing such as a two-button collar band, classic fit and features a 100% cotton multi-color slub chambray fabric. Perfect for layering, whether to dress down a navy blue blazer or add warmth beneath a lambswool cardigan. Fischer puts forth a work shirt that features white contrast stitching, double front pockets and panache hints of red within the slub chambray fabric. This is a shirt built to last from strong, durable Japanese fabric and tailored in New York City exclusively for Two Inch Cuffs.

Writer Matt Welty
James Nord Photographer

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/fischer-chambray-work-shirt/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street-journal/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:33:19 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9079

INSIDE 383 VALENCIA STREET

As we continue our travels throughout California and the West Coast, we couldn’t help but to stop by one of our favorite shops in San Francisco: Taylor Stitch. Taylor Stitch is an independent shirt-maker, where each shirt is cut, sewn, and completed by hand. Their San Francisco shop, located perfectly in the cultured and creative Mission District, is the only place to get fitted for one of their notable custom shirts.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/inside-383-valencia-street-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/northern-california-coast/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/northern-california-coast/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:14:01 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9031

            It’s a strange thing about California, but the beaches always seem more beautiful in the colder months. We found ourselves traveling along Northern California, from San Francisco beaches to hills west of Napa County and everywhere in between to discover breathtaking views of the sunset. Along the way we explored abandoned lighthouses, pulled over to snap some photographs of the valleys and found rock climbers with the best seats in the house. Chasing the sun along the windy roads is an event in itself. As Spring approaches, we wanted to make sure to document these last mysterious Winter sunsets.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Aysia Stieb Photographer

LOCATIONS
Ocean Beach
Salmon Creek
Goat Rock Beach
Highway 1
Russian River

TRAVEL INQUIRIES
concierge@twoinchcuffs.com

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/northern-california-coast/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coast-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coast-journal/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:02:53 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9026

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

It’s a strange thing about California, but the beaches always seem more beautiful in the colder months. We found ourselves traveling along Northern California, from San Francisco beaches to hills west of Napa County and everywhere in between to discover breathtaking views of the sunset.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/california-coast-journal/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-day-three/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-day-three/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:16:39 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=9011

POSTCARD | PROJECT DAY THREE

After fourteen posts and fully memorizing the floor map, our time at Project New York has ended. It has been an exceptional three days covering the floorboards from the table of the Blogger Project. We’ve met a great network of people who’ve made this experience even greater and look forward to our next encounter with 82 Mercer Street. Find us at Project Las Vegas from February 13th – 15th as we’ll continue covering the shows.

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/project-day-three/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pendleton-woolen-mills/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pendleton-woolen-mills/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:46:59 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=8971

            For over 100 years, Pendleton Woolen Mills has been manufacturing woolen goods from their own mill in Pendleton, Oregon. Using artisanal concepts and vertical integration, Pendleton produces a lot of Jacquard fabrics that allows for the creation of their garment patterns. From blankets to fully lined outerwear to leather/ canvas bags, there’s plenty of products to mix into your wardrobe. Truly embracing the Americana tradition of quality goods, the company owns and operates seven facilities that encompass aspects of its operation in the US. In addition to their capsule, the Portland Collection is one of our favorites this year because of its domestic production and clean finish.

Note: All photographs in this feature may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the proper citation of Two Inch Cuffs.

DAY THREE | PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS
curated by Two Inch Cuffs

COMMISSION
Ruben Hughes Creative Director
Andre Wagner Photographer
Armando Martinez & Joshua Sparks Writers

FEATURES
Pendleton Woolen Mills

LOCATION
Project New York
82 Mercer Street
New York, NY 10012

SALES INQUIRIES
concierge@twoinchcuffs.com

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/day-three-pendleton-woolen-mills/feed/ 0 http://twoinchcuffs.com/pendleton-journal/ http://twoinchcuffs.com/pendleton-journal/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:28:06 +0000 admin http://twoinchcuffs.com/?p=8942

DAY THREE | PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS

For over 100 years, Pendleton Woolen Mills has been manufacturing woolen goods from their own mill in Pendleton, Oregon. From blankets to fully lined outerwear to leather/ canvas bags, we stopped by their station to get a closer look at their collection.

- Read More

]]> http://twoinchcuffs.com/pendleton-journal/feed/ 0