Looks like the weather in Los Angeles is heating up just like it is here in Portland! Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame was spotted out and about staying cool in the gorgeous Mariana skirt from Kymerah–available at our NW 23rd location and online! A perfect skirt for the crazy hot weather we’re having–light, floaty fabric and fabulous side cutouts!

We love it when we come across gems like this–this short CBS documentary offers a quick history of the world’s most popular fabric: denim. The video shows us Michael Allen Harris’ incredibly rare denim finds from old mines, the minds behind one of our treasured denim brands, Imogene & Willie, and Roy Slaper, who brings back the authentic way of making quality denim every day in his own shop. We really enjoyed this–we hope you do too!

“I like American work clothes because they are anonymous. There is no particular image or style that has been created around workwear in fashion history – not from a movie or anything…that means you can wear them the way you like, with your own style.”

                              - Takeshi Ohfuchi, from an interview with Inventory Magazine

 Beyond the chandelier-lit 1967 Black Bomber motorcycle suspended in Reveille’s shop window is a glimpse into the time capsule of both vintage and new American workwear. From Mister Freedom out of Los Angeles to England’s Heritage Research line, the rugged, classic look of the 1920s and 30s workwear era has found a prominent place here at the shop.

Reveille’s newest acquisition for its collection of mens lines is Post O’Alls (or Post Overalls,) the ever exclusive vintage reproduction workwear line created by the great Japanese-American designer, Takeshi Ohfuchi. As we pulled each garment from its box, the incredible detail and clarity of the fabrics got us talking about the importance of Ohfuchi’s achievement in reviving the craftsmanship of workwear clothing. Reveille Buyer Jarom Newbill, reserves a special place in his workwear wardrobe for Ohfuchi’s designs. “The line represents more than just a certain look,” explains Newbill, “the quality and attention to detail are second to none. The construction of each garment is complex if you really look at what the sewers have done with the stitching and seams, but the overall look is simple and durable just like workwear clothes were back in the golden age of the 20s and 30s.”

Jarom NewBill wears a 100% Cotton Post O'Alls Vest in Charcoal

Newbill was 17 years old when he began collecting and wearing vintage garments while Takeshi Ohfuchi was 22 when he traveled from Japan to New York City. It was there Ohfuchi took up a serious interest in vintage clothing—“I found out that many of the great works from famous designers had certain origins in vintage.” When he discovered clothing from the 1930s and earlier, Ohfuchi realized that the clothing from this period was “very different from the stuff made after World War II. They were truly unique designs with a great balance of workmanship, combined with then new sewing machines. There were so many great ideas and fabrications, I was discovering it all for the first time, it was new to me.”

Though Newbill and Ohfuchi come from different places and backgrounds, their mutual discovery of vintage clothing at an early age connects them to what’s happening now in the ongoing revival of American workwear. Many of our customers come in to take part in the same conversation that Ohfuchi’s Post Overalls helps to create, and Reveille strives to uphold. Whether we’re looking at a pair of 1930s striped buckle back work trousers or one of Ohfuchi’s Post O’Alls reproductions, we can all share the sense of appreciation and nostalgia that comes with discovering the history and stories belonging to the golden age of American workwear.

Jarom Newbill wears a classic Post O'Alls Denim Jacket

Click here for more Post O’Alls designs, and here to find out more about Takeshi Ohfuchi and Post O’Alls in Inventory Magazine.

Here at Reveille, we look forward to spending a good part of the day gazing into the endlessly wide lens of the fashion world. We love talking about what we see with you, dear customer, but what about on those rainy weekdays when 23^rd Ave is light on shoppers and the store is in tip-top shape? Sometimes we talk about rock and roll, sometimes Marlon Brando. And when we’re not staring in awe at the shop’s newly acquired, exquisite taxidermy bison head looming over the front counter, we are talking and thinking and obsessing about fashion.

We also love us a good fashion blog. Everyone on the team has a favorite, and when we discover one belonging to the realm of Royal Blogdom, we like to sit down and take a minute to write about it. This week we were fortunate to come across The Tragic Sense, a Toronto-based fashion blog composed by stylist and photographer Jessica Celebre. Ultra feminine, poised, and thoughtful best describe Celebre’s approach to The Tragic Sense, born the summer of 2011.

At first glance, I was content just to soak up Celebre’s gift for photography—with snapshots ranging from white-washed rooms to haunted woods to peter pan collars and chocolate banana tarts—I thought I’d never tear my eyes away. Of course, the real viewing pleasure is sourced from the stylist herself. Celebre is the Muse of her own new and vintage wardrobe, and followers should be able to spend ample time appreciating her refined aesthetic and genius slant on dressing herself in an array of absolutely charming attire. If Celebre’s drop-dead-gorgeous looks and impeccable sense of style aren’t enough, fans may enjoy reading her gracious tutorials on the art of thrifting, or follow along with the rich narrative that accompanies each photo series she posts.

At nineteen years old, Celebre is already a powerhouse of artistic vision, eloquent words, and damn good taste. So feast your eyes on The Tragic Sense, and don’t be too surprised if, the next day, you find yourself reading a Dickens novel in the woods while eating pastries from a Victorian plate and reveling at how soft the lace edge of your peter pan collar feels against your neck.

Click here for more.

Amelie Dress

To be adored: and that is exactly what every girl wants out of a lovely
clothing line. You must stop in Reveille to check out our fabulous new British
line TBA we just received recently in the store. It is exactly what the name stands
for, incredibly adoring and sweet. Who doesn’t love to adorn herself with sweet
frocks, lace embroidered camisoles, and feminine dresses? My favorite shirt is the
beautiful tan 1920’s inspired lace collar blouse we have in the store. I would feel
like I stepped right out of a fairy tale in simple and elegant clothing.

Bethan Blouse

UK designer Binbin McNiven designs TBA. McNiven had been working as a
freelance designer prior to forming TBA, and realized that she wanted to design
feminine clothes that she would wear. She soon branched out from freelance
designer, and decided to create her own line that she would actually want to wear.
She really wanted to create simple clothes that make people feel special, and clothes
that people will adore. That is exactly what she has done with each individual piece.
She captures a time where femininity and intricate handiwork in clothing was
common but now has been forgotten in modern day clothing for women.

Penelope Dress

McNiven early 2009 first started TBA label, and in this short time the brand
has developed a following by women everywhere. TBA is well known for its 1920s
vintage inspired tea dresses. Each dress is can come in lovely shades of neutrals
and pastels, which are great for any season with layering in winter and cute sandals
in summer. She also makes some particularly delightful trousers and jackets too.
She truly understands and embraces the female form, and you can see this in the
way she designs her clothing. She draws inspiration from the vintage 20s inspired
femininity in a way that allows for her designs to be ladylike but in an unobtrusive,
timeless way.

Belle Dress

TBA really does embrace and live up to its name, as every one part of
each collection is really To Be Adored.

Debby Dress

Dream of the 1890′s

http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-dream-of-the-1890sDream of the 1890′s

Dream of the 1890′s

http://www.ifc.com/portlandia/videos/portlandia-dream-of-the-1890sDream of the 1890′s

We had a good Christmas and New Years ourselves and to top it off, we found some pretty awesome treasures this month we’d like to share with ya’ll in the next couple posts…

This jacket is truly a rare find, and we are very excited to have it in the store at Reveille! This vintage 1950′s Langlitz Leathers motorcycle racing jackets from the Original “Green Label”. This is a great collectors item for any wardrobe. Ross Langlitz is a native Portlander who has been making truly beautiful and wearable leathers since 1947. He started his business of leather constructing out of his basement in southeast Portland. Ever since then, Langlitz wanted to focus onconstructing his jackets to have a very rare custom road racing sleek style.

This jacket is a one-of-a-kind genuine leather jacket with zippers on the sleeve and strong good working brass Talon zippers on the wrist of the jacket. Langlitz really wanted to focus on making high quality jackets that real motorcyclists could wear and be protected in while on the road. Talk about immaculate attention to detail and construction. Even the leather on this jacket is in great condition, with just some creasing from being stored on a hanger.

Kate Middleton in Alice by Temperley's Armonia Blouse

See?

Alice by Temperley is in and we couldn’t be more thrilled. We’ve got a number of stunners, including the Armonia Blouse seen on Kate. (That’s right: you, yes YOU can get your hands on the very same shirt as Kate, right here in Portland. You’re welcome.)

As nice as the Princess looks in the clothes, the Alice by Temperley brand has more going for it than her royal nod of approval. Alice by Temperley is the sister brand of Temperley London, both of which are owned and operated by (you guessed who) Alice Temperley and her husband Lars von Bennigsen. Since Temperley made her grand entrance into the London fashion scene in 2000, she’s been hailed as one of the best young designers around. Her focus on beautiful fabrics and hand embellished garments has attracted the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, Halle Berry, Demi Moore…you get the idea. Fortunately for the less financially gifted among us, Alice by Temperley is the designer’s more affordable brand, more suited for say, lunch at Clyde Common than a strut down the red carpet.

Here are some of our favorite pieces:

The Esmeralda Tunic

The Esmeralda Dress

The Esmeralda Shirt

The Libre Leather Jacket

The Armonia Dress

We’re also digging Sugar Cane’s Applejack cap. With a white-flecked herringbone pattern, it’s classic six-paneled design makes for warm and timeless cold-weather headgear.

Of course we can’t do a proper Sugar Cane post without waxing poetic about their denim. Right now we’ve got an 11.75 oz. selvage jacket. We’re all about the thoughtful construction of this garment, from the quality of the rivets and buttons to the lined pocket flaps, as well as the trim cut, great texture and color and utilitarian-style breast pocket.