DOWN SOUTH IN HELL : GRANT TAYLOR, NIKE SB.


No secret that we here at the Fort think this dude is Elite class ripper. Nike SB has finally given the guy a shoe with his name on it, a take on their classic low Blazer. Now, if buying a pair somehow enables these old bones to shred anything like what’s caught in the above video, I’m old. I mean, sold.

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ALL STAR TEAM : MIKE MANDEL’S BASEBALL PHOTOGRAPHER TRADING CARDS.


In 1974, photographer and San Francisco Art Institute student Mike Mandel enlisted many close friends and colleagues to satire the then recent cult of celebrity and validation of photography as its own bonafide art form which had been bestowed upon them by the powers that be in the art world. A great essay, written by Aaron Schuman, appeared in Aperture Magazine #2OO in the Fall of 2O1O and is posted below in its entirety. Read on after the jump.

 

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THE BOARD, F/W’14.






Your pictorial guide to a proper, stylish, adventurous and perhaps even slightly dangerous Winter season.
 

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AGENDA : #PUFNYC, 2014.


Having put in some time at a few of these, it’s undoubtedly a great time and a great event repleat with and put on by great people which has, in just a few short years, grown in size, scope and geography. This weekend, they’re back in the city where it all began.
If you’re in the area, stop in, #shopsmall and get handsome.

Pop Up Flea
125 West 18th Street (nr. 6th Ave)
New York City

Friday, Dec 12th: 3pm to 8pm
Saturday, Dec 13th: 11am to 7pm
Sunday, Dec 14th: 12pm to 6pm

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MOVING PICTURES : ENGINEERED GARMENTS “TRAVEL & SAFARI”.


Which have you dissected more intensely? The above “Travel & Safari” video for SFs fave Engineered Garments SS15 collection or the minute and a half J.J. Abrams “Episode VII” trailer?
Us too.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING from SECRET FORTS.

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HIT MAKER : OAK STREET TRAPPER BOOT.


Oak Street Bootmakers, a long time friend of SFs and written about quite often around these parts, just keeps cranking out some damn good looking, US bench made footwear. One of their recent releases, along with the extremely handsome Color 8 Dainite Sole Trench Boot, is another handsome make up, their new chukka style Trapper Boot in khaki suede. The run down…
Khaki Horween Calico waterproof suede. Hand-stitched moccasin construction. Vibram 2060 sole. Form-fitting inner. Waxed stitching. Rawhide laces. Handcrafted in the USA. $352. #Booyah.
According to George, “The Horween Calico leather that was selected for this boot is a waterproof suede - developed for year-round durability. The Trapper Boot is the first time Oak Street Bootmakers has made use of the Vibram 2060 sole. Originally developed for sportsmen, it provides a unique silhouette and is incredibly lightweight - allowing for all day comfort. As with all Oak Street Bootmakers footwear, the Trapper Boot is crafted by hand, one pair at a time - on a bench, in Maine, the old fashioned way.”

‘Nuff said…Click over to Oak Street to have a look.

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TECHNICALLY SPEAKING : APOLIS FW14 TRANSIT ISSUE OUTERWEAR.


A long time friend to and longer term fan of the fellas over at the social responsibility minded Apolis Global, our relationship grew out of early posts on the first Secret Fort on early collections of theirs. One thing that initially got my attention and always stood out for me then (and has continued to ever since) is their outerwear. Being responsible for what now can assuredly be considered a “modern classic”, the indigo wool chore coat, Raan, Shea and co. have once again raised the bar with their recently released Transit Issue technical jackets designed and constructed to take just about anything you can throw at em.




 

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OUT/ABOUT/HERE/THERE/THEN/NOW






It’s been a big year with a very long absence from duties here and so, as a result, a monster of a post here. I’ve added “THEN/NOW” to the title of this particular one as it feels like more of a significant timeline than any previous OUT/ABOUTs as it spans nearly 3/4s of 2014. The gutting and renovating of our Secret Fort on a quiet hill here in Nashville has been the most difficult and rewarding of projects I’ve undertaken. But with that mostly behind us, the intention is to get back to the rebuilding of this, the original Secret Fort, with an eventual re-design and a re-dedication to the creation of its content. That said, stay with me here, check out SFs companion site As Is Shop where you’ll find gently used items from SFs archived past Head to Toes along with other good things and the once in a while special project. Like I said, it’s been a big year and I hope for things to only get bigger and better. And thanks for still coming around these parts to find the fort.
 

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS : As Is Shop


As Is Shop is an online project offering up for sale items from the SFs Head to Toe archives as well as some other cool things and the occasional special project here and there. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Over the coming weeks and months, wrinkles will be ironed out as items rotate through. So please bear with me.
The initial group of 25 items are up now with more to come.
Shipping (UPS ground) within the US right now. Head over now to have a look. Hope you find something you like.
As Is Shop link at right ——————————————————————->

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