For The Sake of The Song

What's one more?

While speaking with Michael B. Dougherty during our last episode of the As-Is Podcast, we discussed a subject I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since;
The nostalgia-spurred quota based linesheet. The driving force behind most major brand-brands we know and love.

Don’t get me wrong - nostalgia has it’s place in design, but has it lulled makers into only placing the safest bet per SKU? It begs the question: How many takes on the chore coat do we need? To me, referencing an item without breathing new life into it either conceptually or functionally hardly warrants a reproduction of the original. That’s not to say its wrong to make a pair of pants for the sake of making a pair of pants, but what fun is that?

Over the years I’ve spent a great deal of time training my eye to discern between good and special - with the amount of cars (brands) on the road (feed) today, willingness to take a chance on an idea is what separates the two for me. In attempts to do my part in minimizing mindless algorithmic driven consumption, I repeat the mantra “A dependable SKU for the sake of ROI, or truly interesting?”

I understand CMO grade analytical processes behind production are a necessary evil. Sometimes not evil at all - but going forward I encourage you keep an eye out for those (brands and artists) producing an item YOU would consider truly special - below are a handful of mine.

Benjamin Edgar’s BRILLIANT take on the Levis 501 - the stunning “500.” Denim imagined in the context of both industrial design and the "forever" nature of a favorite pair of jeans. It doesn’t get any better than this. $360.00 USD

Tyrrell Winston’s Deflated Basketball Incense Holder. Made from a Color dyed clay based compound. A truly special take on an everyday home essential. $165.00 USD

Acre Shop & Carter Young - Western Business Shirt. The name, the contrasting fabric and silhouette, the geographic pairing of companies (Utah, New York) - this one checks all the boxes. A relaxed fit shirt, made with a loose weave cotton and a Turkish cloth on the inside of the shirt. $315.00 USD

Danny D’s Mud Shop - Everything Under The Sun Is Blue Vase. Expertly crafted from cream-colored porcelain clay. $650.00 USD

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Be sure to give our podcast a listen - thanks for reading!
Matthew / Cowgirl ETC