Have a sweet weekend friends . . . hope you get a chance to chill!
Not sure if we will, but we will definitely try to make time to let loose and rest our brains for a brief moment.
Remember if you are in Hamilton, Ontario, to visit the SUPERCRAWL POP UP SHOP in Jackson Square where we are selling some of our original pieces made from vintage materials for the very first time! And on top of that, we are amongst 7 of the city’s best brands and designers.
Its been very exciting thus far, and we are set up until the 25th , so please, if you can … .CHECK IT OUT!
We’ve had his lady, Ms. Neile Adams, featured on our site as an outstandingly stylish individual of our recent past, and have more and more inspired by her other half – the eternally suave and sophisticated, Mr. Steve McQueen.
Riot boy, rider boy, and adventure man to the core – Steve McQueen is the epitome of style for all you brothers who love classic menswear styles, but with a cool twist.
Check out some of the images we pulled to muse over and inspire!
“I remember seeing him across the swimming pool and my knees were knocking. He radiated such macho energy. Men wanted to be like him. Uptight society ladies and biker molls wanted to be with him.”
-Ali McGraw
“He was a fascinating, crazy, irascible, roguish, likable, dislikable guy. Yes, he was all those things.”
-David Foster
“I did grow up next door to Steve McQueen, who was a very famous movie star at the time, but as a kid it didn’t impress me. We always had great fun with him. He would take us out on Sundays on his motorcycles, riding around in the desert; he was like a second father.”
-Herb Ritts
For more info on Steve McQueen, the man, the myth, the legend –
There once was a mysterious band of knights who roamed and raved their days and nights along the banks of the cool dark waters. Young and wild, they howled at the moon like the wolves, and on the clear days when the sun seemed to sparkle like diamonds on their faces, they stood sullen like statues of antiquity before cawing and cooing outrageously to their peers.
They sat watching the crowd waves roar; the boardwalk full of walking visitors, strange and new from far away places, that would all turn away in disdain from the boys of summer, sensing somehow their mighty position above it all . . .
They weren’t there for the sights and sounds, instead vying for an order of things far from the distressing quarrels of everyday society.
Simple positions shared amongst them all. One assigned to watch, another to distribute, another to discover, and the rest to play by the rules. No one over stepped a turn at the bottle, for each one knew that their last could be any day. Neville, one of the leaders, would say, ‘Never shy from your true colours’ and these they would display with unbroken pride.
Your honour was earned by the friendships you garnered and gathered.
Some say they had magic on their sides; magic powers taken from the ages, used to ensure their place along the sand dunes. Others say they made friends easily, but were actually ghosts playing games on the common folk.
Only one place in the world for them. A sacred fellowship that haunts us all to this day . . .
I like to imagine seeing them there every time I go back to the seaside. Guarding their little corner of the Earth, and protecting the small sliver of paradise they managed to claim as their own.
Sometimes I can hear them sing their favourite tune; a memory that wavers from faded dream to brilliant exuberance.
It was a familiar one made their own by one of their musically gifted initiates –
The Knights of the Sandcastle need your help reviving their unique spirit that has been suppressed by the ages.
With their help, you too can be free. We have lots of wicked vintage apparel in the {SHOP} today so make sure you take a look, and invite a friend while you’re at it!
Our {SHOP} on ETSY is stocked full of goodies, so take a peak before they’re gone. . .
“They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world. It won’t last forever, either. But the memories will.”
-Dennis Wilson
+++
This spring and summer we are all about Dennis Wilson, the infamous bad boy and drummer of The Beach Boys. The band brought the beach lifestyle to the forefront of popular culture in the 1960s , creating a romantic notion that still resides in the populous today. But without Dennis, the iconic boy band would have been lost.
It’s hard to think of that era without the The Beach Boys and their iconic sound, a mix of harmony, rhythm, soul, and blues all dedicated to Southern California youth culture of surfing, cars, and girls.
Hits such as Surfin USA, California Girls, and Good Vibrations, encapsulated the image we still associate with the notion of surf and beach living to this day.
Their music certainly came to define the dreams and musings of many who longed for the coasts and beaches of California, and the utopian recluse this magical land of surf and sun could provide (Don’t tell me it’s just us!)
Though his eldest brother Brian Wilson is accredited with much of the band’s creative and technical genius, it was the rebel bad boy drummer Dennis who lived and breathed the California that inspired the band in the first place.
+ + + +
“I don’t do much surfin’, no I don’t. Actually, I don’t even know how to surf, but one guy in the group is a real good surfer, he’s a lot better than any of us, actually, all of us put together. His name is Dennis Wilson, of course, he’s our drummer, and he’s actually the inspiration behind this whole sort of surfing image for the Beach Boys. He encouraged me to write a surfing song a couple, 2, 3 years ago which started the whole thing moving.”
Brian Wilson, St. Louis 1964
Perhaps you noticed, but Dennis certainly had a different presence and a certain swag, as they say, compared to the rest of the band. Even his eldest brother Brian, who created most of the music during The Beach Boys’ hit making days, knew that Dennis and his SoCal rebel lifestyle was the clue to the puzzle of making a name for themselves.
Dennis always seems a mystery, a part of his embodiment of the surfing rock n’ roll image, you could say. Definitely an archetype of rebellion, desire, and thirst for danger. Behind his eyes there are stories and thoughts completely untold.
There are not many rock stars today who truly live the fantasies they suggest in their music. Dennis was not only a surfer, but also a pro drag racer, sailor, movie star, and notorious womanizer. These are the stories and tales written into almost every hit breaking, chart smashing song produced by the band.
+ + + +
+
++”I wrest the waters, fight Neptune’s waters, sail through the sorrows of life’s marauders. Unrelenting, often empty, sail on, sail on, sailor.”++
-Sail on Sailors by The Beach Boys from “Holland”
+
+ + + +
+ + +
As much a piece of the puzzle to The Beach Boys’ success, Dennis never seemed to be able to stay far from trouble. As early back as childhood, Dennis was known for getting in fights, and failing classes. He married four times, and had developed a heavy habit for drugs and alcohol.
Most can definitely agree he had some demons.
Free-spirited Dennis would hit the ultimate heights of his notoriety when it was found out that he had housed Charles Manson and his cult for a time. Viewing the group as just a bunch of cosmically inclined free loving spirits with a itching for music, Dennis welcomed the “family” into his home, and housed them for several months.
+ + +
During this time Charles Manson and his groupies were hoping to become the next great music act with the help of Dennis. Dennis would indeed get some of their songs out there, but reworked for The Beach Boys, and in 1968 they would release the single “Never Learn Not To Love” written by Dennis, a reworking of a Charles Manson original.
Morbid, considering the message, and later the acts committed by the Manson Family in the Hollywood Hills…This attachment to the Manson family would always stain Dennis’ reputation, and only further instill his bad boy image in the public mind.
+ + +
His 1977 solo debut album “Pacific Ocean Blue” was a huge critical hit for the artist, which allowed him to demonstrate his very own unique and progressive point-of-view. Many fans and critics agree it is Dennis’ fearlessness, drama, and deep soul that almost eclipse The Beach Boys altogether.
These are the traits we admire in the man. The adventurer in all aspects. His music. His life. His soul. And the whole time, he wasn’t even trying. He just simply was the most pure form of himself at all times. He just was.
+ + +
+ + +
His style is almost the same. It is not pent up in being cool, it just is…sounds silly, but most of the time Dennis Wilson was just chucking clothes on. His wardrobe is simple, always comfortable, and fitted just right. Classic, but he shakes it up with his rough and messy sort of way about him.
Wilson’s body was found curled up in a fetal position at the corner of the dock that once harbored his yacht, Harmony – one of his greatest joys, as well as the scene for many dramas in his life. He had spent the afternoon drinking and diving into the waters finding objects he had thrown over his boat and into the water.
At 39, Dennis Wilson was already a legend in every right. He had inspired his band to create an entire persona around him, and with that they became America’s most famous and beloved band in history.
His devilish grin, and candid charm kept him a favorite of the group, and with a wicked ability to adapt and change, Dennis kept the band going during the band’s hardest times. Sadly, no one would be able to help carry him through his own.
Dennis Wilson was given a burial to sea, his favorite place on Earth, and an honor reserved only to members of the military. The perfect resting place for a restless, wandering, and beautiful soul.
+
We love you Pacific Ocean blue
Yeah we love you Pacific Ocean Blue
Oh we love you Pacific Ocean Blue
Oh I we love you Pacific Ocean Blue
It’s no wonder the Pacific Ocean is blue
-Dennis Wilson, “Pacific Ocean Blue”.
+
Experience it all yourself.
All it takes is a little guts and glory…bold, bad, and beautiful.
Here are some of the items at that can help inspire the look!
“The time has come”, the style man said, “To talk of many things . . . “
We’ll stop with the strange allusions, but we did want to talk of many things today.
Of style, of class, of tradition, and function. Of beauty and elegance, of aesthetic, also.
But most importantly, we speak to that uncompromising soul quivering deep within that refuses to
accept anything foreign of divination. . . Meaning, you want to look good.
We all do, and that’s some strong power if you can harness it wisely.
Now that the worst of winter (fingers crossed) seems to have passed
we’ve taken to leaving our heavy winter coats behind these last few days, and instead vying for a
classic approach to beating the cold: a good ole’ Winter Sweater.
Great for all that “Sweater Weather” out there; whether it be acrylic, wool, cashmere, or angora.
Worn by fishermen, farmers, workmen, heroes, athletes, gods, teens, and idols.
They are aran, cable-knit, patterned, and geometric;
Textured, solid, V-neck, or button-up.
There are so many different ways to wear them. Don’t forget they are an important part of the repertoire for any well-dressed gentleman of distinct tastes.
We explored +Sweater Girls+ in the past, so now we shine an eye to the men of the past who have made the sweater great; showing how the perfect sweater can truly transform.
Integrate these thoughts and inspirations into your daily ritual, and become part of the legendary timeline.
If you play your cards right, you might just live forever.
Or at least, like you did once.
+
When I stated in fashion, I had already adopted the sailor-striped sweater as my uniform; that way, I wouldn’t have to drive myself crazy trying to figure out what to wear.
– Jean Paul Gaultier
We have plenty of our own vintage mens sweaters and knits in the {SHOP} to help get that classic appeal!
Whether today, sixty years ago, or seventy-five from now, we will always have the need to look good, and put ourselves together in a way that says ‘this is me’. It’s our suit; our armor that lets the world know we mean business.
No matter the day for us, we always like to set the mood for the day with a healthy dose of style, and with the release of Rihanna‘s “Styled to Rock” (finally; the UK version was the SHIT) in the US, we couldn’t help but feel the need to do what we do best: look back to the {past} for clues to the {present} to help us foresee and shape the {future}.
Rihanna always gets it done, and with the epitome of laid-back rock n’ roll sophisticated bad ass cool, Erin Wasson, hosting the gig, it’s a wicked hour of fashion meets music, and the basis for this wicked {Photoblast} of vintage style inspiration that explores some of our predecessors who knew how good life can be when you are Styled to Rock!
It always seemed to possess a mysterious energy, and was for so long, a most precious piece of our collection. Excited to have found a home for this exquisite find, we would never have expected to learn what would soon be revealed and unraveled.
Upon undergoing some alterations to properly suit its new owner, some peculiar mysteries emerged. Embedded within the collar stays was a very old social security card for “Charles Beckweth, Born 1929” that was halved and in a fragile state.
Looking into a bit more about the mystery man uncovered an important man in history. . .
Charles Beckwith, or “Chargin’ Charlie’”was a Korea & Vietnam Vet and Colonel with the United States Army and is accredited with creating “DELTA FORCE”.
Footballer and frat boy, this Delta (of the Sigma Chi Fraternity of The University of Georgia) rose the ranks of the United States military system, and was also able to have some fun in-between, by the looks of this incredible shirt.
But why was his social security card cut in half and used as collar stays? Was getting dressed to impress a smart way to go undercover? Dapper “Dean” makes a statement to not make a statement. If you’re found dead, then they have something to properly identify you by when looking in the collar? This is the secret of the Nat Nast shirt.
That “vibrant green bowling shirt” was already unforgettable, but this truly shows how remarkable the history behind vintage pieces can be. It’s a powerful force really, and the mystery of it all is undoubtedly part of the fun.
We might never know the full truth of the Nat Nast shirt and its secret history, but we will enjoy knowing that this shirt truly was something special.
{ “MUSCLES” Magazine – 1940s/50s (?) – Dick Dubois }
This is some exquisite work on all fronts. Check out the beautiful art direction here. It’s pretty much the epitome of the “lost in paradise” feeling we’re always yearning for here at The Eye of Faith. The colors are magnificent and romantic and beautifully thought through.
Then there’s Mr. Dubois. Dick Dubois. Looking mighty awesome even to today’s standards. In fact I feel like I know guys that would rock those denim shorts, and have that awesome curly, sweeping hair-do – but I’m not sure if any of them have the true body of a Greek God. You have to give it up for these heroes of our modern world. They leave people for us guys to look up to. Is here anything wrong with that?
Best part is people think that this kind of buff man persona is something new invented as of late by surf culture and materialism in the 80s, but it’s completely not the case. Men have always been obsessed with the male form and the male figure, and it has always dominated our world.
That’s why I can equate him to a Greek God, because that’s essentially what their statues were – just depictions of perfection that had been achieved by mortals. Mostly athletes and wrestlers, maybe warriors- just like these men; Probably athletes (possibly aspiring actors) and young disbanded war vets (the odd criminal, too).
We all deserves our idols. Worship them for strength.
Such a cool cover. They really don’t make ’em like they used to.
Too fucking cool.
+
So we have been going through a rough time here at The Eye of Faith, and there have been some sad events that have occurred that have prevented us from providing to our global audience as much as we should or like to. But I hope that we can still keep providing you all with our inspired content and continue bridging the gaps between the {PAST} {PRESENT} & {FUTURE}
Please feel free to DONATE if you have the chance….there’s a button on the right side bar in bright yellow that says “DONATE”. Click it and give what you can….
Help ensure both our {FUTURE}s
+
If not, no worries. But, you owe me another visit!
Until next time,
+
Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter
+
+
+++ {theEye}
+++
+
