Here in Southern Ontario things are getting grimmer by the day. Not that we don’t like Winter – you know us boys love the comfort of a slouchy silk shirt or a easy breezy Hawaiian, but Old Man Winter just won’t stop peaking his nasty head out to remind us we’re on his turf!
So, we’ve put together an eclectic gallery of vintage fall/winter menswear inspiration that you can use to muse, since there’s no point of running!
Sometimes a little inspiration goes a long way . . .
A model wears an “Arctic Long” mink coat in this Women’s Wear Daily photo. Feb. 7, 1973. Morgue01
Soak up the inspiration! Classic looks never die. We make them new by adding our own unique spirit, so don’t ever be afraid to add yours!
You can see sometimes in the eyes of this strange boy; a burning fire that piercing your soul. Even past the screen, beneath the surface of every photograph of him, there is a brilliant mystery still waiting to be discovered and the very depth of the man named River Phoenix.
He was the most beautiful child you’ve ever seen, like a little Elvis.
-Iris Burton, River’s manager
It’s more the history of these awards that is so special to me . . .
His acting was top notch, and before the age of …. he found himself nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor with dozens of offers at his feet thereafter.
Fame was of little consequence to him, though, and instead he sought a life of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the business. The industry was not the priority, and from his very core, River was an undeniable artist who not only excelled in the art of acting, but was also an accomplished musician, humanitarian, environmentalist and animal rights activist.
You’ll never find him fur or leather as he was the original vegan style star- before it was in vogue or a trend. He had a soft and sensitive heart for world issues, the future of our planet, and most especially the well-being of animals.
While we think of the 80s for all its excesses, River appears the total antithesis to this vision of America. Even with his popularity and success, River defied typical Hollywood standards through what he wore; appearing at major red carpet events sometimes in only a graphic T-shirt, or a cool graphic sweater.
Plaid shirts, graphic sweaters, denim jackets, patterned shirts, and over-sized blazers were a staple for the young star, whose quirky style seems right in tuned with the vibe of the street today. And yet we probably never even realized that River Phoenix made his mark over twenty years ago in the same garbs we rock today.
Perhaps this was indicative of his adventurous heart, the way he dressed. A co-star in probably his most accomplished and enigmatic acting effort, My Own Private Idaho, Jimmy Reardon described a moment the two shared together shortly after filming the 90s art-house flick about a narcoleptic male hustler decked out in pure grunge glory:
One time we were up in the mountains, and the clouds came right up to the top of the mountain. River grabbed (my) arm and said, “We’re going to run and jump into these clouds and our whole past lives will dissolve, and everything will be new from then on. Hold on.” And we did that…it was incredible, and we landed on this soft iceberg kind of ground covering. But we jumped through clouds, literally.
It’s hard to imagine a star today who could even imagine being as fearless, but that’s just how River really was. Fearless.
Born River Jude Bottom, River grew up in a religious cult in South America known as the Children of God. He was named River after the river of life in Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha, and Jude from the Beatle’s song. When their parents found that they were being embezzled by the cult and its leaders, they uprooted their children and moved to California where River was soon getting noticed for his movie star good looks, even as a boy.
He quickly began to take interest in acting and modelling, and it wasn’t long before his career took off. No one could deny the boy. He had a special edge that he never let go of until the very end.
Edward Lachman, superior director of photography for ‘Dogfight’ said:
When I first met River, he had very long hair and he struck me- as he came out of an elevator-as an angel, some kind of supernatural being. An angel could be Gabriel, but an angel could be Lucifer too. He could as readily delve in to the deep dark recesses as he would fly up to the lofty, illuminated (places).
There is no doubting his talents, but there’s also no doubting the foolishness of getting involved with people who do not have your best intentions in mind. River was the unfortunate victim to a brainless party mentality that is ever prevalent in our society. Was it really worth it in the end?
I don’t want to die in a car accident. When I die it’ll be a glorious day. It’ll probably be a waterfall.
-River Phoenix
This year the world was shocked by the death of another young star who kicked the bucket at the expense of his family, friends, fame, and fortune – Cory Monteith, who died of an overdose much the same way River did. Heroine and alcohol. The same toxic cocktail that took the life of many more before them including Amy Winehouse, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin.
It’s sad, so very sad, because these stars possessed such a zest for life and original spirit that didn’t need to compensate with heavy drugs and alcohol to make life interesting. They could have been resigned to just be themselves, and love every second of that.
This is why our advice at The Eye of Faith has always and will forever be to be yourself. Your truest self, beyond the effects of drugs and alcohol, you can have the most exciting and amazing life. You try to tread the line between reality and dream, and you can do this easily with the power of style and conjuring your idols to give you an extra boost away from the common day to day.
“You would have thought we was ninety and had died in his sleep. The people who were saying this felt tremendous guilt that they had contributed to his death.
He’s already being made into a martyr. He’s become a metaphor for a fallen angel, a Messiah. But he wasn’t. He was just a boy, a very good hearted boy who was very $%##$% up and had no idea how to implement his good intentions. I don’t want to be comforted by his death. I think it’s right that I’m angry about it, angry at the people who helped him stay sick, and angry at River.”
-Martha Plimpton on River’s death.
We recommend this state of mind for all days and occasions, to keep you safe and elevated beyond the strife of the street.
Most people don’t know, but River was also a talented musician in a band called “Aleka’s Attic”. Here’s one of his songs to send you off with. Hope I gave us all something to think about, and some wicked new vintage inspiration for the road!
For the last while we’ve been a little obsessed, or encouraged, by Jim Morrison’s ghost. You cannot deny this guy has style. Ever since the teenage years (weird to say), there’s been a fascination with this bit of a God.
An idol in all respects…I had one of my very first writing gigs doing a style summary of the legend for the website, Everyguyed, which still operates today as an online source for men’s style and tips for your everyday when you’re a guy. I remember the vivid rush whilst composing the words to describe this very 70s tainted, easy-breezy, laid back, effortless, easy cool.
Some might point fingers at the snake skin and leather (‘Lizard King’, after all), but I think it was in his soul. It was a cool, dark, anointed spirit that still contemplates to this day.
The Eye of Faith had our trusty mannequin dressed very chic, and spanning the decades in a 1930s “SAINTS” basketball tank, beautiful 1940s baby mink fur wrap, and a 1950s black straw fedora for a look that reminded me of Paris (the kind of masculine and decadent look Galliano himself might have choreographed). Indeed, he looked quite dapper and was ready to impress in the sunshine for our very first ever outdoor Pop-Up at this month’s Junction Flea!
As usual, we met many fantastic and style-wise individuals, and saw many of our favourite recurring faces, and were able to send home many of them with some of our unique finds. Seeing as we do most of our business online, it is always great to have that face-to-face interaction, and also getting to know our neighbours and introduce them to our brand. That in itself is the most fulfilling thing about having our Pop-Ups, and we look forward to doing many many more (especially if the weather decides to cheer up!).
This month’s Flea came to be probably the most challenging yet, even as we were so excited to be setting up literally just down the street from our studio! It wasn’t the man-power that gave us issues, but a much greater force that we are all accustomed to, and even after thousands of years are not immune – the powerful force of nature!
Before Vintage Armageddon Struck!
Mamma had a bit of a temper this Mother’s Day (Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mammas!), as she wouldn’t give any of the vendors a break! We were lucky enough to have a tent, and the shelter of a brick wall which managed to shield us from the gusting winds, pouring rains, and hail storms which scattered themselves between beautiful blue skies and the warmth of the sun. Talk about fickle.
Like soldiers, we stuck it out until the bitter cold end, having watched dozens of vendors go down one by one and vying to pack up early and head for shelter. However, determination won, and we were able to make some brilliant sales and spark some new friendships along the way, as well. Very good.
Shout out to our vendor neighbours Brad at Fair Judy’s and Lisa at Partners in Crime Vintage for sticking it out alongside us. Way to go! We survived the “vintage apocalypse“, as it was becoming known . . . We’re looking forward to more fun and festivities next month at The Junction Flea! Having held our own this time around, here’s hoping Mother Nature decides to give us a break, a little.
If you weren’t able to make it down to visit us at The Flea, please check out the {SHOP} where many of our items have been uploaded, and many more to come in the next few weeks! We have been promising womenswear, and we shall deliver! And all you men dressing like boys, come check us out for something both fun and stylish, why don’t you?!
Bring the past back to life, and do your part to stop the excess waste of textiles and clothing our society is currently suffering from!
