I stopped on over at Fresh Cafe the other day and decided to testdrive some great leather products supplied by the kind guys over at TheLeatherShop.com. I've been playing around with the bull wallet (pictured above) as well as some lightweight seamless cardholders and I only have positive things to say about each of them! The bull wallet feels absolutely durable, but also keeps function at a priority. The coin-case on the outside adds a new design element to a men's wallet and also is just a practical way to get out your change! I absolutely love the rivet card holder (below). It's deceptively simple in its seamless design and provides a beautiful way to bring out your business cards during a meeting. Or you could simply use it to carry cash or credit cards, whatever you choose! Both of the styles I've been using come in a multitude of colors to suit your own style, but the feeling I got after using the products from TheLeatherShop is that the quality is just top-notch. I'm an absolute fan.

For those unfamiliar with The Leather Shop, I got to do a quick Q&A with Ken (one of the great guys running the business) and here it is!

Geremy: TheLeatherShop seems to be deep rooted in design integrity and also the art of craftsmanship. I'm curious to learn more about the heritage  of the brand and how it began.

Ken: There’s a certain hereditary knowledge and appreciation of leather that can only be passed on by many generations of sweat and thick calluses. Our head designer Mark is the 5th generation of craftsman in his family to carry on this torch. In the autumn of 2008, on the rainy  streets of Seattle an idea was born- and soon thereafter a company. TheLeatherShop is the embodiment of many things. It is the merging of old world quality and modern innovation. Our approach is to design a product that is “timeless” and trendless, a product that can last generations, thus ignoring the caveats of fashion.

*Rest of the Q&A by clicking READ MORE*

Back in October of last year I was asked to style the artist, Don Ed Hardy, for a series of portraits shot by photographer Michael Scott Slosar. It was an amazing and humbling experience to be thrown into a pool of more experienced hands than I. I've definitely learned a lot just by being in the presence of everyone at the shoot. 

On a very important side note, Mr. Hardy is such a treasure. The man behind the brand is a true tattoo artist that prides himself in his integrity and his craft. I loved meeting with him and hearing short stories about how he came to be. Inspiring to say the very least.

The issue is now available all over Hawaii, throughout Japan, and online! I, along with Josh Dulatre, worked together for this fun fashion feature on two shops we whole heartedly support. Enjoy!

For more information on the shops, please visit...

Oliver Men's Shop || Facebook || Instagram || (808) 261-6587
La Muse || Facebook || Instagram || (808) 536-0818

Shop these looks at...
Aloha Rag
Ssense.com

I made Chad run two blocks, complete 15 jumping jacks, had him run in place for about half a minute all in a short short period of time, and then dumped cold water on his face. This is the end result with photography by yours truly.

As I begin rounds of more shopping ads for Honolulu SHOPS Magazine, I just wanted to take the time to lament the Spring season. Perhaps it's all of my allergies that are making me a hater, but I just don't really see myself as a Spring person. Oh well. Nothing like shopping to pick you up right? *achoooo*

Oliver Peoples, Smythson, Luis Morais and Neil Barrett at Mr. Porter
C. Dellstrand at C. Dellstrand E-Store
Saint Laurent Paris at SSENSE
R13 Denim at Aloha Rag

As I just turned 23 last year I had in mind a couple of wardrobe essentials that I would need in order to get through the following year...one of those essentials being a tailored and high quality suit. I've always fantasized about wearing an immaculate suit that was equally statement making and still understated, though finding anything that fit me properly is always a challenge. Knowing AR Brand's aesthetic and general fit helped me in making the decision to buy one of their suits. The sizing runs from XS (roughly 34-36 chest and 27-29 Waist) to XL (roughly 46 chest and 38 waist) and is built for guys on the trimmer side. I picked up the XS, took my suit to the tailor, made sure every measurement was just for my proportions, and am now head-over-heels in love with it! I even took the suit for a "test-drive" to run some errands and already got compliments on it. With a suit made in Japan that has a luxe lining with a light wool/nylon mix, I'd say it's a good bet to invest in one of these guys!

Anyway, learn more about AR Brand's Serious Suit here...
CLICK HERE to see the current S/S '13 suit
CLICK HERE for AR BRAND's website

Purchased two things recently at Oliver on Friday including this Roark 'Fear the Sea' tee along with a Scotch & Soda leather iPhone case. Also scored this free tote with purchase so...I feel like I got 3 things instead of just two!

Follow Oliver on instagram @olliverhawaii for all the latest news/arrivals

Rarely do I ever set foot in the town of Kailua (unless you count 10 years back when I used to be a gymnast...my classes were in Kaneohe), but I definitely had to make the time to stop by the newly opened Men's boutique, Oliver. A small but expertly utilized space packs everything from tees, boardshorts, and woven button-ups to accessories, books, and skincare! Owner Parker Moosman (his name is not Oliver, I swear) is absolutely welcoming when you walk in and offers great help if you don't know a particular brand that's carried in store.

Oliver dresses a smart man. It's about the comfortable tee, clean easy wovens, and things you can wear everyday that have a little bit of heritage to them. Parker brought in a label, Roark, that actually distributed a short story to go along with their line of tees...how cool is that?

I even picked up a couple items on my visit and will definitely be on the lookout for more great picks.

Check out OLIVE boutique, the female counterpart to Oliver after the jump...

What is there to say about Roberta Oaks? She's genuinely sweet, down-to-earth, AND she creates one of my favorite locally made clothing lines on the island. If you're looking for the perfect gift for your friend, sister, boyfriend, girlfriend, or whatever...you'll definitely find something at her storefront located in Chinatown. 

As a proud owner of one of her menswear shirts, I definitely suggest you browsing through her expanding selection of men's tees and shirts. The fist are modern and slim-fitting perfect for any young professional on the go.

Roberta also stocks other labels in her store such as denim by Insight, nylon zip bags by TOPO, Salty Girl jewelry, and a selection of her own handmade jewelry.

A newly made dress on the right comes in several different colors and prints || The dress on the left makes for a perfect holiday/cocktail dress paired with a leather leopard pouch!

Curious to learn more about Roberta Oaks? Reach her here and visit her store front at...

Address:
19th North Pauahi St. 
Honolulu, HI 96817

Ph: 808.428.1214
Email: info@robertaoaks.com 

Images by Josh Dulatre