Inspired by Polaroid

Read today about Elizabeth Soule Photography here in PDX, and then while looking around her site, I stumbled on this photo of hers of a Polaroid camera. There is something about the Polaroid that everyone has a fondness for. So I thought I would share these vintage Polaroid camera images, the colors are great and the images could inspire some great design.







I remember my parents having a flash like this on our camera as a kid, each time they took a picture a bulb would burn out until you had to change the whole thing. We've come a long way since then, but you just can't replace the Polaroid.

F'09 Trends at Retail - Outdoor Chic?

Just read this on California Apparel News today

Fall '09: Hooked On Classics
Buyers were shopping for unique items and the best values during the recent trade shows in Las Vegas and San Diego. And the news from the trade show floor is that classics have returned. The look varied from outdoors-inspired chic to tailored-menswear silhouettes, and there was a rebirth of vintage à la "Mad Men."
Key looks such as the leather moto jacket were updated, the boyfriend jean continued and the plaid shirt made a huge statement on its own...

Start Tweeting!

In the spirit of writing about everything and anything that's relevant to SY Design, here's something to consider if you haven't already, Twitter. Are you "tweeting" yet? Just RT(read this, in Tweet terms) at Fast Company about how fast, the free social messaging utility for staying connected in real time, is growing. I too am tweeting now, once you get on board you can follow my tweets too! But, keep it brief, no more than 140 characters per post!

And.....once you have an understanding for how the "game is played", you might appreciate the below parody.

"Twitter is down again, Mein Fuhrer", I apologize in advance if this offends anyone, please keep in mind it is a parody...



Tweet, tweet!

Send a Kid to Camp!

This is something I am truly passionate about, anything and everything that contributes to getting kids outside. So here's a cool promotion from our friends at Mountain Hardwear. Go to this link everyday between now and April 15th, and each click you make will donate $1 towards Send a Kid to Camp. You can return to the site everyday to donate, and by all means help spread the word, they will donate up to $35,000 towards 10 different camps that have been selected for this promotion.

WHY OUTDOOR ORIENTED CAMPS FOR KIDS?

- Outdoor activities make kids healthier both mentally and physically
- Most adults who enjoy outdoor activities started as kids
- We loved our own camp experiences and want to share similar experiences with kids today

MTV's newest reality TV series

Nitro Circus Big Wheel Back Flip - More bloopers are a click away

If you are on your last buck stuck at home watching TV dreaming about the adrenaline adventures you used to have money for... don't get rid of cable just yet, and check out MTV's newest reality TV show Nitro Circus. It revolves around the world's greatest freestyle motocross rider Travis Pastrana and his crew of top action sport athlete buddies and enablers. It's a little bit Jackass, Evel Knievel, Duke's of Hazard, and every stunt related thing you've ever dreamed up since you were a kid all insanely mixed together for a great escape from the reality of life right now.

Chino's and Khaki's Oh My!

I guess it is inevitable, in fashion everything repeats itself, but we seem to be on a fast track to the early nineties, yesterday I was shopping at Lizard Lounge and was talking with the girl there who buys for them about my crazy cute suspender jeans from Stitch's, and we ended up on the subject of khaki's. She mentioned that she is dying to get some into the store, and that the ones she has seen so far...are different from those of the 90's...with the washes that they can apply to them now, etc. This all makes so much sense too, after all the bold brights from the late 80's hitting us as we crashed into a huge recession now things are starting to get a little more somber and realistic, less bling for sure and less flash. She mentioned that she really wants to get in some Pendleton shirts for Fall as well, I think this goes hand in hand with a return to things that are more local too as we all work to climb out of this recession we have to think about supporting things closer to home.

Taking Snowboarding to a New Level...

I first heard about MTNOPS while talking with Paul Maravetz co-founder of Rome SDS, he mentioned that a lot of the guys around the office at Rome have been talking about them and were excited about their launch at SIA. They have a great online community with their "Riding Journal" users. One the first products that they launched was their weather proof riding journal. A collaboration with Rite in the Rain, the ALL-WEATHER RIDING JOURNAL is inspired by aviation and divers log books, to track the days you ride during the season. Everything from weather, to who you ride with, conditions, location and highlights are covered. In addition, the book features a "to work on section' to track your personal progression. And now with the use of iPhones and crackberry's, they also have a digital version of the journal so you can upload your day as it happens. Depending on how old you are and your level of "in the know", you might be wondering what the hell? But, you should check it out.


At SIA they were also launching their first products, 3 snowboards, down jackets, hoodies, knit hats...all MADE IN THE USA, another key point of differentiation for these guys. We all talk about getting more "local", and these guys are making it happen.

MTNOPS, Live Snowboarding every time you log in.

Top 7 Green Ski Resorts in US

I was glad to see this article from Treehugger today showcasing the top 7 Greenest Ski Destinations in the US, and even more happy that our own backyard playground Mt. Bachelor made the list!

1. The Aspen Skiing Company, Aspen, Colorado
2. Smugglers’ Notch Family Resort, Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
3. Park City Mountain Resort, Park City, Utah
4. Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, Bend, Oregon
5. Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah
6. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Hancock, Massachusetts
7. Alta Ski Area, Alta, Utah

Feeling Grungy? Me too.

I found these shots from the ASR show that just happened last week in Cali, I felt it coming and now it's looking to be true, we're heading away from pure eighties into early nineties grunge, but there are new twists, and note all the high top sneakers, if you don't have any yet, put some on your list.

"Hot apparel trends for Fall ’09 were showcased in a nothing short of bold action-sports tradition during the Jan. 22–24 run of the show. Inspired by the edgy looks of the London Underground scene, the show combined plaids, stripes and checks with a mash-up of vibrant colors, textured fabrics and shiny glam fabrics. The look was reminiscent of the 1990s with a nod to the Kurt Cobain era of grunge. And there were plenty of T-shirts and denim to cover all fashion bases." - California Apparel News

Stylesightings, it's Free!

It seems like everything in the "trend service" arena has a cost attached to it, that's one of the reasons that I love Stylesightings, it's free, and it's actually good! They have a trend service that you can subscribe to, but if you just want a taste of some great fashion when you are out there surfing around for trends then be sure to give them a try, I think you'll like it....






I'm off to the Outdoor Retailer show and then SIA soon after so stay tuned for more postings soon!
Love this bag...

Winter is finally here!

SY Design, resident office dog and total slacker, Jasper

We've all been on pins and needles wondering if this winter was going to happen, waiting patiently, putting of that new jacket purchase until the last minute, but now it looks like it has finally arrived nearly everywhere with a vengeance. My top wishes for this season: a trip to Mt. Baker, and some time at Whistler with my friends from Extremely Canadian.  If you have some extra cash and want to get the very most out of your trip to Whistler, check them out, they have the best freeskiers and riders on the mountain who know where all the best stashes are and take you there and beyond, and the apres' at Merlin's is one you won't forget with neverending beer and nachos mounded as high as you can see. Below are some shots of stuff, good stuff, you should take a minute and check it out, and then make plans to get outside, winter is here!


Priscilla Levac's snowboarding part from Ride Rats from Ride Snowboards on Vimeo.

Rome SDS rider LNP, love the colors in this shot. Below is a shot of just the sweet bus.



A recent shot from Mt. Baker, courtesy of Dog Lotion, oh how I long to be there.


Laura Hadar opened up her new boutique store FICE in Salt Lake City. A men's and women's snow, skate, street culture store, and art gallery, featuring apparel from companies such as WESC, ALIFE, Upper Playground, Insight, Nikita, Keep, Creative Recreation, Supra, Super, KR3W, MOB, Hellz Bellz, and more.

Sweet Nikita Down Jacket, the color and style are great.


I have to confess I've been thinking about this jacket since I saw it at ISPO last year, Burton's Women's AK 3L STATIC JACKET. I love it's simplicity, performance, and great style. I was very excited when I noticed today on the Burton site that it was on sale, just enough to reel me in, can't wait to try it out!

And last but not least there is a new snowboard shop here in PDX, Epic, 2318 NW Vaughn Street. Add them to the growing list of places to visit when you are in P-town again.

a great place for inspiration

It's always fun to share great resources for inspiration and design ideas, if it's not on your list already, you should check out designboom. The site is focused on industrial design, but in a "Wallpaper" sort of way that really goes across many different categories of design and products. Below are just a few images from the "Design" segment of their site.

This bent plywood chair makes me think about new ways to use laser cutting and moulding together on garments.




This Audi concept car provides inspiration for backpacks, bags, gloves, trims, and more.



There's something about the irony in this piece that is really intriguing.



They also recently had a green earth contest, where entrants were charged with creating a 'green' graphic that illustrated environmental protection and how human beings and nature could coexist in a greener world. And incorporating 'earth' by giving the gift of a greener world at christmas.... Here are some of the winners:







You can also check out DESIGN-AEROBICS for some affordable online courses that include topics like, self promotion, sport, textiles, childhood, etc. I like the classes because they encourage you to think outside the box and expand your horizons beyond your everyday comfort zone.

I always find architecture very inspirational in apparel and product design, here are just a couple parting shots until next time...

Sweet Japanese Selvedge Denim at Jean Shop

I stumbled into Jean Shop by accident one night on the way back to my hotel in the Meatpacking District while in NYC. You know the drill, it's the end of the day and your feet are throbbing, but you pass a new shop, it looks good enough to step inside...and the rest is history. These are my new most favorite jeans, the shot of Tequila that they served me while we sealed the deal was a nice touch too! GQ magazine calls Jean Shop "One of the top 100 stores in the country", and I can see why. They are very low key and under the radar but their denim is amazing.

"Jean Shop...has become an international phenomenon in authentic, vintage-quality blue jeans for men & women. With a focus on excellence in exclusive Japanese selvedge denim fabrics & superior detailed workmanship, the interactive & hand-crafted custom finishing is executed in-house by our own Jean Shop production team. In addition to the finest jeans that can be had, we offer our own line of washed & distressed leather jackets & shirts, along with a wide range of luxurious tees, plush & colorful hoodies, kick-ass belts, custom washed & tinted Filson bags, cool original jewelry, & more. Recently, a selection of exclusive, custom-treated men’s footwear has been added. Jean Shop’s innovative spirit, independent uniqueness, & unyielding commitment to quality never ends."

If you love good denim check 'em out next time you are in NYC, or if you look around you'll find them in some of the best denim boutiques as well.