Jake Davis Blog

Essentials: Reigning Champ Core Program

        
Reigning Champ has created the essential program for the sweat enthusiast. A core program of midweight terry consisting of three standard colorways: navy, grey, and black, which will always be available. During a recent trip to Vancouver I had the pleasure of meeting the Reigning Champ team and checking out their facilities. As much as I love their special projects and collaborations, the core program is what peaked my interest the most.

The reliability of a great basic every season is really appealing to me. Too often I'll find the perfect sweatpants one season, get a hole or damage them, and not be able to replace them. Reigning Champ has solved that problem for us. I also love the concept of a full monochromatic kit without any logos or graphics: zip, pullover, crew, pant, and short. Then adding a bit of your own flavor with a bold jacket, accessory, or shoe. Thank Reigning Champ for thinking about us with a stylish utility frame of mind.

Reigning Champ Core Program Official link

That Scent: Diptyque Sapin Doré

On a recent trip to Old Montreal I discovered the most amazing scent from Diptyque. When walking in the doors of the beautiful shop Cahier d’Exercices I couldn't help but notice the fragrance among the well curated Céline, Dries, and Balenciaga.

Diptyque has made a new limited edition frangrance for the holidays, Sapin Doré. I'm not in love with the design of the packaging or glass but the scent is incredible and takes me right back to Woodstock. In my opinion no one does it better than Diptyque and for the colder months Oriental Spruce is as good as it gets.

Diptyque Official link

Essentials: American Apparel Fisherman's Pullover

 
 
  
  
I love the look of an old fisherman at sea or an artist in his loft with an oversized drop shoulder sweater. It feels like the sweater is just as worn as the man and has been through just as much as him.

My good friend E.L. introduced me to the American Apparel Fisherman's pullover sweater and it's been part of my uniform ever since. It's a great piece that comes in an assortment of colors. I prefer the more muted, subdued colors pictured above. It's made of 100% cotton in the U.S.A. which we love. I think the unisex piece looks really great on my girl as well. I thought I'd pass along the info since so many have been asking me about it.

American Apparel Fisherman's Pullover link

GQ 10 Essentials: Jake Davis

   

   
   
    
One off the bucket list... A few years back I told myself when GQ calls for a 10 Essentials I'll have made it. Haha... Still ways to go but this is pretty, pretty, pretty good. Ren and Sean from GQ are awesome guys. Thanks so much for asking to me to be a part of the iconic series. Shout to Justin for the flick. Head over to GQ for the lowdown and have a cowboy cookie today...

GQ 10 Essentials: Jake Davis link

Unis "Jake" Pocket Tee

Paul Newman at the Actors Studio photographed by Eve Arnold in 1955

In a sea of suits Newman wears just a t-shirt. He stood out for being classicaly unique which is hard to find these days. For those looking to separate themselves from the pack in the most subtle of ways look no further than Unis.

The very talented designer Eunice Lee has created the perfect short sleeve pocket tee this season made of incredible texturized jersey cotton. It's named after some shallow superficial director guy, but don't let that lead you astray. Gentlemen, this is the one your girlfriend is gonna steal.

The fit is really great and it's made in the USA. I prefer the classic optic white but there is also an amazing leaf and indigo color. All three colors are availble in store and online... 

Unis "Jake" Pocket Tee Official link

That Scent: R By 45rpm

There is great convenience in shopping online. And for those not fortunate to live in a major city there is a great connection the internet brings you to your favorite brand. But nothing replaces certain physical retail expereinces like the scent of a store. Unis has her own Le Labo candle. Supreme has Nag Champa incense. But my absolute favorite is R by 45rpm.

If you've ever walked by or wandered through an R by 45rpm store, I'm sure you've wondered, "what's that smell?" The homely and distinct scent is a definite takeaway and stays with you for days. Besides the cedar floors and kusu walls there's a beautiful mix of Santa Maria Novella potpourri and Shun-you incense by Shoyeido from Kyoto, Japan. Talking about scents on the internet is kind of silly but so is watching cooking shows on TV when you can't taste the food. Apparently I do both really well, but I also try my best to get off my ass the internet and experience the real thing.

R by 45rpm Official link

Giveaway: New York Made Us This Way

 

You get everything but the girl. The Nepenthes "New York Made Us This Way" exhibition presented by New Balance kit... The sold out pocket T-shirt, poster, stickers, and a box of matchbooks. For those that haven't had a chance to get to Nepenthes I didn't forget about you...

It's pretty simple. Hit me with your name and active e-mail in the comments section. Follow me on Twitter @JakeDavisFilms and one of you will be picked at random to get the kit. Thanks so much to everybody that has stopped by the exhibition. It truly means a lot. And if you haven't had the opportunity, the exhibition runs through October 20th.

Nepenthes New York Official link

Blue On Blue Or Tanning On Hudson

I used to do this kind of shit all the time. But then I got scared of the internet... Or maybe not the internet per se but that dirty word "blogger." My education cost almost $200,000. I had been training as a filmmaker for over a decade and now I was getting called a "blogger" wherever I looked and went. Which at the time sounded a lot like "cuntface" to me. Correcting people got annoying... "Actually, I'm a director. I don't make a cent from the blog. It's just my hobby." Then I figured it out and created my lane, my pocket, my niche...

Labels are boring. Have fun. Who cares what people call you as long as you love what you do. Papa Williams told me, "if it's important to you, then do it." So like Eli, I did it...

Loro Piana Box Logo New Era | Supreme

Flannel Double Breasted Jacket | +J Uniqlo

Destroyed Striped Boros Chambray | Anachronorm

Ziggy Washed Denim Pant | Carhartt

Vintage Bandana | RRL

Medicine Man Duffle Bag | Parabellum

Kenwood Loafer | Allen Edmonds

Vintage Zuni Jewlery | Nepenthes

New York Made Us This Way Matches | Nepenthes

The Gals Pals - Blue On Blue

Unis X Noah Installation

Born To Run, Noah Surf Wax, Nautical Beach Towel, Vintage Bandanas, Knot Plates, Nantucket Rope Bracelets, Gonesh No. 8 Incense, Newton Running Trainer, Seahorse Cigarette Case

Knowing Brendon Babenzien (Noah, Aprix, Supreme, K-Swiss) it would make perfect sense that when curating a special Noah installation for Unis, clothing would have very little to do with the actual presentation. Sure you'll find a scatter of some of his favorite vintage t-shirts, nautical themed bandanas, anchor laden robes, and Nantucket rope bracelets. But the true finds are a discovery into his very unique lifestyle. An avid runner, surfer, skater, and seaman the influences are very clear and evident in the finely selected goods from his global travels. And yes, there will be a few new exclusive pieces from the mythical brand.

A perpetual downplayer, Brendon himself would tell you to stop by the store if you're around. It will be fun... So in his honor I won't overhype what will be a very chill event. Here is the opening invite for Thursday, May 26 6-9pm. The entire Summer collection of Unis has arrived in store just in time for the warm weather as well. The installation is up through out the season with new goods coming in weekly.

Unis Official Website link

Announcement: Nepenthes Relief Effort Sample Sale

For those of you in New York City Wednesday, March 16th our great friends at Nepenthes will be having a big sample sale to benefit the disaster in Japan. These sale invites are usually just extended to close friends and family but because of the nature of the disaster please spread the word and support as much as you can.

I'll be back in the states so I hope to see you there buying as much Engineered Garments as you can carry. Amazing clothes for a great cause. A special thanks to Nepenthes for putting the sale together. Thank you so much for the support and our prayers are with Japan.

Premiere: Hypebeast TV Jake Davis: Motion Man

  

Being the one behind the lens, I always find it kind of funny when we get a request for an interview. I guess I just don't think I'm all that interesting. Maybe what I do is interesting... Sometimes... Big thanks to Hypebeast, Eugene Kan, Kellen Dengler, and Chris Black for making this happen. God knows it would've just remained an idea without their execution.

Also an amazing thank you to every client of mine and every person that's let me shoot them. Ultimately, that's why people are interested. I'm trying to get better everyday and without you guys that wouldn't be possible. Thanks again...

Official Hypebeast TV Jake Davis: Motion Man link

Announcement: 2011 And Forever

Jake Davis photographed by Ryan Christopher VanWilliams

I've always thought of myself as a director that happens to have a blog. I never thought "blogging" would have any merit or importance. It was just something that felt right. I've never had any strategy or structure to it. But I'm extremely happy that something inside me told me to do it. No matter how little sleep I got or how arbitrary it seemed at times, I'm incredibly fortunate for the opportunities, friendships, and relationships it has provided me especially in the last year.

I apologize for taking almost a month off but I had to do it. I had to get fresh again. I had to refocus. I had to find the inspiration again to say something. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for sticking by me. Thank you for your support. Without doing a recap of the year I'll simply say, it was the most challenging, heartbreaking, and beautiful time of my life. For those that are close to me and those that are far away I thank you for it all. So instead of harping on the past, let's talk a little bit about the future...

In the coming weeks here's what you'll see from me on the style tip...I recently directed the Spring 2011 Woolrich John Rich & Bros. advertising campaign films, Delvaux campaign films, Union Los Angeles campaign film, and Gilt Man Test Shots. I'm really curious what you guys will think of them all.

Last week I accomplished one of my lifetime goals of directing a music video for one of my favorite bands of all time. The video gods shined down on us as we shot The Walkmen's "While I Shovel The Snow" in an amazing NYC snowfall. Since directing videos for my brother Drake I've been looking for the excitement of another rising star. I believe his name is Wiz Khalifa. We shoot this week in Los Angeles.

Last but not least we'll have a lot more from Supreme, K-Swiss films and collaborations, a couple cool things from Hypebeast and other publications, Jake Davis Test Shots and so much more I don't even know about yet. 2011 is going to be a good one. Thank you for your constant inspiration. I'll try to keep to my end of the bargain and make things interesting and unique around these parts. If you're reading this and thinking about doing something... anything different in 2011, I encourage you to close your eyes, open your heart, walk off, and dive in... 

The National - Walk Off