Carhartt AW14 – In Depth Review
Historic American brand Carhartt have deviated from their routes in functional work wear to become an extremely popular street brand in modern youth culture.
Today, we are reviewing their latest collectionin time for the AW14 season.
Named Carhartt Work in Progress, this off-shoot label was first created and popularized in the United States circa 1990 following a string of hipsters wearing the brand’s work apparels retro fashion pieces. Before long, Carhartt was picked up by an emerging urban youth culture in Europe too and there was clearly a gap in the market for the brand to exploit, it seemed that their straightforward, rugged style began to translate well into style.
The Michigan based label is renowned for use of canvas and robust denim, as well as simplicity and as always they are major characteristics of their latest collection. Overall the style is seen to be a fusion of contemporary and retro; their commitment to producing youthful clothing can be seen by the inclusion of edgy prints such as camouflage and this season, the leopard print t shirt in particular stands out.
Outstanding design combined with exceptional quality, durability and comfort is at the heart of the brand and that is a sentiment which could explain why they find themselves closely associated with the skateboarding and BMX scenes in particular, but also the much more mainstream “college” style of clothing which goes from strength to strength each season.
Having successfully re-shaped the brand’s legacy they have created a unique concept whereby work wear meets fashion, although some would argue this isn’t too dissimilar to other heritage American brands such as Levis, it has become what it is without the use of purely denim products.
Surely one of the only labels to pull off such a feat; Carhartt show a boldness which is likely to be the reason that their label appeals to the dynamic young generations and what got their clothing into the wardrobes of rap stars and celebrities along the way.
The brand’s age-old industrial prestige remains a predominant influence towards the Work in Progress line, constantly relating back to the DNA of the company which is seen by the inclusion of their “Vicious jeans” made in “rigid blue denim” for example.
Those buying from the latest collection are likely to be aware of Carhartt’s reputation as one of the brands at the forefront of urban movement, but the brand continue to prove their credentials in fashion are growing season by season and continue to strive for originality, by no means type-casting their product to certain styles.
Collage style is notably more popular in Europe than ever before and the college t-shirts are back with a vengeance, consistently popular for everyday casual wear.The raglan long sleeved t-shirt is one such item in this year’s line and features tidy rib cuffs and a small graphic brand print to offer fresh visuals.
The expansive range by Carhartt WIP has been extended to include new sweats, wallets and corduroy products. The drop is perhaps most notable for the corduroy jacket which could be a key piece in many styles this winter. Its Marlin navy colouring gives it a neutral aesthetic. Apart from two large pouch pockets on the waist and a smaller one on the chest both inside and out, there is four simple buttons to fasten it. This new rugged style is the perfect foil for a much more modern and bold design shirt with an all over print perhaps.
Carhartt’s wallet again follows the same design principles we are accustomed to with the rest of their brand. It has a simplistic and rugged feel with a quality leather finish, no frills or gimmicks attached, it has a functional feel but with the sort of finesse we have come to expect from the working man’s authentic American brand.
They have a reputation for being a tooth and nail tough clothing supplier, but that doesn’t mean to say they lack a simple ability to make their clothing tailored or fitted well. Rigid and shapeless cargo pants now make way for much thinner and pure cotton jeans for example. Collaborations have become increasingly higher end, and they have even introduced slim fit – the size any true fashion brand will specialize in. Darkened blues, blacks and maroons are still present to fit the Carhartt tradition, but the inclusion off prints, neon’s and bolder colours shows the unique adaptation the brand has undergone to become the fashion brand it is today.
On reflection, Carhartt is a brand famed for its durability and functionality, but on its venture into mainstream fashion they have retained these key marks of identity and have used it as a trademark of their in-house style- this is after all a reputation which has been built over a period of 120 years.
The youthful urban and streetwear scene is progressing all of the time with new brands adding their ideas; Carhartts input into this cultureis valued by those with a passion for it because it offers such a unique juxtaposition between new and old, fashion and function.
If you want to recreate the Carhartt look you can choose from a selection of different styles. The college look might include a basic Carhartt t-shirt accompanied by some converse or high top trainers and varsity jacket and standard skinny jeans. The great thing about an edgy urban style is that there are no rules and it is entirely feasible to pull off a retro number like the chambray shirt with a pair of daring camo shorts for example in the current season. Carhartt have a perfect selection of items to be able to do this on both ends of the spectrum with retro and modern designs stretching across the majority of staple items in the modern man’s wardrobe.
In a market dominated by high profile collaborations, Carhartt themselves are showing they can mix it with fashion’s elite. In their own words, Carhartt and A.P.C are in fact “boat mates” rather than collaborators, but whatever the arrangement-Carhartt’s style and quality is becoming more and more eclectic each year, far away from the functional roots in which they were initially famed for.
To brands latest collectionin for the AW14 season are available at stores and also at Mainline Menswear Website.
The post Carhartt AW14 – In Depth Review appeared first on SoJones.
Entrepreneur
Award Winning Entrepreneur Mama Sue Taylor Talks Being A Cannabis Pioneer & Resource For The Elderly Community
Sue Taylor “Mama Sue”, is a pioneer in the space of wellness and cannabis. Breaking barriers as the first black woman to open and operate a dispensary in Berkeley, California, she has been featured in Forbes, CNN, ABC7, Black Enterprise, MSN and several other publications sharing her incredible journey through cannabis. As she is one of the most influential women in cannabis she continues to utilize her platform to debunk any negativity surrounding the healing plant. As a mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, and advocate, Sue Taylor has made it her mission to be a resource to the elderly community through her Mama Sue Wellness tinctures and series of educational events.
I had the pleasure and honor of speaking with Sue after she was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from Grammy Award Winning singer Erykah Badu at the 2024 Women in Cannabis Awards. Check it out below.
Sue Taylor Interview
What does it mean to you being a cannabis advocate and how did you get your start in the cannabis industry?
Sue Taylor: If someone had told me 17 years ago that I would be working in the cannabis industry I would have never believed them. I did not choose this, it chose me. My son lured me into the business by convincing me that this is a way for me to have my spiritual wellness center that I have always wanted and that intrigued me. I saw that it was needed because of how I took care of my body when I began to age and I knew the pharmaceutical approach wasn’t working way back then. As I said yes to work with Cannabis, I was actually scared and frightened by it due to the movie Reefer Madness. People in my generation were always told weed was a drug and it was always black people or hispanics and the weed devil and a lot of craziness.
This deterred my generation from cannabis because we simply do not break rules and it was deemed federally illegal. As an African American woman you know there is a stigma around us. I am already judged for being a black woman and I don’t want to be judged again! Being black I am judged everyday even still to this day, so to be taking on something that is extremely stigmatized was scary. But when my son told me I could have my Sue Taylor Wellness facility, I said okay let’s give it a try. Even though I was scared, I knew it was something I had to do to improve the quality of my life. If your dream doesn’t scare you a little bit your dream is not big enough. I was so scared but I was not willing to give up, which has allowed me to live my dream in real time.
Not only are you a cannabis advocate but you are also a pioneer. Can you share with me your vision for your Farmacy dispensary as you are the first and only black woman to own and operate a dispensary in Berkeley?
ST: The journey to opening Farmacy Berkeley was not an easy one. It took us 17 years to get things going. However, I was granted a permit to open Farmacy Berkeley because I had a special niche. Mine was geared to the needs of seniors. I also did my own lobbying to the city council and the mayor. I did it because we really didn’t have the money to do it and we are not equity people. We used our family’s money to get things accomplished. I had another key component Brittany that I want to share. When I went in, they could see that I genuinely cared for humankind. It wasn’t about me. And it really wasn’t just about cannabis. I just saw cannabis as one tool to help people. My pioneer work has helped with the stigma that surrounds cannabis. Recently I received the Lifetime Achievement at the Women in Cannabis Awards for my advocacy work and have also received an advocacy award from Oaksterdam University.
I have been very successful at helping to eliminate the stigma because I don’t fit the mold. I’m a former Catholic school principal. I am also a commissioner on aging. I was the commissioner on aging for Alameda County, where Farmacy Berkeley is located. On top of that, I am certified by the state of California to teach the cannabis program to nurses and help them obtain credits toward the yearly certifications that they need. I’ve had that certification for five years or more. It’s amazing to do that. It has been quite a journey for me. I have also been successful simply because I genuinely care.
When we opened up Farmacy Berkeley, we were open for one month, then the pandemic stopped everything. They sent all seniors home because people were afraid I was going to get covid. So we went away from it and then came back. But before I really got into business, I was teaching seniors. I had a community room where I would educate seniors free of charge, just come in and talk. I even did meditation classes. I did a lot of things there as well. Then that all stopped because of the pandemic. But I want you to be clear on this, we were opened up after we got the license.
How did Cannabis change your life?
ST: When I saw the way cannabis was positively impacting the lives of everyone around me that I was working with, that’s when I became open to cannabis. When I started off, I would not touch it, I was simply just doing the work. But after time, people kept coming to me saying that they were no longer using canes, wheelchairs or medication anymore. Seeing the progress in those people, I began to change my mind and became open to cannabis to help with pain or to help me sleep.
I started to think “maybe my son was right this whole time”. I thought he was on drugs, but when I found out what he was doing things changed. He was attending Oaksterdam University learning the entrepreneur side of cannabis. 17 years ago, there were only dispensaries for medical patients and only three in the Berkeley area making the rules a lot stricter. Its incredible how much growth there has been in the industry and the opportunities it’s presenting in helping others, especially seniors. I continued to do the work, myself along with the many hardworking individuals in the cannabis industry see the benefits of being in the business.
What is your mission for helping the elderly connect to cannabis as you have your Mama Sue Wellness products that are specifically geared toward seniors?
ST: Those products were made with love for a group of people that most people have forgotten about. This means everything to me to be able to have wellness products that cater to my demographic.
Seniors mostly come to cannabis for two reasons, because they can’t sleep or they’re in pain. Thats what each tincture was crafted to help with, we have a sleep tincture made with high CBN and CBD and an extra strength tincture which is high-CBD to help with aches and pain. And we have more products coming very soon. These were made with seniors in mind, but I think I might have more young people using the Mama Sue products for sleep and anxiety because the relief tincture, you could use that during the day and still function. They won’t get you high.
What has it been like working with Glass House Brands?
ST: I’ve been a part of Glass House, for a little over 4 years. What many people don’t know is that in the process of building Farmacy Berkeley, we ran out of money. That is when Kyle, Graham and the Glass House team came in, we became partners and they put up the remainder of the money to help build out the dispensary to my specifications. Glass House also helped me develop my tincture products that I’ve always wanted, Mama Sue Wellness. They aligned with my values and are doing things right, that’s why I chose them.
I’m grateful to be part of the Glass House team, they really support my mission in helping change the stigma around cannabis. As a Brand Ambassador we work together to put together these educational events, I travel to our different dispensaries where I get to speak and answer questions for local seniors one on one.
You mentioned your Mama Sue products and how they’re kind of more so geared toward the senior community. What do you feel like is the most important thing about wellness when it comes to cannabis and debunking these misconceptions?
ST: To begin, it depends on the group of people you are talking to. For instance, when me and my fellow cannabis advocates needed to get something done as a cannabis group going up against the city and state, they would always suggest sending me to speak on the group’s behalf. They thought it was like some magic or something, but let me tell you what it was, Brittany. I looked at the cannabis industry and I looked at most of the people who were in that industry at that time. They looked like stoners. I did not. And I was not. And I made a conscious decision that every time I was representing cannabis, I would look like a lawyer. And that’s who they met. They said, oh, you are in the wrong place, lady. I said, no, I’m here for cannabis. I didn’t fit the mold. Brittany, when they looked at me, I didn’t fit their perception of what people who used cannabis look like. Does that make sense?
I know that recently you and Dreka Gates got a chance to connect, can you share the synergy and connection you two ladies share?
ST: It was amazing. It was one of my most amazing ‘Plants Over Pills’ interviews because we connected on so many levels, so many levels. I’ve never met a young person like that, that’s spiritually evolved like her, because she’s young, you know she’s young, she’s only 37. And we just talked like we knew each other. Wait till you see the interview, it’s on the Glass House YouTube channel. I’ve never conducted an interview like that before. The camera crew was saying, oh my God, they were amazed at how easily we connected, and we just kept talking and talking. We connected on such a high level, we’re both spiritual people, we’ve been through a lot, we believe in plant medicine for healing, and she’s now even opening her first dispensary in Mississippi. Dreka talks about all the challenges she went through to secure the permit. We had trouble in California and we’re the most progressive state there is, I can’t imagine Mississippi. We bonded over all of that, opening our first dispensary and our vision to expanding that into our wellness facilities.
What has been your experience with pills versus plants for healing?
ST: They tried to give me a pill during the pandemic. I’m a spiritual person, and I had anxiety and was having difficult nights of sleep, had so much fear, all that kind of stuff. So, I went to my doctor and she prescribed me pills. I said, you know, I’m not a pill taker. But for some reason she insisted that I just take it. So I took the pills home, I looked it up and researched them before I popped anything. You know what it said on the bottle, they were to help with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia! I called her immediately and relayed my findings to her. You know what her response to me was? Why are you questioning me? You are not a doctor. She said, I give that to all my patients that have anxiety. You know what my response to her was? “I am not all your patients, and I don’t take a pill for anything. You know that I don’t take a pill to manage my health so why would you give me something for schizophrenics? I am not schizophrenic.” So that was it. I had to start looking out for my own health, and wellbeing.
I always make this disclaimer, pills have their place. Pharmaceuticals are not bad. They are not bad for people who need them. Pharmaceutical drugs were made for temporary use. If you get into a car accident or going into operation for eight hours, yes pills are helpful. But most people are using pharmaceuticals just to manage their day to day lives. Like with high blood pressure, with high cholesterol, with even anxiety.You start taking pills for an operation, then you have high blood pressure, then 10, 15 years later, you’re still on those same pills and more. That’s not okay. We have to stay educated about our health and thankfully, our younger generation are getting better at understanding that. The younger generation just doesn’t take what people tell them. You guys research everything. I have three sons so I’m surrounded by all the young people all the time and they keep me sharp.
I just met another guy, he’s gonna open up a wellness facility because everybody is seeing the light, popping a pill is not going to get you healthy. If anything, it’s gonna deteriorate your body because it’s all about the money. Pharmaceutical approach to healthcare. They give politicians money so they continue to push pills on us. We have to look beyond. We have to think for ourselves and find more natural ways to heal and care for bodies, mind and spirit.
Brittany, as I look at your beautiful face today, with that beautiful skin, that beautiful complexion, you have to go within and do what’s best for Brittany. I don’t care what the doctors try to tell you. Trust yourself first, always.
To learn more about Mama Sue Taylor and her journey through cannabis, follow her on Instagram at @suetaylorwellness.
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