I found out about Michael Schmidt and his fantastic photography and short movies thru the Belgium denim label Eat Dust (Soon available in our webshop). Endless road trips on bikes, literally eating dust and catching up with all the mayor bike builders of the states during his trips. Make sure to subscribe to his blog and keep an eye out on Eat Dust and their fabulous denim!

Today we celebrate the one year anniversary of our Amsterdam based Red Wing store. The shop in the nine streets pays tribute to the rich history of the brand, which was launched in 1905 by Charles Beckman, having spotted a growing demand for sturdy work boots.

For those of you have never stepped foot in the store, the shoes are displayed on top of steel and antique glass show cases, which are filled with coal. The dark, concrete walls have been decorated with workman's tools that date back to the days when Red Wing was a fledgling company. One wooden wall, which itself was made from materials from an old Amish water tower, is used to exhibit most of the accessories on offer. Everything between these walls reminds you of the history of Red Wing, but in a contemporary setting.

Soon Red Wing Shoes Amsterdam will offer their complete assortment online too. The first official web-store of the brand will be launched next month. More about that soon. Check out all the images for a more complete interior impression or visit SXH to see more.

Our dear friend Joachim Baan published a very special set of photos today. Lee Jeans donated a few pairs of raw denims to the employees of a shipwright where they build Botters, a typical Dutch fishing boat. Joachim went to the shipyard and truly captured the spirit of local craft and the endurance of denim workwear.   "Behind the beautiful facade of the old village of Spakenburg, an almost lost world of real craftsmanship is hidden. Last year, my friends at Lee gave all the shipwrights a pair of unwashed jeans. One year later, a few pairs haven’t survived the hard work and though conditions, but a few aged like hell. Under a thick layer of oil, tar and paint, and patched together with extra ruler pockets the denim was hardly recognizable and almost look like waxed jeans. A beautiful setting for this original workwear. Enjoy the bigger picture on our Flickr page."

My good friend and former classmate Ravi started a business a few years ago. He grows organic vegetables on his own allotment of about an acre in the centre of the Netherlands, selling the harvest on the market in Utrecht. He would forever complain about the quality of today's work boots so we decided to support him with a proper pair of Red Wing Shoes. Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely summer evening on the land. Sharing good stories and sweet memories around the fireplace. Here's Take 1, the start of a sequel with the Red Wing Shoes Store Amsterdam.