GC featured this lovely illustrated map of Made in the U.S.A. brands. Eleven companies, founded between 1873 and 1999, four from the 19th century, the rest of the 20th, creating the best blankets, shirts, bags, jeans and boots. And as Red Wing Shoes we're proud to be featured as the 'Iconic producers of resurgent, Rust Belt-ready work boots'! Thank you for that.
(Read the feature here / The illustration was made by the talented Jon Han)

Just found out about this amazing documentary film illustrating  the life, skills & character of the turn-of-the-century Maine lumbermen & river drivers. Using oral histories, rare films & photography 'In The Blood' presents an accurate and vivid portrait of the men who pioneered their way through the 19th century Maine woods. The documentary was made by Sumner McKane, a composer, multi-instrumentalist, and filmmaker based in mid-coast Maine and is a truly amazing source of inspiration.

Cowboys in the Sky: A beautiful slideshow of pictures and stories on America and the world a decade after 9/11: The Reckoning by The New York Times. Play >

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."