Factory Visit - Leiftur / Sp/f. Sjóklæðir

A couple of days ago, I stopped by Sp/f. Sjóklæðir to make a surprise visit, hoping to get a look of the production, sewing machines and have a chat about the company. I was greeted by a sincerely friendly lady, Bjørg Nólsoy, who was happy to show me around.

This morning there was very little activity in the white painted, rather anonymous looking house, which serves both as Sjóklæðir's storage and workshop. This was due to the fact because the shipment with new supplies from Belgium unfortunately had taken a detour to Latvia and therefore was expected to arrive later that day.

The company is situated up a hill in the biggest fishing community of the Faroe Islands, Klaksvík. The past 50 years It has been providing Faroese fishermen, farmers and the fish industry ashore with work wear the.

Initially the garments were branded 'Mammut', but it was renamed 'Leiftur' meaning baby whale, because a factory in Denmark, more or less similar to Sjóklæðir, also called itself Mammut.

In its early days the factory also manufactured a range of everyday apparel including jeans and jackets. Today the company is run by Bjørg, who is the daughter of the founders. Nowadays the company employs six people. In the golden days as many as 40 people worked at Sjóklæðir.

Very little has changed in the production. The customers are the same people wanting exactly the same things when the previous are worn out.

Sometimes small adjustments are being made, when a number of fishermen have proclaimed that a hood or sleeve is too wide or narrow for instance.

This is also why Bjørg has no website and why she doesn't advertise. ”People know we're here and what we're about”.

All words and photos by Fríðgerð á Hálvmørk

Eastland Made in Maine - Part Deux

I caved. I went back to get the other pair of Eastland Made in Maine shoes, that I had been eyeing for some time. My older mocs (mostly Quoddy and Yuketen) are all quite worn out, and they are my go-to summer kickers, so I felt it was an investment worth making. 

They fit me perfectly and the construction of the shoe feels very solid and very sturdy. The leather choice isn't that interesting per se, but this Chromexcel from Horween feels a bit different from the other Chromexcel footwear I have. It's more waxy, more greasy and bit thicker as well. I'm sure, it'll wear in very nicely. But the colour however is a bit more interesting than the more regular colours you often see, although it's not crazy like some of the more recent moccasin, we've also been seeing.

Another nice feature is the leather mid sole. It's not an original feature, as far as I know, when comparing to bluchers in old LL Bean catalogs for instance. but it is a feature I quite enjoy.

Nice grain on the leather. It has a bit more character than regular Chromexcel, though still very subtle.

Perfect stitching.

I wouldn't mind adding more Eastlands to my shoe collection. They very well-made.

Now this post wouldn't be complete without a video. I hope I haven't posted this one before. It's hard to keep track. This video shows the Rancourt factory, where I'm quite sure, that Eastland's Made in Maine collection is made. It'll make you appreciate your shoes more.

Watches - Part 2

Watches - Part 1

As I've said before, I'm a collector of a lot of things. I'm always on the hunt for new things to collect, albeit never consciously, it just falls in my lap. One of the things I started collecting years ago is watches. It all started, when my parent's gave me a Ole Mathiesen watch, when I graduated high school, which replaced some awful quartz watches, I had been wearing until then. Nowadays I almost never wear quartz watches, although it can be funny sometimes.

I wanted to show off my collection of watches, which are almost entirely vintage. Not because they are good - a matter of fact most of them are completely worthless - but because I think old watches have an inherent beauty, that a lot of new watches don't have. Most of my watches are either given to my, found on flea markets or bought in antique stores, so none of them represent any real value besides affection.

And if you are wondering, why there are some women's watches among them, I can only say, I've never never passed on a watch, just because it is a women's watch. I'm sure, they'll all make some friend or girlfriend happy.

A little about the concept. All photos are shot by Niels Hjorth in series of 5-6 watches on a different background. The background is found in another collection of mine - my big collection of vintage fabrics. No editing has been done to photos in order to show the grime, dirt and patina on vintage watches.

WAYWT - 01

WAYWT isn't really my thing, but I've been wearing the Eastlands constantly, since purchasing them a couple of days ago, and I'm surprised by the level of comfort and absolutely no break-in period. It's been a pleasure. Furthermore they are really growing on me, and I think they look absolutely stunning.

From the bottom up I'm wearing

Eastland Made in Maine suede chukkas

LVC 1954 501z  jeans - absolutely worn out

Jamieson's fair isle  Shetland sweater

Lavenham waxed, quilted jacket

Not visible - Engineered Garments 19th century BD shirt.

Knot Clothing & Belt Co.

Sometimes I feel tired of wearing a leather belt, and sometimes I have beer goggles - perfect match. Grosgrain, brass D-ring makes for a pretty cool and fun casual belt. I'm really starting to prepare for summer.

Made in the USA by Knot Clothing & Belt Co