The Gateway Clog

I never thought in a million, trillion thought that I was a lady of the clog. While in Portland this summer I found the gateway drug of clogs at House of Vintage. Well, they aren't really cloggy, just wood veneer, and sick hardware strapping the single perf leather toe strap. But seriously, this is about as far down the clog path I was willing to go. These rigid soled honeys are surprisingly comfortable. I can do a whole mess of errands in the city no probs. The heavenly gates of clogdom opened, and I saw the light. Soon after I had the chance to process the epiphany.... the holy grail of clogs came unto me:

Aren't they obscene? Too red, too shiny, buckles insanely huge. I love them. I have an outfit in mind to summon up a Dutch school boy from the late 60's turned up a few notches (psychedlasized?). I can see it now complete with patent red backpack, culottes, a stripy blazer, a crisp button down shirt with oversized bow tie and knee sock. Or a smock. Omygod smocks. yum.

Saddle Me Up

I ordered a custom harness from Ms. Zana Garbage Dress. I picked an uncharacteristic color, brown with brass hardware. A black leather harness on me? I'd look like a dominatrix. Which isn't all bad except the general vibe I want to maintain is "approachable". Here's a few pictures from the my back yard jungle.

Ride On, Girl. Ride On

So it's official, Marimo is rad. I asked her if she rides. After all, she's got the gear. She sent me these pics on her 50cc "Monkey" and "Ape" by Honda. What the what!? Awesome.

Tale of Langlitz Love from Across the Sea

Seems like many of my stories and projects are drawing to a close these days. Here's one of my favorites: a tale of love of leather in two countries. I found a BEAUTIFUL antique motorcycle Langlitz Leather jacket and pants from the 1950's last month and sold it online to a very rad lady named Marimo (coolest name ever. Look at these little guys eek! algae pets!) [[Sorry, Marimo if you are hating on the precious moss balls, I just love them]]

Today, Marimo sent me pictures of herself in her new leather! And it fits perfect. I'm soooooooo stoked on this cross continental exchange. It's brought together my three loves, vintage fashion, leather and Japan. Isn't this to die for cuteness? I mean cute as is this chick is rolling tough in some serious street armor.

Margiela Spats on 50 Cent Boots

You may recall a boot project I had going last week. These guys right here:

I finished the spats today. What do you think?



Yes, nude bodysuit and all:

These are the first spats/boot alterations I've ever done. I want to do more soon.

Leather Universe

I'm really digging Raphael Young's shoe design, Especially the boots and booties on the left. In Dazed Digital he said, "leather is my universe", If that's true, put me in a spaceship and send me there.

Love his sketches...something to aspire to.

Keeping Busy to Stave My Mind

Keeping busy with projects today.
1. Continuing saga of the plain white t-shirt.

I sewed it to make it long and skinny, then dyed it with Black Rit dye. Most like Obesity and Speed's black shredded T:


2. New project: imitating the look of Margiela's sagging/folded leather boot with spats. I found the boots on the right at the Goodwill bins ($1). They are comfortable but I really don't like the aesthetic of narrow ankles.

I'm building ruffled leather spats to fasten on top of them. Here's the process in action, using a favorite (toxic!) product: Shoe Goo with a close second: clothes pins.

Using scraps of leather from roomie Sadie's leather skirt and a damaged leather coat.
Get back to you on the end result.

What was That? I Can't Hear You Over My Leather Shorts

Um. Sick. Leather freakin' shorts. Hello! (They're noisy devils) sqeeeeeeeaaak.

Perfect Boots Redux

While back I scoped a pair of boots that were almost what I had in mind for the perfect boot.


Today I found them! Martin Margiela ankle boots with that buckling leather cascading down. Yesyesyes.


I'm going to attempt to recreate these bad boys. Stay tuned.

Icon-Tura Satana

Tura Satana kickin' ass in Russ Meyer's Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Satana's father was a silent movie actor of Japanese and Filipino descent, and her mother was a circus performer of American Indian (Cheyenne) and Scots-Irish background. After the end of World War II and a stint in the Manzanar internment camp in Lone Pine, California, she and her family moved to the Westside of Chicago. She developed breasts very early and, despite being an excellent student, was constantly harassed for her figure and Asian heritage. Walking home from school at the age of nine she was gang raped by five men. Her attackers were never prosecuted and it was rumored that the judge had been paid off. [1] This prompted her to learn the martial arts of aikido and karate and, over the next 15 years, track down each rapist and enact revenge. "I made a vow to myself that I would someday, somehow get even with all of them," she said years later. "They never knew who I was until I told them." Fierce.


To prove this lady's the real deal, in 2007, she's still kickin' ass.

Epic Leather

I gotta kiss it goodbye. This leather baby's off to a country beloved to me, sweet sweet Japan. I love you Japan. I do. Everyday more and more. sniff, sniff. Makes me misty.



I can just picture it now, a mini motorcycle mistress cruising in Langlitz Leathers duds down the streets of Tokyo. I wish I wish I wish.



I really hope to be able to use this money to go back to Japan this summer. Fingers crossed on the economy! Until then I'll hunker down and watch stupid youtube vids until everything settles down.

Hawking Leather

I've finally posted the Langlitz Leather Columbia motorcycle jacket on ebay.

Let's see how it turns out.

Hit the Jacket-pot

After much anticipation, I went to Langlitz Leather company this morning to find out more about my leather. As soon as the counter-person set eyes on it, he had a smile from ear to ear.

One by one the Langlitz staff came to check out my jacket reeling at the fact I'd found it at a thrift store. (Oh, and I bought it in Washington [where sales tax is applicable] but used my Oregon state ID to forfeit paying tax)Cheap!

The staff was so great and helpful. He told me about the details of the jacket (Crown zipper, green label, horsehide, etc.) and dated it for me. I spent half the weekend online dying to find out more information. It really helped to confirm my suspicions. Of course it'd make sense to keep it, it's my size and it's GORGEOUS! But, I think there is a special someone who'll like it better than I. Someone who loves motorcycles and will wear it regularly. Keep an eye out for this bad boy on ebay. It should be quite a ride!

MLK+UNICORN+VALENTINE'S=Thrift Jackpot

The adventure continues at this thrift store:

I spied the most incredible motorcycle jacket in a tinsy-tiny size, which is super rare. I unhooked the jacket and slid it on. OH, man it felt amazing, stiff, perfectly worked in and RAD antique hardware.

Riding the high of finding a perfect leather jacket for mere pittance, I start looking closer.

Langlitz Leathers is a local Portland motorcycle leather wear company producing 5 pieces daily and only one outlet in America but 50 licensed dealers in Japan (!). They've been around for 62 years, since 1947!
Behind the jacket was a pair of itty bitty leather riding pants.


I bought the jacket and left the pants behind. I didn't see how anyone would ever fit in them, definitely not me.
We left the store and I started checking out ebay and vintage sites trying to find something similar and things got interesting.




I looked up the name on the inside pocket, "Mrs. Bert Taylor", well Bert Taylor really. And found he was a professional Norton racer in 1927. This was his wife's custom made leather.
Finding the provenance and history I felt guilty about separating the pants from jacket and returned to buy them for $14.99.

It took me a few hours to find any information on this particular jacket. It was older than all the Langlitz Leather jackets online. I FINALLY found this page in a Japanese book about the history of leather jackets (for sale on ebay).
(click to enlarge)
JACKPOT! A 1950-1956 Langlitz Leather horsehide Columbia leather jacket with matching pants. I'm hoping to go to Japan and have a good chunk of my expenses paid with these babies. First, I'm going to head to Langlitz and talk to Dave (who is a minor celebrity in Japan) and see what he has to say about cleaning and treating the leather. I also would like to find out more about the jacket and possibly what it's worth since I haven't found any online from the 50's for sale only a few from the 60's. I have learned a whole hella of a lot about vintage leathers, I'm now a huge fanatic!

Reminds me of the first time I encountered a Langlitz Leather jacket, 2002 working at Music Millennium.



Check the hat. Benicio is a bigger fanatic than I, bless him.