The Sunset Sessions: September 2013

Friday, September 20, 2013

▲ REVAMPED IN BLACK ▲

Rolling out a brand new revamped vintage style to rock out in...

The Sunset Sessions is releasing an all-new original revamped vintage collection of rock tees, including these one-size-fits-all elastic top tube tops—made from super soft comfy, pre-loved vintage rock tees. The tees are hand-studded with pyramid or round studs—just like all custom studded rock tees featured in The Custom Clothing & Accessories collection

And of course, we had to start the collection with AC/DC...

HAPPY FRIDAY - Have a totally rockin' weekend \m/\m/\m/

THIS LOOK FEATURES:

Studded and revamped vintage (AC/DC) rock tee tube top

Vintage 1980s suede leather button-down skirt

'The Bolinas' model custom cuffs: special leopard print spcaLA edition($5 from each sales goes directly to spcaLA) & 'The Bolinas' reversible red leather & suede model cuff with silver round studs

ALL ITEMS shown here available from The Sunset Sessions VINTAGE CUSTOM COLLECTION

SHOP sunset-sessions.com
original rare vintage & custom handmade leather collection

Credits:

wardrobe/styling: The Sunset Sessions (wardrobe) http://www.sunset-sessions.com/

photography & art direction: http://graphicsdiva.com/
photography assistant: Ocellus Photography

model: Alexis Laura Ren

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

▲ ROCKIN' THE STREETS ▲

Cruising the streets of the S.F. Mission Dist in classic vintage rock x contemporary streetwear style

I don't know about you, but I'm a HUGE fan of the classic Levi's denim cutoffs and would have absolutely no problems living in mine 365, 24/7. Unfortunately, the NorCal weather is always completely shifty and unpredictable--so, rocking the dukes each day, pretending it's SoCal—just isn't possible. Even in September, when we FINALLY get our Summer! However, an easy, fashionable (and favorite) way to continue to style with these awesome wardrobe through Fall and into early Winter, is to simply throw on a pair of thicker hose or tights as a base layer...then, layer on an extra pair of knee or thigh high socks on top. Keeps your legs warmer AND adds a bit more accessorizing style to the mix. I love to pick solid colors which match certain screens from a favorite vintage tee, or, pick a vibrant plaid flannel shirt—or military jacket—to wear as a layering piece; then match the color(s) with your sock color. Alternatively, a really fun patterned full-stocking design is always a fun approach to wearing beneath the denim shorts. (When I do this, however, it often feels like the patterns can be super "loud" and eye-catching, so, styling with a more mono-chrome top is helpful to keep from looking like a circus sideshow act.) Throw on a loose cap or beanie which matches the sock or stocking color--and, you're fully accessorized for urban streets...looking hot, while it's still cool out.

FEATURING:

Pyramid studded 1970s vintage army camo jacket
Studded and revamped vintage (The Rolling Stones) rock tee

Vintage Levi's 501s cutoff denim shorts (w/ 1" inseam)

'The Bolinas' model custom cuffs: Red suede with silver pyramid studs and Black leather with gold pyramids & 'The Hook' model cuff feat. black leather with silver round studs

(All vintage leather wrist cuffs made from old 1970s & 80s vintage leather jackets)

ALL ITEMS shown here available from The Sunset Sessions VINTAGE CUSTOM COLLECTION

SHOP sunset-sessions.com
original rare vintage & custom handmade leather collection

Credits:

wardrobe/styling: The Sunset Sessions (wardrobe) http://www.sunset-sessions.com/

photography & art direction: http://graphicsdiva.com/

model: Alexis Laura Ren

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

▲ ALLEY CAT ▲

S.F. skateboarding and alley crusin' in some fresh revamped vintage streetwear theads n' accessories from The Sunset Sessions...

FEATURING:

Pyramid studded 1970s vintage army camo jacket
Studded and revamped vintage (Poison) rock tee

Black leather with gold pyramids and brown leather with gold studs custom vintage leather wrist cuffs (made from old 1970s vintage leather jackets)

ALL ITEMS shown here available from The Sunset Sessions VINTAGE CUSTOM COLLECTION

SHOP sunset-sessions.com
original rare vintage & custom handmade leather collection

Credits:

wardrobe/styling: The Sunset Sessions (wardrobe) http://www.sunset-sessions.com/

photography & art direction: http://graphicsdiva.com/

model: Alexis Laura Ren

Friday, September 13, 2013

▲ SALE ON ALL CUSTOM ITEMS IN SHOP ▲

Special shop SALE on NOW through 9/16 Mon(midnight)

Take 20% OFF ALL custom leather clothing and accessories available at: sunset-sessions.com

Click HERE to shop SALE
And enter CODE "CustomsRock" at checkout (for anything in 'Custom Clothing & Accessories')

All leather cuffs* featured in The Sunset Sessions shop are handmade using recycled 1960s-80s vintage leather jackets. Custom ordering allows for special requests: leather or suede finish, color(from a range of natural/non-toxic, water based dyes) and variety of stud options.

*All leather cuffs in shop are made from recycled vintage jackets—except for the special spcaLA design model, which is made from new, contemporary leather cow hides.

Custom vintage military jackets (shown below) range from 1950s to 1970s original styles; and feature a variety of custom stud/design options.

(Pictured above, is latest 1970s camo army military jacket design; available for both women and men.)

(Custom vintage rock tees also available in custom sale.)

Click HERE to shop SALE

And enter CODE "CustomsRock" at checkout (for anything in 'Custom Clothing & Accessories')

SHOP sunset-sessions.com original rare vintage & custom fashion collection

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

▲ DIY DENIM DISTRESSING ▲

I've had a few inquires about the distressed denim which I've been wearing & posting in social media recently, so, I thought I'd post a little DIY "how-to" on denim distressing.

I'll share a method which I've discovered, that is the most cost-effective & easiest way to create the most natural-looking distressing(of any magnitude) to your denim. (This IS also the fastest method, however, this DOES take some time and patience to execute; and really tightly woven denim and/or super distressed denim will always require more time and patience.)

You can create distressing using this method to make styles as simple as THIS:

OR as complex as THIS:

Here are the only basic tools which you'll need; (scissors and tweezers):

STEP 1.
Cut two parallel slices in your denim, wherever you'd like the top and bottom edges of the holes to begin and end:

STEP 2.
Using tweezers, grab each INDIVIDUAL dark indigo thread of denim which runs PARALLEL down each leg; give it a good tug and pull it directly away from the denim stitching. (NOTE: This step works easier with softer or stretch denim, or any denim with a more loose weave. If your denim is very tight or old vintage, you may need to try STEP 3 instead.)

STEP 3.

Using tweezers, grab each INDIVIDUAL white thread of denim which runs ACROSS (PERPENDICULAR) on each leg; wrap one of the arms of the tweezers around the individual white thread and pull it away from the denim stitching. (You'll see this begins to create a stack of parallel white lines of thread.)

STEP 4.

Remove any excess denim threads or loose ends, fibers, with the tweezers, to clean up the area.

STEP 5.

Wala! You have created a "faux" worn-out spot in your denim.

(Just repeat all steps above anywhere on your jeans where you'd like a distressed patch to show.)

If you want a completely hole (exposing skin beneath denim), just remove the white threads until you expose the amount of skin which you'd like shown.

SHOP sunset-sessions.com original rare vintage & custom fashion collection

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

▲ VINTAGE GARDEN DIY STYLE ▲

Working on The Sunset Sessions new studio/workspace, I wanted to add some outdoor landscaping details. There really isn't much natural soil space available, so I've improvised and taken the small space urban garden approach as well as incorporated some vintage elements to the design. Instead of planting directly into ground soil—I've sourced old vintage resources to use as planting beds for succulents. (Being located close to the sea, but also having incredibly variable weather conditions and a rather unpredictable travel schedule which makes it challenging to consistently maintain most flower varieties—I find succulents to work incredibly well here out on the California coast.)

I spent the last couple weekends hitting up flea and farmers markets, sourcing different varieties of succulents, scouting for old pots, tool boxes, coffee cans and...an old vintage Radio Flyer wagon.

I've had the idea for a long time, to transplant succulents into a Radio Flyer to use as a breeding bed for small clippings from larger bulbs, as an alternative small urban garden approach. Then, as they grow into full mature bulbs, they can be removed and planted into larger pots and replaced in the wagon soil with new baby clippings.

The old vintage toolboxes also make great resources for harvesting young clippings, or, to use as a general table top decor, or for styling photoshoots and/or social events.

Old burlap coffee bags also make GREAT affordable planters as an alternative to traditional clay pots. They're a little tricky to set up, but, once you get the solid base filled up and free-standing stable, the burlap actually begins to harden over time (with watering and natural rain water) and develops into a pretty rigid pot.

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Monday, September 2, 2013

▲ A SWELL LABOR DAY WEEKEND ▲

Hope you had an amazing Labor Day holiday and weekend. Mine was pretty A-ok...worked my ass off trying to get the new studio space up & active and ready to rock n' roll; finally snuck out the door for a pretty sweet surf sesh this afternoon. (Photos above via Instagram; check out @TheSunsetSessions on Insta for more.)

It's refreshing to know there are still gorgeous, empty waves out there for the taking--even on days when most beaches are cluttered with BBQs, beer cans and bodies battered in tanning oil. It's rejuvenating to get off the beaten path; I feel completely refreshed and ready to tackle another crazy, fast-paced week ahead.

SHOP sunset-sessions.com original rare vintage & custom fashion collection