June is the month we celebrate father’s day. Here at Rising Sun & Co. that is the perfect excuse to throw a party with all the things we love like hot rods, vintage motorcycles, and great music and drinks.

On June 12th, 7-11PM, we are throwing a bash featuring Speedbuggy, the hard-playing, cowpunk band who will be playing music from their upcoming album. Maker’s Mark is providing the whiskey and bourbon for all sons and daughters of spirits-enjoying age.

Industrial furniture that is best described as functional art will be showcased by Cleveland Art. Julian Boots will also be showing off the craftman’s new handmade boots. Julian makes some of the best boots in America today, the old fashion way, with the same love and labor we at Rising Sun apply to clothing.

And of course we will be unveiling new product like the Rising Sun bandanna.

Event: Pre-Father’s Day Bash with Speedbuggy
Who: Speedbuggy, hot rods, Maker’s Mark, motorcycles, Cleveland Art, Julian Boots, Rising Sun, fun and games
When: Saturday, June 12, 2010. 7-11 PM
Where: Rising Sun & Co., 107 S Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105

Digging around the Rising Sun Archive we noticed that we were knee deep in thick skin. We’re talking about vintage leather jackets, of course. Collectible leather is another one of Mike Hodis’s passions that have turned into an obsession. While the line we produce does not currently have any leather products we thought it would still be fun to share some of the great pieces in the archive.

First up is a 40′s horsehide jacket from House of Quality. As the label indicates it is made from front quarter horsehide leather. The label itself is a black woven edge label made on specialized shuttle looms. As the bandless jacket is made specifically with motorcycle riding in mind the brushed flannel lining provides a bit of warmth to the wearer. The collars are lined with a honey colored suede. The original owner obviously loved this jacket and gave it much wear to create the fantastic honeycombs pattern fading on the arms. The cuffs, while simple in design, are beautifully shaped.

The front pockets are single welted while the zipper pocket is double welted and runs diagonal on the chest for easy access. The “Vogue” branded zipper with a round pull certainly helped keep valuable knickknacks (like smokes) secure.

By looking at the front one may not expect how slim the back looks. The sun ray pleats in the back are responsible for the shape that even by today’s standards would be considered a modern fit with a gentle flare. All in all a great vintage leather jacket.

Levi's accoutrements

Two days a week a gentleman by the name of Levi (real name) works in our haberdashery. The other days he rides and sells motorcycles (Harleys) while breaking in a pair of Rising Sun Blacksmith jeans. Wear marks are beginning to form. In due time his jeans will have a beautiful fade pattern with gorgeous traintracks and all. His inside leg seam already has a mark from the hot motor.

Come in the shop and shoot the bull with Levi. He enjoys talking about vintage, denim, and motorcycles.

Pocket Fading

Burn mark from hot motorcycle

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Front

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Back

The Rising Sun Outdoor Vest takes influence from vintage hunting and fishing gear. One of our obsessions is fly fishing, a sport that is every bit as nuanced as crafting garments out of indigo cloth. When Mike designed the Rising Sun Outdoor Vest his passion for fly fishing influenced some of the details. As he was specing out the vest and drafting the patterns he was also thinking about outdoor sports and the need for a well-made, functional vest.

Mike Hodis Fly Fishing in Wyoming

This garment is made on our antique single needle sewing machines and is full of useful compartments that allow easy, fussless access whether on the stream or on the streets.

The rare fabrication chosen–an indigo dyed canvas woven on vintage fly shuttle looms– is a twist on the canvas fabrics that vintage hunting and fishing vests were traditionally made of. The dye fades beautifully to reveal the character of the fabric.

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Chest Pocket

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Inside Pocket

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Inside Pocket Label

White Ticking Selvage identification

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest's indigo canvas fades beautifully

Cone Denim Black Seed chambray lining and pocketing on Rising Sun Outdoor Vest

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest easy access chambray pockets

Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Label

Back Cinch

[caption id=”attachment_379″ align=”aligncenter” width=”461″ caption=”Rising Sun Outdoor Vest Back Seam Selvage Identification. The double ticking stripe reminds us of the open road. The Outdoor Vest, with its easy access pockets, is perfect for motorcycle

Some really neat folks dropped by the shop today specifically looking for a pair of vintage engineer boots. We had it in the size they were looking for too, which is wonderfully serendipitous. Paul, Amber, and Buck belong to ODDBALL M/C (Motorcycle Club), a 40′s bike club. They live the Americana life to the fullest and we are happy to play a part in their style.

Paul and Amber Umbriaco, lovers of motorcycle, vintage, and life.

Paul Umbriaco posing with Indian Sport Scout in Rising Sun haberdashery

Paul Umbriaco's shirt with odd spelling

Oddball M/C on MySpace

Indian Sport Scout at Rising Sun & Co.

Check out this beautiful machine that is the Indian Sport Scout. It is a rigid frame motorcycle made by Indian. The company’s official history began in 1901 when founders George M. Hendee and Carl Oscar Hedstrom unveiled their prototype crowning Indian as one of the first American motorcycle manufacturers.

In 1971 Steve McQueen told Sports Illustrated in an interview about his Indian motorcycle from his younger days. “I was so proud of that Indian that I rode it over to see a girl I was dating. She said, ‘You don