Staff Blog

I had a bit of spare time on my trip to check out some new retail concepts in Tokyo. I’ve seen the Indigo Camping Trailer FIL store on the web but it was cool to check it out in person….I’m still trying to wrap my head around how they got the trailer onto the 3rd floor of the Gyre Shopping centre….

The flooring is amazing….the product too!

After checking out Indigo Camping Trailer, I went to Meguro to visit Kazuya at the visvim Tokyo head office and showroom….The entrance to the visvim vault….

What’s up Kazuya!!

Last month FIL Tokyo had some cobbler artisans come do a demonstration on their hand stitched good year welt technique. Looks incredibly labor intensive.

Check out the individual waxed and knotted hand stitching on the sole

Here’s some shots from around the showroom that was previously occupied by a rice factory.

Next seasons corduroy, fur lined earflap cap with felt smiley face…Next Level!

Stay tuned for visvim hitting our shops this upcoming fall.

- Arthur

For a good chunk of April I was in Tokyo for the tail end of our AW2013 buying season. Tokyo is always a good time but exhausting as well, especially when you come 2-3 times a season! Two days of flying and 10 days on the ground is the usual schedule. The good thing is that In between all the endless meetings there’s always some free time to catch up with some good food, good laughs and good company.

One of the first orders of business was to hit up the SOPH. and Uniform Experiment AW2013 exhibition. The collections keep getting bigger and better. It’s always tough to edit down the collection for what works for us when everything looks good. We got some great pieces coming for next Fall that I’m sure everyone will be excited about.

Racks on Racks!

Can’t show much, but here’s something interesting….Paisley Printed Flannel Paneled Oxford!

After all the business is said and done there’s always time for beers and good food…. Before starting the night, Mitsuru had to pick up some stuff at Bridge.

Down the street from Bridge is a shop called ‘Wafflish Waffle’! Thought that was hilarious….only in Japan

We ended up hitting up some fancy industry opening party……

Mitsuru has the right idea…Free Booze, Time to go deep!

After a couple quick wobbly pops we bounced over to the Gyre to have Dinner with Nishizaki. The SOPH. guys always know the good spots.

Great Food at Honoji Izakaya in the Gyre Building on Omatesando.

The next day I met up with James from The New Order Magazine and we hit up the Native Sons exhibition.  For those still unfamiliar Native Sons is a joint collaboration between Tommy O’Gara (formerly of Dita) and Shinsuke Takizawa (NBHD).  Everything is ‘Mastercrafted’ in Japan with exceptional quality.

Can’t wait to wear these Salingers with the cross bar this upcoming summer….coming soon to HAVEN

Gold Mirror Lenses….damn!

Myself and Tommy, both sporting a couple new styles of sunnies that will be available shortly…

Finished off the day at Golden Brown, a Tokyo must!

more updates shortly…

- Arthur

The folks over at HYPEBEAST recently did an interview with me, regarding the business side of HAVEN. Thought I’d share it here with you guys in case you were interested in what makes HAVEN turn. Click the image or the link below to be taken to the article.

HYPEBEAST TRADE: Daniel Chmielewski of HAVEN on Value and the Canadian Retail Scene

HYPEBEAST TRADE: Daniel Chmielewski of HAVEN on Value and the Canadian Retail Scene

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Tokyo and had a chance to catch the NEIGHBORHOOD AW13 exhibition. The collection looked strong as always. Without giving away too much, here are a few shots from the visit.

Neighborhood got some custom soles!…

….AND some custom butterfly knife bottle openers! Be the boss of your next party when you whip this out to open your beer!

On my last few days in Tokyo I spent a lot of time wandering around and discovering new things on my own.. Here are some random shots.

Aoyama Cemetary. I was able to catch Hanami season.

Shibuya

This place called “On the Corner” which is on a quiet street in Shibuya is awesome! I wish they would open a coffee shop like this in Canada. I took a nice little break from walking here.

Apartment 1LDK is a cool concept space where you can grab a bite to eat and browse some lifestyle products. I took home these Stussy General Livin’ shampoos and body wash

And of course I had Standing Sushi Shibuya for my very last meal. Must-go if you have never been!

-Dan

A few days ago, we had a visit from our friend SJ, who delighted us with a book called “LITTLE PEOPLE IN THE CITY, The street art of Slinkachu”. **This art book captured the evanescent existence of the diminutive in the great and troubling city, have all the power of Gulliver’s Travels to impose upon us a realization of the asinine pride we take in the mere fact of comparison.

**Quoted from Forward by Will Self

Here are some pictures that we’ve enjoyed.

Jesus saves – Cambridge Circus, London 2006

Scavengers – Finsbury Park, London 2008

Last week the HAVEN buying team was in Tokyo for a couple of exhibitions. Among them was a new favourite to the shop, Hender Scheme. We took a trip over to the Hender Scheme offices in Setagaya, Tokyo and met with founder and designer Ryo Kashiwazaki. His “hommage” line of sneakers has been a very successful due to it’s design element of “growing” and aging more beautifully over time, which is in opposition to the image of sneakers that are usually worn in then thrown away.

Some of Hender Scheme’s sneakers after approximately two years of wear.

Ryo explained that this unique pen holder is on display the Tokyo museum of modern art and is modelled after the shoes Charlie Chaplin wore.

A Hender Scheme keychain made out of the sole of a shoe.

They also produce traditional Japanese houseware products such as this small coin collector.

Ryo Kashiwazaki, founder and designer.

More Tokyo updates soon!

-Dan

I dug up some of the more interesting photos from the tail end of our New York buying trip. We’ll be adding quite a few interesting brands for FW13. Here’s a little preview of what’s coming.

The M5 Showroom is an all day meeting for us with many brands to go through. One of the new ones we’ll be picking up is Ts(s) from Japan. Here’s Cam convincing us to order Hunting Jacket. He doesn’t have to try to hard..

We were able to take another look at next season’s Ten c. Here is a new model: the Storm Parka. I don’t like to use this term too often, but.. POW! Insta-copped.

Another new luggage based brand, Briefing. Travel functionally and stylish with this carry-on!

Herno Laminar has become a favourite at the shop and it is looking strong for next season.

Michael Burns the photo bomber. GOTCHA! ha!

Now on to the part you’ve been waiting for. Food recommendations! A quick walk through central park takes us to Jean Georges. Normally, this 3-star Michelan restaurant is pretty pricey. But go for brunch and you can get the damn good meal for just 40 USD.

Get the grape juice. Trust me. It’s something ridiculous like $15 a glass but gat dayum if it ain’t refreshing!

A new place that I completely recommend for lunch or dinner is Flex Mussels.

Get the donuts for dessert.

And lastly, if you find yourself around this travelling food truck in New York, do yourself a favor and get a waffel. Waffel and Dinges. It’s hard to catch, so don’t miss it if you see it.

That’s all for now. Photos from Tokyo travels soon!

-Dan

I’m just now realizing how long and extensive of a trip our FW13 buying tour was. I find myself sitting here on a layover in San Francisco on my way to Tokyo for a couple exhibitions this week and trying to find free moments to catch up on blogging from January! So, apologies for the delay! Now on to the photos..

There are a few (capsule) trade shows that happen around the world, but the New York one is probably the busiest I’ve found. Walking that show floor can get a bit intense. One of the interesting things I’ve noticed is that the New York (capsule) can be used as a sort of rough measure of incoming (and soon to be outgoing) fashion trends. ie. Menswear is the new streetwear!

We stopped by to say hi to Doug and Kenta from Reigning Champ. Their booth was packed so we didn’t stick around.

We did head over to the booth next door though. Yuketan! Look for it dropping at our shops very soon (this spring), here’s Arthur showing another one for next Fall.

After the (capsule) craziness, we took a stroll to the Maiden Noir show suite.

Arthur and I taking a much needed text and food break at Katz’ Deli.

Get the pastrami sandwich. Don’t bother with anything else on the menu.

Ride the train!…all the way to the LVC showroom.

Battery showroom to meet with John and check out Post Overalls.

Another new brand coming in for FW13 is Kapital. Artisan crafted in Okayama Japan and very detailed. We think you guys will dig it.

Can’t forget about Shake Shack! No seriously, if you haven’t had one of their Shack Stack burgers you are missing out.

On to the ACE hotel to see the boys at CYC (wings + horns / Reigning Champ). The boardroom was busy with a few meetings going on at once.

Hey Dave!

Hey Kenta!

Oh, and if you missed out on the much sought-after varisty jacket from wings + horns a few years ago, they are bringing it back in a new way!

Part 2 of New York coming soon (or whenever I get another free moment).

-Dan

It’s been almost one full year since the Toronto store opened up; I started working for HAVEN last year right after I returned from a Hawaiian adventure (is two years in a row considered habit forming?). A few weeks back I finally got to take some time for myself for a long holiday to Hawaii for the yearly POW WOW HAWAII event. Here are some shots taken on my point-and-shoot camera, with iPhones having amazing quality these days most of my pictures ended up instagrammed. Being from Toronto, I am not accustomed to sandy ocean beaches and mountain views, these photos do not even come close to the sublime and refreshing feeling of this paradise on earth.

Every year POW WOW brings out amazing artists from all over the world including: Dabsmyla, OG Slick, Askew, Roids, & 123Klan

The beginning of an amazing piece by Meggs and Phibs of Everfresh Australia

Momma whale and baby whale islands?

This dog knows whats up!

Some tunnel vision

Some fellow Canadians from Montreal, 123Klan doin’ some work

One of the best pieces this year by Nychos and Jeff Soto

Sunset at Waikiki beach

Magic hour

50 Shades of Blue (not that I’m into that stuff)

It’s pretty breath taking being this high up and seeing clouds casting shadows

This is why Hawaii is called the Rainbow state; you see single/double/triple rainbows on a daily