Visiting the Majestic Athletic Factory in Easton, Pennsylvania

 This blog post is in partnership with Majestic Athletic + MLB.

When something curious drops into your inbox an eyebrow can often be raised. Too good to be true? A spammy scattergun email approach? But these emails can often be worth a second glance. A few months back I had one of those emails staring back at me. It started with sometime along the lines of, "...we think you'd be perfect for an exciting project we're working on with Majestic Athletic and Major League Baseball". Whoa. They got me hooked.

After several phone calls, brainstorm sessions and small bits of pre-project photography I found myself boarding a plane heading to New York, in preparation of meeting up at the small city of Easton, Pennsylvania, with the Majestic Athletic team, a production crew from London + my stalwart travel buddy – and photographer for the project – Jordan Bunker.

The idea behind the project was to document the journey which Majestic Athletic's iconic US-made baseball jerseys go through to finish up on the backs of professional players of MLB and the millions of fans worldwide. From the cutting room floor to the finishing room of Easton, PA, to the final product on the MVP players at Yankees stadium in New York. We'd follow the process, from start to finish.

An integral part of this brief was to also look further than the product; to dig deeper and find out more about the people that make this all happen. Who were the personalities behind each step of the production, what makes this small blue-collar town really tick and how this historical factory effects wider community.

As a last minute surprise I was told that I'd have a hand in creating my very own Majestic Cool Base Jersey. I'd shadow the whole process, from the tailoring and fitting to sewing down the name + numbers on the back. This was going to be a fun day!

 Resident tailor Micheal Pannuccio was on-hand to take my measurements for my custom Cool Base Jersey

 Myself + the adorable "Button Babe" Lori J. Smith after my attempts of sewing buttons onto a one of the jerseys

A 4:30am start on the day of filming was quite a shock to the system. But, we were there to shadow the working day of some of the Majestic factory's most invaluable workforce – we were on their time. From the 6am clock-in and mid-morning precision at the cutting table, to the magically rhythmic sewing team and the all-important quality control stations – seeing this US production line in action was an experience not to be forgotten.

Easton's community spirit runs deep throughout the Majestic fleet. These guys have been responsible for creating the official MLB jerseys in the factory since 1976. We spoke with Plant Manager Mark Todd about the buzz he gets when seeing the MLB players hitting home runs on TV while wearing jerseys made on his floor, and watching the charismatic "Button Babe" Lori J. Smith sew the mother of pearls on faster than you'd ever imagine. The day was filled with these short but memorable interactions; each worker connected by a passion for their job and the drive to hone their craft.

Travel | Visiting the Workshop of Monobi in Florence, Italy

 Beste Spa Workshop, Cantagallo, Italy

In 2017 we use Instagram in so many ways; travel inspiration, seek out styling ideas, push our photography skills, keep on track of our fitness progress, connect with like-minded people across the world, grow a client list...the list is endless. I often use Instagram as a way of discovering new brands, and to be inspired by a creative outlook – it brings a world of ideas into our fingertips.

I first came across the Italian menswear brand Monobi last year, when Jordan was invited to take over their Instagram account while he was attending the menswear trade show, Pitti. The name "Monobi" intrigued me, as did the brand's approach to technical fabric and design. Information on these guys was confined to their website and my few passing conversations with Jordan – this only added more to the mystery. 

After a few months of following the brand on Instagram I was met with a message in my inbox, inviting me visit their workshop for a day, to learn more about the brand's influences and meet the people behind the name "Monobi".

A language barrier can be funny thing. It usually goes one of three way; you try your best but end up frustrated, you understand perfectly, or you find it really tricky but somehow, some way, you don't need words to understand the message. My visit to the Beste Spa workshop in Cantagallo was a perfect example of how words can be broken down, and understood perfectly through an experience.

The Besta Spa workshop plays an integral role to Monobi's success; with the design, development, product testing, production and distribution all coming from inside the complex. A complex like no other, too. The 30ft high glass shell is intertwined with dark wooden beams overhead, internal walls made from pale concrete fill in the gaps, and foliage-filled walkways - which look like a perfect match for Haarkon's Instagram feed - all make for quite a special experience. And yes, I am still talking about a factory here!

Behind The Design Series | Paulin Watches

 Eleanor Paulin, Designer at Paulin Watches 

For me, one of the most satisfying things that has come from writing this blog is being able to meet the people behind the designs. The last few years have been a great time to be a supporter of British design; not only have independent craftspeople and makers weaved their way into our everyday feeds, they have captured peoples' imagination and slowly given us time to follow their creative path.

But being an independent designer or brand doesn't instantly give you a bye to a quality product; a lot of brands pass me by for not being my taste, being poorly made, or something that's just a carbon copy of the next. You have to pick and choose – investing time into researching the the ideas behind the product, and if it's right for you.

The watch market is booming right now, with a definite Instagram-affect happening as we speak. But to set yourself apart from the others you need to be offering something a little different.
 

When you invest time and money into start-ups and smaller companies, in the main, you're backing the people that make the products happen, and I guess, for me, that's the most rewarding part. It's for the passion.

Paulin Watches is a great example; a British designed + built watchmaker, based in the heart of one of Glasgow's oldest districts. A trip up to Glasgow is always met with open arms, and over the years I've made some great friends there. I visited Paulin's workshop – which doubles up as their retail outlet – on a very soggy Tuesday morning in July, and the team were just as I imagined; warm, open and obsessed with their craft.

The Art of Making a Tennis Ball by Benedict Redgrove

If you only watch one video today let it be this curiosity. The art of creating a tennis ball is waaaaaaay more complex and fascinating that you'd imagine! This short video takes you through the 24 steps each tennis ball goes through before it is ready for the court. Just wait 'till the neon green comes in shot...

Created by visual artist Benedict Redgrove for ESPN, and shot at the Wilson factory.

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The Oxford Shirt in 50 Steps by ASKET

Factory and design videos are a little bit of an obsession. I guess it gives us a certain connect to the product we may potentially spend our money on, but also gives you the sense of the process each item goes through. Step-by-step, we get to see each pair of hands the item passes through, and the skill it takes to create the finished product – be that manual or machine-driven.

However I do find a lot of these short documentaries a little throwaway - sometimes you barely get to consider each movement, and it all becomes a little too "oh we best make one of those videos". This short film by ASKET, shot inside a family-run factory just outside Braga, Portugal, manages to squeeze the 50 steps it takes to create one of their new Oxford shirts, into 03:09. Yet it doesn't feel rushed or ill-considered. In fact, it's set at just the right pace for me to take it all in and enjoy.

Press play and enjoy The Oxford Shirt in 50 Steps. See our review of ASKET's essentials here.

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A Visit to the Barbour Factory, South Shields

One chilly morning in March I made the trip up to Newcastle (big thanks to Hannah for the coffee shop recommendation) for the first time in my life. It's one of the few big Northern cities that I've somehow managed to avoid – eight trips to Scotland last year and I never stopped off...The North East of England is known for its rich industrial and trade background, and Barbour's HQ in South Shields is no exepection to the rule.

J. Barbour & Sons Ltd., est 1894, is one of the most celebrated brand names you will find in the UK, if not the world. Their steadfast outerwear was originally intended for manual labour + outdoor work, but has since been adopted by many cultures; from the upper classes and farmers, to musicians and those with an interest in timeless style. With a keen interest for manufactoring and craft, I couldn't wait to see things up close.

 Press studs being positioned

Exploring the Isle of Jura with Trakke + Jura Whisky

Image by Willy Iffland

It's not often I arrive home from a trip feeling totally content, but spending three days getting to know the beautiful island, and people of Jura was an experience I'm not likely to easily forget. We were invited to stay on the Scottish island by Jura Whisky, to celebrate their partnership between Glasgow-based Trakke, and the distillery itself – the result being a limited edition waxed cotton backpack.

Travel to this remote island wasn't easy, in fact it took two trains, a overnight in Glasgow, a plane, a ferry and an hour's bumpy taxi ride to reach the town of Craighouse. But it was all worth it just for those views.

We spent three days on Jura - a mountainous and boggy island, located west of mainland Scotland. An island famous for its whisky, but vast in its community spirit, local quirks and plush landscape. By intergrated ourselves into the community; drinking and dining with the locals, learning about the island's history and exploring the endless rocky terrain, we experienced a true sense of what it might be like to live somewhere so remote.

When the collaboration between outdoor brand Trakke and Jura Whisky was shared with me, I was instantly intrigued, but learning about the reasons behind why these two companies were coming together made for a more meaningful experience.

With Love Project Hardbound Book on Kickstarter

Our friends at With Love Project just launched their new Kickstarter campaign, with the aim to fund a hardbound book, which documents their search for people who produce things with purpose and passion. Last November we previewed the "Backbone of Britain" project, which shares Chris Roberts + Rob Evans's journey across the UK, to dig into why these makers and craftspeople do what they do. For the love, the passion, and the way of life.

"Each and every journey is filled with excitement and anticipation of hearing another great story; an insight into someone's thinking, their way of life and a chunk of knowledge and
advice to hold on to."

At this point the With Love Project has visited nearly 40 inspring individuals; each with a unique but interlinking story of following their dreams. Blacksmiths, Shoemakers, Denim experts, Mechanics, Potters, Shopkeepers...these stories have now been turned into a beautifully put-together book - it's the perfect coffee-table book for anyone who has a love for craft, travel stories, and design.

For more information on the project, and some exciting rewards, visit the With Love Project Kickstarter page.

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Jocks&Nerds x Shinola | Phil Cuttance Craft Film

Following on from the Jocks&Nerds + Shinola's craft pop-up in their Soho, London store last month is this short film which showcases just what goes into making one of Phil Cuttance's handmade products. The designer + maker takes a fairly low-fi, old school approach to designing his bespoke pots and vases, by manipulating a resin mold by hand, from start to finish. No frills, just a simple, but innovative, pleasing product.

Click and enjoy. Seasons Greetings to you all.

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