Who Made Your Clothes? | #InsideOut Fashion Revolution

Brothers We Stand - #InsideOut

Who Made Your Clothes? These words are not something we really consider on an everyday basis. In fact, most of us won't consider it at all. Unless we have close connections to a factory, manufacturer, or the industry we're unlikely to ever find out either. 

A lot of you will know that I'm very pro-local production and try to support small + independent business, (in particular the UK + US) whenever I can. It's very encouraging to see UK brands such as Mamnick, TRiCKETT, S.E.H Kelly and Hiut Denim, forming such a loyal following, and tapping into specific niches + needs across the clothing industry. Huit's jeans even get signed off with the marker's signature, so you whose hands constructed each pair. Same goes for our brand, Northern Goods Co. - any queries about our products, we can talk to you through the whole hand-production process.

TRiCKETT Lynch Socks - Made in Durham, England

Mamnick Commute Clip - Made in Sheffield, England

Northern Goods Co. Key Clip - Made in Blackpool, England.

24.04.14 marks one-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster, in which over 1,000 garment workers lost their lives, when their factory complex collapsed, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fashion Revolution Day says enough is enough. 

So, Who Made Your Clothes? Fashion Revolution is asking us to be more curious about our clothes, and wear them #InsideOut - drawing attention to their labels, questioning who was it made by and in which country? You can share your images using the hashtag #InsideOut + @Fash_Rev.

Ethical menswear store Brothers We Stand have produced this series of images (see first image) to accompany the campaign, asking us once again how much we really know about the clothing on our backs. They'll be posting new photos on their Instagram throughout the day, so have a gander.

It's time to turn the industry Inside Out, so get involved! To find out how you can help out, visit Fashion Revolution  here.

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BBSC - Best of British #LCM Pop-Up Shop

Image by Jonathan Daniel Pryce

To coincide with the AW14 London Collections: Men this week (6th-8th Jan), BBSC are holding a Pop-Up shop to celebrate the Best of British Menswear. The shop will be packed with some great independent brands and designers from across the land, I'm also extremely proud to say that our label, Northern Goods Co. will be available to buy in the store! 

The space has been curated by BBSC's Daniel Peters and is located at 18 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Covent Garden, WC2H 9LG. So if you're in the area please do pop by and check it all out, plus any snaps of NGC you can get would be a massive help! Follow with #LCM.

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2013 - You Total Dude

Hey folks. It's that time of year the where we all start to look back at photos to remind ourselves what's been going on, and hasn't time flown? I don't usually do a re-cap post but 2013 was a very important year for us, so here goes. There was plenty more posts in between but in my round up I've picked out a few of my favourite moments.

Whilst looking back through images from this year, it quickly became clear that 2013 was a massive one for us. We started off the year by heading to Orlando, in January but some of you guys might remember we had to cut out trip short due to a family death. It sure rocked things. In the few days that we were there we didn't actually manage to do much, but we did come across Buckets & Spades in Susie Bubble's Style Feed, sitting in Urban Outfitters, Orlando no less! It still doesn't feel real that Buckets & Spades made it into a proper book!

 Back in March I finally asked Hollie to marry me, and to my relief she said yes! We're still to set a date yet but I really can't wait, I'd do it tomorrow if it was possible. I'd been planning to ask her while we were in Orlando but due to circumstances it was best to wait till things had settled down. This image was taken on the seafront where we live, the town we first met in about 8 years ago. Hollie also knows good gifts!

This year I also discovered how much I enjoy classic car shows, and apparently, so does everyone else! Around the month of July was the time I decided to finally turn freelance and took up the blog full time. In my first freelance month I joined up with Pinterest to help launch their #PinInForward Campaign, ran several juicy giveaways and started daily posting on the blog. It was also a boiling summer, which meant shorts every single day for a good three weeks running! Blogging became my full time job and I've never looked back since. It's opened so many new opportunities for me and I'm extremely excited to see what 2014 holds for us. 

The blog is a joint effort though, it's not just me. - Hollie helps with photography and back-end design, and in October Yasumi of Stranger London joined in as a contributer! If you're interested in contributing to Buckets & Spades please do get in touch.

Another stand out moment of the year was getting to visit the Grenson Shoe Factory in Northampton. We spent about 6 hours at the factory (which is now no longer in use), seeing each stage of shoemaking, from start to finish. It blew my mind, since then I had a new found love and respect for craftsmanship and traditions. I also picked up a pair of swanky brogues for the wedding! 

A new pup landed in our lives. It's true, Chole is a nightmare at times but she's a doll really. Looking back at the first photo I ever took of her, well I mean, just look at how small her feet are! I was also lucky enough to have a gander around Raw creative studios thanks to my pal Carol.

Remember the DIY denim project I did for Bucks & Co., to raise money for Jeans for Genes Day? After a nervous start, I must say they finished product was pretty sweet! I'm not one for DIYs but I sure gave it a go. It was definitely a proud moment for me. I also joined up with a couple of other menswear bloggers and Uniqlo, to help promoting their UT Collection and new video sharing app.

We got our small label, Northern Goods Co. stocked in a couple of stores! In September I visited Liverpool based menswear store Weavers Door, to shoot an editorial and that day they became our first in-store retailer! Que balloons and ticker tape parade! Last week we also started working with  BBSC. It was really surreal seeing our products sitting alongside some big established brands, go us!

As I mentioned before, 2013 was the year I decided to go full time with the blog and from that I've been lucky enough to connect and meet some amazing people, from all around the world. Seriously guys, it's been a pleasure to meet you all. I just hope I can meet some more of you in person once we hit 2014! Your readership means everything.

In Part 2 I'll round up a few more outfit, places we traveled to, and a whole bunch of other stuff. But as this is the final post of 2013, I'll wish you all a very happy new year!

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#SmallBizSatUK + Weekend Links

Northern Goods Co. Shorty + Key Clip.

Today is the day people across the UK celebrate Small and Independent businesses. We're all being encouraged get down our local shops, dig deep and show some support. I for one and very down with this as there's some amazing stores out there just waiting to be discovered, it's something I'm very passionate about.

It would be rude not to give a mention to our Small Business, Northern Goods Co., run by myself and Hollie. We're currently offering 30% off all orders with the code "HOHOHO30". So click on through and buy someone a present from a Small Business this Christmas! Join in with #SmallBizSatUK.

Some of my favourite small businesses - Cow & Co., Ideology Boutique, Fig + Sparrow, Utility of Brighton, Folklore, Present & Correct, Harrop & Penny, Weavers Door, Godspeed, Objects of Use, Mamnick.

I hope you've all had a lovely week guys! Are you venturing down to your locals this weekend? I'd love to hear about some of your favourite small businesses, send me your links!

Weekend Bucket List 

My pal Russ Erwin recorded a song in a church just near our place.
The first batch of Slinky's sold out in 2 hour, flip!
Why barns are painted red. I'm still lost...
Classic Paintings pixelated with LEGO.
Something to brighten your pedals up.
Making decorating your Xmas tree into a proper day.
What happens to your shoes when they go in for their MOT.

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Weekly Round Up #1

 Clockwise - Carharrt Native Shirt c/o Pavilion Clothing, Levi's 511, Clarks Originals Desert Boots, Tintin Explorers on the Moon, Farah Vintage Jacket, Uniqlo Socks, Northern Goods Co. Key Clip.

Here's a new feature for the blog, a "Weekly Round Up" of all things good. I thought I'd take the opportunity to pick out a few essentials from the week, mostly things I've been wearing, but with a couple added curiosities for good measure. Here's this week's:

Tintin Explorers on the Moon - I'm obsessed with Tintin at the moment, the humor in the comics is just wonderful and the illustrations are very charming too. Ahead of his time, Herge was a genius in my opinion. You can pick usually up a cheap copy on Amazon, go!

Carhartt Native Shirt - This tasty piece was c/o my lead sponsors Pavilion Clothing and it's had a lot of compliments so far. The colours in the Carhartt Native Shirt really work and the material is super soft. It's roomy enough to wear as a layering piece/overshirt style or with a t-shirt and jacket. The fit is quite boxy so it's not for everyone, but suits me just fine. 

Northern Goods Co. Key Clip - A shameless plug but it's a great feeling using something everyday that you've designed yourself. This week I've given my Camo clip a rest, after 8 months of solid use and swapped it for our Kelly Green version.

I'd love to hear of your essentials and curiosities this week, feel free to share them in the comments below!

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Store Visit...Weavers Door, Liverpool

 Weavers Door, Liverpool.

Northern Goods Co. sitting alongside Universal Works, Mr. Natty, Uniform Wares and Mamnick!

Located down the twists and turns of Cavern Walks in Liverpool is a small menswear store, with a big presence, heaps of personality and a dedicated following.  In fact, the location of Weavers Door is perfect, it's far enough off the busy highstreet to be considered a hidden gem but close enough to one of Liverpool's most historical and culturally relevant areas.

Last week I took the opportunity to catch an early train down to Liverpool, to shoot the shop for a Store Visit...feature. Liverpool is one of my favourite places to visit so I'll take any excuse for a day out there. It's one of the first places myself and Hollie took a day trip too, I've lost count of how many exhibitions and gigs we've attended over the years. 

Since opening in 2010 Weavers Door has been providing the city with something that is was missing; a menswear store that not only stocks established, quality brands but also carefully chosen independents and exciting up-and-coming labels. This little space of Liverpool boasts a brand list that could rival any; Barbour, Edwin, Folk, Norse Projects, Oliver Spencer, Our Legacy, Red Wing, Sunspel and Universal Works to name a few. They've also been keen to work with independents such as Sheffield's Mamnick and now our label, Northern Goods Co.!

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I caught up with Weavers Door store manager, Lee Fleming over cup of coffee from Duke Street Espresso Bar. We chatted brands, music, Liverpool and future collaborations;

Buckets + Spades - You mentioned you've been going since 2010, how do you think the menswear market has progressed since then and how do you stay ahead of the game?

Lee Fleming - I suppose I only have a limited viewpoint with regards the change of the menswear market but with regards to where Weavers Door is positioned; I definitely find men of all ages are  more concerned about their appearance and clothing choices. Quality is always at the forefront for us, everyone is a lot more 'clued up' and therefore are careful and their decisions are well considered. 

B+S - Just being a stone's throw away from the busy high street, Weaver Door really does stand out from the crowd in terms of menswear competition. What has been the reaction from the public and do you see a lot of repeat custom? 

LF - Weavers Door is tucked away on Harrington Street, it's not too far away from the main trading streets but we have definitely found we're become a destination store. Our customers enjoy the notion that our brand mix is unique to Weavers Door, every garment hanging on a rail is well considered. Our regulars are key to our business, we know everyone personally and appreciate their ongoing support since we opened. I believe they enjoy Weavers Door for more than the clothing, we work very hard as a small team to create a experience for our customers, from our customer service, product knowledge and in store events.

B+S - Liverpool city itself has a real sense of community and there's definitely been a rise in independents, have you been working with any other local business or projects?

LF - Liverpool is definitely seeing a change in the city, where independents are realising they are unique, but by connecting with each other the independent way of living becomes more visible. We are fortunate to have close relationships with other independents such as Bold Street Coffee, Camp & Furnace, Santa Chupitos and Berry & Rye. The Weavers Door Journal has a direct influence to these formed relationships with the local community. We are always looking to collaborate to highlight the best Liverpool has to offer.

B+S - What's in store for Weavers Door this coming AW? Have you bought any new brands in, which are you excited about?

LF - We are really excited for Autumn/Winter 13 and what it has in store for Weavers Door. We had increased our offering for our current brand mix alongside introducing technical outdooring from Patagonia, knitwear specialists John Smedley, Italian Bootmakers Fracap, Sneaker supremos Nike and Converse.

Swing by if you're ever in the area. Weavers Door, 1 Caven Walk, Harrington Street, Liverpool, L2. 

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Birthday Presents To Self & Northern Goods Co. News

Wearing - ASOS Coach Jacket, Gap shirt, Levi's Chinos, Converse Jack Purcell Trainers. Photo taken by Lee of Weavers Door.

It's my birthday tomorrow and as a bit of a treat I'll be taking a few hours off from blog duties. No plans as such but I aim to start the day with an early morning bike ride, I need to recharge and this seems like the perfect way to start the day.

I was down in Liverpool last Wednesday, visiting independent menswear store Weavers Door. As well as shooting for a blog feature, we talked brands, projects and Northern Goods Co. I'm delighted to say Weavers Door are our first official in-store stockist, we're so so chuffed! It's a massive step for us so if you're in the area please go check out our stock. Our Key Clips are proudly sitting along side some immense brands like Folk, Mamnick, Norse Projects, Oliver Spencer and Universal Works! 

I usually buy myself a treat on my birthday, last year it was watch from Muji but this year I'm thinking one of these Mexican fellas. These Luchador Bottle Openers crack me up! 

Luchador Bottle Openers available at Cool Material.

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Northern Goods Co. & Win £50 ASOS Voucher

Northern Goods Co. Key Clip, now in seven colours!

We're very excited to have some news on the Northern Goods Co. front, there's now a total of seven colours available in both our Shorty and Key Clip (pictured above). As well as Camo and Blue we've added Kelly Green, Saftey Orange, Purple, Red and Yellow. What colour is your favourite?

All Northern Goods Co. products are handmade by myself and Hollie, in NW England, using materials sourced from the UK and USA. We've had a few requests and suggestions in terms of new products, so we'll be experiementing with various techniques over the next few weeks. Vist our Etsy store here.

15% off all order with code BUCKETSANDSPADES15

So straight to the giveaway! The good people at Appliances Online have offered me a £50 ASOS Voucher to giveaway to Buckets & Spades readers. Just fill out the Rafflecoper form below and get yourself entered, easy. Enjoy your weekend folks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway