A Red August

I've been rather hesitant to post here, not because of fear of criticism over an accumulated series of garments, both new and old, but because I very much cherish and love the the brands that SZ celebrates and heralds and while I am willing to admit the inherent derivatives, I have not wanted to step on the toes of those designers that have paved the way for people like myself, who often look to them for inspiration.

As a young American, who lived a portion of his life in New York, I always found myself looking to brands overseas and trying to remain afloat of what was generally offered by stateside designers. This is not a boast, but really a sense of disappointment with how the fashion industry has to operate--enough of my rant. This is my side project, which I am, for the time being, calling "A Red August". My store is very much still under construction, but I wanted to share it with you, regardless. I will be adding more and more items as time goes on.

For the most part, items are available in editions of four, or less, all cut and sewn by myself, in the backwoods of Maine.

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A RED AUGUST

I also do private commissions for a small handful of people and am currently making a black linen long jacket for Richard Avedon's grandson, Michael--it is very much in the vein of Harnden, but I can obviously work within a variety of styles. If anyone is interested in approaching with me with ideas, I'm all ears. Cheers! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend.

I think your work is great and your shop looks pretty good! I also find it really cool that you're in Maine (right?) I always like the idea of an artist creating work that he or she likes from a remote area or location that is away from the audience that actually understands or cares to try to understand the work. If my memory serves me correctly, you made a pair of pants for a client in England, they had pinstripes I believe. Will you ever produce something like that again or do you happen to have that same piece unsold?

Looks Awesome! I think I like that friar coat the best out of them, really nice cut and texture. Also the names you use are pretty cool, henchmen coat made me laugh :)

ClockworkRabbit--Thank you. I like that longer coat as well and strangely have found the split neck and cuffs quite enjoyable and easy to wear. It's a piece that I made an extra of for myself. I'm horrible with the naming process and should probably settle on a numerical style.

eleves--Thank you, as well. It is a bit of an amateur effort right now, as I haven't yet been able to focus on it full-time, with other life duties. As much as I miss the energy of the city and the friendships I made living in New York City, I needed to leave to come to terms with my drinking problems and have decided to come back to where I grew up and have made Maine my home, for now. (I apologize if that was too personal--it's a little bit less romantic than you might have perceived!)

Regarding the pants you're inquiring about, the client disappeared and declined to pay me, prior to shipping them out, so I still have them folded up on the shelf and they are available for sale. They were made without back pockets, as per their request, but I would be inclined to put at least one on, if not two. Please feel free to email me through the site, if it's something you'd have an interest in. Cheers!

I think you misunderstood my comment a little bit, I was saying it made me laugh in a good way :) I like your names, they give the pieces some extra character that they might not have otherwise. Thinking of something as a Friar coat instead of say a generic long coat is much more appealing to me, it adds to the uniqueness of it. I think you should keep doing it that way, but that's just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by AVerdantShore

eleves--Thank you, as well. It is a bit of an amateur effort right now, as I haven't yet been able to focus on it full-time, with other life duties. As much as I miss the energy of the city and the friendships I made living in New York City, I needed to leave to come to terms with my drinking problems and have decided to come back to where I grew up and have made Maine my home, for now. (I apologize if that was too personal--it's a little bit less romantic than you might have perceived!)

Regarding the pants you're inquiring about, the client disappeared and declined to pay me, prior to shipping them out, so I still have them folded up on the shelf and they are available for sale. They were made without back pockets, as per their request, but I would be inclined to put at least one on, if not two. Please feel free to email me through the site, if it's something you'd have an interest in. Cheers!

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Definitely not too personal! I think it's a great reason to leave the city and overall is actually better than I originally perceived! Maine is a beautiful place and I am definitely not someone who could live there right now but I do visit there pretty much every year. I find a lot of solace and clarity there, most of the time in ways that one can't really find in a city like NY. I'll send you an email regarding the pants for sure!

I can relate, though I didn't have the capability of relocating I spent two years secluded to overcome my drinking problem. That was almost 5 years ago now and not a drink since my last arrest. Stay strong!

-Andry

Thank you very much to the small handful of customers who have come through SZ. It's been a very busy few weeks and I appreciate the support.

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Above is a quick preview of a custom three piece suit that is done in a soft hand, black linen, lined with white cotton. I am currently makingthis for a member of the forum and as it becomes finished, I will post more pictures. I don't know if they'd choose to remain anonymous, so for the time being, I will not include their name, but it's been quite a fun job for me, thus far!

Once again, thank you for the orders from those of you who have placed one and I hope everyone has a great week!

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These are some rather last minute photos of a custom order for a client here on SZ. The buttons have not yet been sewn on and the vest is yet unfinished, pending a finished dialogue with the customer. All of the black items are linen, fully lined in white cotton.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Finally finished a few things, today. I'm looking forward to having some more time on my hands to make new products. I've been experimenting with button finishes and was rather happy with these, thus far.


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Cotton shirt with painted leather buttons


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Linen jacket with cotton lining and bark-tanned leather buttons with thin coat of paint

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WWW.AREDAUGUST.COM


There are several new items and other items on sale, currently, as more and more items are created and custom orders dealt with. Please email through the site if any questions or items of interest arise. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

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Edition 1/1--Classic, black linen and white cotton blazer:

Raw edge details; single vent; two interior welted pockets; a soft, peak lapel; welted, exterior flap pockets; a chest pocket and boiled and painted bark tanned leather buttons, two at the chest, one at the neck and four at each cuff--custom made for a client from SZ.

Hey man

I must personally tell you i am proud of you, to know all that you have personally overcome.
to see you working on your "Art" after much setback and disappointment

this is why its important to believe in yourself even when the naysayers don't!


Keep up the good work man


bless

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Originally Posted by AVerdantShore

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Edition 1/1--Classic, black linen and white cotton blazer:

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This looks great mate, what's the construction like inside? Is it canvassed/fused? If so, what did you (do you usually) use?

Hey friend, I took a look at your website and at the garments you posted in this thread and everything looks really great! I would love if maybe you had some spare time to kind of list out your process and maybe take photos of the garments while they are still a work in progress and then a photo of the finished pieces! I'll be keeping an eye on your work and ill likely pick something up soon.

To Zamb--thank you very much. I quite appreciate it and remember with gratitude your willingness to let me visit your atelier in Brooklyn. I want to say it was back in the spring of 2013, but I could be wrong about that. It's been a strange road to travel down and I'm often frustrated in the process, particularly being approached to commission cheaper versions of the things that people seek, be it clothes, or paintings. In time, I hope to move away from this and offer a more uniquely tailored vision of my own. I hope that all is well with you! Cheers!

Dash--I just finally emailed you back a few days ago. Life has been kicking my butt, lately! I answered your question in that email.
Let me know if you get anywhere with Elena's staff member!

Indes--Perhaps I could do that, some day. My process is much the same as most designers--from fabric selection to pattern-making and sewing, although I do everything by myself and have no assistants. I do not buy large yardage runs and try to keep my overhead as low as possible. I'm still very much growing slowly and trying to keep it an organic growth. It's daunting, but hopefully in time will be something to look back upon.

Good-looking stuff.

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Slightly shiny, ribbed silk and cotton blend three piece suit, made to order, with cotton linings and punched, hand-sewn, bark tanned leather buttons.

In retrospect, I would have chosen to mask the pocket linings more thoroughly and will do so in the future.

WWW.AREDAUGUST.COM