MOTORRAD January 15 2014, 0 Comments

Coverage of our Hooligan Hoedown hit German shelves this week in Motorrad!

#seaweedandgravel September 18 2013, 0 Comments

California Highways Road Trip August 26 2013, 0 Comments

10 Days
2000 miles

Wandering California

Park & Play June 20 2013, 0 Comments

{with the wind} March 19 2013, 0 Comments

photos: Kevin Roche

Tastemaking with SHE AND MR DEAN March 05 2013, 0 Comments

A guy and a girl fusing their vision of lifestyle, art, music and fashion into one.Driven by the details - these two are quite the dynamic duo. Pulling their energy and inspiration from the company they keep, their own experiences, adventures, musings, and music, it was only a matter of time before people started to notice something... that vibe.. that spark.. the fact that they have IT written all over them. With a strong social media presence and, well, some damn good looks.. it just makes sense to be spreading their vibes world-wide, streaming their daily style and mind-candy via the "She and Mr Dean" online blog. Having had the pleasure of being a personal accomplice on many of their adventures, it was only fitting to give you a taste here at S&G. Long live the dreamer, the constant believer {and the innately fashionable} . Peep this link to get your daily fix: http://sheandmrdean.com/

through the lens of Brad Swonetz // Leucadia February 28 2013, 0 Comments

www.bradswonetz.com

{happy hump day} February 27 2013, 0 Comments

never stop seeking..

it's coming.. January 24 2013, 0 Comments

THE WEEKEND!

Plans? Start it off right with a little S&G shop stop! >> http://seaweedandgravel.com/

100 Years of Motorcycles January 10 2013, 0 Comments

A reason to party. Today's solid find.

Rock 'N Roll Revisited // with NYC's Christian Benner January 06 2013, 0 Comments

In the world of fashion, there are droves of self proclaimed "visionaries". Sifting through the authentic versus the imposter can take years. Fortunately, the aforementioned has a way of spitting out the self-boasting and appointing the chosen ones to their rightful thrones. Enter, Christian Benner. (and his lengthy runway strides)

Beginning as a visual merchandiser for Victoria's Secret, then taking the reigns as lead stylist and sales for Men's wear at Internationally known vintage retailer, What Goes Around Comes Around, he has rapidly become one of the most in-demand creators in New York City's cut throat underground fashion scene. Mastering the art of taking existing pieces (predominantly rock tees and leather goods) and redesigning, distressing and reviving 'the old' by giving them a new life, a second story, and definitely some amazing, one of a kind touches, is what stands him out from the rest - Catering to the likes of Brandon Flowers, Mila Kunis, Jakob Dylan, Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, Donatella Versace and many others and receiving countless editorial features and stylings both domestically and overseas.

With his growing global following, loyal instagram (@christianbenner) and facebook fans, as well as the authentic appeal of his pure grass roots marketing campaign that's taken on a life all of it's own, it is only a matter of time before you're reading full page interviews about the man behind the vision and not just in the fine print of the spreads.

The following is a conversation I had with him in The East Village of NYC about fashion, celebrities, and how S&G and a Christian Benner collaboration will come to fruition in the nearer of futures.

With all of the artists out there and upcycling of pieces, why do you feel as though people are so drawn to your work?

Im treating each of my pieces as a one of kind piece, something almost catered for that individual who is purchasing. When I have clients inquiring about pieces, I actually like to take a few minutes and actually get to know that person, their lifestyle, and their overall vibe, so I can create a piece specifically for them. I want someone to stop them on the street, and ask them, "hey where did you get that, I must have it for myself"

The fashion world is a daily changing arena. How do you stay relevant?

When I create my pieces, I look at the before and after product, and imagine them 10 years from now, and how they will subside in that time period. Im taking such a unique, one of a kind piece, and making it relevant for almost any time period. I envision taking a classic beat up rock and roll t-shirt, and turning it into high fashion. My goal is to create a customer who has a few of my pieces in their closet as their staple pieces that they can pair with almost anything.

From my knowledge of what you're creating, it seems like this path chose you rather than you choosing "it". Comments?

Its pretty wild how it all started. I would always go out shopping for myself, and could never find anything. I was always against the main stream, and purchasing items that someone else could poetentially own. So finally, I took it upon myself, to start buying pieces, and transforming them myself. I started wearing them around, and immediatly people would ask me where I got them. At this point, people were giving me their own shirts, boots, and jackets for me to alter, and turn them into their own individual piece. Literally in my first week of doing this, Kristin Wigg came in, and fell in love with one of my custom t shirts, that was one of my personal shirts.

What is the ultimate goal you have for your upcoming line?

I want to turn the name Christian Benner into a brand. I want people to be curious with what I am going to do next...I get really inspired by certain types of music, art, or indiviuals, and go through phases, which works incredible for when I am creating. I use this pallet, and create around it, allowing me to come up with, and produce different material each time.

Many 'creators' are very connected to their work. How deep do your emotions to a garment run? What attracts you to a piece?

I am inside my head 23 hours out of the day. When Im creating, I am usually by myself, which allows me to do my thinking. I can look at the final product, and remember what exactly was going through my head at that certain moment when I made that particular piece. And the fact that someone is going to own this certain piece, is basically having them own a certain part of me, is extremely satisfying.

When people you don't know contact you and praise your work, how does that feel?

Beyond rewarding. It means they were intrigued somehow by what I was doing, and felt they needed to see more.

What are your plans with S&G?

Working with an established brand is a great oppurtunity for me. They already have their vision, so I feel I can come in and work off of what they are already doing. Take their work, and give it my touch, in a sense. I work extremely well with other creative types, so I am extremely excited about what the future holds for us, and what we can come up with.

{Stay tuned to @christianbenner on instagram and COMING SOON is christianbennercustom.com - Big things!}

to us! January 01 2013, 0 Comments

Here's a toast to you, to us! To 2012 and its hardships, hang-ups, hangouts and every last spectacular moment in between. To the unplanned adventures, to the road, the stars and the friends along the way. To the ever constant notion that something bigger and greater lay just ahead ..and the unfamiliar obstacles, trials and errors that keep us coming back for more, begging us to push through. To the anticipation for tomorrow and the reason we strive to always be on the move. Here is a wordy welcome to the energy of 2013! May it bring with it that spark you have been looking for. To the tomorrows that are now today! For every stolen moment, the good, the bad, the gray.. embrace it.. run with it. Ride it out. Live. Go.

{Now, to wet your whistle for things to come.. a peek at a post coming soon straight out of New York City! Bombshell ink angel, Jesse Lee, miss NYC herself, posing for an all new campaign from vintage clothing guru Christian Benner. Keep your peepers peeled for this one.. you won't wanna miss it! ..um, Trust us}