Frank Lloyd Wright and Westside Gunn
Bringing you this week's words on FLW, Westside Gunn, Yuto Horigome, JJJJound, and more.
Intro
Welcome back to the SLS.
It’s Jon here. I’ll be taking the reins today on the SLS for a sort of personal commentary on random items. Grab your apron, someone is about to cook in here. Behind! Corner!
Quick Vibe Check
It’s fall, or autumn, in the northern hemisphere and thank fuck. Where the SL HQ is, we don’t usually feel fall weather until around late October / early November. That might be a personal take, but it almost always feels like the summer heat sticks around like it’s paying rent. The urge to throw a layer or two on ends up being an inexorable itch that we, or I, can’t quite scratch soon enough. I felt a crisp breeze at 7 am the other day and decided to throw on a decently thick harrington jacket for the morning drive. Within 30 minutes, it was time to take it off.
My fault? Yep.
Frustrating? A little.
Now, let’s not get it twisted. We can still throw fits when needed. In fact, if you’ve read this newsletter routinely (thank you, you’re a rockstar) then you’d know that I’ve talked about throwing fits despite the heat. Plenty of short shorts and blown open button down shirts have seen the daylight this summer, it’s been great. I’m just happy that the seasons are changing and the wardrobes are too. It’s a good thing. Vibe check complete.
Tidbits on Frank Lloyd Wright
During a recent trip to NYC with a handful of homies, I found myself standing in a 4 by 10 or 12 foot chunk of flooring at The Met. Around me were waist-high railings, disallowing me the ability to walk further into a large room. The space I was standing in was an entrance to a much larger space that functioned as a viewing area. What was on display in front of me was a recreation of The Living Room from the Francis W. Little House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
I could probably explain Franky boy a little bit, but you’d be better served with a Wiki link, in truth. Regarding the room, I was quite stunned, and my friends around me were in a bit of awe as well. Everything from the wooden sconces to the windows wrapping the walls, was a sight to behold. So much so that when we’d left New York, myself and the same chunk of friends all took a trip to Florida Southern college to have a look at several buildings all designed by Wright himself. Shit slapped.
The moral of the story, I suppose, is that Frank was great with his design takes. He had a way with furniture design and creating spaces with intention, letting natural lighting dictate rooms in a way that almost talks to you. So warm, simple, and inviting, but still elegant and refined. A1 stuff. You should look into some of his work if you’re ever bored.
Yuto Horigome = Not Human
If you aren’t tapped into skateboard culture, that’s totally fine. However, if there’s one thing to know, it’s that Yuto Horigome can ride the bearings off of a board. His most recent part with Nike to celebrate/promote his own Nike Dunk Low is full of inexplicable technique and pop. I’ll drop the video below, but I’m gonna timestamp the ender (the final trick to seal the video) because it’s an absolute must see.
What’s even cooler about this video is Yuto rocking the camo Metalwood cap; big shouts to friend of SL and Metalwood head honcho Cole.
Obscure and Unnecessary eBay Items
I’ve got an awful habit of browsing marketplaces just before clocking out for the night or first thing in the morning. It can lead to finding grails at great price points, but it can also lead to regretful impulse purchases. Knowing myself, they can’t all be winners.
Now, when I am shopping for strange branded ephemera or vintage designer items, eBay is the move. Sellers in abundance, looking to sell a whole slew of things that are currently occupying their garages or their storage containers; it’s a collectors’ paradise. Let’s look at some recent oddball finds.
Does anyone need a 1970s Pierre Cardin fork? Not a chance. Is it cool? One hundred percent. We can’t all be like Larry David and steal forks from restaurants. Sometimes we need to hit the Apple Pay and cop online.
This Nike mug from the 1980s wears not the most attractive base color, yet it’s almost a need for the office for no rhyme or a reason. Just a chunk of mild history to feel cool about.
If you’re an avid reader or you enjoy poetry, The Paris Review is something you should have on your radar. It’s a pretty great quarterly publication, but scoring some of their past editions in a bundle? Huge come-up.
Okay, this last one might be just for me and absolutely unhinged to ever purchase, but a signed picture of Larry David and Jeff Garlin? Get in the cart.
JJJJair JJJJreshener
JJJJound continue to serve up everything you’d expect them to, and more. One of their more recent adds to the online shoppe is an air freshener. A single air freshener for $25 USD, or two for $40 USD.
Is anyone shocked? In lieu of explaining themselves regarding any of their products, JJJJound continues to build their minimal empire, brick by brick, through their design language. While I can’t defend their recent Crocs collaboration or this air freshener offering, kudos to them for sticking to the script and throwing coal into the furnace. The train ain’t stopping folks. Also, anyone else notice they’ve got Beyonce’s ‘Irreplaceable’ queued up on the AUX? Keep it bumpin’ lads.
Big Pants Radar: Active
Big pants are in and have been in for a hot moment. On a spectrum from spray on skinny jeans to JNCO jeans, I’m on a Dickies 874 width wave right now. It’s a good place to be, but I’m curious to get an even wider pant leg. A recent couple of trips to the local thrift shop hasn’t proven to be effective, so I’m taking to the internet to find a pair that’ll work like a charm. I’ve heard good things about the J.Crew Giant Fit chinos, but I’m not sure if I’m sold on them as of yet.
Rather than scour online shops, I’d like to hand the mic to the audience for a moment to see who’s got the information on this area of menswear. Send a DM to the @secondlake account and we’ll talk big pants.
Music:
You know the rules. 5 records/tracks/songs just for you, from us.
Film and TV:
It’s Escalade time.
Love to everyone for reading. You’re appreciated.
We’ll be back in two weeks with a profile, but until then, like last time, be safe and get after whatever it is that you want. It’s yours.
On a side note: pass the SLS along to a friend, the more the merrier!
Have a great 2 weeks.
- SL 🧺