I checked out Distilled’s collection online today, and was quite impressed. I found it is quite spunky for a streetwear line for men, though for a spring/summer line it should have been infused with more color. One of the most attractive parts of this band is every single piece is hand finished, and each design is limited to 300 pieces.
Aside from his clothing company, the founder of Distilled (Sepandar Kamvar) also works at Google as a tech lead; while still working with designers at Distilled out of the San Francisco’s Mission District. This could be why there is such a strong Harry Potter-cum-Buddy Holly spec connection with the model’s looks.
From a visual perspective, the pieces and pairings were generally plain and uncomplicated. It would take very minimal effort to throw together a sharp look on the fly. Most outfits consisted of a button down shirt of various print or block color with a blazer and a few randomized yet co-ordinated accessories to shake things up (think a scarf in the blazer’s pocket, etc).
I’ve added my favourites from their online spring/summer 2008 collection’s promo shots below. I could have done without the baseball caps and effeminate (and not in a good way) white sailor hats; though generally the looks worked well. I can definitely see the geek connection with the shirt and blazer combinations; yet the patterns and accessorizing take the look and actually bring it together.
This is one of the few lines whose promo shots were styled quite realistically to what buyers will actually wear on the street. Usually, you see street brands with what I call “couture envy”; outrageous styling and layering that one would never see the average man (or woman, for that matter) while they are out and about.
I extend applause to this company for creating a line that is easy to wear, yet still looks better than your average men’s line. Pricing is above average ($121 for a button down shirt, $77 for a polo), though the limited production makes up for the price inflation. Somehow, knowing that only 299 other people in the world will have a particular shirt is comforting.
If you want a piece of Distilled, your best bet for Vancouverites is to skip down to the Seattle area. I’ve posted a full list of available stores in the U.S. below the photos.
San Francisco m.a.c. Nomads Self Edge Villains Vault
Chicago: Haberdash Solemates Untitled
Los Angeles: Black Market Fred Segal
Seattle Blackbird Zebra Club
Santa Clara Nalej
New York Atrium
Boston: Bodega
Portland Blake
Oakland Drift
Dallas: p.e.g.
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