Ben Davis

Ben Davis Manufacturing was founded in 1935. The Davis family has been involved in the US garment industry since the mid 1800s. Company Founder Ben Davis' grandfather Jacob Davis was instrumental in the creation of the original Levi's Jeans.

In 1870 Jacob Davis settled in Reno tailoring fine clothing and manufacturing utilitarian items such as tents and horse blankets from "duck" (a sturdy cotton fabric) with copper rivets for added strength.

In the late 1870s a woman came to him for a pair of "cheap" pants for her "large" husband who had the habit of going through pants rather quickly. Having found that thread alone did not always adequately hold the pockets onto work pants, Jacob decided to try out rivets, which had proven their worth on horse blankets on the pockets for these pants.

By 1871 Davis was routinely using rivets on the pants he made, first on duck, soon after on denim, and was beginning to be imitated by other tailors. He contacted Levi Strauss, his fabric supplier, to help him apply for a patent. The patent was approved in 1873. Levi invited Davis to San Francisco to oversee production of the riveted pants for the Levi Strauss and Company. Davis continued to supervise the Levi Strauss factory until his death in 1908, the same year that the rivet patent went into public domain.

Cockpit USA

In 1975, Jeff Clyman flew World War II planes in airshows where he would wear his father’s army air corps leather flight jacket and people would flock to him wondering where they could buy the jacket. In 1977 Jeff  Clyman founds Cockpit to reproduce authentic replica vintage flight clothing.

Preserving American heritage and lifestyle, Cockpit USA takes pride in reminiscing the classic 40’s, 50’s and 60s. A look back in time when quality goods made from the finest materials, functional details, tailored fits and designs defined American values. Keeping key military classics, authenticity, and aesthetic within new fabrics and today’s fits is the recipe to their classic Americana collection. Taking inspiration from its vast historical garment archives, Cockpit designs and manufactures most of their product in the USA. “From the cockpit of a plane to the streets of NY, our product will get you there”.

Dickies

Through its dedication to innovation and continual customer contact, Williamson-Dickie Mfg. Co. has transformed itself from a small bib overall company to the largest workwear manufacturer in the world. Sold in every state in the U.S., Dickies now offers a broad spectrum of work garments ranging from work pants and work shirts to denim jeans and women's workwear. Since its beginnings in 1922, every piece of Dickies workwear has stood for the quality, toughness, and pride that embodies the spirit of the American worker.

C.N. Williamson and E.E. "Colonel" Dickie began their business careers in the "vehicle and harness" business in Bryan, Texas. In 1918, they made what turned out to be a momentous decision when they and a few friends established the U.S. Overall Company. Then, in 1922, C. Don Williamson joined with his father and cousin to buy 100% of the overall company on a one-third-each basis and renamed it Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company.

From its early years, Williamson-Dickie enjoyed steady growth, slowed only by the Great Depression, and during World War II, the company was sequestered to produce millions of uniforms for the nation's armed forces. In converting to civilian production after the war, C. Don Williamson began a strategy of geographical expansion and established new production facilities, warehouses, and sales territories throughout the United States. In the late 1950's, Williamson-Dickie became an international company by expanding into the European market and the Middle Eastern market - where Texas oilmen introduced the Dickies brand to Middle Eastern oil fields.

While Williamson-Dickie began as a bib overall company, today it has grown to be the number one manufacturer of work apparel worldwide. By continually expanding and updating its selection, Williamson-Dickie now offers garments ranging from its staple work pants and work shirts to items such as women's workwear, chore coats, and denim jeans. Dickies® workwear is currently sold in all 50 states and throughout the world in countries such as South Africa, Australia, Russia, Chile, Japan, Iceland, Canada, Europe and Mexico.

Filson

Rugged quality for over 100 years.

Born in 1850, C. C. Filson inherited his father's pioneer spirit and love of the outdoors. After homesteading in Nebraska and roaming the country as a railroad conductor, he moved to the small city of Seattle, Washington in the 1890's.

Filson's timing couldn't have been better. By 1897, the Great Klondike Gold Rush was on, and thousands of fortune hunters were stampeding into Seattle, headed north. Armed with a strong work ethic, a reputation for honesty, and several years' experience operating a small loggers' outfitting store, C. C. Filson was ready to stake his claim to fame.

In 1897, Filson opened C.C. Filson's Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, specializing in goods to outfit the stampeders to the Klondike Gold Rush.

It was for these terrible conditions that Filson designed his goods. He owned his own mill and manufactured Mackinaw clothing, Mackinaw blankets and knit goods, as well as selling boots, shoes, moccasins and sleeping bags specially designed for the frigid North. Filson kept in close contact with his customers, improving his goods to meet their specific needs. The stampeders depended on Filson. In that era, clothing wasn't a matter of choice, but of survival.

The Gold Rush faded into history, but Filson kept listening to his customers, and outdoorsmen kept coming to Filson for rugged clothes. Drawing from his past experience outfitting loggers, he soon added clothing for the timber industry, including the Filson Cruiser, the garment that was to earn Filson a place in history. Designed and named by C.C. Filson and patented on March 3, 1914, US Patent #1088891, the Cruiser has remained Filson's best selling item. Today, Filson has sold over half a million of this trademark coat.

Frye

Founded in 1863 by John A. Frye, a prominent English shoemaker, The Frye Company is the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States. Mr. Frye ran the business for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1911, his family continued to run the company until 1945.

Frye’s footwear has a long and illustrious history… Frye boots were worn by Union and Confederate soldiers during America’s Civil War, as well as soldiers in the Spanish- American War including Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders. When homesteading sparked adventurous New England families to go West in the mid and late 1800’s, many of these pioneers wore Frye Boots for the long journey.

Frye’s Harness Boot is rooted in tradition and continues to draw influence from the American Cavalry. During a 1938 trip to Washington, DC, John A. Frye’s grandson and namesake met a U.S. Navy Admiral who noted his difficulty in finding the Wellington style he liked so much. As a favor, John agreed to make him a pair. Frye continued to fill requests for these boots through World War II. By mail order, the company supplied thousands of WWII servicemen with Frye Wellingtons, known as Jet Boots. Our boots traveled the world on the feet of U.S. soldiers during the war - even General Patton wore a pair. Today, our classic Harness Boot holds a treasured place in American culture, has been featured in international fashion spreads, and enjoys strong sales in the United States, Europe and Japan.

In the 1960’s, Frye reintroduced the Campus Boot based on its 1860 original. The style featured a bulky toe and chunky heel that came to epitomize the attitude and the style of the 60’s and 70’s. There was nothing like the "new" Frye Boot on the market, and consumers began to demand "Original Frye’s. The Smithsonian Institute, in their search for items to best represent 1960’s America, chose a pair of Frye Boots, which proudly remain on display today.

The Frye brand remains true to its heritage and vintage American roots with finely crafted, fashionable boot, shoe, and handbag designs featuring rich leathers and quality hardware.

Fulmer

Thirty-six years ago, Fulmer Helmets was founded on a simple philosophy: value for riders and service to dealers.

With our growing collection, Fulmer continues to deliver new products that push the extremes of function and fun. But, while riders can choose from more styles and innovative features than ever before, they can still only buy Fulmer Helmets directly from an authorized dealer. No mail order sales. No Internet sales. No discount stores.
From the very beginning, we’ve held to the belief that the local dealership is the best place for a rider to get properly fitted. Our own success depends on riders finding exceptional value at an authorized Fulmer Helmets dealer. So we do all we can to support the success of our dealers - by providing outstanding service and managing their inventory and display.

The philosophy hasn’t changed

Jason Jesse

Pray For Me, Jason Jesse is a documentary stunt ride with legendary former skateboard pro, custom chopper builder, and full-time lowrider Jason Jessee.

Jason's family, friends (many of whom are living legends in diverse fields) and associates weave a riveting narrative on a truly fascinating, self-invented man. Jason's halting language and dozens of interviews from those who know him best and worst unveil themes of suicide, Jesus, success, failure, natural birthing, chicken make-up, esthetics, excommunication, bankruptcy, and love. The diversity and status of the interviewees in the film is staggering, as is their contribution to modern California culture - Jason's true love. The settings for most interviews is the shop, garage, studio or workspace that each of theses artisans uses, bathing them with eye candy. Juxtaposed against these are raw walking and talking scenes of Jason, enhancing the concept of dichotomy that is so rich in his life. Professional photography and page stopping quotes from dozens of skateboard and biker magazines, as well as scenes from skate films, television, and the Jessee family home movies (Super 8) round out a visually alluring story. The pace is frenetic, covering disparate topics like a train wreck... telling Jason's story in the same manner he lives it.

Featuring Christian Hosoi, Christian Fletcher, Jay Adams.

Indian Larry

"Indian" Larry Desmedt (April 28, 1949 - August 30, 2004) was a noted bike builder, stuntman, and innovator in the world of custom motorcycles.

Indian Larry was born Larry Desmedt in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. He became interested in motorcycles at an early age, and became a fan of artist Kenny Howard (aka Von Dutch). He later moved to California to apprentice under legendary hot rod builder and pop artist Ed "Big Daddy" Roth.

Desmedt founded the Gasoline Alley custom motorcycle shop in New York City in 1991. His "old school" choppers quickly won renown in the motorcycling world. No one ever came close to the character and quality or the public appeal of Indian Larry.

Indian Larry is credited with re-popularizing the stripped down, tall handlebar, foot clutched, jockey shifted, no front brake or fender, small gas tank, open piped, kickstart only, stock rake choppers that prevailed in the 60s, before long front ends became popular. His motorcycle "Grease Monkey" was named Easyriders magazine's "Chopper of the Year" and he was a winner of three Discovery Channel Bike Build-Off Trophies.

Johnson Motors

Johnson Motors, Inc. began in Pasadena, CA 1936 when Bill Johnson and Wilbur Cedar became partners by purchasing “British and American Motors.” In the Spring of 1937, Johnson began importing Ariel and Triumph motorcycles into Southern California. In 1940 the company moved to new premises in Los Angeles and the name was changed to Johnson Motors, Inc. or “JoMo” for short. In less than four years, Johnson Motors, Inc. had become the #1 distributor of Triumph, Ariel and Indian Motorcycles in Los Angeles.     


Levi’s

Levi Strauss, the inventor of the quintessential American garment – the blue jean - was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria on February 26, 1829. After his father succumbed to tuberculosis in 1845, Levi, his mother and siblings emigrated to New York. In 1853 he traveled to San Francisco in the midst of the California Gold Rush. Levi opened a wholesale dry good business under his own name and also serving as the West Coast representative of the family’s New York firm. His new company imported dry goods – clothing, underwear, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, bolts of fabric – and sold them to the small stores that were springing up all over California and the West. It was these stores that helped outfit the miners of the Gold Rush and eventually the new families that began to populate the western regions. In 1863 the company was renamed to Levi Strauss & Co.

In 1872, Levi received a letter from Jacob Davis, founder of Ben Davis Workwear. In it Davis proposed that the two men partner in the patent of his idea of using rivets to strengthen pants at the points of strain in the pockets and the base of the button fly. Levi was enthusiastic about the idea and the patent was granted to both men on May 20, 1873. The blue jean was born.

Levi passed away September 26, 1902. The devastating San Francisco earthquake of 1906 destroyed the Levis Strauss & Co. head quarters where fires raged for 3 days. It was a great loss but it did not signal the end of the company. Levi’s nephews made plans for a new facility and a new factory. They also continued to pay employee salaries and extended credit to merchants until they could get back on their feet.

For although the buildings and factories fell, the company built by Levi Strauss was bedrock solid, due to his foresight, his business sense and his unswerving devotion to quality.

Fun Fact: In the 1880’s, the famous 501 jean was simply known as the “XX”

Oxen Workwear

At Oxen, workwear is built to last and high standards of quality are key. Rigorous testing and ongoing research help Oxen engineers determine and develop optimal workwear to match the preferences of working people. Premium quality U.S. denim and canvas and U.S. military standard hardware ensure the integrity of construction and enable the inclusion of extra utilitarian features.

Oxen is a premium-brand workwear, crafted for comfort and built for performance: a jean that works as hard as America's workforce. The Oxenworkwear name, logo, global brand and concept is 100% American. Oxenworkwear was born and is nurtured and managed in a beautiful place called Brooklyn, NY.

Pendleton

In 1863, Thomas Kay, a young English weaver, was headed to an area with ideal conditions for raising sheep and producing wool. A place with moderate weather and plentiful water - America's newest state, Oregon.

In 1889, Thomas Kay opened his own mill in Salem, Oregon. From these humble beginnings rose a dyed-in-the-wool American success story. Thomas Kay's eldest daughter, Fannie, learned the mill business and ably assisted her father in mill operation and management. When she married retail merchant C.P. Bishop, a complementary combination of merchandising and manufacturing expertise emerged - a solid foundation for what was to become Pendleton Woolen Mills.

This dual textile-retail heritage was passed on to the three Bishop sons, Clarence, Roy and Chauncey. In 1909, with family and town backing, the Bishop sons started up an idle mill in Pendleton, Oregon.

In 1909, the production of Indian blankets emerged from the new finishing department and the tradition of Pendleton Woolen Mills began. A study of the color and design preferences of local and Southwest Native Americans resulted in vivid colors and intricate patterns. Trade expanded from the Nez Perce nation near Pendleton to the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni nations. These Pendleton blankets were used as basic wearing apparel and as a standard of value for trading and credit among Native Americans. The blankets also became prized for ceremonial use.

Historically, Pendleton products were distributed through selected department and specialty stores. The 1980's saw Pendleton apply its considerable retail experience to building a retail division that encompassed both company and privately owned specialty stores. These stores offered consumers a full selection of Pendleton products and provided greater access to Pendleton products across the country. The thread had now come full circle, for this direct involvement in the retail sector harkened back to C.P. Bishop's original clothing store in Salem, Oregon.

This family thread has continued to produce Pendleton leadership with a legacy of hands-on management for five generations -- warranted to be a Pendleton since 1863.

Sailor Jerry

While some men set up comfortable homes in the suburbs and saved for better washing machines and lawn mowers, others set out to see the world through the hopped-up, wild eyes of shore leave. When they got back on the ship they had some stories to tell and some permanent artwork to boot. Back then, the prime tattoo site wasn't an ankle, it was a beefy forearm that informed all casual observers that you'd done things and been places that set you apart from the gray flannel world.

Once known to seamen and still known to tattoo aficionados as "Sailor Jerry", Norman Collins is the man that many see as the father of the deftly crafted, boldly lined, balls-forward Old School Tattoo. The kind fueled by the devil-may-care appetites of men far away from home.

As a Sailor in the US Navy, he traveled around the world, not only getting his first tattoos, but also gaining exposure to the art and imagery of Southeast Asia. This later became a crucial influence when he opened his first tattoo shop in Honolulu's Chinatown, ground zero for swaggering sailors, drunken soldiers and whoever else wasn't afraid to hang around volatile levels of testosterone.

The Honolulu Tattoo district was designed to accommodate a time in men's lives when they drank heavily, paid for women, and imprinted their biceps with pictures solid and resonant enough to last a lifetime. Back then, Chinatown was the only place on the island where a man could get a tattoo, creating fierce competition among the many tattoo parlors.

Salinas Boys

From Hot Rod Royalty comes classic customizing. Cole Foster, owner of Salinas Boys Customs, has been constructing rolling works of metal art for 15 years. Son of Hall of Fame member Pat Foster, Cole creates cars that are so clean they don't have lines - the simply flow, as evident from the numerous magazine features written on these customs that roll from the bays of the Salinas Boys shop in the quiet California town. At the 2001 Grand National Roadster show Cole left with the Chip Foose Design of Excellence Sweepstakes award from his 1956 Ford F100 Truck.

Fosters designs have been much coveted by rock stars who are into hot rods. He has built customs and bikes for guys like Sammy Hagar of Van Halen, frontman, Mike Ness of the punk band Social Distortion and currently constructing a 1936 Ford for Metallica’s Kirk Hammett.

In 2001 Cole built the blue bike a bobber style motorcycle that promptly set the bike world on its collective ear. The Blue Bike, as it’s referred to, is a tribute to classic styles. The bike was featured on Speed Channel’s “Corbin’s Ride On TV” and on TNN with “Popular Hot Rodding TV” plus no less than 20 magazines worldwide, including Easy Rider, Cycle World, Iron Horse and Freeway.

Cole'ss designs are timeless, stylistic and subtle yet making a screaming statement collectively with the final product. Searching for the original designers clean lines of the car before corporate restrictions were placed. Attention to detail, maintenance of pure lines and skillful craftsmanship are the qualities respected by those who have seen Cole’s work. Passionate and obsessive in the pursuit of the perfect custom is what defines Cole Foster the artist.

Schott

Made in the USA, each Schott NYC jacket comes with a story that has been written over the course of 90 years, four generations of Schotts, two world wars, 22 presidents, one King, and an American love affair with hitting the open road with the wind in your face and your troubles behind you.
We are a true-blue, real-deal, piece of Americana. Quality, innovation, and individuality define everything we do and every jacket we make. Whether protecting WWII fly boys in the air over Europe or infuriating the establishment on the backs of Brando and Dean, our jackets have become infused in American culture and have served as battle flags for the American spirit.

In 1913, as Ford's new Model T began to crowd the already bustling streets of New York City, two brothers, the sons of a Russian immigrant, went after their piece of the American Dream. Irving and Jack Schott starting making raincoats in a basement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan which were then sold by street peddlers door to door.

In just two years, the venture grew enough to open a manufacturing facility in Staten Island, NY where Irving Schott lovingly branded his jackets with the name of his favorite cigar - the Perfecto. By the mid-twenties, while Babe Ruth and Al Capone were making headlines for breaking records and breaking laws, Schott NYC was making headlines of its own by revolutionizing the way we dress for the outdoors when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket.

In 1928, nearly 40 years before Harley Davidson would create their own, Irving Schott designed and produced the first leather motorcycle jacket. Retailing for $5.50 at a Long Island Harley Davidson distributor, the Perfecto was durable, rugged, and immediately embraced. To this new generation of "bikers," the Perfecto was a symbol of the excitement, adventure and danger that fueled their fascination with motorcycles.

Commissioned by the US Army Air Corps at the start of WWII, Irving Schott designed and produced a "bomber jacket" that would serve and protect Our Boys as they fought for liberty in the air over Europe and the Pacific. And on deck, servicemen kept out the cold with Schott's classic melton wool naval pea coat. Rugged and warm, these leather and wool jackets would be produced by Schott for the US Military for the next 60 years.

In the past 50 years, Schott NYC has continued to grow under the leadership of new generations of our family. Product lines and styles have expanded, nylons and wools have grown in popularity, accessories from bags to sunglasses can be found worldwide. But at the core of our business still lies the 100 year old factory right of outside of NYC.

“In an old brick building we design and produce the styles that have - and will continue to - connect with the American spirit. More importantly, we are still dedicated to the ideals of quality, innovation, and individuality that were so important to Irving Schott - and that remain important to every person who buys one of our jackets.”

Travis Walker Double Cross

Travis Walker has been making quality custom jewelry and leather accessories for 18 years.

Since the beginning of Double Cross Jewelry in 1996, everything has been designed, crafted and handmade in the shop out of the finest metals, precious stones, leather and exotic skins. Double Cross has made custom pieces for rock stars, A-list actors, special clients and some of the top bike builders. Travis’ original designs range from edgy and rugged to high-end and sleek. Wearing Double Cross not only makes you stand out as an individual, but it also represents a lifestyle defined from surf, motorcycles, social status and rock roll. Double Cross is more than an image, it’s a lifestyle. Maintaining an underground reputation is essential and has allowed us to continue to create custom designs for searchers who find Travis’ work compelling enough to seek him out. Check out Double Cross Jewelry and begin your search to defining yourself amongst the others…

Wrangler

Only 20-years old C.C. Hudson from Spring Hill Farm in Tennessee leaves his home in 1897 to find work in the growing town of Greenboro, North Carolina.
He got his first job in a textile factory that produces overalls. For 25 cents a day he was sewing on buttons. In 1904 this factory was closing its doors and C.C. Hudson saw his chance to open his own business. He and some colleagues bought a couple of sewing machines from their old employer, rented a small business space and opened their own company: the Hudson Overall Company.

In 1919 the company name was changed to "Blue Bell Overall Company". Business was booming for the following years and in 1926 the company was sold for 585,000 Dollar to "Big Ben Manufacturing of Kentucky" but the company name "Blue Bell Overall Company" remained and the business had still their headquarter in Greensboro.

In 1943 they acquired a company named "Casey Jones Work-Clothes" and with it a brand name that shall make them famous in the future: This brand name is "Wrangler".

It was not until 1947 that they knew what to do with the name Wrangler but eventually the used it for their newly designed Western Wear product line. To push into the Rodeo and Western wear market they hired a star designer and tailor of this particular scene, Rodeo Ben. To build the brand and connect the name with durability and quality the company convinced celebrity rodeo stars like Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman and Freckles Brown to wear and test the fabric - named 13MWZ -. After the Rodeo Championships in 1949 the success of "Wrangler" was programmed. The Wrangler jeans became clearly the number 1 among all outfitters of the Western Wear Scene.
In 1974 the Wrangler Jeans became 'Official Jeans of the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association'.

The company still expanded and bought the swim wear manufacturer 'Jantzen' and eventually merges with the VF Corporation of Pennsylvania in 1986. VF is one of the two leading jeans manufacturers in the world and holds a market share of approximately 25%. In 1996 every fifth sold jeans in the world is a Wrangler. In 1997 the Brand 'Wrangler" had its 50th anniversary - 100 years after C.C. Hudson went to Greensboro, NC.