#bamin notes

BAMIN NOTES | Trend: Musicians in Black, Godmother of Punk Patti Smith x Man in Black Johnny Cash

Traditionally, musicians and performers wear black so as to not detract from the music itself. Of course, black doesn’t have to be boring. Legendary musicians Patti Smith and Johnny Cash took wearing black to the next level, making the look an extension of their musical energy. It’s all black everything week at BAMIN, and we’re indulging our #TBT nostalgia with a glance back at Patti Smith’s androgynous punk styling and Johnny Cash’s timeless “Man in Black” on-stage presence.

Often referred to as the “Godmother of Punk” or the “punk poet laureate” Patti Smith’s music is a brilliant fusion of poetry and punk rock, and her androgynous, menswear-inspired wardrobe has made her a long-time muse for designer Ann Demeulemeester. Though Patti Smith is still killing it in the style department and still has a penchant for wearing lots of black (and black leather), she used to give her outfits more whimsical names: the “tennis player in mourning,” a black-on-black ensemble paired with white Keds; her Anna Karina-inspired in Bande à part look echoed the dark sweater, plaid skirt, black tights and flats; and her long black sweater, black tights, white socks with Capezios take on Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face. 

Patti Smith’s style has an affinity for masculinity, though we like to think of it as more utilitarian. For that practical yet stylish punk rock cool, accessorize your favorite leather motorcycle jacket with a unisex Black Leather Carryall $515.

Johnny Cash may be a country music icon, but his music also notably blended elements of rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk, and gospel. And while Cash has a famous protest song titled “Man In Black,” he was also known for his on-stage styling as the “The Man In Black.” Cash actually owes his signature look to stylist Manuel, who made Cash nine all black outfits because there was a special on black fabric (how practical!) but told Cash, “‘You should wear this color. It's your vibe, it's your aura. Something tells me you should wear this color.’” Johnny Cash’s head-to-toe black looks completed his image as the sensitive outlaw.

If you plan to embody the spirit of The Man In Black, you’ll need a black button-up, a long and tailored leather coat, slick boots and this Leather Overnight $515 for those long trips away from June. Just don’t forget to kiss her before you go.

BAMIN NOTES | Trend: Jean-Luc Godard x The French New Wave, the Prevailing Influence of New Wave Fashion 

The French New Wave is known for its radical experimentation with visual and narrative filming techniques, all while making bold fashion moments. The movement started in the late 1950s and 1960s, shifting focus away from conservative period pieces and towards the concerns of the working class, like the social and political upheavals of the era. And while the films featured the simple street styles of the time, the characters often embodied a certain je ne sais quoi that made the accessible yet stylish looks feel so iconic. The movement’s most prominent pioneers include Jean-Luc Godard, who, at the age of 84, is still finding ways to introduce new techniques to the formal innovations of film. So in celebration of Godard’s experimental 3D drama Adieu au langage (2014), we’re taking a look back at some of the most timeless looks from his New Wave classics. 

Anna Karina, the poster girl of the French New Wave (and Godard’s ex-wife) also starred in his technicolor Pierrot Le Fou and Made In USA, but right now, we’re vibing her styling in Godard’s black and white films. Bande à part’s iconic “Madison dance” scene, performed to soul music composed for the film by Michel Legrand, features Anna Karina in her girly French best—dark, oversized sweater, plaid skirt, men’s hat, and black high socks. We can’t forget the large, tweed coat she wears in her turn as tragic actress turned prostitute in Vivre sa vie either, mostly because it makes us want to grab a Black Leather Overnight $575 to embark on our own tale of New Wave fatalism.

Anna Karina may be the quintessential face of the French New Wave, but Brigitte Bardot holds the throne on the other end of French allure. In Le Mépris, Bardot works the classic Breton stripe with a demure cardigan, but the teased blonde hair and thick headband immortalizes her look. As for the men, Jean-Paul Belmondo embodied a don’t-give-a-damn effortlessness, when he’s accessorizing his slim cut trousers with fedoras or his ever-present cigarette in the mouth. It’s the kind rouge sophistication that calls for a Black Leather Briefcase $505. 

So whether you’re channeling French gamine Anna Karina or iconoclastic bombshell Brigitte Bardot, don’t forget that extra bit of je ne sais quoi.

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BAMIN NOTES | Things To Watch With Your Family (So You Don't Have To Talk To Them)

Happy Holidays from BAMIN (Build And Make It Now)! The holiday season can be stressful, and to make things easier for you, we’ve put together a mini list of genre-blending and category-defying movies to watch with your family. Because you don't have to explain what you're doing for a living if everyone's too busy staring at the screen.

1. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Holidays tend to bring lots of feelings to the surface, and this romantic science-fiction dramedy is for that perfect tug at the heartstrings. There’s the nonlinear narrative, the snowy romps in Montauk and the memory erasure, but most importantly, there’s a poignant message about love and humanity.

2. The Artist (2011)

Shot as a black-and-white silent film, The Artist is the romantic comedy-drama that also doubles as a love letter to cinema and an homage to the decline of the silent film era. It can feel a little gimmicky at times, but in the end, The Artist succeeds as a beautifully told story. And hey, it’s definitely family-friendly.

3. Happy Christmas (2014)

The dialogue in this dramatic indie comedy was largely improvised, and if the holidays have your parents questioning your life decisions, you’ll probably look well adjusted next to Anna Kendrick’s Jenny.

4. In Bruges (2008)

For anyone who just wants to hole up alone this season, there’s dark crime-comedy In Bruges. Aside from vague references to “the holidays” and its fairy tale-like setting (Bruges), the movie is more of bloody, wintry, swear-ridden mix of pathos and humor.  

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

No Xmas list is complete without Tim Burton’s stop motion musical fantasy-comedy classic that also blends two holidays—Halloween and Christmas. Who doesn’t want to watch a dancing skeleton with a tear-away face? We kid. There’s some incredible stop-motion choreography here that is matched only by its lyrically inspired soundtrack.

Get cozy this holiday season, and wherever you end up, we’re pretty sure a bottle of wine will fit comfortably in a Black Leather Carryall with Green Neomesh Sides & Black Leather Handles ($405).

And since we’re feeling nostalgic about Clementine’s ever-changing neon hair, this Blue Neomesh Overnight with Orange Neomesh Sides & Black Leather Handles ($270) is the perfect travel companion for the vacation you’ll need after this holiday ‘vacation’.

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BAMIN NOTES | News: Welcome To BAMINate.com, Build x Buy x Remix

Welcome to the new BAMIN (Build And Make It Now) site! For most of 2014, we've been largely invite-only, but today, we've opened up our proverbial digital doors to the public.

We've revamped our look with compelling new editorial creatives—which will be published over the course of a few months—and a how to video. These were shot by photographer Justin Borbely, art directed by Lucas Lefler and casted by Samuel Ellis Scheinman starring models Gustav Swedberg and Alexandra Rudakova. 

We now also allow you to share your bags on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or via email. You can also buy gift cards. And, once you order, we can ship your bags right away. 

Despite these changes, we’re still very much about remix culture and a champion of digital-age creativity. So, build your own bag and infinitely remix it for your evolving life. After all, BAMIN bags are always you and always new.