Defy Bags
American Made. Durable. Custom.
Defy uses old military canvas, parachute material, rubber, and more, to bring you a collection of bags and accessories that are stylish and built to last. Coming out of Chicago, IL Defy Bags focuses on the highest quality craftsmenship and the reuse of our existing resources.
I want a bag and a lifestyle like that. For more information and to purchase some of their products go to: Defy Bags

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- Rustin Sage Coburn

When I think of solid American made clothing, I think; durable, function, authentic, style…

A few months back I wrote a quick blog post on a great website that features American Made Products. One company in particular really rung true for me, and that was Tellason, which makes denim. I guess it partly has to do with my love affair for denim, and how much work I put into my own denim line with DVLP, but Tellason also truly exemplifies what American made clothing is to me. I respect what these guys are doing.

Milled in North Carolina and made in San Francisco, CA Tellason was started by two friends who have worked in the apparel industry for over 20 years. They focus on doing things the right way through quality products that last, and support or domestic economy. Here is another little video for your enjoyment that helps tell the story of American made denim.

- Rustin Sage Coburn

Well it’s official: It’s Spring. One of the best parts about the state of Colorado is the ridiculous number of days we see sunshine every year (see even MORE awesome things about Colorado here), and we are entering the sunniest stretch. While I’m sure many of you are sad to see the snow melt away, just as many are likely ready for warm weather (I’ll admit- it is nice to venture outside without donning a “Michelin Man” outfit).

One of my favorite parts of the change in season is cruising through the streets of downtown: sun on my face, wind in my hair. And I know– as the temp continues to rise, so does the appeal of your air conditioned auto, but I’m writing you today to remind you of the joy of riding a bike.

Do you remember being a kid, riding around your town or neighborhood? Racing your friends… maybe traffic (what, just me?)… Before you had a drivers license. There was pure elation in those moments.

Too many people think of bicycling as a mere means of transportation, or a form of exercise. Both of these associations carry a negative connotation in society today. And while it’s true, a bicycle can get you from A to B and make you huff and puff, it’s also downright fun. (Although, to state the obvious: you will save precious ozone and denero between point A & B, and you miiiiiight shed some o’ that cottage cheese clinging to your ass in the process. Minor pluses… I suppose…)

Now you may be thinking: “I don’t own a bike and they’re expensive.”
But you don’t have to have the newest, flashiest, 42 speed with cappuccino maker and 7″ handlebar LCD installed. Besides, that shit is gettin’ stolen. A bicycle does not have to be pricey, and it should never be pretentious. It should merely be an expression of yourself. If you want something that can go back and forth from trail to road– get a used mountain bike. If you only plan to bar-hop in the flats of downtown (as fast as your .14 BAC permits)– build a single speed. Then spray paint it. Pick up some tassels. Make it you.

If you’re still not sold on buying something, the geniuses at Denver B Cycle made a bike as easy to get your hands on as a Red Box movie. Rent one.

A final incentive to get pedaling is the notion that the bicycle is the most efficient machine man-kind has ever created. In fact: the energy efficiency of a bicycle has been estimated to be the equivalent of the average car doing 1,600 miles on a gallon of gas. And that’s pretty awesome.

So, now that I’ve planted the seed, water it. See if it grows on you. If it doesn’t, no biggie– your car is still in it’s spot.

- Ches Sheridan Arms

As  you have probably noticed over the last four to five months a small group of contributing writers have started to fill this blog up with their creative ideas, and slowly breath life back into the voice of what DVLP was… and is.  The core of what DVLP (a Colorado clothing company that saw international success for 5 plus years) stood for was this; “a continuous journey about enjoying life, having fun, and giving back to our community and planet through creative activations.”

How do you live a better life that makes you happy, makes the people around you happy, and supports a healthy planet earth? My post on the Blue Movement a few months back touches on these ideas as a more structured concept… and a global movement. DVLP continued to search for methods of building a positive community of creative people that could make a difference on this planet. The clothing was our platform to reach people, and while the brand had to close its doors in early 2011, the voice and ideas still live on… and that is why, Ches, Abella, Tyler, and myself enjoy filling this blog with our inspirations, findings and thoughts.

Perhaps some day this journey of ideas will once again formulate into a product like clothing, or something else creative. Until then, thank you very much for reading our blog and actively caring about how you live your life.

- Rustin Sage Coburn

NEXT WEEK:
While contemplating the meaning behind all of this I began to research the value of working together versus working alone. What other documentation and studies were out there? What are the most efficient and sustainable ways to be productive and make a positive difference?
Next week I will explore these ideas in more depth and share a little more about what I have learned.

“You’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your fucking khakis. You’re the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world. ”

Ok, so maybe Tyler Durden’s soap box is a bit too tall for me to stand on, but what he’s getting at here truly resonates with me– as I’m sure it does for many of you. The notion is: Don’t let your social status or your possessions dictate who you are.
However, Tyler’s last sentence here implies we cannot do this because we are no better than anyone else. I beg to differ. I strive to do better and be better every day. And in many instances, I believe we can be better by possessing less.

A while back I was geeking out on Mashable(a website that covers digital culture, social media, and technology news) and ran across an article titled 4 Big Trends for the Future of Sustainable Tech. The whole article is awesome and I highly recommend the quick read, but #3 on the list really caught my attention. The concept is “Micro-Living,” and the idea behind it is that we can reduce, or do away with, much of the material goods we accumulate in our lives.

Think of a goldfish in a bowl. If you put a tiny goldfish in a big bowl, it will fatten up and grow to the size of it’s environment.
If you put a perfectly content human in a big space, they find themselves yearning for “things.” They will seek to fill that space– unnecessarily.

Simplicity is sometime the most difficult thing to accomplish. Living a simple life, or building a simple structure….can be a lifetime exercise, but sometimes everything seems to flow together into a perfectly simple idea or creation.  Tonight I stumbled upon this bridge built in The Netherlands. It exemplifies mankind’s ability to create a simple and efficient structure that blends into its surroundings, yet still serves a purpose.

People often attempt the improbable of walking on water. We have often walked underwater in a pool or ocean, but to walk below water without getting wet or wearing a diving suit was nearly impossible until now. Designed by RO&AD Architects of the Netherlands and Belgium, this pedestrian bridge is an access route to the Fort de Roovere, part of the 17th century defense structures. The concept and execution is so unique that from afar, it is really non-existent. All that you see is a marked line in the landscape but it appears flat and it doesn’t interrupt the views of the area.

Only when looking and standing parallel to it, can you experience the depth and unique experience of walking under water, all without a drop of water on your clothing. uilt with Accsys Technology, Accoya wood undergoes a nontoxic proprietary modification process called acetylation that prevents fungal decay from the exposure of water and moisture while increasing its structural stability. While this water walkway is simple in concept, it is quite complex in its execution.

This photo has nothing to do with my post, really just thought it was a neat shot.

Micheal E. Porter, I am buying you loads of delicious beers or scotch or both. Or a shot and a beer. Or if you prefer fine wines, I enjoy those as well. I hope you drink is all I am saying.

Recently, Michael wrote an article in the Harvard Business Review Blog named Creating Shared Value. Here Mr. Porter, explains that many of the wrongs of capitalism is due to companies outdated approach to creating value for their participants (customers). He argues that businesses over the past few decades have ignored their participants most basic needs. Michael explains this has created a huge gap between business and society, and because of this gap, there is a great opportunity for businesses to bring true value back to participants (consumers) and society as a whole.

In my opinion, this is one of the most inspiring reads in business today. Not because it is based on a nice idea, or because it is an amazing concept, or even because it is a possibility. I think it is so damn inspiring because again, in my opinion, he is absolutely right. Additionally, not only is he right, major brands and businesses are moving in this direction in their operations, business strategy and marketing. Pepsi and GE, a couple of brands you may have heard of, are currently implementing strategy, supply chains and operational programs based around the thought that they MUST create more value for the community, for their participants and for the environment. These businesses believe if they create more shared value, they are increasing their future profits, their future market share and their future brand equity.

Read this selection: “Shared value is not social responsibility, philanthropy, or even sustainability, but a new way to achieve economic success.”  Baller.

I am sooooo tired of hearing from idealistic contemporary hippie (I do realize this is a hugely general statement, and for that I apologize) folks that business is the problem; capitalism is evil. In my somewhat educated opinion, Creating Shared Value is a visceral, even tangible solution. Fuck, it’s beyond a solution, it is an opportunity. Excited.

-Tyler Browning