Style Q+A: Friday & River

A neat array of home goods from Friday & River on display, including excellent candle and planter options for your home. Photo courtesy of Friday & River.

A neat array of home goods from Friday & River on display, including excellent candle and planter options for your home. Photo courtesy of Friday & River.

Editor’s note: Stick around to catch up on the last entry in our Style Q+A series.

Here at your favorite neighborhood menswear blog — The Style Guide, c’mon guys — there’s inspiration to be found everywhere in terms of men’s style. And as we’ve often talked about when it comes to style upgrades, there are a lot of different things, some small and some large, that go into developing and refining great personal style. From how you buy and wear your favorite chambray shirt to the type of classic leather boots you put on every day, style is certainly an ongoing process — and that includes the things that surround you in your daily home life. Whether we’re talking a refined-yet-rugged candle or a neat planter, there are chances to put a bit more thought into nearly every aspect of your routine and the design of the spaces in which you live and work. Not to get all philosophical but… it makes a difference! And the small team at Friday & River approaches its work with all those small details and the process of excellent design in mind — that’s great news for you and me both. And when you learn more about the San Diego-based husband-and-wife brand, you realize that yes, even the unexpected items — like your leather wallet or your everyday belt — can make a big difference in the way you live your life. In discovering the brand and trying out its “Yuzu and the Sea” candle and a lovely white, leather-wrapped planter over the past few weeks, I found that I appreciate having subtly stylish goods around my Brooklyn apartment (small as it might be). And hopefully, you’ll give the brand a try for yourself — shop around at Friday & River, and learn more about what makes co-founder Joe Freitag tick. Without much further ado, check out the latest Style Q+A .

TSG: Tell about the start of the brand and your initial idea for it?

F&R: Friday & River is very much a collaboration between my wife Yumi and I. We have both worked in design or branding for brands like Levis, Burton, Luxottica, to name a few, and discovered the world of high-quality handcrafted leather goods while we were living and working in Tokyo. Inspired by the dedication to craftsmanship, minimalism and attention to detail, we learned the craft of leatherwork and started designing and making our own items as gifts for friends and family. Eventually we began selling our goods under the name Friday &River, which is derived from our last names – Freitag meaning “Friday” in German, and Kawamura meaning “Big River Village” in Japanese.

A lineup of items from the brand's very sharp "All-Black" Collection. Photo courtesy of Friday & River.

A lineup of items from the brand’s very sharp “All-Black” Collection. Photo courtesy of Friday & River.

TSG: You feature a wide range of product categories on your site — why is it important for a guy to take an interest in home design and other areas outside of just menswear?

F&R: I think most guys who pay attention to what they wear also consider their living space as an extension of their personality. Increasingly, when people spend their hard-earned money on something they are seeking items with purpose, or add a sense of joy and warmth to their lives. That way of thinking is one of the cornerstones of Friday & River and why we strive to make meaningful items for different aspects of a person’s life.

TSG: If you had to pick out one item from the Friday & River site for a guy to buy, what might it be?

F&R: I think there’s something very personal about a man’s wallet. It’s the one item that he’ll often carry with him every day for years, reminding him of where he’s been and where he’s headed. A well-made leather wallet can be handed down for generations.

TSG: On the style front, what’s an essential every guy should have in his closet?

F&R: Now that cooler weather has settled in, there’s something very satisfying about putting on your favorite watch cap. (Editor’s note: Head here for a few stylish winter accessories picks from 2016).

TSG: You post studio playlists on your blog — how does music inspire your design work, and what have you been spinning lately?

F&R: Music is a constant in the Friday & River workshop. It is the soundtrack to our work-whether it be design, production or day-to-day tasks, so we like to share that soundtrack on our site once in a while. We have a pretty eclectic taste in music, but you’ll typically hear a lot of classic soul and funk because it keeps the energy flowing, especially when we’re in production.

Want more from Friday & River on the daily? Follow along with the brand on Instagram and Twitter.

Join Frank & Oak Elevate - Enjoy FREE Shipping, Cashback + more at Frank + Oak! Try it now for 90 days, risk free!

Reader Giveaway Opportunity: Owen & Fred

A spread very similar to this one could be yours if you read on below! Photo courtesy of Owen & Fred.

A spread very similar to this one could be yours if you read on below! Photo courtesy of Owen & Fred.

Editor’s note: Although this giveaway has now closed, thanks so much to everyone who participated! And congrats to the winner of this Owen & Fred Essentials set, Mitchell Y.  Thanks again and stay stylish!

If you recall way back in April on this blog, I featured a little men’s lifestyle and design outfit called Owen & Fred. If you’re not familiar with the brand, you’ll definitely be pleased with what you find. They stock excellent essentials that anyone can appreciate, even if you’re not a design nut. The brand’s lineup is something to behold (and check out in person if you can find a retailer near you). From brass business card holders crafted in the U.S. to collar stays & cufflinks, not to mention sturdy and durable bags for your commute and beyond, O&F really does it all – including art work for your walls.  The brand was founded on the principles of exceptional design, quality and craftsmanship back in 2012, and shot to prominence with features in, among others, GQ. I myself am fortunate enough to have put their brass bottle opener to frequent use — it’s a worthy addition to any craft beer fan’s cabinet. I’ve also tried out what they call the World’s Greatest Laundry Bag, and I can tell you that it’s rightfully named; that bag has held up well! So I knew the brand’s offerings were worth another look — particularly for those who read this blog (and thank you for that, by the way!). (Editor’s note: To get $10 off via the brand’s site, click here!).

I met up with founder Mike Arnot back at Capsule Show in July to check out what the brand had on-tap for the coming months. The assortment was, as to be expected, very well-curated and cleanly designed. The little touches an Owen & Fred product can add to even a small area aren’t to be undersold — that’s how well-made they are (in my opinion). So that’s why I’m teaming up with the brand to help you revamp your office, dorm desk or work space this fall! One lucky winner will get all the goods you need to hone in that creative focus and ramp up your productivity. Namely, we’re giving away the following, with details on how to win thereafter:

So, you like what you see? Here’s how to win!

  • Head to my Instagram account and be sure you’re following both myself and Owen & Fred
  • Like either Monday or Tuesday’s photo and in the comments below, let me know what creative endeavors, projects or just plain ol’ work you plan to undertake using your new Owen & Fred essentials! Be sure to use the hashtag #OwenAndFred, too.

It’s as simple as that! As per usual, the winner will be notified via Instagram once selected. Good luck to those who enter and thank you, as always, for reading!

Stay stylish,

-Beau

Ernest Alexander