The famed Inspiration show in Los Angeles dawned upon us for another year earlier this month.
For those not familiar, it is a trade show/gathering/culture jam organised by Rin Tanaka who has penned some of the most comprehensive books on vintage clothing under his books My Freedamn.
For two days every February some of the worlds most respected vintage clothing dealers get together and bring out some of their best pieces for trade. It has also become a show for emerging and established artisans to showcase some of their new wares, quite often crafted from repurposed materials.
For me this was the 4th year attending the show, and I’m still floored by the amount of amazing things to see. Left, right and centre there are things to get excited about. Whether its a hand painted A-2 jackets from the 1940’s or beautifully aged 1930’s U.S.N denim. There is still a whole lot to be impressed by. Above all however, the part I most enjoy about attending a show like Inspiration is the people. Over the past couple of years I have forged friendships with people from all over the globe. Its the desire to do things differently, going against this throw-away culture which brings us all together. It’s rare in the world of fashion to find more passionate, genuine and inspiring people.
Below is a small series of portraits I shot of friends old and new.
Words by Ponytail Pal Joseph Au [read his funnest life possible file here]
Rather Prentice and Mason Dyer /
John Dennis / Yuya and Julian
Worn-Over-Time /
Andrew Phelps / 
Kent Tsujimoto / Uchida Hitoshi
Scott Corey /
Constance Skinner /
Jonathan Lukacek, Logan, Arielle, Brown Tabby, Rugged Boss /
Atsushi Matsushima / Ouigi Theodore
Christophe Loiron and Doug Bihlmaier /
Judy Augur / Jamie Wong /
