Close Up and Private x After the Denim

One of the best things I've experienced since starting After the Denim is definitely getting to know some very interesting people both in Denmark and from around the world. And all happened because of the blog. I cherish every single correspondence that I've had with people and all the great persons I've met in person. One of the most inspiring persons I've met so far is Sergei Sviatchenko, the artist who also happens to run Close Up and Private, which I'm sure many of you guys also read religiously.

We may have a quite different approach to clothes and fashion in general, but I think, we share a mutual respect for each others work. Last time Sergei visited me, we talked for a long time about a lot of things, but mostly about ties as usual. Again, we are totally different, as I practically never wear a tie, and Sergei wears a tie on a daily basis. Still I like the tie as an object, event though it totally lacks function, but I enjoy the different fabrics - like elegant silks, heavy tweeds, sturdy chambray or delicate knits.

As stated before I rarely wear a tie, so it may seem like a paradox, that I probably have a couple of hundred ties stashed away. But knowing my hoarding tendencies it may not be a surprise after all. Sergei looked through most of my ties and hand picked some ties that he wanted to use for CUAP and at the same time, I could get some pictures for my blog. Beneficial for both of us so I lent him some ties, which has now resulted in some inspirational photos, that all have that instantly recognisable CUAP feeling.

All pictures by Sergei Sviatchenko and all words by Simon Tuntelder

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A New Friend - Sergei Sviatchenko

Today I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a man, who I have admired tremendously through the project Close Up and Private. I've mentioned it before and I've even made a post with some pictures, that he took just for this humble blog - you can see them here. Today however we let the Internet be Internet and we met in Person in my backyard to discuss an impending project, and just to have a talk and a cup of coffee.

I was a bit nervous or rather excited about meeting this man, whom I had idolized for his impeccable taste, style and general view on fashion. Here he was in my backyard because he wanted to meet me and talk about, what I do. So I gave him a tour of my small workshop and tried to introduce him to, where I want things to go with After the Denim and my crafts. We also spent some hours talking about other - future - projects, The Doors and ties.

After the initial greetings and small talk Sergei cleared his throat and told me about an Ukrainian custom of thanking someone for being an inspiration or for doing something good and shortly hereafter he handed me a small, rectangular, white box with the words "Close Up and Private - Look" engraved on it. I opened the box and discovered the most beautiful tie wrapped in white silk paper.

This tie was commissioned by Sergei himself and cut and sewn here in Denmark. It's constructed of a very nice silk twill, it's backed with some very nice grosgrain (which my poor pictures don't show) and most importantly the width is just perfect - especially for a four in hand knot.

This amazing present came out of the blue and of course I wasn't prepared at all. Had I known about this, I would have made something out of leather for him, but instead I tried to return the favour by letting Sergei pick from my many vintage ties, which hardly came close to this tie. However I'll come prepared for our next meeting.

So Sergei, thank you very much. The tie is perfect.

READ MORE - A New Friend - Sergei Sviatchenko

Close Up and Private x After the Denim

It seems, that After the Denim is going from strength to strength these days. And I can't thank everyone enough. Not only did James Taylor write a great piece on buying vintage clothing and tweed, which FYI has become the most read post on ATD, but I was also approached by the marvellous artist Sergei Sviatchenko during One Month of Denim.

I have mentioned Sergei once before and many of you will already recognise his name as the founder of Close Up and Private - the ultra Stylish, online lookbook with the artist twist, that is so easily and instantly recognisable. For this reason Close Up and private has every style blogger pressing the re-blog button again and again. Some of you may even recognise his name as a gifted artist, that does beautiful collages and paintings.

Sergei contacted me offering some exclusive photos, that all evolve around the subject of jeans. I didn't want to spoil them by including them in One Month of Denim, so I decided to do a regular post on them or possibly a One Month of Denim finale.

I can't thank Sergei enough for letting me post the pictures on this blog. It is an honour!

Since he has allowed me to do so, I can only encourage the readers to go and check out Close Up and Private and do so on a daily basis! It is definitely the world's best blog, when it comes to original, inspirational images.

The set is named "Ladies in Denim"

The X in the titel may indicate, that this was a collaboration. It wasn't. I didn't do a thing.

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Danish Blogs and a Thank You Note

What's going on in our tiny spot on the globe, that we call Denmark? Not much is the short answer, and probably the long answer too. It doesn't mean that there aren't things happening in Denmark because there are some good things. I will try to uncover these things, as we go along. 

Today I would like to bring some attention to two Danish blogs that are doing one hell of a job.

First of is a blog that is very widely known. I would even like to correct myself right away, as this isn't a blog in the common sense. It is more of an online look book or inspiration board, as there are very few words and a whole lot of different outfits. I seriously hope that the owner Sergei and his handsome son, Erik, are borrowing clothes from friends for their shoots, as it would mean that they have the coolest wardrobe, if they didn't.

Please visit them here

http://closeupandprivate.com/site/

The second blog that I would like you all to bookmark the blog Stiljournalen. The owner of the blog - and now web shop - Torsten knows a thing or two about dressing right. I may sometimes find that a bit boring, but never dull. What makes him stand out from all the blogs on wearing a suit, is his sense of story and sense of crafts. He has blogged about how I bought some nice fabric from a retiring tailor and he has been one of the only people in Denmark focusing on Danish production - he even did a piece on Dahlman, before I went there.

Stiljournlalen isn't in English. He does write some English summaries of some of the posts, but I recommend you simply use google translate and read the Danish version.

Please visit Torsten here

http://stiljournalen.blogspot.com/

Finally, I would like to announce that After the Denim has now had 1500 visits  (not including my own, in case you were wondering) and it has only been slightly more than a month. This is a fact that I'm very proud of, especially when I think of how little I have done to promote the blog. Of course I hope that the number of visitors will rise to even greater numbers - so please tell your loved ones - but if it all ended here, I would still be very honoured. All I can say, is that I still feel motivated to make this one of the good blogs and I continuously try to think of new things that I can ad to the blog. Hopefully, more people will comment, ask questions, give recommendations or whatever you may feel like and hopefully more friends will chip in with posts, as this blog isn't entirely about me.

So to the readers, thank you.

Best regards Simon

READ MORE - Danish Blogs and a Thank You Note