J Crew Liquor Store

To house its first high-concept menswear boutique, J.Crew took over the old Liquor Store, a landmark TriBeCa tavern. The company enlisted Andy Spade to carve out a masculine retreat complete with dark paneling, comfortable leather chairs, stocked bookshelves, antiques, threadbare oriental rugs, and of course spot on music and lighting.

The original mahogany bar is still intact but now displays a hand picked selection of carefully edited pieces; vintage Rolex watches, cuff links, tie bars and other accessories for dapper gentlemen.

Apparel is elegantly displayed with Thomas Mason dress shirts draped over steamer trunks, and sweaters strategically parked next to vintage record albums.

J.Crew Men's Shop at the Liquor Store
235 West Broadway, NYC 10013 Telephone 212.226.5476

http://www.jcrew.com/tribeca

Dita Eyewear

The story of Dita Eyewear begins with two friends. Founders Jeff Solorio and John Juniper have been friends since grade school and share a common passion for photography and design. Together they were inspired to capture their passions not just on film but in eyewear as well, launching the first collection of Dita frames in 1996.

With a natural affinity for design they introduced stylish eyewear inspired by vintage frames from the 50's through the 80's. Dita's coveted vintage-inspired frames have become the gold standard with celebrity clientele and the fashion elite, worldwide.

Over the years Dita has received international acclaim with Jeff and John now considered two of the world's most influential eyewear designers. The brand chooses to be exclusive, avoiding extensive advertising campaigns, endorsement deals, or sales to mass merchants.

http://www.dita.com

Rag & Bone

Founded in 2002, rag & bone had one clear vision; to make clothes that their friends would want to wear everyday. With no formal training, the founders set about learning how to make jeans. They believed that denim represented the history, authenticity and fundamentals of classic work wear that they would strive to reflect in their designs.

Beginning in Kentucky, rag & bone surrounded themselves with people experienced at making patterns, cutting fabrics and sewing. Their craftsman taught them the importance of quality and attention to detail.

These principles soon became the foundation of rag & bone's philosophy. Today rag & bone produces their line in U.S. based factories using time honored apparel production techniques.

About the name; A century- old British fixture, the rag and bone man was known for practicing the first form of recycling.The rag and bone man would travel by horse and cart (typically a Shire or Clydesdale) , circling the neighborhood in search of scrap metal, old furniture and other items that could be sold or reused to create income. Children would run out of their homes shouting " rag and bone" to collect sweets in exchange for items loaded on the cart. Paying homage to their pioneering ingenuity and conservation, rag & bone derived their name from this legendary practice.

rag & bones signature stores; 104 Bleecker Street, in NYC's West Village, and 119 Mercer Street, SoHo, NYC.

http://www.rag-bone.com/

Lunchbox Laboratory

Scott Simpson's Lunchbox Laboratory is a tiny 16 seat, intense hamburger takeout cafe, in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. Decorated in retro kitsch including a collection of vintage lunchboxes, they serve award winning burgers, fries, and other "off the hook" items according to several American Project readers.

Named the #1 burger in the State of Washington by The Food Network, Lunchbox delivers comfort food with intensity.

Lunchbox promises to be; "Delicious, unusual, and sometimes offensive."

" Home of the Best Burger in America " - Located at 1253 Thomas Street + Seattle

" The Art & Science of American Comfort Food."

http://lunchboxlaboratory.com/

Photo Drew McKenzie

Everything Jake

Everything's Jake is a vintage haberdashery that blends an eclectic mix of selected items for men who want only the finest in quality period apparel and accessories. The shop stocks high-quality British and American inspired vintage apparel from the late 1940's - JFK administration, including proper accessories that any well turned out gent would find desirable.

Proprietor Jonathan Kanarek's well edited offerings include; suits, tuxedos, casual attire, cuff links, the unexpected, and of course Dorothy Thorpe bar ware.

The shop is now hosting in-house events, topics include; The Rules of Style, Etiquette and A Gentleman's Guide to the Home Bar.

Everything Jake's 4644 Hollywood Blvd. Los Feliz, CA 90027 Telephone 323.662.5253

"Vintage luxury for the modern gentlemen."

http://www.jakevintage.com/

Besame Cosmetics

Gabriela Hernandez, founder of Besame Cosmetics, Inc. has brought artistry and romance back to the cosmetics world. She has created a line infused with a romantic sensibility that is rich in historical details. Launched in 2004, Besame Cosmetics was a culmination of Gabriela's passion for design and her desire to create an original cosmetic with details and formulas that make a women feel glamorous and unique.

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Pink's

Pink's may be the most famous hot dog stand in the America, certainly in Los Angeles. Founded by Paul & Betty Pink in 1939 the Hollywood landmark which is near the corner of Melrose and La Brea is still family owned. The always busy Pink's has been in the same location for over seventy years serving a diverse crowd; well known dignitaries, actors, musicians, business people, school children, local residents and of course, tourist visiting Hollywood.

Open everyday at 9:30 a.m. Sunday-Thursday open until 2:00 a.m., Friday & Saturday until 3:00 a.m. Pink's is located at 709 La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA.

http://www.pinkshollywood.com/

Airstream

Airstream began with a single man and a most singular dream. The man was Wally Byam; his dream, to build the perfect travel trailer. One that would move like a stream of air. One that would be light enough to be pulled by a standard automobile. One that would provide first class living accommodations anywhere in the world.

Easily recognized by their distinctive rounded aluminum bodies the iconic Airstream design was conceived by Hawley Bowles the Chief Designer of Charles Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis. The Airstream philosophy was always been, " Let's not make any changes, only improvements." Every inch of an Airstream has a functional purpose. There is no planned obsolescence, and original Airstream trailers from the 1930's are still on the road.

http://www.airstream.com/

Makr

American Project catches up with Jason Gregory, the man behind Makr Carry Goods whose main aim is to develop products/projects that are honest and thoughtful and that we think are beautiful. Jason openly discusses the origins, inspirations and the future of Makr and shares with us some exclusive imagery.

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Popbar

Just in time to combat the summer's heat Popbar launches it's first shop at 5 Carmine St., nr. Sixth Ave., in New York's West Village. The shop serves authentic handcrafted gelato on a stick, rotating about 25 flavors. Made fresh daily using all natural, hormone and preservative free ingredients, with 100% fruit.

Shop hours; Sunday to Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and on weekends until 2:00 a.m.

http://www.pop-bar.com/