AWARDS SEASON III: Ich Liebster Dich

Oo-de-lolly!!!  Amidst the excitement of our big blog giveaway and the forthcoming holidays, I've barely had time to think about my next post.  Fortunately, the problem has been solved in a very timely fashion by The Pocket Size Wife.  Much to my surprise and honor, she has awarded wacky tacky with the Liebster Blog Award.

Blog awards are always a bit of a challenge because instead of writing about things that I like, I am forced to write about a subject on which I have a tenuous grasp at the best of times - myself.  Answering the eleven questions that are a mandate of the Liebster Award, I had to think a little harder and do a little more self-reflection than I would normally.  So, with my answers here, we can both play a special game that I like to call "Getting to Know You."

"Getting to Know You" - The Lennon Sisters on

The Lawrence Welk Show

1. What is your favorite film from the silver screen era?

This is one of those questions to which it is impossible to reply with a single answer.  I have a very large collection of movies and most are pre-1960.  Movies that I LOVE include: Sunset Boulevard, My Man Godfrey, North by Northwest, Now Voyager, State Fair, and many more.  To be perfectly honest, my favorite movie of all time would probably not be considered the silver screen's finest production but it is my "happy place" movie that I can watch anytime, anywhere - The Parent Trap (the original with Hayley Mills, Brian Keith, Una Merkel, and Maureen "Hubba Hubba" O'Hara).

The Parent Trap
(Source)

2.  What is the number one thing you can't live without from your closet and why?

Hmmmm...I think I am known more for creating clothes than for the clothes I wear.  I wish that I put more effort into my clothing and appearance but I am extremely low maintenance.  I prefer work wear for everyday, so I guess the answer then is denim - jeans AND overalls.

It would make so much more sense if I worked even half as hard as these guys.
(Source)

3. Who is your most influential style icon from the past and from today?

A figure from the past that I would give anything to look like (physically and clothing wise) is Cary Grant.  He had amazing style but it wasn't too precious or overwrought.  Many guys in the vintage community put in more effort, time, and energy into the acquisition, handling, and display of their clothes than any woman I know; I think that it takes all of the fun out of it.  Also, I am not a big, macho, manly man but this activity in men seems so non-masculine/prissy.  Cary Grant could look dapper, dashing, sophisticated, or relaxed without trying too hard and he always looked like a man.  My paternal grandfather had similar style; he always looked very put together without trying hard.  He wore clothing that was always appropriate for the occasion; he dressed as much for my grandma as he did for himself and he took a healthy amount of pride in his appearance.

This is what I want to look like.
(Source)

This is what I want to wear.
(Source)

4. What is your guilty pleasure?

I hate to say it, but it is TMZ, not so much the website as the TV show.  Even though I don't participate heavily in contemporary popular culture, I can't help but be fascinated by our society's (and my own) perennial obsession with celebrity.  One time I was driving through Beverly Hills and the TMZ tour bus was next to me;  I rolled down my window and kept yelling at the tourists that I was one of the Backstreet Boys.  I am a dork - a dork that thinks he's hilarious.  I'm also hooked on The People's Court but I don't feel guilty about that at all.

TMZ - I don't even know what that means??
(Source)

Harvey & Marilyn
The stars of my two favorite shows
(Source)

5. What is your current obsession?

My blog.  Is that weird?  Most of the things I do in my life are things that I have to do.  My blog is something that I get to do and look very much forward to doing.  I really enjoy every aspect of it - research, creating, adventure, writing, and connecting with awesome people.

Does that make me self-obsessed?

6. What is your most prized possession and how did you come about it?

I was born into it.  I hate to be serious but my family is my most prized possession.  My parents are cool and they, if not indulge, at least tolerate my eccentricities.  My very best friends are my brothers and sisters and their support means more to me than all the collections in the world.  And I'm not sure if I've mentioned him or not, but my nephew is the light of my life!!!  

My family - truly possessed.

I think all collectors go through phases of hunting, hoarding, and purging.  I am far from evolved, but I am definitely in the phase of disenchantment with my "stuff."  I am ready to organize and simplify; I find that experiences and adventures are far more fulfilling than amassing a bunch of things.  Having said all that,  I am quite fond of my sewing machine.  It wasn't cheap and I had to save to get it.  It is a tool that helps me turn my ideas into reality.

7. What famous person from the past or present do you think you look like?

I don't think that anyone in this world has ever gotten famous by looking like me - heaven help them if they do!!!  I never get stopped and told by anyone, "Hey, you look just like...." or "Does anyone ever tell you that you are the spitting image of..."  I have been told multiple times over the phone that I sound like Robert Downey, Jr.  Granted, it was by the same woman each time and she was trying to sell me something; my family has assured me that I sound nothing like Robert Downey, Jr.  I don't know, maybe Chaz Bono or Francis from Pee Wee's Big Adventure???

Francis Bux-TON
(Source)

Chaz Bono
(Source)

What do you think?

8. If you had one more day to live, how would you spend it?  What would you do?

I would spend it with my family - in shifts (we don't do well all crammed together in one room).  I think I would want to be exploring the desert or adventuring in Australia.  Food would definitely be involved.  I might even indulge in dairy products.  Lactose intolerance be damned - tomorrow I die!!!

I need some good, old fashioned nutrition!
(Source)

9.  Are you a pet lover? If so, do you own any pets?

Alas, I am allergic to everything - hair, fur, or feathers practically send me into anaphylactic shock.  We have had the odd fish (they were indeed odd - at least two committed suicide) over the years but I think the allergy gene negated the animal lover gene in me.

That's me...the boy in the bubble.
(Source)

10. If you could go back in time, where would you and why?

Another tough one to answer.  It is probably obvious from my blog that I am particularly enamored with the first two-thirds of the 20th Century, so I would want to pick the perfect time where I could go back and enjoy the best of every decade.  I constantly think about the business opportunities; I could go back and buy up huge quantities of vintage clothes, cars, Christmas decorations, bakelite and bring them all back to the 21st Century and get rich!

I don't think Doc and Marty ever fully explored the money making potential of the DeLorean.
(Source)

11.  Who would you like to go out to lunch with from the blogging world?

Without a doubt, it would be the group of bloggers from Nashville that I follow.  If y'all (see how I included that) aren't familiar with Eartha Kitsch of Ranch Dressing with Eartha Kitsch, Lisa of My Pretty Baby Cried She was a Bird, and Rae of Say It Ain't So, then be sure to check out their blogs.  They are hilarious, they collect awesome stuff, and even though at least two of them are vegetarian, I know we would be eating beautiful layer cakes, Pac-Man cookies, and delicious Southern food.  

Eartha's Beautiful Bunny Cake
(Source)

Lisa's Pac-Man Cookies
(Source)

Rae's Raspberry Coffee Cake from Heaven
(Source)

I must pause and express my gratitude to The Pocket Size Wife for this award.  Thank you for thinking us worthy of the award; I hope we can maintain your interest and support.

If you haven't yet visited her blog, be sure to check it out.  There is something for everyone there - marriage, Morrissey, millinery, and more!!!  Thanks again!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Profiles in Vintage: Liberty Motor Wear

What do you get when you cross an unapologetic Twi-hard with a Louise Brooks bob and a mustachioed, wise-cracking biker?  The answer is Liberty Motor Wear!  Liberty Motor Wear, producing the finest in reproduction vintage motorcycle clothing and accessories, is run by husband and wife team, Paul and Amber Umbriaco.  We are friends with Paul and Amber and are fortunate to live close by, but it took going all the way to Viva Las Vegas this year for us to catch up with them so we could interview this dynamic duo about their business, their style, motorcycles, and Paul's predilection for lycra swimwear and gardening.

Meet Amber & Paul, the masterminds behind
Liberty Motor Wear.

WT: How do you feel about being interviewed?

LMW: How do you feel about doing the interviewing?

WT:  I don't understand, that's too "confucian."

WT: Tell us about your product line. 

LMW: We make reproduction vintage motor wear: motorcycle hats, sweaters, belts, etc. made in the USA.  We also have some original vintage items for sale.

Do you have a favorite piece?

Paul: My favorite items are the motorcycle hats.

Liberty Motor Wear Motorcycle cap (available in black & khaki)

Amber: I love the red and black sweater.

Liberty Motor Wear - Scarlet Sweater with Black Trim

WT: What got you started in the business?

LMW: We have a passion for casual vintage wear.  We wanted to reproduce clothing items that are more rare and difficult to find.  For example, if you were to find an original motorcycle sweater that is moth-hole ridden and pretty much unwearable, it would start at around 900 bucks.  So we figured we would start reproducing hats, shirts, pants, sweaters, and many more things to come, all made in the USA, at an affordable cost.

WT: Your attention to detail is unparalleled.  Has it been hard to find manufacturers who understand your vision?

LMW: Yes, definitely.  It can be trying at times.

WT: Is owning your own business everything you thought it would be?  Is it more or less difficult than you imagined?

LMW: We have to say, it's a bit more difficult at times to be able to find the people, material, and resources to have items manufactured the way we want them, here in the USA.

A Liberty Motor Wear cowhide purse with hand-stitched binding.

WT: Paul you handle the production of your hand-tooled leather goods, are you trained in leather working or are you self taught?

 LMW: It's funny, I went in to Tandy Leather a while back to ask them how to fix a leather watchband, and the next thing you know, after a handful of Saturday morning classes and $3500 in leather tools, BAM, I'm a leather craftsman.

And how!!!

WT: We're not trying to start any fights, but you seem to fill a unique niche in the vintage marketplace, is there a lot of competition out there?

LMW: There's not a whole lot of competition out there, and some of them have moved into 70's motorcycle trends.  Tthe ones that are left somewhat do the same thing as us, but have their own niche.

WT: Motorcycle culture, like cowboy culture, seems so definitively American.  Do you get a lot of overseas clients?

LMW: Yes, most of our customers at the moment are overseas.  They really appreciate American vintage style, sometimes more than Americans do.

WT:  Your work would come under the heading of thoughtfully reproduced, well-crafted, handmade motorcycle wear.  "Repro" can carry a negative connotation; do you think of "repro" as a bad word?

LMW: No, because it's what we make.  We actually use the word all the time to describe our line.

Liberty Motor Wear hand-tooled/studded
wristbands and keychains

WT: Your merchandise can be found online (libertymotorwear.com) and at select shows/events.  Would you like to open a brick and mortar shop?

LMW:  We would love it!  There are a few prime spots in Old Town Orange that would be a dream come true for us.

WT: Speaking of dreams, have you found your dream job?

LMW: Yes.  The sky's the limit. It's just going to get better from here.

WT: You are hands-down the best dressed couple.  Who are you style icons?

LMW: Wow, thank you so much!  Our style icons are regular everyday people in old snapshots.

Amber: ...and Louise Brooks for my haircut.

Paul: Don Knotts is also my style icon. LOL!

Or maybe not so "LOL".....

WT: What are your favorite eras?

LMW: We're really in love with the early to mid 20th Century, especially the 20's through the 50's.  The clothes, the hair, the houses, the furniture, the motorcycles, the cars, the music, the attitude.  We can go on and on.  It was just amazing!

A wacky tacky personal favorite!!!

WT: Much of the vintage community adheres to a very strict, and often unrealistic, standard.  You have definitely developed a distinct personal style but it doesn't seem to hinder your participation in all kinds of events (20's, 50's, motorcycle, etc.).  Do you ever feel the need to defend your style or participation?  Do hardcore vintage enthusiasts ever question your loyalty/commitment?

LMW:  We both have outfits from the 1920's through the 50's so we can go to different types of events and not look completely out of place.  We haven't been questioned about our loyalty to a particular era.  Sometimes when we go out, we wear our casual vintage motor wear, and people are interested in it; they don't see it very often.

WT: What do you collect?

LMW: We only collect things we can actually use, like vintage clothes, furniture for our house, etc.  If we don't use it then we sell it on eBay.

Amber:  I love 30's beach pajamas and 40's-50's tshirts. 

WT: Amber, you do have the finest collection of beach pajamas we have ever seen!!!

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

WT:  Now we get down to the real business.  Do you collect motorcycles?

LMW: We have a 1940 BSA and a 1935 BMW with a sidecar.  The BMW gets a lot of looks, but let me tell ya, the BSA makes you feel like a Chinese jet pilot!

A patch detail from a Liberty Motor Wear t-shirt!

WT: What is your most prize possession in terms of motorcycle history?

 LMW: I wouldn't say it's my prize possession, but I do own the earliest known model of a BMW R12 motorcycle, which is from 1935.  It served on the Russian front in WWII.

WT: What is your dream motorcycle?

Paul: I would love to have a 1937 Indian.  It's the epitome of the American motorcycle.

1937 Indian
(Source)

WT: Do you always wear a helmet?  I mean aside from when you are on a motorcycle...

Paul: I usually wear a helmet and speedos when watering the front lawn.

Amber:  The neighbors love it when he does that! 

That sounds like a punishable offense.

WT: One last question, what do you have spinning on your turntable right now?

LMW: Flatt & Scruggs

"Foggy Mountain Breakdown" - Flatt & Scruggs

Thanks, Paul and Amber.  If we ever have a foggy mountain breakdown, we hope that you'll be there with the BMW and side car to give us a lift!  Please be sure to check out the Liberty Motor Wear website for all of your vintage motor wear needs.  You'll be glad you did!

Liberty Motor Wear

libertymotorwear.com

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny