The Material Review
Issue 106: The Ultimate Surf Trip, Watch Commercials, Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre, Swimming Horses, Gay Talese, The Wimbledon Queue and Q&A w/ Jeff Carvalho.
Stories worth reading. Stop indexing the internet.
In search of the ultimate surf experience? Felippe Dal Piero is the man to know
“Mahalo Experience offers extreme waves and unforgettable locations – often with just 24 hours’ notice” [FT]
Notes to the Editor of a Watch Commercial
The Miracle at the Truck Stop
“At the height of his fame, Burt Reynolds had a dream: to open a dinner theater in the middle of nowhere” [Air Mail]
Where the Horses Swim
“On Barbados’ Pebbles Beach, racehorses train in the ocean.” [The Dial]
Gay Talese’s Love/Hate List
“Dream Baby Press asked Gay Talese for a list of 10 things he loves and 10 things he hates.” [Dream Baby Press]
Welcome to the Queue, where waiting for Wimbledon tickets rivals the tennis
At the world's most prestigious tennis tournament, hundreds of the best tickets are reserved for regular folks at low prices — if they're willing to camp out for hours or days. [NPR]
A shortlist of things we’ve got our eye on.
Kamakura Vintage Ivy Brushed Navy Oxford Shirt
Mamnick Barbrook Field-Jacket
LADY WHITE CO. T-SHIRT 2-PACK GRINDLE
1733 Duffle - Cordura
Informale T005 Linen Drawstring Trouser
Jeff Carvalho is the cofounder of Highsnobiety and recently launched Selectism, a Substack focused on design, objects, and the culture around them. We caught up to talk about flea market speaker finds, surviving Miami in linen, where media’s headed, and the vintage pieces he’s still chasing.
What’s a memorable recent purchase you’ve made?
This year? It would be a pair of 1990s JBL L5 speakers I found at a random field flea market. These are not necessarily a typical pair of JBL since the tweeter is slightly angled up. When you stand up in front of them, they fire the high end sound of music unbelievably well.
But facia-wise, they were quite beat up with a set of top grills and badges missing. I refurbished them with a cleaning but while they sound incredible, they are not beautiful. So it's a constant battle between what sounds good and what looks good (or how I can make ugly speakers look great again). They originally sold for around $1,400 a pair back in the ’90s. I paid $40.
Linen shirts as an overall life change. Not a new thing to most, but I really avoided linen after buying the wrong size cab shirt from Smock years ago. I don't blame Smock for the hiatus. I went back to 100% linen this year after finally giving up on cottons in Miami.
I'm super into archive ONIA linen 3-button polo shirts, which seem to only have been released in two colors. James Perse linens as well, I just avoid their Made in China garments.
What is something you’ve had your eye on?
The IWC Pilots Watch 41 Top Gun ‘Lake Tahoe’ that was quietly released some months ago. We have two major IWC flagships: Aventura and Design District with the latter boutique just doors from Istituto Marangoni Miami where I lecture. I did a quick lecture on IWC for some students and we headed over to see it.
It was a selfish move, but I wanted another look. It's so obnoxiously white and clean at the same time. I'm a 40mm guy but give me that 41 special, please.
How do you feel about the state of the media right now?
Over the years, media and the media I work in, tends to follow trends of where the audience is. In the beginning, we had direct mail, e-mail, magazines which readers pulled for: we bought subscriptions, paid for cable TV. Like blogging, they came to you.
Once social hit, we chased readers to their platforms of choice and we know the names here: Friendster, Myspace, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, Snap. Media went where the readers were and those platforms made the rules, made decisions for you.
We're still there, but today there is a new opportunity for slow or at least slow enough to give insights into topics. That's what I see very much in newsletters and platforms like Substack.
You really do not need much more to be read today.
Is there a “white whale” vintage item you’ve wanted but have yet to track down?
I’ve never found a pair of Levi's Big E 501 jeans in the wild, but when that day comes, I will stop thrifting immediately. Otherwise 1930’s Lee Cowboy One pocket jacket. Very rare, though one was just found. I saw it on Instagram but didn't screenshot it.
What brands are you excited about right now?
The same ones I continue to personally turn to: 18East, NOAH, 3Sixteen, Lady White Co., Mister Freedom. These guys just continue to do their thing and I continue to wear it in Miami through 90-100F summer heat. It's a commitment.
I have eyes on Yoke, MFPEN, Kaptain Sunshine, A.Presse. Graphpaper is Miami weather ready but not easy to get.
Whomever wrote that Shouts has spent a lot of time around CMOs.