Mike Hodis of Rising Sun jeans knows a thing or two about making denim. Their Pasadena based store is a temple of indigo housing their retail space and a workshop dedicated to the cause of blue. With quality and integrity at the top of the agenda Mike gives us a peek into the construction process and highlights the importance of passion for the product. -ld

Following up on the post we did yesterday on the launch of the new Carroll Shelby Modern Vintage line, we bring some fresh looks from the line. Again, Wicked Quick has introduced the line and it looks to appeal to those looking for “speed.” “Sourcing design inspiration from Shelby’s archives, each piece has been uniquely worn through hand-staining, trunk-wrinkling, sun-soaking and more to reflect clothing that would have lived in Shelby’s garage for over 50 years…”

More looks after the click.

Based in Paris, Kitsune is making some of our favorite graphic t-shirts  and are bringing the new Kitsune TEE to North America for the first time in Spring/Summer 2012. It’s a more accessible line than the main Kitsune collection.

Where are you from?

The brand is from Paris.

How did you start?

The collections have been available since 2005. The founders are Gildas Loaec, Masaya Kuroki, and London-based brand Abake (which in Japanese is Kitsune).

What are the key features of your brand?

The t-shirts are all made in Japan. All our denim is Kuroki Japanese denim. Our line features a bunch of collaborations this season, included Hearts Revolution, one of the bands on our label.

What’s it like being part of Project 10?

We are super lucky, because it is a good way to launch the t-shirt collection in North America. Feedback has been great, and people are excited to see brand presence here.

Finally, what is your favorite thing about Vegas?

The food is good.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

Jennifer Steeley (JJ) is CMO of Triple Aught Design, a San Francisco-based brand that equips travelers from the street to the wild… and expertly back again. We’re attracted to their innovative takes on classic design. We talked to Jennifer to learn more about Triple Aught Design live from the PROJECT 10 floor.

Where are you from?

We are from San Francisco.

How did you start?

Patrick Ma, our founder, is an avid outdoorsman and spent some time in the army. After he got out, he decided to focus on making gear that had the rugged performance that he saw in his GI kit with the technical advancements of outdoor gear. We started 14 years ago. We also make hard goods, with a special focus on custom knife designs.

What are the key features of your brand?

All performance driven. Built for rugged use. Multi-functional pieces, that you can use out in the field or in an urban context. High quality construction. Clean modern lines.

What’s it like being part of PROJECT 10?

There is a really good variety and we’re getting a chance to interact with people who are creating their own products. There is a huge emphasis on quality, and we have a lot of respect for the other brands showing here.

Finally, what is your favorite thing about Vegas?

Wow. The list is so long… But, really, it is getting inside stories from cab drivers. Apparently “I’m hungry” is hooker code to a pimp for needing to move on to the next John.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

For Spring 2012, Publish offers bright floral prints, tailored jogger pants, and wool/cotton shorts. All garments are indicative of a refinement of brand aesthetic, with Publish continuing to build on a desire to re-invent military pieces with a jazz influence. Expansion of materials used also lends to the growth of the line – aside from oxfords and wools, they are also employing some Cordura in rugged pants.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

More images follow after the click.

Showing at PROJECT LV, Korean brand Instantology was founded in 2008. The designer, a former chef, was influenced by classic tailoring but had a desire to add witty details to the proceedings. Spring/Summer 2012 finds work wear inspired wears with a few typical twists – camon, hunting pockets, etc. – but enough personality to stand out.

More highlights from Instantology after the jump.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

For Spring/Summer 2012, The Scifen Company continues to refine its fleece and shirting. Trims are privileged, and add appropriate pop to the fleece.  We’re partial to a new dip dye crew neck (shown here).

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

A closer look at The Scifen Company Spring/Summer 2012 after the jump.

Regular readers will no doubt be aware of our love of Brooklyn-based OUTLIER. Abe Burmeister tells us about where they are from and where we are at.

Where are you from?

New York City.

How did you start?

I couldn’t find the pants I wanted. I wanted pants I could ride through a rainstorm, go to a business meeting, and then go out for the night. I spent a year trying to find them and couldn’t. Then figured I’d just make them for myself.

What are the key features of your brand?

For us, it is really about problem solving. We’re not interested in making a product unless it doesn’t exist in the market. We want to make your day easier through clothing. We’ve built an expertise bringing high tech fabrics and bringing them into a more fashionable urban context.

What’s it like being part of Project 10?

It’s been fun. It is a great opportunity to come out and expose ourselves to a different side of the clothing world. We’ve only been on the floor for half a day, but so far so good.

Finally, what is your favorite thing about Vegas?

You’re asking the hard questions today. I’m a poker player, so that’s what I end up doing.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

Representing America’s pastime, Ebbets Field Flannels crafts some of our favorite caps and varsity jackets. Founded by Jerry Cohen, this Seattle-based brand supplies some of our favorite classic sporting items.

Where are you from?

Originally, I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I’ve been in Seattle since 1986.

How did you start?

I started because I wanted to wear a vintage baseball jersey and nobody was making them at the time. All I wanted were several for myself. I was playing in bands. But, it became an obsession. I ended up tracking down original fabrics and bought it one piece at a time. People saw them and wanted to buy them. So, naturally, I started the business.

What are the key features of your brand?

Authenticity. Timelessness, I think this is the key feature. We don’t respond to trends, we believe historic American athletic clothing will always be in style. We are as true as we can be to the original manufactures of what we are now doing.

What’s it like being part of PROJECT 10?

It is really exciting for us. We don’t usually do tradeshows because of the complexity of the brand. This is ideal for us, to be surrounded by small creative brands. It is exciting as well to see what other people are doing in the industry.

Finally, what is your favorite thing about Vegas?

I like old school Las Vegas, what is left of it. Downtown. I’m trying to find the remaining few spots.

Photography by Pete Williams for Selectism.

Much more from Ebbets Field Flannels after the jump.

Meet George Guest, representing New England with fine hand crafted luggage and a proud part of our PROJECT 10 brand group.

Where are you from?

We are from Boston. We both, Alex and George, grew up just out side of the city and now live and work there.

How did you start?

It was an idea that started out of the need for a backpack that had features no other products had (a need that I didn’t see in any other bag), as a school business project that we won a school business plan grant. The original idea was based on an outdoor rolltop bag idea. When we both graduated, Alex came on board and we’ve been working on the design and the brand for the past 2 and half years.

What are the key features of your brand?

The patented roll top closure system. Definitely the materials. We sought out classic, durable materials. We used 18-0z canvas, full grain leather, and I think you’ll find all our products have a technical feature. All the features are inspired by usability in outdoor and urban environments.

What’s it like being part of Project 10?

It is our fist trade show, It is the first time we’ve really presented our products to a wide variety of people – press, retailers, fellow brands. It is an opportunity we probably wouldn’t have experienced until later on, as a young brand, this opportunity is perfect for us.

Finally, what is your favorite thing about Vegas?

It doesn’t sleep. You don’t have to go outside if you don’t want to.

Photography by Peter Williams for Selectism. View the full George Guest collection after the jump.