LABOR DAY CLOSURE - SEPT 1 & 2

We'll be closed Sunday and Monday in honor of the Labor Day holiday.  We will be open Friday and Saturday our normal hours (10am-6pm).  Have an amazing weekend!

CONGRATS TO MICHELLE!

Based on designs by Charles Rennie Mackintosh 

Congrats to Michelle, who correctly guessed yesterday's 39th anniversary question! For those who missed it, the question is below:

Q: What are the five CONSECUTIVE prime numbers that add up to 39? 

A: 3, 5, 7, 11, 13

Michelle gets a $39 39th anniversary gift certificate - who will be next!?  Watch the blog this coming Tuesday for the next question!

NEW ARRIVALS - RAFFI

Raffi Linea Uomo - $295

This sweater has just enough detail to make it irresistible without overwhelming - the front is adorned with a cable-inspired raised stitch, done in a beautiful variegated navy and grey yarn in a cotton/wool blend. At $295, it's a lot of sweater at a very nice price.

39TH ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY - QUESTION # 2

Don't forget - our 39th anniversary giveaway will give 10 lucky winners each a $39 gift certificate for correctly answering the day's question *FIRST* either on our blog (in comments) or on our Facebook.
 
Our second question requires a bit of math skill. Ready? 

What are the five CONSECUTIVE prime numbers that add up to 39?  

CONGRATS ON OUR FIRST WINNER!

Congratulations to Michael, who correctly answered yesterday's question, via our Facebook page. In case you missed it, yesterday's question was:

Q: What comedian/entertainer told people he was 39 years old, for the entire duration of his career? 

A: Jack Benny

We love the famously frugal and eternally 39 Mr. Benny.  Stay tuned for the next 39th anniversary contest question!!

CONGRATS TO KAY SMITH-BLUM!

Congratulations to Kay Smith-Blum on her recent selection as finalist for the WBO Nellie Cashman award, which celebrates women business owners and their entrepreneurial spirit, ethics and community service, et. al.  She is pleased and honored to be selected as a finalist, and we are  thrilled for her.

For more information about the award, click the graphic above.

CHEAP TRICK IN JOHN VARVATOS

Cheap Trick in John Varvatos

On August 27, the rockers in the band Cheap Trick wore John Varvatos - designed outfits for the opening of JV's new 3000 square foot boutique in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Varvatos has long had a symbiotic relationship with rock and roll, claiming it as the main source of inspiration for his designs.

Check out the latest from John Varvatos and Varvatos' diffusion label USA★ in store now!

The band pictured with the designer

BB 39TH ANNIVERSARY CONTEST- QUESTION 1

To celebrate our 39th anniversary, every day we will be giving away a $39 gift certificate to the guest who first correctly answers our daily quiz question in the comments on our blog or on our Facebook page. 

Today's question: 

What comedian/entertainer told people he was 39 years old, for the entire duration of his career? 

CAMERON'S PICK - D'EXTERIOR KNIT SKIRT

D'Exterior - $385

I love this new D'Exterior wool skirt. The army olive-green hue complements a variety of my pre-exisiting fall-toned pieces, making it conveniently versatile and the cozy stretch wool is  unexpectedly comfortable and easy-to-wear. Obviously, the stand-out feature is the asymmetrical folds; it's artful and interesting but also great coverage, camouflaging any possible "trouble-areas" with beautiful detail.

Cameron Levin

Salesperson

NEW ARRIVALS - LUIGI BIANCHI ROUGH

The latest arrivals from Luigi Bianchi are here! This season, Luigi Bianchi Mantova reinvents their collection as "Luigi Bianchi Rough," a line of classic Men's tailored fabrics styled in their superb unlined, unconstructed models. Featuring precious fibers like Super 130's wool, Cashmere and Silk, and more, this is one of our favorite collections and a must for any modern-minded professional.

CHARLY IN THE STYLE SECTION

Our very own miss Charly Locking was photographed recently on Capitol Hill for it's my darlin' - a Seattle street style blog. Seattle Times picked up the photo for their Sunday Style section this weekend, and we could not be prouder.  Looking very chic, dear!

ALLUDE FALL 2013 COLLECTION

 This season Allude shook things up a little bit by introducing unusually fashion-forward elements, including patterned intarsia knitwear and knits trimmed with leather in their cashmere collection.

We love Allude for its excellent pricepoint and its chic but classic take on quality knitwear. Check out the latest from this terrific collection in store now!

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - LADY GAGA IN MARTIN MARGIELA

Lady Gaga wore (among some other incredible couture outfits) a Maison Martin Margiela Defilé jacket in her latest video "Applause." Styled with a one-of-a-kind mirror and safety-pin dress designed by her sister Nicole Germanotta, Lady Gaga perfectly exemplifies the Maison's eclectic approach to style.

Find some of our favorites from Maison Martin Margiela's collection in store now for Fall/Winter for men and women!

FALL'S LATEST AND GREATEST

Outfits by Maison Martin Margiela

Knit options for ladies are big this fall, and we've got a ton of them, particularly in these unique, innovative knit dresses by Maison Martin Margiela. Featuring full-fashioned cowl fronts and unusual belt/scarf details (take a close look, the ends of the scarves are banded like sleeves!) they're sure to expand your wardrobe options for Fall.

Outfits by Cantarelli and Luigi Bianchi

For men, Fall is all about the unstructured jacket. These aren't your dad's sport coat - they're softer, slimmer, and cooler during a changeable Seattle fall. Because they're constructed without Bemberg linings, the natural fibers breathe beautifully but still provide a subtle warmth on chilly days. The pricepoint is competitive too - none of Luigi Bianchi's "L.B.M." jackets retail over $1500, with most of them in the $795 territory.

MANNEQUIN MOMENTS - CRANBERRY COCKTAIL

Outfits by Peserico and LBM 1911

Rich dark reds are some of our favorite colors this season, and you'll see this fabulous shade in every category...sumptuous cashmere sweaters, glossy shirts, even tailored jackets in shades of burgundy, cranberry, wine, and more.

NEW BAGS BY BERGĒ

Suede - $525

 These new arrivals from the masters at Bergē are a marvelous addition to a modern gal's wardrobe. Using the same ultra-luxe materials as the big-ticket designers, in painstakingly slow, old-world construction methods, these craftsmen create fabulous one-of-a-kind offerings. Because they're entirely made in Italy, you'll enjoy this fine product for decades to come.

Ponyskin and stamped calfskin - $495

NEW STYLES FROM FRATELLI ROSSETTI

Weather-resistant pebbled leather - $545

We're extremely pleased with our latest selection from Fratelli Rossetti, a handmade favorite since the 1960's and an exclusive at Butch Blum in Seattle. This season's styles have a fashion-forward look that doesn't make them feel trendy or difficult to wear - ideal for a shoe designed to last for years!

Matte nappa with gloss calf trim - $485

Tumbled suede - $485

NEW ARRIVALS - PYA BLACK LABEL SWEATER

PYA black label - $375

This is one of those items that just appeals to everybody- from the least fashionable Dad who wants a nice warm sweater, to the young style enthusiast obsessed with minimalist design. Crafted from Zegna Barfuffa ultrafine merino wool, it's an OUTSTANDING value at the price - nearly half the price of similarly styled designer items. 

KENT'S PICK - VARVATOS USA ★ JACKET

John Varvatos ★ USA - $545

I think this is one of the neatest pieces I've seen in its category. It's an eye-catching color (one of this season's signature colors, actually) but not particularly difficult to wear, and it has a really nice attention to detail. The interior is softly constructed with minimal canvas and no lining, so the wool can breathe properly. Nicely done, Mr. Varvatos!

Kent Rogers
MTM specialist, Blogmaster

REWARD OF THE WEEK - SWEATBOX YOGA

BIKRAM "THE ORIGINAL HOT" YOGA | 2,000 BB SKINS

Sweat your way to vibrant health - The SweatBox Capitol Hill and Shoreline offer the highest quality Bikram Yoga (also known as “hot yoga”) in town. Benefits include increased energy, weight loss, glowing skin, and an overall sensation of good health. Their Capitol Hill and Shoreline studios are known for consistent and quality instruction as well as personalized attention given to all students. The SweatBox instructors, all Bikram-certified, are famous for remembering your name and lovingly working your tail off. The BB Skin Game recipient will receive a $100 gift certificate. To learn more, please visit sweatboxyoga.com. ($100 value)

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - ANDY SAMBERG IN HAMILTON

Saturday Night Live alumnus Andy Samberg wore a custom Hamilton made-to-measure dress shirt for his photocall for Variety Magazine, to promote his new show "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," a police dramedy. Samberg keeps his louche style dressy in a tailored suit, cotton madras necktie and white laceup sneakers.

A SAMUELSOHN CUSTOM EXPERIENCE

 This fabulous video from our friends at Samuelsohn details all the steps of a truly fit-intensive custom process, including what to expect from a custom fitting, detailing your custom garment, and performance features like wrinkle-resistant  fabrics and more!

DESIGNER BIO - MARTIN MARGIELA

The famous Margiela label. The number indicates the collection, in this case 14 - the luxury collection of menswear.

Belgian designer Martin Margiela is one of the world's most hermitic and mysterious fashion figures. He has never been photographed in either the fashion press or in-house publications, preferring to focus attention on the house itself. The designer refuses to grant personal interviews, instead conducting interviews by fax and signing "Maison Martin Margiela," exemplary of his holistic approach to fashion. There is frequently an air of surreal mystery in the collection, and slightly unnerving details like a buttonhole sewn closed, a tailored jacket without a breast pocket, a classic sweater shrunken or blown up to gigantic proportions.

Martin Margiela started his career in the early 1980's, working for Jean-Paul Gaultier before showing his first collection under his own name in 1989.  He is closely associated, though not officially a part of, the Antwerp Six - a group of designers from Antwerp, Belgium that showed their first collections in London in the 1980's. His unusual first collections heavily featured copies of vintage garments, so closely reproduced that the Margiela garment credits its country and year of origin on an unobtrusive tag inside. This practice still continues today, with inspiration as diverse as a French knitting bag from 1940, to an entire collection of clothes copied from Mattel's Barbie and Ken dolls, their proportions unchanged (even to the comparative size of snaps and velcro) for the actual person wearing them. This approach creates a timelessness to Margiela's clothing, adding to the investment value for the wearer.

What sets Maison Martin Margiela apart from other Avant-Garde designers is the brand's committment to wearability in everyday life. For every jacket made entirely from wigs there are ten beautiful basic jackets, featuring outrageously soft superfine wool or cashmere and innovative detail work. You can always find both the ridiculous and the sublime, courtesy of Martin Margiela and available at Butch Blum in Seattle - new arrivals for Fall/Winter 2013/14 in store now!

NEW ARRIVALS - PIRELLI "REX"

"Rex" by Pirelli - $225

Pirelli's "Rex" line performs equally well on a brisk walk or at the gym on the treadmill. A true sport sneaker with an engineered foot bed and shock absorptive sole, it is nonetheless sophisticated enough to pair with a dressy dark denim and a sport coat!

LAST 2 DAYS OF COPPLEY CLOTHING PROMO

Today and tomorrow (August 14 and 15) are the last days of Coppley of Canada's discount period! Coppley is offering a 20% discount on their entire stock of fabrics,*including suiting, trousers, sport coats, and light outerwear. Coppley also introduces their new "Galen" model this season - a natural shoulder garment with a 2.5" wide lapel and a slightly lower button stance for a fashion-forward look similar to garments from Hugo Boss red label, Jil Sander, Paul Smith, and Gucci, but with a full-floating canvas - no interfacing in these garments!

With nearly 500 fabrics available, there are tons of choices for everyone and every occasion. Be sure to make a fabric and fit appointment with one of our Made-to-Measure representatives - email us at promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com for more info.
*Discount applies to in-stock fabrics only, special order fabrics exempted. 

CUSTOM COLLECTION BY W. KLEINBERG

Belts in calf, crocodile, alligator, python, shark, ostrich, and more...prices upon request

We are proud to feature the Made-To-Measure collection from W. Kleinberg! W.Kleinberg is a luxury small leather goods supplier with a long history of excellence, with a HUGE variety of materials available. Need a cerise ostrich belt to match your Hermés handbag? We can get it for you. Using exotic materials like Crocodile, Alligator, Ostrich, Python, and more, W. Kleinberg creates the perfect belt for your perfect outfit in almost any shade.

NEW ARRIVALS FROM FALIERO SARTI

Faliero Sarti is a small Italian scarf manufacturer known for their plush, luxurious fabrics, as well as a meticulous attention to detail. It's not uncommon for Sarti to take a featherweight gauze cashmere, print it with a whimsical design - a flag, a map, a floral or foliage pattern - and then take THAT product and tea-dye it to give it a vintage feel.

Come see the latest from this fabulous brand exclusively at Butch Blum in Seattle.

NEW ARRIVALS - BIELLA COLLEZIONI

Felted wool - $2095

 Our latest arrivals from Maria Luisa Barbera's line "Biella Collezioni" are sophisticated takes on current trends in classically inspired silhouettes. Using precious fibers like ultrafine merino, cashmere, and silk, Sra. Barbera's collection wears beautifully in both professional and casual modes. Available exclusively in Seattle at Butch Blum, these elegant garments will remain go-to favorites in your collection for years to come!

Merino wool - $695

NEW ARRIVALS FROM TRANSIT

The latest collection from Transit for men and women are just in! Find incredible fabrics in artisan finishes, usually with a wonderful wash and a great stretch, in innovative shapes. These garments allow you to start a collection - every season there will be something new and exciting that works great with the prior season's favorites.

SKIN GAME OF THE WEEK - KENMORE AIR TOURS

UNFORGETTABLE SCENIC TOURS | 10,000 BB SKINS

Kenmore Air thinks your travel should be just as much fun as your destination. With Kenmore Air's daily scheduled flights to over 45 Northwest destinations, including the San Juan Islands, Victoria BC and Port Angeles, enjoy a fast, convenient and stress-free scenic alternative. The BB Skin Game player will receive a $500 credit available on any Kenmore Air scheduled flights or Seattle Scenic Flight Tour. More information and reservations at www.kenmoreair.com or (866) 435-9524. ($500 value)

THE BEST OF BARBERA - HERE TODAY!!!

 Have you stopped by to see the samples from Luciano Barbera yet? If not, you are missing out - these garments represent the best of Biella, Italy - knitwear, tailored dress clothing and sportswear, outerwear, and accessories all in the best fabrics - 100% made in Italy.

LUCIANO BARBERA TRUNK SHOW - AUGUST 9 & 10

Butch Blum cordially invites you to the F/W 2013 Luciano Barbera trunk show, for men and women. Featuring celebratory wine tasting and appetizers, this is a fun way to invest in garments you'll be loving for years to come.  Luciano Barbera envoy Michal Sestak will be on hand to assist with your selection and to show special trunk show-only fabrics and color-ways - an opportunity to own a truly unique and special garment.

During the show, we will host a drawing for special Luciano Barbera door prizes from the collection, as well as special additional savings applicable to Final Sale Days merchandise.

As this event is always well attended, we encourage clients and friends to make an appointment to ensure Mr. Sestak's availability.  Please email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com or call 206-622-5760 to RSVP.

NEW ARRIVALS - FABIANA FILIPPI GLOVES

Fabiana Filippi - $445

These gloves are so gorgeous! Crafted from a sturdy but extremely soft silk and wool blend that is accented with buttery soft split cowhide, and topped off with a beautiful tonal paillette, these are a terrific way to accent any fall outfit, from the dressiest of eveningwear to your favorite quirky fun casuals. Check out the rest of our GORGEOUS arrivals from this terrific designer, in store now!

SCENES FROM THE TRUNK SHOW

These are just a few of the many styles we will be presenting for men and women at our Luciano Barbera event this weekend - elegant country-chic takes on classic dress clothing, in sporty all-weather fabrics as well as gorgeous suiting flannels. For more information, or to RSVP, give us a call at 206-622-5760 or email promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com

LUCIANO BARBERA AT PITTI UOMO

Il Maestro - Sr. Luciano Barbera - and an unnamed friend at the Pitti Uomo show in Florence. Said Sr. Barbera "We both love golf and comfortable shoes: that's why we are friends." Sounds like Mr. Blum himself!
Via 

NIBBLES BY IL TERRAZO CARMINE

 During our upcoming Luciano Barbera event this Friday and Saturday, we will have artisan wines and hors d'oeuvres provided by the legendary Pioneer Square eatery Il Terrazo Carmine! Join us for a celebration of all the best of Italy - RSVP to promotions@BUTCHBLUM.com or give us a call at 206-622-5760.

One of Il Terrazo's fabulous hors d'oeuvres selections.

SAM'S PICK - MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA BLAZER

Maison Martin Margiela - $1695

This jacket is a cool option, especially for a guy like me, who needs his clothes to do a lot. I can wear this to work with my chinos/khakis/dress pants/whatever, and on my days off this looks awesome with a pair of jeans and boots. The collar action is a great detail, and it's ALMOST heavy enough to be outerwear, so I'd wear it a lot coming up this winter. 

Sam Duffy
Sales

(Collar detail)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ZAC AND BRIT!

This happy couple came to see us recently for their wedding and wanted to share the results...Zac wore a peak-lapelled, pearl grey Trussini in a Super 150's wool, which he accessorized with a custom denim blue linen vest. We love the combination and wish our warmest congratulations to them both!