In June 2009, friends Michael Williams and Randy Goldberg had an idea: round up a bunch of brands producing quality men's goods, and put them all in one place—just for a week. The resulting Pop Up Flea became a mecca for the burgeoning online menswear scene, as well as style-minded guys who simply had trouble tracking down well made products. Today, the fourth iteration of the Flea kicks off, bigger and better than ever. We caught up with Mr. Williams to talk about what to expect:
Michael Williams
An indoor ski slope, a lazy river and an IMAX theater. Just kidding. Just a better layout and more space for vendors to stretch their legs and build out interesting retail nooks. I'm really excited to see how all of the brands mix into the new space. It should be pretty incredible.
Michael Williams and Randy Goldberg preview the 2011 Flea.
We have new brands and some first-time participants to the Pop Up Flea. Dehen 1920 is a new brand that launched this fall. We had them at our Old & New pop up this summer, but they will have a better offering at Pop Up Flea. Rancourt & Co. will be there—they're coming down from Maine and will be hand-sewing shoes at the event. Ben Clymer from Hodinkee will also be there with his first ever Pop Up shop of vintage watches. There's going to be a lot to see and take home.
A better sense of the passion that the people behind these brands have for the product they produce. Talk to Tony and Pete from Tellason at the Flea and I guarantee that you leave with a lot of respect for their jeans. That's the best part about the concept, the interaction with makers.
A lot of vendors are bringing product that is otherwise unavailable and exclusive. Oak Street Bootmakers has a new special (and unreleased shoe) that will be at the Pop up Flea for the first time. Grown & Sewn is releasing a new slim fit khaki at the Flea, plus many more.