Fall Preview: What's in Store at Shinola + Filson in North Loop

The North Loop space shared by Shinola and Filson has undergone something of a transformation.

Though at first it’s hard to put my finger on it, I eventually realize that the wall previously separating the two shops has been taken out, giving the space an airier feel—and visually connecting the two brands.

While the brands share the same parent company, and opened their North Loop shops in tandem last summer, there’s a deeper kind of synergy happening between the heritage brands—which became all the more apparent in a line of 25 Filson-designed field watches manufactured by Shinola released in March.

While Filson specializes in the kind of updated-classic outdoorswear favored by hunters and hipsters alike, Shinola is predominantly a watchmaker that also sells fine leather goods and bicycles. The latter is expanding on its leather goods line in a big way this fall with the introduction of a line designed by Richard Lambertson and John Truex—the designers behind the cult handbag brand Lambertson Treux. After launching in 1998, the line was bought by Samsonite in 2006; three years later, it was acquired by Tiffany and Co., where the designers became responsible for the design and development of Tiffany’s handbags and accessories until 2013. They joined the Detroit-based Shinola as co-design directors of leather accessories last October.

Their first collection, a men’s capsule collection, debuts this fall at Shinola stores and upper-tier department stores including Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. Using Shinola’s existing leather designs as a starting point and U.S.-sourced leathers, the duo’s premier collection includes a messenger bag, an unlined tote, a backpack, card cases, technology cases, belts, wallets, journals, and briefcases—many of which were on debut earlier today at the North Loop Shinola store. Full lines for men and women will follow.

Also on tap for fall at Shinola are a couple new series of watches, including a travel watch with different time-zone settings and a series of watches with stone dials—including malachite, turquoise, and tiger eye—on leather bands.

For their part, Filson is also debuting some new pieces for fall, including updated takes on their plaid flannel shirt, the classic “Cruiser” jacket with flannel lining, and a handful of new bags.

Look for fall lines coming to each store by mid-August.

Goods from Shinola’s fall collection

Goods from Filson’s fall collection

Goods from Filson’s fall collection

Goods from Filson’s fall collection

Shinola