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METCHA | A global initiative aimed at taking leather-oriented stories into the spotlight to reflect today's generation's view of design and culture.

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Combining uniqueness with an awesome foundation.

1924us is a a brand that tells incredible stories

With him himself, his life, and his artwork being the product of it, 1924us is a brand agency created and owned by Christian Watson.

Watson's grandparents, in order to support his passion for history, gave him an old pocketbook which inspired the name 1924us — so, yes, the passion for tradition has been passed through generations.

1924us's team of experts in photography, branding, publishing, architecture, and archiving makes the firm committed to preserving the traditions of the early 1900s in related areas of expertise. But, of course, also focusing on pieces for adventurers, the kinds that last a lifetime.

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The brand started with a small blog and has grown into a lifestyle-focused website labeled and dedicated to the so-called "early-era livers".

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Thousands of historical artifacts, ranging from dusty and filthy to pieces of museum quality, have been archived. The antique selection of the brand is a way to maintain a physical relationship with the early era way we design and live in. Founded in the fall of 2009, 1924us has since branded more than two hundred businesses, creating visual identities through every possible means of storytelling.

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And when we talk about timeless pieces, we cannot forget to talk about the importance of leather to the amazing pieces by 1924us, since it's a material that carries so much history too. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE THE LOOK, THE FEEL, THE VERSATILITY, AND EVEN THE SMELL OF LEATHER. Its popularity today is a testament to the wearability and attractiveness of high-quality leather goods. In style and strength, it can last for generations.

"Our mission is to capture the many senses of wonders that exist and flourish in today's world, to add to ourselves a sense of value through days of old, using rigorous techniques that have helped shape the foundations of mankind for over a century. Our goal is humility through all things, to remain Journeyman even as we are given responsibility of captain of our lives. "jour·ney·man" or "ˈjərnēmən" are those who are reliable, but not perfect at their works. Every project we have worked on, from the small coffee shop opening in Quebec to helping design for Fortune 500 companies, is a learning experience and treated with equal importance to us. We learn through all of them just the same, as problems arise, so too do we. To better not only ourselves, but the lives and efforts of those around us."

We've selected some stories told by @ 1924 us, starting with Christian himself. So, get deeper into the brand's core through these words and powerful images from collab stories to personal testimonies.

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I’m a Christian.

And the ironic part isn’t that it’s my name, it’s all of the assumptions that come with it from every side of the spectrum. People [not all!] who don’t believe in God automatically want to group you into a culture of ideals, they think because you stand for morality that you stand against their beliefs. I’m not sure when everything became a war about politics and religion, when worldly standard began to triumph over personal moral conviction.

People [not all!] who do believe in God under a “Christian” title or otherwise don’t think we stand up enough, or that our views aren’t clear.

Everyone wants everyone else to be a voice for them, but only when it’s their words they hear.

Christianity isn’t about hate. I don’t know how it ever got to be perceived as that, we hate sin, but that’s because it goes against not just God but ourselves too. We love people, all people, not one, or one type. True followers of Christ get angry with industries and systems, not the people within them, reformation is possible for everyone.

It is absolutely an inherent Christian value that everyone is loved regardless of what you believe to be right or wrong because the love of the Father reigns over all things. That’s hard because some who have been Christian their whole lives will tell you that there are exceptions to God’s love - there aren’t. Even the Devil was cast out of Heaven to be used for God’s purpose.

Nothing any of us do or say on Social Media is who we really are, it’s just N-O-T! LIVING OUT OUR BELIEFS FAR EXTENDS BEYOND THE PLACE WE HAVE HERE.

Nothing in this world is so black and white. That’s the purpose of the world: to challenge us to navigate through the intricacies of personal, emotional, and mental circumstances to progress our understanding of one another.

If you’re a Christian you’re not a weak crazy ignorant person so as is often perceived in the media, and if you’re an atheist you’re not a faithless trendy progressive person so as is often portrayed - we’re just not that simplified!

God accepts everyone as they are, wholly. I’m not here to tell you what He hates or doesn’t. God loves you.

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Gatley Bro's

I’m thinking of Lebanon today.

I’m thinking a lot of the heaviness there seems to be in the world too. And how we all feel like spectators to the crises that do and don’t involve us. I can’t help but feel the empathy of the unheard lives tangled and hurting in situations they didn’t ask to be in.

I’ve written for years about the tragedy of unforeseen circumstances and the impact it has on us, and for years I’ve been told to keep quiet and cheer up - not always, but often enough that it irks me.

Happiness is a grand trait not meant to be lost on us, but has it’s appropriate times as well. The more time I spend at my desk, the more I find little things to be frustrated with and wonder what moments I’ve spent so much energy on that would soon be forgotten if I myself was thrown in the position so many face today.

What anger and sorrows would be lost if I had a few moments to remember the joy, and to regret doing wrong? What would my life look like if constantly, without a headline, I was holding myself that near to the end? Would I be considered too heavy, too serious?

I find that the best in all of us comes when we are the least comfortable. And that the convenience of things makes us upset when they become insufferable, when the loading time is too long, or a pencil line drawn again and again is still incorrect...

The many things that plague us on a daily level, seem to fade away entirely in the face of devastation. People should not call on these moments to remind themselves of their own finite humanity, but practice it as often and as full as can be done.

Life was never guaranteed, and only those who have afforded time can scoff at their own demise. Worry over nothing is a trait given to few, and too many.

My thoughts and prayers with those struggling today.

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NASA Exploration Systems x 1924us

There aren’t a lot of times that we can commit to collaborations with big names, but when their ambitions are out of this world we can’t help ourselves. As NASA gears up to have the first-ever woman on the Moon by 2024, they are trying to raise awareness for their endeavors as their most powerful rocket to date goes into its final stages of testing.

They asked us to try and visualize what we would take with us up into the great unknown. For me, I’m a sucker for knick-knacks that allude back to simpler days, and I can imagine being constantly surrounded by the future of tomorrow, having a little bit of yesterday would help keep me remembering heritage, and why we press on at all.

A film camera, pencils, a pocketbook with plenty of pages, a trusty watch, handy knife, playing cards, some tools, a rag, sturdy pen, and a compass that would be all but rendered entirely useless. Also included would be my wedding ring, and a photograph of @ellemaywatson and me when we first met.

I’m flattered that NASA reached out to us, especially given that we have such a killer time nailing the #thingsorganizedneatly aesthetic. But really, it’s special that we can be a part of the awareness for the great things they and others are doing to help us explore the worlds beyond our own.

Keep a close eye on @nasa and @explorenasa over the next few months and years as they continue to develop and progress, we’re very thrilled for what’s to come!

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Elle-May x 1924us

I never would have guessed that we would be running a very traditional mom and pop shop, in Australia of all places, but to happen at all is just bewildering.

As COVID begins to die back in Australia and the normalcy of travel begins to slowly return to its natural state, we’re excited and eager to get our doors open with @dirkwillemfourie coming over to run things smoothly.

Elle and I had all these plans this year, and now nearing the end of it, we haven’t done a lick of traveling and we don’t mind too much, but we’ve really missed what we’re sure to be some life-changing trips. But there’s a purpose, and without staying out we wouldn’t have been able to do some of the work we’ve done, including the build-out of the shop!

Next year, we’re hoping to see the Congo, Mongolia, Pakistan, France, Texas, and more as we do some work for clients around the globe. But until then, I’m happy working alongside her every day.

And without you, we couldn’t do it. Your support, especially in regards to our lives, stories, and faith, has been such a well spring of inspiration for us both.

Thank you!

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Picollo, the dog

Welcome to the family, Piccolo! ⁣ ⁣

Hey everyone! Elle and I wanted to introduce ya to our new best mate, his name is Piccolo and he’s a 3-month-old Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound). We’re ecstatic for him to join our humble little family as he grows into himself. I’ll be going live shortly doing a drawing for a client, and showing how we turn the art into a vector! So if you’d like to learn a bit, tune in at 7 pm PST! ⁣ On another note, we hope everyone’s doing well and handling this craziness all right. We believe everything passes so it’s important to stay hopeful, optimistic, and realistic during times like this. We’ve put out our free goods section on the site, offering fonts, textures, and even presets as a way to learn some creative techniques for your design, photography, or art! Feel free to download! ⁣

Thank you everyone for all the ongoing support, we really greatly appreciate it! ⁣

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To get more modern inspirations with a touch of classic, find our design session here.

And, in other design news, read all you need to know about the Slope leather chairs from West Elm.

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