Avatar

Winter Session

@winter-session-blog / winter-session-blog.tumblr.com

Winter Session began in 2010 in a storefront apartment in Chicago. Roy Katz and Tanya Fleisher (along with their neighborhood barista and friend, Tristan Coulter, now co-owner of Gaslight Coffee Roasters), began sewing bags and aprons as a way to explore new creative ideas and channel their past experiences in art, design and architecture.
Avatar

Time flies. After two busy, fun-filled years, it's time for us to start calling Denver simply 'home.' First, we'd like to thank you for all of your support and enthusiasm, and second, we'd like to invite you to come celebrate our anniversary with us next weekend! We're going to kick it off with a spring-time Sample Sale from 3-6 pm in our shop on Welton St. -- we'll have quite a few Garrison Bag seconds to offer you this time, along with some one-of-a-kind prototypes and an array of 'almost perfect' leather goods. Come pick out something special!

At 6 pm we'll continue the party in our side yard (weather permitting) with snacks by Tifamade, special batch cocktails, beer, games, and some cool WS swag. We're hoping to have a special live musical guest as well, so stay tuned! It'll be the last time we get to host a gathering in our side lot before the new building goes in, so this one will be a tad bittersweet. Friends, family, and kids are all welcome.

And finally, we're excited to unveil our new door graphic: a cacophony of our favorite tools and workshop treasures, created especially for us by Dan Garza and his design team. Thanks, guys!!

Avatar

Having trouble finding that perfect gift? How 'bout an imperfect one? This Saturday Dec. 20 we'll have samples, seconds, and alternate colorways for sale at the Outpost from 4-9 pm. Bags, wallets, aprons, you name it. In the spirit of the solstice and the transition to our favorite season (Winter, of course!) we're also taking the opportunity to let go of some of our extra fabric yardage -- so we'll have rolls and pieces of canvas for sale as well. There will be a lot to look at, but don't worry, we'll keep you well nourished with cookies + eggnog while you browse.

Avatar

Gift Guide #3: The Night Owl

For the person who has plans every night of the week and whose favorite color is black; who always knows about the newest brewery opening in town and can accurately list all of the ingredients in a cocktail after just one sip; who can stay awake through an entire movie marathon and prefers an 8 pm run over an 8 am run; who needs three cups of coffee to even begin to feel awake in the morning and finds inspiration while everyone else is asleep.

Clockwise, from middle left:

Beer and location provided by the RiNo Yacht Club. Photo features Josh Dillard and the lovely Kassey Stafford.

Our Gift Guides highlight WS goods alongside some favorites from friends. Shot on location at some of our go-to Denver spots, we hope these will spark your imagination as the holidays approach.

Avatar

Gift Guide #2: The Traveler

For the person whose passport has more stamps than you can count; who takes every opportunity to sneak away for an adventure and keeps a spare tent in their car; who manages to pack an obscene amount of gear into a standard carry-on and hoards a collection of travel sized toiletries; who sends you cool postcards from all over the world and seems to have a friend in every city.

From left to right (sort of):

Shot on location at Denver's Union Station and featuring RedCamper founder and owner Maura Gramzinski.

Our Gift Guides highlight WS goods alongside some favorites from friends. Shot on location at some of our go-to Denver spots, we hope these will spark your imagination as the holidays approach.

Avatar

WINTER SESSION POP+UP AT SVPER ORDINARY

From November 21st to December 6th, Svperordinary’s gallery will be transformed into a cross-section of our storefront workshop. Alongside an array of our bags, wallets and accessories will be prototypes and in-process works, the raw materials used in construction, and the patterns, sketches and tools that inspire and enable production.

Please join us for the Opening Reception on Friday, November 21st from 6-9pm. Complimentary drinks will be served.

Photographs by Luca Venter

Avatar

Over the next month, we're excited to share a series of Gift Guides with you in hopes that they'll help spark your imagination as we head into the holiday season. Shooting on location at some of our favorite Denver area digs, we'll highlight some of our own products along with other goods and goodies from friends we admire.

Gift Guide #1: The Creative

For the person who finds inspiration in the most unlikely of places, who always has the next generation iPhone before you, who used to beat you at Tetris every time, who impulsively points out obscure typefaces in public, who dreams in HTML, or who just so happens to play the dulcimer.

Clockwise, from the upper left corner:

Latte, sweets, and photo location provided by CAFE MAX -- our favorite spot to meet up with friends for a drink and a light meal

Avatar

We don't want to jump the gun on the holiday craziness, but we thought we'd give you a head's up about our Winter Sample Sale! We always look forward to our Sample Sales, as they're a great opportunity for us to extend a special 'friends and family' discount to you, while making room in our small shop for next year's production.

This time, we're teaming up with Ratio Clothing, Denver's go-to spot for custom men's shirts. Tailored to fit you perfectly and made here in the USA, Ratio shirts are a conscientious and affordable option for the design-conscious dude. Their Denver showroom is a charming, welcoming space where you can take a look at all of the fabrics, collar and cuff styles in person, and where you can set up an appointment for a professional fitting. If you haven't yet ventured into Ratio's beautiful space in LoHi, now's your chance! At the Winter Sample Sale, Ratio will have hundreds of their shirt samples available for purchase, and we'll have a plethora of bags, wallets, roll-ups, and miscellaneous leather goods...you name it, it'll probably be there. Stop by Ratio Clothing (2559 16th Street, Denver) on November 14th between 6 and 9pm or November 15th between 1 and 4pm. Come for the goods; stay for the good company!

Avatar

MEET THE FELIX

The Felix was an early Winter Session design that had drifted to the archives as we focused on developing other styles. But thanks to popular request, in 2014 we decided to reintroduce it into our collection. After improving and refining design details, we’re pleased to share the new Felix Bag with you.

The Felix shares a similar length and height to our classic Garrison tote, but offers a slimmer side profile (3” as opposed to 7” deep) and versatile carry options, making it an especially commuter-friendly choice. With its streamlined shape and clean detailing, it’s also one of our more stylish pieces (if we do say so ourselves) -- so we’d recommend it equally for a night on the town.

We’ve used two layers of our robust waxed 100% cotton canvas to construct the Felix. The waxed coating on the fabric helps to repel dirt and water while adding unique character and patina as your bag ages and adventures with you.

At the top edge of the bag, a YKK zipper with hand-cut leather zipper pull keeps your belongings safe and secure, whether you’re biking across town, standing in a crowded subway car, or sliding your tote under the seat on a flight. Short leather handles, constructed from smooth cowhide and secured with solid brass rivets, make for a quick grab-and-go if you prefer to keep your bag in hand.

An adjustable, removable leather shoulder strap with a sliding shoulder pad allows for cross-body or over-the-shoulder carry. Fitted with sturdy brass snap hooks, the shoulder strap easily clips onto D-rings integrated onto the back side of the bag.

On both the front and back sides of the Felix, you’ll find large slip pockets for keeping essentials handy. Each and every pocket is reinforced with solid brass rivets at stress points for strength and longevity. Stow a small book or a plane ticket in the rear accessory pocket, and keep bulkier items in the snap-closure pocket on the front side. 

Inside this larger pocket -- which is perfect for a bike lock, extra gloves, or a magazine -- we’ve also included a divided pocket with four spaces sized for pens, pencils, phone and wallet. A hidden leather tab makes the snap a breeze to fasten while maintaining a minimalist look from the outside.

Inside the Felix, we’ve kept the main compartment open in order to adapt to your dynamic needs and whims. Stash a couple of wine bottles on Saturday, stuff in an extra sweater for a Sunday stroll, and keep a laptop and documents upright on Monday. We’ve included our signature interior accessory pocket with our leather logo patch, which accommodates keys, tech or whatever else you want to keep well-hidden in your travels.

Depending on how much you need to bring with you on your day’s adventure, you can opt to fill the Felix to the top, or, if you’re traveling light, the top portion of the tote effortlessly folds over to transform the Felix into a more compact companion. Whether you're toting your computer for a morning session at the coffee shop or exploring a new city, the Felix will help carry your necessities with ease and style.

Visit the Felix in our web shop.

Avatar

WINTER SESSION IN THE WILD: THE DAY PACK

A series sharing both everyday and epic adventures -- from city streets to mountain peaks (with Winter Session tagging along for the ride).

Clockwise, from the top left and ending in the center:

1. On the banks of the Khosta River, Russia
2. Up and over Phantom Terrace, Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, CO
3. Crevice wandering, Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, UT
4. Up close and personal with a frozen Zapata Falls, Alamosa County, CO
5. Taking in the scenery from Partition Arch, Arches National Park, UT
6. Strong winds on Venable Pass, Sangre de Cristos, CO
7. View of the Collegiate Peaks, Buena Vista, CO
8. Exploring the RiNo Art District, Denver, CO
9. Trekking across the Great Sand Dunes, Mosca, CO
Photos taken by WS team member Julia Seyferth; Day Pack in Natural / Rust patiently modeled by Willie Adicoff.
Avatar

MEET THE DAY PACK

All of our bags are designed with flexible functionality in mind, but our Day Pack is arguably the most adventure-friendly. Inspired by the sleek style of streetwear rather than the bells-and-whistles of a trail rucksack, we’ve found it to be equally adaptable for a Saturday in the city or stashing a day’s supply of snacks on the trail.

Let’s take a tour of the Day Pack!

Our minimalist taste and our love affair with leather inspired us to outfit the Day Pack with carefully placed vegetable-tanned leather accents. Securely fastened with a constellation of solid brass rivets, the shoulder straps are adjustable thanks to antiqued brass buckles at the waist. A strong but supple natural material, the leather will conform to your body with use, and won’t chafe at the skin in the way that synthetic materials sometimes do. In addition to the shoulder straps, a short leather carry handle makes for easy lifting and toting between uses.

The quilted back panel is one of our favorite features of the Day Pack. A lightweight foam core cushions your back (whether you’re riding a bike or strolling downtown), and also helps to protect fragile technology -- it doubles as the support for the interior laptop sleeve.

Inside, you’ll find a tall canvas sleeve that keeps your laptop or important documents upright and unwrinkled. This pocket strategically ends in a twill-taped seam just below the bottom of the pack, so your computer or iPad doesn’t ever hit the ground. Our signature interior accessory pocket also helps to organize small items like your phone, writing utensils, and wallet.  

Objects stored inside the Day Pack will stay put thanks to a YKK double-zipper: the twin zipper pulls will hold in a locked position, so your yoga mat, bow and arrow or farmers market bounty can securely peek out the top without the risk of the sides unzipping.

Speaking of sides... the Day Pack features easy-access pockets on both the left and right sides, which fit a small water bottle or can of your favorite craft brew. The side pockets are also great for keeping smaller items like keys and phone secure but within reach (when you need to unlock your bike on the fly or snap a photo of that epic sunset).

For additional convenient stash space, the roomy front pocket fits a bike lock, a set of notebooks, a windbreaker, or whatever else you like to grab without the hassle of opening your bag. The pocket is secured by another of our favorite details: a simple leather tab closure with an antiqued brass snap. If you peek inside the front pocket, you’ll also find that we snuck in an additional small accessory pocket!

In an effort to ensure longevity, we’ve constructed all of the weight-bearing parts of the bag with two layers of fabric. Each pocket and sleeve is reinforced at the top edge with a double-stitched folded hem. Our heavyweight waxed canvas (used on the lower part of our two-tone packs, and throughout in our solid-color packs) is infused with a natural wax blend, helping it to withstand rugged use and providing extra protection from the elements. The waxed fabric will develop a beautiful patina with age, lending unique character to each pack we send out into the world.

Avatar

FALL FLING!

This Friday, we're celebrating the start of a new season -- and a new space. Teaming up with 3126 | An Urban Event Space, we'll be hosting an evening of good cheer, good eats and handcrafted goods. Join us from 5-9pm at 3126 Larimer St. Whether you're in the mood to shop or just looking to enjoy the high spirits of First Friday along Larimer, we hope to see you there! 

Avatar

A peek at last week's CAMPOUT PARTY

>> - - - - - - - - - - >    >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >

THANK YOU to our Campout Party collaborators 

…and to everyone who came out and joined the party. We had loads of fun!!

>> - - - - - - - - - - >    >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >  >> - - - - - - - - - - >

- The Winter Session Team   ​

Avatar

Our Dopp Kits and Zip Bags are headed to the Northern Grade Pharmacy, a temporary store at the Dossier Outpost in Manhattan. Opens this Thursday and runs for two weeks! Pop in if you're in the area. #nyc #popup @northerngrade @dossieroutpost

Avatar

CAMPOUT PARTY - SAT. JULY 26th

> > - - - COME CELEBRATE SUMMERTIME AT WINTER SESSION - - - > 

This Saturday, we're hosting an evening of camping-themed food, drink, and activities in the urban wilds of our side lot on Welton Street, featuring:

Savory nosh, killer drinks and Camp Journals by RedCamper

S'mores Pie by The Long I Pie

Vintage adventure gear curated by Vaux Vintage, Rucksack and Fireside Supply

Nifty nature patches and pennants by Cedar & Sage

Fun photo ops with Picture Me Camping, a vintage camper-turned-photo booth

Live bow & arrow shooting* and obsidian flint carving courtesy of Craftsman & Apprentice

* with kid-friendly safety arrows!

< - - - - Saturday, July 26th / 5 pm till dark / Winter Session Outpost / 2952 Welton St. Denver, CO 80205 - - - < <

Hope to see you there!! Kids are welcome. 

Note: we will not actually be camping out overnight, but we encourage you to bring along your camp chair, blankets, and warm clothing.

You are using an unsupported browser and things might not work as intended. Please make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.