In ink and thread, you speak to me—
Hands that carve, hands that weave,
Your ancient shrines breathe quiet truths,
And colors bleed where time forgives.
I chase your patience, I follow your grace,
In every line, in every stitch, I find my place.
You are my teacher, my unspoken guide,
In you, I’m lost, yet finally alive.
I am yours, where beauty lives,
I am home, where the art lives forever.
- josh
Before the road called,
Before the leather knew the touch of rain and sun,
It was just a jacket,
Waiting for hands to shape it,
For journeys to write their lines into its grain.
Now, it rides through Japan’s winding hills,
With the roar of a Knucklehead beneath,
Worn by time, hardened by miles,
And softened by the stories whispered into the wind.
A living testament,
To the wild beauty of the open road,
And the spirit that never fades.
- josh
I resurrected Black Bear Brand in the way one might resurrect a ghost. It wasn’t a calculated decision, but a relentless itch, something clawing at the back of my mind. I couldn’t ignore it, like a fire that wouldn’t die.
It started as a dream, the kind of wild idea that comes to you when you’re deep in the woods, miles from civilization, where the world is reduced to the crackle of a campfire and the stars overhead. I wanted to create something I could touch, something real, something that wasn’t just another product churned out by faceless machines in faceless factories. I wanted to design and make things that I could have, that I could love. Things that would last, that would tell a story, just like the stories I chase, the adventures I live for.
Designing became more than just a task; it was the pursuit of something pure, something honest. It was chasing the feeling you get when I crest a hill on my bike and the world opens up before me—when the road stretches out endlessly, and you feel that deep, primal thrill in your bones. That’s what designing is to me. It’s that same chase, that same hunger, that same need to feel alive.
Adventures are just simply something I chase; they make me feel alive. I chase experiences like a madman, not because I want to, but because I have to. It’s as natural as breathing. It’s what makes me smile, what keeps me moving forward. And Black Bear Brand? It’s an extension of that. It’s the embodiment of my life, my dreams, my relentless pursuit of the things that I can love, that make me feel.
This brand, this resurrected thing, it started as something I wanted to do, but it’s become so much more. It’s become a part of me, a reflection of me. Every stitch, every piece of leather, denim, wool... every design is a piece of the adventure, a fragment of the wild, chaotic journey that is my life.
So, have a nice day... or not.
- Josh
**a ghost in the fog
**century's mysteries, lost in the haze.
**tale retold, in threads that whisper the past.
**Black Bear is the dream, raw and real
**every stitch, every seam, a wild ride
Rugged charm Harris Tweed in hand I trace the lines of ancient castles.
Each thread woven with stories of wild history.100 Princes Street your heartbeat your streets the pulse inspiration.
Designing in the shadows of your towering spires.To the untamed spirit of travel you ignite my soul raw and unfiltered.
- josh
Have A Nice Day...
*** a haven with an essence of a middle finger to the world. motorcycles, surfboards, racks of denim, leather, and Harris Tweed... whispering tales of craftsmanship.
*** my old leather chair, my pit bull at my feet
*** each piece of art, every stitch of fabric—fashion intertwined with adventures
The Black Bear Brand Journal is a tribute to the wild beauty and craftsmanship that define the brand. Within its pages, you’ll find stories of adventure and creation, from riding motorcycles through America's untamed landscapes to exploring the meticulous art of denim making in Japan. This fifth edition offers an intimate glimpse into the processes that fuel Josh Sirlin’s designs, beautifully captured by world-class photographers. Join us on a journey through the heart of Black Bear Brand, where every tale, every image, and every piece is a testament to the spirit of adventure and timeless quality.
a peak into my minds chaos...
wrangling the tornado in my head...
each design, a release of my madness...
each design, a moment of peacefulness...
Black Bear Brand, this is my life!
Luke Morris, a monster of a man, a goddamn colossus on two wheels. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, he built choppers that were more than just motorcycles; they were ferocious, roaring pieces of art. With long hair whipping in the wind and a frame that seemed almost too big for his Harley, he was a sight to behold. An award-winning bike builder, Luke had taken the Best in Show at Born Free, a feat that cemented his legend in the world of custom motorcycles.
But it wasn’t just the bikes that told his story. No, it was his Black Bear Brand leather jacket, a testament to his relentless journey across the globe. Each scar, every crease, was a memory etched into the rugged hide, a diary of his wild, unchained life. The jacket bore the brunt of his adventures, aged and weathered from endless miles on the open road.
Every stitch, every patch of that jacket told a story—nights spent under the stars, skirmishes in seedy bars, the long, grueling rides through deserts and mountains. It was a second skin, a shield against the elements, a repository of his will and spirit.
Luke wasn’t just a man; he was a force of nature, a titan of the open road. In his Black Bear Brand denim and leather, he rode with the fury of a storm, the freedom of a wild animal unchained. He lived free, rode hard, and let the world catch up if it could.
Meet Luke, the legendary chopper builder from Boise, ID. 🏍️✨ This big guy with long hair creates rolling pieces of art and rides his custom Harley around the world. 🌍 An award-winning bike builder and Best in Show winner at Born Free, Luke's story is as epic as his builds.
Here he is in his favorite Black Bear Brand leather jacket, a testament to his many travels and wild adventures. Each scar and crease tells a tale of the open road, making this jacket a diary of his journey. 🛤️✊
Captured riding through the rugged landscapes of Idaho, Luke embodies pure freedom and the spirit of living life on his own terms. The king of cool in Black Bear Brand denim and leather jackets. 👑🔥
Follow for more incredible chopper builds and adventures! 🚀 #LiveFree #ChopperLife #BlackBearBrand #BikeBuilder #CustomChopper #BornFree #AdventureAwaits
Hail Mary Magazine delves deep into the realm of ultimate t-shirts, both past and present. Across two pages, we explore the story of Josh Sirlin, the visionary designer and owner of Black Bear Brand. His legacy is one of passion and dedication, reflected in the timeless appeal of Black Bear Brand t-shirts.
Sirlin's journey began with a quest for perfection. He sought out the world's best craftsmen, journeying to Japan, where he discovered unparalleled artistry. The t-shirts born from this collaboration are spun from the finest cotton, each thread a testament to freedom and quality.
The special Black Bear Brand t-shirt is more than just a piece of clothing. It embodies the spirit of choppers, the roar of eagles, and the strength of Native American heritage. Every stitch tells a story, a tribute to a timeless dream of liberty.
In Japan’s land, where craft is king, The ultimate t-shirt they did bring. Spun from the finest cotton’s grace, In every thread, freedom’s trace.
Black Bear Brand’s art, choppers roar and eagles rise. Native American, strong and free, In every stitch, their legacy.
Crafted with pride, in every seam, A tribute to a timeless dream. Freedom woven, stitch by stitch, In this shirt, our spirits hitch.
-my sparrows-
In the midst of chaos, where the world was nothing but a cacophony of noise and confusion, that sparrow perched itself like a prophet of old, chirping away as if it held the secrets of the universe in its tiny beak.
And when the dawn broke, you could see it clear as day—the path these wayward souls had been searching for all night. That sparrow had led 'em home, a symbol of simpler times when folks trusted their instincts and nature's rhythms.
- josh
Between imagination and reality is where the magic of manifestation lives and breathes. This space in which creativity, design and innovation merge begins the process of realizing our dreams. Black Bear Brand has harmoniously converged with SALT. Optics to create such a dream. The stars have aligned and the world now has access to the Sirlin Collection, named after Black Bear Brand creative strategist Josh Sirlin, features a line of refined, intricate, yet simple eyewear.
The Sirlin Collection features a rectangular frame available in three distinct colorways for both frames and lenses. The entire collection uses 100% Polarized Optical Grade CR-39 lenses while each frame contains SALT. Optics anti reflective, hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings that minimize glare and rebut dirt and water. To add nuance, 24K gold plated hinges and core wires along with solid gold functional rivets were introduced into the collection. The line is made of 100% Japanese materials that are known for their durability, rigidity and luster… read the full article
the sun, Malibu Canyon. my '37 Harley...
I kick the bike alive, I’m gone, blasting through the canyon, free...
ride, life—pure, unchained freedom.
Dates: May 10th & 11th
Location: Hotel San Jose in Austin TX - 1316 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78704
what's happening
special releasing 4 new Black Bear Brand designs!
boot fitting with our friends from Rios Of Mercedes (Saturday May 11th)
see a handful of special Black Bear Brand designs in person (leather, denim, and more!)
special acoustic jam by our buddy The Last Knife Fighter!
*the California coast, my 1948 Panhead. the sun, crashing waves below. a defiance against the mundane in the air.
*chaos of speed, serenity, middle finger raised to a society suffocating in its own bullshit.
*each turn, a path through the tumultuous beauty of chaos. beneath the blazing sun, untamed, unbroken.
*the moment, alive, free, and this... this is liberation.
My dear Freedom, you are the fire in my veins, the constellations that guide me in the darkest of nights. With every sunrise, I am reminded that your gift is not merely in the external, but within me - an unquenchable flame that ignites with every adventure, every risk taken in your name. And so, I remain forever your faithful wanderer, your ardent admirer, and your devoted explorer. I will ride the currents of fate with the courage of a lone cowboy, etching my story into the annals of time, a testament to the love affair between a soul and its yearning for boundless horizons. - Josh Sirlin
The California coast, sun blazing, ocean endless, and the open road. Fuck everything else; this is heaven, my freedom. The air, salty, whispers tales of real defiance as the highway winds. Engine, heart beating, a quest for meaning in chaos. The golden sun, my canvas. I'm free in my madness, free to be the protagonist of my own tale.
Embark on a Gritty Adventure Across Japan's Coastal Wilderness, Where Vintage Choppers Roar and Boundless Inspiration Awaits
In the heart of Kyushu, where the neon haze of city life fades into the raw, untamed beauty of Japan's coastal wilderness, a band of modern-day samurai gathers. They aren't wielding katanas; instead, they straddle roaring vintage choppers, their steel steeds gleaming under the spring sun. Leading this ragtag crew is none other than Josh Sirlin, the maestro behind Black Bear Brand, a luxury American menswear label that's as rugged as it is refined.
Josh isn't just a designer; he's a nomad, a seeker of the sublime, and Japan is his playground. With the wind whipping through his hair and the salty tang of the sea in his nostrils, he's in his element. His chopper, a creation of the legendary Japanese bike builder Free Way, purrs beneath him like a restless beast, eager to devour miles of asphalt.
But this isn't just about the ride; it's about the journey. Josh and his crew aren't content with merely skimming the surface of Japan; they want to dive headfirst into its beating heart. So, as they tear through the coastal roads of Kyushu, they make pit stops that most tourists wouldn't even dream of.
They plunge into hidden hot springs, their bodies melting into the steaming waters as they swap stories of past adventures. They feast on delicacies that defy description, from succulent slices of sashimi to bowls of piping hot ramen that set their taste buds ablaze.
And everywhere they go, Josh is absorbing. He's not just a spectator; he's a sponge, soaking up every detail, every nuance of Japanese culture and nature. The sights, the sounds, the smells – they all find their way into his consciousness, fermenting and bubbling until they emerge transformed into something entirely new.
By the time the sun begins its slow descent into the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Josh and his crew are spent but exhilarated. They've seen parts of Japan that most people will never lay eyes on, and they've done it in style.
As they park their choppers on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Josh can't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over him. Gratitude for the wild ride, for the camaraderie of his friends, and for the endless well of inspiration that Japan never fails to provide.
And as he gazes out at the horizon, with the salty breeze ruffling his hair and the roar of the waves in his ears, he knows that this is just the beginning. There are more adventures to be had, more roads to be conquered, and more designs to be born from the crucible of experience.
But for now, he's content to simply be present, to soak in the magic of this moment, and to revel in the sheer, unadulterated joy of being alive. Because in the end, that's what it's all about – the ride, the adventure, and the unquenchable thirst for life that drives us ever onward, into the unknown
*we dance amidst cherry blossoms and ancient temples, our souls intertwined with the art of the journey.
*each step is a brushstroke, painting the canvas of our lives with hues of discovery and friendship. For in the embrace of the unknown, we find the true essence of existence – to live, to love, to explore.
*life, my love, is an art form unto itself – a masterpiece crafted from the raw materials of exploration and wonder
*in the symphony of travel, I find my soul set ablaze with the fire of curiosity and peace
- Josh
Back in Tokyo, my mistress where old dances with new. Shrines whisper tales of the samurai, nestled among towering skyscrapers and neon lights. Japan, my muse, my haven for design, inspiration, and soul-searching.
Today, I'm back in Master Horitoshi studio, the tattoo sage who's been etching his mark on me for nearly six years. Tebori, the ancient art, precise as a surgeon's blade, sacred as a temple ritual. Each prick, a communion between artist and flesh, a dance as ancient as the hills.
Stepping into his studio, the world outside dims to a dull hum. Here, time warps, folding like paper cranes, whisking me to a realm where permanence is etched by hand, not by data.
With each jab, I dive deeper into my own depths, shedding layers of falsehood until I'm stripped bare to my essence. Pain transforms, transcending into something more, blurring the lines between flesh and spirit.
Outside, the world rushes on, a cacophony of progress and clamor. But here, in this sacred sanctum, I find peace in the quiet between heartbeats, in the silence that speaks louder than words, in the eternal dance of transformation. - Josh
特集／ジーンズライフを彩る
ヘイルメアリーマガジン新号 / NEW ゴールドラッシュ
4月号です！特集タイトルは、日米でジーンズを追い続けるデニム愛好家の超マニアックな人生を掘り下げる『🇯🇵ジーンズライフ深掘り』＆NEW GOLD RUSH。 Hail Mary編集部が取材したスペシャルジーンズにBLACK BEAR BRANDが選ばれました。他には存在しない「デニム深掘り本」が誕生しました。この本がプレミア価格で取引されることは間違いありません（これはオノリの個人的な意見です）。売り切れ必至の「ジーンズ特集号」ですので、お早めにご購読ください。
Special feature/Adding to the life of jeans
New Hail Mary Magazine issue / NEW Gold Rush
The April issue! The special title is ``🇯🇵 Deep Digging into Jeans Life'' & NEW GOLD RUSH, which delves into the super maniacal lives of denim enthusiasts who continue to pursue jeans in Japan and the United States. BLACK BEAR BRAND was chosen as one of the special jeans covered by the Hail Mary editorial department. A ``denim deep digging book'' that does not exist anywhere else has been born. There is no doubt that this book will command a premium price (this is Onori's personal opinion). The "Jeans Special Issue" is sure to sell out, so please subscribe as soon as possible.