Doug Bihlmaier has the greatest job in the world.
(His closest of friends call him “Seaweed”, By the way)
As the head of Ralph Lauren vintage, it’s his job to shop the world to fill Mr Lauren’s stores with one of a kind vintage jewelry, concho belts, fashion, rugs, accessories, and anything else he finds amazing.
Mr Mort recently had the opportunity to visit Doug and his wife Kathy’s beach house. A beach house layered to the brim with Doug’s unique vintage finds.
Not fussy, …casual, collected and “lived-in”,
Sort of makes me want to kick my shoes off and go barefoot……
I’m pretty sure that Seaweed does.
(all photos via MR Mort, except top photo, I think the Sartorialist took that shot)













Ahhhhh . . . so THIS is the Doug that you keep pinning on Pinterest! He looked really cool + like the kind of person I’d love to meet! Of course, I super LOVE his outfits + his ‘stuff’! I just rearranged MY ‘stuff’ yesterday; I like to think he would dig it. 😉
K A Y
redbird.wordpress.com
Mr Lauren created a line of clothing just for him. RRL, based on vintage clothing finds. My big chunky favorite Navajo sweater is RRL, as well as my favorite western belts. Doug wears nothing but, and always layers like a vintage hobo……..or a famous artist.
We call him Seamatter…
Doug………..This is Layne, Kathy’s sister and I’d like to post a few photos of your fabulous “outfits”
on my Facebook page. I’ve been spotlighting my siblings on my page: “You Wonder How the Kids Turned Out: and hope it’s ok . I haven’t seen Kathy for a long time so I want to alert other family members about her. Hope all is well.
Hi Elaine, if you’re trying to reach Doug, this isn’t really the forum to do so….I’m just a humble blogger who happens to adore him, and as far as I know he doesn’t/hasn’t read my blog. You might try this email: Douglas.Bihlmaier@RalphLauren.com let me know that you got it and I’ll delete it from my comments, as I’m sure he would want to keep it private.
(His friends call him Seaweed…) and have since college.
Fred, you tell him that he has a huge fan in me!!!!
Hmmm…Seaweed? I never heard that nickname in the 25+ years I worked with Doug as a Custom Primitive Furniture Designer/Builder and Vintage resource. I was out of the Southwest and Santa Fe, Santa Barbara(My Hometown). I did alot of Items for RL Home. I gave Ralph 1 year, an RL, original BRANDING Iron from 1700’s that is NOW the RL on the RRL clothing line. Leave it to Ralph to mine Gold even in a simple gift to him… RW
Pretty sure Seaweed is a holdover from his days in Kansas City working at Woodys. I think I remember a small RL branding iron in the line a few years ago, maybe a bottle opener. That logo has made it onto a myriad of items; sweatshirts, mugs, hats and even cattle.