Skip to main content

Head to Elk Head Clothing to Score Some Ruggedly Refined Togs

Inspired by the taxidermy 12-point head of an elk he shot during a hunting trip, Garrett Hilgendorf launched his men’s clothing line and its physical store Elk Head Clothing in Atlanta’s Ponce City Market in 2015. Offering immensely wearable clothing and accessories that are “rugged yet refined,” Hilgendorf also sells his wares online.

The Michigan native recently shared the story behind his need-to-know collection and shop…

What is the background and history of Elk Head?

Recommended Videos

I started Elk Head as a pursuit of passion. I have always been interested in fashion and style, and I am from Michigan and very much inspired by the outdoors. I decided to create a brand that fit the modern lifestyle and aesthetic…minimalistic and refined, but also with rugged qualities.

What prompted you to open the store?

I felt that being online wasn’t enough and that I needed a physical space to really showcase the brand and what it was all about. Ponce City Market’s aesthetic and feel is modern, yet it has timeless qualities. I felt that opening a store in PCM made sense.

cbost_elkhead_junesh5-8WEB
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are your current bestselling brands and items?

Our signature elbow patch shirts are customer favorites and so are so our popovers. The leather goods, the wallets and belts are also really popular – they are handcrafted in Pennsylvania.

How would you describe the overall aesthetic of the shop and its selection?

The shop has a modern, minimalistic, aesthetic overall. I’ve used a lot of timeless and sturdy materials like wood and steel when designing the interior.

Who is the customer who shops at Elk Head?

We have a truly diverse customer base, but they all have one thing in common- they like timeless style that is also versatile and made of quality materials.

What sets Elk Head apart from other stores in the area?

The shopping experience. We’ve curated an atmosphere that is laid-back and casual, and very different from big box stores.  We want people to have a good time while they’re shopping.

Elk Head Clothing Store
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How big is your online business versus brick-and -mortar?

We are growing our online business every day, but our brick-and-mortar is currently the heart of our business.

What has been the best part of running the store so far?

By far, the best thing about opening the shop has been meeting customers and getting their feedback. I’ve been blown away by all of the positive responses about our products. Talking to people and hearing what they like about the brand has made my pursuits worthwhile.

What are the future plans for Elk Head?

I’d like to open more stores locally, but also nationwide. Ponce City Market will always be our home. I think there are also other cities that would appreciate our design-centered aesthetic.

Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
Graphpaper and PUMA elevate the Speedcat Plus in a monochrome triple-leather
PUMA's Speedcat sneaker gets a minimalist upgrade
puma speedcat sneaker

In the last couple of seasons, PUMA’s Speedcat silhouette has slowly become the brand’s answer to Adidas’ Samba and Nike’s Cortez revival. As the other brands continue to reinvent and reimagine some of their iconic sneakers, PUMA has taken to designs like the Speedcat for another pass through the spotlight. As the sneaker continues to reach a new audience with playful prints and textures, the brand hasn’t slowed down on releasing new iterations of the classic sneaker. In their latest collaboration on the Speedcat, PUMA has joined forces with Japanese label Graphpaper for a pared-down and subtle take on the sneaker that’s equally as retro as it is elevated. While this partnership takes on the Speedcat Plus, the silhouette’s more statement version, the iconic shape and style of the original Speedcat remains, with remnants of its racing past still visible.

Graphpaper gives PUMA’s Speedcat Plus a luxe makeover

Read more
Zenith’s space-forged chronograph goes worldwide
Zenith's Space-Forged Chronograph Expands
CHRONOMASTER SPORT METEORITE

Zenith has expanded global availability for its Chronomaster Sport Meteorite, a timepiece featuring authentic space fragments integrated into the dial.
Previously exclusive to Japan, the 41mm chronograph now reaches international markets through Zenith boutiques and authorized retailers at $17,500. Each watch incorporates a dial crafted from genuine meteorite that traveled through space for millions of years before reaching Earth and Zenith's Le Locle facilities.
The meteorite dials showcase the Widmanstätten pattern, a geometric formation created when molten iron cools gradually in space's vacuum. Hand-finishing reveals these cosmic crystalline structures, ensuring each dial remains unique. Against this extraterrestrial backdrop, Zenith's signature tri-color chronograph counters in silver, light grey, and anthracite create visual contrast with circular azuré finishing.
The stainless steel case preserves the design language of Zenith's 1969 A386 chronograph while incorporating contemporary elements like a black ceramic bezel marked with 10-second graduations. Pump-style pushers and modern proportions blend heritage aesthetics with current styling, while 10 ATM water resistance ensures daily practicality.
The timepiece houses Zenith's El Primero 3600 movement, the latest iteration of the brand's high-frequency chronograph caliber that earned the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève "Chronograph" award. Operating at 5 Hz with a silicon escape wheel, the movement achieves 1/10th second precision with the chronograph hand completing full rotations every 10 seconds.
The caliber provides 60 hours of power reserve and displays refined decoration through the sapphire caseback, including a blue column wheel, horizontal clutch, and openworked rotor featuring the Zenith star emblem.
The package includes both an integrated steel bracelet and black rubber strap for wearing versatility.

Read more
Isotope’s new OVNI Jumping Hour is a retro-futuristic marvel
The Isotope OVNI Jumping Hour is a retro-futuristic masterpiece
OVNI JUMPING HOUR (FOUNDERS EDITION)

In the dynamic sphere of independent horology, where creativity is the ultimate currency, Isotope Watches has consistently distinguished itself through audacious design and mechanical playfulness. The British microbrand’s recent release, the OVNI Jumping Hour Founder’s Edition, is a triumphant culmination of this philosophy, offering a retro-futuristic spectacle that captivates the collector’s imagination just in time to commemorate the brand's 10th anniversary. This timepiece goes beyond the conventional to become a wearable sculpture, a conversation piece that masterfully blends mid-century modern flair with contemporary horological ingenuity, proving that true luxury resides in bold individuality and intellectual design.

A dial of profound complexity and whimsical charm

Read more