Illuminating the Shore: Twin Lights and Above the Hook’s Tribute
Perched high atop the Navesink Highlands in Highlands, New Jersey, the Navesink Twin Lights have guided mariners and inspired dreamers for nearly two centuries. Built in 1862, these twin beacons marked the first U.S. lighthouse to test the revolutionary Fresnel lens—a milestone in maritime safety—and later hosted electric lighting, wireless experiments by Marconi, and early radar tests (Wikipedia).
Long before, in 1828, a simpler beacon guided ships—its illuminating flame a warning and a welcome across the bay (Wikipedia). From the Revolutionary War era beacons to steely radio waves, the Twin Lights have shaped Highlands’ identity as a coastal sentinel: a place of innovation, navigation, and history.
Above the Hook: Elevating the Shore Through Creative Storytelling
At Above the Hook, we’re not just makers of apparel—we're custodians of regional heritage. Rooted in Highlands and Sandy Hook, our mission is to elevate the shore through creative media, apparel, and storytelling that breathe new life into our coastal narratives.
Every design starts with research and exploration—immersing in local history, poring over vintage maps, artifacts, and the stories of those who walked these bluffs. We then reimagine those visuals into contemporary graphics, every line reinterpreting an emblem of our collective past in modern form. From there, we craft apparel that nods to tradition while embracing comfort and style—each piece invites you to wear history, spark conversation, and carry the legacy of Highlands and Sandy Hook with pride.
Spotlight: Twin Lights Lookout Club Sweatshirt
One of our latest releases—Twin Lights Lookout Club—epitomizes this ethos:
Vintage feel, modern comfort: This sweatshirt boasts a soft, worn-in texture thanks to garment-dyed, vintage-washed fleece, and offers a relaxed, everyday fit.
Sustainable design ethos: Made to order, it helps reduce overproduction, reflecting our commitment to thoughtful, responsible manufacturing.
Local roots, crafted quality: Sourced from OEKO-TEX Standard 100-certified materials, it exemplifies coastal comfort grounded in high standards.
This sweatshirt isn’t just clothing—it’s a wearable narrative, paying homage to the Twin Lights' enduring role as lookouts in more ways than one.
A Beacon for the Community
By creating designs like Twin Lights Lookout Club, we do more than just craft apparel. We:
Honor Highlands’ legacy—bringing attention to the innovations and stories embedded in our landscape.
Foster connection—inviting locals, visitors, and history enthusiasts to explore and celebrate this unique region.
Elevate local stories through tangible design that resonates day to day.
We’re not just printing graphics; we’re weaving heritage and art, fashion and history, and extending an invitation to everyone who calls the shore—and its stories—their own.
Join the Lookout
Whether you’re strolling Sandy Hook’s beaches, gazing at the NYC skyline from Highlands, or simply seeking a piece of meaningful apparel, Above the Hook is your platform for coastal storytelling. Explore more, wear more, and keep our shoreline’s legacy shining bright.
Let me know if you’d like a shorter announcement, social caption, or even a behind-the-design story for this piece as a post—happy to help continue the conversation!