With the world becoming ever smaller, no longer are trends necessearily unique or bespoke to geographical locations. Every major city is now full of three or four "Sneaker Boutiques" selling often the same clothing lines, brands and kicks. Often these carry various low-key t-shirt brands from that town or city, sneaking them on to the end of the nearest Stussy rail. But what is unqiue and a raretity is service without a snigger. So many of these shops are full of protentious "I know more than you, I'm therefore cooler than you, where art thou's BAPE and BBC? assistants". London is guilty of more than filling its qouta of poncy scenesters self-gratificating through denouncement of unsuspecting consumer. The Standard in Atlanta is different. I strolled in on a quiet Thursday afternoon, greeted by two helpful assistance or store owners devoid of all pretence.
Walking me through the rails, the lines and brands, showing me the latest stock, telling me what's new in, what I might like and shooting the breeze on London, the A and clothing in general, my experience held a lasting impression. They know their stuff and are happy to help you, but this might just be an accentuation of Southern Hospitality into Sneakerdom, but needless to say, moments like these truly are enjoyable. I'm a consumer, I'm a fan, and I like to enjoy my shopping experience and discuss without hype or "oneupmanship" with those in the know.
Testament to their service with a smile was how they treated the 5 or 6 "heads" who qued for the Air Yeezy's. They put on a Breakfast Of Champions!
The new Alife's had just dropped that day, I made sure to cop a pair.
The other weekend the guys at Nike teamed up with the rising brands of the UK and put on an expose of British talent at the 1948 store. More things are needed like this to bring the people of London together. I didn't cop any Trapstar but my A.IN.T Slick Rick Tee and ALL CAPS Hard Times Tee are both doing alot. It was a cool little event, good tunes, nice people, sun was out, garms were fresh.
Frank151 posted this ad for Miami clothing label Last Rights, and according to their sources the guys got in a whole load of trouble for this one.
"Apparently, the FBI, DEA, and other government officials were under the impression that they were dumping real drugs from the planes into the ocean."
What a great viral though. Shot incredibly well, great concept and really emphasizes that whole Miami hood lifestyle. Not just the massive impact drug trafficking has on the region, but the look, feel and elements incorporated into the video offers an authentic portrayal of Miami street culture. The clothing is heavy as well.
Australian brand Rittenhouse have created a truly fantastic varsity jacket. I shall be hunting one of these down as soon as the paychecks come in. I've been after a varsity jacket for a short while, looking for a subtle item, not a varsity jacket in the BAPE or Starter mould and this is perfect.
I'm a massive Hip Hop fan (obviously) and I love to reflect this in the way I dress, but I've always had an affinity with Football Casuals and classic looks. Whats lacking in the execution of my style right now is its tailored edge. A classic way in which to change this is to embrace the preppy style that is having some what of a resurgence right now, with the likes of Andre 3000 and Fonzworth Bentley leading the way with a node to the English Gent.
Andre 3000 is set to launch his Benjamin Bixby range at Harrods this season and its going to cause quite a stir. In embracing classic English styles, inspired by the fashion of American sports from the thirties with a desire to retain luxury status, Andre is establishing a look that I am very much a fan of. I don't think its going to generate the mass appeal of brands such as BBC and BAPE, a good thing if you ask me, both brands have tried to develop luxury street wear and in my opinion have become quite tacky in their execution. lets hope the Bixby range won't defer from the classic looks I've seen thus far. This desire for a tailored finish to street wear was bound to happen, a natural evolution as Hip Hop is some twenty years old in the mainstream and B-Boys reach their forties!
I recently conducted an interview with the legendry Fats Shariff aka Fatsarazzi, for Time Out London.(watch this space) His take on this style is "A preppy Mafia B-Boy."
In switching up the look I'm embracing the classic mens casual wear that has proved popular with Football fans. Wearing the brands which I love such as C.P Company, Stone Island, Belstaff, Penguin, Lacoste, Ralph Lauren etc while retaining my obsession with kicks, sports wear and Japanese denim. Where as in the past I've maintained a distinct line between the two, I'm now looking to fuse both looks to form "The Hip-Hop Casual". I think this hooded shirt from Nom De Guerre sums up the look perfectly.
Hypebeast is some what of an online Bible to Sneaker Freaks, Clothes Whores, Fashionistas and the like. First conceived in 2005, the site features daily updates in the world of street fashion. Its prominence in catering for the now low-brow cultural phenomenon of high-end street fasion has been duly noted by Time Magazine who have emitted the site into its Top 50 websites of 2008, at No.3 no less!!!!! Soo congratulations Hypebeasters and all those adoring fans who gaze in awe at its long list of desirable items.
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