The Ali Update

So I sat down today and finally got the iChat working thanks to a little help from every one's favourite overnight YouTube sensation, Ali.  The four minute video posted January 29 of this year already has been viewed 47 times.  But Ali is now staring adversity in the eyes.  His dream of one day dethroning Erik Akkersdijk has been derailed courtesy of his roommate who appears to suffer from a severe anger management issue by the looks of things.  

If you haven't seen the video yet you can here.  Here goes any credibility this blog had straight down the drain.

A Little MGMT for the Weekend

Time To Pretend from MGMT on VIMEO


MGMT vs JUSTICE (ELECTRIC FEEL MASHUP) on VIMEO.

Here are some tracks to help get your weekend started if you are fortunate enough not to be hitting the university grind. I am sure that you are not a stranger to MGMT by now. I first heard Electric Feel about a year in around July of last year on the Nixon myspace. Since then they have been a regular fixation on the playlist. Enjoy, as Interview Magazine described it, the "psychedelic hippie dance music, hallucinatory space rock, and a tired throwback to New York City's hipster-electroclash years". Catchy tunes mixed with video straight out of the art school vault.

The Face Behind Supreme: James Jebbia

Interview did, strangely enough, an interview with one of the leaders behind skate and street fashion, James Jebbia. James Jebbia founded Supreme in 1994 in a small storefront on Ali's favourite street Lafayette in downtown New York. The brand and shop has since expanded to Los Angeles and Japan. Today Supreme has carved out a niche market that attracts the 'populist youth' customer. Built on a reputation of carefree living and at times rude treatment and poor service. It's not uncommon to be told not to unfold the t-shirts or that there aren't any fitting rooms (when in fact there are) the brand continues to attract the streetwear connoisseur.

The interview was conducted by Interview's Editorial Director Glenn O'Brien and is extremely intriguing. Mr. O'Brien addresses everything from the recession and current economic market to eBay and online culture. You can read it here.

(via Interview)

Diamond Supply x Han Cholo 'Sk8 to Death'

The Diamond Supply Co x Han Cholo "Sk8 to Death" chain hits the Diamond online store today. The run is limited to 60 Black, 70 Silver and 80 Gold and retail for a very affordable $40 USD.

(via DiamondSupplyCo)

Pawnography

Well you shouldn't have been downloading music. Sometimes life is hard.

(via Mishka)

Mishka x Ubiq Pop-up Shop

Mishka will be setting up shop this Friday inside of Ubiq in Philadelphia. If you are in the area there will be an opening night party from 9 until 1 at 1509 Walnut Street. Also watch for the grand opening of the Mishka flagship store at 350 Broadway...dates under wraps...but keep an eye on the next month or two.

(via Mishka)

Rolls-Royce 200EX

I don't usually blog on automobiles, in fact this is a first. But when I was over reading one of Canada's best lifestyle blogs, Inqmnd Blog, they had this gem. The craftsmanship and design of the new BMW-owned Rolls Royce 200EX was too breath-taking not to mention.


Rolls Royce CEO, Tom Purves, had this to say about the addition to the RR family.

"Dismissing the idea that this is just a 'small' Phantom, Cameron elaborates on the mentality behind the design. 'Our customers treat their garages like wardrobes, with different cars for different occasions. The Phantom is like a tuxedo, yet this car is a business suit. It's for a less formal environment.' The stated aims at the beginning of the project were simple. 'We set out to produce the best car in the segment. That goal makes life a lot simpler, to be honest,' he Cameron."

"Car design draws on disparate influences, yet for a brand like Rolls-Royce where product cycles are deliberately long and forms have to eschew fashions and fads, what elements of contemporary design made their mark on the 200EX? 'I think there's a sort of homage to the aeronautical part of the Rolls-Royce story here,' Cameron says, 'this car is informal, and it's taken about a 100 years, but finally we have a grille that looks like an air intake and not another Greek temple'".

"The car will make it first appearance at next month's Geneva show before undertaking a seven country global tour to stir up some salivation amongst potential owners." And the price tag 200,000 Euros ($318,000 CDN).

(via inqmnd.ca and wallpaper.com)

Brooklyn Projects x Nike SB Dunk

Brooklyn Projects x Nike SB Dunk drops this Saturday at noon.

Quitters Never Lose - Franco Shade

Las Vegas from Joe Navran on Vimeo.

I had the opportunity last week to preview the Triumvir gear for this up coming season in Vegas (video 1: the suite).  The suite also housed the Franco Shade collection. Franco Shade was formed in a garage in Orange County back in 2002.  The company started with just two tees and no investors.  Their Spring 09 line looks extremely impressive and the guys are extremely friendly.  There is no question that it is just a matter of time before these guys blow up.  The are also having a little online sale right now and blowing out this past seasons. Hoods are $40 and tees $25 and still have pretty good size selection.

Spring '09 Arrives from Joe Navran on Vimeo.

(via FrancoShade.com)

Welcome Back

One of the most anticipated  sports comebacks has begun.  Tiger, who missed 8 months after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery, played in his first practice around at the Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona yesterday.  His first opponent will be Brendan Jones. Hank Haney, Tiger's swing coach, said Tiger's swing hasn't missed a beat.  However if Tiger makes it to the finals on Sunday he will have walked 31.2 miles in 5 days.  Tiger is on pace to be the first billion dollar athlete and currently sits at $83,414,775 career earnings. Welcome back.

Valenzuela Low from the Hundreds

(via theHundreds.com)

Kicking Myself

Kid Cudi and Asher Roth united forces for the FSAS (Famous Stars and Straps) Magic after party at PURE/Ceasar's Palace in Vegas last week.

(via SteeloHero.com)  

Nike SB Hemp M-65 Jacket

The latest Nike SB M-65 jacket was designed by infamous Bones Brigade member Robert Lance Mountain (also believed to be one of the inventors of the finger board ha).  The jacket is really quite eye catching.  The outer consists of black heather hemp accented by a ruby red polyester lining and cargo pockets and also features a packable hood.  Retails for $238 USD.

(via ctothejl.com)

Alife Everyone Mid Parachute Nylon Pack

Alife has one of the most commendable sneaker offerings on the mark this season.  Their booth was focused on kicks this year at Project.  Among the shelves were the Everyone Mid Parachute Nylon Pack offering three colorways: green checker, red checker and blue checker set off by a yellow Alife tag on the tongue. 

3sixteen x Quoddy Trail Chukka Deck Shoe

3sixteen is among the recent companies to add footwear to their ever growing resumes. They teamed up with Based in Passamaquoddy, Maine's Quoddy Trail to bring you these hand crafted Deck Chukkas set to hit all accounts in August. I got a chance to see them up close this past week and these shoes are legit hand crafted with no detail over looked.

(via. 3sixteen.com)

I'm On A Boat

The new single, I'm on a Boat, from The Lonely Island's (Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone) debut album "INCREDIBAD" is available in stores now.

Staple Spring 2009

A step back towards the root of streetwear can be seen in this seasons offering courtesy of Staple Design. This season sees a step back from cut and sew and an extremely strong offering of graphic tees rooted in New York lifestyle and photography. Preview the entire Staple Spring 2009 line here.

I Can't Stop Blogging Supra

It's impossible to stop blogging Supra Footwear...behold the complete Spring 2009 line up of the Supra NS (non skate) Collection. This season consists of three packs - the Burgundy pack, the Bronze Full Grain pack and the Grey Tie Dye Suede pack. As expected all premium leather uppers. If there was only one shoe on the market that I could buy this year it would be the Grey Tie Dye Skytop. Insane.

Bronze - release March 1
Grey - release April 1
Burgundy - available now

(via SupraNS.com)

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire went home with 8 awards tonight including Best Picture. Other honors included best director (Danny Boyle), best adapted screenplay (Simon Beaufoy), score (A.R. Rahman), song ("Jai Ho," co-written by Rahman), cinematography (Anthony Dod Mantle), sound mixing and film editing.

Benny Gold on Vimby

VIMBY - Benny Gold

Kaws Opening at Honor Fraser

Bobby over at the Hundreds gives us a sneak peak at the chaos surrounding Kaws opening night at Honor Fraser Gallery.

Second round of photos over at the Hundreds.

(via. The Hundreds)

Weekend Tracks

I was enjoying the Canadiens x Senators game today on TV and celebrating hockey day in Canada and heard this tune during the first intermission at the Bell Centre.

Cudi (former B.A.P.E. store employee) recently released this video for his single Day N Night. The video was created by So-ME. He is also the mastermind behind Kanye's Good Life Video and Justice's D.A.N.C.E.

Kanye West Feat. Kid Cudi - Welcome to Heartbreak

Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

Hope these tracks help the weekend pass as slow as possible.

Supra Burgundy Pack Spring 2009

Hey Oh...Supra does it again...quite possibly one of the finest looking sneaker collection to hit the market this spring. Shoe is available now.

Vegas Top Ten

As I sit at McCaran waiting for my flight to Denver and a long day of travel ahead I have some time to reflect and recap an eventful Vegas trade show trip.  Everyone loves the top 10 lists so here are my top 10 Moments from Magic/Project/Vegas.

10) Rounding out spot 10 - sbarro pizza.  You do not even want to guess how many meals (breakfast/lunch/supper) I had them to thank for.

9) MGM and Planet Hollywood Buffet.  Great food and even better company.

8) Seeing the Last Rights x Stihl chainsaw being carried around Magic.

7) Chris Tucker Nike run in.  Thanks for the shoes Amanda.

6) Being able to tell people I hit a Royal in Vegas.

5) Crossing paths with Blaine Fontana and the Mighty Healthy guys.

4) Meeting Jeff Ng of Staple Design.  Did he understand a word I said...probably not.

3) Triumvir Skyloft and meeting some of the Truimvir and Rogue Status guys.

1 & 2) I can't say one was better then the other.  A much anticipated sit down with Mishka co-owner Greg Rivera and dinner with Johan Lam and Andrew Chen of 3sixteen.

Peep the Triumvir Skyloft at the MGM.  These guys know how to go big.  Lets just say the SkyLoft for three nights was more then I made working full time this past summer.

Kanye x Kudi 106 and Park

This took place this past week.  All I want to say is that Kanye is wearing on my nerves. Someone needs to kick him off his pedestal and rid him of that mullet.  Kudi's freestyle is insane, he's quick.  Kanye on the other hand has to recycle a verse he did for Rick Ross's album.

Supreme Spring Summer 2009

Supreme posted there Spring Summer 2009 collection online today but took it down shortly after.  I wasn't able to grab pictures but the team over at SolexLife was.  Enjoy what I believe to be the highlights.

(via SolexLife.com)

Big Phony - I Love Lucy

Magic/Project Las Vegas: Day 2

Slept in a bit today but after having Sbarro's for breakfast I made my way back over to Magic. I spent about an hour strolling around but the place was quiet.

They were also wrapping up the mural painting that ended up selling for $25,000. So at least we know there is someone out there building his shops assets.

After Magic I made my way back over to Project. Cruised around there for a bit even had some guy compliment me, and I quote "Nice kicks my man". I turned around to check his steez and exchange the compliment. When I turned around I was starring into the eyes of Chris Tucker who was giving me the Money Talks glare. I had a tough time telling him I liked his bedazzled Obama tee. Word was Kanye was also in town at the Creative Rec party last night.

Best part of the day though would be hitting the Royal at Mandalay Bay. Talk about the best invested $5 of my life. The odds of hitting a Royal are 1:649,740. And how many people can say they have hit a Royal in Vegas?

Nike Spring 2009

Nike Spring 2009 Preview via Jordan8420.com

Gatorade G Kevin Garnett Commercial

If you're a fan of Gatorade G / Kevin Garnett / Monty Python then check out the new Gatorade commercial.

Project Las Vegas: 3sixteen

After Magic I made my way over to Mandalay Bay to check out Project. The attendance situation with Magic probably had a lot to do with the opening day of the Project and Capsule show, as Project boasted a large buyer attendance. I was looking forward to the sit down chat with Johan and Andrew of 3sixteen that I had secured earlier in the week after submitting a resume for an internship. So I was stoked. Their booth had a constant flow so I bombed it around the show for an hour before the hot seat. I ran into our homegrown Winnipeg identical twins Chip and Pepper Foster and also crossed paths with one of my design idols Jeff Ng. I am sure he did not understand a word I said in my awestruck state.

After hanging out with Andrew and Johan for a few, we went to the MGM to indulge in the Buffet. I don't know if it was the french toast still lingering but I was definitely off the pace. After the bite the guys invited me to check out the Truimvir Suite show with them. These guys ball out. They took an alternative approach of renting a suite (that was sweet) at the MGM Grand, that was about the size of my house/had more flat screens then I had hats/pool table/two stories. All to display their Civil War Collection which is tight.

The crew at 3sixteen are producing some incredible cut and sew upscale pieces and definitely focusing their creative energy towards capturing a more mature audience which I dig. I have to keep my mouth shut as to not get fired before I even start but watch these guys with a close eye. The are most definitely making some serious strides.

Magic Las Vegas | Mishka - Greg Rivera

So I'm in Vegas for a few days making the tradeshow circuit from Magic, Project and hopefully Capsule tomorrow. It's clear to see that the economy is hurting here. Aside from the bizzilion open slot machines here, the Las Vegas Review ran a little article that suggested that the attendance at Magic was down 40% from last years numbers. Either way I headed over to Magic this morning after utilizing my buffet credit at Planet Hollywood. There is nothing more degrading then crushing 7 pieces of french toast and having no one to share it with.

Greg Rivera was kind enough to not only give up an hour of his time for me to pick his brain about the state of streetwear but also hooked me up with a pass to peep the show. Greg was super friendly and offered a great perspective on the economy, direction of the brand and things to look forward to. Unfortunately I believe in confidentiality but keep your eyes on the Mishka camp in the up coming seasons. Big things.

And you never know who you will run into. Scott and Greg, the heads of two of my favourite brands, chatting it up. The guys from Last Rights also brought the Stihl chainsaw to the show. The thing is legit.

I have never attended Magic before but it was clear the traffic wasn't there. However there were a few crowds that gathered around Paul Wall, Jermaine Dupri, and the live painting featuring Blaine Fontana that was being auctioned off for charity.

Kid Cudi Tasered During NBA Allstar Weekend

Looks like the Kid is not a fan of Reebok. So the story goes Cudi was: "Set to perform, the rising star apparently got into a shouting match with Reebok associates regarding his refusal to wear Reebok in favor of Air Jordans (turns out it was simply another pair of Boks). Subsequently, police were called in and the altercation escalated to the point in which police stepped in and tazed Kid Cudi".



Turns out it was over a pair of shoes. Kudi was forced to wear these Reebok kicks (top) and refused to be "humiliated" in them so he chose to wear his option B. "Option b, I call them the soul daggers, cuz it would break my moms heart if she saw me in these haha" (Kid Cudi).

I am not too sure what the deal was as he simply chose another pair of Reeboks to rock that didn't disgrace his feet. If anything Reebok should thank Cudi for all the additional coverage they are getting for this incident.

(via KidCudi.com /// Highsnobiety)

G-Shock x Chupa Chups

G-Shock must have so many people knocking on the door, lining up for an opportunity to collaborate these days. They recently united forces with the much loved Chupa Chups to celebrate 50 years of lollipop hysteria. Chupa Chups was the first candy on a stick so to speak.


The Baby G comes in the classic yellow and red that has become synonymous with Chupa Chups and also features the logo on the dial. The logo was based on a concept sketch that surrealist artist Salvador Dali did for the brand.

Words of advice: Do not go visit the Chupa Chups website...it's a nightmare...right up there with it's a Small World After All ride.

(via Highsnobiety)

Most Overrated Annual Event

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps from Life After Midnight on Vimeo.

The most overrated annual event is upon us once again. Either way Happy VDay.

Shoes-Up x New Balance

Think you have what it takes to design your own New Balance 576 or 1700? New Balance has teamed up with France's Shoes-Up to give you the opportunity to have your own kick hit production lines. Contest closes June 10th. Winner will be flown to the Flimby factory to watch the whole thing come together. Template and details available here.

(via HypeBeast.com)