Time Square | Shepard Fairey for Levi's

Shepard Fairey and the Obey team have spent the last few days here in New York dealing with the ongoing copyright infringement vs. fair use suit with the Associated Press. AP photographer Mannie Garcia and the AP are counter-suing Shepard over a photograph of Barack Obama taken in April 2006 in which Shepard has admitted to using as the reference image for his Hope Campaign.

What I find intriguing about the lawsuit is that the hundreds of thousands of dollars made from the selling of prints, buttons, and t-shirts depicting the President was used to support the campaign and in essence Mr. Fairey received no financial gain from the image itself. He may have attracted future business and press from the work but not once did he pocket money from the image.

All that aside Shepard Fairey capped off his trip in New York by doing a live installation in Time Square last night which was followed by an instore signing at Levi's promoting their recent collaboration.

Obey teamed up with Levi's to release a limited run of items that include a skinny black 511 jean ($128), a distressed denim jacket with built in terry hood ($148), and an Obey x Levi's graphic tee ($34.50).

A huge thanks to Chris Broders for making the evening a very memorable one.

EC Headwear | The Shield Sunglasses

Is it just me or are there some really great pricepoint sunglasses on the market. You have the team over at 9five producing the Cult Classics for around $28-$30 and then you have EC Headwear with these gems. The shield sunglasses are so affordable one can't stop and consider buying all 7 pairs. The frames come in a green, yellow, brown, red, blue, purple and classic black. The classic style frames feature smoke lenses, EC Headwear logo embossed on both arms and come in at just under $20.

If you head over to Karmaloop they are currently on sale for $16.

(via. ECHeadwear/Karmaloop)

DVS | Skate & Create 2009

(via. Hypebeast)

Five Minutes | Eugene Kan

I met Eugene during his last run through New York City over an especially tasty meal at Slurp. Eugene is currently the Senior Editor of Hypebeast. For those not familiar with Hypebeast, heaven forbid, the site was founded by Kevin Ma back in January '05 as "a one-stop news source for Internet-savvy street fashion enthusiasts".

Back track a few years and Eugene was an aspiring soccer player at the University of Alberta who did some minor blogging on the side for local retail, Foosh. After graduating from the U of A Eugene packed up his Economics Degree and made the move from desolate Canada to Hong Kong with the intentions of pursuing a professional soccer career. During his time their he was 'scouted and recruited' to join the Hypebeast team.

Eugene essentially dictates 'the cool' of street fashion and culture helping to grow the site into required reading for anyone in the industry. He also has a few independent ventures on the go that I am sure you will be hearing about in the near future. Thanks for the time Eugene.

5 things people don't likely know about me are...

1. I just bought four bars of super dark (85%-86%) Chocolate
2. I can speak French?
3. I'm an asshole
4. I quit this sucks

5 things I don't leave home without are...

1. Keys
2. Card holder(s)
3. Mobile phone
4. Lip balm
5. Shoes

My 5 favorite spots in Hong Kong are...

Fuck this is a tough one... I don't venture out too far... Sheung Wan (cool vibe), Soho (cobblestone roads, good restaurants that I never eat at... I just hear they're good), Mong Kok (cause I'm fuggin' MK gangsta for life) and well some of the beach areas.

If I wasn't living the dream at Hypebeast I would be...

Probably hating my life and working at a bank... or maybe working at a streetwear store? What can you do with an Economics degree?

The best thing about working at Hypebeast (aside from Kevin) is...

Randomly meeting people from Winnipeg that are interning in New York... well people in general.

The best email I have received at Hypebeast went something like this...

I've been saving this one in the vaults for awhile...

To Whom this may concern,

I am very interested in being added to your blog list because I believe unlike most of the people you have already added to the list I have a great since of style and I am not so one sided and one dimensional when it comes to clothes and music and etc. I have the heartbeat of the streets with me and I understand clothes at the highest degree and Im flyer than the rest of these people...seriously.

MY BLOG IS GIVING AWAY A FREE PAIR OF YEEZYS BLACK AND PINK ON OUR BLOG AND I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT. SO MR. HYPEBEAST STOP allowing wack mutha fuckas to win and let some people who really know whats hot out here to get a little shine.. we put in the work and im sorry I don't live in New York or California but don't let that be our fault because we don't know heavyweights in the clothing industry.NO I dont wear skinny jeans and no I don't wear baggy jeans...I just wear my PRPS just right..and my butchers high top on my ankle...and my Commonwealth fitted on my head...ferragamos on my face...diamonds in my mouth...damier clip hanging...i mean cmon..thats me everyday...and with that said I'm begging you for once let someone who isn't famous just get a little shine. my staff is more informative on clothes and music then 3/4 of the people you showcase and I think its a smack in the face to the public to showcase people who aren't fly and people who were complete losers in high school to get shine and we cant get a mention. Also we are developing some hot clothes right now that also should be featured....

In conclusion if you dont like anything I said thats fine..we are wiling to allow you all to say that you are giving away the Yeezys with us if you want to create more fans of your empire! I promise...we have a pair size 10 and we are going to give them away...thats how fresh we are...ask them wack ass non cool mutha fuckers yaw showcase all the time can they do that...sorry if im cursing but I want to show you the passion we have for this and I want to be added to the blog list asap... [WEBSITE REDACTED] we the illest in the world!!! just look at our music selection cmon man be real with yaw self..the people have spoken and they all understand what cool shit is and little flannel shirts and dirty vans aint it...and you all need to stop lying to the people and showing them bullshit...Im telling you that because the people are chattering now like these guys have fallen off a little bit and I know you all are great but give me an opportunity to help you. call me [NAME REDACTED] [PHONE NUMBER REDACTED]...and lets win...help me showcase this free pair of Yeezys right now!!!

The post that I took the most slack for was...

They all wack! Trade secret... if I don't want to co-sign it but it “has” to go up... I just STAFF it haha.

The last article of clothing I purchased was...

A bunch of Wings + Horns stuff from HAVEN

If I had the opportunity to switch places with any person in the industry it would be...

I'm not sure, industry-wide I like my position. I GUESS, my answer would have to involve the brand I like the most. So I would like to switch places with Hiroki Nakamura of VISVIM.

If I could have lunch with anyone dead or alive it would be...

Grandpa Kan and eat mad dim sum!!!

My favorite book is...

Bad question cause I haven't read a book in a long ass time but I read the NY Times every day or so.

If I had to wear one pair of shoes for the rest of my life they would be...

Black fragment design x Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Highs... they aren't necessarily my favorites but unparalleled versatility.

My drink of choice is...

Water on the real, I'm the guy that buys $8.50 USD bottles of water at the bar.

After completing this interview I am off to...

Be Asian and gamble.

The best part of the University of Alberta was...

Living in the Sugar Shack and throwing 13 kegger mashers... and probably playing varsity soccer. Yeh I sound like a fuckin' “bro” haaaaaaa.

Tuesday's Chill Track | "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" - Poison and "Sweet Child O'Mine" - Guns N' Roses

When it rains in New York the stank is washed into the gutters and for a moment it smells hella fresh or at least not like garbage. Straight up New York is the only city I have been to that for one step can smell like someone put a dozen muffins in your backpack and the next step smell like someone crapped on your foot. Enjoy today's Rose theme for your gloomy New York Tuesday.

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition - Episode 1

Maestro Knows - NYC Edition (Nigel Sylvester) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Seperated At Birth | Mariano Rivera and Scott Sasso?

So over the course of the last few months I have been following the Yankees quite regularly. I am not sure if it's because subconsciously I feel as a resident of New York it is a mandatory thing to do or if I am actually beginning to enjoy watching baseball. But as the season has transpired I am convinced that Yankee closer Mariano Rivera and 10.Deep founder and owner Scott Sasso were separated at birth. I know it may look like a bit of a stretch but every time Mariano steps onto the mound I am positive that Scott has traded in his 10Deep ensemble for a Yankees get-up. Come on, a little bit?

Monday Morning Playlist: Sarah Kim

I met Sarah Kim a few months ago when she came through the 3sixteen offices. Sarah is the Editorial and Fashion Assistant at Antenna Magazine. If you are not familiar with Antenna Magazine it is essentially the first mainstream print publication that targets the latest products and compiles them into an extensive guidebook. Sarah's recent claim to fame (and one of here secret longings fufilled) came at Capsule Las Vegas this past September where she managed to not only meet Bobby Hundreds but also solidify a spot on The Hundreds Blog. And now she can add first female Monday Morning Playlist.

Five things people don't likely know about me are...

1. I've never had a desire to move to New York at all. I actually came kicking and screaming the whole way. West Coast Best Coast. Things change and I absolutely love it now.

2. I have like 35 watches I rotate through and almost none of them work.

3. I'm athletic and super competitive. I play to win. I can probably throw a football further than any girl you know. (I'm down to back this statement up at any time if need be)

4. I front like I'm from California but I was born and raised in Washington state.

5. I'm a Christian. It's not a religion, it's a lifestyle.

Five things I don't leave home without are...

1. Bible

2. Moleskine skinny notebook

3. Moleskine planner

4. Blackberry

5. Make up (I always hated that lady that did her make up on the train, but I'm SOO her. I'm infamously late and it just saves so much time)

My five favorite spots in New York City are...

Being a broke assistant who works late hours and loves sleeping doesn't allow for much exploring so a lot of the places are either touristy and/or just overpriced food places. In no particular order:

1. Battery Park. Off to the side there's a smaller park and I could sit there all day people watching and staring at the water and writing and thinking and blah blah blah.

2. In K-town, there's this coffee bakery shop called Koryodang. It's hella overpriced and not like really really great but it's still one of my spots. I love their vanilla chai and green tea shaved iced. A lot good talks with a lot good peoples have gone down there.

3. This isn't in the city, but there is this lovely cemetery in Queens and some mornings I go there and just walk around. It's so so green and so so quiet, it's unlike any other place in New York for me. There's this bench and a row of trees and at the end of the trees, a statue of Jesus on the cross. That bench is like my all time favorite spot.

4. Alice's Tea Cup Chapter II. It's just so girlie and so cute. I know it's not like some small hole in the wall coffee shop and I know there are probably amazing ones, but their scones are money as is their vanilla coconut tea.

5. Sushi Samba on Park Ave South. Happy Hour 3 dollar spicy tuna. It's a good look I think.

If I wasn't working at Antenna I would be...

In Italy (I've never been to Italy Europe for that matter, I just hear I'd like it a lot) or in grad school getting some sort of degree having to do with the social psychology of clothing or trying to get a job at the Hundreds.

The best thing about Antenna Mag is...

The people. Hands down. That was like the easiest question of all time. I work with the coolest, nicest, most creative, funniest people ever. AND Dance parties with my editor in the office. It's not like we get up and go crazy, but just like fist pump to something like Beyonce Diva or Jamie Foxx ft T Pain Blame it on the Alcohol. We then get

yelled at by some gentleman in the neighboring office and then I have to apologize when all parties involved know it's happened before and know it's going to happen again.

An item that was featured in our magazine that I didn't want to send back was...

All the Moleskines we featured in Unlimited Edition in our Fall 09 issue. They were so so pretty.

My favourite book is...

The Bible, more specifically Philippians. Haha you could've guessed I'd say the bible right? Second to that would be either Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban or the Alchemist or Calvin and Hobbes.

If I had to wear one pair of shoes for the rest of my life they would be...

These vintage snake skin pumps I got from my grandma. I only say it cause they're so clean and so classy and cause I never have opportunities to wear them. I feel so ladylike in them, like I should be wearing white gloves and a nice quilted Chanel number.

Here are Sarah's picks for her Monday Morning Playlist:

1. Aaliyah - Are You That Somebody?
2. Beyonce - Dangerously in Love 2
3. Hillsong - You Deserve
4. Hillsong - Where We Belong
5. Jay Z - Thank You
6. Jay Z ft Kanye West - Hater
7. Jay Z ft Pharrell - So Ambitious
8. Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats
9. Kanye West - Good Morning
10. Lauryn Hill - Ex-Factor
11. Lupe Fiasco - Gold Watch
12. Lupe Fiasco - Real
13. MGMT - Electric Feel
14. Nas - Hip Hop is Dead
15. Nas - If I Ruled the World
16. Nas - NY State of Mind

You can download Sarah's Playlist here.

Today's Useless But Impressive Lesson | When B.E.T. Babysits

Nike | Air Yeezy Release Date November of 1989?

Is it just me or was Michael J. Fox (Marty McFly) the first to own a pair of Air Yeezy's? As we all know Back to the Future 2 came out in 1989 exactly 20 years previous to the highly anticipated (for some) Air Yeezy release.

Though the Air Yeezy fails to have a power lace option, it did come in an almost identical silhouette with the exception of the strap placement. I mean even the colorway is similar to the Nike Air 2015. I guess they were only 6 years off.

All that aside this post was initially going to be about one of my favourite Canadians, Michael J. Fox, and the work he is doing for Parkinson's Research. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research initiative that focuses on improved therapy options as well "uncovering a cure within our lifetime". The Edmonton, Alberta native was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1991 and committed himself to this campaign in 1998 after disclosing his condition publicly. To date the Michael J. Fox Foundation has funded more than $154 million in Parkinson's research. I encourage you to see how you too can get involved here.

Also if you are interested in my Yeezy theory you can check out the main scene from Back to the Future 2 here.

(via. MichaelJFoxFoundation)

Madbury Club | Welcome To The Club

A majority of the day was spent with the Madbury crew in Central Park. An inspiring group of individuals braved the frigid New York City fall weather to work on a few upcoming projects. A movement is afoot keep on the look out - Madbury Club.

Supreme | Supreme Book Vol 5.

Supreme prepares for the launch of their fifth installment of their highly popular Supreme Book. The book, graced by RZA of Wu-Tang, features articles on John Lurie, Damien Hirst, Puff Daddy and Eric Koston among others and features photos by Lower East Side resident and renowned photographer, Terry Richardson. According to Honyee the book will launch October 26th in Japan.

(via. Honyee)

Chiddy Bang | All Things Go from The Swelly Express

Check out the premiere track from'All Things Go', the upcoming Chiddy Bang mixtape 'The Swelly Express'. Though the mixtape doesn't drop until next Thursday (October 29th) you can listen to the track here.

(via. PrettyMuchAmazing)

Mansory Switzerland| Porsche Panamera Styling Package

Mansory Switzerland is the most recent to style the Porsche Panamera. The company is planning on "introducing a new aerodynamic bodykit featuring wider front and rear bumpers, fender extensions, side skirts and a reshaped hood while the exterior also get the 21-inch alloy wheels".

"The styling kit for the four door Porsche also features a suspension module that lowers the car's ride height by 35mm, a sport exhaust system and interior features like special leather, brushed aluminum pedals, a newly designed steering wheel and decorative trim finished in wood or carbon fiber". - CarScoop

(via. CarScoop)

Alife | New York Warehouse Sale

Change is good, and this is no exception. ALIFE is moving warehouses and, rather than transport previous season goods to our new facility, we have decided to take over 359 Lafayette Street for 10 days and clear the goods at deeply discounted retail prices.

A wide assortment of T-shirts, sweatshirts, headwear, footwear and accessories from the past 6 seasons will be on sale with discounts ranging from 50-80% off.

ALIFE CASH ONLY WAREHOUSE CLEARANCE SALE: 50-80% OFF

359 Lafayette Street
Between Bond Street and Bleecker Street,
New York, NY, 10012 October 23rd – November 1st.
11am – 7pm.

(via. AlifeRivingtonClub)

Kanye x Spike Jonze | We Were Once A Fairytale

My initial response to "We Were Once A Fairytale" was WTF...drunk annoying Kanye making no sense once again. But I will give Kanye credit where credit is due and for what I think he is trying to convey. Now I am not going to say this is a direct reflection of the VMA incident but an amalgamation of events that have helped to label Kanye as an arrogant, egotistical, inconsiderate and self centered individual. Let's be honest - most times he does a pretty good job of painting this picture. Whether embarrassing and degrading Taylor Swift in public, posing on the cover of Rolling Stones sporting a crown of thorns, interrupting Justice and Simian at the MTV Europe Awards, or calling out the President of the United States.

I am not sure if there is many things worse then being in public with that drunk friend. The one that we are embarrassed to be with and the one that has us asking ourselves why we hangout with that individual. The one that acts out yearning for the spotlight at any expense - not only making a fool of us but of themselves. My take on the film is that it eludes to Kanye's realization that his intent, though at times some how strangely seems right to him, is damaging, irritating, aggravating and with consequence. You can say that the film illustrates Kanye's battle of his intention and struggle with his own personality.

I will give him the benefit of the doubt that this is not just the up coming music video for 'See You In My Nightmares'.

(via. KanyeUniversity)

Ransom Holding Co. | By Adidas Originals Promo Video

The Ransom by Adidas Original collection hits shelves in a couple of weeks. The collection is not only aesthetically pleasing and reasonably priced but designed to withstand the elements.

The launch party for the collection goes October 31st at Marben Restaurant with music by DJ Neil Armstrong, Jay's tour DJ. Event goes at 10:00p.m.

The collection hits Ransom worldwide accounts on October 31.

Ransom x Adidas Release Party | Marben 488 Wellington St. West | Toronto

(via. Hypebeast/Ransom)

Supra Footwear | Vegan Pack

The team over at Supra are releasing four 'animal friendly' versions of popular silhouettes for the holidays. The "Vegan" line features the Dixon, Thunder Lo, Thunder and Diablo 1 5 done up in 100% canvas uppers featured in a variety of colorways. The Dixon and Diablo 1 5 look killer with the gum soles.

(via. SupraFootwear)

Burton | In-Store Signing and 'The B' New York Premiere

Members of the Burton team descended into New York today for a signing at the Burton Flagship on Spring to promote the New York City premiere and release of 'The B'. New York was the ninth stop on the twelve city, seventeen day North American leg of the tour. Prior stops included Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Calgary, Vancouver, and Chicago.

In attendance were Frederik Kalbermatten, Women's Olympic Gold Medalist Kelly Clark, Jussi Oksanen, Mads Jonsson and Men's Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White.

The B showcases the riding of Jeremy Jones, Jussi Oksanen, Nicolas Müller, Frederik Kalbermatten, Keegan Valaika and Shaun White, with appearances by Danny Davis, Terje Haakonsen, Mason Aguirre, Kevin Pearce, Mads Jonsson, Natasza Zurek, Mikey Rencz, Luke Mitrani, Jack Mitrani, Mark Sollars, Charles Reid, Gabi Viteri, Spencer O’Brien, Mikkel Bang, Sani Alibabic, Marko Grilc, Peetu Piiroinen, Kim Rune Hansen, Stephan Maurer, Chris Sörman, Kazu Kokubo and Kyle Mack.

The signing session ran from 4-6pm and was followed up by the 8 pm screening of 'The B' at Tribeca Theatre which was capped off with an after party at Broadway East which featured music by DJ A-Dog and Prince Paul.

Turn out at the premiere was impressive and a second screening was arranged for the abundant mass that remained in line. Hands down Shaun White and Jeremy Jones had the most impressive parts in the 35 minute video. Watching Shaun makes snowboarding look effortless but ensures that my jaw is touching my chest at all times - while Jeremy brought some innovative riding to the video. Jeremy filed the serrations off from the binding under plate which allowed the dude to whip his board around on one foot airs. Highlights come in the last 5 to 10 minutes of the film where the title of the film finally comes into fruition. Burton constructs a massive "B" shape snow sculpture featuring gaps, rails, stairs - pretty much a riders playground. Burton definetly knows how to put together a great video.

The tour hits Philadelphia tomorrow (Oct 15 @ Buckmans), Boston on Friday (Oct 16@ Jillian's of Boston) and wraps up Saturday in Toronto (Oct 17 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre). Thanks to Kelly Cummings and Caroline Andrew of MFA Ltd. for the invite.

Today's Useless But Impressive Lesson | Slim Thug on Daily Show

New Balance | 1500 Limited Edition ‘White/Fawn’

So while the white and blue version of the 1500 that surfaced last week was pretty great this second colorway of really caught our attention. New Balance went and followed it up with this fawn on white colorway. Originally this shoe was slated for the Japanese market but according to NiceKicks the shoe arrived at Hanon Shop in limited quantity. The shoe retails for £69.95 ($ 114.73 USD).

"These 1500s were produced for the Japanese market and manufactured in the far east. Leather rear quarter, collar and saddle in white are offset with a soft perf suede toebox and nose overlay in fawn. The colours of the uppers are reflected in the midsole creating a finely balanced color-up." - Hanon

(via. NiceKicks)

Tuesday's Chill Track | "The Ills" - Mayer Hawthorne

(via. UndefeatedTeamBlog)

Evil Monito | Portraits of the Process Eddie Cruz

Evil Monito editor Rickey Kim teams up with Levi Maestro to present the first installment of 'Portraits of the Process'. The tandem takes us behind the walls of Undefeated sharing a glimpse of one of the industries most respected taste makers. Eddie Cruz alongside James Bond helped lay the foundation for sneaker culture and this collective vision has solidified Undefeated as the premiere footwear boutique in the United States.

Stay inspired. Maintain Curiosity.

(via. EvilMonito)

Monday Morning Playlist: Michael Leon

I have looked up to this weeks feature for quite a few years now, so when he graciously agreed to do a Monday Morning Playlist feature and short interview you can imagine my excitement.

Skateboarding and design have always been in Michael Leon's blood. Michael designed his first pro model deck for New Deal while in high school. The CalArts graduate continued to pursue his love for skate and design contributing graphics and art direction to some of the industry prominent players including Fourstar Clothing, Element Skateboards, Girl Skateboards, Stussy, DC, Arkitip and Nike SB. Michael is also responsible for co-founding Commonwealth Stacks and Rasa Libre Skateboards. If you think that is an impressive resume he also founded Michael Leon Studio as an outlet for personal works which he balances when he not handling his full time gig as the Design Director of Nike SB in Portland, Oregon.

Michael has been with Nike for four years - initially helping develop Nike's Tech Pack which eventually morphed into Nike Sportswear (NSW). While NSW was evolving Michael took a change of scenery working on packaging and titles for 'Nothing But The Truth'. As a result he made the transition from NSW and joined the Nike Skateboarding Division which continues to evolve, solidifying Nike as one of the key players in the skateboarding industry.

5 things I don’t leave home without are…

Phone
Keys
Cigarettes
Money
Passport

The best kept secret of Portland is...

If there is one, let me know

When I am away from the office you can usually find me…

On a motorcycle

If I wasn't designing or skating I would be…

Surfing

My favorite book is...

The Brand Gap (Marty Neumeier)

My favorite spot to hang out on the Nike Campus is…

The smoking area

An artist that inspires me is...

Gabriel Orozco

My favorite pro skater is...

Julien Stranger

The most underrated skater in my opinion is...

Matt Beach

What best thing about working at Nike is...

Air miles

The first thought that came to my head when Eric Koston joined Nike SB was ...

Can’t wait to work on something together

My favorite skateboard graphic is...

Girl Rick Howard ‘Graphic Loading...’

The best words of advice I ever received were...

Do one thing and be the best at it.

While those words of advice sink in and resonate check out Michael's Monday Morning Playlist.

1. Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself - Morrissey
2. Coming In From The Cold – The Delgados
3. Inside Looking Out – The Animals
4. The Four Horsemen – Aphrodite’s Child
5. Traveling Tragition – Tyrannosaurus Rex
6. California Saga (The Beaks of Eagles) - Beach Boys
7. I Hope I Know You – The Clientele
8. Accidents Will Happen – Elvis Costello
9. That’s Entertainment - The Jam
10. RU Lonely – Graham Coxon
11. Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
12. Zombies – Care of Cell 44
13. Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen

14. The End Of The World - Skeeter Davis

You can download the playlist here.

(photo via Michael Leon)