Close
Blog / Michael Akira West View all blogs

FREE 4 ALL FRIDAYS…WTF?!

FREE4ALL

I must apologize before this post as it really has this has nothing to do with anything I’m into. It’s just randomness that makes you go WTF?

WTF1313

WTF1010

WTF99

WTF77

WTF55

WTF33

WTF1615

The #

I can’t think of a day when I haven’t been asked what the hell does “686” mean?! Not until recently did I give some sort of an explanation to the REAL meaning of the #’s. Per the history on our site, it has something to do with mathematics and the date, June1986. Well, that’s not exactly the full story and I’m gonna have to tell you the rest another time. But for now, I want to show you some creative heads (of all places, from Russia!) that showed their own interpretation of what 686 means to them. Big ups to our Russian 686 family as they took some time to come up with some interesting ideas. If you have a crazy idea, email me at info@686.com

Grass is always greener, where?

x_3a17c87f

Hot damn!

x_7bd8abb9

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

x_9a1569cc

I wonder how many cars got dinged for this.

x_980c6c4c

People do the most interesting things.

x_ebde41c1

Lights, Slow shutter, action!

x_fc4e2363

If you do something like this in LA, you might get shot.

x_f6cdf67a

And one of my favorites…printed media 4 ever.

x_07e289be

Made in the USA…damnit!

The next morning I had to cram a bunch of things into the schedule. First stop was the premiere street/sneaker website, KARMALOOP, which is located in the heart of Beantown across from a very famous park.

215

We’ve been working with the Loop for a few seasons, however this is the first time they have asked me to come in and do this. They run a very successful web show called Karmaloop TV- Catch them at all the best gigs around the world - from Slate @ Magic to interviewing all the founders and artists of your favorite brands. If you know me, I’m typically lowkey and prefer being behind the lens versus in front of it. This time, I have no choice. (except blacking out my face here). If you want to see the real thing, click here.

218 copy

Thanks to the Karmaloop production crew.

221

Jason (686 New England rep) lives in Maine. But like any good rep, he drives way too much. This is what it looks like when he sleeps only a few hours.

226

This is what his car looks like when he doesn’t clean the hair from his dogs.

228

For the last part of the day, I was excited to head to New Balance’s Lawrence factory. Check out Lawrence’s industrial powerhouse.

IMG_6763

In today’s world, making anything in the States is a rare thing. Making footwear in the USA is non-existent. The exception is New Balance, where they take deep pride in US hand-crafted manufacturing. For over 30 years, Jim Davis (owner of NB) has firmly believed that the best quality workmanship, fit and function all originates in the states. I think it clearly tells it here.

IMG_6880

And here

IMG_6879

We had our own private tour of the manufacturing area. This nice lady is one of the supervisors of the plant (here for 20+ yrs) who gave us a full-fledged tour.

IMG_6877

I’ve been to a lot of factories overseas in the 20 years of doing what I do. What I saw was something I’ve never, and I mean NEVER seen before. What it all came down to is the PROCESS of how they do things. It’s all about Efficiency and Safety with a CAPITAL “E” and “S.” I’m actually sworn to secrecy as they had me sign my life away. All I can give you is one shot of the general area (and unfortunately none of the rad things I witnessed)

IMG_6871

Well, maybe just one more little thing. NB is into IDEAS.

IMG_6774

They are into it so much that they award employees for coming up with better alternatives of doing things. The more stars the better.

IMG_6769

One cool thing working with a company that firmly believes in function, fit and performance is that we have full access to their Testing and Research Labs for the NB686 boots. Again, sorry no pictures in here. You’re gonna have to believe me when I tell you that the snow industry has never been able to do some of things we did.

IMG_6883

Boston Bound…Again

After a good ole time in Denver, I jetted to Boston for a few things. We had our East Coast launch of the NB686 Collection at Concepts. Concepts is run by a dude named Tarek (with Frank the Butcher). He also owns The Tannery and a few other key places in the city. If you’ve never been to Concepts, it is a must see for the select sneaker connoisseur.

Just before the show starts-check it from the outside

To the inside

To the jacket side

176

To the DJ side

175

To the NB686 sneaker side

209

To my new 996 side

181

To the basement side

<186

To hanging with our New England rep, Jason and Concepts very own, Sponji. What the hell is that black box side.

184 copy

Lauren, Taylor, Jennifer, Kristin and the entire NB and 686 posse put things together pretty well. Big ups!

D is for DENVER

The past week, I took a short trip to Denver and Boston for some meetings. The good thing is that Denver is only a two hour flight from LA, then I can take a red eye to the East and in a blink of an eye (or two), I’m there and back for dinner (well kinda). I’m on the board of directors for SIA (Snow Sports Industries America) and we have one last meeting before our big tradeshow in January. This trip to Denver was to finalize a few things as well as meet the people running the city (Pictures of me rubbing elbows with the Mayor or Governor somehow got lost…) For all the snow heads, SIA in Denver is set to go off (I think this is what the blurry picture says)

143

Downtown Denver has come a long way from back in the day. Next time you’re in town, walk around the city and you’ll see.

138

141

Leaves are a-turning

142

I had breakfast with Steve from Pabst. I’ve known Steve for a minute way back when he was at Airwalk (yeah that shoe company that started it all). From there he had a long run with Red Bull handling Marketing in the West. Today he’s in charge of anything marketing related for the Pabst umbrella company (PBR, Schiltz, Primo, Lone star, Colt 45 and the list goes on…) Besides talking about what’s happening in the beverage world, we rapped about the simple things in life like shredding with the boys to spending time with the fam. Good to hear that working in the liquid nation can keep you still in gear.

136

BTW, thanks for sponsoring all our gigs

203

Later in the day, I met up with our 686 extended family member, Dave. Senor Dave has been our rep for Utah and the Rockies for a long time. He’s also one of the best all around guys I’m proud to know. He’s about to open his showroom for the year and he invited me to check out what it will eventually look like. Hi Dave.

149

With a little imagination, I can picture how things will turn out. Although Dave insists that this entire area will look like nothing I’ve seen. Ok, let’s do it.

145

Speaking about doing it - I had one last establishment to check out in Denver. I think it’s “my duty” to make sure the visitors of the show will enjoy the types of entertainment the city has to offer. I wonder where I am.

159

Hey Jared (Vans), aren’t you supposed to be cutting down?

160

Don’t you love it when it’s mandatory that certain “employees” must make sure their hands are clean?

161