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Blog / Michael Akira West View all blogs

Free 4 All Fridays - Who’s The Boss?

free4all

I’m no boss!

Me 2

There’s only a few great bands in my mind that can cross the cultural-political-sexual borders in the world we live in. Although very mainstream, U2 is that band that’s just about done it all, and definitely won’t quit until they do it all. They played one night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and I must say, I’ve never seen crowds like this before. I guess this is how you do it in LA - parking on the golf course always works (especially when you have 100k people coming into one area)

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So does homemade Sangria

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The world famous Rose Bowl

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I heard it took about an hour to actually get into the stadium from the entrance. I guess I was one of the lucky ones looking inside out.

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Have you seen those Blackberry commercials? I suppose Blackberry does love U2

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Besides my iphone, I love the Tour.

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The 360 stage looking forward

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The crowds looking back

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What did you say Bono? Oh, ok - thanks for the good times. See you in Africa next week.

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Hello Mr. Frank

I cruised down the way to have lunch with John and Ann (Paul Frank). If you don’t know, they changed their biz model to a licensing structure (from 100 employees to about a dozen), which had some people talking for a while. In the long run, it’s probably best for them. Nonetheless, I haven’t been to their new offices until now.

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Open format with lots of playful things.

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I have that issue!

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Sorry to barge in on your design board meetings-as you were, peace.

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Nirve was one of their first collabs. To this day, it’s still one of the top producing products.

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PF’s a little different from my style, but its safe to say they got the toddlers and youth market locked down.

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Speaking of locking things down. I think these two have an issue with Julius

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Julius lost

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A fight, A fight, with a…

I’m pretty particular with what I like in product design (simple and clean) However, when it comes to being entertained, I’m all over the place. If it involves a friend of mine, it really doesn’t matter what or where, as long as I’m there to show support. Case in point this past weekend, my buddy, Andy (MTV Nitro Circus, Ogio ) was doing this charity fight with Jason Ellis (ex-pro skater, radio host, all-around talker and MMA fighter) at the Hard Rock in Vegas. I did one of those 12 hours gigs from LA and said what up. Check Andy before the fight.

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The place was kind of like a circus of people, literally. I’m not one to judge, but you could pretty much define the heads up in there. I’ll give you a hint, on one side of the room (flat brim black hats, big black skate shoes, tube socks, tats, etc). The others, just a bunch of crazy fans there to have a good ole time.

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How are things masked man? I mean Renee Renee

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More craziness - Shubin and Cody doing things I have no idea on.

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Malcom (Ethika /FMF ) and his lady were also there to give support

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After seven other fights that involved some weird things such as blind boxing, girl-on-girl, girl-on-boy action, the main event is about to start. In this corner, the one and only Mr. Bell!

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Ding, ding - let’s do this.

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As my man Ice Cube would say - Right, left, right, left, you’re toothless! Now they say goddamn they ruthless.

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Three rounds later and two hella tired fighters, the judges give it to Ellis (hmm, I guess it helps when Ellis actually puts on the event himself) Damn, you look tired, what a workout son.

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Either way, we’re proud of Bell to take one for the team. (Note, Andy has a broken hand, torn PCL before the fight and still made shit happen) Congrats man.

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Winter 09/10 Collection - Men’s ACC Line

The 686 Men’s ACC (Artist Collaboration Conspiracy) line is dropping at a stockist near you. Technical specs include our trademarked INFIDRY™ 10,000mm/8,000gm2 waterproof and breathable ratings with taped seams and all the other bells and whistles you’ve come to expect from 686. The line’s a little more geared to the colorful park heads vs. Plexus (lightweight-minimalistic-premium shell tech) and Smarty (high end-convertible liners).

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The ACC Granite Jacket in colorblock Green

Granite

For the past 9 years, we’ve collaborated with world reknowned artists such as James Dalek Marshall, Shepard Fairey, Jim Houser, KozynDan, Wes Humpston, and Andy Jenkins in our ACC collection. This season I brought it back one last time and invited two design firms - Graphite and the Machine Here’s Graphite’s “Endangered Species” theme in the interior lining of the Granite Jacket.

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My personal favorite-The Syndicate Jacket in a grey tweed herringbone

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Rapture Jacket in Black

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Pixel Jacket in Cyan

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The Machine’s “Kiltron” story inside the Pixel Jacket.

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Spiro Jacket in Storm

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How about some bottoms to get your kit on? The Syndicate Pant in Black

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