In early 2006, Generic Costume designer, Kevin Carney (who has also worked as a design consultant to such companies as Stussy, Freshjive, Burton, Jeremy Scott and Incase) and his long time friend and business man Brandon Day started working together on The Generic Man. Noting a hole in the mens footwear market, they decided to focus on creating finely crafted mens shoes. The two traveled around Europe for 6 months searching for unique materials of the highest quality and finding factories who understood their vision.
For Fall/Winter 2007, six styles are available in an assortment of colored suedes and solid, metallic, or perforated leathers. The footwear is made of the highest quality Italian leathers, suedes, canvas and soles and is manufactured in Portugal. A perfect example of understated sophistication. Available now at exclusive retailers. Thanks to Worship Worthy for the info.
In early 2006, Generic Costume designer, Kevin Carney (who has also worked as a design consultant to such companies as Stussy, Freshjive, Burton, Jeremy Scott and Incase) and his long time friend and business man Brandon Day started working together on The Generic Man. Noting a hole in the mens footwear market, they decided to focus on creating finely crafted mens shoes. The two traveled around Europe for 6 months searching for unique materials of the highest quality and finding factories who understood their vision.
For Fall/Winter 2007, six styles are available in an assortment of colored suedes and solid, metallic, or perforated leathers. The footwear is made of the highest quality Italian leathers, suedes, canvas and soles and is manufactured in Portugal. A perfect example of understated sophistication. Available now at exclusive retailers. Thanks to Worship Worthy for the info.
Japanese label Uniqlo has just released Volume 3 of their Uniqlo Paper. Some cool articles in this issue include an editorial regarding trends and how people decipher and treat them as well as a piece on the innovation of fabric in present day textiles. If you possible, Vol. 3 can be acquired from select Uniqlo dealers however Vol. 3 is available online as well.
Jahmal Williams grew up skating all his life on the east coast and has been a professional skateboarder since the “The Golden Years” of the early 90’s. Currently residing in New York City, Jahmal started HOPPS Skateboards in April of 2007. Skating by himself in South Beach on a typical blazing hot Miami day, Jahmal reminisces about the time he got his first complete:
"The year was 1988. My big sister and I were on the way to Beacon Hill Skate Shop. We were a few blocks away from the shop, walking through the Boston Common, when I began to hear the roaring sounds of skateboard wheels and the occasional clicks and clacks of the decks smacking the ground. We walked along the path, and suddenly the kids came into view. Some of the kids were hopping up and down in one place on their boards, while others rolled toward the benches and then hopped onto edge of the bench and then hopped off while trying to keep the boards under their feet. I was in complete awe! They seemed to be in another world, separate from everyone else. And I wanted in that world. … So many years later, I found myself still in that world and still just as much in love with skateboarding as when I was fourteen years old. Naming the brand HOPPS seemed appropriate, and it reminded me of the innocence of what I experienced and felt on that day in Boston."
Inspired by his peers who represent a D.I.Y. mentality (including Alyasha Owerka-Moore, Rodney Smith, Andy Howell, Mike Vallely, Ed Templeton, Natas and Mark Gonzales) and a desire to create a quality skate brand that is a true voice of the streets, Jahmal runs HOPPS all by himself, from graphic design to pro-rider. The current collection consists of t-shirts, 5-panel caps, skate decks and wheels. Available now at select shops including Supreme (NY), DQM (NY), and Concepts (Boston).
In a double celebration, Factory Records & The Haçienda nightclub in Manchester has teamed up with the upcoming arrival of the UK’s first Y-3 flagship store. Originally incepted in 1972 and celebrating its 25th anniversary, The Haçienda was the brainchild of Factory Records. Each of Factory Records were given a special code name, with the FAC51 being the name bestowed upon The Haçienda. As a tribute to both the anniversary of The Haçienda and the grand opening of UK’s first Y-3 exclusive store, a special FAC51-Y3 model was created.
The creators behind the FAC51-Y3 each have strong ties with both Factory Records and Y-3. The original graphic designer of Factory Records, Peter Saville was also involved with Yohji Yamamoto’s advertisement campaign from 1986-1992. Ben Kelly was responsible for the decor and architecture of the now famous Manchester hotspot, while bassist Peter Hook is a member within Factory Records’ bands Joy Division / New Order.
The FAC51-Y3 model is based on the classic Y-3 Sprint. To commemorate this monumental event, extra measures were taken. An exclusive shoe box was created in the shape of The Haçienda’s dance floor. The tissue paper recreates events of the past with the use of Kevin Cummins photography chosen from The Haçienda’s biggest moments in the late 1980’s. Rounding out the goodies is inclusion of a DVD featuring original footage of the club.
250 pairs of the FAC51-Y3 were made available with a price tag of €500/£345/$680/JPY81000. Available now at select Y-3 flagship stores and dealers such as Hong Kong’s D-mop. D-mop has also set-up an exhibition which goes into detail regarding the inspirations that went into this product.
Watchmakers Nixon started off in 1997 as a small label which catered predominately to the skate and surf market. Slowly their influence has expanded and now encompasses a much broader demographic. A foray into the fashion market has yielded some interesting contemporary designs as seen here in their 2008 Spring Collection. Here’s a look at The Player, The Rotolog, The Spree and The Tribella. An interesting approach to many of the women designs, incorporating the watch face into a bracelet style band. Available starting February at Zozotown.
JB Classics has teamed up with lifestyle organization Da Movement to create a special DaZebras model for Da Movement’s upcoming event this Friday. The event will feature music, wine and art as well as the exhibition of some of Shepard Fairey’s (Obey) works. Also on tap are some special exclusive items in the form of toys and t-shirts alongside the DaZebras. The DaZebras includes a shiny patent toebox alongside a quilted leather side panel and zebra hair heel. The tongue tag includes a “Love is a Battlefield” patch alongside a clear sole. Only 25 pairs will be created and will go on pre-order during the Friday night Jump Off with a price set at $500 USD.
Info
Friday Night Jump Off
43 Clinton St. (between Stanton & Rivington)
Friday, September 28th
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Rick Klotz’s Freshjive collection for the 2008 Spring Collection has recently been previewed via Japanese online retailer Zozotown. The teaser reveals just a few pieces which include the Santa Ana jacket, LHDT raglan, 1989 zip hood and the Sponsor t-shirt. These items aren’t slated for release until sometime in February of next year.
In conjunction with the release of honyee.mag vol.2 (a Japanese magazine curated by Hiroshi Fujiwara), several special items will be released. These limited items include two t-shirts by NEIGHBORHOOD, a wool V neck knit and a lamb wool knit cap by SOPHNET. In addition, fragment design will make a strap and HEAD PORTER will create stylist bags for honeyee.com. The items will be exclusively sold at the hnyee.Store starting October 9th, 2007 for the NEIGHBORHOOD tees. The SOPHNET. items will be available on October 16th while the fragment and HEAD PORTER items will be on sale on October 23rd.
One doesn’t have to look far to find the integration of technology and style. Penfield has utilized Schoeller 3X Dry technology and created a set of hoodies and crewnecks which feature similar feel and wear as conventional materials with the added benefit of water resistant and moisture wicking properties. The designs seen here is a re-inspiration of Penfields’ “Downstroke Camo” by Hardy Blechman of Maharishi. These should be available in stores soon..
Image: Canoeblog
