As Nike vamps up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we saw an increased attention to sports specific offerings. For the BMX events, a special Dunk Gyrizo was created. With that in mind, the recent Nike Sportswear re-launch in Beijing presented another opportunity for Nike to push its association with the extreme sport. The Lightning Bolts exhibition featured not only a live demo by Nike 6.0 riders, Mike Spinner, Maxime Charveron and Nigel Sylvester but also various other exhibitions. A series of artist customized name plates were on hand as well as a display of Michael Lau’s special Nike Blazer for the China BMX Federation.
As Nike vamps up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, we saw an increased attention to sports specific offerings. For the BMX events, a special Dunk Gyrizo was created. With that in mind, the recent Nike Sportswear re-launch in Beijing presented another opportunity for Nike to push its association with the extreme sport. The Lightning Bolts exhibition featured not only a live demo by Nike 6.0 riders, Mike Spinner, Maxime Charveron and Nigel Sylvester but also various other exhibitions. A series of artist customized name plates were on hand as well as a display of Michael Lau’s special Nike Blazer for the China BMX Federation.
Just recently we have seen skater artist Ed Templeton’s collabo project with Toy Machine, on the Emerica signature Transist Mids. Hong Kong streetwear giant fingercroxx has brought them together once again to create a two pairs of Transist Lows (shown), a t-shirt, and a trucker hat, as a part of the fingercroxx artist series.
Ed Templeton specially designed a graphic for this project; the tribal looking design incorporates elements from his signature Transistor character, the fingercroxx croxx, and the Emerica logo all together. All 3 items will be released in 2 colorways; either red or fingercroxx’s signature green. Available at select Double Park locations in Hong Kong.
Taiwan based Singaporean artist Jahan Loh has built up a strong resume with his full out imagery and work. His often sexually charged work takes to the stage for his upcoming debut solo show Cherry Pop kicking off this weekend. The exhibit is a mixture of sculptures and acrylic paintings with the theme of cherry pop. The show debuts on May 17th and runs until June 15th.
Ming Art Gallery
No. 16, Alley 15, Lane 147, Sec. 3
Sinyi Rd., Taipei Taiwan
p: +886.2.27058758
Time: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Images after the jump are NOT SAFE FOR WORK
Last month, a collection of Vans’ upcoming Syndicate collaboration (post was subsequently removed) with WTAPS was revealed. Seen here is the third installment within this ongoing collection, the Rudeez was definitely worth the wait. The encapsulated rubber toecap features a wing-tip pattern with brogue details throughout. Although not the first instance of wing-tip meets sneaker, the extended rubber toecap in this form seems to be a first. Look for a 2008 fall release.
Source: Streething
The Spiz’ike has been one of Jordan Brand’s more successful mash-ups as predecessors such as the Dub-Zero slowly fade away into obscurity. The original release of the Spiz’ike campaign saw somewhat comical colorways. However, the Spiz’ike has matured nicely allowing for solid colorways to come through. Black and gold together can often do no wrong as the sneaker is relatively minimalistic with hints of gold. No word yet on availability.
Source: Kix and the City, marqueesole
XLarge Japan has fashioned an extensive photo shoot featuring their 2008 summer collection. With their primate theme inspired largely in part by workwear label Ben Davis, this concept has reached new heights in their 2008 summer collection as a primate stars at the center of this lookbook.
Japanese footwear brand Cause are at it again with another banger of a shoe with their Mocassin Boot-01. Although Cause rarely brings new silhouettes to the table, their re-interpreted styles do offer updated designs on styles which have stood the test of time. These Moc Boots feature full leather uppers and white soles. With what looks like a spacious toebox, these are perfect for those with wide (aka Fred Flinstone) feet. Available now at Flauge.
Deluxe’s semi-frequent collection updates more often then not yield a solid range of fashion offerings. Their clean aesthetics go hand in hand with Japanese quality and create great fitting garments. Deep into May, the spring/summer releases for this month include many short-sleeve t-shirts, button-ups and shorts. Other items include accessories such as watches and hats.
Stussy’s North American presence has grown immensely within the last year adding no less then four new outlets including Honolulu, Toronto, Washington DC and Las Vegas. Unique to each chapter are their own series of t-shirts indicative of the themes and motifs surrounding each location. Although some have already been seen, new releases include the Honolulu Pocket tee, SK8THING Hawaii tee and the Philadelphia Love tee.
On Wednesday, New York was the setting for the American celebrations of Casio G-Shock’s 25th anniversary. Among the headliners were the likes of Spike Lee and Kanye West as he ripped the roof off the place with a crazy performance complete with topless astronauts. As part of the celebration, legendary artist Eric Haze put his creativity to work creating a special box set including watch and t-shirt.
Images after the jump are NOT SAFE FOR WORK
Source: brooklynvegan, Chino
Guns n’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy”, The Fugees’ reunion album, Dr. Dre’s “Detox” and Raekwon’s “Only Built for Cuban Linx 2” all have something in common. These are all highly anticipated albums by celebrated artists that have supposedly been in the works for years but for whatever reason have never seen the light of day. The anticipation for the unheard albums both work for and against the artists. After a few years pass the albums begin to live in myth as fans fantasize what the album could sound like setting the hype bar extremely high if the album is actually released. The sequel to Raekwon’s classic and influential mid 90’s Mafioso masterpiece “Only built for Cuban Links” has been in the works, as Rae has gone through label switches and album false starts. Wu Tang loyalists have been salivating at the mouth at every tidbit of information or leaked track since the announcement of the album, only to be disappointed as album release dates continuously seem to move backwards.
Just as fans seem to lose all hope a new track from Raekwon pops up on the internet like a lost gem, again peeking the listener’s interests. The track “Necro” featuring his partner in rhyme Ghostface Killah could have easily found its home on the original Cuban Links album. The ominous looped chanting layered by classic hip hop snares and kicks lays the foundation for a train of thought narrative that will no doubt take a couple of listens to catch. Raekwon’s delivery is still the laid back half mumble that it always has been, seemingly rhyming out of one side of his mouth through an intense marijuana haze. Ghost balances Rae’s calmness with his trademark panic flow and characteristically humorous explicit subject matter. The track gives hope to all of those anticipating the lost “Only Built for Cuban Links 2”, at least until the next leaked track.
Italian label VNGRD is now presenting their 2008 spring/summer t-shirt delivery. Titled, Time is Over the latest range features an assortment of custom cut and sewn, graphic heavy pieces such as Ancient, Bomba Checkers, and Check This Out, along with collabos from photographer Lele Saveri and vinyl collective Dig Deep. All VNGRD pieces are made in Italy. Available now at VNGRD retailers and online at store.vngrd.org. Also, new for this season is a US and Canada only store at store-us.vngrd.org.
Hip Hop artist Kanye West recently performed at the G-Shock 25th Anniversary Party in New York. During his performance, there was a freestyle segment in which he spit “DRESSED LIKE I’M HYPEBEAST”. It’s undeniable the effect and influence Kanye has had bringing many new products into the limelight and instantly making them popular with the most popular example the Ato Matsumoto sneakers. The line comes up around 2:49 so check it out.
Thanks to The Hundreds for uploading this.
