HYPEBEAST Weekly Staff Picks - July 27th

With our new Fit Fridays mini-feature taking place, we’ve bumped our weekly staff picks to Sunday which probably makes a bit more sense. Highlight of the week was the opening of living legend Eric Haze’s Full Circle exhibition in a party which for once wasn’t rammed full of un-fun snobby foreign models and dudes wearing some questionable painted on jeans steez. Actually a lot of it had to do with a dope set by Ghost Styles of 24Herbs on the ones and twos. This week’s Staff Picks include Colt 45’s latest artist campaign, the footwear of CLAE and Jahan x Vans as well as surprise surprise, a Bearbrick pick from Season.

Kevin – Leftfoot Taiwan x Vans by Jahan Loh SK8-HI

Coming on the heels of an art show last year with Vans, it seemed natural the two would team up on a pair of sneakers. The SK8-HI as a result took a nice simple approach and despite some disdain towards the purple I feel works together quite nicely. The addition of the insole artwork and patent leather all create an overall strong unifying design.

Jason – CLAE 2008 Fall/Winter Collection

We’ve seen a great deal of different sneaker brands out there whether it be big corporation players to smaller indy brands looking to make the next big move. But for me CLAE has been among the leaders in consistently and leaders in pushing the creative enveloppe. Their 2008 fall/winter collection offers a ton of detail, quality and diverse colorways and based on seeing them in person make an obvious choice of footwear upcoming here.

Season – Medicom Toy Bearbrick 2008 July Release

I think I’ve mentioned it before, it’s been awhile since I’ve picked up any Bearbricks but this July drop is sick. Although the wooden one is definitely unattainable due to the price-tag (> $600 USD?), I’ll definitely try to grab the Joker one. Regardless of the Dark Knight’s release, the design itself with the catchphrase is solid.

Eugene – Food One x Colt 45 Artist Series

While a can of bottom of the barrel, sick ass tasting malt liquor is not the absolute last spot I’d expect to see artwork, Colt 45’s latest campaign is definitely something to raise an eyebrow to. Not sure when exactly it began (or if it’s always been around, just not all that visible), but the push towards more easily consumable art seems to be on the rise. No longer are we restricted to seeing art on the streets and in galleries but also making their way onto our everyday products, for better or for worse. Without painting all Colt 45 drinkers with the same brush, I don’t necessarily think that the majority of malt liquor drinkers are huge avid art fans yet this project enables them to become connected through a familiar product which may drive interest into the art realm. Aside from that, designs are kept fresh with a revolving door of artists and concepts.