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March 31st, 2006 / 17:42:00

HOST WITH THE MOST.

espn_take2

Today we wrapped up the shoot for ESPN’s, “It’s The Shoes”. I mentioned last week when we shot the first half. This time around, the show’s host, Bobbito Garcia came to Reed Space and did some introductions. Perfect timing too, since we literally just reopened with the new look yesterday! It’s crazy to see behind the scenes of how TV is made. The key is to basically create this little world of perfection within the lens of the camera. Everything outside of it can be whatevs. People pickin their nose, yawning, cables and poles everywhere, it don’t matter. I guess if you do a good job, the viewer sits at home watching the show thinking everything in your universe is picture perfect. Props to Bobbito, whom I’ve looked up to for well over a decade now. Still doing his thing like always. We were reminiscing about when I first started Staple, and I went to his store, Bobbito’s Footwork, to show him my first line. It was basically a folded up Kinko’s xerox piece of paper with like 6 designs on it. He flat out rejected every single one. But it was that dejection that made me push harder and better…and for that, I thanked him.
I believe this episode airs April 11th. Tivo that shit!

 
March 30th, 2006 / 22:48:00

RE-REED.

I know…been out of touch recently. Mainly been busy working the renovations of Reed Space (along with 83.602 other things that need to get done). But the wait is over. Reed Space is open for business. C’mon down.

Reed Space
151 Orchard Street (b/w Rivington and Stanton) or
156 Allen Street (b/w Rivington and Stanton).
We go straight thru the whole block!
http://www.thereedspace.com/
Live Webcam
Open Everyday 1-7pm.
Smell the fresh paint.

 
March 28th, 2006 / 06:41:00

FAVORITE T.



So Paul recently asked me (and I gather a bunch of other people) what my favorite t-shirt of all time is. And to send a photo. He’s being mysterious about what he’s going to do with them all. But I thought I’d share with everyone what my favorite tee of all time is. It’s by a company I used to work and intern for called PNB Nation. This brand goes way back and most of you probably never even heard of it. But it was one of the original brands that really had a family-like fanatical following. For example, if you were walking down the street and saw another dude wearing PNB, you could almost stop and give the man a pound. Anyway, for reasons that go beyond bottom line sales figures; PNB, to me, is probably one of the Top 5 most influential brands in all of streetwear culture. It’s hard to articulate why, but those who know..just know. So anyway, this tee they did was the perfect culmination of what a t-shirt should be.

1. FIT: Not too slim. Not too baggy. Definitely riding on the hip-hop side of the fence, but you don’t feel like an 11 year in this either.
2. CONCEPT: The shirt’s theme runs deep. Minority athletics, the Olympics, Berlin, The Black Panthers, Rebellion, Pride etc… Definitely not for the light hearted.
3. EXECUTION: Smart, subtle and just THERE. Not beating you over the head. Not too subtle. Small text under the graphic reads “Intention. Deed.” The title of the shirt is “Indeed”. Fucking poetic.
4. BRANDING: Hits on the back and sleeve remind you who you repping. The Nation.
5. LABELING: Concepts even ran deep in their label! It reads “FREE THE LAND” with different quotes hidden under it.
6. LONGEVITY: This shirt is over 12 years old. The durability is there since I have worn and washed this hundreds of times and the print still looks great. (Stash, did you print this?) The concept also stood the test of time as I feel relevant wearing this as I did 12 years ago.
Anyway, this represents what every t-shirt should strive to be. Recognize.

 
March 28th, 2006 / 06:16:00

RAINBOW.

Thanks to Chris at Nort Berlin for facilitating these kicks for me. It was tough to narrow this pack down to my top 3, but these are the ones I went with. Chris threw in a Nort 5950 for good measure. What really intrigues me is the one box that the Grayscales came in. It’s like the old school Red/Blk/Kraft Nike box but with some weird ass label on the side. Very peculiar. Can anyone shed light?

 
March 26th, 2006 / 22:14:00

NIKE CORTEZ.


COMPANY: Nike
STYLE NAME: Leather Cortez
ALIAS: None
COLOR: Met Gold/Red, Midnight Navy
STYLE #: 102011 761
SIZE: US 10
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE: Taiwan
DATE MANUFACTURED: 06/08/97
CONDITION: B
ACQUIRED: Kichijoji, Japan.
OTHER COMMENTS: The amazing thing about these kicks are their birth date. These blingin’ joints date back to 1997…way before any notion of Bapesta’s, patent leather and bling culture. These were done for the Summer Olympics. Nike usually does a gold medal themed shoe with red, white and blue trim. Love that they took an old school joint like the Cortez and showed it love. I dug these from their grave at a small shop in Japan, about an hour outside of Tokyo. This small city is known for having some ill deadstock spots for sneakers. Don’t even bother asking me where it is, cuz I will not give up the info. I usually keep these on ice but occasionally do break them out for special occasions. I think the last time I wore them was in 2002 for the opening night of Reed Space.

 
March 26th, 2006 / 22:08:00

MODEL BUILDING.

Much of this weekend was spent renovating Reed Space. Tough work for sure, but it helps when beautiful super models drop by to help put together some furniture. Jessica White came thru and put some elbow grease into furniture making. She was suprisingly damn good at it too! Very meticulous and fast. It’s nice to know she has a bright future in carpentry if all else fails. After work, I rewarded her hard work with dinner at Noho Star. (FYI: She ordered a hot fudge sundae as her appetizer! WTF?!)

 
March 26th, 2006 / 19:20:00

WEEK OF THE 22nd.


Apologies for the lack of updates. It’s been a hectic week. Mainly due to the massive renovations going on at Reed Space. For everyone that’s been asking, we should be open towards the end of this week. Hope y’all come thru. I think you’ll notice some significant improvements…


A lot of people have been making mucho noise about the Shuttlemax vinyl toy by Bill McMullen. It’s well deserved…I’ve known Bill for many eons now (one of the most talented designers of our generation) and he was nice enough to save one for me and personally drop it off. Thanks Bill! Everyone should head over to Kid Robot the 30th for a signing and release party.


In other toy news, I got a shipment from Burton Japan/Atsuyo who blessed me with this Evil Mickey in a dope clear sparkly resin. Thanks AK!


I think that same day, Kimou from Zoo York came as well. He dropped off some more Zoo York x Staple decks and picked up a Uniqlo design he did. Me and Kimou go way WAY back. We met when Mass Appeal did an article on me and he was hired to do the illustration. From there, I started giving him freelance work in magazines and since then, he’s blown the fuck up. He’s also guest lectured at my Parsons classes. He’s one of the few cats in this game that is a classically trained graphic designer first, “street” artist second.

Also this week, ESPN’s & Bobbito’s, “It’s The Shoes” show came and did an interview on my story and sneaker collection. Kevin, the producer, did the interview and we were just gettin’ stupid. It was a lot of fun. Can’t guarantee it’ll make the cut on the air, cuz I can be pretty boring in front of the camera. We’ll see. Be nice in the editing room Kevin!


Finally, David Gensler from The KDU / The Royal Magazine dropped by to give us the new issue and chat for a bit. Peep his interview on Weekly Drop which came right before mine. Alright, Dave, now get the fuck outta my chair and stop actin’ like you own the place…haha.

 
March 22nd, 2006 / 22:27:00

GOODIES DU JOUR.

Finally getting sorted thru the mountain of mail I got while I was away. Here are some highlights:


Puma just sent me their newest edition of 5×12. In case you don’t know about this, it’s a 5-piece vinyl set that they have been doing for the past 3 years and giving away a 1000 or so pieces for free at Winter Music Conf in Miami. Staple Design has designed the last 2. I’m pretty proud of this one. We went hardcore industrial steez. A little secret about the 5 piece set: If you lay them all out in a certain order, it forms a puzzle on the front and another one on the backs. Just a little sumthin’ sumthin’ for those that like to display their wax. Not sure how you can get your hands on these unless you are a DJ or something…more shots on Freshness.


Talk about a long distance collaboration. Subzero Canadiennes, Goodfoot teams with 89° and sunny, Kicks/Hawaii for a dope t-shirt. Very clever front: Aloha Eh! Good lookin, Matt.


The fellas at SB continue to do some ill shit. Peep this sock. It’s got the Eire Dunk sublimated onto the sock and the dopest part is that it comes in this mini SB box. (Keys are in the photo for scale. I care.)


Finally set your Tivo and DVRs for Spike TVs world television premier of JUST FOR KICKS. I’m going to be featured in the DVD release version…but not sure which one Spike is showing. A great documentary though.

 
March 22nd, 2006 / 04:49:00

WEEKLY DROP.

I’m super nasaly, extremely congested, had 101° fever and I sound like Kermit the Frog…but regardless, it’s live. Weekly Drop. Check it out and let me know what y’all think. Thanks to Jeff and Rob again for giving me the opportunity to share some insight. Enjoy.

 
March 21st, 2006 / 13:59:00

LAST DAYS.


View from the top: Harajuku and Omotesando as seen from the top of the Celux balcony.

So last day in Tokyo… Heading back to NYC. I’ve done this trip over 60 times in the past few years and the same feeling always hits on your last day. It’s like a pulled duality of emotions. On the one hand, you’re leaving the best city in the world and you want to stay longer. On the other, you’re going home to the best city in the world and you can’t wait to go back. It’s a case of the grass being green on both sides of the fence.
Some final images/people on my last day:


There’s a store in Omotesando Hills that specializes in RC cars. Little do people know that way in the back, there’s this insane carpeted racetrack to race your car on! It’s so dope. See the hand holding the black pole? They have this cute little girl who’s sole purpose is to use that stick and poke at your car in case it gets stuck. I swear…only in Japan!


I’ve got the Honda Zoomer and it’s dope. But this thing is like another beast. I have no idea what it is. I want it.


Had coffee with Uniqlo’s Press Team. (taken with cameraphone)


then had lunch with Base Station’s, Yoshimi and Yoshi. Cool people. Cooler things to come…


Finally grabbed a final midnight snack with Lala and her band, Love Travelers. Keep your ears out for these guys.

 
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