I’m Here in Vegas attending the Magic tradeshow (along with Project and Pool) and TRUST…this is really tough work. Me and Nico came looking for new brands for Reed Space. We don’t show Staple at MAGIC anymore. It’s too stressful and disheartening. You start feeling like dogs in a pound sitting in your pre-determined 10×10 stalls. The whole process quickly makes you forget all the reasons you got into your own business in the first place. You think you are own boss only to realize you have 1000 bosses walking around with RETAILER badges on.
So we go and try to find the next new brand to bring out into Reed Space. It’s all about finding a needle in the haystack here. Literally thousands of brands, hundreds of miles of walking and if you find 5 decent things, its been a GREAT day.
Here are some highlights I noticed in my travels:
We currently rep One True Saxon in Reed, but their new collection and footwear is off the charts. It’s very very difficult, especially in footwear to have the balls to do something completely out of left field but still make it fresh. Watch out for OTS….really good stuff coming.
DC is also making waves with their Life Collection. They made an Apple Store Soho exclusive sneaker just for the employees and staff who work there. It comes in a pretty dope case with requisite Nano case. But I thought it was smart of them to align themselves with their neighbors in Soho. Nico managed to get a pair. Maybe he can walk in their and pose at the Genius Bar now. DC is also doing a collab with New Era and its looking pretty good…keep a look out for it.
A flashback from the past! Back in the 80s when Triple Five Soul was 555-SOUL and Ludlow St was filled with dirty syringes…there was a small shop called Two Black Guys. Well, after a decade hiatus, they are back as TBG. The flavor is OG LES circa 1988. I am really into what they are doing. Its always the simplest things that work best. Keep at it fellas…”Made In The Shade.”
Sperry has reintroduced a small collection called Top-Sider. Great casual shoes at a very reasonable price. I like that they didn’t overprice these kicks. They could have, but they kept it real. Looking forward to rocking these styles next Spring.
Direct from Japan I saw 2 brands that were killin it. Phenomenon which is Swagger’s sort of high end line and Complete Technique; a brand we been repping at Reed since Day One. Watch for these two up and coming heavyweights.
My old crony Omar from Commonwealth is launching a line called R&D. He’s been telling me about it since ’96 so I’m glad to see its finally making the light of day. Great details and fresh ideas.
This photo is to scare the shit out of my friends in Japan. I wanted to try and eat healthy in Vegas by ordering a salad. Check out the portion on this salad! It’s like half the Amazon rain forest on a plate. So ridiculous. I ate about 4% of this dish.
Finally, got the meet one of the architects of streetwear, Rick Klotz of Freshjive. Is it 20 years yet? Well regardless, the shit he is pushing is still dope. Peep the newest colletion at Reed Space right now.
Heading back home to NYC…i miss my bed. Damn, its been like 2 weeks of straight hotels. Peace out to Vegas…see you in Feb I spose.
