Real.Life.Fashion

The Hundreds New York

Joshua Bailey — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:45:12 +0000

It’s so great to see brands grow, The Hundreds is one of those brands that have improved in some aspect of growth each year. Starting from the humble beginnings of just guys with a vision and a dream putting out tees. Now they embark on opening their third flagship store this time in New York City, that is empowering for guys like me. On their blog the other day they wrote about the process of designing and architecturally putting the store together, you can check that out here. They open today with special releases of THNY product. Soon enough more pics of the store will surface so in the mean time check out there blog, always a source of good content.

Spotted via: The Hundreds

Big Boi ft Yelawolf - You Aint No DJ

Joshua Bailey — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:36:57 +0000

I hope one day somebody, some higher power inside this city recognizes Yelawolf for what he is doing. As far as rap goes everyday he is breaking barriers and taking his talents to new heights. I mean come how many times can we listen to “Over” or “Blowing Money Fast” or “Pretty Boy Swag” or “My chick Bad” or “Hard in the paint” or “Stanky Leg” or “Hit em with the Flex” or whatever song goes into rotation every hour on the hour. I mean he’s on a track with Big Boi 1/2 of freaking OutKast. What more does fam have to do, do a duet with Moses then maybe just maybe he can make the beatdown. I’m not here to rant and rave and spin in a circle with my arms outstretched but if we can put in rotation mediocre/terrible artist from other states can we please put talented artist from our own state on. If further discussion is needed or you would like to debate this topic hit the electronic mail @ ourprincipia@gmail.com.

Yelawolf on how “You aint no DJ” came about via: Vibe

A group that doesn’t come as any surprise as one of your musical influences is OutKast. How was it working with Big Boi on his new album?

André [3000] produced the record, so I secretly consider it an OutKast record [Laughs]. Me and Big vibed out a couple of times in the studio but we didn’t actually lay our verses in the same night. Originally, Big Boi said he had a rock record that he wanted me to get on. And I straight up told him “I don’t want to do a rock record with you, I want to do some hip-hop shit.” So he started playing some beats, and when I heard “You Ain’t No DJ” I told him that was the one. But he was like [In Big Boi impersonation] “Nah, Shawty that’s for the album. You can’t touch that.” But I convinced him to send me the instrumental, and I just spazzed on it—turned in like a 64-bar verse. So what you’re actually hearing on the record is just parts of my verse. We took like a 16- and an 8-bar snippet. I thought, fuck it, just go for it maybe he’ll match me on some verses. And I think Andre heard it and told him he should go back and fourth with me on the record. But Big wanted it to be more like a song—sounds way better this way.

Long Armed Scottie - Air Max Uptempo ‘97

Joshua Bailey — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:59:28 +0000

I’m really appreciating The House that Phil Built more and more in these last months, They have been re- releasing some heat in the form of the old silhouettes that were ubber dope back in the mid to late 90’s. I mean you had Anfernee with the oh so many joints he graced us with. The T from Run TMC gave us some cold sneaks. Timmy D before he crossed over was a Nike man with the foams in ‘98. J. Kidd had some heat with the flight 95 and the zoom flight. The Worm had the Darwin and the Ndestrukt which I had a pair of. Cant forget about the good Sir. Charles and the many blessings he bestowed upon us. That’s just off the top of my head, it was so many crazy great designs coming out at that time. Yeah we love and adore the good brother Jeffery but now in days who doesn’t wear those kicks its monotonous, the amount of hits and misses he throws at us. Just for three maybe four times a year something dope drops and I’m not even going to go on about fusions. Long story short Long armed Scottie had some heat, looks like the release for the Air Max Uptempo ‘97 is here, not my favorite but are def must haves.

Spotted via: Hypebeast X Dunk

Sk8thing

Joshua Bailey — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:39:08 +0000

Been away for a sec Wale/ J-Cole concert was phenomenal, very inspiring. B. Brown and I had a blast in our neighboring state. Huge shout out to the Captain for his hospitality and his vision. Shout out to the Boutiques, Standard, VS, and WISH.

Anyway Inventory Magazine I don’t know how they pulled this off, but they got an interview with Sk8thing. Sk8thing has designed for so many dope brands like BAPE, BBC/ ICE CREAM, Neighborhood, W-Taps, Undercover, and Bounty Hunter. Dude is legend, for years Ive been trying to find something about him and walla this article drops. Great read on a very mysterious leader and figure in Japanese street fashion.

Tonight I Make Graphics: Sk8thing By HARSH PATEL

HARSH PATEL: It has been a bit tough to find information on you. I’ve assumed that’s to protect the sanctity of your private life, and to put your work forward as a representation of your personality.

SK8THING: I usually turn down interviews… I just have no desire to do them, and I am always working for a brand with a “front man” I don’t feel a necessity to do it either. Maybe that is one of the reasons I have enjoyed working for brands with such visible leaders (Nigo, Pharrell, Hiroshi Fujiwara, etc.)

PATEL: Nonetheless, do you ever get recognized on the street in Japan, or abroad?
SK8THING: No! I’m not famous! If it’s at a Bape event or something, maybe, but that doesn’t represent the general public at large.

PATEL: What was your art or design education, if any?
SK8THING None. I was always drawing, but I was taught to use a Mac for the first time by Hiroshi [Fujiwara]. I learned from my friends.

PATEL: Do you maintain an archive of all your work? My guess is that the number of T-shirts that you’ve designed alone must number in the hundreds, correct?

SK8THING: I don’t have an archive. I haven’t ever counted how many designs I’ve done… I’m sure it’s a lot. I have been designing T-shirts for about 20 years.

PATEL: Do you work alone on most projects, or, do you maintain some kind of a team?

SK8THING: I work alone in my studio, but I feed into different teams at the brands I work with. So both, in a way.

PATEL: In a recent interview for this publication, Mr. Fujiwara said to Fraser Cooke about the continual emergence of “new” styles and cults: “If there’s a really good thing going on now and I don’t know about it, I think that’s kind of right. If I know what’s going on, then it’s not truly new, if you know what I mean.” Do you keep up or collect any current labels?

SK8THING: I do care about finding out about new stuff. I am always looking, although unlike Hiroshi I don’t travel, so I am limited to what I can discover from my studio. I do buy things I am interested in… I don’t find too much new happening in fashion at the moment, but there are a lot of new things happening in military wear, small independent companies innovating new products, particularly in Taiwan and Hong Kong. I don’t find Tokyo very interesting and never have, so I am always looking outside.

PATEL: “Looking outside” would seem to explain your restless pace. Is there any particular reason you don’t travel?

SK8THING: I don’t like traveling, and I especially don’t like planes, airports, etc. I do want to go to other places and see what’s happening. It’s not that I have a phobia or anything; it’s just that when I am asked if I want to go on a trip it always sounds like a lot of trouble so I usually just avoid it. I always have a backlog of designs that need to get finished, and I don’t really work outside of my studio so that often prevents me from traveling. I often feel like I want to go to New York or London or wherever, but it only happens very rarely. I have a set routine based in Tokyo that works for me and allows me to get my work done but also see people and stay open to new influences.

PATEL: You are in a band, The Changes, with Misha and Shauna of [T-shirt brand] Perks and Mini, and [London-based artist and homemade tattooist] Fergus Purcell. How do you collaborate? Do you work via e-mail? Are Misha, Shauna, and Fergus fluent in Japanese? Or is your primary exchange mainly a visual one?

SK8THING: Misha is the driving force there. He has a lot of energy and is good at connecting people. Everyone else speaks English—I am the odd one out. I can get by a bit in English and it’s quite easy to communicate about shared reference points. It is also possible that I’ve completely misunderstood everything the other members were saying and they have been totally confused by what I’ve made but were too polite to say anything. The band is still going, or at least I think it is. I haven’t done anything in a while, but I saw Misha recently and he was talking about an exhibition in Milan.

PATEL: Please indulge my curiosity. What is your favorite food?

SK8THING: Pizza.

PATEL: Do you have a favorite television show?

SK8THING: Hanna-Barbera cartoons.

PATEL: What are your plans tonight?

SK8THING: Tonight I will be making graphics.

Spotted via: Inventory Magazine

The Archives: Sebastian Kole

Joshua Bailey — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:19:48 +0000

I’m not really an open and out type of dude but this creative vehicle I’ve been driving for a long time. Ive been creating since a kid and still going today. I got a chance on Sunday to check out the ending day of the BAAM Festival, also had the opportunity to check out Sebastian Kole. I have been wanting to see him for a while now but never got the chance because of my schedule. Luckily time presented itself and I was able to see him perform at the Rogue Tavern. That was a Great high energy show, the band that accompanied him was a highlight. The Background singers did a phenomenal job and Sebastian went all the way in. He has this joint call “Jaded” that is an insanely great tune promise.

Before I drift off topic In 2006 while working with that Gang called Gravity, I had the random opportunity to interview Sebastian. I was listening to his stuff and my dude Norris and him went back so I reached out to him for a site we were trying to do at the time. I thought about trying to dig it up once I got home from that show. Might not get this chance again so ill bring this one out of the archives. This is gearing up to look like a musical week WALE show tomorrow updates soon thereafter.

Sebastian Kole Interview (2006)

Gravity: One thing that struck me about you was your versatility as an
artist, that ability to fuse different genres of music and also the talent
to play a variety of instruments. How does that play a role in carving your
craft?

Sebastian: A lot of singers can sing, or dance, or just have a good stage
presence. I wanted to get back to just making good music. It helps me create
an overall sound. I don’t have to be confined to one sound, or one way of
doing things. It also makes every live show a different experience. Most
importantly it gives me a lot to learn. Lol

Gravity: How would you describe your sound?

Sebastian: My sound is a mix of things. It is very urban, ‘cause I can’t get away from
what I know. It’s also very southern for the same reason, but it is the
culmination of soul, hip-hop, r&b, jazz, classical, rock, and acoustic folk.
Pretty much anybody that I’ve been influenced by. It’s my way of thanking
them for them for their gift to me.

Gravity: Musically whom did you listen to growing up?

Sebastian: My mother and father were pastors…so I spent a lot of time listening to
gospel artist. Kim Burrell, John P. Kee, Erick Matthews….so on and so forth.
As I got older I found Stevie Wonder, The Doors, The Allman Brothers, Bilal,
Musiq Soulchild, Nirvana….the list goes on and on.

Gravity: What is your favorite album? That album that you know every lyric,
beginning to end

Sebastian: My favorite album….good question. I have a bunch. That first 112. classic!
Bilal’s first born second. Carl Thomas “emotional”, this new John Legend is
beautiful. Can’t forget about Pac’s “Seven Day Theory”, or Jay-Z’s
“Blueprint”, or anything Outkast has ever done….again I could go on for days
on this one

Gravity: If you can, could you take our readers through your creative
process in making the songs that we hear from you?

Sebastian: Who come’s up with these questions???? Aaahhh, let’s see. It can happen a
couple ways. Sometimes I just have to get something off my mind, so I think
it all out, and try to make the important details become the framework of
the tune. Then, I take the little things to make the song tell the full
story. Sometimes I just get a melody in my head that might just be a few
words in a tune. I just build on that melody until I make a story of my own.
Basically my songs are a blend of fantastic reality

Gravity: As far as Birmingham how do you feel about the city musically and
what direction is it headed?

Sebastian: This city has a lot of potential. Musically I wish we would just define
ourselves. There are a lot of artist here who have a lot to offer the world,
if they wouldn’t get so content with being the next “T.I” or “Mary J”. Not
that there is anything wrong with those artist, but the world already has
one of them…I would be glad to see my city just do themselves.

Gravity: What do you feel has been the biggest obstacle in this journey to
your goal?

Sebastian: Well. I guess it would be this city. Don’t get me wrong…I love my hometown.
I’ll say it again…I love Birmingham! The problem is that there isn’t a lot
of media attention here. So we don’t see the industry at work. We don’t know
the ropes of management, or street teams, or bds sound scans, or
mastering…really we don’t see the business. So I’ve had to learn as I go
along. I don’t even know if I can consider that an obstacle. It definitely
made me stay hungry

Gravity: Is there any artist’s either locally or well known that you would
want to work with?

Sebastian: Locally I have worked with some greats! Big shouts to my boy snipe! Ree’Al,
Jimmy King. This list could really last forever. Nationally I would like to
work with Kanye…or course. Andre 3000, Robin Thicke, P-Diddy, anybody who
knows good music, and knows how to sell it

Gravity: If there is someone out there that wants to contact you about
bookings or signing you whom do they need to get in touch with?

Sebastian: Holla at me on myspace if you need to hear what I do or if you want to book me.
www.myspace.com/sebastianmusic. Or….i’m in the streets, just holla!

Gravity: Thank you Sebastian for your time to sit and converse is there
anybody you want to shout out, anything you want to promote?

Sebastian: Right now I’m getting ready to put out three projects. I’ve got two studio
albums coming. The first is called “ In my own words” it’s a collection of
real life stories. Featuring the myspace.com single “Caramel”. Check for
that. I also have an album coming called “All Grown Up”. Lastly, I have a
live album coming soon. So you all be looking for all that real soon. Stay
up till the next time we chat.

I’m guessing some things have changed since that time, but a good look back. We were definitely in the myspace days then but you can check Sebastian out @ http://www.sebastiankole.com/.

The Colour of Beauty’ Documentary

Joshua Bailey — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:55:21 +0000

The Colour of Beauty is a short documentary, which follows model Renee Thompson and her struggles to make it as a black model in the business. As she says, “I think sometimes it is so blatently racist it’s disgusting.” No one said this industry was easy and it’s a short-lived career move at best for 99.9% of girls, but it’s double vicious for women of color, as in casting calls where black girls are told not to bother. Flat out. This seems to have gotten a lot of press way back in May so we’re a bit behind, but I image there are plenty of you who haven’t seen it and it’s very much worth a view.

“Fashion has been stuck in 1955, and I don’t know what it’s going to take to move forward.”

Spotted Via: highsnobette X fashionbombdaily

Re-introducing Korto Momolu…………

keicia shanta — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:12:53 +0000

Hello again Fashionista’s …as August winds down I would like to re-introduce to you some of the up-and coming designers. Korto Momulo , born in Liberia West Africa is one of those rising stars. She produces some of the most chic women wear I have seen in years. Her ability to embrace color and diversity give her clothes a life of their own . Being able to create clothes that show of the female frame in a sexy ..oh so grown lady style gives me goose bumps. Of course we were all able to see her in action on Project Runway season 5. Korto Momolu presented her Spring 2009 collection at Bryant Park for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week , and for Bet’s Rip The Runway. Korto formed a partnership with Dillard’s Inc. to design a collection of handbags and jewelry that are to die for. She is truly a designer to watch out for in the future.

The Saba Collection

I Stay Losing. The Update

Joshua Bailey — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:56:56 +0000

I Stay Losing before I start this post to thoroughly understand what I’m about to speak on you have to read my previous blog entry here. I’ll give you some time to read……

I ended that post by saying. So if you ever come across me in a suit it’s more Cornel than Kanye.

So Wednesday after work I did a little shopping, I set out on a journey to try something a bit different. I guess we can call this when “Web Logging goes wrong” so I’m thinking Ima try a suit tomorrow just to see how it feels. Dr. Cornel West fired me up and I was dedicated to try out a suit for the day. If you know me I’m not about to spend any money on work clothes so I went directly to the thrift store. I found a black suit coat that fit me. After that I traveled to ROSS this other store that carries clothes for my work price point and got some slacks, a tie, a belt, and a white button up shirt. So I get back home and try the clothes on and it actually doesn’t look bad on me.

I get up in the morning fired up, ready to change and empower. I layer on this suit and head into work; I didn’t understand what I just got myself into. I arrive to work in a suit on what was probably the hardest work day of the year. I walk in greeted by 90 some odd boxes of files that I have to take off a pallet jack and arrange from 1 – 90something along a wall. Not an easy task, to make matters worse I hear a bang bang bang at the loading dock and there is a shipment of 80 boxes of printing paper that has to be moved from truck to loading dock. The dude gets out the truck looking at me like this fool got on a suit. Me and him assembly line the boxes, he passes me a box I place the box on the ground, he passes me another box I place that box on the ground. Half way through I’m sweating like crazy, he looking at me like this dude is looking like a carriage driver for weddings but he sholl is moving theses boxes.

I’m the type of person that really doesn’t like or seek attention, I just like to go about my daily business, but it seemed like it was one of those days were I had to run into every single worker in the office. Everybody gave me the same compliment “Oh you look nice” or “I’m sorry for your loss are you headed to a funeral”. I’m like thanks but I just have to run some errands after work and wouldn’t be able to change. LIE. I didn’t want to say well, I write for this blog and I talked myself into this get up and Cornel West said this and Kanye West said that and now I’m hot and looking like Deacon Sylvester from 22^ndAve Baptist Methodist. So I just said thank you and kept it moving. I was literally picking up boxes, moving boxes, walking, delivering something, doing something which involved me in a suit moving around. I liked to pass out by day’s end. On the day I want to try something different, be inspired, put on my spiritual armor, it is the hardest working day of the year. I Stay Losing. Never again I will throw on my faded slacks and my rundown 10 year old spirit boat shoes and keep it moving because if by chance I have another one of those days I’m going to be ready and prepared. Kanye and Dr. Cornel can have that I’m GOOD maybe in some more years I can walk around looking like a Hitman with no kills but as of now this Goody’s shirt and these trousers will do.

Peanuts X Lacoste – 60th Anniversary Polo Pack

Joshua Bailey — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:53:48 +0000

Before I was spending 80 dollar bills on BBC and Original Fake tees, my first ridiculously priced article of clothing was this grey Lacoste polo I asked my mom to purchase for me. Just like my previous post I was young and fashion hopping and the in- thing was Lacoste. At that point in time Knock Off Tony was popping trunk and supplying the area with an array of Locost Polo’s and other cheap threads. People were purchasing them joints but I needed the real deal. I don’t know what came over my mom to spend 80 American Dollars on a glorified tee shirt with a collar but she did. It may have been around my birthday and my birthday is close to Christmas so I use to get the 2 in 1 gifts. Ohh this is for your birthday and Christmas so be thankful. I really enjoyed that Lacoste Polo, it felt way better than what Knock Off Tony was selling. His was reminiscent of like the cotton straight out the field no loom, but the one I had was made from Pima Cotton and really had a smoother softer feel to it.

While checking out the Freshness today I saw that Lacoste is Collaborating with the Comic Peanuts for some exclusive Polo’s and I thought the designs were fun and pretty cool. In celebration of Peanuts’ 60th Anniversary, Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy and Woodstock meet Lacoste. The iconic Lacoste crocodile logo is reworked, incorporating the whole Peanuts gang into a limited range of polo shirts. Lacoste x Peanuts will be available exclusively at Dover Street Market this October.

Spotted via: Freshnessmag X Highsnobiety

Dr. Kanye West - The Rosewood Style Mentality

Joshua Bailey — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:54:43 +0000

Kanye has always been at the forefront of pushing thought and provoking creative ideas. Be that music, fashion, designing, to film, he has always been a genius in creating and moving the culture. Recently Kanye has been revitalized with his new life perspective and also a accompanying new album, he is now pushing the “Rosewood movement”. Basically Suit’s all day and to quote Kanye “The Rosewood mentality, like affluence, like not cursing loud in public, pulling out chairs for your lady, opening up doors,” Kanye told DJ Clue on Power 105.1. Other requirements include “calling your grandmother” and “taking care of your kids.” For what Kanye West has created and started for now, Dr. Cornel West has crafted and has been comporting for ohh so long. As young people we tend to trend jump and fad hop so much, I can see now clubs tightening up dress codes, evening attire required to enter. I can see now dudes who seasons ago donned skinny jeans now trading those in for slacks, but is that what Kanye is trying to accomplish I don’t think so. Dr. Cornel West said a statement that was so profound in dealing with Style he said “ Pure unadulterated courage to find out who you really are, find your voice then you got your style.” That statement means so much because so many don’t know their voice, don’t know who they are therefore they lack the true being of style. I always tell B Davis when we convo on streetwear that my thing is to wear what makes me feel good. No matter the brand, no Big Seaning just wearing what I feel comfortable in. So while watching Kanye’s interview with DJ Clue this weekend and seeing him explain the Rosewood Movement. I could not help but to remember the videos I sent to my bro Shema in reference to Dr. Cornel West thoughts on Style. Please check these out, very thought driven pieces. So if you ever come across me in a suit it’s more Cornel than Kanye.

Spotted via: Prepidemic X Goodmusic Blog