Gucci Spring Summer

You always get a feeling that your taste is changing when high end luxury labels start coming within your shopping concept. Or maybe its just that feeling that I’m getting old. Haha. Does style come with age? Well, I hope so. I was browsing through Gucci’s spring summer shoe collection and came across these pair of suede sneakers. Sleek. Plus they look extraordinarily comfy with the elastic signature web side gore, perforated interlocking G and rubber soled.

Dave White

Check out more of Dave White's work at www.davewhite.me.uk

Triumvir: Bruce Lee in Jordan 1 Pack T-Shirts

The big question: If Bruce Lee was alive would he have worn the Jordan 1 Retro Pack? I think not. But I could definitely see him in Vans slip-ons doing his kung-fu moves. Then again, those Jordans might give an extra pow to his kicks.

Today Triumvir has released some nice Bruce Lee t-shirts, with him wearing the Jordan 1's. This launch corresponds with the release of the Jordan 1 Retro Pack. This tee originally came out in 2005 and now they enhanced it to match this new release. Matching shoes for matching tees.

Pic via Highsnobiety

Visvim x Original Fake Zahra slip-on WHITE

It’s funny how the 20 years(around that figure) patent law on products has little effect on the shoe industry. We have seen examples like Bapestas and Nike AF1. Then there’s the frenzy on Converse's chucks that every designer seem to conceptualise their “art” on. And here we see the Van’s Slip-Ons. I hold no feeling of resentment or denigration towards this move. Instead, I believe it creates diversity and pushes bigger labels to create newer products. Okay, enough of the mambo-jambo.

A while back there was the Visvim x Original Fake Zahra slip-on and at the time it dropped in black. Now comes the release of the white version of the sneaker. The sneaker features the Kaws cross eyes on the top and the iconic bones character on the backheel.

The sneaker will be launched at Original Fake and at F.I.L. in Tokyo this weekend.

What a weird one...

Take a look at these. I had no idea why they were on Cool Hunting for ages until I made the connection between the words "USB Hub" and plastic food.

The plates of food are actually glorified USB hubs and the USB ports are hidden somewhere in the plastic mess. The plate of spaghetti cleverly hides the port at the tip of the fork while the plate of tomato-rice, deep-fried shrimp and hamburger with mystery sauce is actually a 4-port USB hub. Cool? Or just plain weird...??
Apparently, there are tonnes of these things in Japan being made by a design company called Solid Alliance. They also have card holders that look like raw shabu-shabu, and a surprisingly delectable collection sushi USB flashdrives.

Via Cool Hunting and Core77.

Converse LTD Collaberations

We've just been informed by Converse that they will be having a collaboration release coming up in June. The collaboration includes Yukinora Dehara, Cupco, and Bwana Spoons. Each artist was asked to design a shoe for the "Conversations" collection and each pair included in the collection comes with a mini-magazine called "Conversations", a magazine that Converse put out back in the 1940s. I have to say, they look pretty nice. Check these out:

BAPE X TATAMI

On the 28th April 2007, Bape will be releasing their newest crossover with Tatami. These new Bape x Tatami sandals may remind you of the Birkenstock concept. But lets hope they're as comfortable as they look. Nevertheless, Tatami has had their reputation for making top quality shoes(mostly for women).

And incase you didnt know, the word "tatami" came from tatami mats, which are traditional japanese flooring. Tatami were originally a luxury item for the wealthy at a time when lower classes had mat-covered dirt floors.

The sandals come in 3 models. Mens, womens, and kids.

Pics via slamxhype info via Bape

KIKS TYO HEAD SHOP and HTML GRAND OPENING

On April 20th, 2007, the long awaited KIKS TYO HEAD SHOP will open in Shibuya, Japan. The same day will also see the launch of "html" - a world standard street select shop in Ikebukuro, Japan - owned and curated by KIKS TYO's own hobby: tech.

KIKS TYO's Shibuya HEAD SHOP will serve as the brand's flagship store and will act as a retail anchor for over 40 domestic Japanese stockists of the KIKS TYO brand. In addtion to offering KIKS TYO apparel, accessories and collaborative items, the HEAD SHOP will serve as ground zero for CASIO G-SHOCK's 25th anniversary within Japan's boutique landscape as G-SHOCK's official 25th anniversary retail partner.

Across town in Ikebukuro, KIKS TYO's hobby:tech will unveil his world standard select shop "html." Hobby will curate the shop in a similar fashion to his popular Street Jack column, "Hobby:TechEx - Street Express" - selecting leading domestic street wear, sneakers, and collaborative items from G-SHOCK to appear alongside the shops in-house "html" brand.

To commemorate the openings, special G-SHOCK 25th anniversary models will be available, as will special opening t-shirts from both the KIKS TYO HEADSHOP and html.

For more information, photos and site maps, please see: http://www.kikstyo.com/html.php or contact woven.jp@gmail.com

Attitude Dancer Vol. 2 by Reas

Now, I'm trying not to be a hypocrite here, but lately, I have been getting very annoyed at the amount of complete crap and utter uselessness appearing in urban/street culture. It kinda feels as if since around one year ago, when I was first introduced into this scene, the originality or "freshness" of it all has eroded into blatent exploitation of a market on the rise.

This here is a splendid example of complete and utter bulls**t:

I mean, what the hell is this piece of crap?? Apparently, it's an "advanced" colouring book for adults. Give me a break, this "advanced" colouring book is a sorry excuse for softcore cartoon porn that tries to pass off as a legit item of street culture initiative aimed at horny kidults who think they're cool because they have an "advanced" adult colouring book.

I apologise if I offend those misguided enough to consider purchasing this. I also apologise on behalf of true proponents of street culture. This book is not representative of the much wider range of truly original and artistic pieces of work in this area.

People, make sure you think long and hard before accepting something at its face value. This goes for all things in life. Don't fall for bulls**t.

Busy Workshop Hong Kong 1st Anniversary

BKRW were lucky enough to be invited to the proclaimed Hong Kong Bape store's first anniversary. They are more pics and info about the event on their website. Founder, Nigo, was also present at the event and like all Bape anniversaries around the world, there was a long queue of fans lining up for entry. I will let the pics do the rest of the talking.

Pics via BKRW

BE Comes Out of the Closet

It's been a long time coming and we know you've been waiting. The proverbial cat is out of the bag. We are, literally, coming out of the closet, and it's certainly been very stuffy. So, without further ado we present Peanut, Butter, Jelly & Bread @ Brilliant Establishment.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Po

Now, while anyone can look good in a suit or a little black dress, it can only be the truly blessed who can make the clothes they have on look good. Clockwise from the top: Jason, Somang, Leesha, and Nick. Self-christened, self-blessed, and self-dressed, we are a group of law students whose sole wish is to establish something brilliant.

We have Jason "Peanut" Ng, because his brain is the size of one. For obvious reasons, he's the only one to disagree with us on this.

Somang "Butter" You, hard and cold at some times, warm and soft at others. Often accused of having the male equivalent of PMS.

Leesha "Jelly" Vaswani. You could lick her off a block of salt and she'd still be sweet.

Nick "Bread" Ponniah, because peanut, butter, and jelly can never be complete without bread.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Po

A further description of us would be fruitless. This is mainly due to the fact that outside of BE and law school, the four of us have next to nothing in common. Even at this moment as this is being written, we are all busy doing our own thing. This wouldn't be so unusual but for the fact that we're all in the same room.

This will probably best convey a sense of who we are. While the guys base conversation and day-to-day activities on three main groups of thought: (1) "I want to have sex with it", (2) "I want to eat/drink it", and (3) "It exists", the lone girl looks on in despair, shaking her head and sighing "Oh God..."

Photo courtesy of Daniel Po

We're out and we're here. Rosy-cheeked and so fresh. Wishing we could do something but restrained by anything and everything. Hoping to get somewhere without knowing how. Just chop us up and make a salad.

Watch this space.

Rain, rain go away...

Or, if it doesn't, you can visit the Karen Walker store and get a raincoat to keep the rain away...Hmm, I kinda like the sunnies as well... I think I might have to just check it out for myself.

STAPLE DESIGN x JEFF ITW

Jay Smith from BKRW just sent an email about his interview with Jeff Staple from Staple Designs. It is a humble yet honorable interview which depicts the views and perceptions of one of street cultures main icon. Like all interviews with huge figures of such industry/culture, it’s always inspirational to hear their voices especially in such a period where mainstream pollutes many of the street cultures ideals. Like Jay said, Jeff is an old school guy. So there’s nothing better than old school. So go check out the interview at www.bkrw.com

AH Tennis by Alexandre Herchcovitch

Ever had a tough time finding that shoe that people would just stare at every time they walk pass? Well, here's one. These punchy, bubble wrap-inspired kicks by Sao Paulo-based designer Alexandre Herchcovitch are the latest from fellow Brazilians Melissa's series of successful collaborations with other designers.

It is a true inspiration having someone as great as Alexandre to design these shoes. Famous for his alternative sense of art and design in his collection, he has once again created a shoe that spells marvelous. The inspiration for these sneakers was from the plastic that we all love popping - yes - bubble wrap!

If you have any questions about finding these shoes just send us an email.

Oestudio Sneakers

We've seen and heard of Nikes, Pumas, Adidas, Bapestas and all those big bad shoe labels coming up with outrageous shoe concepts with mind-blowing color combos. It’s a never ending cycle of release where the labels compete in the big sneaker market. But if you’re in for something new, here’s Oestudio Sneakers. Never heard of them? Well of cause not, though you might have seen them on runways for other big labels. Their plain concepts and designs with soothing color schemes makes it so easy to go with any of your clothes. But what makes them unique you might ask? Its because they manage to coalesce the concepts mentioned with well thought out design, like thin round laces and nearly double the amount of eyelets on most kicks, offset exaggerated features like extra-long tongues and wide toe caps that would otherwise look clownish. Comfort and style. Can it get any better?

Check out their site HERE

Lunar New Year @ Brilliant Establishment

It seems kinda excessive celebrating two separate dates for New Years. But us eastern folk know that the Lunar New Year is the big one. Less drinking and partying, more family and much, much more genuine festivity! After all, the Chinese and Koreans have been celebrating this for well over 2000 years!

Everyone, welcome to the year of the pig.

How to Shower: Women vs. Men

AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, this vid almost made me pee my pants! I came across it while havin a look at Core77, an online design magazine with some cool stuff featured every day. Head over there for perusal. Anyways, this is the funniest shit I've seen for a while.

I was like, "OMG, I DO THAT!" while laughing hysterically sitting at my office computer.

Puma x Mihara Yasuhiro S/S '07 Collections

I almost stained my pants when I first saw this post on Slam. Then again on High Snob. Then, yet again, on Hypebeast. The pics just got bigger and better and I was drooling uncontrollably. Puma has been working with Japanese fashion designer Mihara Yasuhiro for quite some time now and for the upcoming (North Hemi) Spring/Summer, they have released two different collections that draw from different elements making each unique.

The first collection is the ROCK ON S/S '07 Collection, inspired by the Heavy Metal and features the MY-25 Metallic Gold High Top Boots and the MY-24 Metal Trainer. The second collection is called OOPARTS which stand for Out of Place Artefacts, with the concept coming from a story about a well-known archeologist, Dr Mihaluk, who discovered what looked like a modern day sneaker embedded in ancient rock . Freaky stuff huh? Anyways, the OOPARTS Collection consists of the MY-1 Peace, MY-9 Love, MY-25, and a Carry All bag.

So, after having read all this stuff about these two collections and looked at all the pics, it came down to the slow and arduous tasks of picking a few of my favourite images to post here. As you might realise, this exercise was a complete failure. I just put 'em all up cos they're all so deliciously HOTT.

My pants = stained.

Mihara Yasuhiro is officially my new hero.

Check out SlamXHype for a nice, detailed post about these collections. Check out Hypebeast cos that's where I got these pics from, and go to High Snobiety to see the red Carry All bag.

Thanks to all the above and to PUMA. You lovely, eye-candy creating bunch of shoe freaks, you.

Sweet sweet goodness......

Well if you've read any of my previous posts you'll know how much i love reptile skinned shoes :D and Nike has, once again, catered to my needs.... now if only i could afford them..... Well these shoes are known as the AF1 masterpieces (how appropriate). They are Italian made crocodile and anaconda skin shoes that retail for $2000US a pair..... don't they just make you drool...... well if you happen to have a couple of grand lying around go cop yourself a pair of these sweet sweet shoes, and if you don't want them for yourself and you just happen to be really really nice I'm open to gifts :P

thanks to Nike for the info and hypebeast for the picture.

BE Baybee's Hottest Picks

Last Christmas, one of the cutest purchases I made is the MadeULook tees. You can simply throw on a pair of jeans with them and create a casual "I don't care but I want you to notice me" look which I quite like.So, they do fulfill their purpose...They!

These tees are from the MadeULook Holiday line

Upgrading Denim to a Whole New Level

This could only be done by True Religion Brand Jeans. With clients that include Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, David Beckham and Bruce Willis, the brand that only started off in 2002 has proven itself to be worthy of becoming one of the most wanted jeans in the world. Some other denim brands that have come up in the recent years include Seven Jeans and Tsubis.

True Religion Brand Jeans are produced for men, women and children. Their lines extend to jackets, shorts, skirts, shirts and many more. In catering for women's denim needs in particular, the brand has a wide range from the signature lowrise 'Joey' line to ultra skinny "Julie' line.

All the lines are heavily influenced by rock 'n roll, r&B and hip hop. Not only are they comfortable to wear and have the perfect fit, but the intense attention to detail makes this brand a leader in the high-end denim market.

These jeans can be found in the US, UK, France, Japan, Italy, Russia and Hong Kong.

For more information, go to truereligionbrandjeans

Sneakerfiles Search Engine

Finally, a centralised search engine for authentic kicks!

Big props to the Sneakerfiles crew for setting this database up. No more filtering through fake sneakers and there is also a feature so that you can submit online sneaker stores that might have been missed, or if a new one has been set up. Webistes are approved before addition so you can trust that search results are genuine. As Slam says, this is pretty much revolutionary so BOOKMARK IT. Period.

Sneakerfiles Authentic Sneaker Search Engine

Via Sneakerfiles

Fafi "Sleek" Collection for Adidas

I posted about these cute girl's shoes a while ago. Well now, they're out, and they're celebrating the release with an event at the Adidas Original Store in Tokyo on March 3, aka 'Hinamatsuri' or 'Girl’s Day' in Japan. Fafi herself will be in Tokyo on the day. So if you're a girl and are in Tokyo, be sure to head over and check these pieces and their creator out.

And if you aren't in Japan, you can still own some Fafi artwork. Fafi's book "Love and Fafiness" is now available via Span of Sunset online store.

Also check out Necessaries Toy Foundation to see the toys used for the Fafi x Adidas collection display.

Hypebeast has it all.

Evita Peroni Shows Us How It's Done

The existence of Evita Peroni fashion accessories finalizes the perfect touch in creating a unique look. The how-to-booklets facilitate the process of producing results that were once only obtainable at expensive salons. Their latest collection: Le Weekend and Drama Queen combines sophistication and simplicity, and has vintage written all over them. They are gorgeous, affordable, and ever changing. Products include elastics, double comb, chignon, pelican, twist, handbags, sunglasses, necklaces and earings.

My favourite picks are: Betsey necklace, Georgia necklace, Aleia stretchy and Lema pelican.

For more go to evitaperoni.com