MAGICAL BRANDS.

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 10x10 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.

NOAH LTD.

In my absence of being in Japan, I missed my friend Brendon's NOAH relaunch. I was really sad to miss it too cuz it's not too often NYC kids get to go out for a sail. I am also a huge fan of his work, creations and philosophies. I was able to live vicariously thru my assistant, Tanya; who I sent as my replacement. She brought Reed Space rockstar Alessandra along for the ride. Looks like it could not have been a more perfect day.


Brendon/Noah...this is the look of a satisfied job well done.


I don't know all these people, but I wish I did. 6° of Brendon is a good one. I do see Wil from Nom De Guerre soaking in the rays. Thanks to Tanya and Alessa for providing the imagery. Awww...a Statue of Liberty shot...how cute! (and touristy!)

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Just got the new issue of LTD from my boy Hawaii Mike. I was the featured cover story and this is one of the best interviews/features I've ever done. It's very personal and Mike got me to open up more than usual for this. As you can see by the cover, I tried to achieve a bunch of different objectives.
First, show my true love for Kits Kats and their position on Limited Edition models. I think it's amazing in today's society that we need a million dollar chocolate company making Limited Edition pieces for distribution thru certain select CONVENIENCE STORES and DELI'S! The irony in that is just perfect.
Second, as many many many of you know; the cover is actually a collaboration into itself. A few weeks ago, I sent an open call for people all over the world to send me photos of their local Kit Kat LEs. I got hundreds and hundreds of replies. People who drove hours looking, People who shot them with meticulous precision...it was great. This LTD Cover could not have been made without the people who support what it is I and Staple do. At the same time, this LTD Cover could not have been made without the internet, blogging and communication as we see it today. The way I see it, its the ultimate collaboration. People I don't know and may never know, working together, to form a single creation. Thanks to all the contributors. Now y'all can add shooting covers for magazines onto your resume! And of course, big thanks to Hawaii Mike for making it happen. Keep a look out for the Kit Kat insired STPL x LTD t-shirt and New Era!

PS: The cover copy reads: "My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants."

SUPER SIZE POST (JPN EDT)

Japan was intense. Running around like a chicken with my head cut off at times. I always get there and I feel like its gonna be a chill trip and then as the days progess, my departure date feels like its coming faster and faster...appointments start getting crunched together; and hence, the chicken with no head. It was also disgustingly hot there, which made days harder to get thru. Therefore, I haven't updated in quite some time so here is a Super Sized review of the past few days:

Devon Aoki was hired as the new spokesperson for Levi's Ladies courtesy of my man, Mike Ikeda. He celebrated by putting together an intimate gathering of heads for one evening.


Riko, Devon and one happy boy.


Me and Riko checking out the Kaleidoscope Room. Pretty amazing concept. As a dressing room, it allows you to see yourself from every imaginable angle. The floor also does this weird thing where it gives you the sensation you're not standing on anything. Epileptics need not enter.


How do you attract the hottest chicks at a party? You have a baby, and make sure he looks like something like Ralph here. Pops is Ewan who is a pretty cool dude in his own right. He does a clothing line in japan called Playford. Also present was Okazawa from Cycle/CLS.

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Huge Magazine celebrated their 3rd Anniversary at Club Womb. Adidas footed the bill. Atsuo (Editor of Huge) and Miko (Trend Manager of Adi) worked hard to throw a dope party. (I am trying out this new look of 3D glasses everwhere I go. What do y'all think?) Junya from Reed JPN and Nicole from Bread & Butter Berlin were on hand to celebrate as well.


Behind the scene meetings at Reed Space JPN. Mike Ikeda from Levi's and Fraser from Nike in one room. Imagine the possibilites????




Part of the chicken head cutting I alluded to before...
Dinner with the Reed Crew and Akiko from Invisible:Man.
DJ Muro. He spun at a small club later that night and simply KILLLLLLED it! Best night I had out in YEARS. It was so good, my face was scrunched up all night shaking my head in utter confusion. Here's a sample. (sorry long load).
Fumi from Vogue Nippon, Aiko from Louis Vuitton and Riko. Riko had a late night. She is actually unconscious and just propped up against Aiko...hahah...
Mari Koda. Rocksteady Crew NYC. B-Girl extraordinaire...you know how we do.

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Meet Mr. Komatsu of KOMATSU SOUND LABORATORY. He is simply known as the "sound guru of Japan". He is also the official SOUND ENGINEER for Reed Space Japan. YES, you heard right. The sound system in Reed Space will make your eardrums develop saliva glands. But you can be sure it won't go to waste. Scheduled DJs for the opening night party have just been confirmed: Tyler Askew/Rude/APT NYC. Shuya Okino/Kyoto Jazz Massive. DJ Muro/King of Diggin'. Oh and one more thing. A special mix CD will be given away that night prepared by a good friend of mine who shalt remain nameless. But here's a hint: he's on this blog post.

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On the last night, HF took us out for some dinner at an amazing Chateau french restaurant in Shibuya. It was set in a little old house. They gave us a private room to dine and it was a set course menu. Each course was just amazing. I never shoot food pictures for the blog but I couldn't resist this time. Check out the sea urchin...straight out of the shell! And this is what I call karma. Some roast Pigeon for you sir??

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Some random other sh*t:


Preferred mode of transportation. HF's BeBike. Fastest way to get around the congested streets of Tokyo.


Damn, no respect whatsoever....


Picked up the new Mac Bluetooth Mouse. This is great for travel. Small, no wires and lightweight. I still prefer being tethered to something while in the office tho.


Peace to OKA and the Medicom goodness he always supplies. Just a sampling here. Peep the Undefeated joints. They are very nice. The Saw guy is also one of my favorites.




People were giving me some strange reading material this trip. First Muro gave me these 2 books all about unsung/crazy characters in Japanese culture. One thing all these have in common: They are designed to be suits worn by actual men. The book is very detailed and fucking hilarious! Naoko from Yonehara's office gave me this HG book. You need to experience HG yourself to really appreciate what he does. Basically, a straight actor that goes around town dressed as a flaming fag harassing people on the streets. Constantly screaming "Huuuuuu!" Its REALLY funny though and so Japanese at the same time. A show like this wouldn't last 1 day in America. By the way, HG stands for HARD GAY. (not to be mistaken for HF.)


Need a cashmere sweater for ur pooch? Swarovski Crstals for your poodle? Dog clothes for miilionaires. Available at Celux...designed by Precious Rogue.


Peep the new Levi's FLU that was just released in conjunction with Ichiro of the Seattle Mariners.
Dope dope details...Red contrast stitching all throughout to represent his heritage. That cryptic symbol you see in the back patch is kanji for "Suz" as in Suzuki. All 320 pairs sold out in SIX MINUTES! Thankfully, Mike saved me a pair in my favorite number: "000". Also peep the custom "51" rivets and the Seattle Mariners blue selvedge. Why can't Levi's in the US do stuff like this? All we get is V.I.M.


And now on my way to Vegas to the MAGIC tradeshow (and possibly just a weeee bit of poker). Don't forget....always STOP FOR AIRCRAFT. (no shit, sherlock.)

JP1.

Crazy couple of days so far in Tokyo. Between the Staple Spring 07 premier, finishing up the details on Reed JPN and catching up with my cronies, there is barely enough time for 40 winks. And blogging for that matter...
Some shots for youz:


Meet TEAM STAPLE/REED (JPN). First night in for some amazing food at "Ten". Very appropiate name. Junya, Hiroko, Jun and Hiromi.




Had a nice meal with Yonehara and his fam and friends. Here's Yone giving one his famous "pressure point" massages. (aka touch of death.)






Impromptu visit to AK and his offices at Burton Japan. Peep the massive AT-AT.
Adi Americana's in green snake ain't so bad either!
Preferred mode of transportation in the office? Electric Scooter.


Went for a late night ride in Yoyogi Park with Hiroshi and friends. They went "fixed". I went with brakes. Fuck that...I did try it though and I must say, it is quite fun. You really feel like "ONE" with the road and the bike. Before you know it, I'll be living in Williamsburg...Hiroshi should be careful though. This is one dangerous sport.


Lookie what the cat dragged in? MUCHO MUCHO thanks to Edison via HF via my front right pocket for this amazing BLACKBERRY 8707. 3G baby! Worldwide! Getting Blackberry service on my NYC SIM is seriously amazing. I feel like I am cheating the gods! US Cell service in Japan?! Unheard of!! But alas this is true. Everything works! SMS, Email, Phone, voicemail, syncing to my Mac iLife apps... Only thing I am having trouble with is web browsing but who cares about that. Nice product also. All matte black. Great screen and battery life as well. It also jumps around Japanese carriers...so I go from NTT DoCoMo to Vodafone and back throughout the day. To be honest, i prefer the slimmer 7100 style keypad more. Oddly enough, this full QWERTY keyboard takes a little getting used to. Also, I'm kinda scared to get this upcoming phone bill. Will I get reamed on these roaming charges?? I'm still very interested in the 8100. If this puppy has 3G capabilty, I might have to get that one also. Still though, overall, the 8707 gets 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.
Howard, I will be taking you up on your offer at the Lasarium!

SHAG & LUC.

Back to Japan today. We are premiering the Staple Spring 2007 collection to Japan this week. And also putting the finishing touches on what will be Reed Space's expansion into Tokyo. Yup...something I've been wanting for a long time now, Mr. Reed repping in the Land of The Rising Sun. September 15th...make your way to Tokyo. I promise y'all it'll be worth it.
So I didn't have to handcuff or knockout any knuckleheads on the flight this time. But I did have the pleasure of sitting with Shaggy and Luciano. Say what you will about their music, but the two dudes and their entourgage could not have been better gentlemen. Real down to earth cool people. They'll be perfoming in Yokohama, and Blue Note in Osaka and Nagoya. Wish I could catch that Blue Note show. Less than 100 people...really intimate. Luciano in that environment must be amazing.

STREETWEAR...

...has its very own "The Onion".
Love it or hate it...Don't Believe The Hypebeast is neccessary in our culture. Thanks Roger Ebert...
Props.
(Please tell me you guys are going to MAGIC. I would love to see your report of the tradeshow industry.)

TRUST...

...is a word you seldom hear from us. Hustlers we don't sleep we rest one eye up.





Julio from Trust Nobody came thru for a quick visit. Amazing isn't it? This dude has access to pretty much every quickstrike, SB, LE release one man could hope for. And what is he rocking? Considered Humara's. Tell's ya something about the shoes kids...can't mess with the freshness. He also rocks some pretty hardcore tats. Peace to Trust Nobody fam for their support.



Speaking of trust. If you're hanging around some shady ass fiends all day long, its time you invested in a ZERO HALLIBURTON case. These things are what FBI agents carry their G-Locks in...handcuffed to their wrists. Sky showed us some features of the case and it looks really sick to me. Pricey...but what else are you gonna store your Fabragé eggs and Pigeon Dunks in?



Be on the look out real soon for some hookups with Staple and my man Hawaii Mike from LTD Mag.

THE END.

I've seen the future. I've seen the end of all sneaker blogs.
It will be at the hands of the Georgia Institute of Technology.
"Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have completed a prototype device that can block digital-camera functions in a given area. Commercial versions of the technology could be used to stymie unwanted use of video and still cameras."

THE NEW HR.

Want to work for Staple Design in some capacity?
A simple resume just doesn't cut it anymore. Check out what this person did. Just threw some custom made buttons in a jiffy pack and sent it off. Mysterious enough to make me check out her site. Interested enough to make me contact her. (We're still in negotiations...) But this is how a job application should be done nowadays. Quick. Easy. No fuss. And yet, impressive.

OVER-THE-COUNTER CULTURE.

Two weeks ago Rob Walker wrote a massive piece about underground brands in The New York Times Magazine. That was pretty cool, but to me, the REALLY interesting thing appears in THIS Sunday's Times Mag, where readers get to write in letters responding to that feature. Because lets face it; at the end of the day, that article was not made for you (you, blog trotting all over printed hoodie obsessed freak.) You already knew all that shit. It was made for the dude who gets baked eggs with smoked salmon on a Sunday morning with an English Breakfast Tea, (light with one sugar) and enjoys reading his Sunday edition paper. And in case you forgot, that's like 99% of the free world, whereas people like us, are 1%. So it was very interesting to see what "regular people" thought about Rob's article.

"I, too, may be "just too old to get it," but I think Rob Walker gave today's hipster youth too much credit in his interesting article (July 30). I think what he describes is a new breed of entrepreneur rather than a new artistic or social movement. I'd argue that wearing a Hundreds or Barking Irons T-shirt is no more revolutionary than wearing a Ralph Lauren polo emblem or a Lacoste alligator — it merely announces membership in a smaller, perhaps cooler, clique. What are these new brands trying to change but where we buy and how much we pay for T-shirts? Offering a fashion alternative to kids looking to express their individuality is not art; it's just good business."

OR

"Dylan, Lennon, Ginsberg, et al., their relationship with wealth notwithstanding, were risk takers who shaped society with searing social commentary and strong convictions. The young men in Rob Walker’s article are committed to nothing but themselves and are too cool for consumers who visit mainstream shops and malls."

OUCH! Hey I don't write this stuff, I just copy and paste.
Read the rest of these gems here.

PS: Rob, I still want that shirt!

TOP 25?

Wow, I gotta hand it to the guys over at Dime Magazine. They went and rated the Top 25 sneakers stores in the whole world! All types! Big chains, boutiques, around the way spots...that's a really tough thing to do. I'd have a hard time with the Top 25 in NYC...not to mention the world. Anyway, I'm sure this will cause some controversy and outcrys and petitions. Can anyone guess who #1 is? (In case you were wondering, Reed Space was rated No. 22. Not bad since only about 20% of our store is actually kicks.)

FINGERS AIN'T FAST ENOUGH...

Blogging can be tough. I have so many things I wanna say and show everyone, but my fingers can't move as fast as my brain! So what inevitably happens is...I have this folder on my desktop that is just filled with crap I will eventually one day post. Someone needs to invent a digital camera with a slide out keyboard that allows for instanteous blogging. (To whoever invents this, send royalty check to the order of Staple Design. Thanks.) Anyway, ish from the past week...







On Hiroshi's last night in NYC, we went (along with Fraser, DJ Milo, and Jose Parla aka Ease) to watch the new horror flick, The Descent. Pretty good for your run of the mill freak out scenes. But nothing causing me to have nightmares or anything... Although I am daydreaming about the star, Natalie Mendoza. Something about her was kinda hot...maybe it was her slicing thru demon after demon. But damn, you wipe off that blood and human carnage from her body and she cleans up really nice don't you agree?
BTW, Hiroshi and Fraser were staying in the newly reopened Gramercy Park Hotel. I give the hotel two major thumbs down. They got a really bad attitude in there. The type of place where they eye you up and down to see if you're wearing any Dior Homme. Corny....You're a hotel. Not a club. I would be pissed if I was asked for my name each time I tried to get into my own hotel. That sort of luxury is so Reaganomics. Get with the program Ian.

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Got to have dinner with Riko and Suzanne whom I have not seen all summer long. Dinner conversations revolved around sex addicts, long distance relationships, and The Brazilians vs The British. Nothing better over some fresh Uni.

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Meet Paul. Paul never grew up. So Paul started something called Kid Robot. Now 4 years later, Paul has a kick ass company that is changing the game of kid-economics. Watch out for big things from them in 2007. I saw Maze in the house stirring up some trouble on the sewing machine. Kid Robot coming to a wardrobe near you.....

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I am very fond of art, but not so much contemporary art, except for a select few. I just discovered Peter Callesen and his work blows my mind. Take some time to check it out and see what it is he really does. It's bananas. The dude must be mental.

A BROAD.

I was having some major Berlin de ja vu this week. Literally every person that was in Berlin is now in NYC. So now its my turn to try and show everyone a good time. That means one thing: tons of food.


First night was Honmura An with Fraser, Boogie and Giorgio followed by a chilled out set with Bobbito and Rich Medina....the 2 classiest soul brothers.


From Japanese to classic american fare at Lucky Strike. Can you match the cell phones to their owners? (l-r) Julien, James J, HF, Fraser, Fraser again (cuz he's from the Stone Age) and yours truly and that shitty ass blackberry. Can't wait for the new one to drop.


Can't really stay away too long from Japanese so we head to Omen...another excellent restaurant in Soho. This time Zuki from Bathing Ape and some other heads joined in the eating like Thibault from Just for Kicks.


And finally back to my hometown neighborhood spot The Orchard. Tonight, we were graced by the company of Greg D. from Burton and DJ Milo. I noticed since they have been here, I've stopped jogging. Why does increased amounts of food always coincide with decreased amounts of exercise for me?


Business was taken care of of course...till the wee hours of the late night. Its a tough job...but somebody has to do it. Check out the desktop of Jesse from Nike. His folder list is a Hypebeast fan's wet dream.

XXXXX.

OK there's double name...then there's triple name...what do you call it when FIVE collaborators get together?!? What do you call it when five friends get together and do this?!
Props to Edison for helping to bring us all together. Eddie (Undft), Hiroshi (Fragment), Stash (Nort) and myself all rep on this very special t-shirt. But what's it for? To be honest, I'm not even so sure myself. I just roll with the wave that is...CLOT.

REAL. MAD. HECTIC.

Its been an insane week. I think the heat we are experiencing in NY is driving people mad. Work has been crazy. Which means no new updates for a while...but not to worry because the camera was still shooting. Some current events...


This is how kids in the Lower East Side cool off. We don't have pools. So they just go and twist open a fire hydrant and get wet. Nothing marks summer in the city like getting sprayed down by some punk kids.






Reed Space got broken into for the 3rd time in 4 years. (Guess at least it means we're doing something right.) But this time, our expensive ass security equipment paid off. The assholes cut thru our gate, then smashed our windows. We have glass-shatter sensors set up so the alarm immediately went off and they bounced. Just another day in the city. Our night vision cameras also caught them on tape. Got some pretty good face shots so hopefully the NYPD can do something. If they can't, I'm gonna hold an open bounty hunt for their heads delivered to me on a silver platter. (PS: I already interrogated Lupe Fiasco and Wil from Nom De Geurre. It ain't them even tho it very well could be.)


Visited the offices of Starter which is now a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. Most people know Starter as the maker of Shaq's enormous shoes. How enormous? THIS ENORMOUS!


And visiting Staple HQ was Bianca from Nike Berlin. She was on vacation in NYC and low and behold! What prey tell do you have on your feet? Adidas?!? Well, OK, these adi x neighborhood joints are very buttery. Very limited. And also, in true sneaker connoisseur fashion, very jacked up! Obviously someone who actually wears her kicks...Props to you Bianca.

Oh I almost forgot, while we're making the footwear rounds, the Puma PT3 photo album is hot off the press. Peep the intensity here. And don't forget "NO SITTING OR BANGING ON THE TABLES" (Not even if I use protection?)


Today, the fellas at Gravis stopped by to show some goodies for next year. Some dope styles and of course, amazing bags and luggage as always. I'm trying to get them to bring back an OG style that I really love. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. Brett and Joe are good guys...

And with all that...I still managed to hang out with some old friends...


Sunny (CK Collection) and Nicole (Joyce HK)


Yu-Ming (Freshness)