Common Projects have been expanding considerably with their recent baggage, wallets and sunglasses. We’re fans of pretty much everything they’ve done, but especially the original Achilles. The debut of the Achilles was a distinct moment in refined sneaker history.
Recently they came out with the Achilles Raw High Top and they look phenomenal. Slightly more subtle than their combat boots, Common Projects added some great details and textures to the Achilles High Top. Rough suede laces, contrasting soles and metal eyelets come together flawlessly.
Japanese cool kids are amongst the coolest in the world. Here’s an interview with Verbal and Yoon of Ambush. You’ve probably seen some Ambush jewelery pieces on people like Cudi and Big Sean who both rep a POW piece on the regular. Verbal (Teriyaki Boyz front man) and Yoon also recently collaborated with A Bathing Ape on some jewelery pieces and footwear.
Here’s an interesting interview by T.M.I. (Too Much Information) with the two of them going over style, design, the collaborative process and a get-started-on-your-dream message from the duo.
Gucci’s Icon-Temporary pop-up shops are making their way across global cities. Next on the list is London and a couple of exclusive sneakers for the London store have been created by Frida Giannini. The above shoe for London has been our favourite so far. You can check out the second London exclusive sneaker ahead.
The London location will be open for three weeks starting on April 22nd in Covent Garden and will carry 17 additional sneaker styles from the Icon-Temporary collection.
Just when you thought A Bathing Ape was becoming formuliac, they drop this collaboration with United Arrows. The Japanese collaboration includes a few pieces for the Spring/Summer 2010 season and our favourite is pictured above. The loafers feature their signature mustache logo. The line also includes three piece suits, dress shirts, ties and hats.
French artist Parra has come out with a handful of Nike collaborations now, but our favourite ones have been his Air Max 1s. His first pair were super clean with subtle Parra splashes of colour on a black base. The most eccentric part of the shoe was the practically hidden insole (pictured ahead).
This time around, Parra has done up another pair of Air Max 1 sneakers that are a lot more colourful (pictured above). The sneakers have a lot going on including a multitude of colours, suede, mesh and of course custom insoles.
The Parra Air Max 1 is available on March 13, 2010 through Patta.
Supra released pictures of its new “non-skate” line of shoes recently and they look excellent. Instead of continuing on a destructive path of making the most over-the-top shoe imaginable (I even have a pair of their garish gold leather skytops), the brand has returned to basics and created two brand new simple and classic silhouettes. The Cuttler is a high top sneaker and it comes in black leather and grey canvas. The Assault is a low top sneaker and it will be released in Black Full-grain, White Canvas, Grey Canvas and Navy Gingham throughout March and April.
I’ll have the black canvas hi-tops and the white canvas low-tops please and thank you.
More pics (thanks to highsnobiety) after the jump.
I came across Jaime Hayon and his exceptional work recently. The skater-based artist complimented his natural talent with a degree in industrial design, which resulted in his amazing and unique aesthetic. Here’s a little excerpt from his bio. Continue reading for a glimpse at more of his work.
Jaime Hayón Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon was born in Madrid in 1974. As a teenager, he submerged himself in skateboard culture and graffiti art, the foundation of the detailed, bold-yet-whimsical imagery so imminent in his work today…Jaime further defined his vision in subsequent solo exhibitions and shows at London’s Aram Gallery, and Milan’s Salone de Mobile and his work has been displayed in Germany’s Vitra Museum, London’s Design Museum, Rotterdam’s Vivid Gallery, the Gronginger Museum (also in Holland) and the Basel Art Fair and has attracted the attention of prestigious art collectors.
Band of Outsiders shows off some of their Spring/Summer 2010 pieces. The brand is consistent in making exceptional quality, simple aesthetic clothes for the oxford shirt, topsider-wearing man in you. Assuming that’s what you’re after, the pieces are well worth the investment.
Here’s an interview with Jon Buscemi who makes up one third of footwear brand Gourmet. It’s an interesting video into the brand and their design approach. Beyond the excellent shoes, we’re happy to see three young dudes succeeding in what they love. The video was produced for A Number of Names & well-known store Hanon.
Surface 2 Air has done exceptionally well since their transition from solely accessories into full collections of clothing. Most recently they’ve given us a preview of their upcoming Fall/Winter 2010 line. Check out some of our favourite pieces including some exceptional boots, Ts, outerwear and several blacked out pieces ahead.
