SOLE TO SOUL

I'VE MOVED !

2009-05-31T11:20:00.003+02:00

Thanks to the BF I now have my own domain name and website !

You can continue to read my blog over at www.lemelp.com as thats where I will be posting everything up from now on. It's bye bye to Blogger and hello Wordpress!

All what I talked about in Originality is now going to become reality.

Bear with me while I get things set up but I'm working towards making lemelp.com, kinda like a big deal!

Thanks to everyone that has supported lemelp.blogspot.com I hope you all still continue to support.

Peace. Lemel.

As I Blog Part II

2009-05-29T23:21:00.005+02:00

I'm putting together a playlist post that will become a regular feature of my blog. Ten top tracks you have to play this summer!

I still haven't mastered how to put music up in my posts even though I have the "Add enclosure link" thing up?

Anyway... this is what I have been blogging to this past week, Pretty Wings by Maxwell.

I still have the Now album, one of the best Neo-Soul Album's ever! This song is so beautiful and a great number to propel Maxwell back onto the scene.

Maxwell's voice doesn't need no introduction and the horns are beyond perfect.

Your relaxing track for this summer. Listen and enjoy.

Maxwell - Pretty Wings from Pop Along Kids on Vimeo.

What We Do Is......

2009-05-29T20:51:00.006+02:00

Hypebeast+New Era from HypebeastTV on Vimeo.

Everything is starting to fit. This is what I want to do!

Yesterday I was really down on my whole dream. I sat at my desk sketching over and over again and it just didn't look right and for a second I gave up hope.

But the minute I fell off, two great people put me back on and things are moving in the right direction for me. I got something up my sleeve, and if it comes to fruition I will be sure to let you know.

I realise I can't draw... well I can... but that's not the ability I need to be a Footwear Designer. I didn't really consider the fact that I wouldn't need to specifically draw to be a Footwear Designer. At the end of the day, who am I to argue with a person who's actually job that is! Just give me the shoe and let my mind go crazy! Let me be your Designer!

I can create and develop ideas. I can get information from consumers, do market research, bring my personal knowledge of Basketball, Street Culture and Fashion, to the table. I can bring my passion and knowledge of shoes. I can be a part of the production, I can see the colourway, I can envisage the shoe.

Give me a blank shoe and let me go!

I'm going to start putting up some of my NikeID shoes soon. It's something... I want you to see what I can create!

While I can still be a Footwear Designer there are so many other departments I can fit into such as Brand and Consumer Marketing, Product Creation, Development and Engineering and Product Merchandising.

This video breaks down that whole process which I attempted to define.

I've finally found my path.

Advice

2009-05-28T19:34:00.006+02:00

" Take what you want but you gotta share it with the world " Share, Drake

Where did I leave off...?

First off I would like to "shout out" and throw some thank you's in certain peoples way. In no order what so ever, HD, BF, and Pictom! HD came up to me on campus today and was like "Where is Part Two ? ! ? " HA ! That just made me laugh so much. Pictom aka Tom Lambert was the first one to read the post and hit me up on twitter with appreciation. And the BF is constantly encouraging me. Today I was feeling like I couldn't blog but I have "fan base" now people who are checking the blog and seeing what I do. Everything I do ... Is for you all.

So lets GO!

Part Two:

Since I developed this dream to be a Footwear Designer I have been trying to learn as much as I can from the best people in the business.

I randomly contacted Jason Mayden and he has been so helpful to me. I told you how advises me, not just with design but life advice, true words of motivation and inspiration. Yet, even though I have this connection which I do not take for granted, I'm still searching for more advice, more leadership and more direction. I realised fairly quickly that every designer doesn't posses a a Facebook account but although I can't get at them directly, I can Google their name and read past articles they have done.

I came across this article today and it really has blown me away!

I know I've said "read this", or "check this out"and I probably will continue to do in the future, but if you were to EVER read an interview this would be it!

I check the blogs daily through my Google Reader and a couple months ago I saw a post on KixandtheCity.Com advertising the Future Sole Design Competition, run by Nike and Jordan Brand in order to find a new young and talented Footwear Designer. You can just imagine how happy I was that this was finally my chance, but imagine how sad I was when I found out that you had to be 14-19 to enter..... I really enjoyed being 20 up until that particular moment!

I was going to e-mail Future Sole and say how disheartened I was that my once chance to show my skills could now not be because of my age blah blah blah. But I didn't.

However, if I did send that email it would have probably gone to the inbox of this guy - D'Wayne Edwards, Design Director of Footwear for Jordan Brand, whose interview I was so moved by as I read it today. What's really weird though, is how at the bottom of his post is a picture of Jason, PursueThePassion.com has an article on him too.

D'Wayne's interview is more in depth in comparison to Jason's but it is still worth reading just to know how he started, from designing shoe lace tips to working at Jordan Brand, he is the epitome of true passion and drive.

The connection between the two guys and how it reflected back on me was so resounding when I read this. When asked what's the best piece of advice you can give he replied,

"Try and find a mentor. Seriously. Try and find a mentor because mentors can help you. They did it already. So whatever you trying to do they did it already [...] The biggest thing is to find someone who you can talk to. If you're trying to do anything, any career opportunity, try and find a mentor or someone that, if they're not a mentor, at least is someone who can try to help you and guide you in the right direction. Because like I've said, they've done everything you want to do already. They can help save you a lot of time, and probably a lot of money, if you can find the right person to help you on your way ."

I immediately thought of Jason but also someone else I had contacted recently, Marcus Troy.

I thought back to all those times I had tried to pursue something, how someone had always been there to guide me. I've done promotion, street teams, hosting, retail, you name it and I have always been fortunate enough to be under the wing of someone who would help.

What D'wayne said and the connection it has to me gets weirder, " You never know who is sitting next to you. Just be aware of what your surroundings are"

This post is turning into a trilogy. I don't want to put reams and reams of text up on here. I like breaking my stories down and giving you all something to look forward to.

Just remember that though, you never know who your sitting next to.

Part Three Coming Soon.

Anonymous

2009-05-26T19:56:00.004+02:00

'I wanna know your name, why you gotta be anonymous' Anonymous, Bobby Valentino

I hadn't enabled the comments notification on my blogger but as I was scrolling through my posts I noticed I had 2 comments for my Internship post. One was from my cousin Kimo, always supporting me endlessly. This guy is my brother from another mother for real.

But more so I was taken aback by this comment left by Anonymous.

"When people close doors on you, build your own path. Just say * em and try develop a brand of your own. If you believe you have the talent, try it. You'll never know until you try - who knows, maybe one day you'll be running your own company and make a living doing what YOU want to do."

Thank you! Who ever you are thank you! Those are some very real and direct words but ultimately they are truthful. Every sentence you can take, apply to your life and follow.

"You will never know until you try"

In January of this year I tried.

After reading the Complex Magazine article Designer Jason Mayden Breaks Down The Jordan 2009 I was really inspired I read the story I would want to tell if ever I was to be interviewed.

Jason broke down the design of the Jordan 2009 as well as how he got into the design industry.

I done a little post way back on him but I feel I never gave you the true essence of his story and with my new blog approach it's only right. Trust me this is going somewhere.

The first questions that Complex asked grabbed me because after this,

"Complex: So Jason. Where do we start? Why you? How do you get to be the next guy that designs the Jordan sneaker?"

The most compelling story followed and it follows all the advice given in the Anonymous comment. So that night inspired, wanting to know more and as always taking a chance because if you don't try, you will never know. I typed in Jason Mayden on Facebook and low and behold 1 person came up. A picture of the infamous Chicago Bull's bull stared back at me. He did say he was from Chicago right....?

" I grew up on Chicago on the South Side "

Send Jason Mayden message. Click. Type.

To say Facebook is informal is an understatement! I loose every concept of grammar and syntax on there but with this I had to come correct! Because I couldn't be there to introduce myself, shake his hand, give him eye contact I had to do all this in a Facebook Message.

So I started with " Dear Mr Mayden "

I went on for a good while, constantly looking back, backspacing rubbish. Reading it aloud! Basically proof reading it like I would an essay. I told him who I was, how much I liked his piece in Complex, what I was currently doing and how it is my dream to one day be a Jordan Brand or Nike designer like himself. The most important thing.. and here's the link. I asked him for his advice. Well first I asked him if I could intern for him and then I asked for his advice.

" If not possible to intern for you specifically, any information about how to go about the process and any advice you could give me would be gratefully appreciated "

Click Send.

Four days later January 19th and Hotmail told me Jason Mayden has sent you a message. I was stunned at the screen. Quite literally didn't know what to do, well read obviously but think for a second. If you saw a famous person walking down the street like an actual famous person, world known. Wouldn't you stop and stare? This was my famous moment.

He replied.

" I actually don't have a budget for an intern this year but that doesn't mean I can't give you advice. Let me know what questions you have and we can go from there "

And we have... Back and forth messages on Facebook from then till now and for the future.

He always comes through with supportive, inspiring statements and first hand advice on how to break into the design industry. I am more than grateful and so glad I risked and tried.

Jason has that same hope in me like Anonymous does. Always telling me I can and that I will make it. Not just as Footwear Designer but in everything I do.

Advice is so crucial. When people advise you it's not to come at you. It's to guide you, show you.

Thank you anonymous, thank you Jason Mayden.

Part Two coming soon.

Originality

2009-05-25T21:32:00.007+02:00

"Is anything I'm doing brand new" Brand New, Drake

Conversations with The Cool Kid soon turned to conversations with The BF! It really seemed like everyone was getting at me that day. But you know it always takes those close around you to show you whats real and they do it out of love not malice.

That night we talked over Belgian Monk. The number one place to eat in Norwich and drink! And everything got clearer, its when it all dawned on me that I need to be original in what I do with this.

Google define is the one, trust me.

define: originality - the quality of being new and original (not derived from something else)

The BF basically asked me what separates my blogs from all the others out there. Of all the blogs I mainly read, is mine something new or is it simply a regurgitation? If I look back at the majority of my blog posts I mainly cite a lot from the big blogs.

However, I personally believe my best work has been my own words..... Let me know if you disagree with me but Air Yeezy Part One and The Big Issue they are all my own words, drawn from my experiences. And this is the path I now want to take.

I want this blog to fully reflect me. I don't want it to be something you can click on to the other blogs and get. While I will still scroll through my Google Reader and tell you hey, check these kicks out or this item of clothing, I want to tell you about me mainly and mostly.

My Lifestyle with the kicks, music and fun times included.

In about three months time I will be moving (fingers crossed all this hard work got me through) to the Illadelph as D-Wight calls it but known in the world as Philadelphia. I want you to live that experience with me and my blog will be bringing you all that good stuff. But right now I live in Norwich and then I am a native of London City.

Pretty soon I will be buying a domain name and bringing you My Life.

Three new sections My Life Norwich / London / Philly as well as the blog - A.D.I.B.A.S - All Day I Blog About Stuff.

Things are gonna get BIG!

Got the Lucky Mother Tom Lambert designing the logo for me.

I love how professional that sounds! This guy is young, talented and extremely creative. Please check him out! I definitely look forward to working him in the future. When creative heads bump together only greatness can be the outcome. How I met him, well.. that's another story I have to tell you Air Yeezy Part Two coming soon.

Two conversations and a lot of thinking later I am a lot clearer with what I want this blog to be about.

Read at your own leisure but this is something I enjoy doing. It started off as a thing to do but is slowly turning to my dream to write and tell everything how it really is.

No catch, no gimmicks, no fee just lemelp. lemelp.blogspot.com that is!

Be a blogger not a blogger-eeeurrrghhh!

Font Formatting Frustration

2009-05-25T09:29:00.004+02:00

Apparently I have OCD... I say apparently because it hasn't actually been diagnosed yet by a professional doctor, just my friends who think I am a bit of a neat freak!

I believe things should just be kept orderly. I have a tendency to loose things so if I place it somewhere specifically, that doesn't mean I have OCD I'm just not trying to loose it.

Anyway... things should be kept orderly and in the case of this blog the same. So imagine my frustration when the font for my last post looks completely different to the last one and the one before that.

Check these posts: Conversations with the Cool Kid and Internships.

They are completely different and it is semi-annoying! I want the font to be like it is in Internships but blogger is being weird and calling it Georgia when it isn't. Especially when I add hyperlinks in or copy or paste it radically changes.

Can anyone help me?

I'm pretty sure the last 20 profile views are all by me going view blog then checking shouting Doh then going back to edit mode over and over again.

Any help would be gratefully recieved!

Edited: Ummm ignore the above as it automatically done it. However, is this font Georgia?

Conversation With The Cool Kid

2009-05-24T20:01:00.029+02:00

I've backspaced too many times, I need to write something. I need to tell this story.

A couple weeks back Asher Roth tweeted a rather controversial subject.
In an attempt to make a joke he refered to the Don Imus incident where he called the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team some, "nappy headed hoes". Not Cool! Not Right!
So why did Asher Roth repeat that?
Now, I'm not about the actual Don Imus incident, thats long and gone and his reputation is no more. It's the power of the message, the power of the internet. How and what Asher Roth said got misconstrude and offended a lot of people.
Asher Roth not Don Imus.

Asher Roth unknowingly touched a nerve, what he thought was a joke did not make a lot of people smile.

I'm trying to make a comparison here between Asher Roth and myself and this will probably be the only time I ever make. How a joke can explode over the internet and recieve so many responses from so many people.
It was Asher Roth's Twitter Status, it was my Facebook Status.

Now, I been doing this blog thing since the end of last year. Took a break and am now back on it! I wanted to tell people, show people that HEY I'm doing this - CHECK IT OUT!
Well... More like this really:

help me achieve my target of 25 new followers by the end of this month... no catch, no gimmicks, no fee! just read the blog: http://lemelp.blogspot.com/ .... or else!

day 2 of the target 0 followers... 525 facebook friends and not 1 of you bastards are following my blog... but you continue to write on my wall, text me, ring me and say hi on campus. WASTE! its not even that bad... 25 by the end of this month its NOT a lot!http://lemelp.blogspot.com/

day 3, 9 followers. THANK YOU LOU WOOD! THEO ROWLEY! KILLA KAM! all the rest of you people are letting me down... 525 friends and all im asking is for 25 followers. how is that a big demand! like i said yesterday: you continue to write on my wall, text me, ring me and say hi on campus. WASTE! its not even that bad... 25 by the end of this month its NOT a lot! http://lemelp.blogspot.com/

DAY 3 - 9 FOLLOWERS THANK YOU LOU WOOD! THEO ROWLEY! KILLA KAM! all the rest of you people are letting me down...... big time! 525 friends and all im asking is for 25 followers. how is that a big demand! http://lemelp.blogspot.com/ thankyou and goodnight!

Right?
Wrong! As I later came to find out that hindsight is truly a brilliant thing.
I explicity said what I wanted to achieve but the way I went about it was so wrong. In barraging people with the link and my demand, calling people out, I forgot those who already read my blog and enjoy it. Those who since day one have expressed an interest in what new and brilliant thing I am doing. And while I am so grateful for the new followers I have, how I got them to follow was.... not the right way.

Now... It takes a lot for me to admit I'm wrong and concede as I am. So I'm going to defend myself while I prosecute myself.
Adverstising is everywhere these days. Every company and brand trying to sell, you the consumer their product. In your face adverts, overt adverts all trying to distract you from the competition and focus you on their product.
Advertising has to be unique has to grab you. When I turn on the TV its more than likely that I will be in the middle of an advert than an actual programme and even more so the advert is SO far off the product that you are drawn to it even more.
Adverts have to grab you! Publicity is key if you want to promote who you are!
Way back when I used to work for JumpOff.Tv in their Street Team I learnt that you have to grab people. Giving out flyers and trying to sign people up is not easy and you have to really be unique and explosive in order to get that name and number for the info sheets and make sure that flyer you gave them won't end up on the floor.
So with my blog I wanted to do the same.
PUT IT OUT THERE! PUT IT IN YOUR FACE! MAKE YOU READ IT!

But "You can't make people read it like that!".
This is what the conversation with the Cool Kid taught me. In wanting to 'make all my goals for the future come tonight' Drake - Where to Now.
For a second I totally forgot why I am doing this....
I realise that my blog is not BIG I'm no Kanye, Highsnobiety, Marcus Troy or Complex Magazine. I would LOVE to be like those guys. But more so, I want this blog to be a great read and I want it to reflect me. I want people to find it on their own accord and with a little help from me.
It needs to speak for itself and it can't really rely on me pushing it out there the wrong way.

Conversations with the Cool Kid soon turned to Conversations with The BF.
If this is really my blog then it needs to be unique, it needs to be original.

Kicks of the Day.

2009-05-19T23:35:00.005+02:00

Nike Dunk High Green.

Bought: Nevins St, Brooklyn, NYC

'I Can't Be There With You But I Can Dream'

2009-05-19T23:17:00.002+02:00

Twitter Conversation with Mr Hudson.

@MrHudson welcome to narrwich! damn these exams otherwise i would be there. have a great show mrhudson all the best from lemelpblog @ uea.

MrHudson@lemelpblog can't you take an hour off?!

And then things really sink in. Right now I can't stop listening to There Will Be Tears.... It's always been the way in my life, so far. Education has always got in the way, or shall I saw taken priority over my social life and life in general.

I'm not angry.

Just a little upset sometimes that I can't be out enjoying things, seeing Mr Hudson, playing basketball, working for the JumpOff.... But tonight after that things really started to sink in. Education is key, the key to my success and a way to achieve and move forward in my life.

My Dad always says "party's and friends will always be there, your education won't" He's right. He has always been right in saying that. I only really get one shot at this and with my place at Temple University on the line then right now, my books are my priority!

So Mr Hudson I guess I will have to come and enjoy you another time. When I can really appreciate you show without a worry and when I'm free.

"There will be tears of no doubt, there may be smiles but a few
and when the tears have run out, we'll be numb and blue.
I can't be there with you but I can dream. I still dream"

mr. hudson - there will be tears from dee dub on Vimeo.

Ibn Jasper

2009-05-19T21:00:00.002+02:00

'The reason I get fly is Ibn Jasper' Paris, Tokyo - Lupe Fiasco.

Q: What do you look for inspiration when you do your thing
A: "Ah, man it's all about life. You dress in the way of the life that you live. If your life has a style you exhube that style in everything you that you do [...] Once you like really get into your groove of who you really are, then you start looking like who you really want to look like"

My question: Who inspires you fashion wise and who do you really want to look like?

Words From...

2009-05-19T19:30:00.006+02:00

Definitive and thoughtful anologies from Marcus Troy. Really do take the time to read and digest what he has to say.

I done a post about how felt his words were a while back, 'Big Blogger, Big Icon'.

Read the full article here.

Private joke: I'm checking my inbox everyday!

Breathe and Stop....

2009-05-19T18:59:00.010+02:00

Flicking through my Google Reader and suddenly my eyes had to focus a little bit more and my heart just skipped.

Shops have them already, they are here.... The LAST colourway of the Air Yeezy!

Someone's trying to tell me something, because I said today I wasn't going to queue again but my inside is screaming YOU HAVE TO!

Sigh...

Let the pictures do the talking.

More pics via Highsnobiety and Hypebeast.

Just Listen!

2009-05-19T18:47:00.003+02:00

I love music like this.

Even though I have a love for lyrics and word play, I'm still a huge fan of instrumentals!
The MC in me attempts to rhyme over the beat, but for the most part I just lay back, listen and chill.
I imagine this in a movie, you know when the car is just speeding through inner city London or New York, camera close up on the passenger side looking in through the window.

Stops, starts, blurred lights? I'm going to have to find a clip of what I mean exactly.

Like this a bit.... Mr Hudson Supernova video shoot.
But for now, enjoy!

Internships...

2009-05-18T20:21:00.005+02:00

I send out a ton of emails to people, companies, blogs and I hardly get any replies.

I would love the chance to show my passion and drive and to be considered.

My dream is to be a Footwear Designer, to be involved in creating and designing shoes - the visual aspects. Through my blog I am developing an intrest in Fashion Journalism and would jump at the chance to intern at a blog dedicated to Fashion, Music, Sneakers.

I am more than happy and willing to send a copy of my CV for consideration.

But in a nutshell, I'm a dilligent, enthusiastic, hard working and commited person.

I'm sure everyone started this way, an abounding passion to follow your dreams, to try and show you can, to be given the chance to shine?

I really want to get my foot in the door without it being slammed in my face.

NexusVII Messenger Bags

2009-05-18T20:06:00.001+02:00

These are SO fly!

I have a Nike Midnight Madness messenger bag and that is pretty exclusive but I would never wear that ever again if I had one of these. I imagine wearing this to the office. It's just right, sleek and smart with a hint of street swagger.

North Face Purple Label Backpack

2009-05-17T12:14:00.004+02:00

I have a thing for backpacks! It's a NEED!
Especially with summer kind of approaching, you need something to stash your swag! Water, Magazine, Digital Camera etc etc.. I would gladly wear either of these by North Face. Sidebar: been telling people for ages that pink and beige go together.

I NEED THESE!!!!

2009-05-17T11:58:00.002+02:00

I have a Presto post in the draft stage but I saw these in Milk Magazine yesterday night and I was like WOW! I'm telling you Presto's are back and they are what you need to be wearing this summer!!!

Milk Magazine via Wai Ki. The HK connection.

Finally Famous !

2009-05-17T02:04:00.004+02:00

One of the camp out family at size? sent in a picture of us on drop day and Kanye posted it!
SMILING!!! It was definately worth it for the people. the shoes and to be on KanYe West Blog!
Guess I'm finally famous.... so much more to do though!

The Big Issue

2009-05-16T12:07:00.002+02:00

Picked up the latest Big Issue courtesy of my mate Chris on the UEA Campus.

I had to get it, it's The Fashion Issue! It couldn't have come at a better time, I want an insight into the Fashion Industry how to get my foot in, what paths to pursue and what I need to do. The Issue being a great read. Perfect timing indeed.

Overall the issue asks the question, 'Is fashion really at the heart of who we are'? I know a lot of people who would beg to differ but from looking at all the fashion blogs I follow the answer from designers, bloggers, journalists they would all shout YES !! !! !!

Editor Zoe Lewis says something that resonates with me, as she talks about the importance of her outfit for a particular day and how she had already constructed it in her head,

"Before I dressed, I had unconciously made the decision to wear this outfit. In fact, there is no way I could have left the house in anything else. Does fashion rule my life?'

I asked myself the same question, and in all honesty it does... Well to a certain extent anyway, as far as my bank balance will take me. But I like to look good, I get pretty pre-occupied in the morning with picking out what to wear, I want my outfit to fit.. I construct what I wear around my kicks mainly... If I'm wearing my green Dunks, might put the American Apparel hoody on or make the trainers pop by themselves with my black jumper.

My black Jordan 1's go with everything! And I wear my grey Cheap Monday jeans to DEATH!

I love to feel comfortable in what I wear, that's the main thing always.

Not the brand, the price, just how it fits on me.

Seriously, get this issue. There's more questions, insights and answers!

The Process

2009-05-14T23:32:00.002+02:00

Can not wait for this series. This will answer a lot of questions and definately give me an insight into the world of creativity, passion and design.

The Process (trailer) from Evil Monito Magazine on Vimeo.

Via Highsnobiety

Swedish Connection!

2009-05-14T20:59:00.002+02:00

Akofely always sends me links of the latest fire from Sweden and he never fails me, especially when he's in the video himself!

Check the fly, fresh guy on the left with the mohawk, bowtie and huge smile!

Frihet by Houman Sebghati.

K'naan - T.I.A

2009-05-14T20:04:00.002+02:00

I mentioned K'naan in The Cypher post a long while ago and am so glad to see he put the rap to that in a song! Wish he would a switched the language up. But still this is a joint.

I'm into sounds like this now... I', getting more electic. I like it!

K'NAAN "T.I.A" music video directed by: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Oh! And I'm so late on who Nabil is but judging by this and the Welcome to Heartbreak video - his production is the one. Serious business. So Creative!

I Have A Dream.

2009-05-14T18:56:00.005+02:00

I should wear this ring 24/7.

By Dsquared2. Cop here.

Untill Further Notice.

2009-05-11T23:46:00.003+02:00

I DO have a ton of stuff I want to blog right about now but I am very much pre-occupied with something much bigger and that takes up all my time - EXAMS!

I am Delicious-ing always so I am not going to forget all the things I want to post up and on a personal note I want to cover some people and some new blogs, note Amirzy, Tom Lambert and Pato Pooh.

For those who want more of me and in the words of Pato 'follow me follow me follow me' on twitter.

Untill further notice - Peace!

Swagger Don !

2009-05-09T11:49:00.006+02:00

This is something I picked up from the Yeezy Campout. I said before about the eclectic personal style of the people of Carnaby Street. I could literraly sit there all day with a camera and snap. But more than the visual it was the converstations about fashion mainly kicks that really grabbed me.

A guy came early on Saturday morning - expecting to cop a pair - JOKER! (sidebar: little did we know though....) And he was talking about this pair of shoes, that pair, that collaboration, that colourway! For once I couldn't pass comment! Waiting for them Yeezy's made me realise how.... not only small my sneaker collection was - 30 by the way.

But how if I'm really serious - I might need to step my game up!
That being said for what I have - I AM HAPPY AND I STILL GOT PAIRS PEOPLE COULD ONLY DREAM OF !

But he mentioned these "swagger joints" and he wouldn't stop going on about them and I can see why!
...... Next to the Yeezy's the most stylistic and truly swagger-ful trainer I have seen!
These MAKE a statement!
Check em out!

And before you ask - they are the same trainer!

They have that Jordan One feel that I love and the high tounge is serious!
Peep the full info here. These are definately ones to watch!

Fresh Summer IV

2009-05-08T21:02:00.008+02:00

As unpredictable as the British weather is, you still gotta look GOOD! And if possible cater for all watery, windy, sunny fluctuations!

Presenting the fourth post of Fresh Summer - Pants / Trousers / Chino's

H&M Light Chino.

I tried these on the other day and was gutted they didnt fit right... The pockets are a bit baggy which for me gives them a bad shape.

The advantages are they are nice and light, can go with everything tops and kicks wise and turn up nicely at the bottom.

I REALLY like! These Chino Shorts come straight from Garb Store. I found their site randomly and am oh so glad! All there pieces are perfect! Slightly pricey however, these come in at £110!

Next!

Maybe my brain is in Yeezy mode now - although when isn't it! But all three Chino's from Levi's Fenom go perfectly with all three colourways of the Air Yeezy's. The black pair especially with the pink accents on the pockets. Nice!

One last piece from Levi's Fenom their cropped denim jeans!

Next Post - FOOTWEAR ! Oh boy! I have a feeling I'm going to excel myself! Coming soon!

Revision....

2009-05-07T22:58:00.003+02:00

It's a tough task... but you HAVE to do it!
Not fashion related, although I wore my Yeezy's today but this post does relate to my lifestyle.
Occupation: Student. Degree: Hustle and Hardwork!

I went to a really informative revision session today which makes a change from the rest. All the rest tell you what NOT to do and not what I SHOULD do. By that I don't mean the answers but like how to approach a question, tackle it properly and feel like you have answered it, something I struggle with greatly!
Good old Early Modern England put me straight though!

" An essay must begin with and idea, an argument, something you want to say. We might call this conceptualization of a historical problem. Don't be too narrowly confined by the exact terms of the question, as if there is a model answer, the perfect essay, out there in space; there is not. Use the question as a spring-board. Avoid 'yes-no', 'true-false', type answers. You must think for yourself in an original and creative way, and then express those thoughts"

Revising with Adam after helped as well! Nice one Hickmott!

As I Blog Part I

2009-05-07T22:46:00.004+02:00

Yeah.. the embedd music thing is on hold right now!

But as I blog I am listening to Pato Pooh...

Sweedish Hip Hop is going HARD right now! Adam Tensta already teamed up with Kano and is just back from the states I hear. Next in line Patricio 'Pata Pooh' Silva!

Google translate the page and DOWNLOAD!

St Alfred's Air Yeezy Drop.

2009-05-07T22:38:00.002+02:00

The grass is definately greener on the other side or 3000 plus miles away!

THE CONCEPT IS SO DOPE!

Air Yeezy shoe = Air Yeezy store! AMAZING!

I love the crowd pictures of people waiting for the Air Yeezy's. Mainly to check peoples style but just because I was someone in that crowd too.

Peep the full article here.

Air Yeezy Part One...

2009-05-05T21:59:00.018+02:00

The Circle.

I arrived at size? Carnaby Street, rather late and rather unprepared!

I had images of long queue's, tons of people, mayhem and madness but I was confronted with the exact opposite - everyone was sitting in a circle! The calm before the storm maybe... Or simply people patiently waiting. Patiently waiting, in itself is an understatement as people had been patiently camping for two days now. Camping, waiting, sitting for greatness.

They were here! The sophomore colourway of the Air Yeezy's!

After I missed out on the first drop I was more than determined to get my hands on the second batch! Being away from all civilisation at University in Norwich, there is no way I could get to London as quick as I wanted and with revision taking the upmost priority, I had to ask the biggest favour a daughter could ever ask their mother.

DA DA DA DAHHHH G MUM TO THE RESCUE ! ! ! ........ Of all the things I have asked my mother for in my 20 years of life this had to be the most.... outrageous! The most unplausible and the most demanding! For those of you who don't know my mum went down to Carnaby Street at 7am in the morning and waited till I reached at 7pm..... ! Mother G !

Back to the circle! I think Sam said it best about all of us.. All different people, different walks of life but with one main thing in common - our love for kanye, our passion for fashion and the WANT for the Air Yeezy's!

It was a serious thing! Glen and John had come down from Wales two days before, same as Spencer aka Kennedy and Olivia!

All for a pair of trainers? HELL YEAH!

As the night got on... and I mean the NIGHT - Carnaby Street definitely came alive! People dying for that Friday night drink and people all the more eager to ask us what we were doing!

Swear down, if I had a pound for ALL the times someone asked us "Excuse me what are you doing" ... "Oh trainers - you are crazy" or... "Your all a bunch of capitalists!" I could have just got enough to pay for my pair.... But it was alright still... There was NO hassle from randomers.

Just people in the circle.....

It only takes one. One person to start something, spoil it, hype something up and just be a general AAHHHH ! And there was one in our circle - Superman. It was just silly, pointless and shameful to be quite honest and really the only down point of the whole experience. I hate stuff like that, hype for nothing, hype when it's not needed. From what I've heard about 1948 and what I have seen through blogs worldwide about the drop - we had it pretty EASY!

Thirteen people - thirteen pairs! THERE WAS NO NEED!

.......... Moving on!

Sitting in the circle and meeting new people was great. Talking to Michael and Sam about brands and labels was really interesting as we discussed how Kanye was making his way in the world. How making personal select pieces for his Pastelle range was definitely costing a bomb. How he was actively taking notes from the big boys in the game like Pharrell and Nigo.

All this made me think... From my vantage point I could observe the life of Carnaby Street, a place overwhelmed with fashion and unique personal style. A photographer's dream.

Shout out to Michael Antolin whose pictures I will be using for the next blog post.

I seriously need a decent camera, one that takes quality pictures and one that will definitely capture the moment just like Michael done.

Part Two coming SOON!

Fresh Summer Part III

2009-04-29T23:32:00.007+02:00

Its the basic rule of three.

Colour of the tee matches the colour of your belt, which matches a colour in your kicks. When I was 15-17 that 's all I used to do and you still could.. But now, I like belts that blend and fit just right, that are not defined to one outfit but can be worn with many.

Tanner Goods bring these three belts which I ADORE!

Natural Leather.

London Tan Leather.

Black Leather.

Fresh Summer Part II

2009-04-28T21:22:00.008+02:00

Tee or Shirt....

If you want to ignore the Hoody post then focus on the tees!

I will start as I mean to finish. My number one tee for this summer is from Hanes a classic, fresh white V-neck. I RELY on these!

Now for some colour. Topman gives you something simple with some POP! COPPING because they go so perfectly with what I have for the next two sections.

Black can be worn during the summer. Its just how you wear it! This tee comes from Undeafed. I like their logo, they do some really nice fitteds.

Maestro Knows

2009-04-28T20:28:00.002+02:00

Maestro Knows - Episode 6 (Air Yeezy Skate) from Maestro Knows on Vimeo.

Levi Maestro: 'They look worn in" ....

Black/Pink Air Yeezy's im SOLD !

The Jam Sessions. Master Shortie. BBC 1xtra

2009-04-27T23:31:00.002+02:00

I am SO late with Master Shortie and I am not just referring to the Artist profile I am meant to be doing on him...
Quite simply his music speaks for itself! It's SOOO Good! Electro-pop? Wonky-pop? Electro-Grime?

Just LISTEN !! !! !!

As I Blog.

2009-04-27T23:25:00.006+02:00

As I blog all my posts I: type, check other blogs, search for images, check facebook, watch the playoffs [lets go CHICAGO], snack and eventually post all the while listening to music.

Once I figure out how to put music up and I mean properly like with the little press play button I will embedd it under my post.

Untill then.... I'll tell ya! The Charming Mixtape - Theophilus London and The Roots - Phrenology + Things Fall Apart.

Fresh Summer....

2009-04-27T22:01:00.004+02:00

I posted What to Wear yesterday as I was heading to bed so I didnt get a chance to post the pictures I wanted.

And then I get this facebook from my cousin Amir and just smiled to myself, we share the same vision about how to rock the Yeezy's and how to look FRESH this summer.

" im jus guna w8 at size n get the beige. drop that shit wit the dickies n a white tee n that shit is guna look fly. sum stunnas for the summer n im commin correct. " Amir El Nour.

Well Mir Mir. Here's a little extra suggestions for the summer! Sidebar: June 4th couldnt come sooooooner !!!

Top.

Hoody / Sweater / Jacket

Uniqlo are like American Apparel, but cheaper. I love simple block colours because I match with my kicks that way...

They go hard with the hoody, I think the zip is essential.

If you have a bit more £ in the bank then the Moncler Fleece M-65 jacket. It is overly nice, only worries are the £ and how heavy the material is... This is a summer clothing post after all!

Avaliable at Collette.

My personal choice is the Uniqlo. Cheap and Cheerful! Or the Cashmere V Hoody I have from good old Marks and Spencers.

T-Shirts next.

What To Wear?

2009-04-26T23:57:00.005+02:00

I'm staying home this summer, first time in two years! I got a few trips planned here and there but I'm hoping mainly to be on the road. When I was at camp to be honest fashion or looking good wasn't really a top priority untill I went home to New York but now... It's all changed.

What am I going to wear.... ?

Coming soon...

Concert Photography.

2009-04-26T22:06:00.010+02:00

I check the Billionaire Boys Club blog regularly and I really do enjoy flicking through their tour photography. Right now I gather they are hitting up most Universities and Colleges around the US.

These pictures capture so many great moments. I love personal photography, taken my the blogger. Kanye does it in his My Camera section, Marcus Troy My Life Section and young Russy Simmons in My Thoughts Of The Day .

If a picture really does tell a thousand words, then they definatley give an amazing concert.

I seriously need a decent camera as well.

N.E.R.D are coming to the UK in the summer....

For more pictures check their blog Billionaire Boys Club Blog.

Sneaker Show - Sneaker Pimps.

2009-04-26T21:58:00.002+02:00

When I see things like this, I shake my head and wished I lived in America. No matter what state, I would definately be closer to the action than I was now!

The UK should do something like this!

Air Yeezy. Kanye West.

2009-04-24T19:00:00.011+02:00

.... Where do I start! Surely the most highly anticipated trainer for this year has finally arrived. The Nike Air Yeezy Quickstrike arrived on 4th April and where was I.... at University in Norwich aka the backside of England aka the middle of NOWHERE! Where was everyone else... queing in New York, Chicago, Philly and London for up to 24 hours to get their hands on the first 3000 pieces of Nike and Kanye's product of popular culture, product of design history.

Rewind to the Grammy's when speculation started about the shoe Kanye was wearing during his performance. Pause at the blogs going crazy [mine included] about what the Yeezy was, when was it coming, how was it going to look and press Play for the Complex Magazine article that breaks down all the moments of the concept, the design and the thought process behind it all that true footwear lovers like myself wanted to know.

The issue wasn't avaliable in the UK as yet but my special courier brought it back from his trip to NYC.

Broken down into three phases:

Phase 1: The Promise Phase 2: The Process Phase 3: The Product

It was more than an excellent read and for someone like myself who is learning through blogging how exactly to write about trainers and for someone who is trying to design trainers it was perfect. The early sketches from Kanye, which I took a bit of delight in and realised that mine were really not that bad, then Mark Smith's sketches, the prototype Yeezy's and the CAD images......

WOW !

You may notice a trend in my posts of late as I work towards getting a fully fledged website dedicated to creative ideas, dreams, fashion, music and lifestyle together. But the truth is [sidebar: name drop!] Dreamers NEVER Die.

"Every guy drew Nikes in fourth grade, so to really do it is a dream come true" - Kanye West.

I've been following Nike 1 World project where 18 select people from the fields of sport, design, music, art and fashion design their own Air Force One. And I believe Kanye could have done that, but it does just not fit with his character of being 'apart from the rest' a novel concept, a new type of artist, designer, producer, icon and person of influence.

Kanye dubbs himself as the epitome of pop culture and as Noah Callahan Bever puts it rather nicely,

"Kanye West is performance art. He's an idea. A brand. A Mission. An inspiring, infuritating, over-the-top and constantly evolving contradiction of values that are articulated, and often heavy-handedly through the mans every expression - be it producing, rapping, singing, designing or more often than not these days, just living [...] It's all presentation a new vision of the world, staring him as the catalyst."

I sat down with the aim of writing a post solely about the Air Yeezy, but I can't just concentrate on the trainer and skirt over the main designers. You can't not mention Kanye West.

He breaks so many boundaries and binds genres and people, he does what HE likes and what HE wants to do. He has a vision of what the beat should be like, what he should wear today, what he should say at interviews and award shows. And while the blogs and the "media" like to brand it as ego, self-centered, childlike and narracistic behaviour... part of me says let them, maybe they are right. But the bigger part of me says why should he let people dictate what he thinks, he pushes SO many boundaries, he is outside the box. He is not afraid and therefore his opinion comes unabashed and straight to the point no political correctness just pure words. From his mouth: truth, from his heart: soul - Kanye West.

Kanye West and Hype Williams - Amazing.

2009-04-24T10:09:00.001+02:00

Kanye West ft. Young Jeezy - Amazing from nhh on Vimeo.

DJ A-Trak

2009-04-24T00:52:00.003+02:00

I am by no means jumping on the bandwagon now. I have been "up" on A-trak for a very long while... Undoubtedly a great DJ who produces great re-mixes and spins on popular tracks.

Interview on Highsnobiety.

Interview with Verbal

2009-04-24T00:36:00.003+02:00

Verbal of the Teriyaki Boys and Ambush Designs done an interview with Hypbeast Magazine.

Verbal breaks down his influences and projects. Good interview. Love the photography. I need an SLR ! !

Via: Hypebeast

Kid Cudi

2009-04-23T20:37:00.002+02:00

Look Up in Da Stars - Kid Cudi ft Wale (Prod. by Breez) from DP on Vimeo.

By far the hottest track of the new Kid Cudi - Dat Kid from Cleveland Mixtape.

Sneaker Mirror

2009-04-23T20:21:00.005+02:00

Sneaker Mirror from Jesse Chorng on Vimeo.

Created for Kickburgh 2009 by Jesse Chorng. This new interactive installation offers another technological advancement in the concept of sneaker identity. The Sneaker Mirror reproduces pixels via a live webcam feed using images of over 100 iconic sneaker models which in essence reflects a viewers image on a projection screen and recreates the pixels using the aforementioned kicks.

This is what I do infront of my mirror every day, without the use of technology.

Via: Hypebeast

Marcus Troy - Big Blogger, Big Icon.

2009-04-23T19:21:00.013+02:00

If you look up blogging in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Marcus Troy. The Montreal native has a truly unique blog. The numerous sections such as My Life - which makes me recognise my goal, Berry - which inspires me and Footwear - which has me going crazy are definate reasons why I check his blog everyday and why you should as well.

When I Delicious from Marcus Troys website I tag it as icons. As, although I have not followed his carEer and fallen in love with his essence as much as I have Kanye, or gained a connection and mentor as I have with Jason Mayden, he very quickly has become that person I would love to be. Someone I aspire to be.

As much as I love his My Life section on his blog, where when seeing this picture my jaw literally dropped.

Being in a position to have that upon your door step, the ULTIMATE hook up, means you are highly regarded, respected but more importantly good at what you do, after all Marcus Troy is a Fashion Journalist by nature.

But this is what really struck me about Mr Troy.

Live From The Berry

April 01st, 2009

There is nothing wrong with dreaming big! There is nothing wrong with chasing your dreams! There is nothing wrong with wanting to be known or popular or even famous! There is nothing wrong with wanting the best perks and benefits from what life has to offer. There is nothing wrong with striving for a better life! There is nothing wrong with wanting to be a billionaire! There is nothing wrong with having pride in your product and being a fan of yourself or work! There is nothing wrong with wanting to fly first class, and eat the best food and hang with the best people. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the best!
There is something wrong when people tell you, you can’t do it and you believe them!
Marcus Troy

After I read this I knew I have to chase my dream. It's a shared goal by anyone who wants to aspire in their life and its how true icons start out. Your make your fantasy - reality, you work hard and succeed, you aim and achieve.

Although you tell yourself all these things look at your icons, listen to them.

It's like what Jason Mayden [Jordan Brand Senior Footwear Designer] said to me,

"Positive words act as the foundation to our dreams"

Master Shortie

2009-04-23T00:58:00.004+02:00

Master Shortie Dead End from Joey Swarbrick on Vimeo.

Full profile coming soon...

DREAMERS NEVER DIE !

2009-04-22T19:40:00.005+02:00

Exactly what it says on the tin!

Never been afraid to dream. "reach for the stars because even if you fall, you land among the stars"

This is our [Ozgun and I] next project, blog, baby, mission - dream!

Coming Soon....

DREAMERS NEVER DIE !

email: dreamersneverdie@hotmail.com for more information.

POW - IM BACK !

2009-04-22T19:03:00.003+02:00

"been gone for a minute now im back with the jump off" Lil Kim The Jump Off

in other words. Apologies.

SO much has happened since I have been away ! ! ! !

My come back post is inspired by Ambush Jewellry designed VERBAL. [interview to follow]

Fashion is a statement! An advertisement! An exclamation! And the same can be said about jewellry - which next to your kicks is the ultmate fashion accessory

The colloquial saying of "bling bling" is [sadly] still said and heard in society today. While I feel it ridicules a certain culture and is used as a sterotype if we go back to the early days of Hip Hop culture, the gold rings, gold teeth, gold rope chains! Thats where POW and 'bling bling' was born.

These sentiments are continued with Ambush Design.

The most famous POW ring, is a statment in itself. The Tokyo based design collective work to the motto 'Anything Goes' drawing influence from many creative outlets in Tokyo they certainly produce orginal designs.

So POW! In your face. I'm back!

With two months worth of Delicious bookmarks too get through and as well as keeping up with the blogs. I have a lot to do.

In the words of Marcus Troy [profile coming soon], "blogging's aint easy but someones gotta do it".

BIG BLOGGERS ! ! !

2009-02-16T16:11:00.002+01:00

Kanye "the best" West - My inspiration - My Idol - Ultimate Blogger - Undeniable Swag
http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/

Diggy Simmons - Son of a Hip Hop Legend - So into Fashion - Young Swag - Big Dreams
http://digslifeofthejetsetter.blogspot.com/

Aaron Reid - Def Jam inheriter - Big Blogger - Generation Next - Sweet Swagger

http://www.theaaronreidexperience.com/

I'm by no means on this blog thing.... Its here when I can get to it! I write more on facebook than this thing and I write more essays than I am on facebook - go figure.

People Big in the Blog game are for me Kanye West, Aaron Reid, Diggy Simmons, Just Nikole, they are personal blogs full of all the ish I like and I enjoy following them.

For a fashion tip well my homepage is Highsnobiety.

Hands down to Big Bloggers.

I'm in the race but I don't want the medal.

Kanye West x Louis Vuitton I

2009-02-02T18:58:00.006+01:00

Ok. This is the first set of Kanye West shoes designed for Louis Vuitton.

And I have to say... I'm feeling them. More than the Yeezy's!

Why... Ok let me explain.

Apart from the fact they are Louis V they and therefore are already going to be that more fashionable and upmarket - looking. They seem so much more sleek and wow!

It's perfect!

edited: february

edited: april $

Buzz Backpack !

2009-02-02T18:33:00.003+01:00

Nike SB Buzz Lightyear inspired backpack.

I am SO in LOVE with this!

COPPING!!!!

SNEAKER HEADS ! ! !

2009-02-01T17:53:00.002+01:00

I'm the kid who goes to the shop after my exam! Standard!
Check it: Your trainers turn heads... My sneakers break NECKS!!!!!!

This is a beautiful culture - one that I am proud to be a part of.
Inspired by: Kanye West Louis V trainers, new Nike's, more coming sooon.....

Double Take

2009-01-20T20:00:00.003+01:00

I say double take because when I saw this on Highsnibiety today and the sketch I had just done there was some uncanny resemblences... I must be getting better!

I love the sole of this trainer and it is something that I have been really focusing on in my latest designs. Its where I start to draw from the heel up. I noticed that its made up of a number of layers or sliced and cut into eachother in a variety of ways.

The heel or ankle next point of focus for me in my designs I like the one of the Emerica shoe. It wraps the tounge of the trainer almost.

The Emerica Braydon or my first shoe....

Cop Worthy.

Fashion Vs Sport Continued

2009-01-20T19:44:00.003+01:00

At the very beginning of this year I went to see the Fashion Vs Sport exhibition at the V&A in my hometown London. While I still wish I brought my camera the exhibition collection and ethos is imprinted in my mind.

As well as a collection of clothes: my favourite being the first ever Nike Windrunner, some pieces from Vivenne Westwood and a sneaker collection from Kish Patel there were special select items that really embodied what the exhibition was all about.

New York's prestigious Sneaker Outlet Flight Club have made their first sporting accessory with an obvious fashion twist. This fully functioning basketball has been designed with the ever recognisable cement print that we see on many Nike trainers.

Fashion Vs Sport or rather Fashion with Sport.

Billionaire Boys Club

2009-01-20T10:20:00.004+01:00

New Web Releases from BBC.

Pierre Hardy

2009-01-20T09:30:00.003+01:00

Pierre Hardy Double Ring Sneaker is a more sophisticated and "suited" take on the average trainer.
The suede boot almost has two ring fastens at the top which I really like. On the negative the heel is quite chunky and I would of liked it to be more compact.
Alright still.

Triumvir x Fly x Nike SB Dunk Mid

2009-01-19T15:32:00.002+01:00

Now this is how you make a trainer.

I saw the designs for this a while back and it really helped to see from a design perspective everything I should think about or justify in my head before I commit to paper. The shoe represents how Beijing naitives think about their own city. Tiananmen Square, dust, noodles and traffic lights all feature in this SB.

Its genious. I like the story behind it and I love the way it looks.

COPPING!

About to Blow... Kid Cudi

2009-01-19T13:36:00.002+01:00

Apart from K'naan. Kid Cudi is going to be on the lips of everyone this year. Having endured a quick rise to success at the end of last year he is set to take over 09!
His coming into the game could not be more perfectly timed, as we see Kanye take a break from rap other MC's have stepped in to temporarily fill his shoes. Kid Cudi. Big Sean. Consuquence. Any new MC signed to GOOD music basically.
Can not erase Ryan Leslie from this year either!
This track better be on the album!
"Sounds good to me"

I want to meet Plain Pat!

The Cypher.....

2009-01-19T13:32:00.001+01:00

MC's vibing off the same beat. I love this.
Watch out for K'naan this year he for sure is going to blow. I love the way he switches the languages - genius.
Q-tip still got it - always!

LETS GO RETRO !

2009-01-19T12:39:00.005+01:00

Varsity Jackets have been back for quite a while now.

Getting myself one was part of my Sweden Swagger.

I like this one by Deep Summit. I've always like leather on tweed elbow patches and they have re-created that here. The grey on brown are nice subtle colours to a really powerful jacket.

Cop Worthy!

DUNK HI !

2009-01-19T12:19:00.003+01:00

Nike Dunk High Blue Checker

CROOKS AND CASTLES

2009-01-17T17:24:00.003+01:00

Crooks and Castles clothing is simply nice. There Spring 2009 lookbook previews a few of their stuff this season and it is true C&C form.

Nice fitteds. Sick Duffle bags. And tight hoodies.

Love the way the hat matches the shirt in the second pic.

WHEN I GROW UP II !

2009-01-15T09:37:00.005+01:00

Jason Mayden is the latest designer to grace his skills with the Jordan 2009.
What is more amazing than than the shoe however, is his story and his passion that pushed him to the point he is at today. As through sheer perservernce and a eye for design he made it.
A person truly on his grind when it comes to trainers he has excelled to the top and achieved his dream of designing for the Jordan Brand.
I'm next....

edited April 2009: After I posted this I messaged Jason on Facebook and he replied! I took a risk - and it paid OFF! This gentleman in such an inspiration and definately a mentor to me with helping me achieve my dreams of become a footwear designer.

He is proof that hard works pays off and that kindness, humilty and a focus gets you where you want to be in life.

Jason Mayden, my icon!

WHEN I GROW UP !

2009-01-15T00:41:00.002+01:00

This is going to be me and my sneaker collection and I am going to be as dope as Kanye himself....
Little bit maybe!

SWEDEN EQUAL SWAGGER !

2009-01-13T18:50:00.003+01:00

As you can see Sweden was SWAGGER - great time with great friends! GREAT new pair of kicks!

While away for just five days I managed to pick up a pair of the Jordan VII Retro Hare's!

Still in love the soles and that is all your getting for now.... You really have to see these on to appreciate them!

Selling the XVI's!

Louboutin Tee

2009-01-06T04:21:00.000+01:00

Dope indeed.

One Off One You

2009-01-05T22:10:00.005+01:00

Designer Profile 1 - Adam Ryan. One Off One You

The epitome of style, fashion, finesse and creativity.

Adam Ryan is a upcoming London based designer with the perfect vision and skills needed to make a real impact on the fashion industry.

His clothes are beyond unique and are individually crafted and beautiful designed.

More coming soon....

Vans...

2009-01-03T00:56:00.003+01:00

I own one pair of vans but after seeing these that might change.
I love the colourway and the material.
COPPING!!!

Grandma Kicks Take II

2009-01-03T00:43:00.003+01:00

A while pack I posted the Dunk version of these.
So... SO happy they done them in Blazers.
Liberty print on Nike Blazers perfect match.
Cop worthy!

SOLE

2009-01-03T00:36:00.002+01:00

Remember what I said about the Sole!!!
Nike Tennis Classics CL

Nike Zoom IV ID

2009-01-01T03:27:00.001+01:00

Mike Epps. DJ AM (in the Yeezys may I add). Kobe.

Kicks of the Year... already!

2009-01-01T03:18:00.001+01:00

Can you see the genius at work!!

The Air Yeezys are going to be undoubtedly the trainer of the year.

Dropping in March in conjuction (hopefully) with Ye's long awaited and highly anticipated Pastelle Clothing line and his Louis Vouitton shoe. They are sure to set the sneaker world on fire.

I swear I saw them today.... maybe my mind is running away with me.

COPPING!!!!!!!!

Yes He Did!

2008-12-27T15:18:00.004+01:00

Obama's inauguration could not come soon enough!

Vintage Pack

2008-12-26T19:05:00.009+01:00

Its like my Christmas wishes have come true.

Nike Blazer High Suede Vintage Pack.

Love Blazers especially when they look Old School like this.

Copping the Red Pair.

"She don't know the Casio cost a hundred"

2008-12-24T01:45:00.006+01:00

Casio Baby G Watches have always been the shit! I was fiening one when I was a kid! I finally got one, only to have it stolen....

As you know I'm a lover of the sole of shoes especially a clear bottom. Well Casio have made the Resin Watch - like a clear sole on your wrist.

These watches are really back in fashion having teamed up with Bape a number of times as well as Stussy, Subcrew and United Arrows for its 25th Anniversary

Pharell Williams quoted in Common Announcement.

Christmas List V

2008-12-21T18:01:00.006+01:00

Nike Dunk designed bu Milkfed.

Someone posted that if there grandma wore dunks these would be them! I am really liking them though. Its the electric blue laces.

Christmas List IIII

2008-12-21T17:37:00.006+01:00

I know I usually post kicks but the new BBC Icecream Collection for Spring / Summer is defiantely blog worthy.

Copping.

Kanye West Kicks

2008-12-20T01:42:00.003+01:00

Nope not the Air Yeezy's yet.... 808's and Heartbreaks Air Force Ones. The designer - Mache has put the checkered suit Kanye wore at the VMA's, the KAWS artwork and the heart on the sleeve.

Genius.

Sole Art

2008-12-19T19:10:00.007+01:00

Drawings done by Insa.

Style Profile I - Reggie Yates

2008-12-19T18:04:00.009+01:00

Reggie Yates aka No-Bizzi.

The triple threat, Actor, Presenter and DJ but above all style icon. Literally no one has swagger like Reggie. He always looks fresh clothes wise and has an endless amount of kicks.

You can catch him on his blog or on his BBC Radio Show with his sidekick Fearne Cotton.

Husband material......

Fashion Vs Sport

2008-12-19T17:52:00.003+01:00

The ultimate swag.
I like the two combinations. To me fashion and sport interlink perfectly, they need eachother and we need them.

Exhibition at the V&A untill 4th January. Definately a must see.

Timepiece

2008-12-19T16:36:00.002+01:00

See in the New Year on time and with style
51-30 by Nixon.

Christmas List II

2008-12-19T16:06:00.007+01:00

Hooded Varsity Jacket from Hymns

Hymns combined three jackets to make the ultimate one - leather sleeves. varsity body and duffle peg up top.

Copping.

(posted before kanYe)

Protect your head

2008-12-19T15:57:00.004+01:00

Pom Pom Hats from Mishka.

Director Profile - Hype Williams

2008-12-17T15:56:00.004+01:00

Hype Williams is one of the greatest directors out there.

He is a video director and photographer. Above are some stills from Kanye West Homecoming video shot in Chicago. West and Williams really work well together. Kanye West Heartless video, thats Hype.

BANGER FOR THE STREETS !

2008-12-14T13:49:00.001+01:00

Chipmunk ft Loick Essien - Beast

Duffle Bag Boy !

2008-12-11T15:57:00.007+01:00

Much needed apparel.

Christmas list.

SICK WITH IT ! ! !

2008-12-11T11:24:00.003+01:00

When ever I buy or wear a new pair of kicks, I'm making a statement. Look at these!

JB Classics have pretty much designed the shoe for my egotistical needs then. The JB Classics Peddler "Sik Wit-It" trainer is a justification for why I buy the shoes I do.

They tell all you need to know.

Because the truth is - when it comes to the kick game...

I guess I am Sick With It!

Jammin Sessions....

2008-12-10T23:45:00.003+01:00

...... to put into words what happens when i get together with my friends and we "jam" is impossible because i can't describe it, no words could ever justify what we do and how we feel when we play music back and forth - person to person with a new track or old track - i love those the best. everyone trying to top the last - all the time getting educated about the love of music.

this one is courtesy of ca$hless. (man we were so tempted to full on jam there and then)

FUNNIEST KID EVER ! ! !

2008-12-10T23:40:00.002+01:00

After the day I've had - I needed something to make me laugh!

BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!!

2008-12-10T23:05:00.004+01:00

LOOOOONG STORY - LOOOOOONG NIGHT - LOOOOONG DAY.

BIG THANK YOU'S

The Hundreds

2008-12-09T23:41:00.007+01:00

There are a couple of good urban / retro / skater / hipster / stylish / simple - basically goood fashion clothing lines coming out right about now.

Watch out for Play Clothes by The Clipse. Pastelle Museum by Kanye West. Married to the Mob. Crooks and Castles and Terry Kennedy's clothes 0h and the Hundreds - featured above.

These right here are the Johnson Mid by The Hundreds. Im really digging all the colourways on these. They're different - smart but street. They remind me of the Alife joints but with a wallabe feel.

Oh yeah - they're on the Christmas list too.

Christmas List I

2008-12-09T21:00:00.008+01:00

Tinker Hatfield's first pair of trainers for Nike. The ultimate performance trainer -Air Max 87. You can see the inspiration in all the Air Max 90's.
The first time they put a window in a trainer -genius!

Spiz'ike's

2008-12-09T20:56:00.004+01:00

New colourways from the Nike Spiz'ike Campaign. I got them EARLY last year in black and red but the new colours dropping are definately worth the $.

Nike have called this particular coulourway Cactus but I prefer to call these the Halloween joints!

OH AND CHECK THE SOLE!!!!!!!!

FOOT- TO- WEAR!!!

2008-12-09T20:49:00.004+01:00

Nike Dunk Vandall High.

Dropping in Summer 2009! (When I'm in America - perfect)

Not usually a fan of Vandalls but I must say its a good combination with the Nike Dunk plus the texture, the cushion type material they are using looks comfortable and dope. Hoping for more colourways but am content for now.

SIA....

2008-12-08T23:30:00.000+01:00

ahh the cello...

ART & SOLE

2008-12-08T14:45:00.003+01:00

Art & Sole -- In recent years the sneaker scene has exploded with limited editions and artist/designer collaborations. These specialist shoes are invariably produced as short runs, using innovative or luxury materials and often have bespoke packaging. Art & Soul is the first book to focus exclusively on contemporary, cutting-edge sneaker design. It sets out to explore and to celebrate the creative side of sneaker culture, showing the best and most original rarities/collaborations and previewing the latest art and design. These are the shoes at the sharp end of sneaker culture—not shoes that can be found in your average sports store. The book also highlights how creative advances on-the-scene have been furthered by a growing number of artists who base their work on sneakers—from sculptures made from dissected shoes, to oil paintings on canvas, and even the customization of the shoes themselves. There is now a huge crossover between sneaker culture and the worlds of art and design.
London-based graphic design studio Intercity comprises Nick Foot, Nathan Gale, and Tu Hoang. Founded in 2004, the company has produced work for a variety of clients including 55dsl, Bush Records, Uniqlo, Five US, IDN, Carhartt, and Creative Review.

Definately on my Christmas wishlist!

Tinker Hatfield - Chief Nike Designer Aparrel and Footwear

2008-12-08T14:36:00.003+01:00

T H is guy!

I found my idol (another one) Tinker Hatfield.

Design is always something crazy - but after seeing the clip below, it was all explained. It gave me hope and gave me inspiration that I will not only apply to my designs (yes) but everything I do.

Be inspired by the world around you - the people - the music - the food - the world!

Break it down to you, feed off it, thrive in it and build a new culture - your culture.

I actually met Tinker a couple years ago when Jordan came to London to promote the XXIII. I didn't possess a pair of Jordan's then so I gave him an Air Force One to sign. I now realise why I got the look I did - the shame!