CRUEL SUMMER

Kanye West Presents Good Music Cruel Summer

CRUEL SUMMER, Kanye West Presents Various Artists

http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/kanye-west-presents-good-music/id561345385
Get it get it. Get it get it baby.

Spring/New Season S.N.S



In anticipation of warmer weather in a couple of weeks (bring it on Japan) I’ve been drilling out some new season gear that will hopefully hold me over until I can suss out some machines over there.

 

Banged out these shorts last night (literally, had to hammer in the rivets; masculine work sewing) and gave them a go tonight at Hip Hop class, great to dance it out in. Pattern I’ve made is super-duper comfy, easily altered and can be worn mid/high waisted or low on the hips (so sweet for the guys as well).

 

Buying other prints on mass at Global Fabrics this weekend, so if any requests shoot me an email before I head off otherwise shipping costs may apply.

 

Camp Shorts in Camo (green actually a lot brighter in person)

Power Socking

Good news good looking, an old throwback is back.
Ever the helpful reference, urban dictionary put the name 'power socking' to the fashion of contrasting socks to either pant or shoes.
Its all about that awkward cool styling (always my style of choice).
Power socking is a statement of boldness, whether it a sharp pair of sneakers to jam out in, a skate shoe like Vans or a pair of nerdy loafers. Wear black socks with grey, white with black and if all else fails grey and navy socks with whatever.

Metallic

Any metallic fabric will work, just pair it with androgynous cool styling. Wear it on the bottom or as a jacket.


Gucci jacket, One Teaspoon skirt. Source: RUSSH

Morrison Skirt. Source: RUSSH

Karen Walker has gone for gold in her latest range, sea monsters, with oriental quilting fabric used in dresses and jackets.


 

Karen Walker, 'Sea Monsters' WA NYFW 2012

 

Gold short and black collar shirt, fabric from Global Fabrics

Colorway Coordination

 

Finally I found some camouflage fabric. Envisioned a desert camo with a white base fabric but had to compromise. Looks fresh using the print for just the sleeves rather than the whole t-shirt; you know what they say about too much of a good thing.

All colourway coordinated with my S.N.S banner and ready to kick it.





 

W.A.R

Ksubi has a new range out for spring 2012, W.A.R.
My first question was what's with the acronym, still can't find out what it stands for, I think it might actually just be war and they put the periods in between for fun.



W.A.R shorts





Mixing the prints and textures of camo, tartan and denim with everything meant to be worn on the looser side. With all the zippers and layered fabrics the pieces in this collection actually have a lot going on; you wouldn't really want to wear more than one item at a time.

W.A.R vest Vanishing Elephant shirt (sample)



W.A.R dress



W.A.R vest


I went and looked at some of the samples at Black Box in Ponsonby; took some photos of some of the good stuff (especially like the red tartan shorts with half a zipper on the back).

W.A.R shorts

Hot dam

“That’s a really cool peaked beanie”, said no one ever.

Oh no. Oh dear god, no. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR HEAD? Wh-- why does it look like that at the bottom? What is happening? WHAT IS THAT?

I -- I think I need to go lie down.

Doesn’t anyone learn? If this was the reaction you got 10 years ago it’s only going to have gotten worse. In my weekly email from MOOSE (an American clothing store that ships brands like HUF, alife and AG worldwide) I saw they are trying to sell peaked beanies in the weekly specials section. At least it wasn’t in any of this seasons lines but still.

Nasty's Knit Beanie by 10 Deep.

Casio Kid

Ever since the demise of my gold digital Casio I’ve been wearing a Fossil watch; but I’ve always had a soft spot for Casio. In a recent trip to the Black Box Boutique outlet store in Ponsonby I spied a fancy new Casio from the G-Shock Premium range. Aimed at the customer who grew up with the classic block colour G-Shocks but now want something a bit more age appropriate.



G-Shock Blue, Premium Range

 

G-Shock Blue, at Black Box Boutique Ponsonby

Head on down to see the nice people at Black Box Ponsonby, grab a bargain, and start/rekindle your love affair with Casio.

The late gold digital Casio

S.N.S Varient

Another colourway of the star spangled red white and blue. Thanks George Vause, a real banger banner.

Just Screaming "Download Me"

Songs of the week that are just screaming “DOWNLOAD ME”:

Frank Oceans 'Thinkin Bout You' from his most recent album, Channel ORANGE. Take it as you want, literally, figuratively, metaphorically, and wash it down with a soulful beat. Especially with Oceans recent gay announcement which has given the track a whole different feel. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/thinkin-bout-you-single/id516813864



Frank Ocean, Thinkin Bout You

Coldplay’s 'Princess of China' featuring Rihanna is a great track, but the Invisible Men remix is perfect. You’ll find yourself with a slow groove on before you realise you’re not in dance class, and should probably be doing some work while at your desk. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/princess-china-invisible-men/id529169487?i=529169528

‘Primetime’ and ‘Murder to Excellence’ from Watch the Throne, Jay Z and Kanye West’s new colab, are also worth a listen. No matter what people say about this duo they can write some stellar lyrics. http://itunes.apple.com/nz/album/watch-throne-deluxe-version/id455308479

What's life without a killer soundtrack anyway?

Supra Skytop Camo

Straight from the basement of Loaded, the original Chad Muska signature is back in prime form. Introducing the Green Camo Canvas variant, an exclusive edition that adds fashionable to the list of reasons why the Skytop is the best Supra out.

Camo Canvas Supra at Loaded High Street 

For the Girls: heavy brows

RUSSH June/July 2012 (Be Magic)

Sock it to em with statement a brow. The June/July RUSSH magazine features strong eyebrows throughout, and it's an easy trend that will update your look for the winter. It's dark and stormy outside so why not style to suit.


Backstage at Derek Lam

NYFW 2012 Cynthis Rowley

RUSSH Magazine

Nike Terminator High

There’s plenty of sneaker heads at City Dance on Queen Street, one got me onto the Nike Terminator, and was he bang on.

Introduced in 1985, the iconic Nike Terminator high-top distinguished itself from the Nike Dunk by its prominent NIKE heel logo and classic two and three-tone colourway. The Terminator also features a lace loop on the heel for wrapping the laces around the shoe; this and the logo were quirks shared by other basketball shoes of the era.

Nike Terminator High-top

Searching the number on the tongue of the shoe (eg. 336509-114) takes you to the exact style and model. These bangin kicks are part of the Fall 2010 season with two other colourways released. Pictures truly don’t do this sneaker justice.
Team them up with the Roo Trackie Doo Crack sweatpants by Lower in forest green and look killer, (They are sold out on the Thanks website but saw they had a few pairs in store last weekend).

Shoe number on tongue

Roo Trackie Doo Crack-smoke by Lower

City Dance on Queen Street, Auckland has many stylish individuals that are more than willing to let you gawk at their sick kicks, come jam it out http://www.citydance.co.nz/timetable2.htm.

Nike Terminator High-top

Trust me on this: Camouflage

Acapulco Gold 2012

You’re going to have to trust me on this one. Camouflage is super badass and I’m really hoping some of the major labels are going to pick it up and run with it. A disappointing trip to the army surplus store on my lunch break (where they didn’t have the right colourway) means I don’t have any as of yet, but I’m keeping a look out. Some of the American labels like Acapulco Gold and Herschel bags are starting to jump on the band waggon.

Acapulco Gold 2012

Wu-Wear

Acapulco Gold 2012

Be super careful not to go full action man. It looks sharp to have just one item, like a t, backpack or even chinos like the ones from AG. Crazy cool!

Best Find EVER

Good news.
For $6 you can get one of the highest qualities, well-made t-shirts I have ever been lucky enough to find. Kmart men’s plain crew neck ts, and I can’t get across how fucking amazing they are. I now have eight t-shirts in various sizes in grey, black, navy and white. Boys wear them as they are, girls roll up/cuff the sleeves. Medium with some chinos or x-large with fitted trousers or jeans. I’ve seen my share of ruined intentions with a gaudy printed t, so keep it plain and keep it gangs.
Good news. Great news.

VIC Winter 2012 APPAREL

Get hot headed with the winter woolly 5 panel cap from VIC Apparel. A label from right here in Aotearoa with all leather logo patches, so get amongst. While you’re at it keep your back pocket warm and change in order with a prudent pouch. Keep it tight and support some local talent.

5 PANEL CAP - WOOL ASH/GREEN

PRUDENT POUCH - WOOL, 7.3CM-14CM

5 PANEL CAP - CORDS NAVY/KHAKI

Herschel Supply Co.

Backpacks have never looked so good. Founded in 2009 by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack, Herschel Supply Co. adopted its name from the small town where three generations of their family grew up; Herschel, whose population today is counted at 30 residents. Herschel Supply Co. is based in Vancouver, Canada and they supply backpacks, wallets and other bag goodness to stylish individuals like you.


Classic, Heritage, Pop Quiz and Little America Herschel bags in blue

Classic, Heritage and Pop Quiz Herschel bags in red

No Dancing. Please.

My good friend Hana who is currently living in Japan sent me through this photo. Outrageous, all my Nike dunks would get cobwebs.

Crooks N Castles Crews

I've been searching for a new heavy crew neck this season, and because most of them have been cut to fit men (raglan sleeves so they're bulky at the top) it's been quite a hard find. For the boys I would recommend the crews from AG, the fabric in the body has been cut against the grain rather than with the grain so if it shrinks in the wash it will shrink in rather than up. No one likes a short crew. Genius AG, I'll have to steal that technique.
Wu Wear also has crews this out season but their designs are often the same each year.

Crooks and Castles are an American skate label that are known for their killer prints and wicked style. The cut of their crews are perfect for guys and girls, with their set in sleeves and panelled ribbing down the sides making them less bulky, especially around the shoulders.

Crooks N Castles Heavy Neck Crew



I’m stoked with my find (purchased the black crew) and thought I’d save other girls out there the hassle of looking.

And more from Crooks N Castles.

Crooks N Castles 2012

Crooks N Castles 2012

Cocaine & Caviar