The Retrospective

One of my favorite brands in New York right now is 3sixteen. With the economy the way it is and the already oversaturated retail market, I feel like it’s important to support good independent brands.  I like brands that are not afraid of just doing their own thing. The brand is the creation of Andrew Chen and Johan Lam. While initially starting out as a T-shirt line in 2003, 3sixteen took a hiatus regrouped and returned as a diverse brand with well crafted garments. The pieces range from structured ties, high quality denim and still some great Tee’s. Personally I’m really into their take on the Utility shirt silhouette.  Here are a couple videos released by 3sixteen, one featuring there Fall 2009 Photoshoot and “A Day with 3sixteen”, enjoy:

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Tags: Art · Fashion · New YorkNo Comments.

Jelsen Innocent (aka Jelsen Jargon) is a Brooklyn-based graphic artist whose work is playful, and could even be described as visually compelling. I first discovered Jelsen’s work purely by accident. What really drew me in is that, he almost exclusively hand draws custom typefaces for his projects. Crafted with a loving subtle detail. I decided to shoot him an email and we met up for a chat and lunch in Manhattan. We had interesting conversation about his work, inspiration and our mutual love of type. Here is a quick Q & A and some pieces of his work.

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Tags: Design5 Comments

Jeff Staple as far as we are concerned is one of the most interesting entrepreneur and figures in street wear and street wear culture. He has always maintained a steadfast commitment to follow his vision despite the fickleness of the industry. While other brands were eager to cash in on whatever trends were popular, Staple Design stood by their commitment to creating simple, intelligent design pieces. I think its really important for people to understand the history behind both the brand he has created and his design studio. I find his ideas and the execution of said ideas are a case study in both building and maintaining a interesting brand.

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Tags: Culture · Design · Fashion · Marketing3 Comments

I met up with a few friends in the west end to have a few cocktails. Its sort of our low key spot, my favorite bartender introduced me to the joys of elderflower liqueur; namely St-Germain. I’m not that into designer liqueur, nor am I really that well versed in them, but I was impressed. Its made from elder-flowers from the foothills of the French Alps. Its hard to really describe the flavor, its like a lychee and citrus fruit combined. The elder-flowers are handpicked and are delicately distilled to preserve flavor. Its officially now my signature drink; its a little pricey though but well worth it. The only thing is, I can’t seem to find it locally. I’ve only seen it at a couple places and I haven’t seen it in stores. I’m trying to find some for the holidays coming up. In the right hands this brand could be huge. Anyway, if your lucky enough to find it, definitely check it out.

Image courtesy of: Spoonlicker

Tags: food1 Comment

I’m not sure when I first discovered Nooka, but they are a Life Style and Accessory design company headed by Mathew Waldman. They make really interesting design pieces working with different design systems. They are mostly known for their interesting take on time pieces, mainly watches. They redefine the standard analog or digital “interface” and focus mainly on a more intuitive and abstract visual illustration of time. My girl bought me the “Zoo MR” for my birthday and I was really impressed. They have so many different pieces that there is something for everyone and ultimately all the  pieces have a unique visual illustration. I’m definitely going to try and pick up a couple more pieces. I really like the philosophy behind the brand and they are planning on expanding their design ideas to different types of accessories. Check them out.

Tags: Art · Design · FashionNo Comments.

While searching for a Saul Williams interview a couple of years ago I stumbled upon a site called Evil Monito. I had no idea what it was at the time; After reading the interview and going through the archives I found several interesting essays ranging from identity politics to capitalist consumption. As I browsed through the site some more I discovered that Ricky Kim was the man behind Evil Monito. As founder, Kim and his crew critique and dissect pop culture. Not only was it one of the most in depth articles I’ve ever read about Saul Williams but it tackled profound questions raised about his work. Fast forward 3 years later and the Evil Monito title includes online magazine and catalyst for Ricky Kim as well as marketing and PR firm based in Echo Park, CA. Kim also collaborates with such brands as Kangol, CreativeRecreation, and Logan Hicks. According to Mr.Kim, Evil Monito provides a behind the scences look at his hustle of the two worlds. Gitamba conducted an interview with Mr. Kim via email a couple weeks ago, I think its pretty interesting, check it out.

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Tags: Art · Culture · Design · Fashion5 Comments

I first heard about Common Projects through a friend of mine who happens to be in living in the U.K right now. Recently I noticed a couple posts and I had to see what the hype was about. I just had a chance to go through their Spring ‘08 look book and I’m even more impressed. I really like the clean and simple design of their whole line. Everyone is talking about The Desert Boot but I’m really digging their even more minimalist Low Tops. These guys have been around for the last two years and are definitely making a statement with this collection. I must get my hands on a pair of these, Check it out.

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Tags: Fashion3 Comments

One of my favorite groups The Roots is coming out with a new album called “Rising Down” on April 29th. They just released a video for a song called 75 Bars (Black Thoughts Reconstruction). The video is directed by Rik Cordero who also directed the “Blue Magic” video for Jay-Z. There is no chorus just Black Thought’s rhyme and ?uestlove’s bright snare and menacing bass line. Check it out and if you like it don’t forget to pick up their new album on premeiring April 29th.

Tags: Music2 Comments

Way back in high school is when I first got into Saul Williams; I’m not sure how, but at some point I got a hold of his first CD Amethyst Rock Star; I’m not going to lie it changed my life. Not really because of the subject matter, but because of the delivery. If you you’ve never heard Saul Williams before you are missing out on some serious stuff; he can transcend most mediums, he is a Writer, Musician, Poet, Actor. His last album self titled Saul Williams; was a reaction against the “gangster play” of both our country and popular music; songs like Grippo, Telegram to Hip-hop, African Student Movement all dealt with politics in this country and also and at times more importantly inner politics. At times it takes on some very heavy social matters but delivered in a way that you could bob your head to. Saul Williams is not just Hip-Hop, he transcends genres without even trying, the very nature of his art is the knowledge of self. His new and most ambitious album to date called The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Stardust is produced by both him and Trent Reznor. Take a look at the track listing and our probably going to be baffled (if the name of the album hasn’t already) if your not familiar I think it’s a play on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust the seminal album by David Bowie. With songs like Tr(nigger), Raw, Skin of a Drum and Raised to be Lowered its definitely an intense album and a more focused one. The influence of Trent Reznor can be heard all over the place but the focus is still on Saul, his words never disappoint.

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Tags: Music1 Comment

M.I.A

“Kala”

Interscope: 2007

When I first heard about M.I.A a couple years ago; I must say I automatically lumped her in with the emerging grime scene what was going on at the time. All of a sudden in late 2005 and early 2006 magazines started to get kids hip to this “new” scene out of the U.K; I was not impressed. The hype all over the internet was pretty much impossible to ignore, Pitchfork, Rollingstone, Fader all did stories on her and still I was unimpressed. Her First album Arular, named after her father a former Sri Lankan Tamil activist, was impressive for a person who just started “tinkering” with a cheap drum machine; it was a mixture of Hip hop, dance hall, electro-clash, Funk etc.. For me that was the genius of the record, the fact that she ignored the indie establishment and did exactly what she wanted to do.

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Tags: Music · ReviewNo Comments.