Finally a new pair of soles for the ladies have been released!
Pointer have released a pair of boat shoes that’s both comfortable and easy on the eye. Available in three colourways – red, navy and tan - the ‘Alice’ shoes are lightweight and very feminine.
Freshjive, founded in 1989, known as one of the originators of streetwear culture has after 21 years dropped the Freshjive logo entirely from its product and marketing and I think that is a bold and brilliant idea. The following is an explanation letter from Freshjive founder Rick Klotz:
“Dear Friends,
If you haven’t already heard:
Since I started Freshjive, I have had a personal conflict with this business of “branding”. In fact, I was so conflicted at one time, that I quit working. I am in the business of promoting the company brand yet personally I am not interested in items for the brand name. It’s a bit of a quagmire with me because I hate the culture of promoting a brand yet I enjoy designing clothes and t shirt designs.
Beginning with our spring 2010 line, we will no longer be using our brand logo or name on any of our product, including all labeling and t shirt designs. Nowhere on any product will our name or previous brand logo be used anymore.”
A little while back I posted about the Faded Hope tee (the first product to have no logo attached) and recently Freshjive have dropped the rest of their Spring 2010 line; Which consists of bright colours, dark topics, cut and sew shirts and shorts, tees and a few other products. To get a better idea of whats out check the Freshjive site and there are a few examples after the bounce.
With discussion forums, exhibitions, an industry tradeshow and a public expo, Buffet promised to be the first of its kind in offering a niche street wear and lifestyle trade show experience – and indeed it was!
This time last weekend (26th-28th February), a few of the itches crew were down in Melbourne attending the streetwear tradeshow, Buffet, created and organised by Melbourne magazine AcclaimandFashion Exposed. An idea that sparked through by founder and editor-in-chief [of Acclaim] Andrew Montell:
‘The concept was relatively un-tested and we broke from the convention of traditional forums where the focus is usually on solo presentations, instead having a solo presentation at the start then a group panel discussing each topic and audience Q&A at the end.’ (Acclaim, 2010)
Things kicked off on Friday with an industry tradeshow where the streetwear stores around Australia (and some international) were showcasing the brands and collections they were plugging, whether it be their own labels or their favourites. The high temperature of the day was hitting everyone and with no air-conditioning inside the venue, some would agree that it may have been cooler to stand outside in the 34-degree heat!
What are you up to this Saturday? Not much? Well why not head up to the recently opened Mag Nation store in Newtown (with 5 other stores are in NZ and Melbourne) for a “Zinemaking Day” with the good people from Bird in the Hand Zine Shop. It’s sure to be a fun day where you’ll meet a lot of creative, inspiring minds. More details can be found on the Bird In the Hand facebook event page.
SBS’ Tuesday night documentary series ‘Hot Docs’ continues to impress, the program consistently delivers thought provoking and insightful documentaries focusing on critical global issues, tonight is no exception.
Screening at 10 pm is the unbelievable Danish documentary ‘Burma VJ’ (which in English speaking countries is subtitled ‘Reporting From A Closed Country.’). The film, by Anders Østergaard focuses on the 2007 uprising and mass protests by the Burmese people against the repressive military Junta, which has held sway in Burma for four decades. The demonstrations, begun by Buddhist monks, spread like wild fire amongst the disenfranchised people, with more than 100,000 taking to the streets, however the peaceful protests were met with callous violence as the authorities sought to eliminate dissent; perhaps worst of all for the Burmese was the speed at which the dictatorship managed to close ranks, banning all foreign journalists, shutting down the internet and even prohibiting the use of personal recording devices, essentially pulling down the shades and shutting Burma off from the rest of the world.
What a weekend! Some of the itches crew, like myself, have just arrived from Melbourne where we were privileged to meet and chill out with the most influential people in the street culture scene of Australia (and the world, if you include Jeff Staple I guess). We have heaps of cool footage and pics to share and they’ll all be coming very soon. Thanks again to Acclaim for holding such a dope weekend. Hope there’s more tradeshows down here in the future.
While I was away during the weekend I didn’t have much time to chill and listen to some decent/new music. My iPod is in need of a reshuffle and as soon as I got back home I started checking around the net to see if I could get something new and fresh. Low and behold, my latest addition in my playlist of wonderful, chilled out goodness - Full Crate . Full Crate is a producer from Amsterdam and his latest project sees him collaborate with fellow Dutch musician Mar. The EP entitled Conversations With her is reminiscent of J-Dilla and D’Angelo’s partnership. Pretty big call right? I’ll let ya’ll decide. Check out the promo video above. Thanks to the Perth boys of Beyond Skate/Butter for the hookup. Them boys know their music.
The story of a west Texas farming families battle against circumstances and inability to deal with the past, ‘Hud’ is a modern American masterpiece, dismal, but luminous, it is illustrative of the potential of black and white films, even though it was made just as that era was coming to a close. Homer Bannon is a respected farmer who’s eldest son, Norman, died years ago in an accident and who’s younger son, Hud, is a hell bound disappointment. Norman’s now teenage son Lonnie, whose father died before he was born, lives on the farm and idolizes his cavalier uncle Hud, whilst both Lonnie and Hud feel an attraction to their divorced, discontented but beautiful house keeper Alma. As tragedy continues to befall the Bannon’s, Hud wishes to do some underhanded dirty dealing to keep the farm afloat, and thus preserve his inheritance, but Homer’s stern morality means that there are lines he is not willing to cross, and thus the farm seems to be heading toward financial ruin, albeit morally righteous ruin. Ultimately the adolescent Lonnie is forced to choose between the charming but immoral Hud and the virtuous but stubborn Homer; whilst the perpetually unfortunate Alma is burned up in the fires of Hud’s self-loathing.
I was listening to the radio today and a section about Haiti came up.
Its so easy in our daily lives to be lost in the buzz of things. Life is always a rush, life is always going to be busy…but I think it is how you act in these moments that you discover a little bit more about life. Its almost 2 months since it happened, how long did it take for you to think about it and then forget it and go on with your lives ? I know I did.
You’re right in thinking theres nothing you can do to help them…but you can at least spare a thought or even a prayer. Even if you cannot afford to donate to them, lift up a prayer for OUR brothers and sisters in Haiti. For what is this life worth without love? & not just for the people afflicted by natural disasters, spare an inconvenient moment for the ones closer to home.
My boy Will at DeepSurface sent me an email the other day with a preview into his new drop. The autumn collection of tees, Off the Grid, brings together a combination of reality and fantasy. The designs are motivated by schoolyard memories of bold 80’s icons, Anime inspired characters and standout WWII-style military impressions. So if you from the 80′s you will be able to relate, if you’re not from the 80′s just appreciate!
As you all know Thirteen Itches are going to Buffet Tradeshow down at Melbourne. Friends of Thirteen Itches will be there too including Freshin & DeepSurface.
