You are currently browsing the monthly archive for August 2009.
Freshjive founder Rick Klotz has always had an issue with branding, but loves to design t-shirts and clothing. Now it’s been announced that the entire collection from Spring/Summer 2010 will be without all forms of logo placements and branding. This fascinates me from both a design and business standpoint. I love branding however, this move is intriguing. It appears to be a clever way of marketing to an audience who doesn’t like the idea of commercialism or advertising. We’ll see.
I have been wanting cars to fly since I was born (yes, I remember back that far). The fact that almost nothing from the Jetsons, a cartoon from the 70′s, is a reality in 2009 makes me pretty upset. The Skycar Expedition 2009 is attempting to make at least one of my Jetson’s dreams come true. This car completed the journey from London to Tombouctou, that started in January and ended in March. They’re pretty close to making the Skycar the worlds first, practical, road going, flying car.
Why Tombouctou? It is steeped in mystery and has been a prized destination for travelers and explorers for many years, and for good reason: it’s not easy to get to.
In “fly mode” the car will have:
- a take-off speed of 60 kmph
- a top speed of 110 kmph
- a range of 300 km.
- a cruising altitude of 2000 – 3000 ft
- a maximum altitude of 15,000 ft.
In “road mode” the car will have:
- independent 4 wheel suspension
- rear wheel drive
- acceleration from 0-100 kmph in 4.5 seconds
- a top speed of 180 kmph
- a range of 400 km.
You can put a down payment on your SkyCar today for $16,338 or reserve one for $81, 700.
Source: City of Dreams
SEOUL (Reuters) – North Korea ordered the release of two jailed American journalists on Tuesday after former U.S. President Bill Clinton held talks with Kim Jong-il and the reclusive and ailing leader issued what North Korea’s KCNA news agency said was a “special pardon” for the pair.
The talks in Pyongyang were the highest-level contact between the United States and North Korea since Clinton was in office nearly a decade ago.
KCNA said Clinton left North Korea shortly after news of the imminent release of the two journalists, Euna Lee, 36, and Laura Ling, 32, who work for Current TV, an American TV outlet co-founded by Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore. The agency did not mention the journalists.
The pair were arrested on the North Korea-China border in March while reporting on the trafficking of women and accused of illegal entry.
A North Korean court sentenced them last month to 12 years of hard labor for what it called grave crimes.
“The families of Laura Ling and Euna Lee are overjoyed by the news of their pardon,” said a statement posted on a website created to support the two journalists.
The statement expressed gratitude to President Barack Obama and several high officials of his administration as well as thanking Clinton “for taking on such an arduous mission.”
But there were immediate questions about what Clinton had discussed with Kim beyond the fate of the two reporters during a visit that gave Kim what he craved — direct U.S. attention and a visit from a highly placed emissary.
The North Korean news agency insisted Clinton had “courteously conveyed a verbal message of U.S. President Barack Obama expressing profound thanks for this and reflecting views on ways of improving the relations between the two countries.”
The White House denied Clinton carried any sort of message from Obama.
David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Obama, told MSNBC television that Clinton was on a “private humanitarian mission” and that “I don’t think it’s related to other issues.”
Clinton, husband of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, was the highest-level American to visit the reclusive communist state since his secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, went there in 2000.
He was received warmly and had what KCNA described as an “exhaustive conversation” over dinner with Kim and his top aides.
The North Koreans immediately sought to put their stamp on the visit.
“Clinton expressed words of sincere apology to Kim Jong Il for the hostile acts committed by the two American journalists against the DPRK after illegally intruding into it. Clinton courteously conveyed to Kim Jong Il an earnest request of the U.S. government to leniently pardon them and send them back home from a humanitarian point of view,” KCNA said.
It said the visit would “contribute to deepening the understanding between the DPRK (North Korea), and the U.S. and building the bilateral confidence.”
By Jack Kim
Source: Reuters
I changed my mind about the name, but I do love the ever so classic and ageless cardigan. Seems like it’s a newly discovered piece of fashion now days, however the cardigan is far from new. It kind of disappeared off of the fashion scene after the 50′s, only to be seen on women as complimenting jackets to sleeveless tops and dresses. It made a comeback in the 80′s (as did most things from the 40′s) but was usually worn in in over sized style. I have to admit I haven’t always been a fan of cardigans. It was just one of those articles of clothing I completely overlooked, kind of like scarves were a few years ago (we’ll get back to that in another post). Now I don’t know how I, a huge fan of all things classics and preppy, could’ve missed such an important piece clothing. It was exactly how I felt when I discovered luggage. Oh, and Mr.Rogers and cardigans are like laces and sneakers, they just go together, right?
Cavi – $106.26
This is one of my favorite cardigans of this year, from a brand I usually don’t pay much attention to.
In the 1950′s the cardigan game was on 10. Grace Kelly, A.K.A. the Princess of Monaco, was of the many women who’s cardigan collection was much like my sneaker collection. Among her who also killed it with the cardigans were Doris Day (who had cardigans that still can’t be topped today) and Audrey Hepburn.
Marc Ecko Cut & Sew Cuff ‘Em Cardigan, Sean John Stripe Cardigan, Ralph Lauren Rugby Wool Letterman Cardigan, Trovata Hitchiker Wool Button Front Cardigan, Just Cavalli Wool Blend Zip Up Cardigan and Theory Silk Cotton Cardigan.
Chanel, of course, gives cardigans the style and prestige that could never be achieved by any other line. This is of the Autumn-Winter, Haute Couture Collection in 1964. The woman third to last going to the right is Gina Lollobrigida and that looks like Natalie Wood on the end…..And while we’re at it…
Michelle Obama. We haven’t seen a First Lady with such a natural eye for style and what works for her since Jackie’ O (whom she’s often compared to), who’s cardigan game was also on point during the 60′s. Plus, Jackie’s hair was freaking awesome; never out of place in any photos. That’s like a gift. I’m definitely going to do a post on both of these First Lady’s style.
John Earl of Jonnhy Cupcakes recently posted up this pic of himself on Twitter. I don’t know who their by, but he bought them in Japan while lecturing at select schools. They’re a black frames with one side of the frame a circle and the other a sqaure. If you had told me about this idea before seeing it, I would’ve though they’d look totally goofy. However, becuase of the proportioning of the frames the two shapes seem to actually blend together some how.
I absolutely love varsity jackets. I really want to buy one every time I see them (good quality ones). The varsity jacket seems to never really go away. It may not be a feature in mainstream fashion trends all of the time, but it’s always fashionable. This one is from Calvin Klein’s Spring 09 line.
BBC
Pastelle
We can always count on Kanye and Pharrell to keep the Varsity Jacket in fashion rotation.
I love this tee by Olivier Fritsch Gomez. It’s called “Face” and is just $20 over at Threadless. Very cute. I think I’m gonna buy it.
Ok, I usually only post stuff up on the site that I actually like. However, when I saw this hoodie by LRG, who at one time were a staple in underground street wear, I thought….seriously? This looks like some mid to late 90′s Fubu stuff. I know people are trying to go vintage and all that, but this doesn’t work for me. Then the price is $78.4o, which came down from $98? Let me make it clear; I’m not hating on Fubu (people talk about them but they rejuvenated and owned urban wear). My point is, this could have been done a whole lot better and I expected a whole lot more from LRG. I’m sure some people dig it. To each his own.
Added Note: Fubu, Let me put you back on!
So Kanye West’s, yet to be released (we were supposed to start seeing pieces in the beginning of 09), clothing line, Pastelle appears to be on twitter and facebook. I’m not exactly sure which, if either, of these are official. However, the facebook fan page offers up several questions about how the line should be released. Whether these pages are official or not I still felt the need to offer up my two cents on the matter. If you didn’t know, I’m extremely confident in the fact that I should be the creative director for a clothing and/or sneaker line (only those on my approved list). I’m still waiting on my call from Ralph or Marc (strictly first name bases lol). With that being said, here are my answers to the following posed questions:
Where should the first pastelle stores be opened?
Chicago (duh)
What would you guys like to see most on the line?
Kanye is known for his trend setting styles, which the line should reflect. The accessories must be on the next level; belts, change wallets, scarves, bags, ties, even socks. Plus, we must have jackets: varsity(#1 priority), members only styled, motorcycle, bombers, and even do it up on the, always classic, jean jacket (with some good accessories).
Trying to think of ways that the clothing line should be released. What ya’ll think?
Not related to the question: Don’t use broken English when you’re sending out questions or information to mass amounts of people, especially people who you want to buy something from you.
Once again, you have to do it with the accessories. Not everybody gets that accessories are what they need to make the fit, so make them understand. For the first release of tees or whatever is coming out first you get a bag (preferably), belt, scarf or something in a package deal, but this is, of course, in limited numbers. Everyone will be trying to get that bag and those who didn’t get it will be trying to buy it on Ebay. People will be lined up across the city, because no one gives deals anymore on clothes, when we all know we’re paying like 200% mark up. Also, lets keep the prices Macy’s, not Neiman, we already have a BBC line we can’t afford.
When people start lining up for new releases don’t just leave them out there. Serve some doughnuts or muffins, go talk to the crowd, take pics and put them up on the site, do raffles or something. We all know that people are going to spend money based off the hype of Kanye. However, you want to be more than a hype, be a brand (don’t steal that line).
That’s my two cents…….What do you think?
