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It’s amazing how even when you’re not in the mood to blog or even tweet an awesome product can get you so excited you can’t help it…. This is exactly what the new 3M snap back by Dope Couture has done for me tonight. If you’ve ever been around a sneaker lover long enough you’d definitely find out that they LOVE 3M reflective material. There’s just something about having something on that literally lights up when caught it certain lights. The whole concept behind reflective materials is to bring notice to that person or thing it’s on so that they stand out in the dark.. That is exactly why you can’t help but stare when you see someones feet light up as they walk by. This new cap by Dope gives new meaning to the term headlight and I already know what the Facebook and Twitter pics are going to look like (flashlights on your head). So, Dope Couture does it again. They seem to have a knack to discovering that thing that has always been there and putting just the right emphasis, in just right way, so that they’re product is, not only familiar, but also stand out all at the same time (genius). Don’t miss this cap! There are only going to be 50 available (wait a min…who’s your supplier? I need that kind of deal), releasing September 9th at 12m both online and in-store for $50.
The title explains the purpose of this post. In the past I have had to clear up the fact that I’m a girl with those who have come through this site (yeah, people read it…surprises me too). I realize the confusion comes in from the fact that I chose a non-gender associated name when I started customizing sneakers, I clearly love to blog about, and talk about mens fashion and the fact that the sneaker/streetwear culture is a male dominated industry. Well, at least I know I was being taken seriously for time lol. That’s a joke but that statement brings up some issues or questions….Where are women in this sub-culture? I’m not implying that women are ignored or not visible, because we’ve more than made our mark (Nitrolicious and Female Sneaker Fiend) , but where do u call where women are in the industry? Before I get any angry responses, I don’t consider myself to be the most “in-the-know” person or even close to it, so I’m sure there are many things I’ve missed or that I’m just not aware of. However, with that being so, is there a reason for that? Am I just not looking in the right places or are women and women related products and services a little harder to find? I’m not sure, but of course I sometimes live in my own little world, so I very well may just be out of the loop.
One thing I know for sure is that the definition, quality, diversity and availability of womens streetwear is limited. There are more lines than their ever used to be, but not nearly as many as those that cater solely or primarily to men. Not all brands ignore the female market, but very few have mastered the balance of quality and quantity of designs between their men and women lines. I don’t know how many times I’ve discovered a new brand, been really impressed with the clothing, then got the big disappointment after seeing what they had for women. I believe that the biggest issue with male run brands is a lack of effective marketing towards women, even when they have great women’s lines.
These are the product of a collaboration between Mama and Adidas
I can honestly say that the Simmons girls seemed to wake up big wigs of the sneaker industry. Over the past few years they have increased the variety of styles, colorways, and sizes that are available to women. I remember when you couldn’t get Nike SB’s in any size smaller than a mens 6. While the quality and the actual attractiveness of these shoes is more than questionable (but you could say that for men’s shoes as well) they have definitely stepped up their game and are recognizing the female consumer more than ever.
I’d like to see those women focused streetwear brands expand their views of the industry they reside in and make streetwear something to talk about, like it used to be before the market become over saturated. I’d like to see the brands that primarily focus on menswear to do a little more research into the female market before they approach the production process; perhaps bring in a girl or two to help out with the womens department. I’d also like to see those brands who have managed to successfully create products that are high in quality and style for both men and women to make sure they put just as much focus on women as men when marketing their brand.
Just so you know there are womens brands out there:
Well, it’s been a minute since my last post. My grandfather passed away on the 16th of February and it was a lot to deal with. I wasn’t in the blogging, tweeting, MySpace, or Facebook mood. After several attempts, I have just gotten back some of the motivation to continue on with my projects and plans. There will be a post on my grandfather later….and on to the post…..
I have picked up a few items over the course of the past month or so. I’m going start out with the Space Jam related items….such as these Fully Laced, royal blue laces from Karmaloop. I love the way they pop out from the black. They are noticeably bigger than the average pair of round laces, but I suppose that doesn’t really matter.
Although the Space Jam design was originally supposed to be just for me, I obviously decided to share the idea with others. After this was done I felt that I needed a shirt with my own personal touch. So, I flipped the colors to have my one of a kind shirt to wear with my shoes. I think this colorway allows the shoes to stand out more.
I went on the search for a top to compliment the Space Jams. I knew I could just do the Astronaut Bull tee, but #1, I don’t like average and #2 it’s winter time and just a tee won’t cut it. So to no surprise I found next to nothing, but then went into Forever21 as a last resort and found this American Apparel-ish striped hoodie. I admit, this was far from my first choice and it’s also a little big, however It was fairly cheap and matches perfectly…. I would also like to add that Hi 5.0 had on a hoodie like this on ABDC.
It was purely by accident that I came across this American Living striped cardigan at JC Penney (a store in which I’m usually not a big fan of). I was only looking over in this section because I was waiting for someone, but ended up finding something a little more fashionable than the hoodie (although I’m still going to keep it). Besides being a perfect match, this further fuels my new found love for cardigans.
I like to think of myself as a person who pays close attention to detail, and while that may or may not be true, I still think that little details do matter. It shows that you took the time out to think the thing through. It can also show that you care about those involved in what you’re doing enough to put a little extra time in. I had planned on making at least one of these shirts just because I love to design and my outlet of choice is often apparel….. so the fact that other people are interested in my designs enough to actually spend their hard-earned (or even begged for) money for them is an honor and a privilege.
As most artists do, I feel that I have something to offer that has a worth greater than money in my works. However, it doesn’t take away from the fact that there can be no one to offer anything to if you don’t consider the individuals that may receive your work in some way or another. So to show that I appreciate customers, there are little touches added to the packaging to make it not so average. Those are blue M&M tied up with a blue ribbon.
Never forget it…..
If you haven’t picked up your Space Jam Bulls Tee, don’t miss your opportunity to own one. There are only 25 total. Buy.
This is the finished product. I recently posted that I was designing a one of a kind Tecknicolor tee in honor of the Space Jam’s Christmas release. Well, I have decided to sell a few since it’s Christmas. There are only 25 of these made so you’ll probably never see them ever again, unless someone rips off my design. They’re available in L, XL and 2XL and are $25 plus $7 for shipping. If you’d like a t-shirt to go with your new Space Jam’s you can purchase one here.
Here’s the approved proof for the Tecknicolor Space Jam tee. I’m excited!
I may not have mentioned it yet, but my holy grails are the Jordan 11′s. I have them in almost every color released. I intend on owning every color and December 23rd I will be one step closer to that, completely unnecessary, but ever so wanted, dream. If you haven’t heard the Space Jam 11′s will be released this month after the date being changed twice (Nike is good for that). I have been preparing for this all year, and by preparing I mean talking a lot about it my very limited number of sneaker head friends. I really never thought I’d own a pair of the Space Jam’s because the story is that there were only 5 pair made. I’m not sure why they’re being referred to as retro’s when they’ve never really been formally released, but whatever, I love them.
Apparently I’m not the only one who is anticipating the Space Jam’s release. New Era released a complimentary fitted cap with a blue Bulls logo, that’s blowing steam through its nose, which reads “windy city”. The hat is made of the same ballistic nylon (the word nylon makes me think “cheap”) as the shoes, and features a patent leather bill with an oversized Bulls logo pattern printed on the underside. The inside is lined in blue satin (which makes your hair so silky smooth after wearing it for a while…..seriously) and the back has the word Chicago written in the same lettering as the number 23 on the back of the shoe.
As you can see in the pics, mine came in the mail today. It was the perfect ending to a week of studying, papers, finals, and lack of sleep.
I honor of my favorite shoe being released I have designed a graphic for them that will soon be printed, making myself the only Tecknicolor, custom-made, Space Jam T-shirt. It goes perfectly with my new hat. Pics will be up as soon as it’s finished, so stay tuned.
One of the items needed during the winter season, that cannot be denied or ignored, is boots. Although I live a state where it’s winter longer than any other season and the season is, to many people’s surprise, my favorite, boots are an item I didn’t warm up to for quite sometime. In retrospect I see that my feet were often unnecessarily cold due to my stubbornness to take boots seriously as a winter wardrobe necessity. After I finally accepted that winter = boots I was more inclined to boots that really didn’t serve a purpose outside of style (I don’t know why this was such a difficult subject for me), much like the D&G’s above. I have had a new pair of knee-high boots, with at least a 4 in. heel, usually black , nearly every year since sometime in high school. I of course have had different styles and variations, but it was and has remained my must have item.
While these boots are clearly one my favorite fall/winter items, what really bothers me is the fact that they aren’t enough diverse styles of them. Where are the innovative designs and colors? I have been looking for a navy blue pair for an eternity. I found a pair one year for a ridiculous price and now that I can’t find any at all I wish I had just bought them. Sad thing is, if they had been Jordan’s I probably would’ve.
There are also riding boots, which I didn’t really pay much attention to when I first discovered boots. I now own a pair and these look great with fitted jeans and casual pants….
yet, they can also be dressed up if need be.
These are not just for women of course, men can rock them just as well.
Then there the real, meant to keep your feet warm and dry in below 30 degree weather, winter boots. I have not owned many pairs of these for the reasons mentioned earlier in this post and this year I’m looking for the perfect combination of style, quality practicality, and durability. Finding this in a pair of boots is no easy task, but I will not rest until this mission is accomplished…….Well maybe I will rest, but I am going to find a pair.
I have come across every style and variation of the infamous UGG boot. I’ve seen boots in which their price and quality ranges from both economically conscious to splurge worthy and luxurious. While I admit there have been some styles that have managed to leverage themselves, as having somewhat of a unique spin on the oh-so-common design, I still cannot bring myself to actually dish out the cash for a boot that has been done to death.
I was definitely trying to lean in the direction of the design style of the Ronnie Fieg designed, Polo Ralph Lauren Ranger; A.K.A. “cookie boots”. This boot gives just enough style, class and prep to, what could’ve been, a bulky and awkward concept, creating the perfect combination. The trouble is the same as it always is, they don’t come in my size. I also considered the boots in the post after seeing them on the Street Etiquette blog.
Since what I really want seems to be impossible for me to find, these Timberland: Asphalt Trail Earthkeepers Chukka, have shown themselves to be a great alternative and for a much better price since I wear kids sizes. I also love the dark brown burnished color, giving them the rugged appearance of broken in and polished leather. I might change the strings to something a little more stand out though.
It has been announced that Kanye Wests, never formally released clothing line, Pastelle, will never be. Because of Kanye’s strong influence on and strong interest in fashion, we all though that this rappers clothing line would be the one to change the game. The hype on a brand that never released was huge and maybe that’s why it’s over. In an earlier post I gave my opinions on the brand on, what I presumed to be, the official Pastelle Facebook page. In my many responses to the questions, I mentioned that if this brand were to truly break the mold of every-other-brand, it would have to create more than hype. Hype sells, but also dies in due time. Apparently the phrase “hype kills” has never been more appropriate. So, so-long to what would’ve been Pastelle. I was never too found of that name anyway.
Source: Complex
Joshua Kissi from Street Etiquette put me up on this video, while having a discussion on what people from the “hood” used to wear back in the 90′s: Nautica, Polo, Perry Ellis, Timberland, Eddie Bauer and Tommy Hilfiger. I remember Wallabee’s and when Helly Hanson came on the scene, which seemed to be short lived. I can’t help but to think that the executives of Ralph Lauren, as well as the other mentioned brands, had to know about the subcultures created buy their brands. It’s pretty much their job to know these things, yet it is something that is almost never mentioned or acknowledged. Aside from Tommy Hilfiger, is seems that brands felt and still feel that embracing this particular demographic (inner city or urban youth) would diminish the prestige of their brand image. This isn’t a totally false concept, as Tommy Hilfiger had to revamp their brand image in the new millenium to pull themselves away from being considered a fad brand of pop culture’s urban scene. This video is about a whole underground culture that was built around the Polo brand, which is refered to as ‘Lo’ throughout the video. It’s very interesting and thought provoking to know that a brand that doesn’t acknowledge your existence can become your existence.
Check out the story here.
