And theres me thinking all lines in the fashion world are white?

Interesting and accessible insight into some fashion concepts and whatnot. Doesnt come across as too elitist or complex like alot of prominent figures in high end fashion can.

Until next time. Aideu

Nike Stiletto Pack - Kicks for Chicks

Speechless.....

Until next time. Adieu

Shoes that shine

"Alan Kashi - a.k.a 'AK' - had a vision that his and his family's collection of jewelry would later expand into Hip-Hop fashion in a way that would revolutionize an entire industry"

That he certainly has! The AK sneaker courtesy of Kashi Kicks may well be named after a lethal firearm but ain't nothin' getting killed by these babies except yo image and pride.

The guy has even blessed the sneaker game with clocked out sneaks...... Yea thats right, clocks on yo sneakers!! Why you ask?
Because every modern day flyboy gotta know what time it is! Its Kashi time dammit!
Everyone knows wristwatches are outdated. Ain't no one want no Iced out watch no more. Instead you want the time on your shoe, just where you can see it....... Right?
Oh yea. The clocks are interchangeable aswell just incase you wanted to switch yo clock game up and start swapping with the homies.

No only has the Jewish homie provided us with clocked up sneakers, the designs he is coming with are nothing but 100% dope.

Piano keys. Yes Pianos keys on sneakers. Not only that but Clefs all over the gaff. What can i say? Genius

Oh yea and incase you didn't know. They rock real nice if you pull the jean up and expose the mandatory white sock.

Excuse my shameful use of American slang. I thought it was rather fitting for the post.

Until next time. Adieu

Up your beach towel game

Late winter sounds just about the right time to start dropping beach towels right? Kidrobot and Target have both made their latest contributions to the world of beach apparel via the way of Toweling.

Target have approached the world of beach apparel with an artist series, boasting the likes of Jeff Koons (Guy who designed the supreme skate boards)

and Kehinde Wiley.

Since most of us don't live anywhere near a wave of sand granule we wont be able to utalise the towels in their tradition sense. However theres still hope! Buy these and proudly pin them up on your walls, beach towels are the new skate decks.

Until next time. Adieu

Throw some J's on that bitch

Went to bag up some books today from my univeristy library. Alas it was shut, and i was left university stranded with no books. The result was a break dancing bretherin and a seated me.

• Nike Air Jordan III Retro
• Over-sized Carhartt Plaid shirt
• Stussy London Fitted

These blew my mind when i saw them!!! I've never seen em' for sale before but will keep a eye out from now on. Peep the bloodclaat stitchin!!!

I never used to appreciate Jordans too much, as I've always been an air max man. However as i grow and my tastes evolve i find myself looking at and copping more and more of the god damn things! Jordans are like a whole brand in themselves and boast such a variety of sneakers that its plain ignorant not to respect them in one shape or another. I started with the Air III's but the V's are definitely growing on me.

Until next time. Adieu

Food for thought

Inspired by a junkie
Until Next Time. Adieu

HoodBike

Until next time. Adieu

HoodSkate

Until next time. Adieu

Ballin aint easy but it sure is fun.....

I plan on doing a regular feature in this blog which explores and exposes characters within the fashion industry who are of particular interest to me and hopefully you aswell. I started with INSA and his work surrounding graffiti and sneakers and will follow him with the one and only Ben Baller. Ben Baller a.k.a K-Town started out in the world of turntablism but has since progressed into jewelery, street wear and other realms of coolness. Ill let him do the talking. This is an interview he done with Vapours magazine in late 06 and pretty much sums up why he remains one of the most noticed and publicised figures in US streetwear and culture.

Ice ice baby

Hello my name is...

BEN BALLER aka K-TOWN

I was raised in...

K-TOWN aka KOREATOWN, LOST ANGELS, CALIFORNIA

The reason that you’re reading about me is...

BECAUSE I’M A BAD MUTHERFUCKER! I WAS THE FIRST ASIAN IN MY UNIVERSITY’S HISTORY TO PLAY BOTH FOOTBALL & BASKETBALL. I HAVE 19 PLATINUM ALBUM CREDITS TO MY NAME… DJ’D 4 WORLD TOURS, WAS 1 OF THE HOTTEST NIGHT CLUB DJ’S IN LA FOR A WHILE. I MARAUDED & CHANGED RESELLING SHOES & SNEAKER COLLECTING FOREVER! (IN 2003 I OWNED OVER 1,800 PERSONAL PAIRS OF RARE KICKS) I HOLD THE WORLD RECORD FOR THE BIGGEST SINGLE SHOE AUCTION AND GROUP SHOE AUCTION EVER SOLD IN EBAY HISTORY (1 PAIR FOR $33,100 AND A PARTIAL COLLECTION OF KICKS FOR OVER $229,000). I AM 1/3 OF “AMC” AIR MACK’$ CREW = DJ AM, DJ HOMICIDE & MYSELF (WHICH = ROYALTY IN THE KICKS & DJ WORLD) AND NOW I’M THAT “WEST COAST JEWELER” WHO IS KILLING THE CUSTOM ICE GAME WORLDWIDE AND TRYIN TO PUT US KOREANS ON THE MAP!

AMC

AMC dun been showing rookies where the sneaker heaters at

Right now I’m working on...

MAKING A 200 CARAT DIAMOND PENDANT WITH OVER 4 LBS OF GOLD TO BARF ON EVERYONE AT THE NEXT NBA ALL STAR GAME IN VEGAS 2006 AND WORKING ON SOME CUSTOM PIECES FOR BLACK WALL STREET MEMBERS AND MAKING A NEW HUGE CUSTOM CHAIN & CHARM FOR JONAS BEVACQUA (CEO OF LRG CLOTHING)

Ben Ballers first Design for L-R-G, titled , "BEN'S NIGHT IN TOKYO"

The first thing I do in the morning is...

TAKE A VALIUM AND THEN CHECK MYSPACE

The last thing I do at night is...

TAKE A VALIUM AND THEN CHECK MYSPACE

My momma always said...

YOU ARE A MONSTER!

I love it when people...

HATE ON MY DOWNFALL, IT ONLY BRINGS ME STRENGTH

I hate it when people...

ASK ME IF I’M THAT GUY WHO MAKES BATHING APES. CMON MANG! I’M 6 FEET TALL! DUDE IS 4 FOOT 15 INCHES!

If you ever see me walking down the street...

SAY WHAT UP AND KEEP IT MOVIN, TRY NOT TO STARE FOR TOO LONG AND PLEASE DO NOT FREESTYLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND NO I WON’T LISTEN TO YOUR DEMO TAPE.

My most notable run-in with the law...

RAN FROM THE COPS & A HELICOPTER ON MY MOTORCYCLE IN A HIGH
SPEED CHASE DOIN OVER 175MPH AND MADE THE NEWS. NUFF SAID. LOL THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES.

If I had to say sorry it would be because I...

WAS NEVER EASY TO THE LADIES, I GAVE MOST OF THEM A LOTTA PAIN AND SUFFERING, LOL! AND I HAVE TO SAY SORRY TO MY FAMILY FOR GIVING THEM SO MUCH TROUBLE AND FOR PUTTING UP WITH ALL MY BULLSHIT AND BEIN AN ASSHOLE FOR SO LONG. I WAS KICKED OUTTA CLOSE TO 12 SCHOOLS GROWING UP, ARRESTED NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY STILL HAVE MY BACK.

Yo, you see this scar, I got this when I...

FLIPPED 23 TIMES ON MY MOTORCYCLE ON LA CIENEGA DOIN A STAND UP WHEELIE. I WAS SHOWIN OFF & THEN SOME 432 YEAR OLD BITCH DECIDED TO CUT ME OFF AND THAT’S WHEN THE BIKE SCRAPED THE TAIL AT AROUND 50+ MPH AND FLEW UP AND I WAS STILL FLIPPING & SLIDING AFTER THE BIKE STOPPED AND FINALLY LANDED AROUND A 1/8 OF A MILE AWAY. I HAVE A PIN IN MY KNEE UNDERNEATH THE SCAR & I TARNISHED SOME NICE MISTER CARTOON TATTOOS!

Lifes a beach

The last time I swore I’d never drink was after a night of...

DOIN TOOO MANY DRUGS; FROM MUSHROOMS TO BLOW TO PUFFIN DRO TO DRINKING RETARDED AMOUNTS OF JAGER AND WILD TURKEY AT MY BOY NIC ADLERS 21ST BDAY AT ON THE ROX. I THOUGHT I WAS TALKING TO JIM MORRISON THAT NIGHT. I WAS TOLD THE NEXT DAY THAT THE POSTER ON THE WALL THAT I WAS TALKING TO WASN’T EVEN JIM MORRISON, I WENT NUTSO, ALMOST LOST MY MIND & AND TOOK A PISS IN JACK NICHOLSON’S LIMO. HAHAA.

Future projects and plans...

TO BREAK THE ASIAN STEROTYPES IN THIS CRAZY ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND STARTING MY OWN WATCH & CLOTHING BRAND/LINE. MAYBE ANOTHER MOVIE AND A REALITY TV SERIES (MAYBE, I’M STILL SKEPTICAL THOUGH)

And before I leave I’d like to give a shout out too...

SLAUSON STEVE, ICEE FRESH FAM (JAMES, JEFF & JOE), COCKY RIDAZ, MISTER CARTOON & ESTEVAN ORIOL, JONAS @ LRG, DJ HOMICIDE, DJ AM, DJ SKEE, JOEL AND BENJI MADDEN, MAX MURDER, GAME & ALL AMC/BWS FAM, ALLON INY R.I.P., SORRY IF I FORGOT ANYONE

Oh. He forgot to say. The motherfuckers reeeeaaaallllll oldschoooool....................

Until next time. Adieu

BATTY BASS / BATTY BASS

I tend to be quite a serious fellow. Especially in situations of a social nature...

Until next time. Adieu

Chasing the Dragon - The practice of inhaling Heroin

Vans recently kicked off the Dragon Chasers Exhibition at Leftfoot Gallery in Taipei. The exhibition contains a mixture of art aswell as some of Vans' most iconic releases in recent memory. The theme of the show is based around the Asian cultural concept of "Dragon Chasers", which is often used in order to signify the Asian attitude of attempting to exceed their limits, chasing something that is impossible. The art was created by Singaporean artist Jahan and will run until January the 1st 2008.

This was of specific interest to me becuase the particular style of art in the exhibition was very much in a similar vein to that of the style i am determined to carve into my arm in the form of a tattoo.

I have been thinking, something along these lines -


Whilst incorporating this symbol -

Untill next time. Adieu

Women in Fashion

Women have always been a central focus of all things fashion and art ever since cavemen attempted to scribble down some tits and an ass on a cave wall, much like the way i and my male peers attempted to throughout our years in education. I am a frontline advocate of the depiction of women in fashion and thus this post will be dedicated solely to some of the most successful illegitimate love children spawned from this everlasting relationship.

These are three relatively recent tee-shirt designs which employ Women as the central focus. Although I'm not a huge fan of the first, i see the second, third and fourth as three of many reasons why women and fashion can be blended so effectively.
However as the world places increasing emphasis on 'equal opportunity' and attempts to rid out all demeaning depiction of females, brands will inevitably have to look forward into the ever changing world and incorporate a of bit of the ol' male frame in their designs. However until that day i will stay sporting arguably demeaning and preferably pornographic teeshirts with pride!!!

Until next time. Adieu

Note to self......

The badboys up in the American apparel board room knew exactly what was crackin when they discussed marketing strategy.

Ass+Chicks= Shareholder Satisfaction

I love them for it and it means the back cover of Vice magazine has been blessed with a whole load more viewing ever since.

Until next time. Adieu

Rick Ross Hustlin... Only Jonathan style.

Tell me something i don't know.

The new Crooks & Castles x Know1edge colabo watch J-Twizzy is about as fly as wrist wear comes.The all black ceramic watch is limited to 200 pieces worldwide and will be sold through selected retailers.It's based on the famous J-12 model from Chanel, is designed by Crooks & Castles, put together by the guys at Knowledge and uses the recognizable medusa emblem together with the words 'Get Paid' in focus.

Street wear brands seem to be increasingly intent on branching out into the wider world of fashion and sport these days with the countless Colabos at current. I think alot of Street Wear brands are eager to establish themselves as more than simply street wear and prove they can produce other products. I heard an interview with one of L-R-G's team recently. He was arguing they weren't a street wear brand at all but were a super brand similar to the likes of Ralph Lauren. I think if you take a look at L-R-G's most recent fall we can all agree that they are about as street wear as clothing comes these days.

Brands seem to hate being "pigeon holed" as "Streetwear" or "Urban", instead they like to use terminology such as "we're a brand" or "what we do best".

Until next time. Adieu

The Bites louder than the Bark

Two of my favourate Street Wear brands obviously know something i don't....

I was always taught, taking an iconic colourway or design from another well known brand and using it within your designs unashamedly, is commonly known as biting. No?

Crooks and Diamond have both used the well known Gucci red and green combo in their new falls.

The proof is in the pudding (Although i do not advocate eating clothing of belts in order to compliment any main course)

I've always been a big fan of both these makes. Firstly becuase they both stay true to the "Street" element of Street Wear and secondly becuase i feel they have built a worthwhile brand philosophy which gives their product another level or deeper meaning. I love the extent to which Crooks have gone to ingrain their Philosophy into the consumers mind, not only giving their products more meaning and reality than those of competitors but also acting as an effective marketing tool.

Check http://www.weeklydrop.tv/ for a quality interview with Dennis of Crooks and Castles and for a more comprehensive understanding of the Crooks and Castles brand History and Philosophy.

Until next time. Adieu

Ice Cream is for those who cant stomach the Banoffee pudding

I just caught a sneak peek of ice creams new Spring/Summer 2008 fall and its about as much as I've come to expect from them over the past few years. It seems they have adopted a distinctly preppy look for this Spring/Summer, which is about as original as socks at Christmas. They haven't done something like take influences from American Prep fashion and fuse them with Street wear stuff or anything inventive like that. Instead, it looks like they have had a significant change in direction as a brand or, more likely, know what will bring the figures home this spring. Either way they have stuck with the V necks and stripes of American Prep fashion and have equally stuck to sucking corporate cock.

You don't have to know much to realise sitting on a pier whilst tossing a champagne bottle ain't never been cool. This guys gay date has obviously done a no show thus forcing him to ponder whether carrying womens bags is doing much for his look.Having hot chicks dosnt shadow the fact they are wearing shit clothes... Although it does go some way to ease it!

BBC/Ice cream have obviously taken alot of inspiration from Harvard and Yale students such as the one above. I'm not surprised since its probably his investment banking daddy who is now co-ordinating the BBC design department.

Until next time. Adieu

"Chocolate Back" (Its a persingle)

Some outings are simply meant to be and fall into place perfectly, renewing any faith in spontaneous living and London nightlife.These things happen rarely but i was lucky enough to be blessed with one of these miraculous happenings on the 10th of November.

We firstly celebrated my Mates date of birth through means of Arabic cuisine and then promptly followed this up with a portion of "House party". (For those who don't know "House party" is event that takes place around once every 3 months in various secret locations, A.K.A Squats, across London and houses some of the best DJ's around for one night only)

Ill keep this brief as in the words of the pretentious cunt "A pictures paints a thousand words".

The gang was in full effect

As was the DJ (Plaid has been a big look in the last couple months)
We assumed our positions...The skanking proceeded. This specific skank has been dubbed the "white boy" skank by Trish, however im reassured i do infact have the rhythm of a black man. I started with a variation of the aptly termed "gun man skank" But then proceeded to remove the skank and go more for the "gun man". I don't condone gun crime. It ruins lives....The drinks came in red stripe cans
(Andy Milonakis, "Got a pea on my head, but dont call me a pea head) - For those who knowOr in plastic cups for those of a more sophisticate nature.

Note the above is holding two cans but only one contains beer. The contents of the second can was poured all over his melon.... By himself!

Ben - "But it was well hot in there bruv!"
Note for future, not only is water the conventional way of cooling oneself, its also free!!Ben proud of the fact he appears to have perspired an obscene amount.

Posted on the strip

Happy birthday mateHold tite my toilet gang. One guy was so eager to pull the chain on his embarrassing log hes only gone and broke the porcelain!

Until next time. Adieu