I totally forgot to post this! Two weeks back I was at SPRMRKT for the launch of the book Fashion Blogs by Kirstin Hanssen. It’s basically a sharp introduction into the fascinating world of fashion blogging and gives some perspectives and views along with tons of interviews with the stars of this universe. Although it kinda lacks big shots like LNP, The Sartorialist and – uuulgh – Nitro:licious it’s a pretty complete index altogether. If your interested in this kinda stuff pick it up!
Now I really expected this to pop up on every blog the book features, but it didn’t. Why acknowledge and celebrate the power of such a scene but not use it to promote the book to an audience you know is already interested in this stuff? N E ways, some highlights:
Sonny Groo, the most photographed guy from Amsterdam is there giving some retroperspective on how online succes doesn’t automaticly translate to offline succes and how hard work is still the key element to succes. True!
The elegant and beautiful Garance Doré is in there talking about style and how blogging can help you get leads for your business. Did you know she’s dating The Sartorialist? The most stylish couple on the web I guess.
The best dressed New Yorkers from Street Etiquette are in there with the coming-of-age story on their blog. Look at what makes you stand out from the crowd and base your blog on your uniqueness. Well duh right? A lot of people forget this and copy-paste their favorite blog into their own wondering why nobody reads their shit. “But Rory, not to be rude and all, you kinda tend doing that sometimes?” Naah man, fuck you! Leave me alone! Hahahahaha.
Since my handwriting is closest to that of a 6 year old I am stuck to the computer and therefore always in for some great looking typography. But due to my minimal knowledge on the subject and in part to my hipsterdom, I am likely to answer ‘American Apparel logo’ if asked for my favorite font. Not a very original choice since this typeface named Helvetica is amongst the most (over)used and beloved in the world of design.
Looking into it’s history I was surprised to find out it was developed as early as the 1950’s and has since been used on way more logo’s than just American Apparel. This and much more on the world of typography is explained in this great 2007 documentary I just now found out about. Includes interviews with all the leading designers – lovers and and not-so lovers of the font – in the business.
Chances are some of you typo-fanatics out there have already long ago seen this, if not, this most def is an interesting watch!
Big Boi’s mixtape was among the most anticipated in a while. Planned to drop on the 29th of June I’ve been refreshing 2DopeBoyz eversince. Nuffin’! Untill today, even the album (real real nice by the way) already leaked.
I was a bit let down since this is not what the internet promised me. Due to some stupid label reasons there is no André 3 Stacks on the new Big Boi album, so everybody expected André Benjamin would have a fair share on the mixtape. Instead the mixtape lacks a little on never heard before tracks and André. It’s best described as a best of Outkast tape I guess. Still a good listen, not the awesomeness I expected.
Shuffling iTunes last night I bumped into this old mixtape I made in 2005. The mellow vibe and shitloads of dope tracks I haven’t heard for years really pulled me back into it again. Can’t believe how my musical taste evolved for the worse throughout the years. Hahahaha.
I wasn’t really able to mix one and one together back then but blended everything into a solid entity quite alrighty I must say. No fuckups. Expect muchos Stones Throw music, some ‘underground’ hiphop from a few back, Opgezwolle and random soundbites. I threw together a little tracklist, feel free to fill the holes. Perfect for a lazy sunny day, enjoy!
With this kinda weather I usually go commando on the feet like Reinout Oerlemans. But when it’s a little bit colder I like to wear all types of socks. Now that the average sneaker is going from colorway circus-act to the latest edition of Sensation White it might be a good time to focus on the socks.
Socks are fun! They’re that little aspect of your outfit in which you can go all out. You can wear a suit but go with some pink on yellow socks. I decided to give away 10 pair of Happy Socks courtesy of Men At Work. Let me know which shoes or sneakers you would combine these pink bastards with in the comments!
Dipset! I’m a fan. Great music and ridiculous styles is a WIN. Honestly, for me Cam’ron is one of the most innovative rappers ever. So when the crew decided to make some more music I was mad stoked. The final result got me even more excited. I love Salute and thinks it can easily fits in the line of classics line I Really Mean It, Get Em Girls, Santana’s Town and Hey Ma.
Funny to know the sample from this joint comes from an old hardcore track by Dutch producer Nosferatu. Eurohouse samplin’ done right. Great job Araab. The track is in the latest installment of Girls & Beats, the sample on Youtube or below (around 2.30 minutes).
Exit sneakerheads, enter denimheads. Exit Just for Kicks, enter Faded Blue Planet. From the looks of it this documentary set for release later this year is likely to become the ultimate guide to the world of denim just like Just for Kicks was to the world of sneakers.
I always have a great deal of respect for passionate filmmakers that are both able to carefully explain the story to the biggest of noobs out there and still manage to keep the in-the-know crowd surprised and entertained. This 10 minute trailer, featuring Japanese indigo dyeing, a 12000 piece denim collector, and a porn actor turned jeansmaker, sure has got me looking out for this one.
Back at ya with a lot of fresh music. Whatelse? Aloe Blacc’s B side to I Need A Dollar. Whatelse? Switch made a remix under his alias with an interesting Madlib sample in it. Whatelse? That music for that Daisy Lowe video you watch 24 times. Whatelse? Passion Pit covered The Smashing Pumpkins. Whatelse? A club banger by Jonny Blaze. Whatelse? Dancehall electronique! Whatelse? A new sublime banger by the one and only Diplomats. Salute!
Tracklist:
Aloe Blacc – Femme Fatale
Bilal – Free
Mndr – I Go Away
Hudson Mohawke – Snapdragon
Solid Groove – Throwing Stones
Breakbot – Baby I’m Yours (Aeroplane remix)
Ou Est Le Swimming Pool – Dance The Way I Feel (Armand van Helden remix)
Gyptian – Hold Yuh (Major Lazer remix)
Passion Pit – Tonight Tonight
Twilight – Dance With Me
Maximum Baloon ft. Aku – Tiger
Jonny Blaze – Let’s Rock This Joint
So Shifty ft. Busy Signal – Lift Up
The Boogaloo Crew – All Green
The Diplomats – Salute
If you want it do be Don right you gots to do it thyself. Homeboys Freddie and Jeff team up to bring Rotterdam another great – well, hopefully! – party. In advance Jeff made a mixtape to showcase what to expect (Disco!). Lookin’ good so far.
