San Francisco Art Music Style Fashion Culture - Jungle Life
Casio G-SHOCK x In4mation
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:58 AM
Following the success of last year's two collaborations resulting in stunning teal and purple timepieces, Casio presents the latest G-SHOCK hook-up with Hawaii's In4mation, this time with a salmon look for the summer ripped straight from paradise.
With a sunny gloss finish to the resin band and watch face, as well as a text "Aloha" greeting with backlight activation, this is the next best summer accessory to (spiked) pink lemonade. As is the case with Casio's other GLX5600XA joints, The Mahalo G-SHOCK features a pre-programmed auto-calendar up to 2099 (just a mere 90 years down the road - future-seed inheritance material), 200 meter water-resistence, a tide graph to predict the perfect surf, multiple alarms and the heralded, Anthony Correa-tough shock-resistence Casio's G-SHOCK line is known for, as well as more additional features than Saturday night at the strip club.
Like G-SHOCK's prior collaborations with in4mation, not to mention last season's LRG x G-SHOCK, The Mahalo is set to go faster than a North Shore local through the pipeline, so check this one out quick!
The Best of the Summer... So Far
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:54 AM
Love 'em or hate 'em, "Best of" albums are always guaranteed to be a great starting point after discovering a new band or artist, and with the summer already in full swing, this KarmaloopBlog PSA is here to reintroduce you all to just some of the bangers back in stock after selling out way too damned quick already.
Starting with our dudes at Creep Street, The WTF Tee (above left) had us in stitches when designer Boris brought over some sneak previews this past spring. Like walking through the subway with a massive erection, this tee is going to elicit a reaction no matter what (hippies HATE this tee - Ed.), and whether good or bad, you're still gonna be fresh, so lose the bummed-out face, lil' guy! You're totally lucking the fuck out with this tee going back in stock, so cop it quick before the World Wildlife Federation sues Creep Street back to the Creep Gutter (where they belong), making this one hell of a collector's item... or at least something to nut into if there are no socks within reach. Drawing inspiration from epic '80's horror flicks comes The Blood Feast Tee (above right), a full-panel rocker loaded with crazy lines, hot pink accents, and of course, titties. Flaunting this on a debauchery-filled Saturday night, and you can't help but achieve that classic feeling of mom-and-dad-left-us-home-alone-for-the-first-time-so-lets-steal-some-cigarettes-and-booze-and-watch-Creepshow-again.
"Check-checkmate, props like the microchip founder / Neck-to-neck stocks like Bill Gates now..." A tongue-in-cheek stab at the shark brands out there, New York's Mighty Healthy provides some words of wisdom that dudes definitely live by with The Fail To Succeed Tee (above). One of the few brands where you know the maker at first glance, Mighty Healthy has been doing it big and doing it right since co-founders Ray Mate and Dennis Iderman got it all started back in '94. Each season features more and more of the original and super creative graphics we have come to expect from this set, so definitely keep an eye out for the Fall drop from the New York City Gritty Committee.
Ah, yes, the KarmaloopBlogs credo - The Fuck Your Blog Tee (above left) is to us what a couple middle fingers are to everyone else. Known as the brand by graffiti heads, for graffiti heads, Seventh Letter steady bombs each season, and with the street art-inspired designs featured on the To Live in LA (above right), Byrdgang (below left) and Keegan Gibbs Train Tees (below right; check out Keegan's work here - siiick), this summer's drop is no exception...
... except that Seventh Letter went and fucked our heads up with two more-than-welcome departures from the norm with The Tonali Tee (below left) and The Big G Tee (below right). Highlighted by clean lines, intricate details and the overall unfuckwithableness of each print, let's collectively hope Seventh Letter continues to get abstract with more of this look come Fall '09.
No stranger to the graf game himself - fuck it, he's damned near King status - designer Slick of Dissizit! has been bombing your neighborhood and dropping your favorite tees since you were rocking parachute pants and and tees your mom picked out for you. Famed for the large-scale print with a touch of modesty and a bitch-slap of gangster cleanliness, Dissizit! tees always include a grip of top-sellers with each drop - presented with prints featuring lovelies Kate Moss and Charlize Theron, as well as icons Keith Richards and Karl Lagerfeld done up in signature Slick twists, it's no wonder why - Dissizit! lines are some that we keep a stoney, reddened eye out for every season. Partner Danny Boy O'Connor of House of Pain and La Coka Nostra is one ambitious dude (check out some La Coka Nostra tracks here - the Snoop joint is bonkers) so definitely keep this crew on your radar outside of the clothing realm as well.
"Look, peep. You've heard it on the radio, you've seen it on the T.V. show - A to the K..." Oops, we mean, Asher to the motherfucking Roth. Featured in the video for "I Love College," the first single from Asher's debut album Asleep in the Bread Aisle, The Asher Roth College Tee (below left) sold out minutes after the video premiered. It's back now, right in time for those of you getting ready for the first year of college (big shouts to some of our interns! ... thanks for leaving us, ingrates).
Arriving all the way from across the pond, French partypeople Be Priv present The Swagger Tee (above right), featuring a take on the chorus from T.I.'s "Swagga Like Us." ... if you need us to further explain this one, then you should have been drowned at birth. Finally, from Karmaloop newcomers Last Rights is The Dolphins Mack 10 Tee (below). Last Rights reps the MIA to the absolute fullest, and each of it's tees reflects the South Florida way of life, from the beach to the barrio. With such a powerful premier at The 'Loop this summer, keep an eye out for more to come from these dudes.
As always, we're getting new crack on the daily for you fiends, so once you're up-to-speed with these top summer sellers, check out and see what else we have cooking - and don't forget about the Warehouse Sale! Up to 85% off!
Starting with our dudes at Creep Street, The WTF Tee (above left) had us in stitches when designer Boris brought over some sneak previews this past spring. Like walking through the subway with a massive erection, this tee is going to elicit a reaction no matter what (hippies HATE this tee - Ed.), and whether good or bad, you're still gonna be fresh, so lose the bummed-out face, lil' guy! You're totally lucking the fuck out with this tee going back in stock, so cop it quick before the World Wildlife Federation sues Creep Street back to the Creep Gutter (where they belong), making this one hell of a collector's item... or at least something to nut into if there are no socks within reach. Drawing inspiration from epic '80's horror flicks comes The Blood Feast Tee (above right), a full-panel rocker loaded with crazy lines, hot pink accents, and of course, titties. Flaunting this on a debauchery-filled Saturday night, and you can't help but achieve that classic feeling of mom-and-dad-left-us-home-alone-for-the-first-time-so-lets-steal-some-cigarettes-and-booze-and-watch-Creepshow-again.
"Check-checkmate, props like the microchip founder / Neck-to-neck stocks like Bill Gates now..." A tongue-in-cheek stab at the shark brands out there, New York's Mighty Healthy provides some words of wisdom that dudes definitely live by with The Fail To Succeed Tee (above). One of the few brands where you know the maker at first glance, Mighty Healthy has been doing it big and doing it right since co-founders Ray Mate and Dennis Iderman got it all started back in '94. Each season features more and more of the original and super creative graphics we have come to expect from this set, so definitely keep an eye out for the Fall drop from the New York City Gritty Committee.
Ah, yes, the KarmaloopBlogs credo - The Fuck Your Blog Tee (above left) is to us what a couple middle fingers are to everyone else. Known as the brand by graffiti heads, for graffiti heads, Seventh Letter steady bombs each season, and with the street art-inspired designs featured on the To Live in LA (above right), Byrdgang (below left) and Keegan Gibbs Train Tees (below right; check out Keegan's work here - siiick), this summer's drop is no exception...
... except that Seventh Letter went and fucked our heads up with two more-than-welcome departures from the norm with The Tonali Tee (below left) and The Big G Tee (below right). Highlighted by clean lines, intricate details and the overall unfuckwithableness of each print, let's collectively hope Seventh Letter continues to get abstract with more of this look come Fall '09.
No stranger to the graf game himself - fuck it, he's damned near King status - designer Slick of Dissizit! has been bombing your neighborhood and dropping your favorite tees since you were rocking parachute pants and and tees your mom picked out for you. Famed for the large-scale print with a touch of modesty and a bitch-slap of gangster cleanliness, Dissizit! tees always include a grip of top-sellers with each drop - presented with prints featuring lovelies Kate Moss and Charlize Theron, as well as icons Keith Richards and Karl Lagerfeld done up in signature Slick twists, it's no wonder why - Dissizit! lines are some that we keep a stoney, reddened eye out for every season. Partner Danny Boy O'Connor of House of Pain and La Coka Nostra is one ambitious dude (check out some La Coka Nostra tracks here - the Snoop joint is bonkers) so definitely keep this crew on your radar outside of the clothing realm as well.
"Look, peep. You've heard it on the radio, you've seen it on the T.V. show - A to the K..." Oops, we mean, Asher to the motherfucking Roth. Featured in the video for "I Love College," the first single from Asher's debut album Asleep in the Bread Aisle, The Asher Roth College Tee (below left) sold out minutes after the video premiered. It's back now, right in time for those of you getting ready for the first year of college (big shouts to some of our interns! ... thanks for leaving us, ingrates).
Arriving all the way from across the pond, French partypeople Be Priv present The Swagger Tee (above right), featuring a take on the chorus from T.I.'s "Swagga Like Us." ... if you need us to further explain this one, then you should have been drowned at birth. Finally, from Karmaloop newcomers Last Rights is The Dolphins Mack 10 Tee (below). Last Rights reps the MIA to the absolute fullest, and each of it's tees reflects the South Florida way of life, from the beach to the barrio. With such a powerful premier at The 'Loop this summer, keep an eye out for more to come from these dudes.
As always, we're getting new crack on the daily for you fiends, so once you're up-to-speed with these top summer sellers, check out and see what else we have cooking - and don't forget about the Warehouse Sale! Up to 85% off!
Like Our New TITS? [NSFW!]
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:51 AM
We've been supporting our dudes at Two In The Shirt like a training bra for a minute now, from their humble developments at our Kazbah section, the Karmaloop x T.I.T.S. collaboration tee, to this year's blossoming on the main page. As expected, Seattle's finest come correct with more than a handful of new, perky designs and colorways, not to mention the glorious return of our girl Wifey and an all-new tee featuring Karmaloop Kelly.
As expected, T.I.T.S. bounced on over to Karmaloop with more of those brilliant graphics to make your parents, pastor and parole officer blush. Bigger, better and fuller than ever, T.I.T.S. lines just keep winning and we're all predicting another undefeated year for this crew. The revealing summer line proudly displays the return of Wifey (below, left), a woman who cooks, cleans and pounds bottles with the best of 'em. We all know about her supreme ironing skills, and just in time for barbecue season, Wifey proves to us that sizzling breasts are well within her forte as well - you know, chicken breasts. On the grill. See? She's grilling.
The new Juicy Tee features a stunning black & white shot juxtaposed with vivid, beautiful melons... we mean, oranges. The color orange is a total killer in the summertime, and The Juicy Tee colorway is sure to link up fresh with the sneaker of your choice this season. Just don't go overboard or you'll look nuts.
As promised, Karmaloop's most sensational model, Kelly, is back for her second go around with Two In The Shirt. The original Good Karma, Bad Karma Tee was a worldwide hit, with everyone from hipsters in Japan to 50 Cent rocking that banger in a viral Rick Ross diss. This summer's The Kelly Tee is in an all new league of it's own, however. Absolutely beautiful, particularly with the classic black and white aesthetic and no additional graphics save for the small T.I.T.S. (hee hee) "T" logo on the back just below the collar. Sometimes, even with T.I.T.S., less is more...
... then again, our dudes go 'head and present The Flawless Tee (be sure to check both green and blue colorways), where the graphic fits the title proper. For real, have you ever seen a specimen so perfect? We'd pay anything to get our hands on that, bring it home, rub it down, shine it up... maybe even kiss it a little? Wow, what a diamond...
Cop a feel for the latest T.I.T.S. line at Karmaloop here, and go behind the scenes and beneath the shirt with KarmaloopTV to see the making of the now-infamous Karmaloop x T.I.T.S. Good Karma, Bad Karma collaboration tee with Mack from Two In The Shirt and everyone's favorite 'Loop model, the one and only Kelly.
BEEEAAASTED!
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:47 AM
"I'm Young H.O., rap's Grateful Dead / Back to take over the globe, now break bread...">
More often than not, something so simple as just a bar from an old song can provide the basis for a thought, a concept, art, or in the case of Beasted, almost an entire Summer tee line.
We caught up with Beasted's Sheel Davé as his tour van left Wilmington, North Carolina for more dates down in the Dirty South with one of his musical projects, instrumental metal band Irepress. With as much time as bands spend in seedy motel rooms, backstage at venues and broken down on the side of the road waiting for AAA to arrive and fix the van, inspiration is about as welcome as a home-cooked meal and comes from just about anywhere.
"The idea came from the line in Jay-Z's track 'Encore,'" said Davé. "I instantly thought of legendary dead rappers." And there you have it, folks.
Along with partner-in-crime and long-time friend John Chapple, The Beasted Boys made a name and started a sensation with now-infamous The Emo is Dead Tee, featuring a caricatured, sad-faced and bespectacled Kanye West in his PeeWee Herman suit, an image taken from the uber-weepy 808s and Heartbreak album. Since moving on to become one of Kazbah's all-time best selling tees, and coupled with The Kimbo Tee, a gold-foil accented stunner in tribute to streetfighter Kimbo Slice, and The I Own America Tee, featuring the famed chorus and background image of the one and only Slick Rick the Ruler (another musical project of Davé's, Bad Rabbits, is Uncle Ricky's backing band for East Coast tour dates), these maniacs premiered one of the most solid first runs to ever bless Kazbah, leaving us all on pins and needles to see what our dudes would come up with next.
Needless to say, we're Grateful that Beasted fired back with some new and hella creative ammo. Featuring gone-but-never-forgotten artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Big Punisher, Ol' Dirty Bastard and J Dilla, The Rap's Grateful Dead line is unique in that it brings a wide, genuine smile with solemn remembrance for the dearly departed hip hop icons, and in killer colorways to boot ("Tie-dyed tees on KARMALOOP?!" Yessir! And the Beasted crew has hinted at more tie-dyes forthcoming...).
Along with The Rap's Grateful Dead tees, Beasted has also dropped a new digital-print tee featuring everyone's favorite C.O.- er, rapper, Rick Ross. With the success of the Emo is Dead digi-print, it was a given that Beasted had to break off another... and hard as it is to top the Kanye joint, we think Beasted went ahead and did just that with The Boss Tee. Presented with signature Beasted caricaturization, the clean hit of The Boss' bearded mug stands out like a boner in sweatpants on top of a purple-to-blue gradient background print stating what is a credo for some, and a song's chorus for a certain heavyweight Southern rapper: "Everyday I'm Hustlin'."
Get a closer look at the entire Beasted Summer line at Karmaloop here, and be sure to check out some old favorites now on sale, including The Scripty Tees and Beasted debut The Sir Charles Tee (true story: copped an early run of this, and on the same commute home, one lady said the shirt was "hilarious," while another dubbed it "more than slightly offensive." Perfect. - Ed.).
Supra presents: The Thunder in Black Suede; Jim Greco Signature
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:40 AM
Behold! Rejoice! Go an' tell it on the mountain! Supra is back at Karmaloop and they brought the latest Jim Greco signature shoe with them, The Thunder in Black Suede.
Don't let the suede composition throw you off - this is the only shoe tough enough for the reckless brilliance that is Jim Greco. For fans of Converse Chuck Taylors, Vans' Chukkas and, of course, any Supra model to ever see the light of day and cracks of the concrete, The Thunder finds a happy medium between balls-out thrashing and kicking rocks throughout the city. Way more supportive than your mom after hearing that her baby is dropping out of school to focus on skating for living, the exclusive SupraFoam® midsole provides impact resistance throughout with optimal shoe flex and board feel for all of you deck-pushers out there (for the rest of you, that means the shoe is super fuckin' comfortable, whether you're walking around all day or sitting on your ass playing video games). Aside from total support, The Thunder's most admirable asset is it's supreme comfort. With a premium, high grade EVA terry sock liner and padding throughout the heel panel, your precious tootsies will not just stay drier than Johnny Thunders fresh out of a rehab stint, they will be just as comfortable as Sir Johnny back in the drug den of his choice minutes later.
Get a closer look at The Thunder in Black Suede at Karmaloop here, and stay tuned for the blue suede and gray leather drops later this summer!
vvvVANSsss
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:39 AM
Just like cucumber sandwiches, "swass" and that ever-annoying jingle from the ice cream man, Vans and the summer have simply been made for each other. Just in time for the unforgiving elements between now and September, Vans attacks with updates to some classic fixtures to get you all ready for the season of shorts, no socks and baby powder (for... you know...).
With all new black-on-black colorways and omnipresent white vulcanized rubber sole, The Sk8 Hi (above left) has been a favorite since Vans' rise in popularity circa Fast Times at Ridgermont High and the arrival of Christian Hosoi, a fact proudly displayed on the heel panel with an embroidered "66" for the year Vans made its first mark in the world of footwear. Vans furthermore revisits a classic with The Midsole '77's (below right), this time keeping the old-school brown textile and suede/white leather colorway vibes - really, why fuck with such a timeless look? Good to see this antique back on the market, but cop a pair quick - could be another 32 years until it's back...
The Era, the absolute first model from the Anaheim outfit, has arguably been the most popular of all Vans and has certainly been through more facelifts than Michael Jackson and Jocelyn "Cat Woman" Wildenstein combined - some great, some... well... everyone makes mistakes. No mistake on this update, however - the blue-gray suede and white colorways turned The Era Suede (below left) into one of Big Boi's heralded sires, fitting for shoes as tough and loyal as any Authentic owner will brag to you about.
Last, but certainly not least, comes new Karmaloop arrival The Zapato Del Barco (above left). With the rise in popularity of boat shoes, Vans jacked the look and added signature twists, with unifinished hems, flex-soles and lacing that runs from the eyelets through the heels. The result is far and beyond anything Rockport could come up with - without to prerequisite yacht to boot.
Check out the rest of the summer Vans at Karmaloop here.
Flüd Warning
posted: Tuesday June 30, 2009 - 9:38 AM
Time to get ill!
Our dudes at Flüd came through once again with yet another clean, innovative and simply unfuckwithable line of watches for this summer, sure to heat up whatever climate you're stuck in.
Established in 2007 by a few good dudes deeply rooted in the streetwear arms-accessory race, Flüd Watches began as an effort to bring the watch back to its rightful place as the ultimate accessory with a goal to create unique, fresh watches minus the pretentiousness, price tag or douchebagishness that goes along with most high-end timepieces. Just a couple years and some killer lines later, we would say "mission accomplished," but the Flüd crew is not one to rest on it's collective ass.
Rockin' the Kazbah - 8103
posted: Friday June 05, 2009 - 11:24 AM
With some of the freshest prints on the Kazbah site, it’s no wonder that 8103 is one of the most sought-after underground brands in the marketplace. Seamlessly blending the hilarious with thoughtfulness, and at times provocational (we’re still kinda bitter), 8103 tees come off the press as hot as the Jacksonville, Florida weather in which they are born, in colorways for days often featuring pop-culture immortality.
Immediately catching our collective eyes once it went live on the site, The Rifle Tee (above) calls on Stanley Kubrick’s classic film Full Metal Jacket, a scene in which R. Lee Ermey’s Sargeant Hartman leads his cadets through cadence.
“This graphic has a couple different meanings,” said Mark Braddock, 8103 owner/designer/shipper/receiver/CEO/intern (we’ll explain the inner-workings of Kazbah brands on a later post). “I have a lot of friends that are marines that either have served active duty or waiting to be deployed. When the marines are chanting ‘This is my rifle, this is my gun - this is for fighting, and this is for fun,’ it’s a funny scene that brings humor to such a serious atmosphere. Hopefully it brings back good memories as well.”
Another staff favorite, The East Coast Tee, features a classic shot of Brooklyn dons Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. kickin’ it back in the good ol’ days. We’re especially loving the black and white colorways, throwing an additional vintage look to an already timeless shot.
“East Coast Represent,” Braddock explained. “A rare shot of Jay and Biggie chillin’. I was feelin’ the palm trees in the background and it has a good summertime vibe. With the subtle lines, East Coast on the left and the logo hit on the right, it reminds me of an 1980’s O.P. (Ocean Pacific) shirt.”
Check out the rest of the 8103 drop at Karmaloop’s Kazbah page here for closer looks at some new and old favorites - if you haven’t seen The Dart Tee, get the fuckin’ dart out of your neck and wake up already.
Heavy KR3W
posted: Friday June 05, 2009 - 11:12 AM
Never a disappointment when this KR3W stops by Karmaloop.
Since 2002, One Distribution’s KR3W has made a name for itself by creating the most stylish, innovative and tough-as-nails apparel for skateboarders, and with a heavy rep carried by pros Jim Greco, Tom Penny, Antwuan Dixon, Erik Ellington, Terry Kennedy and Mike Plumb (a.k.a. Lizard King) to name just a few, it was just a matter of time before KR3W took over the streetwear market.
And take over they have; with a laundry list of acheivements as strictly an apparel manufacturer, KR3W, under One Distribution, created its first footwear line in 2006. Oh, you might have heard of it - Supra. With a flooded marketplace filled with biters, haters and imitators, getting due recognition as one of the premier lines in tees, denims, shorts and accessories has taken it’s sweet fuckin’ time for these dudes, even after Supra hit the ground running, winning the marathon in sprint-time. But with this taste of the spring/summer line, it certainly appears as though KR3W is poised and ready to slay the apparel beasts this fall and winter.
Attention to detail and ignorance to what everyone else is doing has always been a strong point for the KR3W set, and judging by the looks of the latest Ellington signature denims and new-look Chex Shorts (below), we’re ecstatic to see Kr3W sticking with that mindset. Case in point - the red drawstring featured on The Erik Ellington Slims Jean. With just a pinch of spandex added to the denim ingredients, these joints had already been tough yet flexible, and with the additional support now provided with a behind-the-belt adjustment, maybe - just maybe - you will find the courage to switch heel that five-step down the street - you know it’s just begging for it, and knowing your drawers won’t fall with the rest of your body once you go ass-over-teakettle, just fucking go for it.
Check out the rest of the KR3W drop at Karmaloop here, including tees for days, new watches, hats, shorts and shades.
The Four One One
posted: Friday June 05, 2009 - 11:00 AM
Since the 2002 premier of its first store in Hawaii, In4mation quickly established itself as the premier skate, surf and streetwear retailer in the Polynesian paradise and that rep has traveled to the mainland with the quickness.And if you haven’t heard yet, well, we’re just Em-Bare-Assed for you…
Taken from popular cartoon Voltron, in which unique characters assembled to become one indestructible machine, The name In4mation and the “+” logo mark symbolize a unique bond and signify In4mation’s positive outlook and welcoming attitudes attained by exploring varied paths of life. In4mation’s motto, “I shall proceed… and continue…” a catch phrase boosted from influential hip-hop band The Roots, further serves as a reminder to follow our chosen paths and to keep on moving forward.
And proceed these folks have; In4mation always seems to be going against the grain - leading instead of following - with alternative design concepts and eclectic lines and products shaped by the personalities and interests of it’s crew, including creative director Rhandy Tambio, a designer who has worked for nearly a decade in the action sports and urban market, Todd Shimabuku, Ryan Arakaki and Jun Jo at the two locations on Oahu, Hawaii, and designer Elska Sandor, focussing on the women’s line, has more than 11 years experience in the skate and street industry and was also the co-founder of NYC’s Rookie Skateboards. Quite an eclectic collective, fitting seeing as In4mation is by far one of the most diverse, interesting and innovative brands on the Karmaloop site and streetwear market.
With graphics that range from the simple-yet-effective to the spaced-the-fuck-out pieces that seem to force debate, In4mation is a brand that staff anticipates every season. Favorite The Street Justice Tee (above, left) is just as hard as the Cro-Mags song of the same name, with a print of Humpty Dumpty looking for the motherfucker that knocked him off of his perch. After all, revenge, like scrambled eggs, is a dish best served cold (for real, try it with ketchup and hot sauce).
The in4mation crew always kills it with the buttondowns, and two of the recent drops are the proof. The alternating plaids of The Santiago Button Up (bottom, left) scream “weekend getaway to Costa Rica, economy be damned.” All you need is that, The Dela Juentud Button Up (bottom, right), a fresh pair of The Las Tunas Shorts and some clean drawers and you’re set, fella (just don’t forget the toothbrush, stinky).
Check out the rest of the In4mation drop at Karmaloop here, and get ready for the summer - it’s already June, damnit!
Your Last Rights
posted: Friday May 29, 2009 - 10:31 AM
Fresh out of Miami, Florida, Karmaloop is pleased to welcome the latest addition to the site - Last Rights Inc.
A year in the making and following a stunning preview at last February’s MAGIC Convention in Las Vegas, Last Rights hit Karmaloop a week ago and the product is flying out of here like a Mickey Munday shipment from Bogota during the Cocaine Cowboys days. Understandable, with some of the freshest graphics we’ve seen in… well, you tell us. When was the last time you’ve seen ANYTHING like this? This is South Florida to the fullest and Last Rights is goddamned proud of it’s roots, apparent from the art deco aesthetic of the namesake tee (above, right) to the pastel colorways in each flavor of The Dolphins Mack 10 Tee (below, right) that has staff absolutely fiending over here. And what’s more, this is all cut-and-sew, kids - you won’t find another company’s logo on the tee shirts Last Rights blesses it’s designs with.
It ain’t just all about the sun, the fun and the glorious debauchery of the MIA for this crew. We had to call our dude Joe Cinnante from Last Rights to get some words on this launch and he pointed out that there is a slight political aspect to each piece, while others display about as much subtlety as a kick in the balls. Namely The War Profiteers Tee (below, left), featuring a soldier skull crafted with the logos of just some of the big money winners in what seems to be a never ending “war against terrorism” - what, you thought kids in Iraq and Afghanistan would benefit from the bombs? They’re not the ones building them - or supplying gasoline to the machines, serving fast food on the bases, or brewing the refreshments…
… and, yeah, the economy is a tired subject - we all know what’s up, no one is happy and change doesn’t look to be very close on the horizon. So, fuck it - ball or bum your way through the recession and let your tee do the talking for you. The ¥€$ Tee (above, left), featuring the currency symbols of the Japanese Yen, the Euro dollar and American dollar can act as either a status symbol for you rain-making, dub-rolling ballers or a sweet bit of irony-deluxe for our gritty, grimy hipsters.
Check out the rest of the Last Rights drop at Karmaloop here, and check out the film at Last Rights’ page. EPIC. Shot in just four days (!!!), as the brand’s first attempt at film-making (!!!!!!), the plane-drop sequence was tipped-off to the authorities and brought out seven different agencies - FBI, CIA, DEA, etc. - and a grip of Dade County’s finest to the shooting location where our boys were cuffed, beaten and interrogated… for real, would you not just love to get the rest of the story on that? … wouldn’t you?
Coming Soon… ISAORA!
posted: Friday May 22, 2009 - 8:30 AM
Providing style, performanance and protection wherever your adventure takes you, be it the backcountry, glades, parks, snowy stairways or trooping through the elements on the way to the subway during your morning commute, Isaora is challenging stereotypes by creating high-end snowboard apparel designed “with an elevated aesthetic” that performs both on the slopes and the concrete streets.
The temperatures may be pushing 90 degrees this afternoon, but looking ahead is what Karmaloop is all about, and we’re ecstatic to bring you all the news to be on the lookout for Isaora this fall. Like us, the Isaora folks are all about living on, and for the edges - a good challenge is what makes life so worthwhile after all, and Isaora has met that challenge head-on, producing some of the cleanest lines with the most innovative fabrics on earth.
Known since our inception on the mountains as a bunch of delinquents, maniacs and sloppy snowmonsters, the typical view of snowboarders is about to start a massive revolution with Isaora leading the way. Featuring simple, sophisticated solutions for the most demanding weather imaginable, New York City-based Isaora is an entirely new brand concept with a unique opportunity to attract a diverse clientele, and following the offical launch this past January, this crew has certainly taken a giant step in the right direction as evidenced by the Fall lookbook.
Keep an eye out for the drop this fall, and check out some of the goodies our dude Marc at Isaora sent over - pure fire! Or, should we say, cold as ice…
Introducing… Amivectio
posted: Thursday May 21, 2009 - 8:19 AM
“Amivectio comes from the combination of two Latin words,” explains creative director Hector Estrada. “‘Amicus,’ which means friend or comrade, and ‘circumvectio,’ which means to assail or revolt. I put them together to simplify things and create a new term meaning ‘friends of the Revolution.”
Comprised of a passionate group of friends hell-bent on creation and starting the revolution in the streetwear market, Amivectio certainly believes a change in ideas is desperately needed and they have the product, designs and drive to make it happen. Embracing the challenge, it is Amivectio’s mission to alter the system for the good of the masses with an informed movement to achieve equal opportunity, tolerance, education, peace and progress, health and sustainability as well as clean air, soil, water and energy through design, communication and community. In the words of the great José Martí, “doing is the best way of saying,” and Amivectio has taken those words to heart by linking up with Clean Water Action in support of its fight for the environment.
As evidenced by the shots above, Amivectio’s line for the spring is ultra-clean, bold and militant, with The Deactivate Tee (above left) and The Peace of Mind Tee (above right) already cemented as staff favorites here at The ‘Loop. However, with just 120 units produced in this limited-edition run, we’re playing nice and giving you first-shot priorities. Starting to regret it already…
Click the top image for a killer video produced by the Amivectio crew, and learn more about the brand’s mission at it’s site and blog. And before this limited-edition run has sprinted itself dry, check out more from Amivectio at Karmaloop here.
Supra - The TK Society!
posted: Tuesday May 19, 2009 - 11:18 AM
Damn… these joints are higher than us after lunch break.
If you’ve done yourself a favor and copped a pair of Supra Skytops, Vaiders, Supranos, Diablos or Cruizers, then you already know about the supreme comfort, bullet-proof durability and infinite styles which they provide so well. And if you’re a dedicated student of the concrete, permanently attached to that deck of yours, then you’re also well-aware that Supra has been absolutely murdering the skate footwear game for years now - with a roster to prove it. Few companies can boast a team with such heralded names like Tom Penny, Chad Muska, Antwuan Dixon, Erik Ellington, Furby Salcedo and the god Jim Greco since the best tend to roll with the best. Now Supra’s latest addition, Terry Kennedy, gets his first signature shoe and it may be the most sought-after gem yet.
Granted, we have yet to measure the TK’s and some Yeezy’s back-to-back, but the Societys already make the Skytops look like Oompa-Loompas. And oompa-loompa loopity-like the Skytops, TK’s signatures also claim the same smooth leather or uber-soft suede panels offered with the aforementioned, reinforced toes for gripping them decks (yes, damnit, you can skate these) and, of course, the looks to kill. Unlike the Yeezys, however, you won’t appear to be a Marty McFly-wannabe, bandwagoning douchebag who spent a couple nights camped outside some boutique to pay a month’s-worth of rent, utilities and a cell-phone bill for nothing but a set of Nike’s with Creative Recreation straps (just jokes, kids, just jokes)…
Get a closerr look at The TK Society Sneaker at Karmaloop here, and be sure to check out the madness that ensued throughout Supra’s tour from Los Angeles to Brooklyn in support of the Society’s release. Gotta love these dudes! … and stay tuned for the new Dixon signature models! Lows for all of you that love to get down!
The Hats of Brixton
posted: Tuesday May 19, 2009 - 11:09 AM
You can’t crush ‘em… can’t bruise ‘em… or even shoot ‘em. Oh, oh, the hats of Brixton.
Brixton has been creating the absolute finest in headwear since 2004, producing clean and timeless designs in a variety of styles ranging from the modern to more traditional looks. Based in sunny Southern California and inspired by the music, the culture and the people who surround the company, Brixton designs and constructs each individual piece with those influences in mind, helping Brixton to convey its message, lifestyle and brand through the unique headwear pieces that it fashions.
Lets face it, friends - unless you’re under the age of 25 (or have a Peter Pan complex… not reccomended), have a severely receeding hairline or play sports for a living, you have absolutely no reason to be rocking a baseball hat nowadays. Like oversized tee shirts, portable gaming devices and those silly-ass drawstring bags, baseball hats are for kids and it’s time for you to dapper up, broseph.
Start the transformation at the top, and start with Brixton. That’s one small step for you, and one giant step towards… that thing… what’s it called? Oh, yeah - adulthood. Make your moms proud.
Check out the rest of the Brixton line at Karmaloop here.
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