Pardon my absence last week. My two cents for the week of July 20th.

Nike Deuce Mesh

Amid all the new technology that Nike packs into their products, this has impressed me the most. This clever use of materials on a classic silhouette is fresh as can be. Proof that flywire doesn’t need to be on everything, haha. All mesh upper to keep your feet cool and dry on an upper that many people wear without socks. Good (c) Dave Chappelle as Prince.

Slaughterhouse – “The One” Video

Someone liked ‘Cherchez La Ghost’. The unstoppable Rik Cordero wins again. Plus this song knocks hard. If these guys can keep spitting over dope production like this, they might have a better chance than I thought.

XLarge x Adidas Five Two 3 Superstar

First of all, it’s a dope colorway with a nice use of snakeskin and the first pair of Adidas I want besides the Busenitz that just dropped. Just to add to that it’s XLarge, one of the pioneers of streetwear and their logo on the tongue is ill. If only I wasn’t broke.

Letter from Rick Klotz

“Dear Friends,

If you haven’t already heard:

Since I started Freshjive, I have had a personal conflict with this business
of “branding”. In fact, I was so conflicted at one time, that I quit
working. I am in the business of promoting the company brand yet personally
I am not interested in items for the brand name. It’s a bit of a quagmire
with me because I hate the culture of promoting a brand yet I enjoy
designing clothes and t shirt designs.

Beginning with our spring 2010 line, we will no longer be using our brand
logo or name on any of our product, including all labeling and t shirt
designs. Nowhere on any product will our name or previous brand logo be used
anymore.”

Interesting move sir, and I like it. My good friend from LA gave me this reply when I hit him up about it.

“the idea that wearing something because of the brand name or label is something we aren’t that interested in, rather we care about the intrinsic value of the products and design services, like the quality, craftsmanship, and smart idea.” -E. Irwin

That pretty much echoes my sentiments on the whole streetwear / fashion scene. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Then again seeing that XLarge logo as a clever design element on the tongue did add to the appeal of those Adidas. Especially in our culture, it’s very difficult to completely eschew the use of brand logos and such. Especially when many people, myself included, use logos to brand themselves as members of a certain subculture or lifestyle. We’ll see what happens, and see if other brands take a similar route.

Have a good evening,

Richard