The Urban Graduette: [Tear.it.Up]
For all of you Urban Graduette fashionistas these rugged jeans are bringing back that classic baggy, but ultra sexy look. Unlike “ze Skinny Jean” these Pinkney Turner Jeans will leave a little mystery to your stylish frame. Make sure to note the torn cut outs throughout the jeans.
Wear them straight or cuffed and spice them up with these ASOS Leather Caged Gladiator Heeled Sandals!
Want a chance to win a pair of the Pinkney Turner Jeans? Enter the Parker Style Contest! Go to thestylesuite.com for more info.
- Chantay Davenport
A Peaceful Journey, Michael
Michael Joseph Jackson – Aug. 1958 – Jun. 2009.
The Jackson family is in our thoughts and prayers. He will forever be remembered for spreading the message of peace and equality to the world. We love you and wish you a peaceful journey, brother.
- u|T|o
Get Familiar | Ten in Spring 2010
Here’s a round-up of the Latest Spring 2010 Collections showcased in RTW shows. GET FAMILIAR!!
01. Junya Watanabe – “The lineup, defined as snobby by the famed designer, paired a variety of essentials into a comprehensive collection of contemporary menswear.”
02. Comme des Garcons – “…designers have shown tartans, African prints & nautical stripes, but Rei Kawakubo was the only one to pack all three themes into the same garment…patchwork trousers and blazers with collages of colorful panels, pockets and silk neckwear appliqués.”
03. Bottega Veneta – “We wanted to offer clothes that are particularly individualistic. Changing the shape of the pants and breaking the silhouette with color add an energy, even a brashness, that feels invigorating.”
04. Louis Vuitton – “…a fun and innovative collection for the spring which features both style and function. Inspired by what is seemingly a popular theme, New York’s world of messengers lends its aesthetic through various bright offerings.”
05. Jil Sander – “…a minimal design aesthetic, constantly implementing a plethora of solid colored pieces…offering a multitude of simple, well cut apparel with white being the focus…”
06. Moncler Gamma Bleu – “Under the creative direction of fashion designer Thom Browne, Moncler presented their new 2010 Spring/Summer Collection for the Gamme Bleu line. The show featured a Summer sports-inspired theme…”
07. Dries Van Noten – “…marked by an obvious injection of life and color through noteworthy prints and motifs…even the most finely tailored suits with exaggerated shoulders… purged of any businesslike sensibility”
08. Issey Miyake – “The Dai Fujiwara-directed line took inspiration from Turkey, with an assortment of loose-fitting garments including suits, cardigans, and knits featuring a wide array of flashy colors and textile choices.”
09. John Varvatos – “Implementing a strong range of gray hues…showcasing a blend of checked suits, cardigan knits, trousers and shorts, all featuring minimalistic details while remaining distinctly fashionable.”
10. Undercover – “…embodied the ’simple but beautiful artistic touch that exists after discarding the unnecessary’…a nice mix of technical materials and executions such as hidden welted pockets and weatherproof seams.”
The Urban Graduate: [cur.io]
“…Statuettes’ X eyes on those graffiti’d dolls/ my ghetto b****es ask why, I say ‘It’s just be KAWS’…” – Malice (of The Clipse)
With all the added pressures of professional life, bills, and grown-up responsibilities, sometimes Urban Grads forget that we are still YOUNG! One of the best ways to infuse that “youthful spirit” is to keep a toy or two around (ok, minds out of the gutter, everybody). The Urban Grad Curio is much more than an action figure — it’s a 5-inch objet d’art… with Kung-Fu Grip. Here are some reasons why you should step your “Curio Game” up:
1. Be@rbrick is cool. Period. (We’ve been through this before, Bearbrick releases items in limited series, blind boxes, and always delivers creative collaborations)
2. Many of the toys are designed by world-renown artists, i.e. KAWS. (see verse/quote above, and then proceed to Pharrell’s or Lupe’s personal collections)
3. (You) + (Japanese Art) = Urban Art Maven. (The artistic culture of Japanese toys has been around for DECADES…are you just now catching on?)
4. They’re Small, Detailed, and EXTREMELY collectible! (A single toy can cost anywhere from $8, i.e. King Ken by Amos, to $450, i.e. Futura Nosferatu statuette — consider each toy an asset that can appreciate with time).
5. Several suggest, “Hey, I’m a Kid at heart”. BUT, thousands suggest, “Hey, I’m a Kid…and I still prefer pajamas that have footies attached.” (Just like buying framed artwork, make your selections wisely. Be sure that the fun-factor and the art factor are in a balance that reflects your lifestyle).
(Kanye + LV) x HighSnobiety = Photoshoot
Take one of the most anticipated footwear collaborations (Kanye West x Louis Vuitton), cross it with an ill photographer (Daniela Muller-Brunke), and what do you get?? A well-done visual presentation of iconic footwear, quarterbacked by Highsnobiety.
Enjoy the rest of the experience here.
Greek 2 Chic: Timepieces
There are days when you want to show your organizational pride in a subtle manner and a pin won’t do it. Opt for a fashionable timepiece instead. Wristwatches can be an understated accessory by day and the key to your ensemble by night. Leave the utilitarian stainless steel band behind and put on a more expressive watch instead. Do remember to keep everything in proportion. Larger pieces are intended for the weekend and larger body frames, so make your acquisitions accordingly.
FROGS :: A Bathing Ape
POODLES ::&:: CENTAURS :: Nixon
DOGS :: Vestal Zeppelin
RABBITS ::&:: DUCKS :: Gucci ::&:: Bramford Rolex ID
APES :: Bell & Ross
- Winston
The Urban Graduette: Don’t Wear Fur…Wear MINX
Urban Graduettes if you really wanna get your PUNCTILIO game up then check out Minx Nail Coverings! These nail coverings are the perfect blatant understatements when your talking on your cell phone or when you “firmly grasp the last pair of Jimmy Choo’s on sale” (That’s what it says on the official site). The nail covering designs range from alligator skin to distressed leather to “cheeta.”
Greek 2 Chic: Atlanta GreekFest Edition (Pt.1)
Yes!! It’s that time of the year for the Pan-Hel to descend upon Atlanta! There’s something about barbecue grills, deejays, and Greeks strolling that really says…SUMMER SUMMER SUMMERTIME!! So if you plan to be out at Morris Brown College THIS weekend…1) We’ll see YOU there….and 2) PLEEEEEASE have your swagger at 100 thousand trillion (cuz if not…we WILL point you out, and post your pic under ‘Lost my Mojo’). Here’s some help from the u|T|o team:
(in order of appearance: Rabbits, NPHC, Ducks, Apes, Frogs)
Get Familiar: Manga Wedges
These vixens are bad as hell! The white and black colorway is so clean. Not to mention they look like they are from an episode of Robotech. While I enjoy the classics I am partial to techy-inspired designs. You may not know of him yet, but look out for Liam Fahy, the designer of these “beau|Ties.”
The Urban Graduette: The Rick Owens L[oo]k…
…at a WAAAY more affordable price.
Zip Bat Shoulder Dress by BLAK
Black cotton jersey square hood tank dress by Complex Geometries
WeSC Eve Jean
Buckled up wedge by We Who See
Air Yeezy: Meet the [Under]studies
This post is dedicated to all those who DIDN’T get a pair of the ever-so-coveted Air Yeezys. With two colorways already released in limited quantities, eBay-ers have treated these sneakers with the same price inelasticity as diamonds — making it pretty difficult to obtain a pair without selling a kidney on the black market.
Today we’re gonna show you a few kicks that (1) ARE available (or will be available shortly), (2) ARE dope enough to draw the attention of others, and (3) WON’T leave your account overdrafted.
EXHIBIT A – The Ocean Runner by Greedy Genius
Likeness: Extended HiTop; Grey Colorway; like the LV sneakers by Kanye…but Hitop.
Where it Differs: Think Sperry x Supra x NIKE….not Kanye x NIKE x Warren Buffet. These are gonna be a heavy hitter upon release, mainly since this is the best looking Greedy Genius shoe to drop. Expect heads to turn, and wallets to say “Thank You”.
EXHIBIT B – RT1 by NIKE (White/Grey/Turquoise colorway) aka “The UnYeezys”.
Likeness: Extended HiTop; Bright contrasting interior; Safari Texture; Protruding tongue.
Where it Differs: Well….add a strap & an air bubble my friends, and PRESTO-Alacazam!! You have an Air Yeezy (but for about $135 LESS).
EXHIBIT C - Ex-O- Fit Hi SG Strap by Reebok
Likeness: Mid-Strap; Vibrant (attention-grabbing) colorways; mixture of materials.
Where it Differs: This sneaker is ALOT more OSTENTATIOUS than the Air Yeezys. It uses tone-on-tone, so more than likely…your sneakers will stand out from the rest of your ENTIRE outfit. Oh…did we mention you can get these for under $100?
YOU CAN’T SAY THAT WE DON’T LOOK OUT FOR YALL!
mAtCh-UP
I just thought I would play a little game with the readers. The rules are simple…name each sneaker’s designer brand (not just designers because a designer for one brand might have his own brand too…hint, hint) but only the ones where you can see both pairs. And you thought you and your dudes were ON IT. You gotta love Paris street fashion. Anyway, comment and let me know what you come up with. And of course I already know the right answers. Lol.
I should go further and ask from what season too…For more pics featuring “on-it” crews like this check out Jak & Jil Blog.
Greek 2 Chic: Picks of the Week [Pt.1]
We’re putting some looks together for the fashion-savvy Greeks out there. Here’s the best from around the web:
DUCKS :: POW Bamboo Earrings by Melody Ehsani; We Run the South Tee by Once Upon a Time in NY.
POODLES :: Sex Sells T-Shirt by MTTM; The M.I.A. Denim Jacket by Hellz Bellz.
DOGS :: Asher Roth Tee by UNDRCRWN; Camou Shorts by Deluxe S/S ‘09 Collection.
CENTAURS :: VR Stamp Tee by Viktor & Rolf S/S ‘09 Collection; Sentry All Gold Watch by Nixon; Swagg Knuckle Ring by GoodWood.
APES :: The Se7en Tee & The Greater Tee both by Alphanumeric; Converse x Selfridges 100th Anniversary Pantone 109 Sneaker.
3sixteen [S/S/F] 2009
If you haven’t had the opportunity yet to check out some of the collections by 3sixteen, then you are seriously in a deep slumber. Check out their Sping/Summer ‘09 Lookbook and their upcoming Fall 2009 Photoshoot. Enjoy!!
The smARTORIALIST: Kingdom Comme [pt.2]
We’re revisiting Kindom Comme: the key choices that Comme des Garcons has made to become a luxe-hybrid brand. In the last installment [Part 1], I mentioned the Junya Watanabe Effect. For a little background info, Junya became an apprentice at Comme des Garcons in 1984, working as a patternmaker. Now, through several power moves, Junya became one of the most influential designers at the label — in fact, he’s responsible for much of the Homme line’s character. Eventually he was given the appropriate title of “Rei’s Protege”.
Junya has a keen interest in using “technologically-advanced textiles and fabrics”, not to mention his use of cotton. [HOW CROSS-OVER is THAT!!] Think back to some of Junya’s most noted contributions — they come in the form of collaborations. And whom does he collaborate with…Iconic Sneaker Brands. Converse, New Balance, Nike, and Vans all have been blessed by the Rei Protege’ (under eYe), just as runways in Paris and Milan have. And the whole time, Junya’s connection to Comme only strengthened, doing more exploration of patterns and male silhouettes with his label eYe and Comme des Garcons at the helm. “How did Comme benefit,” you ask. Well, they were provided with the PERFECT Petri dish to test nontraditional Comme des Garcons concepts…..like working with common treasures.
Stay tuned for Part 3 of Kingdom Comme, where we’ll discuss the positioning tactics Comme has used to broaden it’s luxe-hybrid market.
