Denimation 201: Thou Shalt Obey

This past Thursday (Oct. 29) Levi’s and acclaimed artist/designer Shepard Fairey launched their collaborative limited edition collection. The Obey x Levi’s collection apparently boasts two pairs of denim  (511 & 514 cut), two denim jackets (one of which is below), and a mess load of tops (a flannel, and some tees). And get this…price-point: $34.50 – $148!

Here are some details from the release:

SAN FRANCISCO (October 19, 2009) – This October, the Levi’s® brand – the name responsible for the invention of the blue jean – continues its ever-evolving relationship with acclaimed street artist Shepard Fairey by unveiling Obey x Levi’s®, a collection of co-designed, street-inspired styles for men. Obey x Levi’s® is a celebration of the renegade spirit embraced by both pioneering partners and features denim silhouettes, distress details, and finishes inspired by Fairey’s personal collection of Levi’s® jeanswear and collaboratively developed by Levi’s® and Fairey.

The highly collectible Obey x Levi’s® capsule collection will be carried exclusively at select Levi’s® Store locations in New York City, San Francisco, Chicago and Santa Monica and at http://www.levi.com. It will be available beginning October 29 and will range in price from $34.50 to $148. To commemorate the launch of the collection, on October 29 Fairey will unveil a series of four new poster designs at a live art installation outside The Levi’s® Store in New York City’s Times Square. Once Fairey completes the installation, he will meet-and-greet event participants while autographing free museum-quality reproductions of his new posters.

Greek 2 Chic: SummaFall

To many, this is the most difficult time of the year. Not only are classes revving back up, work jumping back on schedule, etc. — but the weather is in perpetual limbo. It’s not quite summer…..but it’s not quite autumn. Too hot for the jacket, but too cold for a regular shirt. Greeks, get your notepads out; we’re droppin some items for yall in SummaFall:

The Outsiders Jacket by Hellz Bellz. Yo, this brand is one of the hottest in the streets! They always produce some creative feminine urban apparel. This jacket just looks fly as all hell. I feel like it should have exit doors and propellers!! Catz….order this one before they lift off.

The Journey Track Jacket by LRG. This joint is perfect for the season change. It’s breathable, but still warm enough for the nighttime. The color is impeccable (LRG does this really well), and track jackets in general are essential items. DOGS….don’t sleep on this one.

The Drawstring Cowl Anorak by Triple 5 Soul. Poodles, Poodles, POODLES! Do I have to stress how ill this joint is?? I mean, the damn thing has couture style pockets and a peel-away hood! Just snatch this joint, grab a pair of those leggings from the smArtorialist post last week, and start pullin’ Zoolander moves up and down the block.

The No Way Back Jacket by OBEY. This joint should be called the “Usher 8701, I Need a Girl -esque” jacket! Jokes aside, it’s a good look for Centaurs. Once again, breathable…but not permeable. AND, the gold accents are CRUSHIN’ the game! Act accordingly.

I know what your thinking…and Yea….that’s wifey right there lol. But fa’real, Puma dropped The FL Jacket for reasons just like this mid-season. It’s made of cotton, polyester, and nylon. Ducks, You can’t go wrong — it’s fitted, cropped, and lighter than an Olsen twin.

LRG went in with The Moving Units Jacket. This is a real chill piece, one that can be worn at most downtime evening events. Peep the collar work and the contrast buttons!! Disgusting. Apes, you already know. 

The Arcade Hooded Fleece by BB Dakota. If this ain’t a pre-Autumn item, then I don’t know what is! First, women in hoodies…sexy. But women in hoodies with soft stuff in the hood…..sexy squared. Frogs, the color choice, the texture, and the “in-betweeney-ness” (yes, I made that up) of this garment make it a great acquisition.

The Aquatic Button Up Shirt by Freshjive. Ill concept, one that I’ve never seen executed well until now. This is a cotton hoodie….with buttons (the colorway is definitely a plus, Doves). It’s like a cardigan amd a hoodie met in one night of passion and gave birth to this!! I’m coining the term first…..The Hoodigan. UTO stand up!

Greek 2 Chic: Graphic Content

We rounded up some unique graphic tees for apes, rabbits, dogs, doves, and centaurs. The key to rockin a graphic tee is to go simple! Make sure there aren’t too many random colors (otherwise, you’ll look rubix cube). The current trend in graphic tees is using high quality, opaque paints, i.e. metallic paints, foil paints, etc. These joints we picked are designed by urban companies and have a good balance of image symbolism and image recognition [P.S. be READY!! UTO is coming with Ape Sh!t, Gentleman's Klub, Purple Label, Sig.nature, and Century apparel THIS FALL!!! We're GOIN' IN!!!]:

The Public Enemy Tee by OBEY. Yo, Shepard Fairey, the artist/designer for most of OBEY’s graphic tees, has a GREAT talent for combining art with cultural relevance. PUBLIC ENEMY!!!! C’mon man! If you need any further motivation…..drop kick yourself.

The Masked Avenger Tee by Garbege. When I first saw this joint, I thought I was looking at a purple and gold Ironman. The Tony Stark-esque character is definitely eye-catching, especially since the popularity of the movie. Between the image and the color combination, this shirt is ill. Scoop it before other kats do, fa’real.

The Diamond Grenade Tee by WollyHood. Maaaaaaaaan!! Could it be any more perfe[k]t?? It’s a shirt….with a diamond….blowing up (1 +1 =……..)!! If yall don’t get this one, then the whole concept of Urban Takeout is being missed. Subtle, but blatant — Understood by some, witnessed by many, respected by ALL. Get in where you fit in (in other words, cop the shirt, and be on the lookout for Gentleman’s Klub).

The King of Rock Tee by Analog. Classic! Very clean and well-arranged. Run-DMC have probably the most recognizable silhouettes in the history of hip-hop. But what I appreciate most about this shirt is the alternation of colors! It’s just sick. Positive and negative space usage….mixed with metallic accents….Sucka Emcees should call YOU sire!

The Good Life Tee by Bonafide Icon. This tee just demands respect. You got a bunch of kids starin at the grill of somebody’s whip — EVERYBODY can identify with that (don’t act like you don’t remember playin’ That’s My Car)! At first glance, the foil graphic is crisp — nuff said. Church.

Greek 2 Chic: Rabbits

Gentleman’s Klub is ALSO gettin ready to take flight. DON’T SLEEP!! As usual though, we felt the need to throw some stuff from the net at you, get your minds in the right place:

The CS Chicago Tee by Dissizit!.This joint has a real vintage feel to it, and I can appreciate the message. BULLS were the TRUTH in the ’95-’96 season.

The Banks Watch by Nixon. Time pieces are probably the most under-appreciated accessory. This joint has just enough red to kick up the entire piece! Good look.

The Stroll Hat by Brixton. AGAIN, it’s ALLLLL about the details (peep the feather). Brixton has some pretty ill fedoras and stingy brim hats too, european flair full speed.

I threw in one hat, now, time for one kap (yes, I know that was corny). The Interlock C New Era Cap by Crooks & Castles (that’s that stuff Hov rocks, for those who don’t know).

The Warmup Windbreaker by OBEY. They are doing it real big right now! OBEY has urban fashion on lock, AND they make some great gear for skaters. Rockstar mentality.

In my humble opinion….THIS IS THE HOTTEST SNEAKER OUT RIGHT NOW. The Muska Skytop by Supra. This is beyond iPod white…this is like Zack Morris white….James Dean’s t-shirt white. It almost feels as though these shoes fell off an angels feet.