An Inaccurate Look at the Making of a Native Fitzsimmons

In one of the more clever ad spots in recent memory, Native presents An Inaccurate Look at the Making of a Fitzsimmons, a Wes Anderson-esque imagining of what goes into shoe manufacturing. The result is a whimsical interpretation, where buried treasure is unearthed, bananas are found and mythical shoes are created. The Native team deserves a ton of credit for thinking outside of the box on this one. Check it out.

 

2011 Nike MAG: The Full Story

The Saga continues! Sneaker enthusiasts and fans of the 1989 movie Back to the Future II had to wait almost 23 years for their Nike MAG to drop. After all the video and event hype, an extensive behind the scenes video is presented here. Several of the personalities involved in the whole project go on the record from both Nike and Back to the Future’s teams including Tinker Hatfield and Mark Parker. The Nike MAG has now obviously been made available for collectors through eBay but this video hopefully answers any questions many might have regarding the process behind the greatest shoes never made.  I wish I had stacks in order to get a pair of these.  The bids on ebay were 10,000 and upward!

Back For the Future: MAG 2011 Nike

Me and my brother were talking about these today. I use to work for Nike selling shoes years ago and have always had a love for Nike. During my childhood Back to The Future was me and my brother's favorite movies! I told my brother ever since I can remember these have been in my Lexicon for what Nike shoes are! So excited just wish I had the scratch to bid on them.

Marty McFly's Closet

Following endless speculation about this week’s “secret” event going down in Los Angeles, Nike gives us an official teaser into the return of the Nike MAG, of course made popular by the Back to the Future film franchise. No further details are available but could this mean that the almighty Marty McFly petition finally worked its magic? Stay tuned for further news shortly.

LRG 2011 Fall Lookbook Video

San Francisco is a favorite destination of LRG for creative inspiration and serves as the backdrop for the brand’s Fall 2011 season photoshoot. This year LRG featured music artists Mayer Hawthorne and Bilal. Also making appearances are LRG snow team rider Chris Grenier and skate team riders Tom Asta, Felipe Gustavo, Karl Watson and Jackson Curtin. Look for Fall 2011 in stores soon.

Generic Surplus

To all my fellow Sneaker Heads and Footware enthusiasts I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you about a company that I have come to love. Not only do they make high quality products they also have amazing customer service.  For those of you who have never heard of Generic Surplus, they are a branch of The Generic Man, a small company founded in Los Angeles in 2008.  
Their mission statement is simple:  
Timeless, Refined, Monochromatic
In a time when shoe design is overwhelmed with flashy branding and logomania, Generic Surplus pursues a more conceptual approach, discarding loud logos in favor of clean, refined lines with monochromatic colorways and durable, innovative materials. Incorporating elements of street wear, rock n’ roll and avant-garde fashion, Generic Surplus creates designs with a timeless appeal that leads the way towards a new direction for everyday footwear.


You may be asking why I am taking the time to talk about a company.  Well recently I came across some of the best customer service one could possible ask for.  My favorite pair of GS shoes are my 2010 Chukka Sneakers.  A couple of weeks ago the laces ended up shredding after a year in which I wore them all the time in many different kinds of environments including: airports, bars, formals, clubs, baseball games, in the rain, traveling, and the beach. So, about a week ago I decided I would try to find an email address for the company to see if I could get a new pair of laces for them.  


Blah say blah to make a long story short I basically emailed the company asking if there was anyway I could buy a new pair of laces directly from them or if they could recommend a place that sells their laces.  The next day I received a very nice email from GS.  They basically said they would do their best to find the matching laces in their office or a pair of laces that would work, and that they would go ahead and send everything my way.  At no point did they ever mention money or ask for any in return.  Today I came out to my mail box and found an envelope full of new free GS laces!  I was shocked at the level of customer service and genuine care they showed me.  I have always been a fan of their products and when anyone asked me about my GS shoes I would always sing their praises.  But after my recent experience I thought it was time for everyone to know that GS not only makes quality goods, but they back them up with amazing customer services.  So if you are looking to add a new edition to your collection, one that blurs the line between sneaker and shoe, casual and dressy at a reasonable price, then look no further Generic Surplus is the brand for you!


Generic Surplus 

Matt Stevens – MAX100 Book Project

If you wanted to buy me a classy gift for my future home...this is where its at!

For graphic designer Matt Stevens, that process is to mollify something else – his obsession of Nike Air Max 1. A continuation of his ongoing project, Air Max 1-A-Day, where he graphically re-animate a pair of Air Max 1 injected with influences, subject matter, and other daily stimulants. Already at his 60th pairs of designs, Stevens hopes his new MAX100 Book will permit him to finish and compile his creations in a printed matter form.

Nike & The Cool Kids Footlocker “Get Fresh Air” Commercial

Footlocker unveils a star-studden new commercial to a special tune by The Cool Kids. The piece features Amar’e Stoudemire, DeSean Jackson and Chris Bosh, with a guest appearance by Ken Griffey Jr. serving up his latest Swingman design. In addition, the entire animated spot was highlighted by the artwork of Grotesk.

Nike Better World 100% Recycled ad

I am always talking about the innovations that Nike makes, this past week I had a long talk about it.  I had a discussion with one of the Nike employees at the new Santa Monica store and he was super cool, its funny to see the love for the brand that is built by working for them. Anyways,  Nike just introduced the premise behind its Nike Better World initiative via video this week. Prescribed as a “film made from 100% recycled ads”, Nike Better World is also part Public Service Announcement (PSA), but without the lengthy preaching. Highlights all Nike’s efforts locally as well as globally in assistance with environmental issues, humanitarian cause, and others.  So go check out the ad and rock some Nike's why you are at it.

?uestlove X Nike

?uest is the coolest...he bought the first five sneakerheads in line their pair of his exclusive dunks!

Nike SB Commercial

I cut together this little Nike SB commercial from some footage I shot when my good friend Luke Tilt came to visit me. Check it out...

Generic Surplus “The Wharf”

Generic Surplus introduces a new chukka style for Spring/Summer 2011 called “The Wharf.” A which draws its inspiration from old-school sailor uniforms and the classic deck shoe. It comes in three colorways: ginger suede as well as a navy and opal canvas, the chukkas feature a suede heel patch and matching toe panel with a vulcanized rubber midsole and chambray liner. I bought their chukka boot last season and it has been one of the most satisfying shoe purchases i’ve ever made. Generic Surplus continues to make classic extremely comfortable silhouettes…If I had money I would cop the blue pair right now. Lord knows I need another pair of shoes.

The Black Mamba: Second Trailer

Earlier today, Kobe Bryant and Robert Rodriguez presented the second trailer to the upcoming The Black Mamba movie, the second trailer to The Black Mamba features Kanye West as Boss, Danny Trejo and Bruce Willis.

Nike SB "Around The World"

Nike SB does a great job with their new video Around The World. The work is an collection of highlights taken from footage captured in 2010 on several different tours. Starring Stefan, Grant, Wieger, Lewis, Daniel, Youness Amrani and Chet Childress.  There are some really cool time lapse and stop motion shots in the video, my favorite  is of the ATL skyline near the very beginning.

Nike Stadiums: Nike 6.0 “Snowboard Trip”

In this video some of Nike’s 6.0 team, the crew head out from New York in the early morning, giving them time to pack, fuel-up and drive all the way up Killington Vt. and some of the best snowboarding in the country.  Which is perfect because all of the snowboarding gear that 6.0 is making right now looks like the best that you can buy!

Gatorade “Go All Day” with Nigel Sylvester

This year, Gatorade’s theme is “Go All Day.” In celebrating that theme, Gatorade wanted to start doing research on the non-traditional sports like BMX, so they hit up team rider Nigel Sylvester and asked him If you could go anywhere in the world to ride bikes with friends, where would you go? After lots of research and different ideas being thrown around Japan was chosen as the destination. If you aren't into BMX this is still an interesting video, there are some really cool shots of Japan and the city of Tokyo. All in all the video documents the trip, from the riding and research, to the culture and adventures.

Generic Surpuls: Work Boot

Generic Surplus is a company that I fully support and enjoy their products. The latest from the Generic Man spinoff Generic Surplus gives a light work boot inspiration to a high top sneaker. On the bottom, it combines a traditional sneaker midsole with some light traction lugs. And the upper has the obvious work but cut, helped out by triple-stitching and a raised-seam toebox construction. The Work Boot comes in two shades of suede, both following the design guidelines of the traditional workboot; there’s a standard tan suede, and a brighter, almost Nantucket Red colorway. As always, branding is minimal – just a tonal rubber tag at the heel a very clean shoe and company. Either are a good option for a Winter sneaker...

NikeTown London – Welcome Back

Today I went to my old Nike Store to say hello to my old managers and teammates. Everyone was super cool and excited to see me which is always a great feeling. The store has really stepped up its inventory and has some new really cool stuff.  But it has nothing on the revamping that was just done at NikeTown London, which re-opened for business earlier this month. The retail space now comes in as one of the crown jewel’s of Nike’s retail empire with a phenomenal experience accompanying the massive space. Multi-Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis was on hand together with English Premier League superstars Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott of Arsenal and Ashley Cole and Dider Drogba to help showcase the whole store.

Gap Chukka Sneaker by Keds

The coming together of two iconic brands yields a simple and understated collection involving GAP and Keds. The collection focuses on the Chukka sneaker from Keds with material inspirations derived from GAP’s 2010 holiday season.  There are 4 colors, Black, Charcoal Gray Wool, Sand, Charcoal Wool. They will be available at GAP stores with a retail price of $65.  The Chukka sneaker silhouette is one of my favorites its a perfect shoe for either work or pleasure...I would totally rock either the sand or Charcoal Gray Wool colorway all day everyday!

Nike SB Zoom FP – Commerical

Nike SB have launched a new campaign for a newly designed Nike SB Zoom FP sneakers. The official commercial includes casting by the riders themselves and it cleverly shows the sneakers getting X-rayed to bring attention to the features of the sneakers. The video also show cases each riders’ personalities and characters as to add depth to the riders themselves as more than skateboarders. Zoom FP is the lightest sneaker in the SB range and is equipped with the Zoom Air technology, one-piece inner booty construction, flexible and grippy herring bone sole and seamless uppers.