Aww ain't he pretty...

My bestest buddy as well as my eloquent colleague, companion and cousin, this is Oliver in a few shoots he did a couple years back for Qvest and iD magazine. Styled by the reknown Sharmadean Reid of WAH, and shot by Ben Weller, he hasn’t modeled for a minute and I think he needs to get back into it... Who agrees?

Christmas Cheer

I may have to give blogging up for a hot, messy minute (ok a few days max) as I shall be overly busy with the combination of my university application (effin’ UCAS), a somewhat challenging piece I shall be helping an esteemed friend out with, and, obviously, the traditional merry making of this ever so joyous time of the year. Blogging has its many uses to say the absolute least, and, more over, there is a crisp sense of glowing pride in the art of self publication – alongside the airing of ones thoughts to, what is, an infinite audience. I am currently, well, supposedly (sorry Ruby), writing three blogs, including this one, though I do sometimes surreptitiously struggle to write just the one amongst all the other commitments of daily life. Alas, buried under the burden of self-imposed expectations, and weary already from the Christmas merriment, I bid all a hearty, alcohol-fuelled, very merry, Christmas – God bless – and shall continue blogging into the New Year and beyond. Have a great day...

Image taken without asking from here....

I heart Boxie...

It has already been made clear to me that, this is not for everyone, but I am an avid fan of the concept behind the brand I Love Boxie, and therefore I shant be one to ever knock it. An interesting concept, and somewhat of an adventure, Moxie, the genius behind the brand, is offering her 'T Spoke' service over the Christmas period, whereas you ring her up, tell her a story, and she creates a t shirt from what you have relayed to her - all in the space of a few hours and therefore ready for Christmas. I am an avid fan of her works, and believe Moxie to be both inspirational, and actively innovative - all details above, take a peek.

Kanye West x Mache x Nike

Browsing through T.Magic's blog I happened across these marvellous creations by the creative customising force of footwear artist Mache. A combination of the now infamous suit worn by Kanye and the graphical input of artist Kaws who contributes to his album artwork, the end result is a convergence of the worlds of fashion, art, animation, hip hop and holy sneakerdom. Nice, nice, nice and indeed brilliantly formed, Mache displays all his talents and more, as his elegant Air Forces tap into the recent, ever-hyped subject of popular culture, although the huge influence Mr West - 808’s, heartbreaks, et al - has upon today’s young, aspiring hipsters, cannot be underestimated. Make sure you check out more of Mache’s customs, he is quite brilliant.

Images stolen from here.

An early Christmas present...

I got my first, and probably last, pair of Nike iD Air Force 1's yesterday and I can’t wait for them to turn up - they will look great with a bunch of Stussy samples I recently acquired. I’ll show you the pics when they come – An early merry Christmas folks.

Julian Perretta at Yoyo

Get down to Notting Hill Arts Club this Thursday for the last Yoyo of the year and a guest performance from my mate Julian Perretta, who I properly predict shall be absolutely huge this time next year - expect big things of him in 2009. It should be a good night filled with London's cool, creative kids and, as ever, great music.

Listen to some of Perretta's stuff here and here - he will be HUGE.

Dogs, cats and a few simple sketches...

I have started sketching out a few designs for t shirts I have long been considering producing, though I at first wasn’t sure if they are a route I should be strolling so cockily down (the world and their overly excitable dog seem to be making t's now), and it shall be a long time until any of these ideas come into fruition (hell, I’m a busy guy). Nonetheless it has been great putting my ideas down on paper – it makes a change from tapping away at an increasingly off white Macintosh – and hypothesizing the development and progression. These are just a few pretty preliminary sketches (it would be no fun letting the cat out of the bag this early on), though I plan on following the root of my mentor T.Magic - in adverse to strong, bold graphics, I want tactful typography and true meaning behind my works, as well as an innovative edgy quality that reeks of creativity. It shall be an interesting, if long, process, yet one that I cannot wish to embark upon. Bring on 2009!

Opening my eyes to South Africa

Whoever watched Louis Theroux's excellent documentary on crime in South Africa a few weeks back, will have been absolutely shocked by the levels of poverty and lawlessness in the area. Undoubtedly a country racked with problems, South Africa, in particular parts of Johannesburg, has issues that are at the very core of the country - the police force, the ‘community’, the legal system et al – and the people have no notion of what we, as western citizens, perceive to be ‘normal’. The slums of Johannesburg are a truly terrible, poverty stricken, crime ridden place, yet they are also emblematic of a system that has left the country in economic and social turmoil. The documentary allows us to surmount a greater understanding of how very lucky the majority of us are – we live in relative calm, and secure safety in contrast to these pitiful peoples. Sad and tumultuously terrifying, I can’t even begin to empathize with these people, nor begin to describe the horrific struggle and unstable turbulence of day-to-day living in this environment – thankfully; though with that admission is the twinge of guilt alongside the dark warmth of appreciation.

Image stolen from here, sorry, thanks...

Obey sample sale

Obey are holding down a sample sale, check details above, which should attract an excellent bunch of artsy individuals and the odd carefree credit crunch dodging wayfarer too. Obey, as has been said before, is a brand for, and with, the kids, and this will be an excellent opportunity for us youngsters to take full advantage of yet another sample sale.

A quick quote from Russell Brand...

Russell Brand is a legend - read this below from his recent article...

‘Those people who predict the corporate future and commercial trends say that current global economic insecurity will lead to men growing beards to hide behind. I don't know what industry would fund that research as I don't see how you can make money out of men growing beards. Beard products? What, like beard dyes and beard beads? That'll never take off. Or just making other unrelated products appear more beard friendly, like cars with tiny beard scissors or thinner sandwiches that don't tarnish moustaches. Plus impotence is due to soar; this financial decline is nurturing a planet of vim-less Brian Blesseds strutting around, all nervous, knowing there's nothing down their trousers.’

Brilliant, absolutely bloody brilliant.

Yes the man is an absolute genius and an avid inspiration of whom I base my own writing technique upon quite ardently - I am unashamedly captivated with his uncaring, whimsical flirtation, and caught up in his eccentric, slightly feminine, ever so bizarrely barmy, British style of witty writing. I gush at his every declaration, drool at each and every crafty connotation, and lust for each trivial turn of phrase. The lanky lothario’s sexy, saavy and swooning, yet sharply structured, sentences and enticingly teasing literature style is something that I am endeavoring to bring to my own technique, though at the cost of forfeiting much semblance of an argument - well hell, you can’t have it all can you?

Check out Brand’s articles here and this is where the above image was stolen from (like a thief in the night). Nice

Trading Places VI

Another excellent night at Trading Places VI on last Saturday’s frosty December eve as the Christmas special brought in a capacity crowd by the time the clock turned 12- impressive with several other options on that very same night. Packed full of pretty people and enough beats, bars and bass to make the most nonchalant of individuals step to the music, Crush bar was subject to one of London’s liveliest throngs, with only the odd ill-mannered individual punctuating the otherwise incident free night (though I do worry that they are becoming all the more common – lets hope Trading doesn’t become awash with the sex crazed, pervy men that are found at most other events that hold this amount of beautiful young women, though I am beginning to worry...). All money raised from the night was donated to the Sickle Cell Society. Nice.

Images courtesy of the excellent Ollie. Nice

Nike x Cassette Playa

In conjunction with the launch of Carrie Mundane's Cassette Playas compilation with Nike to create the above Blazer, Nike held a little shindig/knees up at the 1948 warehouse that mixed influential industry individuals with the rough and stylish edge of some of the capitals most creative critters. An excellent showing from Tempa T, alongside some serious sets from the DJs and some ever original skanks from the bubbling crowd left a good vibe and impression upon my somewhat over-awed self. Nice and thank you Nike.

Images courtesy of the brilliant Ollie check out his work here.

Nike sample sale at 1948

Details above. See you there it looks like it will be great - god bless the credit crunch!

B.o.B and our lady Whino

This is a pretty old track, but I've always loved this tune, to the dismay of many of many of my peers. Take a little look and let me know what you think... Honestly...

Happy Birthday Patricia

I somehow managed to drag myself from the perennial warmth of my home, and then through the bitter biting cold to Vortex, Dalston, last night to celebrate with my esteemed friend, and inspid inspiration, the lady Patricia William, for her 23rd birthday. And she celebrated in style on a night that was so alcohol induced, one could get inebriated from the fumes alone – cheap drinks, good music and great people all catered for an excellent atmosphere, befit of the east end queen. Happy birthday Patricia!

Boo to the Hoo

This looks absolutely amazing and I am ridiculously jealous that I can't be in Paris to get down to the show. Hosted by one of my favourite artists and designers, the Amsterdam born self taught sensation that is Parra, this event is guaranteed to be entertaining and inspirational. If you are passing through the fair districts of the French capital on the 5th day of this merry month (yes I realise that is tomorrow), ensure that you go - you are guaranteed an absolute treat.

A Shoreditch sample sale...

With a great line up of brands such as my personal favourites Mishka and A.IN.T, as well as 10Deep and Staple, expect to find some excellent, exclusive street wear at this discretely placed sample sale situated in not so sunny Shoreditch. I've already popped down there and trust me, if I was a single size smaller, I would have blown the already pretty battered bank. Open until Saturday 6th December, I would advise you to pass through - address below:

Straight Up Distribution Ltd
3rd Floor
1 Rivington Place
London
EC2A 3BA

With thanks to Kish and Charlie for organising it. Image robbed from here.

Brooklyn (Go Hard)

Leaked on to the internet, straight from the recording studio, is Jay Z's recently recorded tune entitled Brooklyn (We Go Hard). Featuring the vocal talents of Santogold, and the producing ability of the gifted Mr West, the tune is rumoured to be featured in the Notorious B.I.G’s forthcoming biopic and compromises of real, raw, and ready rapping by the indomitable Jay Z. An excellent track, as well as an explorative one – the ever eclectic Santogold is shown in a completely different light, whilst West’s involvement makes for an interesting sideshow on what is already an excellent collaboration. Kanye's deft producing ability is pretty tip top too. Check out the video here. Nice.

How toys can save the world...

I genuinely cannot believe how I missed this Ted Talk before, but this is possibly one of the coolest things I have ever seen (in a geeky, childlike sort of way anyway). Check out Will Wright, the original designer of The Sims franchise, as he shows us how ‘toys can save the world’ through his game Spore (released September of this year). An interesting Ted Talk, yet one I strongly recommend watching – a particular highlight is when he talks about encouraging kids to think in the long term. What will happen to us in ten, fifty, a hundred years? It is an interesting question and one that we can perhaps ask ourselves very seriously at some point. I don't know if I could even really consider a realistic, tangible answer to that question, I wouldn't know where to begin, or where to end - it is such a far off, un-logistical thought that my brain would attempt to pack itself up after too much musing. However, this is part of the problem. We aren't prepared to think of the long term consequences of our actions and we aren't prepared for the long term future; Mr Wright is, commendably, attempting to amend this through the medium of toy, game and play.

I’m now going to indulge in some online shopping, I must find that game! Bloody brilliant.

Image taken from here, thanks.

For those that don't know... Fatsarazzi

Unless you have been hiding under a large rock for the last decade or so, the large majority of you will be more than aware of Fatsarazzi’s frivolous fornication with the media of photography. An excellent photographer and a cultural cool critic, Fats is (world) widely respected as one of the very best in the business, underlined by his ability to unearth trends and zeitgeists long before most trendspotters. Check out his newly updated portfolio here. Nice.