After a flurry of pro sports team headphones that we were not into, it’s good to see Skullcandy coming correct with the Limited Edition Hesh Independent. These over-ear headphones feature a 55 mm speaker, enhanced parabolic sound, soft leather-touch ear pillows and a braided nylon 1.2 meter cable, a gold plated 3.5mm plug, and Independent logos all over the place. It’s almost like stickerring your own headphones. The only difference–these cost $54.99.
As if The Hundreds bikinis weren’t enough, the LA style raconteurs have also launched a trunks and T-shirts line with OG custom trunk builders Katin. Guess sometimes the streets just get too hot. . .
Journeys owner Genesco, announced today that it has purchased Schuh Group Ltd., a similar chain of “casual and athletic footwear” stores based in the UK for 100 million pounds.
Headquartered in Scotland, Schuh operates 59 stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, 16 concessions in Republic apparel stores and one of the U.K.’s largest online shoe websites, www.schuh.co.uk. The company’s core product selection consists of a broad range of branded casual and athletic footwear complemented by a meaningful private label offering targeted at its 15- to 24- year old core customer. For the fiscal year ended March 27, 2011, Schuh generated net sales of approximately 164 million pounds with an operating margin above 9% adjusted for goodwill amortization.
Those in the action footwear business know how big a deal this is for the changing EU action sports market. As one skate shoe worker said, “Hopefully they don’t Schrewh it up!” For more details, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
According to an email posted on the N-SB.org site Keith Hufnagel has announced that he has closed the HUF LA store on Sunday, June 19, 2011, with no plans to reopen. Hufnagel said:
We unexpectedly lost our lease recently at our HUF LA shop on Fairfax, and unfortunately closed its doors this past Sunday. We are all bummed about it, and will miss being on the block and all the good times we had at that shop… But change happens and we will keep cruising on and making great stuff.
Those following along will remember that Hufnagel announced the closing of the SF store in early March 2011. It would appears that HUF is getting out of the retail business and putting all their efforts into the HUF brand. Oddly, this seems to be the opposite track of most other brands in the space. Only time will tell.
When people buy a Volcom Krochet Kids beanies this fall they will be helping to support the African village of Gulu, Uganda. Because the people of Gulu crochet the hats, by hand, and then sign them, though a program called Krochet Kids International. And yes, it is better to support the young people of a small African Village than it is to help out a gang of old Chinese communist party oligarchs.
Paul Gomez, former senior vice president of global events and brand entertainment at Nike’s surf brand Hurley reportedly started Monday (June 20, 2011) as CEO of Podium Distribution, according to a story on Shop-Eat-Surf.
Paul said he left Hurley on great terms but was ready to try something new and was excited to join Podium.
Hmmm, this certainly makes things more interesting, doesn’t it?
It’s not often that we get to hang out with Alana Blanchard while photographer Chris Straley shoots her. In fact, we never have. But in some kind of sad way this sort of makes up for it.
Well, according to a memo reportedly sent out today (June 21, 2011) by Deckers CEO Angel Martinez, it appears that they thought their mix was getting a little strange as well and have decided to “cease distribution of the Simple brand, effective December 31, 2011.”
The memo continues:
While it is difficult to say goodbye to Simple, it no longer fits in our portfolio. We have before us a number of major opportunities that require our focus and investment, and we are consolidating our energies and resources in support of these opportunities. . . .We are at a point in our company’s growth where it’s critical that we invest in brands and initiatives with the highest global growth potential in both the short- and long-term. With UGG Australia’s global expansion opportunities, Teva’s move into closed toe footwear, the recent Sanuk acquisition, and exciting prospects on our emerging brands, it’s become clear that focusing diligently on our very best opportunities will create the results we’re looking for to continue to fuel Deckers’ growth.
While we were really into several of Eric Meyer’s shoe designs at the beginning, we kind of lost track of the brand along the way. Guess we’re not the only ones.
Brixton, the Oceanside, California purveyors of fine apparel (and hats) is reportedly proud to announce their hiring of former Transworld Skateboarding Magazine Art Director Jason Lee as the brand’s new full time art director.
Beyond art direction, his talents as a photographer, his attention to product detail and all things visual will be applied in his new position. . . . Jason Lee graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. Brixton couldn’t be more proud add to him to the family.
And no, Lee has not starred in any Kevin Smith films nor appeared (as yet) in any weekly network sitcoms. Congrats, Jason. [click to continue…]
Last Friday when word was getting out that a few of the people at COMUNE were leaving the company we only had one question: is Corey Smith leaving with them? His name was not on the list. Turns out he is not leaving the COMUNE and the company is not folding. It’s simply moving from Costa Mesa to the Los Angeles Art District.
Co-founding partner, Sven Altmetz, has taken over the helm from co-founder Frank Delgadillo. The original COMUNE designer, Jacob McCabe, will maintain his position as the head designer and continues working with his design staff. Corey Smith will continue to head up the Drop City program, Contributing Artists program and the Snow Team.
