It’s been a pretty big media week for Westbeach and Lululemon founder Chip Wilson. First, he was featured in the Talk of the Town section of The New Yorker magazine regarding the launch of his wife and son’s new clothing line (and retail stores) Kit & Ace, and then yesterday (February 2, 2015) he was profiled in The New York Times.
More than once, the way Wilson spoke reminded me of the airhead fashion model Ben Stiller plays in “Zoolander.” But for all his off-putting and impolitic utterances (in a blog post about Lululemon’s origins, he infamously linked the use of birth control to rising divorce rates, and claimed this led to his future market), he has a kind of genius for forecasting trends and assessing the human impulses — vanity, insecurity, the yearning for perfection — that make people pay more for something they could buy much cheaper elsewhere.
Yep, the same old Chip we remember from back in the snowboard days. It’s good to see someone stick to their opinions and become action sports single most successful billionaire at the same time. There are lessons to be learned here somewhere.
Vans Pro Jason Dill brings his free form pen artworks and pen drawing to a natural white canvas Vans OG Authentic “S” starting February 7, 2015. And don’t think that this is simply a canvas shoe. No, no. It comes with “enhanced cushioning in UltraCush HD sickliness and the Vans original waffle gum rubber soles. And will be available exclusively at select independent skateboard retailers. Watch for ’em. [click to continue…]
The line of furniture, bedding, lighting, wall art, and “decorative accessories” will be reportedly made with sustainable materials and recycles fabrics like Forest Stewardship Council certified wood and rugs made with recycled fabrics and bedding using 100% organic cotton.
“I’m really excited to be working with PBteen on this project,” said Slater. “While they’re not part of the endemic surf market, I’m honored that PBteen has seen me as someone who can help a broader audience understand the need to use recycled, repurposed and organic materials. . . “Global conservation is a focal point of the capsule collection and it falls right in line with the change and direction I’m working towards, on a professional and personal basis. In collaborating with PBteen, we are creating a subtle and natural feel with this collection — something that has an authentic appeal for teens and their parents alike.”
As we’ve said before if your mom’s going kit out your room to impress her friends it might as well be cool stuff. And if the Kelly Slater product is as nice as the Burton stuff is it’s going to be nice for your room. Now go clean up and make space for Kelly’s stuff.
Spy announced today that they will be the official eyewear sponsor of all eight Powdr-owned and operated resorts and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resorts. That means the you can look for Spy eyewear on employees at Copper Mountain, Mt. Bachelor, Boreal, Ski & Snowboard Las Vegas, Soda Springs, Killington, Pico and Gorgoza Park (looks like that last one’s a sledding hill).
“We’re very happy to enter into an exciting union with Powdr,” says Michael Marckx, SPY president and CEO. “Bolstering our commitment to snow, this opportunity will allow us to spread the cheeks of Powdr resort visitors each season through our happy presence. It will also allow us to gain vital feedback from retail employees and resort staff regarding our sunglass and goggle offerings, most notably our Happy Lens and Lock Steady™ quick change goggle technology. This is our largest partnership with a mountain resort in the history of SPY, and we’re looking forward to expanding SPY’s presence on-hill and in the market.”
Eyewear giant Luxottica’s little action sports brand Oakley has apparently not taken kindly to the humor of Dang Shades line of Oakleyesque sunglasses (cleverly named the SH80) so they’ve sued Dang in the Southern District of California, according to a story on Association of Corporate Counsel.
In the Dang Shades complaint, Oakley asserts design patent infringement of U.S. D692,047, as noted above, in addition to trade dress infringement, federal and state unfair competition, and federal false designation of origin in association with its RAZOR BLADES Trade Dress. In particular, the complaint asserts that at least Dang Shades’ DANG SH80 and Sleeper sunglasses infringe Oakley’s patent and trade dress rights.
What does Oakley want? They want it all, of course.
Among other things, Oakley seeks a finding of willful infringement, a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Dang Shades from directly or indirectly infringing U.S. D692,047, payment by Dang Shades of all damages suffered by Oakley and/or Dang Shades’ total profit from infringement, an order for treble damages and/or exemplary damages, an order adjudging the case as an exceptional case, an award of attorney fees, expenses and costs, and an award of pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and costs, as well as remedies specific to trade dress and unfair competition and false designation of origin.
Dang may find this lawsuit rather disruptive by design. Maybe Dang can convince the judge that these sunnies are simply a “parody” of the original.
It’s a wax comb for your hair, from Byrd and Future Fins. How cool is that? For the official word on this $10 grooming product, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Tony Trujillo’s sixth gen TNT SG shoe by Vans just launched and it looks like the perfect continuation of old school flavor and performance construction.
The TNT SG connects Tony’s on-board performance with Vans Pro Skate product performance, offering unrivaled control in Vans’ legendary Original Waffle Outsole, superior board feel in Vans’ Pro Vulc Construction and light, predictable cushioning in Vans Ortholite sockliners.
The new TNT SG goes live on January 10, 2015 in black, scarlet red and navy, plus there’s also a Vans x Antihero edition to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Antihero Skateboards. Follow the jump for a closer look at all the shoes. [click to continue…]
Well, it is supposed to be a swimwear look book or something, but really it’s just naughty night nymphs Sahara Ray and Mara Teigen running wild in Venice Beach and continually cranking it up. Thanks, Runamuk!
Smith, the company that invented the modern goggle era turns 50 this year and to celebrate they’ve given themselves a whole new logo.
As a declaration to our future progress, we are proud to announce the new visual identity of SMITH. Following a refined brand platform that modernizes our beliefs, values, and who we stand for, SMITH will re-launch our entire product range in January 2015 with a new logo and brand presentation. With clean, modern and refined letterforms, the updated logo hearkens back to our original identity and speaks to the fundamental tenets of our brand: performance, movement, and essential design.
