by The Editors on June 3, 2013
Eagle, Idaho’s Proof Eyewear has dropped their 2013 Spring/Summer collection and some of the frames are fashioned from “repurposed skateboard decks” and the multicolored layers look smooth.
The Bud sunglass (shown above) is a modern classic shaped frame. The Bud is part of the Skateboard collection which is handcrafted and assembled from 5 ply canadian maple skateboard decks. This unique skateboard construction makes them very durable and one of a kind. Each frame is hand polished and coated with a water/sweat protective seal.
Wonder how easy these are to focus when you just can’t land? Either way, they look pretty good. Check ’em out on Proof’s website.
[Link: Proof Eyewear]
by The Editors on June 3, 2013
After announcing today (June 4, 2013) that takeover talks have officially ended, Billabong now must figure out what pieces of its rotting financial corpse can be sold for cash needed to pay off its hulking debts, according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Shares in the company plunged after they came out of a trading halt this morning, diving 56 per cent to 20 cents. . . Discussions were now being held with Sycamore and Altamont about potential refinancing and asset sales offered as an alternative to a takeover, it said. . . The proceeds of those possible deals would be used by Billabong to repay in full its existing debts, the company said. . . ‘‘The refinancing is intended to provide the company with a comprehensive solution and an appropriate capital structure, allowing it to continue its reform agenda,’’ chairman Ian Pollard said in a statement. ‘‘It’s our intention to conclude these discussions as soon as practically possible while aggressively reducing costs across all our global operations.’’
It appears the vultures have landed and will soon begin stripping the bones. Whoops. For the official word from Billabong, follow the jump.
[Link: Sydney Morning Herald via Rottmouth]
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by The Editors on May 29, 2013
The Agenda Trade Show will be launching a “highly curated platform features som of the biggest innovators and industry leaders” when they roll out their Agenda Emerge powered by Group Y on July 26, 2013, from 6 to 10 PM.
“We are focusing on an event that will benefit young brand owners trying to break into the industry.” said AGENDA Founder Aaron Levant. “After 10 years, we’ve gotten to know a lot of these brands and watch them reach immense success. This is a great opportunity for the new generation of designers to learn from seasoned veterans who have turned their brands into household names.”
Speakers will include brand builder Marc Eckō, The Hundreds Bobby Hundreds Kim, and two more who will be announced in the near future. Sounds like a good place to pick up some knowledge on how to get your business rolling on the up and up. For the official word from Agenda, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on May 29, 2013
Stereo Skateboards co-founder, WESC WEactivist, and all around good guy Chris Pastras is the newest skateboarding brand ambassador for iPath footwear.
Ipath VP of Marketing, Kristin Cusic, says, “Ipath is in a great spot as a footwear brand and we have an opportunity to re-build our initiatives from the ground up. Bringing Chris on to help with that process was a strategic move that relies on his history and 20 plus years of experience in the skateboarding industry.”
Pastras says he’s “happy to be a part of [iPath’s] mission.” For the official word from iPath follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 24, 2013
IVI is trying something with their ecommerce site that even the most bitter online shopper would be stoked on. Now, when people want to buy a pair of IVI shades they can order up to four pairs, try them out for 7 days, then keep the ones they like and send the rest back in a prepaid container. IVI is calling it a Home Showroom.
Keeping in the tradition of attempting the never been done, introducing new and interesting marketing and distribution strategies, IVI’s Home Showroom offers a new buying experience for the sunglass customer, just in time for Summer. In 4 simple steps, online shoppers now have the ability to tailor their buying experience around their schedule.
We’ve been doing something similar for years on Zappos.com, but it’s nice to know someone in action sports is making it this easy. Follow the jump for the official word.
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by The Editors on May 23, 2013
Now this is one collab everyone can gouge right into a wave. Here’s what Brixton has to say about their Futures Fin deal with Captain Fin:
Each fin has it’s own fun graphic. Plus you get a nice shot of Upton freaking out. This set is perfect for your new setup. Be cool stay in school. Honeycomb construction. Check your local shop or the Captain Fin store. Shred.
Ah, yes. A new set up. Guess we could start with a set of good looking fins, right?
[Link: Brixton]
by The Editors on May 23, 2013
Remember those dope iPhone 4 cases that made your phone look like a pair of Vans sneakers? Well, they’re back. And this time they’re built for the iPhone 5 and come in a slew of fancy colors thanks to a partnership between Vans and tech accessory manufacturer Belkin, according to a post on The Full Signal.
The back of the case has the same tread pattern as Vans’ “Off The Wall” skate shoes. It’s not made of the same rubber material, which would probably cause too much friction in your pocket or bag, but it’s close enough and just having the tread pattern there is pretty cool. The edges of the case look and feel like the edges of Vans’ “Off The Wall” shoes, too. The back has a hole through it for the camera and flash, and the bottom has three holes for the speaker, microphone and Lightning charging port.
As it happened last time, they’re going to be difficult to find until sometime in July 2013, but we can wait. Can you?
[Link: The Full Signal]
by The Editors on May 23, 2013
In late August of 2010 Billabong dove in pretty hard on retail in general and Canadian retail in specific by purchasing the West 49 chain for $93 million dollars. Over the last three years things have not gone well for neither West 49 nor Billabong and now, according to a story in The Australian, Billabong is trying to sell all 70 stores, even though they still haven’t announced the results of Paul Naude’s take over attempt.
“The business cannot stand still,” a company spokesman said. “We have previously detailed our plans around transformation and global simplification including retail, and where . . . appropriate we will action them.”
As a reminder, Zumiez tossed in an offer to buy West 49 in 2010 and many are already speculating that they might be in line to pick up some Canadian stores at what will likely be a huge discount over their last offer. Guess this is one more bit of Billabong news that we’ll all just have to wait for.
[Link: The Australian]
by The Editors on May 21, 2013
Tom Turner was tired of not having any place to put his keys and phone when he cruised to the beach. And this, being America, he decided to do something about it. Turner created a trunk with a completely waterproof pocket. They’re called Stash Shorts. Now he, like many entrepreneurs, has turned to Kickstarter to round up some funding. Turner is looking for $135,00 and with 15 days left, he only has $10,249.
Here’s what the shorts are about:
The Stash pocket is built into the interior of the shorts by a lock-down fitment, and it’s sewn into the material as well for extra security, A soft layer of fabric surrounds the Stash pocket bag for comfort, A cap is placed over the pocket opening, and users simply place their items in the pocket, snap on the cap, and slightly twist until you hear a clicking sound which indicates that it’s securely closed, Cap is attached to the shorts by a durable lanyard string so you don’t ever have to worry about misplacing it, 60/40 polyester/cotton blend with double and triple stitch construction for long-lasting durability, and an Antimicrobial treatment is used on the fabric to keep your shorts extra clean.
The Stash pocket looks pretty solid. This and some waterproof, Bluetooth headphones could be the perfect way to drown out the chatter at your favorite breaks. For more, click the link.
[Link: Stash Shorts]
by The Editors on May 20, 2013
Brandon Brubaker, the former Cons Skateboarding and Vans designer has accepted a new position at Supra Footwear as the vice president of design and merchandising.
“SUPRA has always been a design driven brand,” said Scott Bailey, ONE Distribution’s CEO, “and Brandon’s commitment to pushing design make him uniquely suited to lead our young team. Bringing Brandon back home to Southern California after years of experience with some major footwear brands is something we’re really proud of.”
For the official word from Supra follow the jump.
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