Supreme gets the big, old media treatment with a profile by the New York Times‘ Alex Williams. Sure, it’s full of many of the normal comments regarding boutique skate shops. . .
Huge lines, once endemic to its New York flagship in SoHo, now form at satellite stores in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and other cities. The current issue of British GQ Style, a men’s fashion bible, hails Supreme as “the coolest street wear brand in the world right now.” And the Berlin culture magazine O32c called it “the Holy Grail of high youth street culture.” The Business of Fashion site called it “the Chanel of downtown street wear.”
But the piece also gets in with the story behind James Jebbia, the brand he launched 18 years ago, and why it hasn’t been completely blown out into big box stores. And those stories are always good.
In another twist in the Billabong buyout story, Paul Naude has announced that he is stepping aside from his roll as board member and president of Billabong US for six weeks as he seeks “talks with financiers and gain support for a bid proposal” to purchase the company himself in a leveraged buyout, according to story in Bloomberg Businessweek.
“Paul’s generally viewed quite favorably by the market, which makes this an interesting trade,” Nick Berry, a retail analyst at Nomura Holdings Inc., said by telephone from Sydney. “If either a bid isn’t forthcoming or it gets knocked back it’s going to be very difficult for him to go back.”
A Naude led Billabong could be great for everyone, we wish him the best of luck. The market certainly seems to be happy about it as the stock is up 11 percent. Click here to read Jeff Harbaugh’s thoughts on the deal, or follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
The Agenda Show is not yet a teen, but it is amazing how far founders Aaron Levant and Seth Haber have brought the show in its ten years. This year will be the biggest with 600 brands in Long Beach and 150 in NYC in January.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 10 years since AGENDA’s humble start in Long Beach,” said AGENDA founder Aaron Levant. “It’s amazing to see how far AGENDA has come as an independent show over the last decade.”
Happy Birthday dear Agenda, Happy Birthday to you. For the official word follow the jump. [click to continue…]
686 and New Balance have teamed up for the fourth season to bring what they are calling their “lightest and most complete” snowboard boot collection to date.
Combining New Balance’s® world-renowned reputation for superior footwear and 686’s® long technical apparel history and loyalty to the core snowboarding market, the boots are made with premium fabrications and materials, minimalist design aesthetics and have an incredible sneaker-like fit. Throw in extras like the RECCO® avalanche monitor, BOA® focus lacing system and a 3-zonal SCL speed lacing system and you have three amazing styles to choose from to fit your riding needs.
Follow the jump for more photos and an interview with 686’s Michael Akira West and lead boot designer Michael Bretz on the genesis of the 2012-13 line. [click to continue…]
Almost 86 per cent of votes cast at Globe’s annual general meeting on Wednesday were against the company’s remuneration report for the 2011-12 financial year. . . That follows a 74 per cent vote against Globe’s pay policy at last year’s annual general meeting. . . Under new corporate laws, shareholders of a company receiving two consecutive votes of 25 per cent or more against its remuneration can force the company’s board to face re-election.
Apparently, the shareholders (who only own 8.6 percent of the company) don’t like the fact that CEO Matt Hill made $721,720 in a year when the company only made $100,000 in profits. So, Globe has 90 days to have a “spill meeting.” Wonder how that will go?
Sessions, the OG shred clothing company, opened their newest retail store in Palo Alto, California on Friday, November 16, 2012.
This store in Palo Alto is a valuable opportunity to connect with the local community and increase brand awareness.” said Cindi Ferreira Busenhart, SESSIONS President and Co-Owner explained, “We’ve been local to the South Bay for twenty years and we’re thrilled to be here.” . . . The store is the second of three forecasted to open this month, the first being in Santa Cruz, CA, the third in Truckee, CA. In addition to opening local stores the company looks forward to bringing back its street line in the coming year.
Can’t really imagine an outerwear brand diving into retail, but as we’ve said several times, there’s probably no worse time to do it. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
Have to admit it, these Supra Backwoods by Prodigy of Mob Deep look like the perfect after-shred sneaks.
The “Infamous” Backwood is a work boot/athletic-shoe hybrid constructed atop a unique sole that has a lightweight and comfortable SUPRAFOAM midsole with a rugged, rubber lug outsole. Prodigy designed the upper with grey suede camouflage and black ballistic nylon.
Warm, grippy, stylie. What else you want? Follow the jump for the official word from Supra. [click to continue…]
Spy, The Seventh Letter, and international graffiti artist Pose worked together to create this color way for Spy’s Platoon snowboard goggle.
“We provided Pose the blank canvas of the Platoon and let him take full advantage,” says Brent Sandor, SPY brand manager. “The SPY + Pose sharpie that comes with it is the icing on the cake.” . . Pulling graphics from several large scale paintings, the SPY + The Seventh Letter + Pose Platoon bleeds his trademark graffiti style on both the inside and outside of the goggle strap, is accented with raised, sign painter inspired 3D patches and carries the Pose seal of approval in the form of his signature logo emblazoned onto the lens.
SPY + The Seventh Letter + POSE retails for $150 and comes with a “fully sublimated microfiber pouch and a free yellow bonus lens” for those super stormy days. For the official word from Spy, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
686 has collaborated with LA style house Crooks & Castles on a line of street inspired technical snow gear.
“For the past twenty years, 686® has been known for making the best technically advanced products in winter apparel, while working with brands such as Levis and Dickies,” says 686 President and Creative Director Michael Akira West. “I wanted to pay homage to our Los Angeles roots and do something cool with our homies at Crooks & Castles.”
For an interview with West and Crooks & Castles Design Director Emil Soriano and a video follow the jump. [click to continue…]
