by The Editors on April 30, 2012
Bob Smith, an orthodontist who just couldn’t stand goggles that fogged and went on to revolutionize the action eyewear industry with his double lens Smith goggles, died of complications from heart surgery on April 18, 2012 at his home in La Quinta, California, according to an obituary in the Washington Post. He was 78.
Using dental tools, foam and glue, Dr. Smith began building his first prototypes on his kitchen table. He traded his new goggles for lift tickets to ski mountains in Idaho or sold them to ski patrollers, who provided him with feedback to tweak his designs. . . As demand for his goggles spread, Dr. Smith formed his own company in Ketchum, Idaho. By the late 1970s, the company was selling 200,000 goggles a year. The firm also tinkered with goggles that included electrically heated lenses and small fans to cool the face.
Brands like Spy, Dragon, and Oakley would not exist without Dr. Smith’s game-changing product design and we will forever be grateful for the way Smith goggles allowed us to love riding on snowy days. Thanks, Bob. Our thoughts are with Smith’s family, friends, and everyone who has ever worn a pair of his goggles on a socked in white out day.
[Link: Washington Post]
by The Editors on April 27, 2012
Quiksilver today (April 27, 2012) announced that they have found the man to take the CFO job after Joe Scirocco leaves the company. His name is Richard Shields and he was formerly CFO of Oakley.
Robert B. McKnight, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Quiksilver Inc., commented, “We’re really pleased to welcome Rich into the Quiksilver family. His extensive corporate financial experience and proven track record in international operations, retail and manufacturing make him an ideal fit for our growing global business. Rich is an accomplished executive who we expect will make an immediate contribution to our pursuit of substantially improved financial performance, especially through our long-term growth initiatives and globalization efforts.”
Shields, who has previously worked for Day Software, Frame-N-Lens Optical and Taco Bell, will officially start at the company on May 11, 2012. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 27, 2012
VF Corp, the parent company of Vans, The North Face, and Reef announced “record first quarter revenues and earnings thanks in part to their acquisition of Timberland and Smartwool, but also because their outdoor group (the only part of the company we really even care about) did really, really, well.
Global revenues of The North Face® brand increased 14% during the quarter, with double-digit growth in both the Americas and internationally. Momentum continued in The North Face® brand’s direct-to-consumer business, where revenues grew more than 20% in the quarter. The Vans® brand achieved another quarter of very healthy growth, with global revenues rising 25% and strong increases in both its Americas and international businesses. The Vans direct-to-consumer business demonstrated solid results, with revenues rising by 18%.
Boom. As usual, Reef did not get so much as a mention in the quarterly numbers, and only showed up in the list of companies VF owns. That must be so motivating for the people at Reef. For the official word follow the jump. If you’re interested in the hard numbers click here. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 25, 2012
Collective Brands, the owner of zombie brands Airwalk, Vision Streetwear, and (sadly) Sims is reportedly up for sale, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.
The team, private-equity firm Golden Gate Capital and bootmaker Wolverine World Wide Inc., are competing in the last stretch of a months-long auction for Collective Brands, owner of Payless ShoeSource as well as brands including Keds, Stride Rite and Sperry Top-Sider, according to people familiar with the matter. . . The pair is dueling for the deal against South Korean conglomerate E-Land Group, these people said.
E-Land recently made a run at buying the LA Dogers. We’re not sure what any of this means other than maybe, just maybe, this deal will finally let the Airwalk, Vision, and Sims brands die in peace.
[Link: Wall Street Journal]
by The Editors on April 25, 2012
by The Editors on April 23, 2012
Rail shredder Forest Bailey has just signed on with Dragon apparently.
“I’m very excited to be joining the Dragon Alliance,” said Bailey on joining the team. “With the most proper goggles and a team stacked full of homies, it was pretty much a no brainer.”
Congrats, Forest. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 20, 2012
Klen Laundry and the skate deck reclamation artists Timber have created a limited edition collab belt buckle made out of old skate decks called the Hostage.
With this new KLeN belt buckle made from old skate decks you’ll never be so excited to have a skateboard near your crotch! . . . Show off your love for skateboarding, recycling and all things KLeN.
Get strapped. . .
[Link: KleN Laundry]
by The Editors on April 19, 2012
It’s nice that Gravis is making shoes that someone can skate it. Isn’t it? Burton hasn’t ditched skateboarding entirely. These are the Quarters LX. If you were wondering.
[Link: Freshngood.com]
by The Editors on April 19, 2012
Fast driving tire shredder and branding genius Ken Block has launched his new Helm Ken Block Signature Series from Spy.
Custom-color arm variations in the Signature Series—which can be snapped-on and–off and mixed-and-matched—are further punctuated with asymmetrical tip colors on the left temple, inspired by Block’s mismatched wheel color and single-spoke accents on his 650-horsepower, 2.0-liter H.F.H.V.
We guess they’re like they’re like rally cars for your face. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 18, 2012
The Agenda Show NYC has a all new location for July 16-17, 2012. It’s at 82 Mercer Street in New York City. Here’s what to expect.
The Agenda Trade Show is a forum for the most inspired in the streewear and action sports industries to unite. Lines speak for themselves and buyers are not intimidated by the usual overwhelming tradeshow experience. From the garage-run lines on the verge of explosion, to the well-established elite, Agenda caters to the needs of buyers and brands that exist on a higher level of design and aesthetic.
If you want to get in to check it all out live you’ll have to register first. No, they’re not just letting people walk in off the street any more. Buyers, distributors, and press are admitted into the show for free, but first you gotta register. Click here to pre-register now.
[Link: Agenda NYC]
Bob Smith, an orthodontist who just couldn’t stand goggles that fogged and went on to revolutionize the action eyewear industry with his double lens Smith goggles, died of complications from heart surgery on April 18, 2012 at his home in La Quinta, California, according to an obituary in the Washington Post. He was 78.
