Interview by Tom Bradley
Photos by Black Chamber
Produced by Liquidrice
The Black Chamber store opened mid-April 2007 with their own line of clothing. The store also carries ALIFE, Acapulco Gold, Diamond, HUF, New Era, Rouge Status, 10 Deep and UXA. The nearly all black store is inspired by sports, sneakers and music. Black Chamber deals in sneakers, skate products and street wear.
Black Chamber
14 Scotts Road | 
Map
Far East Plaza #03-133
Singapore 228213
TEL #: +65-6333-8308
Store Hours: Monday – Sunday | 12:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Read the interview and check out the photos below
Produced by Debre
Photos by Poe
Co-written by Daniel Earl
TEMAS (Technology And Mind Association)
As team members of Freshness were in Tokyo, they were fortunate to stop by this rare shop, simply known as TEMAS. Hidden away in Tokyo’s trendy neighborhood of Aoyama, TEMAS is renown all over Japan for its specialty: black dye. The brand focuse in using an ancient Japanese black pigment dying technique, a secret process passed-on by respected Kyoto craftsmen since the Hei-An Era (794 AD – 1185 AD), some 1,000 years ago, when the city of Kyoto was still the capital of Japan.
> TEMAS (Japanese Only)
> Freshness Feature: TEMAS – Product Line
More after the jump
TEMAS has been producing numerous items, ranging from accessories to common ready-to-wear, available in all styles and for all occasions. As you can see, all their items are in black, the company’s specialty, with some slight accented colors.
Items seen here are just a few from TEMAS‘ collections. TEMAS also has 2 sister labels: YF, a collaboration label between TEMAS and Yasushi Fujimoto, an art director, whom worked with numerous Japanese fashion magazines, such as Vogue Japan, Ginza, Brutus, and etc. ..
The second label, also under the direction of Mr. Fujimoto, is simply known as #000000. This label experiments in the production of a so-called “neo-black” colored textile. This label recently released, what it called “Black Camo”, a colorway created by the combination of several different black pigments in a certain procedure that the end results resemble a camouflage pattern, in all black.
> TEMAS (Japanese Only)
> TEMAS YF (Japanese Only)
> TEMAS #000000 (Japanese Only)
> Freshness Gallery: TEMAS – Product Line
Photos after the jump
As previously mentioned, 32 teams will pit against each other on Saturday’s 3rd season of PUMA Table Tennis Tournament (PT3). Winners and runner-ups will walk away with more than just bragging rights. Each will be the first to receive this limited edition paddle and balls by NY-based creative agency, aruliden.
Envisioned specifically for PT3 by co-founder of aruliden, Johan Liden. This paddle and balls set, named ULTRAMAGNETIC COLLECTION, is like no other. Instead of being fabric based, the enclosure on ULTRAMAGNETIC COLLECTION is made of durable ABS plastic, similar to those found in bike helmets. A thin layer of foam lined the interior, to cushion the contents. Another unique aspect is how the user access his/her gears. There are no zipper of Velcro fasteners. Instead, aruliden affixed series of magnets within the ABS plastic. This allows the players to open the case in multitude of ways, without any hinge to hamper their access. The ULTRAMAGNETIC COLLECTION will be available in 2 colorways: black and white. More information on availability to come.
> Freshness Feature: Interview with Johan Liden/aruliden
> Freshness Feature: PT3 – Tournament Photos
More photos after the jump
Converse – Metro Collection
*Our server was down so here it is again*
Stopped by The Players Club a couple of weeks ago to check out the Converse Fall 2007 preview and I was quite amazed at what I saw. As you can see Converse is the top pick for female celebrities so I was quite eager to see what’s new.
I really like the Metro Collection, those will be sold at higher end boutiques like Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys New York. I def want a pair of those Chuck Taylor All Star Lady XXHI – Black Pony Hair. Also from the Metro Collection, the Chuck Taylor All Star MNML Metallics are pretty dope too, I’d go with the gold. The Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber shoes will be great for rainy days or during the Summer, I’d choose the hi-top whites.
Since it’s initial introduction to the PRODUCT(RED) family of products with the Giles Deacon Mudcloth Chucks last Summer, Converse has committed to develop out the collection. This Fall, Converse will introduce an entire collection of products to benefit PRODUCT(RED). Each shoe represents something very meaningful and it benefits a charity.
Freshness also had the chance to design a pair of (converse)RED…Yu-Ming made a pair of Chuck Taylor All-Star Hi-Top. That will be posted after this.
All in all there are tons of dope shoes releasing in the next few months, you won’t be disappointed.
Peep the preview after the jump…
Nike AF 1 – Tokyo Celebration
Freshness was invited to the recent Nike AF 1 25th Anniversary Celebration, this at Tokyo’s 1LOVE store opening. The store, with the sole purpose of Nike Air Force 1 in mind, opened late last month, January 25th, saw guests from all over the globe. Each get to enjoyed the Nike experience as a whole, from customizing at a NIKEiD Studio on the top level, to a gallery-like AF 1 & AF 25 only shop on the lower level. A must-see for visitors is the interior display, with 200 white AF 1′s on a glass wall inspired by the pivot-sole – a take on retro sci-fi movie’s teleportation dock.
Rumors of the store opening had a tsunami of anticipated spectators gushing through the store front to take glimpse inside. Nike has created another milestone in Japan’s ever popular street culture scene. The 1LOVE store will operate for 1 year only. Photos by AKI.
> Nike Japan: 1LOVE (Japanese Only)
> Freshness Feature: Air Force 1 25th Anniversary Celebration
> Freshness Gallery: Nike AF1 – 1LOVE / Tokyo Event Photos – Part 1
> Freshness Gallery: Nike AF 1 -1LOVE / Tokyo Event Photos – Part 2
More photos after the jump
Nike x MEDICOM – AF 1 25th Anniversary – “Original 6″ Figurines
This is the second half of the celebration that took place in Tokyo’s Nike AF 1 – 1LOVE. Freshness took a glimpse at the special goods as well as the VIPs that attended the party. The shop is solely dedicated Air Force 1′s, from the earliest inception to the current Air Force 25. Photos by AKI.
> Nike Japan: 1LOVE (Japanese Only)
> Freshness Feature: Air Force 1 25th Anniversary Celebration
> Freshness Gallery: Nike AF1 – 1LOVE Event Photos – Part 1
> Freshness Gallery: Nike AF1 – 1LOVE Event Photos – Part 2
More photos after the jump
Heyday Footwear combines the authentic look and construction of wedge soled work boots with athletic influences, leather linings, triple stitching, and Heyday’s unique setback raw leather edges. The raw leather edges will add character through normal wear making your pair even more individual. Darin Hager, the Chief Heymaker of Heyday Footwear, has been designing shoes for 10 years.
Working for such diverse brands as PUMA, Sperry Top-Sider, and DKNY Active as well as running his very successful footwear design consulting firm, Hager Design. It was just a matter of time before he put all of his connections together to create his own line. Honestly it’s a breath of fresh air to see something original and not just an Air Force One sillouette. The target consumers are guys creative guys into the sneaker scene but who desire more original product than is currently seen at most retail stores. The final sales samples have arrived just in time for the POOL trade show where Darin will be debuting the line.
While in Los Angeles last weekend, we took a shopping tour of Niketown. The Niketown in LA is similar most Niketowns around the world with spacious areas for different sports. A good catalog of goods is offered in the two story store, everything from sport culture products to semi-pro sports equipment. Near the entrance is one of LA’s 1Door (Air Force 1 mini boutique) featuring Air Force 1 07 and Air Force 25 footwear and apparel. This is also where we spotted the digi-camo Air Moires.
NIKETOWN – Los Angeles
9560 Wilshire Blvd. | Map
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
TEL #: 310-275-9998
http://niketown.nike.com
Check the report below…
rockwell
Spring time seems so far away since Winter seems to have just started for us in NYC. Our friends over at etnies plus is prepping us with their new Spring 2007 collection, lots of playful and vibrant colors.
This season etnies plus is applying Jon One’s drippy street tagging to the popular Rocksteady Hi and also one of his colorful paintings on a tee. My favorite of all is the drip plus tee. Another artist, Parra from The Netherlands introduce this exclusive style, Rockwell. The Rockwell is made of full grain and patent leather, memory foam and needle perforated leather, def a comfortable shoe. There’s a lot more interesting shoes and tees, be sure to check out the whole collection. Peep the women’s etnies plus collection over @ nitro:licious.
Peep the collection after the jump…
The celebration continues around the globe, and it just keep getting better and better. This time, it is at Berlin, where our friends from Overkill Shop got some serious VIP treatments. All guests were whisked away in 53 Mercedes-Benz S-Class to the Landhaus Semmel manor in Dahlem, a district of Berlin known for its wealthy residents. Amid the free flowing champagne and hors d’oeuvre, guests had the opportunity to preview some exclusive gears from Nike as well as NIKEiD their own pair. Much thanks to the Overkill crew for the photos.
> Freshness Feature: Air Force 1 25th Anniversary Celebration
More photos after the jump
My man 255ForLife loaned out a small portion of his collection in the Air Force 1 celebration in the Philippines. Here are some photos from the celebration, the set up and some photos of the AF1s included in the display. Thanks to 255ForLife and kingcrux31 for the love.
> Freshness Feature: Air Force 1 25th Anniversary Celebration
Peep the photos below…
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