Even though the Ska genre started back in 60′s in Jamaica, it was later adopted by the British Mods and Punks in the 70′s transforming it into a much faster and aggressive music paving the way for worldwide popularity. Clarks Originals are paying homage to the English 2 Tone Ska era by launching the Desert Boot Ska Edition as part of their British Rock Royalty collection. It is constructed with a black and white checkerboard pattern on the uppers, a pattern which is strongly associated with the Ska movement. Black suede material makes up the forefoot and tongue, matched against the traditional crepe soles. A custom British Rock Royalty hang tag featuring the Union Jack and musical instruments give a stamp of approval to these boots. end clothing in UK is taking pre-orders right now on their online shop.

End Clothing
4-6 High Bridge | Map
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 1EN England

Featuring abstract pattern taken from antique kimono prints, the Warrior High boot from Y-3, the highly stylized collaboration between designer Yohji Yamamoto and adidas, helped materialized the designer’s fascination with military style and historical emphasis. Upper in Neoprene outlined by supple Nappa leather, the Warrior High Kimono also includes a layering of canvas, pig leather, and of Poron performance sock liner for optimal fit and comfort. On its underside, adidas provided adiPRENE and adiPRENE+ for cushioning. Finally, a shank in the form on a giant Y creates stability during every stride. The Y-3 Warrior High boot with kimono print is currently available at half price off via Y-3 online store.

While retailers and department stores are harking the latest from spring/summer collections, need we remind you that winter is far from over yet. So before you heading into the bitter coldness in shorts and flip-flops, take the Gucci Lace-Up Boot into consideration. Rubber outsole with lugged treads to overcome any wintery obstacles, the black-out boot, in its rubberized leather and Guccissima interlocking-g detail, proves to be the perfect necessity to and from any parties, including the New Year’s Eve Count Down at New York City’s Times Square. Available now at any Gucci flagship stores and the luxury fashion house’s online store.

Gucci – Fifth Avenue Flagship
725 Fifth Avenue | Map
(Bet. East 56th & 57th Street)
New York, NY 10022

A few months back, Osamu Koyama, the designer behind jewelry label Complete Technique, mentioned briefly about the new ZF-1 snowboard boots from Nike Snowboarding and his participation in the upcoming Shoeshine Project 2012. The week, we finally get to see his fruits of labor. Named “American Eagle”, Koyama took his fond memories of Japanese anime “Saint Seiya” and manga “Berserk” as the central theme of the design. Then Koyama mold and shaped each golden plates into forms, with Zoom Force 1 in the middle. As a finishing touch, Koyama added an opal pendant at the boot’s front. Certainly regal enough for Nike, the Goddess of Victory, herself to wear.

While there is an abundance of distinguishable traits from Clarks Originals Wallabee Boots, the Tawyer Mid is really a new footwear all to itself. In fact, its designation has it not as part of Clarks Originals product line, but the company’s just established Clarks Sportswear product portfolio. In almost identical silhouette as the traditional Wallabee, Clarks applied materials more likely found on its sports footwear range. Gone is the gum rubber crepe sole and in its place, a EVA outsole in contrast white. Rather than suede or leather, most of the upper is now ballistic nylon and/or mesh, with the exception of the leather toe box. There is even a heel stabilizer tucked away right beneath the heel tab. A modern twist on an old classic, Clarks Sportswear Tawyer Mid is available now at Japanese retailer CHAPTER WORLD and other Clarks retail doors.

The age old saying of what quacks like a duck might not be a duck after all. Introducing the newest integrated football uniform system from Nike Football for University of Oregon Ducks as it returns to the Rose Bowl this New Year’s Day. Known as the most advanced system assembled as part of the Nike Pro Combat system, the new ensemble looks down right intimidating as an suit of armor. Bolder jersey numbers plus iridescent silhouettes in the likeness of mallard’s feathers highlight the uniform’s front and back. Wings of armor patten rest on each shoulder while a new LiquidMetal black finish gives the helmet a chrome-like mirror appearance.

But it isn’t just the look itself, each of the components represents the most innovative in both designs and materials. In all, eleven different materials are in the Nike Pro Combat uniform, or around sixteen in total from head to toes. A base layer provides optimal ventilation as well as lightweight protection like carbon fiber plates along the thigh paddings. Next, Nike Pro Combat Deflex padding system offers impact protection from hip to knee areas. Then there is the Nike Chain Maille Mesh, another new material which will improves temperature regulation. Finally, a Flywire collar for breathability and to keep the jersey in place.

This duck neither quacks nor walks. It screams and fly instead.

While the economic downturn has certainly been tough on the streetwear market, it has served to weed out the excess a bit. In this day and age only the strong survive, and Japanese giant A Bathing Ape is certainly one of the strongest, with their pioneering brand of high end apparel and gear still chugging after all these years. Coming down the pipeline for 2012 from Bape is a range that is split between their signature camo print, one of the tasteful remnants from the days of all-over print madness, and more straightforward minimalist pieces. Judging from this early look, the Spring/Summer collection leans heavily towards the cut and sew realm, with a surprisingly light showing of their usual graphic tees. Follow us after the jump for the full breakdown of the lookbook, and stick with Freshness for more info on these upcoming goodies from A Bathing Ape.

As the “Official Sneaker Cleaner of Sneaker Con Los Angeles”, cleanser mixologist Jason Markk had the privilege to capture some behind-the-scene look at the first ever Sneaker Con Los Angeles. Unfortunately, he got to the Los Angeles Convention Center late last Saturday. Luckily, he was still able to capture some of the sights and sounds from the inaugural event. And while the reception was not as hectic as the one in New York City two weekends ago, there was still plenty of dealings going on. In fact, Markk nearly sold out his inventory by the day’s end.