Murals started out in the early part of the 20th century, laden with political and social meaning. It was an attempt to bring fine art to the public and in a sense, take art out of the class context and give it a new life. For many, who work in street art and graffiti, and for those who appreciate this form of art, there has been a heated debate over whether graffiti and street art should remain in the streets and beyond the confines of gallery space. Regardless of one stand point or another, there is no doubt that bringing Keith Haring’s mural for the gym of the South of Market Childcare Center (SOMACC) in San Francisco to Deitch Projects in SoHo does give more an opportunity to enjoy and peruse Haring’s artistic legacy in person. This mural was created in 1985 and is one of the 16 public works for hospitals and children’s centers around the world created by Haring. This impressive mural spanning 70 feet is inspired by cartoon characters and animals from Haring’s childhood drawings. The mural was dismantled in Sep 2006 when SOMACC moved to a new location. The exhibition will be running through till Feb. 16, so for those hoping to catch a glimpse they should definitely plan a trip through SoHo to stop by Deitch Projects sometime.
Read the rest of: Keith Haring - 1985 Mural for SOMACC SF | @ Deitch Projects

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Post catergories: Art & Design, Events

Tinker Hatfield is responsible, in part, for some of the most storied of all sneakers. Serving as the Vice President of the Special Projects and Design division of Nike, Hatfield has recently been a part of designing the Air Jordan 2010 model that was released this past week. But, his resume for Jordan Brand goes all the way back to the Air Jordan III (3), and he has been involved with the design of Air Jordans from that model until the Air Jordan XX (20). So you can attribute all the hype and drooling over models like the Air Jordan XI (11) and the Air Jordan IV to this man whose design inspiration revolutionized basketball sneakers. Footwear News sat down with Tinker and interviewed him about his career and his involvement with the design of the 2010 model.
Read the rest of: 10 Questions for Tinker Hatfield

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Post catergories: Air Jordan, Nike

The Black Label from PUMA operates on a very simple and well-attempted concept that is now prevalent in the sneaker market– combining sports with fashion. While the thought of giving sportswear a sartorial edge is nothing new, well executed concepts are difficult to find, and PUMA has managed to accomplish the task with flair and sophistication.

As previewed by the SHOES MASTER, The Black Label from PUMA takes quite a different spin from its current collection of slim-cut racing and running low tops and occasional boot that are reminiscent of classic high-end luxury footwear and sneakers from Gucci or Louis Vuitton. The Fall/Winter 2010 season is varied in silhouette, and tougher and edgier in design. Rather than the previous stream-lined and tightly fitted silhouettes, the new collection takes on a popular chunkier proportion and introduces them to the beloved hi-tops in the sneaker world. Some interesting design points include a play on a double tongue and a subtle burnished distressed outline on the tumbled leather for the iconic PUMA stripe. Low-tops come with foldable backs so they can be work as slip ons and desert boots are remixed with rubber soles and dressed in PUMA stripes. While there are intriguing and subtle plays on creativity in the designs, The Black Label remains measuredly subdued and mature in premium materials and classic tonal shades of grey, black, white and tans.

For those men whose offices enjoy a more relaxed dress code, these could possibly make a run to the office and replace the tired loafers for happier feet. Or, these would be easy and appropriate to transition from day to night and from outdoors to indoors with. via: SHOES MASTER
Read the rest of: PUMA - “The Black Label” - Fall/Winter 2010 | Preview

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Post catergories: Preview, Puma, Sneakers

In what has proven to be a tremendous dose of originality, the adidas Originals by Originals project has yielded some truly striking results. The JS wings models were one of the most well-received new models of the year, and two new colorways, each taking the angelic-winged model in a different direction, are available now in limited quantities. The rainbow colored model is made of a metallic, multi-colored fabric that almost has a impressionistic watercolor feel to it. The white pair, while more subdued, has excellent detailing like the gold embroidered wings and pixillated tooling on the heel and tongue. Both models come with the signature lacelocks bearing Jeremy’s name. Packer Shoes in Teaneck, NJ has these models, so head over there to cop these unique shoes.

Read the rest of: adidas Originals by Originals - Jeremy Scott - JS Wings | Available Now @ Packer Shoes

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Post catergories: Shopping, Sneakers, adidas Originals

Introduced just last year as a younger, trendier and more active counterpart to the high-end, more directional and sophisticated Lacoste Club line, Lacoste Red! has immediately garnered the attention of preppy-chic hipsters around the world. This season, continuing on the line’s signature bursts of energy and youthful elegance, classic Lacoste pieces are given new shades, shape, and silhouette. Shot against the classic American comic background, the lookbook injects the looks with a burst of vivacity as well. Polo shirts are cut slimmer and piped with brightly colored accents such as blue collars, orange cuffs and yellow pockets. The classic nautical striped logo sweaters are filled with pops of colors and slim-cut pants come in daring shades of classic Lacoste green and a very courageous white. Varsity Jackets and graphic tees complete the interesting all-American preppy chic look with a dose of French decorum in fitted silhouettes. The collection is shipping out and the complete collection will be available at retailers soon! images via: ArtSchoolVets
Read the rest of: Lacoste Red! - Spring/Summer 2010

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Post catergories: Apparel, Lacoste

Behold, friends, fans and lovers of customization plagued by a constant insatiable desire to tweak and switch ready-made sneakers into something just a little more fitting and perfect– NIKEiD Studio has landed in Hong Kong to give local sneakerheads and creative minds the unique customization experience from Nike that has been serving other cities in the world. Just opened last week on Feb. 3, the first ever NIKEiD Studio is now housed within the Silvercord Nike Flagship. The studio space will enable consumers to get a hand-on design experience to create and personalize their favorite Nike kicks, clothes and whatever sporting equipment they wish. Of course, one has creative reign to switch up colors, materials, graphics and personal iD during a 60-minute one-on-one session with a Studio Design Consultant. After the design and confirmation sign-off, one will be able to pick up their spanking-new and piping fresh Nike product within four weeks. Also, to commemorate the grand opening of NIKEiD, exclusive opening fit sets are offered to all customers born in February. Do drop by and visit the new space and get geared up for the most exclusive pair of kicks to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Read the rest of: NIKEiD Studio - Hong Kong

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Post catergories: NIKEiD, Shopping

BAPE has partnered up with popular Japanese pop group, EXILE to create two capsule collections of collaborative items. EXILE had just merged with J Soul Brothers last March to become a 14-member group and had recently released their first studio album last December, of which they have won the Grand Prix Award for their song, “Someday” at the 51st Japan Record Awards. In this first release, the members of EXILE are stripped of some of their tough vibes and given a kawaii (cute) Baby Milo makeover. The fourteen group members are incorporated into two caricature tees, one with EXILE members standing in rank and file and another has them camouflaged in the crowd. Aside from two tees, there is also an EXILE iD sticker featuring graphics on one of the tees. The first release is now available online at the EXILE iD shop. So if you are feeling these, it’s not too soon to grab a piece and do stay tuned for the second release to come soon! via: NIGO

Read the rest of: EXILE iD x BAPE - First Release

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Post catergories: Apparel, Collaboration, Shopping

Taking a trip down the memory lane paved with tennis balls, Lacoste has revisited its heritage and created a new collection of footwear inspired by an old wooden Lacoste tennis racquet found in its archives. The Vintage Tennis collection pays homage to the label’s legacy in tennis with four different models, the D’Arblay VR, the Dot VR, the Europa VR and the Indiana Hi VR. The Dot and Indiana Hi are heritage styles from the 80s where the former was created as an indoor court shoe. The clean white D’Arblay with an off-white toe and contrast brown lining and heel is a recent heritage inspired style, much like the Europa VR which is similar in aesthetics to the D’Arblay plus different brown accents.

The earthy colors used in this collection of shoes come from different parts of the racquet, some are derived from the stem and others are from the leather handle wrap. The collection is created in a premium mix of materials such as dress leather, suede and mesh. The Vintage Tennis Pack will be dropping in stores such as Sportie LA and Addict in Miami in March. Check out the pictures and the cool Vintage Tennis video created as a part of the campaign for the pack. This season, everything old is new again and one doesn’t have to be a tennis prodigy to be able to enjoy the collection!
Read the rest of: Lacoste - Vintage Tennis Pack | Release Information

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Post catergories: Lacoste, Sneakers