Sometimes shit leaks and spreads like wildfire before you can put it out. Someone even remixed a reggaeton version ahead of schedule. Muthafuckas are thirsty. What can I say? But it was important to me for you all to have the official Rosa Acosta x Supreme video we made. Terry and Angelo are crazy for this one. I've heard of a fuck 'em dress. But a fuck 'em rug?...
I showed Angelo how to operate the gun. Loaded the chamber and sent him on his merry way into the lion's den. He came back to the Bleecker Street Lab with the goods to say the least. How we do... By the way this might be NSFW depending on where and who you work for. Viewer discretion is advised. For the epic full screen craze check the Supreme link below...
“We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it.” - Tennessee Williams
This is the kind of story I love... "In the spring of 1981 a group of reggae studio musicians from Jamaica gathered in New York City under the direction of Jeremy Taylor, a music professor at NYU at that time. The result was A Reggae Interpretation of Kind of Blue.
Though he was primarily regarded as a world-class Jazz musician and educator, Taylor had taken several trips to Jamaica to study reggae music with some of the best performers in the world. In his 1979 book, A Space Between Taylor wrote, my first trip to Jamaica in 1977 was the most eye-opening musical experience of my life. I met so many incredible players who had been brushed off by the snobby musical establishment at institutions such as the ones I was affiliated with. They showed more musicality, taste, and rhythmic comprehension than some of the most revered musicians in the states. I knew that I had to find a way to showcase their unparalleled talent in a different medium in order for some of my colleagues to fully understand and learn from it. This statement served as the basic concept behind this album. Taylor took the most loved, well-known modern jazz album of all time and put it in the hands of reggae musicians. It was in this context that he felt his contemporaries would be able to fully understand what it was he saw in these players.
Unfortunately, weeks after directing the sessions Taylor passed away in his Paris hotel room while on a speaking tour of Europe. A final mix of the album was never made and it was never released. Collectors have long spoken of this album and in the late 80s lo-fi cassette tapes of rough mixes circulated. No official release was ever issued until now.
In early 2009, Secret Stash Records began working with the Taylor estate to finally release this album. After creating final mixes, dub versions of all the songs were also made by Secret Stash producers. Now for the first time ever, this highly sought-after album is available. This blue vinyl-only release is a must have for any record collector."
It's stories, people, and music like this that inspires me everyday and hopefully you as well... Please spread the word and love about this beautiful album...
(clockwise) RZA on the quad, Wu-Tang pool, Kai Regan shoots RZA, Angelo Baque reppin', RZA on the strings
These Supreme projects are always top secret. All the people I want to tell I can't because of the nature of the beast. So I get extra psyched when they finally drop and I can share them with all of you. This one was epic because... well... it's fuckin' RZA and I grew up on Wu-Tang beats.
Angelo Baque, West, Kai Regan, Andre Torres, and I set out to the Wu mansion in New Jersey. Although I don't know all the happenings behind the iron curtain, the Supreme guys do all the hard work putting the entire project together. They never cease to amaze me with their ideas and ability to execute them. The guns for hire were Kai, who came out to shoot the stills, Andre of Wax Poetics conducted the interview, and I directed the video. Always clean, simple, and thought provoking. RZA dropped some serious knowledge on us. Below is my favorite gold nugget. Doesn't this shit sound like some Quentin dialogue? Be sure to check out the Supreme website for the rest of his genius, as well as my collaborators' sites. The trip was worth it just to see the classic Wu logo in the pool. Epic...
"Jake, when are you coming back to New York?" It'd be a lot easier if I didn't keep getting invited to dope ass outdoor shows with cloudless blue skies, no lines, and free tacos. Miike Snow, Vampire Weekend, and now these guys. If Phoenix and Portishead had an illegitimate child out of wedlock it'd be named Little Dragon.
It would look into your eyes with one glance and break your heart. It would make you think twice about love, loss, and all those other complexities that make life so beautiful. And it would ultimately inspire. As always let me know your thoughts...
Michael Williams of A Continuous Lean photographed by Angelo Baque
The idea of "the best" has never sat well with me. As an artist the concept is subjective. People that use the term are usually trying to sell you something. When I asked you all to vote for the best men's style blog I had my reservations and wasn't quite sure what to expect. As in life, I was less concerned about the results and much more interested in the process.
Thank you so much for the overwhelming response. The experiment was a lot of fun. For those that voted for me, even though I asked you not to, I love you for that but I had to throw your vote away. The results are hardly science but merely the most diplomatic I could come up with. I pondered with the idea of not posting them but I thought that would be a major let down. The purpose of this wasn't just bar talk debating your favorite fill in the blank. It was to discover, inspire, and create a resource of information for everyone to enjoy. I call it a celebration of dope shit. Everyone of these sites is so different from the next it's really impossible to compare them or even rank them. Nonetheless...
Congratulations to Michael (ACL), Ryan, Owen, Simon, & Ken (Inventory), Scott (The Sartorialist), James (Secret Forts) and everyone else who's putting in the work. These guys and many others inspire me everyday and hopefully you as well. Thanks again.
The time has come people. The rules are simple. Pick your top 3 men's style blogs. You can vote as many times as you like. Vote for yourself if you're bringing it the hardest. Real names, fake names, anonymity, whatevs. I don't care. The only site you can't vote for is this one. We already know it's the best... Psych...
But for real I'll be counting and posting the results on Tuesday. And if you don't see your favorite site's logo above that's no reason not to vote for it. Bless us with the heat. You know you're just as curious as I am, so hit me with your top three below in the comments section...
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Belstaff is one of my all time favorite brands. Their rich heritage and beautiful craftsmanship are really inspiring. I fell in love about ten years ago when I spotted a Trialmaster at Camouflage in New York. I believe at the time they had sole distribution in the states. I had to have it. And a certain special someone spoiled me for my birthday with it. Ever since then it's had a special place in my heart. Take note, the way to a man's heart isn't just through his stomach.
Unfortunately, through the years distribution has always been thin. A few pieces at Barney's, maybe Bloomingdale's, and possibly a sketchy store on Eighth Street. Friends would constantly scour eBay for the goodness. But Belstaff has some of the hardest gear out that you just can't get your hands on. I was psyched to see J.Crew pick up a few jackets this season. And Belstaff now offers some select pieces online. But there's just so much more. For real... I need that waterproof cloak. Don't front like that's not the toughest piece you've seen this season...
I'm having dinner on Melrose in LA and stalking RRL for the hundredth time like a pedafile when I spot a mom-and-pop leather store across the way. New York has very few of these type of places left. Commercial property owners got their Gordon Gekko on during the Wall Street boom of the eighties and us diggers were left mostly with retail chains stocked with all new product.
When I saw these WORX by Red Wing shoes I was completely blown away. Deadstock?!? I have no idea what they are. Can someone please inform me what these are? They look like those old Duffer of St. George Yogi shoes I use to fuck with from Union back in the day. Cot damn...
A few new arrivals from the Gap caught my eye over the weekend. First, this red and black buffalo plaid shawl neck cardigan is a personal favorite of mine. I have one from RRL that cost way too much to admit, which you can now get for a fraction of the price. Of course the quality is not as high and there are a few details compromised but it's still a beautiful sweater. And if there are just too many lumberjacks on the L train you might want to put that one on ice and check this other grandpa option in a similar cozy style that has my name written all over it at $78.
And if you're looking for some selvedge denim at a decent price this pair might do the trick for $88. How about that, the Gap surprises us once again this season. As you know, items sell out fast once they get seen here so don't sleep if you're interested in them. Otherwise there's a possibility of disappointment and we both know that feeling all to well...
I've mentioned it here before, when I like something I don't own one or two or three of it. I tend to collect an embarrassing amount of it from white tennis shoes to shawl collar cardigans. The M-65 military jacket is no exception as it was the first style of outerwear I started really obsessing over as a youth. From Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver to Clarence Worley in True Romance it's been a weapon of choice for many classic anti-heros.
This is one of those pieces that Iooks just as good on the guys as the girls. Remember Alex Owens from Flashdance rocked that shit hard and sexy. I think the jacket's roots in utilitarian military make it look so amazing on a woman. Giving her just the right amount of edge. So if she has one hanging in her closet, you know she's dope as shit. Just don't let her steal yours...
When I die, fuck it I wanna go to hell Cause I'm a piece of shit, it ain't hard to fuckin' tell It don't make sense, goin' to heaven wit the goodie-goodies Dressed in white, I like black Tims and black hoodies God will probably have me on some real strict shit No sleepin' all day, no gettin my dick licked Hangin' with the goodie-goodies loungin' in paradise Fuck that shit, I wanna tote guns and shoot dice All my life I been considered as the worst Lyin' to my mother, even stealin' out her purse Crime after crime, from drugs to extortion I know my mother wished she got a fuckin' abortion She don't even love me like she did when I was younger Suckin' on her chest just to stop my fuckin' hunger I wonder if I died, would tears come to her eyes? Forgive me for my disrespect, forgive me for my lies My babies' mother's 8 months, her little sister's 2 Who's to blame for both of them I swear to God I just want to slit my wrists and end this bullshit Throw the Magnum to my head, threaten to pull shit And squeeze, until the bed's, completely red I'm glad I'm dead, a worthless fuckin' buddah head The stress is buildin' up, I can't, I can't believe suicide's on my fuckin' mind I want to leave, I swear to God I feel like death is fuckin' callin' me Naw you wouldn't understand You see its kinda like the crack did to Pookie, in New Jack Except when I cross over, there ain't no comin' back Should I die on the train track, like Remo in Beatstreet People at the funeral frontin' like they miss me My baby momma kissed me but she glad I'm gone She knew me and her sista had somethin' goin' on I reach my peak, I can't speak, call my nigga Chic, tell him that my will is weak. I'm sick of niggas lyin', I'm sick of bitches hawkin', matter of fact, I'm sick of talkin'. - Biggie
"They say, they say, they say you're no good for me. But I know, I know, I know that's a lie. And since I'm slow sometimes I just don't know anymore. But I never want to say goodbye."
- Mayer Hawthorne
Okay, so the man made everything look cool. Maybe watching that epic car chase for the millionth time is getting to my head but I'm really feeling a navy turtleneck this season. It's a tough one as you can quickly look like the other Steve. No disrespect, but you know what I mean.
I wouldn't just buy any turtleneck. I love this traditional fisherman turtleneck sweater from S.N.S. Herning which is knitted in Denmark. There's a toughness to it that conjures up thoughts of another icon. Any thoughts?
"I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days." - Crash Davis
