CDG Guerrilla opens in LA.
Also, a great article about miss Rei Kawakubo is this week's T Style magazine.
Darjeeling Ltd shirts at APC. Also, check the Sp/Su 09 lookbook designed by MM Paris.
Lots going on... Here's a little recap:
Made a quick trip back to Atlanta, where my Dad received an award for a "lifetime commitment to public service" from Emory University Law School. During the 70s and 80s he was very involved with legal services for the poor. I'm lucky lucky to have been raised by someone with his values. He's also a great and funny speaker. He took a couple of witty swipes at the current administration that won him a lot of law-studen fans. I'm proud of my Dad.
My grandfather came in town. You can see where we got our sense of style.
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One of my favorite architects, David Ajaye, designed a studio for two artists in Ft. Greene. I think its the first job he did in the States a few years ago. He recently designed the MCA/Denver, and opened NYC and Berlin offices.
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Design and the Elastic Mind opened this week at the MoMA. Its a great exhibit fusing design and technology.
My good friend Johan is featured for a device he recently developed for Motorola. I've been doing a lot of work with his newly-formed agency aruliden.
Hektor rocks.
We sparyed a couple of Tinbots for display at the party.
Another one bites the dust!
I was recently asked to design a print for my friend Wayne at GoodShapeDesign. Here's a preview fresh-out-the-box... Limited to an edition of 50. They will be available through in the next few weeks. Thanks Wayne!
Fixated on shapes, I designed this visual palindrome. Either way you flip it, its still reads the same.
This month, we are also proud to offer you a free & exclusive download, courtesy of two of very talented Rude-family members. J-Bless and Koncept Sparkz may be lawyers by day, but they've also been honing their beat-crafting skills for years now.
"Slick" is a certified 'rude classic', getting initial play on the first rude mix from back in 2004. Now, check it in all its glory with a newly-recorded vocal version. "Turn It Up" is an uptempo banger, that makes clever use of Fela's "Water Get No Enemy". This is sure to attract the attention of Fela fans and trainspotters. Highly effective in the club.
For fans of Jazzy Sport, Kindred Spirits and Stones Throw. Download, enjoy, and share.
My Favorite Things returns to APT this Thursday February 21. Joining the crew will be internationally-acclaimed dj/producer/beat-digger AMIR, of Kon&Amir fame. Amir is also well known as the label manager for Wax Poetics, and his amazing 'Kings of Diggin' compilation on BBE. We're excited to have him come share his expertise with us.
Upstairs we are joined by the Soul Immigrant posse, consisting of Fabrizio (ex-Irma records), Edowa and Lucien. These guys have been running there Meltin' Pot nights at NuBlu for years.
Music begins at 10pm.
RSVP now to secure your spot.
I'm glad to see the monogram that I created for Bill Blass is playing a significant role in their 08 fashion show. Images courtesy of WireImage.
Loving the newly launched blog from NY Times T Magazine -- 'The Moment'. Lots of fresh insights on art, design and fashion, including great guest bloggers from across the spectrum. This week is designer Stefan Sagmeister.
Speaking of which... we tried to check his opening the other week at Deitch Projects, but it was way too packed. Hanging out front, I noticed a familiar silhouette drawing type backwards in a foggy window-- Massimo Vignelli.
NYC is cool like that.
YSL creative director Stefano Pilati decided to forgoe the traditional runway show for this years AW08 show, in favor of a well-crafted film in triptych. ILL. Courtesy of SHOWstudio.
My hometown of Atlanta isn't necessarily what you would call fashion-forward.
However, it seems like someones been getting inspiration from it. Check this MARTA (subway) poster that's at least a decade old. Its quite similar to this Martin Margiela t-shirt from last season. Go figure.
Either way, Margiela is one of the best designers working today, and his website is one of my favorites.
I don't know too many designers who haven't felt the influence of Paul Rand, arguably America's greatest graphic designers of the 20th century. He revolutionized the advertising world with his simple communicative designs, and was among the first to embrace the international style of design that emerged in Europe during the 50s and 60s. His corporate identity work is most recognizable, and he is largely credited with convincing businesses of the importance of design.
I was glad to learn about the launch of Paul-Rand.com, a work-in-progress, detailing his life and work.
Equally famous for his bullish personality, Rand did not suffer fools gladly. Here's an interview from 1993 with Steve Jobs discussing his experience working with Rand on the mostly-forgotten NEXT project...
Speaking of Arkitip, they've recently handed over the creative direction for Issue 44 to the Danish design crew Wood Wood. On my recent trip to Berlin, I was impressed by the Wood Wood shop in the Mitte, which stocks a great selection of design and clothing from popular brands, as well as their own.
Also digging the development of the Arkitip site, especially the Intelligence section. ALIFE founder Tony Arcabascio has a great audio blog, where he touches on everything from his favorite Italian restaurants to the concept of luxury. A true unfiltered NY state of mind.
Oversized newsprint magazines are all the rage these days, especially in fashion it seems. My favorite one comes from a very cool design couple living here in Brooklyn, and working under the name Studio Von Birken.
I highly recommend picking up E&A for a little inspiration. And keep your eyes peeled for their (year-long) collaboration with Arkitip.
Mark Pritchard drops the first formal EP from his Harmonic 313 project on Warp Records. Even cooler is the micro-site/game they've developed. Check it here.
Yeah. Another month, another (MFT) mix. I call this one 'rough and the smooth'. Going from Detroit hip hop to uplifting house isn't always the easiest transition. But lots of good music from all sides of the spectrum, so I've tried to string it together in a logical manner.
Flying Lotus keeps applying the pressure, Karizma and Simbad collaborate on a mix for 4 Hero, while Dego and Kaidi take a stab a producing W. Coast emcee Rep Life. DJ Spen gives us some serious gospel action, Peter Kruder makes a return, and a little taste of what's to come from the wonderful Reel People album.
As always, big thanks to Eguchi and Kamitani at Shibuya FM, Akihiro for coordinating the effort, and everyone who keeps me updated with the music. Please check it out, and spread the word.
DOWNLOAD MFT Radio 4 (MP3, 65mb)
01 Dabrye feat Dilla & Phat Kat / Game Over (Flying Lotus remix) / Ghostly
02 Guilty Simpson / Gettin Riches / Stones Throw
03 O Boogie feat Tableek / Paper Chaser (Mweslee remix) / Rush Hour
04 Hanif-Jamiyl / Let Him Go / Bukarance
05 Rep Life / Spirit (Dilla Shines) / Futuristica
06 Scarface / Girl U Know (Instrumental) / Rap-A-Lot
07 Busy People / Someday / Sunshine
08 James Brown / It's A Man's World (Henrik Schwarz remix) / CDR
09 Drumlesson / Rej (Peter Kruder remix) / Sonar Kollektiv
10 4 Hero / Look Inside (Izmabad Dub) / Milan
11 Dj Spen & The Muthafunkaz / To the Rock / Hustle
12 Reel People / Amazing (Tarantulaz remix) / Papa
I've been a fan of Miles Donovan's stencil and spray style for a while. He's recently joined with a bunch of great designer and illustrators, known as the Peepshow Collective. Check it out.
Its been a long hiatus, but we're excited for the return of PT3 next month. For those that don't know, PUMA Table Tennis Tournament was an idea that Jeff and I had, along with our buddy Khairi a few years ago. We identified this common love of ping pong within the creative community, and by golly, I think we were onto something.
In the previous season, we've had a diverse array of teams from Wieden+Kennedy, Complex, 2x4, Google, APT, Comedy Central, Chinatown Soccer Club, Fat Beats, Aruliden, Zune, Theme Magazine, Formavision, Psyop, TurntableLab, XLR8R, Staple Design, Truth&Soul, Rockstar Games, Flavorpill, Vice Magazine, Rude, Syrup, Redbull, Plus et Plus and more.
Now approaching the 4th Season, we're stepping it up, and moving out of the Chinatown basement and into the beautiful Powerhouse Arena in DUMBO (big thanks to STIGA). This is set to be the best tournament yet.
Check photos from last season here.
Enquire about entering a team here.
I just read that Public Enemy will reunite to perform their classic '88 release, 'It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back' in its entirety at London's Brixton Academy (isn't this where they recorded the live bits on the actual record?) and 2 other UK dates this May. This was a revolutionary record by most standards, and definitely one of my top 5 influential records of all time. I can't believe its 20 years old!
The crew over at If You Could are into the second month of their 2008 Print Series. Some nice offerings from Kate Gibb from Big Active and Alex Trochut. I'm especially feeling Alex's. Big up to Will.
More exciting music. I've been eagerly awaiting the second offering from London's Reel People, and I'm glad to say it doesn't disappoint. With contributions from vocalists Vanessa Freeman, Omar, Darien, Tasita D'Mour and Tony Momrelle, 'Seven Ways to Wonder' is the soul album of the year so far.
Producer Mike Patto conjures up fond memories of Level 42 and Steely Dan on 'Perfect Man'. Love it.
News recently surfaced the Umbro would be scaling back its collaboration with London streetwear designer Kim Jones. Apparently, Dunhill saw an opening and have enlisted the young deigner to be the new creative director. WWD reports that he'll give up his own line to focus on Dunhill, which begs the question - what will happen to his recently launched KJ diffusion line?
Here's an interesting cool video of Kim discussing his obsession with 80s fashion courtesy of men.style.com
