Not Drugs – Art, Graffiti, Music and Culture for the Almost Grown-Up

LANVIN s/s10 footwear

Lanvin via hypebeast

GUCCI’s ad campaign from 2003.

I wish I could remember where I found this image, but I  think its pretty fantastic.

This photograph is visually so well composed.  I really love the way that the photo implies tension but never is fully given to the viewer.  The photographer maintains and contains the emotion just enough to feel simulated or artificial.   With the control that Mario Testino maintains, this single photograph says so much about the fashion, commercial, and advertising world.  Compositionally, the use of space is just wonderous, of course, I give all the credit to the outlet right by the model’s foot. The outlet just puts the cherry on top, balancing the whole scene out.    When this ad campaign was initially published in February of 2003, it caused a large amount of controversy.  Many claimed that it was degrading to women and pushed the ad to be banned from being published.  Perhaps Testino achieved what every artist hopes to achieve when sharing a piece of artwork with the public — controversy.  But maybe Testino had just a simple desire to create something sharp, witty, and a little bit humorous while simultaneously maintaining a vision, translating beauty, and passion.

One of the top commercial photographers out in the industry, Mario Testino has shot for Vogue, V, and Vanity Fair, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and Gucci among many others.  He has shot many many famous faces, you’ll recognize his photos on the covers of many magazines out there; from Daniel Day Lewis to Princess Diana to most recently, Tina Fey.

I hope you think the photo is as brilliant as I think it is.

North Face’s Purple Label line, came out with their Spring2010 collection back in December/January.  It’s a bit late for posting about a collection that came out months ago, but these products are definitely still worth mentioning.

Called the Medium Day Pack, these backpacks/fanny packs comes in various innovative colors, the palate/patterns are so pleasing and simple, I would love to have one in every color.

North Face isn’t a line known for its cutting edge fashion; they are renowned for functionality and durability.  But despite their priority on utility and no-frills functionality, The North Face would never ignore aesthetics and style.  The Purple Label collection is The North Face’s perfect child.  Maintaining their outdoor aesthetics while simultaneously focusing on design and detail, Purple Label never lets you forget that you can still look cool no matter what activity you are engaged in.

Unfortunately, this line is is sold exclusively in Japan and the floral pack is now sold out, but other Medium Day packs and their “Funny” packs are still available.

You can find more designs and colors here.

I don’t usually talk too much about style. For the most part, it’s because I don’t know much about it. I shop at cheap thrift stores (although I did buy my first pair of brand new jeans a couple months ago, for the first time in probably 4 years), I work as a manager at a running store (so a pair of running pants, some old running shoes, and a running-related t-shirt pass as over-dressed), and when I do go out, my scraggly beard and long hair don’t compliment much of any attire anyway.

But like I mentioned, I do work at a running store, so I do know a lot about shoes…running shoes. I was in discussion with myself about getting a new pair of shoes for the spring, for casual wear, and I automatically went searching for some Nike SBs. While searching, and searching, and searching, I just couldn’t find a pair that I was 100% sure that I wanted to rock. There were a couple in contention, but they were still maybes. Then I started chatting with one of my fellow hip hop head/Nike kicks admirer at work, and he threw this crazy idea by me…Why is there a need to rock SBs, or any shoe in that style/trendy-casual category. Can’t we all just rock running shoes?

Baam!

That was all I needed. I shook off all my intentions of buying any other shoe but a running shoe. Now, not to say that I’m now gonna rock some clunky New Balance; I’m still gonna make head’s turn. This may be a result of me turning 23 last week, and my adulthood is shunning my childlike indulgence of those SBs. But whatever the case, I’ve got some pretty dope running shoes that I’ve added to my arsenal/will add soon. Peep the show:

These are the Adidas Adizero Ace. They’re something like 8 ounces, real sleek fit. They are made to be a racing shoe, but at that 8 ounce mark, I wouldn’s race in them just because I’d want something a tad lighter (foreshadowing, right here). It has the classic three stripe look, without being the classic/overplayed 3 stripe look. I like the yellow on black show, and, like I said, they feel pretty light on your feet when strollin’ around. I was against getting a black shoe, but I realized, I was against it so much that I don’t own any pairs of black shoes anymore. And with the yellow compliment, I thought I’d make the exception.

These next guys I’ve been looking for in my size, and I can’t seem to find ‘em. They’re Brooks, a brand that specializes in just running shoes, nothing else. I’ve been running in Brooks for the past couple of years, and they haven’t done me wrong, but these guys are more of a trail running shoe, not a city-sidewalk running shoe, but they’d be a great kickin’ it shoe. I love the color of these bad boys (even more so in person). I wanted an older edition of this guy a couple years back, but the color didn’t come in my size, so I had to settle for another style. But now that that green is somewhat back, they will be mine.

And if you wanna talk about vintage, I can throw some of that on this platter of tastiness as well. I used to run in these shoes by Brooks called The Defyance. It was the debut of the series, and I was so intrigued by this new model that I made sure to get a pair before they went onto the market. This was almost 3 years ago. I ran through that shoe for an entire year, not wanting to give it up. There was no shoe that was as good, so why even try to compare. I eventually had to retire them from training, but I didn’t murder them to the point where they lost their appeal. They now have a vintage worn to it (okay, maybe a little bit more than a vintage worn), but I cleaned them up a bit, and now wear them around the block. It might just be me, but that off-green color is so unique, that I can’t get enough of it.

And keeping with Brooks, they just introduced an environmentally friendly shoe called The Green Silence. It’s a racing shoe, weighing close to about 5 ounces (no this isn’t the racing shoe I was talking about, we’ll get to that), and it’s made of 75% post-consumer material (and the rest being made of water-based adhesives). The sole is made of something called BioMoGo, which biodegrades 50 times faster than a regular sole of any other shoe will (which is about 1,000 years). It also fits like a slipper and has this pretty awesome red and yellow color pattern, which switches on opposing feet. I’ve tried them on and they’re pretty dope, but I still question how the recycled material is gonna hold up. These are a strong maybe.

Lastly, these shoes aren’t for just rockin’ (that’s just the start of it). I picked these up the other day to be my dedicated race day shoe. They’re not as light as The Green Silence, but lighter than the Ace. They’re about 6.5 ounces, and feel like heaven on my feet. I wouldn’t break these out too often, because then I’m just gonna have to throw down wherever I am. Even though I think they’re pretty fly, they’re under lock and key until race days (I got some halves comin’ up April 11th and May 22nd. To quote the soon to be badass remake of NBA Jam “Boom-Sha-Ka-La-Ka!”)

So that’s my anti-style. Whether ya dig or not, it’s up to you. I’ve added it to my get-up, It’s been doin’ me well. Lemme know what you think. Until then, I’ma throw my Ace’s on and keep a look out for my Cascadia’s.
Dwb.

Part 2 of  the search for that spring style.  I’ve been looking at different fashion sites, blogs and showings all day.

I’ll throw up some of the stuff I found.  I encourage you to search for ya’ own style.  Everything you are about to see is just some shit I might enjoy rocking.

First check out this dope video from Triumvir Spring 2010 Collection, entitled “Divided We Fall“.

TRIUMVIR – 2010 SPRING “DIVIDED WE FALL” – ROUGH DRAFT from BRANDONUS on Vimeo.

There’s a feel to this line that makes me think of like mid-90s California.  Dre.  ‘Pac.  Snoop.  Ain’t nothing but a “G” thing.  The whole she-bang-a-bang.  Here’s two of my favorite pics from the line:

You can see much more of the stills HERE.

I’m also thinking of submitting…giving in…just saying, “Yeah, alright, I’ll cop those.”

Basically, I’m talking about finally surrendering, and grabbing a pair of Nike Dunks.

This is the new “Wallenberg” from low-top designer Bob Kronbauer, for the Nike SB series.  They were inspired by the Raoul Wallenberg Alternative School in San Francisco, CA, an institution that is famous for the role it played in the early ’90s skateboarding scene and, to an extent, today’s scene.

There’s something rather classic  and simple about the shoe that catches my eye.  A bright aesthetic that doesn’t try to say too much.  It just is what it is…and I dig that.

Keep it tuned for Part 3 tomorrow.  Sunglasses and skateboards promised.

One.

It’s coming.  Spring time.  A Ring-a-ding time.  Spring-time. A ring-a doo.

Yeah… I sang that shit.

So, when spring time rolls around, it usually means it’s time for me to up my gear.  New clothes, new shoes, new hats(Red Sox), new everything.

So, today, tomorrow, and Sunday, I’m going to be presenting some items that I believe I’ll be purchasing.  Mostly stuff I could cop and wear just so I could say: “Whaaaaaat.  You ain’t up on these new (insert item here)?  Damn.“  And then I’ll walk away.  If you happen to grab something really dope, feel free to repeat said phrase to me.

As far as clothing, I’m going after some of this Adidas “Originals by Originals” Kazuki Spring/Summer 2010 line.  I ‘d say the clothing is pretty fresh to death, while also being fairly simplistic in it’s style, too.  I like that: edgy, but not to showy. Dig:

You can dig on more of this and few other heavier pieces from the line here: PART ONE. & PART TWO.

Now, I didn’t ever really think I’d be the cat to say: “Hey, check out my new Gucci shoes.”  I don’t think I ever could be that guy.  However, I think these are just too hot for me to pass up:

I caught these joints in GQ’s “This Spring’s Must-Have Accessories” article.  Hit that link to catch more of it.

Maybe some Sperry Top-Siders from Band of Outsiders?

I like things that stand out.  I like loud colors that are in your face and make you turn your head.  Not to flaunt.  Not to be ostentatious.  Just cause I thought I was color-blind for a while…and when I found out I wasn’t, I wanted bright everything in my life.

Sidenote: I met one of my best friends in high school by him telling me he was color-blind(he wasn’t) and him trying to convince me that I may be color-blind(I’m not).

So, when I saw this new backpack designed by pro skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, I immediately had to show it to the world.  I think this may, in fact, be my new backpack for a while.  My current backpack, which I hate, I’ve had for 7 months.  My old backpack, which I LOVED, I had for 8 years.

If you like to stay fly, and I hope you do, the new P-Rod Skate Pack might be right up your alley.

Cop it here.

One.

Current obsession = Band of Outsiders.  Mostly because I have no idea where to find it at all.  Like…it’s getting a little ridiculous.

The old 70s feel.  The lackadaisical style…almost incidental style.  That’s what I’m going for in 2010: an incidental style so good, that it comes off as accidental.

I feel like it may be hard to pull off, but this clothing line is doing it.  On the regular.  With a blog.

Could Not Drugs take a hint from this?  The Answer is ______.

One.

I don’t know if I’ve ever had a classy pair of sneakers.  I’ve had some dope sneakers.  I’ve had some ill sneakers.  I’ve had some shoes that made me look fly and I’ve had some shoes that made me look “hard.”  (These shoes eventually fell a part and made me look homeless.)

However, I don’t think I’ve ever had a pair of shoes that made me look classy.  And that’s what I’m going for in my next shoe purchase: class.

I want my foot game to be oh-so-fancy.  I want people to look at my feet and say, “Oh, his foot game is rather dapper.”  I’m well aware that no one says foot game except for me…but it’d be cool for someone to think along those lines.

I think Pointer Footwear‘s new Spring/Summer 2010 shoe, The A.J.S., may be the answer.

I used to wear my sunglasses all the time.  Inside.  Outside.  Birthday parties.  Your birthday.  Ya’ mama’s birthday.  Jesus’  birthday.

I’d like to say I was cool when I did this, however, in truth I have sensitive eyes.  I can’t take light…I’d sit in the dark all day if I could.

Wow, that’s the weirdest shit I’ve ever written about myself. (Note: Not true.)

However, I’ve been without sunglasses for like 5 or 6 months now.  Can’t find the right shades to rock.  Sunlight or no sunlight, I’m not going to look stupid with my head game.

So, in my search I came across these, which I believe to be the future of sunglasses.

Yes., those are pictures in the sunglasses.  Yes, they can come in different pictures.  Yes, they are I-L-L.

They’re by the designer duo called Bless for their Spring 2010 line and can be copped at Colette.