cliche

I know you like this... and why wouldnt you? infact, you've probably been scouring sites in the vain attempt to locate and purchase something similar. You may (and lets not lie here) have attempted to 'make' your own ... am i wrong?
It takes alot to be able 2 accurately pin-point a gap in the marketplace, let alone fill it. Yet, as enthusiastically stressed by its creator, "Cliché isnt a brand, its an idea". A pretty dope one at that. The brand nostalgically re-invents the iconic african leather medallion. Famously sported by an array of rappers, pro black figures and zulu-nation representatives, the red, black and green colourways (the african flag of nations) made the leather medallion far more than just an ineffectual trend.... its very existance challenged the repression of 80's / 90's black american society and encouraged realistic and potentially immediate change.

Now, im pretty sure you knew all of that already, my momentously epic rant was admittedly unnecessary, but when i saw this collection, my heart skipped a beat. To start off with, Cliché (a relatively new force) can already boast features in vibe magazine, trace magazine, fader and more, and non-specific features in many more publications, photoshoots and the like.

Showcasing the vivid neckwear on a regular basis, Brooklyn natives and super crew the retrokids are major fans of the 'idea',
often favouring Cliché over it's vintage precursor. It's clear to see why. The product designer interprates, he doesnt copy... sticking closely to the original 'template', the typical Cliché medallion is constructed out of the finest leather, intricately stitched and hung... however... the label's trademark colour-ways and un-ambiguous product names, deserve a pause.
pastel?, metallic? citrus? neon?, 'starburst', 'grown n sexy', 'represent'... or in a few words, a moulded encapsulation of the last 30years (or more) of unadulterated progressive rebellion.

check out the official myspace for more info, pics and list of retailers

http://www.myspace.com/clicheallday

lethargy

antenna how i love thee

oh antenna how i love thee.... everything about this simplistic dedication to wearable fashion and culture stuns me... a collectible publication in its own right. i often pour through its perfectly constructed pages like an already erratic eyeball subjected to a tornado of visual stimulation!

maybe i shouldnt admit to this but...

i used to fancy bucky o'hare and throttle... now as many have stated, the aforementioned are indeed cartoons, tremendously pixelated tributes to early 90's animation at that... yet as a child, they were real, so darn real.
i blame throttle (the dark grey biker mouse) for my current affliction... 'badboy attraction syndrom.. or b.a.s
he was so damn ghetto, i loved it... i'm quite sure that after his contractual agreement expired, he went to the west-coast, invested in a low-rider and circled the block in a red bandana and chuck-lo ensemble. he probably has 7 kids, 6 baby momma's and 8dogs, one of which hold's the admirable claim of dog-fighter of the year....
but i still love him.
long live the cartoon.... cos' i kno y'all fancy jessica rabbit! (ok so shes a human, but its the same thing dammit)

skinny man, finsbury park and a camera

nope, that's not your local waffleguy, its uk rapper skinnyman being a joker.... nothing normal for this guy, finsbury park (and its steadily diminishing understanding of what the hell was goin on...) did'nt know what hit it!

its the award tour baby

To appreciate the success of the award tour brand, one simply requires vision and memory. This is essentially, 1992 objectified. Now, to actively complicate matters, fully understanding the brand as a concept, (a movement as it were) requires more than just superficial aesthetic appreciation... an instinctual and almost maternal bond to hip-hop is a formal requirement. Not only does this clothing line embody en era, it evokes an emotion.

To dramatically simplify things and perhaps visit the potentially blunt realms of ‘the cliché’...
“To truly know the award tour, you must live the award tour” ....or atleast know a little something about ‘the tribe’ and influential 90's rap.
A riddle for some, a confirmation of suitability for others, whatever the case, put your preconceptions aside.
This is not a ‘diamante with airbrushed tupac’ organization. Nor is it an ‘80s baby’ “ / bringing back green and pink shell-suits” organization.
These tee’s aren’t replicated vintage tee’s, this isn’t costume-wear. The award tour incorporate post 2007 design and 90’s color-ways to create a vibe.
Peep the black midnight marauders shirt (a classic).
The award tour represents those that grew up in, saw and wore the 90’s. Fundamentally, it’s a vibe thing... you know, the type of vibe that makes you wanna bump ‘electric relaxation’, mellow down to ‘Brooklyn sky’ and quote bambaataa lyrics because, well, u feel like doing it.
The award tour is real, so real infact, that it inadvertently puts most ‘neon reliant’ graphic-lines to shame.
Notable 90’s rap lyrics are stylistically and famously binded into the design of a lot of these iconic tees, so too are recognizable, re-worked logo’s and crests. My personal favorite? the official, and highly collectible beanie, (I want / need one).
Exploring the award tour as a conceptual legacy, is an experience in its own right, the guy behind it all; Lochness and his multi-talented partners in crime (Juice, King-d, ARC, Ellington and Cre-hated) live, love and breath the brand, it’s a way of life.
Objectified into a stunning range of tee’s, sweats and hats (the diversity of which suggest impending fortune and success for these guys) a love for graphic cartoons, animation, gadgetry and fashion in general is conclusively the award tour's backbone... (the insanely funny friendship they share is also a contributing factor.... take a look at the blog videos and you will understand).
The vivid tees appeal to you, me, him and her. The trick? Well who knows? but I can safely say that the brand’s dramatically bold text and intensely 90’s colour-ways make each garment fresh and vibrant, yet incredibly wearable.

note* a cheap base metal rope chain and stupid plastic glasses are not an acceptable addition to ‘the award tour look’ ...its all about the tee, well, the tee and the ability to trigger off envious directional gazes.

"r@ndomchild"

http://www.theawardtour.com

kase shoot

kase photoshoot! another semi-impromptu shoot (location with-held) i also made my styling debut. Devoid of bias (yes i do big up my friends) Kase is a face to look out for, combining uk hip-hop with electro inspired grooves, whilst maintaining enviable affiliation with london designer 'cassette playa', hes doing alot, check his myspace out
http://www.myspace.com/kase07