NEW SITE + NEW BLOG

Two Thousand and Eleven has been a wonderful lesson so far. With a new year comes new lessons. This blog will remain but with a new address. Please redirect your attention to the new Design Rehab Blog. Much love to Mark, Jaymer, Kris, Danny, Dean and Mitch of the PLSTK family for the inspirational contribution. Stay tuned...A seed by the name of First Article will sprout a bright future.

TORO Y MOI - NEW BEAT

This is the official video of Toro y Moi from their new single “New Beat” of their sophomore album “Underneath The Pine”.

Directed by Scott Ross.

TEASE THEM WITH INTRIGUE

I was able to catch a showing of Black Swan with my girlfriend recently. I must say, Aronofsky did a stellar job blending reality and lies with his signature direction. From big hits like The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke to the depressing truth behind Requiem For A Dream, Aronofsky hits it home with Black Swan and its intricate storytelling. Directing aside, the following poster teasers take classic font choices and juxtaposes it with ideas of drama and tragedy through colors, shapes and illustration. The artwork seen here did exactly what it needed to do…tease.

OTW, LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON

The homie Rickey hit me off with a pair of fresh steps from the Vans OTW collection. The melton wool on black cup sole with waxed lacing makes for a durable and easy everyday wear. Taking a page from the classic Chukka, the Alomar hits it home with the comfy factor and its careful finish. Big ups Mr. Kim! Talent meets classic footwear - Cant wait to see what comes to be in 2011 for the Vans OTW collection.

Yea, OTW like the man himself.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS

HEALTHY HUSTLE: TODD BARKET of UNIONMADE

You are now witnessing the first installment of The Healthy Hustle interviews in it's sophomore season. For this first installment, I am very excited to present to you a man that seems to have a natural finesse in what he does. A man who worked 18 years of his life from a very humble position within a retail shop and graduated to the corporate side of the same company. His name, Todd Barket, the sole proprietor of UnionMade in San Francisco. A quaint shop on the corner of 18th and Sanchez. The first time I set step into his shop, I felt a certain warmth - a welcoming warmth that kept me fascinated yet grounded. The brands he carried, the heritage decor, the mid afternoon cup of coffee jazz in the background. The setting felt natural and comfortable. The experience was almost nostalgic to an old American outfitter but set in its modern day. Todd was always ready to assist with any questions and background about any of the brands. In short, this man is not only a humble shop owner but to me, a fashion educator.

HEALTHY HUSTLER / Todd Barket of UNIONMADE (unionmadegoods.com) PRODUCTION / Design Rehab (designrehab.com) EDITS / One Viisiion Productions (oneviisiion.com) CAPTURES / Balance + Contrast (balanceandcontrast.com) and PLSTK (plstk.com) MUSIC / Grover Washington and Nujabes

MERYL AT WORK

My friend from around the way, Meryl shot me a video of your recent project. Typography rendered through neon lighting. A statement made in bright way.

BAND OF OUTSIDERS SADDLE

Clean. Just insanely clean. Pay for them here.

PROGRESSIVE THINKING

SANDBAG COUCH

Design by KiBiSi is an interesting concept of brick layering pillows to shape a couch. The layering of pillows explores a tectonic concept of stacking sandbags like cushions into an architectural comfort system.

RUNAWAY

Who else has applied a concept like this though? While your favorite Hip-Hop artist is still on the mixtape circuit, Kanye comes through with a mixtape scoring a short film written by Hype Williams. An engaging way to captivate two of your five senses while listening to sample tracks of his forthcoming album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy". Hello to George Condo for the cover too. View the 35 minute film with slow-motion explosions and a human phoenix here.

J.ROCC COVER FOR STONES THROW

I had the pleasure to work with Stones Throw and J.Rocc to produce a cover for his compilation mixtape featuring Mayer Hawthorne, Dam-Funk, Koushik and others, many of which are new and exclusive. A few folks needed to thank on this mission are BP Wolf, J.Rocc and Sean. This mix is a free download at wakeupyourphone.com (registration required).

1. Take Me Back – Aloe Blacc
2. KTH – Koushik
3. Way Out Of Living – Linear Movement
4. Gangsta Touch (I Can’t Hide It) – Dam-Funk
5. I Be Goin Hard – Steve Arrington
6. What U Wanna Do – James Pants
7. Gee Dee – Gary Davis
8. Who’s Really Listening – Mark Lane
9. On The Floor – Tony Cook
10. Joyful Exaltation – The Whitefield Brothers
11. Star – J. Rocc
12. Spacejack – Koushik
13. Neverland – James Pants
14. Green Eyed Love (Classixx Remix) – Mayer Hawthorne

STILL HERE. NEVER LEFT.

Imagine this post as a box of unmarked goods sitting in your garage awaiting the dust to be blown off. Imagine this as the relearning of what you once knew. The following is a expression of a long due apology for the lack of shared thoughts. Here, I post my recent explorations in visual form, keeping it short and sweet. Big things in the horizon for Design Rehab as The Healthy Hustle is entering its sophomore season. PLSTK footwear and Design Rehab has joined efforts to bring to you a refined experience in the footwear community. Design Rehab is in a redesign phase. Both the blog and site will be presented to you very soon. Last but not least, another anniversary of not only my existence but Design Rehabs...as Timbo has once said, "It's been a long time/ We shouldn't have left you/ Without a dope beat to step to..." Enjoy life. Let your hair down. Learn through your mistakes. Make mistakes together.

Gramatik - Still Here (original mix) by DesignRehab

ORIGINALFAKE F/W '10

OriginalFake went to work and put in a very elaborate season of clean and minimally designed apparel and accessories. The F/W 2010 collection will feature a number of collaborations including Levi's, Head Porter, Loopwheeler and more. Check the X's.

ISAORA + HEAD PORTER

Best known for their sleek and clean snowboarding gear, the New York based brand ISAORA has gotten together with the Japanese baggage outfitters Head Porter on a essential collection. These first two bags previews the messenger and rucksack silhouettes. The materials show hints forthcoming seasonal values.