So Alex Pardee teamed up with Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins on a really cool collaboration which consists of a tee-shirt and poster combo. This is an eleven-color screenprint and the outcome is totally amazing and highly detailed. Very well worth the shiny penny because I don’t think these are going to last very long.

You can purchase yours conveniently @ the ZeroFriends online store. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to pick up Alex Pardee’s VERY first toy HERE.

It is released on June 14th, but quantities are extremely LIMITED so you should pre-order yours. I just checked the Upper Playground site and both colorways of the toy are already sold out if you haven’t been paying attention.

–dinoxsketchpad

I recieved a very pleasant surprise the other day with a package sent to me from Boston. Thanks to Sopal for the hook-up! I opened the box up to see a big can of ‘rotten tomatoes’. The packaging was amazing and the fact that you have to use an actual can-opener to pry it open makes for great detailing on the marketing of the product. If you’ve ever been to, or seen pictures of the shop, you’ll know why the execution of this tee-shirt release in its entirety is so clever. Limited to only 100 pieces and only available through one of the most creative boutiques I’ve ever seen — Bodega. One of the biggest reasons why Boston is one of my must-go-to places.

–dinoxsketchpad

The crazy thing is some rich lazy kid might just go ahead and buy this:

They’re going to be released at selected premium Nike accounts on Saturday, May 2nd but if the recession hadn’t put a dent in your pocket and you don’t want to camp out (…and be a homeless bum) for a few days, then here’s your chance to stunt well before the public can even touch these shoes.

But for that price, I’d rather invest in AIG bonds or buy stocks in General Motors. Wouldn’t you?

–dinoxsketchpad

Although I’ve never been a fan of the Rocawear line, I am very fond of Jay-Z both as a musical artist and a business mogul. Seeing as how hard our economy has plummeted these couple of years, most brick-and-mortar stores are struggling to make ends meet. Some meet their unfortunate end by closing its doors. So when things get tough, what do you do? Make your own store and while you’re at it, why not make it portable too? Jay-Z has partnered up with David Ashen to create a totally tricked-out trailer which houses the all-new premium collection of Rocawear clothings in what’s labeled as the RocPopShop. The pop-up shop is decorated with mohair sofas, suede walls, custom zebra wood cabinetry, a 46-inch flat screen TV, stereo system and a custom gaming zone, and is designed to transport the customer into the Jay-Z and high-end Rocawear lifestyle.

The trailer will follow Jay-Z on his tours and other events in which he is affiliated with. And of course, first stop is none other than his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. The trailer will sit there from today until Sunday, May 3rd.

Where?
RocPopShop
Pacific Street and 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217

–dinoxsketchpad

I just came across a great new clothing brand — Rich Soil – which just so happens to be a creative project backed by Los Angeles Lakers’ Lamar Odom. I never pictured Odom being the artsy type but he is going about this brand in a great way by collaborating with some very awesome artists ranging from Chuck Anderson to Echo Morgan.

Good job Lamar! Now go win us a championship.

–dinoxsketchpad

Earlier I posted a blog on Lavish Creative Juice’s shirt to support a great cause — the fight against Lymphoma cancer. I’d like to introduce you to another company doing a great deed, and being very creative in how they’re going about the whole project. CommonThreadz is a non-profit organization working to build and fund sustainable projects to help save children’s lives in poverty-strickened areas all over Africa and other developing nations. Their tee-shirt campaign is broken down into four categories:

- Signature Series: Tees designed by leading artists from around the world.
- Orphan Collection: Tees designed by orphans to help orphans!
- CelebreTees: Tees designed by celebs and in collaboration with commisioned artists.
- School Contest: Primary, Secondary, College — Contest is everyquarter, winner gets a trip to Africa. (Coming Mar ‘09)

These are just some of the shirts designed by orphans to help orphanages in Africa:

I love how this program inspires children in unfortunate situations to use their own creativity to help themselves and those like them. They truly are ‘changing the world one shirt at a time’ and showing us all that there are so many ways we can do our fair share in helping our fellow human family out. 100% of the proceeds will go into the charity and the way they’re able to do that is because CommonThreadz is underwritten by private donors, corporate sponsors, and in-kind contributions in support of its operations. Spread the word. Show your support and purchase a tee, or donate as you please.

–dinoxsketchpad

I’m all for keeping an open-mind to new fashion ideas and thinking outside of the box because it makes dressing up fun. I can get pretty picky with ties and can spend hours finding the right blazer, or suit. I started getting into watching those prestigous fashion shows and understanding why the models are adorned in whatever they’re wearing down the cat-walk. I’ve started reading a lot more and being more up on the upper echelon chic. Sure there are still some styles that go way over my head and I’ll never be able to agree with, but I think once you immerse yourself in the whole fashionista-universe, you begin to understand the artistry of it all more.
But as I’ve stated earlier, some things are still way over my head. When I first caught a glimpse of Marc Jacobs wearing skirts to different events, I really had to take a second look. My first reaction was UGH! Til this day, I can’t fathom the sight of a man walking around in a skirt. But some of these fashion designers are pushing the envelope much farther than that. I just hope Kanye West doesn’t start going this direction. The last thing I want to see are a bunch of school boys wearing skirts to school with their new pair of Jordans.

This is supposedly the ‘next best thing‘ in fashion, as it’s becoming a lot more accepted overseas. Higher-end companies like Chanel are already jumping in on unisex clothings. Will it ever be accepted here in the States? We’ll just have to wait and see. Men are the new women? Hmmmm… The models in these pictures aren’t just random nobodies either. They are all internationally-known fashionistas who are well respected in the industry. You can read more on why they’re progressing into the art of mixing men and women’s clothes into their own outfits here.

–dinoxsketchpad

Our friends from Lavish Creative Juices have released a shirt for a positive cause. I always enjoy seeing people doing their part for the betterment of humanity and although I didn’t get the pleasure of meeting May Anne Urfano (R.I.P.), I do know that she’s fortunate to have good family who continually honor her name. The green ribbon represents the support for the cure of Lymphoma cancer. If you’d like to know more about Lymphoma, there’s a small write-up on it here. If you want to wear something nice and help out a good cause at the same time, click here for more purchasing information.

A percentage of the proceeds will go towards the progression in the fight against cancer. Big ups to Marco and Erick.

–dinoxsketchpad

Last month we participated in a contest to give you a chance to win our shirts, which ends this Saturday, February 7th, through the online media company SheKnows. Now you get another oppurtunity to better your chances as we’ve join in on Blender Magazine’s Burning Question contest. What’s cool about this giveaway is that all the products you recieve will come in a neat guitar-case courtesy of TKL. You can either participate online or grab a copy of April’s issue, which hits bookshelves on March 17th. Have fun!

–dinoxsketchpad

Late Sunday evening, I found my way to the BeatRock shop to take a gander at the exhibition they were hosting. Consider the shop my new favorite spot close to home because there were a lot of talented artists who raided every inch of the store’s walls with pieces after pieces. Unfortunately, we got there a tad bit too late and the whole place was packed like a can of sardines by then. I only had the oppurtunity to take whatever pictures I could of anything before we forfeited and took the party outside.
The live-painting was turning out to be a pretty dope piece and I will definitely return to take better pictures of everything for your viewing pleasures on another day. A bit later into the night, the band Humble Soul set up their equipment and rocked the packed house to some good ol’ reggae music.

Overall, it was a great night and an awesome way to get us warmed up for the new year of art shows and exhibits. And I also encourage everyone to support good art festivities and stay tuned to this blog, as I will update you the best I can with gallery-openings in the near future that I recommend. If you have any events that you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to send me an E-Mail and I will post all the information for all our readers here.

–dinoxsketchpad