Ruby New Shoes

Turn Yourself in to a Clever Cloud

2007-08-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

I've just found this on Amelia's brilliant blog and had to link through to see it for myself... Just as she had problems trying to explain it, I fear I'm about to do the same... Basically, you type words in and the game builds up... Oh hell, just try it for yourself... If Amelia can't explain it, nobody bloody can... Well, it beats writing on Facebook walls anyway...

A little look at London and Added Service

2007-08-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

I saw this a while ago and have taken ages to post it, but as a murial message, it mutters much. Without wishing to be pointedly polemic, there's a lot weighing on the little rat's side (check the CND necklace by the way, genius)... What with the Victoria line closing from 10pm every night (and the rest) to the on-going overspend with the Olympics, it seems us Brits are battling a bit... Whilst the Americans seem to get it right so often with added service and helping the populace out, we're still stuck on empty platforms and in long queues, wondering where our tax went and why we're still on an 18 month waiting list for an X-Ray of some sorts. But then you hear about things like the night-market at Covent Garden and you think: 'smashing, someone does understand I don't always leave the office at 5' and we can all feel the little flutter of freedom. Yum.

Wooden cars to make a comeback

2007-07-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

When I heard that classic, or should I say vintage, wooden panelled cars were all the rage in Southern California, particularly amongst the surf set, I naively thought to myself "Sure, it's probably just a bunch of hippies who cant afford a new car", but I was wrong. Initially picked up because of their exremely low trade values, surfers would buy 'woodies' as the cheapest means of getting around town with their hefty surf gear. It wasn't long after that the love affair with woodies evolved. Afterall, anything made of wood that is continually exposed to the elements requires regular care and attention in order to sustain and maintain some level of reliable performance. Over the years these wood panelled wagons have become extremely desirable, some fectching ridiculously high trade values. Yet, for me, it's not about the 'cool trend' that it seems to be, but the potential application such a concept may have in a future context. As everything seems to be going 'green', including the facade of my local McDonalds, I expect that we will see a whole lot more goods, products and services carefully packaged in an aesthetic that says "eco-friendly" or "sustainable", largely because people want to take part, participate in the 'make our world a better place' project. With this in mind, would it not be 'eco-friendly' for car plants to harness the wood panel concept and reduce the extent to which they rely on metals, at the same time giving the people the opprtuinty to say "Hey! Look at me, my car is 50% sustainable sources. I'm greener than you are". Why not extend the idea to smart cars, instead of plastic intechangeable panels it's all about screwing on to a wooden framework. Totally sustainable urban friendly wheels? Radical no?

Krusty-Os & Kwik-E-Marts

2007-07-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

Burbank, California is fostering a unique marketing partnership between the Fox Network and 7-Eleven. Selected 7-Elevens stores across the US are being transformed into Kwik-E-Marts, The Simpson’s favoured local convenience store. As part of a campaign to boost awareness of the new Simpons Movie the Kwik-E-Marts will be complete with life-sized replicas of Apu, Homer and other Simpsons characters, as well as limited edition food items such as Buzz Cola and Krusty-O’s cereal. E numbers anyone??

Brits Abroad: Banksy V Hopper

2007-07-14T06:22:00.001-07:00

Love this. Funny. So what if it isn't FRESH, needs to be seen. Eveybody must recognise the original, and here you get it with some humorous additions... nice shorts fella!

Reality Bites

2007-07-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Bringing the images of airbrushed faux beauties into line with reality is the ambition of a fellow blogspotter. The blogsite in question is offering a downloadable sheet of photo real cold sores that can be printed on clear labels for stealthy and realistic results when applied to ads and marketing in the public domain. Setting out to make a statement against the unobtainable and unrealistic perceptions of beauty being instilled in the public, this sticker campaign seems to be gathering steam since kicking off in February. Keep your eyes peeled

Cornwall Up & Coming

2007-07-02T05:50:00.000-07:00

Cornwall iz da shiz!
Went down to Cornwall the other week for a little break, Sennen Cove to be exact. It's absolutely stunning. Amazing beach framed by steep long grass sand dunes and very little development other than the very slight beach front parade (thats if one pub, one cafe, one fish and chip bar and an art gallery can be considered a parade!) Situated only a 20 minute cliff top walk from Lands End, it's a place to be seriously considered by all. The thing is, if what I saw and read while down there is anything to go by, the future potential is a whole lot bigger than Sennen Cove. With the prospect of a warmer climate creeping north and the growing taste for less commercialised, more wholesome short breaks, Cornwall is bound to see large benefits. The south-west English county has long suffered with economical issues largely sprung from the loss of mining as a key source of employment. Add to the scenario the fact that most of Cornwall does not received piped gas, that they are wholly reliant on fuel tanks in their sheds and gardens - an expensive and inefficient source of energy, and you have a Low Wage High Cost existence. However, this may soon cease to be the case as Cornwall has just received £20 million to develop and test a scheme of wave harnessing to produce electricity on a scale that could potentially spell out a future of self sufficiency for the County. This in turn should free the people to make a whole lot more of their limited disposable cash, a situation likely to boost the local economy. Healthy local prospects attract investors, considered investment in an area attracts business and lays a path for entreprenuerial activity... it's all eye's on Kernow. Watch this space.

How 'BIG' is your 'TUNNEL'?!!!

2007-06-06T05:35:00.000-07:00

I think I just had my first 'WTF' moment. Seriously.

Perusing the masses of 'plastic persona' profiles on MySpace, as one does, I thought I'd check in on a few of the peeps I've stylesniped out and about recently. So I drops in on this kid, see what's up, casual fashion like. I comment on his new pics, as one does, read a few of the other comments, as one does, and I couldnt help noticing, as one does, that all the other comments were made by 'young' ladies all trying so hard to radiate a suggestively sexually persona and all very forward in their overtly sexed text speak. Funny thing is, this chaps tag line is as blatant as you can get, "I LOVE *****" (protecting the innocent!), so why do they still persist to try so hard??. Competition? Not sure.

Anyway, having absorbed all the hormonally tense exchanges I thought it time to move on, as one does, clicking on the profile link of one of his more 'forward' fans, as one does. I arrive, have a quick skim, a few mental notes, then off to the 'pics' link for a better look. BLAM! First comment, first picture, there he is. The little guy himself. Simply asking in true layman's terms "HOW BIG IS YOUR TUNNEL?"

Ok, excuse me for being a little 'old school' but hey, when was it consider ok to fire so low below the line? What happened to sparking up a conversation? WTF exactly!

"This cannot be" I thought to myself, "such a nice sounding chap (according to his MySpace profile of course!) wouldn't really be so crude as this, would he?". I skipped back to his profile to find a clue. Hoping for the missing link. Maybe she replied?? But really! Would such a detail really be disclosed so willingly in the public domain?? Sure enough, top of the pile, fresh in at number 1. in the comments chart was the swift and sweetly executed response "14mm".
"Errr, one minute, 14mm??" I wondered to myself "I've missed something here havn't I?".

Dashing back as fast as my connection would transport me, I clicked back into her profile, back into her 'pics' and in one glimpse there it was staring right back at me.... the ear ring! Wearing it well, the young lady in question has a dark mettalic looking, pipe like insertion in her ear lobe, the kind I used to affiliate with dredlocked Italian gabba ravers. tribal yet futuristic. Bloody hell! And there was me thinking that... well... need I spell it out ;-)

Get with the lingo... that's all I'll say.

"Daddy, what's a Blook?"

2007-06-04T12:17:00.000-07:00

The landscape for consumption of literary content is morphing at speed. People are reading more online than ever before. But as the popularity of The Blog places further strain on the market for printed matter, the actions of key players, including the likes of Borders (who will be launching the final Harry Potter at ‘half price’), suggests that something rather significant must happen with the delivery of literary works. ‘The Bloog’ (or should I say ‘Blook’?), following in the footsteps of The Blog, is a concept to which authors are warming, many of whom are publishing their works chapter by chapter in the popular and widely accepted online framework made popular through blogging. This year saw the first annual ‘Blooker prize’ giving credit to this new media format, I imagine the guys upstairs of the big bookshops and publishing houses might well be a little shakey of late. Surely, as with the music industry, the publishing world is likely to take further damaging blows from the effect of unfaltering uptake and embrace of digital media by the masses. First aid at the ready.

McMakeover To Go!

2007-06-04T12:02:00.001-07:00

“What’s red and yellow, and green all over?” If you were to be asked this, whether it be in a serious line of questioning, or in the more likely suited scenario of a ‘joke’, it is rather unlikely that McDonalds would spring to mind. However, judging by the ever so rapidly executed facelift of the McDonalds restaurant on High Holborn in London, this could be the tag line to surpass ‘I’m lovin’ it’. Risky re-brand? Or playing clever with the sub-concious?

FlickrVision

2007-05-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

The widely renowned photo sharing platform Flickr has been cross bred quite cleverly with the Google Earth mapping device in order to create a ‘photo-a-second’ streamed show of freshly uploaded photos and their geographical origins. Sound interesting? Probably will be for the first few minutes until the display wears the eye tired. The quality of photos displayed, both questionable and varied, are of such diverse subject matter that you are likely to be looking at a beautifully depicted ‘Chilean landscape’ one second, then crap mobile snap of ‘Dave’s shag from Saturday night out side the chippie’ the next. Random indeed.

'Green The New Black' and 'How The West Was Won Wearing Sustainable Cotton Jockey Shorts'

2007-05-14T12:09:00.000-07:00

Sustainable definitely is the new black. Black, traditionally being a popular ‘non-colour’ amongst skater orientated street wear brands, now faces the prospect of being sidelined, at least for a teeny while, in light of the recently launched Planet Earth ‘Green Label’. Green Label? How boldly must it be spelt out? Although consumers in general seem to be switching on to sustainability and the eco-credentials of brands and product, are the skater ‘skwids’, as I like to call them, ready to mirror the conscious consumer habits of their parents and older folk? Vice magazine seems to think so, as they recently granted a two-page advert spread to UK stockist Route One, who are, quite aptly, self-professed “always first”. At the very back of my mind I hear a little MC style voice ring through with a little " I don't think they ready..." quip. Maybe a touch negative, but more importantly, what do you think? Are the 'skwids' up for being force fed the 'green dream'?

State Of Play has a political say

2007-05-10T08:09:00.000-07:00

Details as above. Knowledge is power.

Design Genius

2007-05-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

Luigi Colani, currently celebrated at the Design Museum for his works inspired by the most organically sleek forms in nature, is genius. It's a big word, I know, but the guy's got game, for real. His sketch style alone leaves many in the shade. Such a sweetly super choice of colours, something I can't help but be entranced by.
If you havnt felt inspired for a while then take yourself for a trundle down Shad Thames and indulge your visual senses in the many curvacious works of Colani. If the one genius isn't enough, then hit the top floor for Sottsass' collection of bright bold and colourfully live design pieces. End.

Streetwear

2007-05-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

To coincide with the launch of a rather interesting book entitled Streetwear by Steven Vogel I'd thought I'd throw this out there: Am I wrong in saying that Lily Allen's recent contributions to the corporate money making machine of the high street are 'streetwear'? If anyone professes to 'be street' it's her, right? Look at the above example, taken from her recently launched capsule collection/collaboration for New Look. The piece in question features a grafitti tag inspired embroidery detail. Grafitti = street, right? So, is it safe to say that frilly dresses on girls are 'street'? I'm confused. Most of Hollywoods A-list wear frilly dresses, yet, they are so far removed from 'the street'. So, how does it actually work? Who decides what is 'street'? More to the point I wonder how Steven Vogel decides what is 'street'. More still, I wonder to what extent the female streetwear contingent feature in the Thames & Hudson produced title. I guess I should take the few sheckles I have in my pocket and invest in a copy, or shimmy down to Borders and rustle through the pages whilst perched on one of their minty green jumbo cord sofas. Better stiill, maybe I shall brave it this evening at the book launch party in Shoreditch, where I would surely have the ripe opportunity to ask these many things of Steven himself. I'd like to settle it once and for all. What, in this day in age, is 'streetwear' and more interestingly, what ISN'T?!

Probably the Best Litter in the World...

2007-05-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

Apparently it only cost them £50k in advertising, which is actually a snip for the amount of talk that's gone on around it... Nice.

Back To The Top Of The Pops

2007-05-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

Yeah, this one goes out to all you pop pickers out there... word! TOTP, the globally reknowned UK music chart selection show is not, I repeat, IS NOT back! Yep, had all you kidult, 'Guilty Pleasures' going mutha's sweating for a second didn't I ? Didn't I ?! Maybe I didn't. Whatever. There's a guy with a mic and some cd decks who stands in the corner of the George & Dragon pub, Hackney Road on Monday nights. On said nights he does the Top 40 Countdown. "Last weeks highest new entry, this week moves up two places to number 3, it's..." Yes, exactly how you remember it. He does it bloody well, and if you, like many, are sucker for some pop nostalgia then you need to go down and show your support. Last nights highlight: Jermaine Jackson "We don't have to take our clothes off"... what a classic. Storming!
The George & Dragon, 2-4 Hackney Road, Shoreditch (Where else?!)

L'eau d'issey - that's old school!

2007-04-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

This is a crap snap of the super charismatic designer Issey Miyake at the opening of the '21_21 Design Sight' space in Tokyo.
The museum, part of the designers global empire, is only partially visible to the naked eye due to it being submerged in the soil surrounding the newly developed mixed use complex. The building was designed by the highly respected Japanese architect Tadao Ando (if you don't know, you better get to know). In contrast to the towering structure of glass, currently the tallest in town, next to which it is situated, the museum only briefly interjects with the rolling green grounds and cherry trees that outline the Tokyo Midtown plot. Beneath the grassy surface and down in to the belly of this beauty of a building is where things really open out. Looking and feeling very much like a bunker, it is minimal in it's make up; stripped to the bone, smooth, angular and simplistic in it's function. With the very least possible electric lighting installed, the interior relies heavily on a single triangular atria, that bleeds light from above, deep down into the interlinking concrete chambers that make up the body of this understated design piece. Definately worth a visit, and the selection of retail in the main development is pretty sweetG, with everthing catered for; PUMA 'Black Store' to 'DogDays' doggy deli. Google it and see for yourself....

Not so silenced Nuns...

2007-04-27T03:19:00.000-07:00

Reading through the papers this morning I found a most intriguing article in The Guardian about a group of Nun's in Sicily who have basically decided that although their vows of silence strictly disallow local gossip and friendly telephone calls, they are actually allowed to swap emails! They have even set up their own website where you can ask them questions about their lifestyle and get them to pray for you.

They are keen to portray the internet in a positive light; 'We hope to show that there is some good on the internet and not just bad things.' and are adamant that their time spent on the net does not cut into prayer time, which starts at 4.30am every day if your interested...

Check out the full article at Guardian Unlimited

Nirvana... Just a band...

2007-04-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

This song sums up so much about what I feel about culture... If anyone's ever heard me rant about kids in Ramones tee-shirts, they know I turn this up... 'Is it?' being a particular hatred of mine...

Thou shalt not steal if there is direct victim.
Thou shalt not worship pop idols or follow lost prophets.
Thou shalt not take the names of Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer, Johnny Hartman, Desmond Decker, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix or Syd Barret in vain.
Thou shalt not think that any male over the age of 30 that plays with a child that is not their own is a peadophile… Some people are just nice.
Thou shalt not read NME.
Thall shalt not stop liking a band just because they’ve become popular.
Thou shalt not question Stephen Fry.
Thou shalt not judge a book by it’s cover.
Thou shalt not judge Lethal Weapon by Danny Glover.
Thall shalt not buy Coca-Cola products.
Thou shalt not buy Nestle products.
Thou shalt not go into the woods with your boyfriend’s best friend, take drugs and cheat on him.
Thou shalt not fall in love so easily.
Thou shalt not use poetry, art or music to get into girls’ pants. Use it to get into their heads.
Thou shalt not watch Hollyoakes.
Thou shalt not attend an open mic and leave as soon as you're done just because you’ve finished your shitty little poem or song you self-righteous prick.
Thou shalt not return to the same club or bar week in, week out just ’cause you once saw a girl there that you fancied but you’re never gonna fucking talk to.
Thou shalt not put musicians and recording artists on ridiculous pedestals no matter how great they are or were.
The Beatles - Were just a band.
Led Zepplin - Just a band.
The Beach Boys - Just a band.
The Sex Pistols - Just a band.
The Clash - Just a band.
Crass - Just a band.
Minor Threat - Just a band.
The Cure - Just a band.
The Smiths - Just a band.
Nirvana - Just a band.
The Pixies - Just a band.
Oasis - Just a band.
Radiohead - Just a band.
Bloc Party - Just a band.
The Arctic Monkeys - Just a band.
The next big thing - JUST A BAND.
Thou shalt give equal worth to tragedies that occur in non-English speaking countries as to those that occur in English speaking countries.
Thou shalt remember that guns, bitches and bling were never part of the four elements and never will be.
Thou shalt not make repetitive generic music
Thou shalt not make repetitive generic music
Thou shalt not make repetitive generic music
Thou shalt not make repetitive generic music
Thou shalt not pimp my ride.
Thou shalt not scream if you wanna go faster.
Thou shalt not move to the sound of the wickedness.
Thou shalt not make some noise for Detroit.
When I say “Hey” thou shalt not say “Ho”.
When I say “Hip” thou shalt not say “Hop”.
When I say "he say, she say, we say, make some noise" - kill me.
Thou shalt not quote me happy.
Thou shalt not shake it like a polaroid picture.
Thou shalt not wish your girlfriend was a freak like me.
Thou shalt spell the word “Pheonix” P-H-E-O-N-I-X not P-H-O-E-N-I-X, regardless of what the Oxford English Dictionary tells you.
Thou shalt not express your shock at the fact that Sharon got off with Bradley at the club last night by saying “Is it”.
Thou shalt think for yourselves.
And thou shalt always kill.

I Want One!

2007-04-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Strange isn't it, how as time passes, certain perceptions change. Take for example, this Toyota Space Cruiser circa 1987, possibly earlier. My auntie had one. She used to drive me up the Muswell Hill at 3:15pm to pick up my cousins who were at secondary school there. At that time primary school finished at 3:30pm so that doesnt quite work out does it? Well, I can explain that. I'd only get to ride shotgun in the bronzen Space Cuiser on the days I pulled a sickie. Cunning. The lengths I'd go to, to feel the warmth of the burgundy velour under my M&S beshorted, friction averse lower limbs... those were the days. But look at it now. 20 years on and this piece of far eastern automobilliery has come full circle. it's so retro it's cool. I can't help myself. I pass it almost everyday and everyday I look and admire. It's like making sure you sit on the right carriage of the tube in the morning so you can increase the likelihood of sitting opposite that chavvy tanned up, WAG like office chick. SOOO not your type, but there's something in the aesthetic that appeals, just a little something. Enough to merit the glance? Or do I REALLY want one? A Space Cruiser not a chav 'bird' of course!

Gum Point

2007-04-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

self explanatory really! Spotted this is on the high street. First time I've seen anything that actually tries to curb the nuisance that is second hand gum. Could well be harbouring some serious germs but what the heck, I say it's a bloody good show old chap!

Copyright Camper

2007-04-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

And there was me thinking that other parts of Asia were the prime spots for 'Snide/Fake/Counterfeit' goods. Look at this. Now, tell me if I am mistaken, but is this not a little bit too similar to the iconic design of automobile genius that is the VW Camper? Smaller, yes, but the styling and proportional details are cutting a very fine line. The rather nasty word 'infringement' comes to mind, but thats not my problem. I'll have a mettalic cherry red and cornish clotted cream two-tone delight to-go please. Chrome trims'n'rims of course! Ooochie!

Why?

2007-04-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Why would you do it? Why would you buy your kid a dummy that makes them look like they got some crazy hill-billy, buck tooth dentistry issues going on? Maybe a one-time outing to the pub with babs in tow, it might be amsuing for your mates, but hey, novelty is novelty and then there's taking the piss. Still, the fact these are sold alongside pretty little baby pink all-in-ones suggest that they may well be desirable in this twisted world we live in...
what next? Taboo themed baby grows; mini hitlers and osama look-a-likes crawling round the creche corner of the local Beefeater on a Sunday?

Plastic Fantastic

2007-04-04T22:48:00.000-07:00

Errr, can you really sell high end cosmetic goods to adults using reference to a plastic doll with no ass? The accompanying imagery is completly misleading, Barbie? Real? I don't think so? Oh excuse me. Of course, I geddit, grown women WANT to look like a dodgy piece of taiwanese plastic with nylon strands for hair. Did I miss something?

DMs...

2007-03-16T07:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I've been ranting and raving about DMs ever since seeing some little Italian fashionista in a pair during Fashion Week and then I see this image from the Vice Global Trend Report and I'm like, okay - so you never know if they mean it or not, but hell - I can see it (a shame, since DMs don't seem to be able to see it at all, currently only stocking in one store in Camden and one camping store on Charing Cross road) but hey... I was always a monkey boots girl, but damn - I'm liking this look. Bring back the Seudeheads I say; it's all about the roll-up (alright, pin tuck Sniper) and an unlaced boot... yum.

Re-Brand ALERT!

2007-03-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

It would seem that it isn't only the big swingers of the corporate world that take time to ponder the opportunities and neccessities of reshaping their public image. Let's just call this well known, widely recognised sticker art persona 'the Toaster'. The Toaster has been around for a rather long time. Initially appearing in random public spaces, proudly hand splatered on Post Office 'Special Delivery' dispatch note stickers, the Toaster has come along way. Now going for a more updated colour scheme and splashing that hard saved 'day job' cash on a glossy finish, custom cut run of ready made throw-ups, the Toaster is once again stealth tuned to dominate sticker art for another decade. Maybe.

Crooked Towers of London

2007-03-14T16:52:00.000-07:00

Jericho by Anselm Kiefer features two splendidly characterful towers carefully constructed in the forecout of londons prestigious Royal Academy of Art. Cleverly constructed the towers resemble the makeshift feel of a shanty town hut but rest assured with a ridiculous health and safety legislature to answer to I very much doubt the construction of these towers was anything but scientifically calculated. You can even step inside and experience the eerily stark contrast of raw concrete against the big money marbled backdrop of the Royal Academy.

Boombox Hoodie / Musical Youth

2007-03-07T09:57:00.000-08:00

Apparel designers take note!
Unless you are a socially concious designer, someone who would rather miss out on an opportunity to craft something of potentially exciting proportions than earn the title of 'bane' to future persons enforceably encountering a piece of your work, this piece of information could well serve you as inspiring.

I spotted, or rather heard this young chap, swaggering his way down London's busy shopping mecca stretch that is Oxford Street, geometrically flanked by two similarly sporty casual tracksuit donning youths. Being used to the sound of crappy mobile phone speakers spitting out horrid tones of modern symphonies, I was caught off guard as I neared these guys in a manouevre to quickly shimmy past them on the busy pavement, when the clarity of what could only be some form of mobile music device suddenly rang clear. Unbelieveably clear. I slowed up. Take two. Yes, somehow these guys were drawing enjoyment from a communal music source far superior to the regularly flaunted mobile phone. I tailed them for a moment before politely stopping the chaps to ask what device it was they were listening to. With a very defensive tone and a swift hand signal like chop the ring leader clarified that the sounds were coming from the portable speakers he had strategically placed in the hood of his sporty track top.
I laughed to myself and walked on before having the sudden urge to document this interesting observation I had just made. Looking back to see where these guys were I saw them slip between two double decker buses, cross the street and disappear into Footlocker. In to Footlocker I strolled, cueing my camera and prepping myself for Approach No.2, the result of which is posted above. The future of the hoodie? A potential USP in here somewhere?

I said it once....

2007-03-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

... and I'll say it again.
Yep, with the continued resurgence and heavy referencing of the early nineties in everything that is 'youth culture', I'm ever so happy to report the return of the 'pin-roll'. Otherwise known as the 'pin tuck' method of turning up one's trouser leg to create a tapering effect of varying proportions. The pin roll technique was popular in that period, and grew inline with the widened audience for and influence of dancehall and ragga music. Ragga stars such as Shabba Ranks were well reknowned for their tastes in ridiculously baggy pants that required an especially adpated roll up method in order to prevent them dragging under the backs of shoes (a very popular style being commonly known as 'raggas' were a very slimline low profile desert boot). Hence, the pin roll was worn and influence it did. Maxi Priest and Shabba can be seen in full pin roll tapered pant glory in the video for 'House Call'... a classic if ever there were one!

A New Life

2007-03-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

The way forward in avoiding the cliche that is fast becoming of 'White Plimsolls', is to source an artist with deft touch. Someone that you can place your trust in, wholeheartedly, to take pen in hand and deliver something of a fine tuned creative quality. What you want is for said individual to take the blank canvases presented to them and with the articulated flick of a wrist send the former white plimsoll into realms of uniqueness rarely seen. I stopped this young lady on the platform in Kings Cross tube a couple of weeks ago, asked politely for a photo and then continued my inquisitive line of questioning in order to secure details of what, where when and why. It turns out that there is a small shop in the heart of Brick Lane that can deliver such sweetly inked kicks for a surprisingly low fee (A whole £12 to this lady!!). A bargain and a deal indeed. search and ye shall find.

Note to lady: if you happen to recognise your sweet feet in this here image, I'd just like to wish you well. This may sound odd, but I randomly dreamt that we crossed paths again recently and somehow, even though I have not studied your photograph in detail (really! I'm a little odd, but not creepy!) I knew that the person in my dream was you, except that, on this occasion you had completely lost your hair. Yes, shocking I know, but sometimes people say that dreams have some significant underlying message or issue encoded within, so, again, I hope it doesn't suggest that ill health hath engulfed you. All the best.

Archaeology of sorts

2007-03-01T03:56:00.000-08:00

You may or may not have noticed the recent push in the refurbishment of The London Underground network, where both it's functional facilities and aesthetic facades are receiving heavy remedial attention, primely in the name of improvement and partially in the name of the 2012 Olympics (I'm sure). If you havn't noticed or been in the capital to witness first hand, then you probably missed the opportunity of seeing such remnants as these in person. Poster campaigns reminiscent of times passed, and plenty of them. The essence of nostalgia for many. This one rings home for me with particular clarity as it features a very rarely tackled theme, the neurological condition Narcolepsy, a fascinating sleep related disorder that leaves the sufferer often dangling and drifting between the surreal, the real and the weirdly unreal. FAR OUT!

Jet Car

2007-02-08T06:46:00.000-08:00

I'm loving the proportions on this beast of auto engineering. They don't build 'em like they used to. At least they didn't until Rolls Royce adopted similarly agressive bulldog like proportions for it's product. Still, this is a beaut, one to savour. You can only imagine what a metallic Racing Green paint job could do for such curves. If you wanna see this baby in the flesh, drool over it's sweet lines and draw endless inspiration from a multitude of objects dating back to the dawn of technology, you need to get yourself down to the Science Museum. If you act sharpish you could catch the special 'Science of Spying' exhibition.

When the wind blows...

2007-01-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

...not only does the cradle rock hard, but half of London comes to a standstill! What a joke! Tube and rail lines were blocked because of fallen trees, just like the one pictured above that sadly came down over the alleyway near my humble abode. Let's face it, for one of the leading capital city's of the world, it doesn't take a whole lot to disrupt our flow does it?? A little too much rain here, bit too much wind there! What was it they used to tell me in Cub Scouts...'Be Prepared'? Come on Ken, if you can't, maybe 'Jim'll Fix Us'.

Walk your carpet clean!

2007-01-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

It's no joke. 'The Dustmate', more affectionately known as 'The Shoover', is a smart arse development from Electrolux, which waves a thankful 'good ridance' to hand manouvered vacuum cleaners. Now you can slip out of your Air Force 1's and into your Shoovers for some carpet cleaning fun. Why not slip your dusty copy of Off The Wall into the deck and 'cha cha slide' your way round the living room whilst clocking up double 'life points' for exercising and doing the chores!

Forget Flash Motors...

2007-01-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

...get yourself a private Submarine. Bespoke of course!
What with Global Warming splintering ice caps in the poles and the threat of rising sea levels engulfing all but the highlands, it is fairly reasonable to believe that Herve Jaubert's predictions will in fact become reality. Herve, creator of Exmos, the most technologically-advanced submersibles on the planet, believes that there is a place in the not too distant future for "submersible mass transit" (peeps in subs instead of Boeing aircraft!). "Why not?" I say. Make mine a yellow one with a sick Bose 'in-sub' sound system so I can shimmy with the sharks to John Paul Ringo & George. "This is Yellow Sub One to Sea traffic Control. Do you copy? Over"

Ugly Betty BIG in 2007!

2007-01-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

Trust me, I can see this blowing up. Among the many indicators, the first is that there are so many people (men, women, children to!) that will empathise and associate with the Betty character. I can see this program helping people. Helping people by easing the pressure in their drive to overcome their own insecurities and problematic issues in life. Look how big 'Sex in the City' was. Girls related to that, even though only a small portion had the Boutique Account lifestyle that SJP and crew so shallowly flaunted. With Ugly Betty, the depth of relativity is tenfold, if not one-hundred-fold as even those boutique chic ho's can surely empathise with the Betty character. For even they, the primly spruced and puckered, must have the odd battle with negative feelings of self belief and value. Even my own dear mother couldn't restrain a gentle whimper of sympathy as the credits rolled on Episode One, "Aww, I think I like Betty", referring to the character not the show as a whole, "I think I was an 'Ugly Betty'!". That's exactly what I'm talking about, 'been there, done that, know the feeling, it's sh@t, so allow me to feel good, for, where I stand today is a better place!'. Make sense?.

New Sneaker Spot for North London

2007-01-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

Wood Green, no longer very green at all really, but none the less the retail scene here is showing some signs of 'effort' to improve it's status. One of the latest additions to the high street is the newest offering from sneaker boutique Footasylum.
Not quite sure if it has opened yet or not, but could be worth a look if their mission statement (www.footasylum.com) is anything to go by.

Sou Sou Japan

2007-01-09T16:12:00.000-08:00

For many, the Nike Air Rift was, and remains to be, their only reference to a 'split toed' footwear design. As with many concepts in design, it's likely that the inspiration for the Rift was lifted from some traditional form of footwear with significant historical grounding in a far off exotic culture. In fact, it is quite possible that these here super dooper sweet kicks, from Sou Sou, are the true heirs to the throne of 'split toe'. They hail from Japan, and have been developed as the modern day alternative to traditional bamboo scaffold workers split toed footwear. Let's face it, they're pretty tasty!

Street Art Sculpture or Pigeon Detterent?

2007-01-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

On my way into one of the overhead 'U-bahn' metro stations in Berlin I couldn't help but to register this colourful collection of decorative, wall mounted shapes. I remain unsure as to whether they were part of the station design or whether one dilligent individual has taken time and exerted effort in creating and erecting said pieces. If anybody out there should know any better, I'd be happy to hear about it.

Holocaust Memorial Berlin

2007-01-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

On a slightly heavier note than usual, I thought I 'd take this opportunity to share what can only be described as an eerie experience. Of the total 8 days that I resided in Berlin over the festive period, it snowed only once. That one day was the day I visited the Holocaust Memeorial. For me it was by far the most disturbing sight to be seen. CORRECTION: One of James Nachtwey's photographs currently on display at the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin was the closest a photographic still has ever come to reducing me to tears. Go see, but you've been warned.

What? No more Jeeves? Now who do I ask?

2007-01-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

OK, so I was a late starter, so what?! I never did get round to truly testing the wisdom of Jeeves, the online oracle of answers to all questions (apparently). However, now that I have the sudden want to ask of 'him' a question, somewhat unusually specific, I find that 'he' longer exists! What's with that? Instead of Jeeves we are offered a simple search engine type device simply called 'Ask'. Err, but I want to ask a question and be given an answer, not decipher the plethora of information links that are likely to rain down upon my poor eyes once I hit the uninvitingly lit 'search' button. So, where does one direct a burning question to which one so strongly desires an answer? I need to know. I have a question about the level of detail applied to measuring the component ingredients so carefully ratioed in the manufacturing of liquid cosmetic products. It's true.

Tweed Deer Stalker Hats

2007-01-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

These are gonna be big I reckon - or at least - a brand could 'own' them and make them big... I've wanted one for about 3 months now... saw one at the Japanese department store off Piccadilly and have coveted it ever since... Damn it though, saw some cool 30 something year old guy in one yesterday - no girls rocking it yet though. If only I wasn't poor as hell and waiting for pay day I'd run my ass down there and pop a tweed deer stalker hat on my head RIGHT NOW!!!
So good...

Who isn't wearing these?

2007-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

And more to the point - which Sportswear giant is gonna have a copy of them out there for 'the kids' first?
I've been meaning to take a picture of these for ages... but I actually stole this one off a blog I was just on... My apologies... Interestingly though, the guy's called Jeff Pseudo - or at least - that's what he calls himself. You should check his blog; he seems to be in a state of flux at the moment, but what he has to say about these shoes is funny, and probably indicative of what most people wearing 'em would say.

Sir, that can is shouting at you.

2007-01-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

I have just posted something on one of my other blogs about new technology arriving whereby cans will be able to 'talk' to you from the supermarket shelves. It's all terribly Minority Report and may be something you find interesting... All the quips and comments are there so I won't repeat myself...

This is WRONG!

2006-12-25T06:10:00.000-08:00

Selling brand confidence to 'little' kids? This is bullshit. Isn't one of the key principles, of maintaining uniform schools in this modern day, to set every child on a level playing field? Is it not true that parents hold a preference for uniforms because it saves them a bundle in monthly clothing allowances and the huge cost of regularly updating their childs wardrobe with the latest trends? so, what's this all about? Reputable high street department stores playing the brand endorsement card in their school wears section? OK, so it is another angle for brands to create sales, it is an opportunity, and no doubt most parents and children will lap it up in generous portions, but what does this do for the children of families who simply cannot afford to send their child to school in the latest branded rucksack, the latest development in footballing footwear with a fully 'topped up' multi media mobile phone in hand, brand spankingly replaced every academic year?? In short, this fuels envy, resentment, desperation and confidence issues. Great!

Tuck n' Pin

2006-12-25T04:54:00.000-08:00

Tucking and pinrolling is fast becoming a popular and fairly prominent trouser wearing technique. Here's just two of the many examples spotted out on the streets. Begs the question "WHY?"

More than just a tag

2006-12-25T04:50:00.000-08:00

Keep an eye out for this dude, dropping his name around town and beyond. Simple but effective and somewhat aesthetically pleasing.

Oh My Word!!

2006-12-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

Patent Leather Classics and Luminous PUMPs.... I don't even need to speak!

Gaudi shopfront...

2006-12-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

...in London North! Check it out. Not a bad effort. Subtle clash of architectural characters but 10 out of 10 for effort I say.

Another one for tonight...

2006-12-15T07:32:00.000-08:00

I blogged the Marmalade party on the other site...

I'm putting a time limit down...

2006-12-15T07:27:00.000-08:00

If you end up getting one of these for Christmas, you got it too late... you need to have it this week or not all... surely one of the best product updates we've ever seen? damn...

Daydream magazine

2006-12-07T03:47:00.000-08:00

Daydream magazine has been set up by an old friend of mine and a blonde friend of his who thought it was okay to leave my piece out of the first issue... tsk tsk. Anyway, that aside (like I'm gonna let that one rest) - the magazine is actually super good. Perhaps a little too much graffiti & illustration stuff going on in there which is stopping it being set apart from other magazines, but otherwise it has a brilliant mission statement and vision and is promoting new work in a glossy, consumer-created way... Move over MySpace we're bored of you... It's cost them loads to produce and they deserve some recognition. Love the Gonzo font (always do, sucker for it) and the fact that adverts are discreet and therefore more impactful. Next issue is out in February...

Link to download the new M.I.A song...

2006-12-05T04:22:00.000-08:00

Where were you in '92? No one seems sure what the song is called, perhaps XR2...? But you can download it here

Ruby Blogs Back... 3 bits o'music news...

2006-12-05T02:39:00.000-08:00

Jack Penate played a live session on XFM last night... so proud... everyone's waiting for the new album to come out from Nas (December the 8th apparently) and damn - have you heard M.I.A's new track? So good... whistle whistle blow blow...whistle whistle blow blow...

Friday Night in Romford

2006-12-01T04:13:00.000-08:00

Yeah, what an assortment! Like a bag of Dolly Mixtures or old Bertie Bassets. I was loving this crowd as soon as I spotted them. You got the typical hood up tracky boy, mid-drift gals flaunting it and a skinheaded 'Polo' Ralph Lauren and Reebok Classic wearing 'casual' in the making. Sweet as a nut sunshine, sweet as a nut!
P.S. in case you cant quite make it out, the orange LED light board in the background reads;
'Havering, one of London's greenest boroughs' Nicely done!

The Suburban Urban Uniform

2006-09-18T06:27:00.000-07:00

I spotted this little fella on my through East Barnet Village Friday evening. He came out of the local Budgens supermarket, carrier bag in hand, dropping this serious 'hold on to your handbags' gangsta look. Awesome pose. Nuff said

"Deep Pan Stuffed or Hovis Brown Toasted?"

2006-09-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

Nah, not that kinda CRUST. We talking serious diamond enCRUST! Forget BLING, make space in your ever so limited, ever shrinking, modern day vocabulary for the new king of description when it comes to referencing one's grotesque embellishment with the finest of fine jewels. Yeah, you thought you knew about this guy, well, not only is he the self proclaimed 'King of Crunk', he's defintely in the running for some regal title as one of THE ambassadors of 'CRUST'. But, don't go following this dudes example when it comes to dentistry, unless of course you can afford the real deal, cos I just heard that US health officials are predicting that the biteback of 'low quality CRUST implants' is likely to be a huge health concern in years to come. Junk food diet residues entangled in the knooks of badly CRUSTed teeth...well, you can only imagine can't you!

"...p-push it, real good!"

2006-09-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, yes! What an awesome pair of leggings. The kind Neneh Cherry, Salt'n'Pepa would have gone 'head to head', and 'toe to toe' over, putting their super heavy I.D. knuckle dusters to plenty good use. And topping it off with hot pink laces....ouch, scorchio!

Limo for kids

2006-09-02T15:57:00.000-07:00

"NO WAY! What next?" was my response to seeing this huge pink monstrosity.
A pink limo is bad enough, let alone one full of pre-pubescent girls. Since when did kids roll through the west end of town hurling abuse and firing off round after round of non-sensical wailings at random? Since now it would seem.

Yee-haw!! It's good to be back...

2006-08-30T05:44:00.000-07:00

Yeah, been off for a while due to 'technical' problems but it's great to be back! To celebrate i thought I'd drop these pics just to let the people know that the 'Sheriff' is coming to town. Outlaws and gunslinging hoodlums be warned, this is a serious look. It was inevitable that something would muscle-in on the 'skinny' ties dominant hold on male accesorisizing and sure enough the bowtie is worming it's way forward to be prime candidate. But before the typical silken bow style has properly infiltrated, those bad boy designers are pushing forward, introducing the 'ribbon style' tie, as sported by the one and only 'King' Elvis in Viva Las Vegas.
If you don't know, you better get to know.

White Boy in Compton?!!

2006-08-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

NO, just some chief at this years SONAR festival in Barcelona. According to WGSN it's "a look!"

Ahead of the game!

2006-08-08T16:01:00.000-07:00

A baseball cap that folds into a flat fan-like device, or just an easily stashable cap? whichever way you look at it this is genius.

Big Phat Lady Laces...

2006-08-01T02:55:00.000-07:00

Does anyone understand this gravity defying display of physics?? Can anyone explain the laws behind it? After all, bigger is better right? BUT is it achieveable....

How to shrink one's feet!

2006-08-01T02:35:00.000-07:00

Well, not exactly. But using the optical illusory effect of 'puffing' one's tongues you can create a more fatter appearing foot, often having the effect of making feet look smaller and therefore, in most cases, your sneaks look cuter! A lot of people say that certain kicks only look good on girls, thats because they look good in smaller sizes but when guys start to adorn them the silhouette gets stretched right out and 'bobs your uncle!' your size 10's look like skis!! Get puffing people!

Mail. It's the future.

2006-07-26T23:37:00.000-07:00

(especially if you draw some amazing picture on the front of the envelope or include lots of bits of scribble scraps tied up with string).

Pin Up

2006-07-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Now here's something you might not know, Tavistock Hotel in London have bowling lanes and a bar down-stairs... Yep... (heaven knows how long they've been waiting for that one to turn trendy)... but fashionable it is, and the lanes now have their own night called 'Pin Up' where cult bands like Beta Band play and girls throw balls badly down the wrong damn lane. Last night Razorlight had their after show party there and Johnny sauntered around lead singer style in that silly way he does.

Idiot...

Anyway... Bowl up, bowl up.

I wish I'd done this...

2006-07-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Well I do, someone else did it instead, but there you go. Well said, I say.

Sale of the century!

2006-07-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Seriously, you mean , I only need pay £5 to own, well £5? That's amazing...

Genius...

2006-07-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

By Scott Wade

'Stain'

2006-07-09T21:20:00.000-07:00

I saw this at the New Designers exhibition and thought it was genius... Bethan Laura Wood, who has graduated from Brighton university this year with a BA (hons) in Three Dimensional Design (for which she got a first) is setting out to question the decidely 21st century, disposable view that the 'wear and tear' of an object lessens it's value. In a society where so much of what we own is quickly discarded and replaced with bigger, better and newer models, the art of owning something and it growing gracefully with age and use is a pertinent one. With 'Stain' the tea-cup is treated with so as to stain in certain places. Depending on the drinking habits of the owner, the pattern emerges in time to reveal either birds or dots. For more information email Bethan at heinzmeanzbeanz@yahoo.co.uk

Brought in Japan

2006-07-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

'Two White Dots' had this brought for her in Japan, and marvels at the dancing chickens that come up when the phone is folded. Tiny in size, most people tend to think it's a toy.