Sometimes, I think it’s easy to forget how few of us are actually involved in this little “world.” Between the consumers, the shop-owners, the brand-runners, and designers, it’s still all so tightly-knit and inclusive. Regardless of what’s bubbling up in the mainstream or where corporate trends are moving, let’s be honest. 99.9999% of the people in your town can’t fathom why your sneakers look like colorful furry bears. We’re all wrapped up in this incestuous full-zip bubble together, so might as well work, and build, together.

Especially when you work on Fairfax. I walked right down the street to visit Naama at RESERVE…

..flipped through the most comprehensive collection of art/design/photo books, and took a gander at some of Freshjive’s newest tees.

Had lunch with Andres from Five Four. Even though we flip to different markets, we used to share trade-show booths next to these guys. Used to eat the same broke food, struggle with the same car payments, date the same busted uglies. Then they decided to blow up and make a bazillion and forty-three dollars, push Xzibit-approved whips, and rifle through Brazilian models like Pantone chips. While we took the coolguy route and decided to sell to absolutely no one, share a tandem bicycle to work, and date each other’s chubby sisters.

Thanks for the free meal Andres. It’s such a nice change to be eating solid food that doesn’t come out from a Boyardee can or cereal-box.

Impromptu roundtable pow-wow with the chiefs of the design game. Consultant Matt Kornberg, Dennis (Crooks & Castles), and KB discuss what’s next for 2007. Apparently, chubby sisters are NOT in. Sucks for us!

by bobbyhundreds