Monthly Archives: December 2008

Streetwear.  It’s a label that’s spread thin these days, diluted across a landscape of clothing subgenres that are cashing in on a catchphrase.  But to comprehend streetwear, you have to dig deep into it’s history, and one of the most important chapters belongs to a New York artist-driven brand entitled SSUR.

Through thick and thin, inflated hype and flatlining trends, SSUR has weathered the streetwear rollercoaster. Ruslan “Russ” (Ssur backwards) Karablin kickstarted his line almost 2 decades ago, using his canvas as a springboard for limited-edition t-shirts, premium cut/sew apparel, high-profile collaboration projects (Kangol, Medicom), and other novelty pieces that comprise SSUR’s profound branding. 

I’m sure you’ve noticed the boom and subsequent collapse of NYC’s streetwear boutiques and brands over the past decade.  Through all of that, the SSUR store (SSUR+Plus) remains a solid anchor, a time capsule that has not only preserved the golden era of street culture, but also New York’s dynamic timeline.  On any given day, you’ll find Dave running the ship here at 7 Spring St.

Enter the Dragon.

Russ has been an avid collector since childhood, and his largest softspot is for his beloved home.  Over the decades, he’s been stocking a catalog of NY’s tangible memories, like the Jumbo-Jet sign from vintage Coney Island.

Or how about John Gotti’s coffeemaker?  Don’t ask…

My favorite characteristic of SSUR+Plus has always been the police boards that make up the flooring.  

Deep in downtown, just a block away from the World Trade Center’s gaping wound, is the SSUR studio.  A generator of original expression, the studio is buzzing with creative energy, designers behind glowing screens, the casual smoke breaks… As I was saying, to understand the biology of streetwear, you must understand Russ.  And to understand Russ, you must experience his collection of art, memorabilia, and other nostalgic trash-turned-treasure. 

That’s the sign from The Godfather movies.

The original rebel ape.

The architect of the SSUR universe himself.  He’s a bit busy at the moment.

Original Kaws One, Lee Quinones, Futura 2000… 

SSUR has got New York on lock.

by bobbyhundreds

There was a time when music was absolutely critical to understanding youth culture. Not to say that it’s irrelevant today, but the lack of inventive music, combined with whittling distribution, has left most of us longing for the glory days, whatever era or genre that may be.

Is there still new good music? Of course. Does it impact young people to the same degree as Rock and Roll’s legacy has throughout past decades? Maybe not.

I’m not so sure what’s gonna go down, but music has always been the wellspring of Cool, and we all know what happens to the house with a shaky foundation. Skateboarding is not the same without a soundtrack, hip-hop culture is a mere facade without the right tunes. Here’s a call to better music in 2009, because 2008 has left us all a bit thirsty.

Our third BEST OF THE BEST is dedicated to our favorite musicians of 2008.
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BOBBY (ME): N/A

Perhaps a sign of the times.. Perhaps a sign of MY time.. But none of the albums I got into this year were actually published in 2008. I should probably hone it up to getting old, but I’ll just blame it on music sucking.

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“The ‘Glow In The Dark’ Tour. If you missed it, you lose.”

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JON: N/A

“Dont listen to any new music. Oldies, homes.”

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SCOTTY ILL: N/A

“They all suck.”

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TONY: Morrissey

“It’s not even out yet, but it’s about to be the business.”

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SWITCH: Soulwax

“Listen to the album ‘Any Minute Now,’ then the remix album ‘Nite Versions,’ then watch the documentary ‘Part of the Weekend Never Dies.’”

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ALEX: Devin the Dude “Landing Gear and Hi Life“

“One of the most talented artists out and additionally, we share a penchant for Budweiser and women.”

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MIKE: Kanye West

“So far, YEEEEEEEEEZY.”

by bobbyhundreds

New York City.

The original, original, Original Ray’s.  Or not. Who knows. Look at that pie, who cares.

I’m with the band.

I want one of these.

Old’sCool.

Cool Calm Pete’s laboratory.

Totally within the standards of ordinary.

Jensrocker.  Best T-shirt ever.  Best DJ playlist ever.  Helmet, Op Ivy, Pennywise, NOFX, Descendents, unfortunately some Moz.. just kidding. Kinda.

by bobbyhundreds

Right. So you know how I was gloating about the t-shirt weather out here in New York?  Well, that moment was short-lived, as the greyness seeped into the City this morning, and the downtrodden clouds unfurled across the skyline.  As we pounded the pavement, Ben and I could practically feel the degrees peeling off the thermostat.  Shudder. Apparently, a hoody and a windbreaker isn’t enough to fight off Mr. Frost.

And so, by early afternoon, the first snowflake hit the floor.

WIthin minutes, the sky opened up and sprinkled parmesan cheese on us.  A white New York Christmas is a pretty magical experience, one that’s unparalleled elsewhere in the world.  

Anyways, speaking of the weather, New Yorkers love talking about differences between our Coasts, and the conversational centerpieces are plenty.  Traffic, Food (Your Mexican food sucks! Not as much as your Pizza!), Women, Rent..  I have noticed one thing.  New Yorkers love their DOGS.  The sidewalks are like a runway show for Man’s Best Friend.  First of all, I don’t know how some of these people are housing their beastly-sized canines in their tiny apartments. Secondly, that old saying of how dogs look like their owners, and vice versa, is more pertinent here than anywhere else.  

You can just imagine what this fella’s owner looked like.

Here are some more champs from the past 2 days.

by bobbyhundreds

Introducing our personal favorite RSWD/POST New Eras to date.. harking back to the original concept from which our famous hats were inspired from.  The latest model is constructed of a corduroy crown with a moderate wale, and leather bill accented with 3-D embroidery and a red twill button.

Only for the serious, discerning TH headwear collector..

Limited Edition of 100 POST New Era 59/50 fitted caps. Available at The Hundreds San Francisco this Thursday morning at 11am.

Limited Edition of 100 RSWD New Era 59/50 fitted caps. Available at The Hundreds Los Angeles this Thursday morning at 11am.

photography by Paul Sun and The Social Trust
by bobbyhundreds 

NYC can thank us later.  We got in last night and apparently swapped weather conditions with the other Coast.  A balmy 68 degrees out here in Manhattan, while L.A.’s suffering torrential downpours.

We’re at the new Thompson in the Lower East Side. Just in case you wanna come kill us.  

Around the way from our hotel is The Reed Space at 151 Orchard St., which is our premiere account here in the City.

You’ve heard me rave about Jeff Staple’s store both here and in Tokyo, so I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

The Reed Space.

Denis (Mighty Healthy) took us to Katz’s Deli for lunch.  That sign’s pointing to the table underneath, which is where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal shot the infamous When Harry Met Sally scene. 

Ben and Denis re-enact the scene, but via Blackberry.  Certainly not as titillating.

Okay, more from New York in an L.A. minute.

by bobbyhundreds

For our 3rd installment of BEST OF THE BEST 2008, the guys took their pick of fave TH tee of the year. Not an easy task, but someone’s gotta do it.

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BOBBY (ME): Kids

The “Kids” tee from Fall. Sometimes, there are t-shirt graphics that revolve around good designs. Then, there are those that are built more around concept. When I can fuse both of those and rip a page out of L.A. nostalgia, I feel like a champion.

Runner-up: The entire 5TH store-exclusives collection. All of those tees that dropped at the 5TH store were very close and personal to The Hundreds’ history. If you slept on those, consider it a loss.

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“As ESPN would call it.. “Instant Classic” ”

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JON: Temple

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SCOTTY ILL: Deadline x The Hundreds

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TONY: Handsome

“Duh.”

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SWITCH: Hieroglyphics x The Hundreds

“I may be in LA, but it will always be Bay ’til infinity. (Runner-ups: Pigs, Green, Berry)”

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ALEX: Drips 5TH

“There were some great OG color schemes but these ones were equally cool.”

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MIKE: Bear

by bobbyhundreds

I always dreamt of the day that I could get on wi-fi Internet on the plane.

Too bad we can’t even get onto our website since the Disney x The Hundreds product crashed it an hour ago.

by bobbyhundreds

So like I was saying, the line for our annual Warehouse Sale started at around 3 in the afternoon yesterday, and by the time I got back from the Lakers game around 10pm, it was down the block and the street was crawling with anxious sidewalk-sleepers trying to keep warm.  Just imagine a scene from Black Hawk Down, except the road’s swarming with skaters in hoodies.  

There were plenty of memorable anecdotes from the campout — not including the 2 bonfires — like when a cop pulled up, and was told the commotion was for a company called “The Hundreds.”.. “Oh yeah?” he responds, “You mean, the bomb?”  Turns out his son had been begging him to sleep in the downtown L.A. cuts to secure a place in line for the sale, but “I told him no.  It’s way too dangerous.”

The gates opened at 9am and the sale was a beehive until the last drop at 5:30pm.  Aside from Jon almost pummeling some guy’s brains into the pavement, I’d say it was a good day for all.  I know a grip of you made good on some surprises, like that Rosewood New Era sample (only 3 in existence), and what about the dude who flew from New York to San Francisco, de-boarded and drove down in the middle of the night to L.A. to get his hands on a Thunderstealers New Era sample?  You know who you are.  

And most importantly, thanks to everyone for contributing to the canned-food drive.  We literally got thousands of cans that’ll make their way to needy hands during the Holidays.

One guy brought all these himself.  I just hope that the homeless aren’t getting sick of Corn Niblets.

by bobbyhundreds

30+ people are already in line.  

photos by Vito
by bobbyhundreds