Tag Archives: tradeshows

Can’t believe it’s already 2013. Even harder to believe it’s time for another Agenda tradeshow.

Bigger. Badder. Better.  Agenda has become the Goliath it was once the David against.  But a smarter, nicer Goliath. One that understands how to curate relevant brands while maintaining relationships with legitimate core companies. A Goliath that invites Kogi BBQ trucks and Pressed Juicery for food services.  Basically like a hipster, tastemaking Goliath.  A Goliath with rolled up pants and boots on and a really burly beard.

S S U R  // NOW YOU LITTLE MONKEYS WANNA BE GUERRILLAS

Brothers Marshall (and Father Marshall).

“World Famous” Malibu Carl:

These guys don’t have hair, yet they run Fairfax’s anchor headwear shop. It’s a tired joke on the block, but I still find it hilarious. It’d be like if Flight Club was run by wheelchair amputees or if your mom was skinny.

Arsen and Greg (and Vlad!)’s Hall of Fame is also one of the best Streetwear apparel brands out. And that’s why Ben and I are here at their booth and not over at ours.  For the first time ever, we’re attending a tradeshow as buyers (for The Hundreds’ retail).  Felt a little weird being on the opposite side of the table, but I also like the feeling of people begging me for money and waiting until I left to talk s#!t about me.

How much better would Ben Baller’s reality show be if there were untimely cameos by the annoying dwarf neighbor, Midget Arsen?

In case you can’t tell, Ben Baller rides for DIAMOND.

I told Tal there was no chocolate inside.

I cropped ‘em out, but Todd and Tal are standing in a pile of naked supermodels who’ve thrown themselves at their feet.

Devin Brugman is either technically proficient at coordinating algorithms to boost her social media, or she’s mindblowingly gorgeous. I can’t figure out which one it is.

This is my big brother,  ya undastand. MR. LUCKY LUCIANO.

There’s Neek!

I wanna get jumped into this crew so bad.  James (Us Versus Them), Jae Bueno, Bobby (Tribal), Les (DVSN), Isaac (Tribal), and Menso.

Brooklyn Projects ain’t just a crew.  It’s not just a brand either. It’s a way of life.

Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown, and Dom Bomb.

Tatiana Javorsky does the craziest voiceover work.  She does this super creepy Gollum voice that would be perfect for the Midget Arsen character!

See that guy in the background making moves?

That’s Aaron Levant.  And this is HIS show.  Pay your respects! Congratulations are in order…

by bobbyhundreds

Just got back from a busy and eventful day at Agenda in Long Beach.  As you know, the tradeshow is the best and most comprehensive of it’s kind – the Action Sports and Streetwear categories – and has somehow maintained a firm grasp on underground, independent brands while also bridging the gap with the broader, more established companies.  Buyers from around the world attended, and of course many of our friends were onsite.  You can thank Switch for shooting all these photos:

Cody with Agenda:

Dyrdek and Tal:

Chrome:

The Hundreds’ booth with Owen, Dorian, and B.Mo at the wheel:

Jubal and Andy of Primitive:

Nick Tershay of Diamond and Rick Howard:

Josh with The Seventh Letter:

Rumi and Benny Gold:

Ray Mate of Mighty Healthy:

The Huf  vending machine that flooded everyone’s Instagrams:

TK from RVCA and Those Two:

Rick Klotz:

Van Styles:

Pubes at Obey:

Silke attacks Romanelli’s Pele booth:

and Natalia helping out Silke at her Shown to Scale booth:

The show continues today (Thursday) at the Long Beach Convention Center, and I’ll have some more coverage on the blog here tomorrow.

photography by Switch

I think it’d be pretty arrogant and ungrateful of me to complain about my career.  But if I were to bitch and moan about any one thing in particular, it’d probably be tradeshows.  I drag my feet through them, I’m not very good at shmoozing or back-scratching or ego-stroking.  I’m not really the best at the business and sales side of things, where you have to associate and interact with people you might not necessarily get along with outside of work, but you have to solely for work’s purposes.  It’s a lot of uncomfortable small talk, and awkward conversation, and I’m a braindead 3rd grader when it comes to that kinda stuff.

But the silver lining is that tradeshows like these grant the opportunity for me to meet and converse with some very talented individuals, heroes, legends, and intelligent brand and businessmen who I can relate to.  I wouldn’t have the chance to shake some of these hands otherwise, and so I really cherish and appreciate it.

Such as Bobby from Tribal (middle), – who doesn’t know about Tribal?  Veterans and champs…

Frank the Butcher.

Shaun Neff.

The nice guys at Durkl wanna know why I left them off the Complex list.  It’s Shannon’s fault.

Craig Wetherby.

Keith Hufnagel (Huf), Mike Giant, and Joshy (Rebel 8).  Speaking of the infamous list, I gotta give it to Joshy for being very upfront with me on his thoughts regarding Rebel 8′s absence on a Streetwear list.  He took the time to share his opinion with me, that Rebel 8 is Streetwear (and not more of an artist-driven label, as I would classify it as – and what are these categorizations, anyways??) and according to my definition regarding exclusivity, Johnny Cupcakes should undoubtedly be as well.

Joshy is constantly elevating in the apparel world, and with blinders on, his brand is exploding into all kinds of underground and mainstream consciousness. Even though we might not agree on certain things, that’s what makes us individuals, and this sort of respectful and intelligent dialogue further bolster our friendship.  Mad respect for Joshy and Mike and Rebel 8 across the board.  One of my favorite brands in the marketplace, Streetwear or not!

(for additional reading…If you haven’t read my dissertation on OPINION vs. HATE, do so HERE)

The homey Elliott (Famous). Solid dude.

Who else would have this pin?

I’ll give you 1 guess. That’s right. The Jenn Klein.

Talking to Chace Infinite about one of his new projects…

Indian oils.. HARUN

Franco finishes up some work on Tal..

Angel Porrino FOREVER.

And much respect to Milhouse, who designs LRG.  Finally had a moment to break bread with him yesterday here at MAGIC, we talked about their new campaign, which doesn’t feature personalities and entertainers so much, instead honing in on the definition of L-R-G.  It was one of the last things Jonas set in place before his passing.  Milhouse misses Jonas, says it’s like your coach has gone, and that there was truly no one else in the world like him and the way his mind worked.  Preserve the legacy, Milhouse!

As a Korean-American, I’m proud of my peoples when they can keep it cool without being so predictably Asian-American.  Tony from Diamond is a great example.

CBG is opening for Kreayshawn this weekend in Los Angeles. WhatchuknowaboutTHAT.

Oh, hi, Lyndsay from ALIFE.

And hello there Jubal from Primitive.

Medusa is wearing our hoody backwards.

by bobbyhundreds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE! ENJOY THAT HAMBURGER!

Ok so onto the last day of MAGIC.  (Day 1 HERE. Day 2 HERE.)

MAGIC is fun, but it’s not all about parties and strip clubs and Mike eating hamburgers. Everyone is really here to do business, connect, build brands, and make money while they’re at it.  I wanted to take you around to some of our good friends in the SLATE streetwear arena, these are the more exclusive limited street apparel brands that we sit alongside in boutiques.  There’s DEADLINE putting in work.

The Crooks & Castles family:

The leaders at OBEY

Our old friend Robbie runs a sales agency now and reps Sabit as one of his brands:

Diamond Supply Co.

and next door are the Primitive guys:

Obviously there were a lot more brands at play, not to mention the others outside of MAGIC who chose not to take the tradeshow route.

For the first time at this show, I was also surprised by how many new brands were out there, filling in for the gigantic void in the premium streetwear game.  I’d say out of all the names in the SLATE sector, I didn’t recognize the majority.  That’s a really great and inspiring thing, hopefully this generation can carry on the tradition, but do it their own way.  And do it better than us and all our predecessors. Keep us on our toes!

Turbulent flight back to LA.  You can actually see the wing bending here from the force of unstable air.

And Ben played Angry Birds on his phone for an hour straight. That is the longest he has concentrated on any one thing and we are all very proud of him.

by bobbyhundreds

Another day at the MAGIC Trade Show in Las Vegas.  This is our booth, just to give you an idea as to what direction we’re headed.

To give you an idea as to where this blog entry is headed, it’s gonna be heavy on imagery, light on words.  Gimme a break, I had a long night.

Skinhead Rob and Talisa are mooovin’ on up.

RIME is making some progress also.

Been a minute since I’ve seen Lanie (Hellz Bellz)..

Red shoes.

So good to see our French brethren, Michael (Starcow) and Mo.

DeSean Jackson of the Eagles.

That’s one of our earliest snapbacks, and still one of my favorite hats I used to wear before I lost it somewhere. Maybe this one’s mine?

Kids these days…

Eli doing his best air DJ.  Eli Reed = ER, you heard it here first!

We lugged our crew out to the show also: Brien and Nelson (CLSC)

Josh (CLSC) and Switchy Switcheroonie (Everything You Love To Hate)

Eric and Scotty iLL:

Right downstairs is the PROJECT Trade Show, a few of our friends are sprinkled around here also.

Barmak with the new and improved SCIFEN.

The Muska!  We were walking into XS the other night, the bouncer checking I.D.s looked at Chad’s card, then asked him straight-up, “You still got the boombox?” So rad.

You shoulda seen Tara last night.

Back upstairs to the SLATE division of Magic, where the girls are always greener.

Wu-Tang Dunks.  Really.  Jaws dropped all around.

Another old friend, Vic with Leaders…

…with his most recent ink. I’ve been chronicling Vic’s body art for like 6 years now.

NY in LV.  NA (The Hundreds New York / Deadline), Javs (FMS), and Dante Ross:

Personal biggest moment of the week goes to Freeway.  He actually just wrote a rap about The Hundreds, which is dropping soon.

Manny Pacquiao walking the show with just a few friends, going totally unnoticed.  Maybe it’s the shades.

Josh Koscheck: “I’ll kick his ass,” considering Pac’s team is GSP-oriented. Awkwwawaaaard…

I still don’t get how these guys get away with naming a mega-worldwide streetwear brand TITS.

Speaking of…

These two have got it right.  Anti-fashion is the new fashion.

by bobbyhundreds

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. The Hundreds is in Las Vegas this week for the MAGIC Trade Show, an international gathering of fashion’s foremost, showing off their wares for the upcoming year to buyers and retailers from around the world.

Cupcakes are courtesy of Angel and Tal!

Serious business. Aaron (Agenda), and our own Ashley and Tal:

Not-so-serious business.  Vlad selling one of my favorite streetwear brands out there, Hall of Fame.

Huf Dirtbag Crew!

Ray (Mighty Healthy) and Rob (LRG), brothers from the same mother.

Jeff Carvalho (High Snobiety) is the Bob Lefsetz of streetwear.

My friend Eddie’s (VIVA LA ART) in town for the day at the Jedediah booth.

Jersey Joe (RIME) is working on something.. we’ll come back a little later to see the results.

Dave Jeff is still so PHLI.

Our Korean distribution, my peoples come first:  KASINA

Anne (HUF) and Jamie (J.Money) are o.g.’s in the game.

Quick glance over at the High Ollie contest.

Adam celebrates his 40th birthday today.. he was there when it started.. a true Originator.

Looky looky double trouble: Holly Madison and Angel Porrino (Holly’s World)

Holly’s getting handy with the camera as well. Polaroid-blog styles inside our booth.

SMILE!

by bobbyhundreds

There were a couple highlights for me as far as the Agenda Show went.  First was Herschel. Well, that’s a little misleading. It’s been Herschel for a few tradeshows now, I’m always looking forward to what Lyndon is doing with his bag company.

The line has blossomed into a range of high-quality backpacks, satchels, duffels, and other bags that run from affordable to luxury.  Herschel uses the same factories as some of the top-tier bag manufacturers, like say Visvim, with the same quality and production, but offered at price-point numbers.  Talk about filling a huge void in the marketplace.

This bag was manufactured with the exact same fabric outfitting the Italian Army.

The second highlight was Moonshine’s new venture, his own brand entitled Bogart.  Although Moon’s been around for a minute — I know you’ve seen him up here on the blog quite a bit — it’s still nice to see some fresh blood out there in streetwear.  Something we definitely need more of these days.  Support Bogart, KEEP INDEPENDENT STREETWEAR ALIVE.

by bobbyhundreds