Tag Archives: travels

10

November 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

HOMETOWN HEROES.

#, #

The Hundreds is in San Francisco this weekend to celebrate the release of our collaboration shoe with Benny Gold.  But while we are here, we figured why not stroll around and say hi to our friends in the city…

Jon Hundreds and Ben Hundreds.  BRAND OF BROTHERS.

For lunch, we tried to eat at this place, but the hour-long wait was an hour too long for us.

So instead we walked down the street to Miller’s East Coast Deli, which – and I speak for all of us when I say this – was one of the best delis we’ve eaten at. Not just in SF, but in the country.  Miller’s puts the Deli in Delicious.  (That one’s for free, Miller’s)

When you see these getaway sticks, you know you’re on Haight Street.

And to check out the new Black Scale store!  As per usual from the masters of minimal, clean, no-frills – perfectly stark, no gimmicks!

Just caught Mega and Alfred as they’re on their way to Los Angeles.  So proud of these guys and what they’ve accomplished with Black Scale over the years.  From some black and white t-shirts, to cross-country retail, setting their own niche aesthetic and market in the Streetwear realm, to having a large part of ASAP Rocky’s fashion branding, to even Jay sporting the big B on the eve of the elections… it’s truly impressive and inspiring.

Directly next door is one of our core retailers over the years, TRUE.  (If you recall, I just caught up with owner Mike Brown for the POLITIXXX piece)

Always lock, stocked, and barreled with the staple graphic t-shirts and Streetwear:

Last stop of the afternoon, to show face at Benny Gold, as the shop gets ready for our collaboration party.

Still holding it down as one of the best boutiques in the city.  Such great presentation, all the product feels unique and special.  You almost feel guilty for leaving without buying something.

Here are our collaboration shoes with Benny – inspired by San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge:

A graphic designer first, Benny’s t-shirts are still done by his hand and heart:

His other love, skateboarding.

His other other love: Levi:

As the sun ducks out, Benny wants to show us his new office and warehouse space just a few minutes’ walk from his store.

Feels like every time we’re here in San Francisco with Benny, he’s in the process of moving, or in a brand new location.  And this time is no exception.  Once again, the designer and businessman is elevating.  His new warehouse is going to be home for years to come and it’s exciting to see his shipping department alone.  Look at all these stockists – each of these parcels of Benny Gold product headed to a different retailer somewhere in the world.

Shows you how possible it all is.  It starts with one man, who makes one t-shirt, with one brand name, with one store to sell it to.  And it just continues on from there, until one day, you turn around and you’re in a gigantic, open warehouse space, full of clothing and cardboard boxes, and you scratch your head and ask, “Man, how did I get here?”  That’s the magic of what we do.

by bobbyhundreds

14

October 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

GROUNDSWELL.

#, #, #, #

The fourth and final show of Revelation Records’ 25th Anniversary in New York City is tonight.  I’m really hoping you didn’t miss the long-awaited Chain of Strength reunion this week:

But if you did, you still have the opportunity to partake in the experience by visiting The Hundreds New York’s Revelation Records pop-up shop, showcasing rare vinyl recordings, headwear, and our exclusive collaborative band merch with Rev bands Texas is the Reason, Youth of Today, Bold, and of course, Chain of Strength:

The other night, an irreverent Popeye from Farside belted out all the punk band’s hits via his acoustic guitar.  Farside may be long disbanded, but the music is still sorely missed and loved, as evidenced by the full venue of hardcore kids singing along.

Mouthpiece started crankin’ that dial:

Chain of Strength:

and Sick of it All:

The Hundreds New York’s Rev 25 NYC pop-up shop, and all of our exclusive collaborative merch with the bands, are done after today. Hardcore, however, lasts FOREVER!

by bobbyhundreds

13

October 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

UNCONVENTIONAL.

#, #

Unbeknownst to me, Comic Con was actually going on in New York this weekend.  Smaller and tighter than the San Diego original, it certainly felt like the costumed convention-goers ratcheted it up a few notches to compensate.  It’s always fun to go to these things, mainly because everyone’s not taking themselves so seriously.  No coolguy pretense on the floor, just goodtimes and lack of inhibition.

Truth be told, these assorted Ghostbusters actually didn’t know each other, and just randomly bumped into each other here in the parking lot. They’ve all invested so much time and money into making their proton packs.  Hope they don’t cross their streams….

I just want a Ghost Trap…

C’mon Bill, get it together!

Size queen:

I’d much rather watch this than the Avengers:

How can they just sit there and do interviews while innocent women are getting uppercutted on the bus?

Lots of great Marty Mcflys with the aviators, Marco Hollywood™ hair, and “life-preservers,” but they always fail on the shoes. Would it be too much to ask for some Nike Bruins?

And these, of course, coming soon from Matty Collector.  I’ve been waiting for the hoverboard since I was 8 years old, back when Zemeckis started spreading rumors that they were being sold in France, but were outlawed in the States because of safety regulations.

Not funny, Robert!

Boba what:

Please support my friends at Shirts for a Cure. Great tees, great cause:

So many Comic Con people are already weird-looking as it is, that after a while, you start to lose track as to who’s costumed and not.  This guy just needs some coffee:

Giant Hulk with Asian helmet hair, constructed of Legos:

Felix is the second coolest cartoon cat:

The secret of the ooze is it’s what I use to style my hair:

I heard the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter movie wasn’t nearly as good as the book, which wasn’t nearly as good as the president.

These are the kinds of girls your father warned you about:

This entire cartoon was about weed, right?

Stan Lee was in there.  For the first ten years of my life, I thought his name was just “Stanley.”  Like “Madonna” or “Elvis.”  I also thought he was Korean like Jim Lee. Boy was I wrong.

My favorite costume goes to Barf from Spaceballs.  His tail whacked me on his way out.

Ermahgerd, it’s Tito Santana, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake!!!

Now go watch Beyond the Mat.

I don’t care what you say, the Tim Burton Batmobile was still cooler.

Angry Woebots is always amazing.

by bobbyhundreds

12

October 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

REVVED UP.

#, #, #

The Rev 25 NYC showcase kicked off last night at Irving Plaza here in New York City.  Texas is the Reason (once again here on the blog) headlined and brought out the ’90s indie/emo in everybody:

And then the mission was to get out to Brooklyn for the official afterparty with Chain of Strength, a sorta warm-up gig for their big reunion tonight at Irving Plaza.  200 people sardined into a 100-person sweatbox, some of the best pitting I’ve seen in a while. I thought the guy in front of me, who kept leaning into me, was trying to get it goin’ – and then I realized he was having a seizure.  Awesome.

Oh, and yes, Chain still hasn’t missed a beat.

by bobbyhundreds

11

October 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

NEW YORK IS THE REASON.

#, #, #

I’m in NYC this week to oversee The Hundred New York’s pop-up shop with Revelation Records.  But also, of course, to attend the corresponding Rev 25 NYC festival at Irving Plaza, which starts tonight.

Every single one of these bands on Revelation Records never went mainstream (maybe Sensefield kinda?), and for me (and many others of the hardcore stock) that was the attraction.  The way I grew up (are kids even like this anymore?), it was actually cool to go against the grain – to do the opposite of whatever the mainstream called. So if it was on the radio or MTV, or if the popular kids were wearing it, then it was by it’s very nature, uncool.  And so for a hardcore band to never acutally have a shot of breaking the Top 40, or for even a post-core outfit like Texas is the Reason to come out with one of the greatest rock albums of my high school years and then fade into obscurity – well, there was something very special and mystical about that.

And that’s exactly who Texas was, and what Texas did.  They are one of the reuniting headliners of the REV 25 NYC fest, and like many of the other bands who are coming back together for this week’s shows, they’re sprinkling warm-up shows around the city.  In fact, some of the biggest and best shows of the week featuring the headliners may not actually be at Irving Plaza. They’ll be at the aftershows and pre-shows, and secret shows, you get the idea…

Tonight, Texas is the Reason cracked off 2 consecutive pre-shows in Brooklyn.  I attended the first, and it was awesome.

My cab pulled up and there was a line wrapped around the corner of fitted caps and basketball sneakers.  I was pretty impressed – actually, baffled – by the massive Streetwear crossover contingent that turned out for a reunion show of an obscure, yet powerful, ’90s indie band.  One kid approached me for a handshake, and then I realized that they were actually in line for an Action Bronson show.  The Texas is the Reason concert was next door, with an almost vacant line.

But everyone was inside, patiently waiting.  After already a decade of waiting.  And when the band took the stage, it was everything we had hoped for and rehearsed in our heads.  The last time I shot these guys was when I was probably 15 or 16, right before they broke up, right before they could even let their first and only album breathe, right before rock radio could have embraced it as much as us and turned these guys into the next Foo Fighters or something.  Before the Internet, that’s what happened to incredible bands like this – and it happened all the time, happened all too often.  Nothing strange for one of the talented music collectives in the world to just happen for a moment and evaporate.  It also planted the chance, however, for a one-day mindblowing reunion.

Texas is the Reason.  Spotify ‘em.

by bobbyhundreds

24

June 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

COMEBACK KIDS.

#, #, #

The Hundreds comes together from all points of the globe this week for our International Sales meeting in New York City.  Our distributors and representatives from across the States and overseas reunite to discuss strategy, game plan, and growth for 2013, as well as the line, obviously.

Yesterday night we rounded the troops, including The Hundreds New York, and trekked to the Mets vs. Yankees game at the new Citi Field in Flushing.  Great times trying to explain the sport to Europeans, watching the Yanks come back with a 3-run homer in the 7th, and eventually take the win at 4-3 over the Mets. I’d say the only downside was the hour-long wait for a burger at the on-site Shake Shack.  That, and being from L.A. at a Subway Series game.  I couldn’t decide if we were more like Switzerland and neutral, or rather North Korea — the ones everyone could agree upon to hate.

by bobbyhundreds

23

June 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

SCRAPING SKIES.

#, #, #

I’ve addressed it on my Tumblr before, but every time I come back to Hong Kong, my appreciation for this “country” (actually, it’s a special administrative region) grows as big and fast as the high-rises that shoot up from the earth.  Every day, history is being made here, you can see it – from the window tops to the MTR subway benches.  You can see it in the faces of the people – the most hardworking, efficient, driven people on this planet.  You can feel it in the energy of commerce, entrepreneurial spirit, shared ideas, explosive synergies.  Over the years, our design team has traveled here to design and produce our apparel, in a manner and process that couldn’t be replicated back home in the States.  Sometimes I feel very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, as we get to call this place our second home – the epicenter of everything anew.

My incredible new friends, sisters, Shirley and Cindy.

Cindy composes a self-fashion blog out of Hong Kong, wildly popular here and across mainland China and Asia.  It’s called Cindiddy and you’ll love it.

For our last day in Asia, Benjie and I improvised a whirlwind trip to Taipei, Taiwan to celebrate the opening of the District showroom (which I discussed yesterday).

I’ve written from Taiwan plenty times before here on the blog, and hopefully here are to future chapters, as The Hundreds ventures further into the island.

2-hour flight back to Hong Kong. Then a 15-hour flight to New York.  We’ll be back soon.

by bobbyhundreds

22

June 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

AROUND THE WORLD.

#, #, #

I’ve introduced you to the District showroom before.  As of today, the Hong Kong-based distribution and sales agency is opening doors here in Taipei, Taiwan to cater to the expansive retail market.  Here’s your first look inside…

As with the Hong Kong division, District Taiwan is the source for Herschel Supply bags for all domestic dealers.

District also distributes Karen Walker eyewear to the Taiwanese market.

The entire staff from Hong Kong has flown here for the opening reception.  Hard at work the evening before, sustaining off of street-market dumplings and cigarettes…

Riviera shoes are ever growing in popularity.  The French designs produced in Spain are lifestyle-based and also distributed in Taiwan through District now:

Jessi’s been up since 4am and would rather I didn’t publish this photograph:

Kevin Poon (CLOT) laying down the law:

Afterwards, I joined the District team and Kevin from Hypebeast for some of the best hot pot in Taipei, Taiwan.  I am not at liberty to discuss what transpired beyond that.

(P.S. You might not hear from me for a bit, as The Hundreds design team is about to board a flight to New York… See you on the other side…)

by bobbyhundreds

22

June 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

WINGSY.

#, #, #

In Taipei on a last-minute whim, for less than 24 hours.  First stop is the 2-year-old Juice store, the stylings and range which complement their other locations around Asia.  Here on “business” with Kevin Ma (Founder of Hypebeast), Kevin Poon (CLOT), and a buncha other friends whose names are surprisingly not Kevin.

On the upper tier of Street wares, Juice holds the fort here in Taipei.

The latest Porter accessories:

Obviously, a healthy amount of CLOT offerings, including all their amazing Disney collaborations that no one can get close to with Disney’s restrictions in the States.

Like this SSUR collab with Disney and CLOT:

with Bounty Hunter:

More of the SSUR project.

It doesn’t just stop at the ankles.  Juice has all the rare footwear as well, including CLOT’s latest collaboration with Adidas:

Take a wild guess as to which ones I jumped at:

Next time you’re in Taipei, say hello to the family at Juice.

by bobbyhundreds

21

June 2012

Posted by BOBBYHUNDREDS

THINKING SILLY.

#, #, #

Speaking of Silly Thing, the creative production agency is a well-oiled machine with diverse facets – like an octopus reaching into all areas of Hong Kong and China’s cool realm: publishing, visual production, events, public relation, and retail are the core endeavors.  The hub is abuzz as the staff is determining the cover direction for the next Obscura Magazine, which is also handled in-house.

Frank Liew is the new Creative Director of Silly Thing, having recently made the move from New Zealand.  Frank’s one of the most diverse, universal, and ubiquitous people I know in this industry. Seems like he is friendly and familiar with everyone high to low, East to West.  He was recently brought on to start breaking down the walls of Silly Thing, long shrouded in mystery due to it’s under-the-radar approach.

Speaking of breaking down walls, have you been paying attention to the original art in this place?  Founder TK’s collection is unrivaled and maybe unprecedented.  O.G. Banksys, Futuras, Kaws, Rammellzees, Hazes, McLarens… And not just a few fresh diminutive works, but multiples, oversized, and from over a decade ago.

Not just art, but all kinds o’ fun stuff. Look, but don’t touch. You break, you buy.

Hey that’s Eddie Yeung, the Senior Visual Artist here.  He also plays in a punk band called Attention to Piss, that’s not bad!

Bebop Mak is the Editor-in-Chief at Obscura Magazine.  What a desk.

In the back resides TK’s office.  He founded this company in 2000 but for years before that, was already involved in the burgeoning street culture movement from New York to Japan.  He also has the biggest toys.

An international man of mystery, he shies away from the camera and would rather his work do the talking for him.  But if you are dying to see him, here he is, recently featured in J.Crew’s “Hello, World” campaign shot by the Sartorialist.

Lots of great stories told tonight, some I can only tell you in person…

by bobbyhundreds