At the end of the day, we do run a clothing company here. And if we’re consumed with anything, it is fashion and apparel. Some of us sit on Style.com, others take cues from the Slauson Swap Meet. Regardless, here are our favorite clothing brands, designers, labels, and other non-The Hundreds names of 2008.
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BOBBY (ME): Acapulco Gold
I can’t lie. Outside of The Hundreds, the only labels I rock are Dickies or Converse. But that doesn’t mean I don’t pore over good fashion, from Vivienne Westwood to Hysteric Glamour to Yohji Yamamoto. Believe it or not, I’m really not too aware of what’s going on in the streetwear universe, I keep it virutally blog-free around here.
But I have become a fan of New York-based brand Acapulco Gold. There is an importance in staying consistent, and committed, to branding structure and aesthetic. Acapulco Gold has been there and done that. Other brands ride a hype-fueled rollercoaster, one-hit wonders capitalize on an easy t-shirt graphic, while many aimlessly pinball from one trend to the next. But AG stays true to a finely-tuned art direction, perpetually putting out solid product with seemingly hand-crafted details and a re-focus on excellent design. A very classical sportswear approach with a tasteful NY tweak from piece to piece, it’s been inspiring to watch this brand steadily, quietly, climb its way to the top.
Runners-Up (for one reason or another): J.Crew’s Madewell, the “return” of Fucking Awesome, De+ergen+, Nom De Guerre, Subcrew, H&M x Comme des Garcons, Maiden Noir, Supreme, Play Cloths.
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BEN: Uniqlo
“Please bring one to LA. Please.”
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JON: Huf
“Runners-up: Acapulco Gold, Deadline.”
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SCOTTY ILL: Manik
“For those of you who don’t know, Manik is a skateboard company headquartered in Seattle, WA. Manik has all the attributes of a brand who will be a force to reckon with in the years to come. From the creative direction, dedication to progression in skateboarding, team, employees, and product, Manik is my favorite brand.”
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TONY: Ed Hardy
“Shout out to my boy Christian Audicraze.”
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SWITCH: Plain Gravy
“With tees that have caused hip hop moguls to question who they are, to Georgia O’Keeffe-like designs, PG continues to stir-up controversy and push the limits season after season.”
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ALEX: Number (N)ine (still)
“They were the first brand to do an American work-and-hunting-wear inspired season (besides the actual workwear companies that have been doing it for 50+ years).”
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MIKE: “Kirkland Signature Tees”
by bobbyhundreds