Look Of The Week: Back To Cool

I remember going back to school being such a huge deal when I was younger (and still in school). I could spend hours deliberating over the perfect outfit, mixing and matching and trying things on until my room looked like the aftermath of Hurricane Jenini. My mother loved that. But I digress, and after the first day of school you’re still trying to portray the new, improved THIS YEAR you.

This outfit is great for a chic back to school look. Layer a basic cardi over a more statement buttondown top, which is made more sophisticated by tucking into high waisted shorts, all topped off with a pair of adorable ruffle socks and a cute bowler hat, this look is so simple to pull off! Pair with a pop color bag for your books, and a pair of cute little lace up wedges, and you’ve got an outfit to envy.

Ashley models this look, shot by the lovely Mari, editedby our fave pants model Matt, and styled by me!

Garb: Find Your Way

Point yourself in the direction of adventure, and leave it at that. No planning or guide is required when you've got walkabout-friendly garb like this. Bonobos Power Cords Pants ($98)....

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Look Of The Week: Say Farewell To Summer

Alas, summer is slipping away, but there are so many things to look forward to in the Fall! My most favorite part of fall (okay maybe not most favorite.. gotta remember apple picking, pumpkin carving, and leaf piles!) is the layering! Just the perfect temperature to layer sweaters over your favorite summer dresses, without having to bundle up too much (like you are forced to do in winter). This look is perfect for going out for coffee with your friends or just strolling through the park on a crisp, early fall afternoon.

Layering a maxi dress under a sweater (made more interesting by knotting it), and pairing with a sleek hat and some fierce footwear, this is a staple look for any closet!

Modeled by the lovely Casey, shot by Jackie, styled by moi.

New Enstrumental tees available now!

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Just in a healthy supply of all NEW tees from our friends at Enstrumental. Each shirt has a message, make sure you hit the more to see them all. My personal fav is below, will need these in both colors!
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THE REVENGE OF EMMETT TILL
Another Enstrumental + Hebru Brantley collaboration!!
Revenge is like the sweetest joy …
Emmett Louis “Bobo” Till was murdered in Mississippi at the age of 14 after reportedly flirting with a white woman.
Several nights later, the woman’s husband Roy and his half-brother J. W. Milam, arrived at Till’s great-uncle’s house where they took Till, transported him to a barn, beat him and gouged out one of his eyes, before shooting him through the head and disposing of his body in the Tallahatchie River weighting it with a 70-pound (32 kg) cotton gin fan tied around his neck with barbed wire. His body was discovered and retrieved from the river three days later.
Till was returned to Chicago and his mother insisted on a public funeral service with an open casket to show the world the brutality of the killing.
Bryant and Milam were acquitted of Till’s kidnapping and murder. Protected by double jeopardy, Bryant and Milam struck a deal with Look magazine in 1956 to tell their story to for between $3,600 and $4,000. Neither of them thought of themselves as guilty or that they had done anything wrong.
While there never will be justice for Emmett, Enstrumental will always dream for Revenge!!
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GET OFF THE BANDWAGON
Don’t wait for someone or group of persons to like/approve of something before you can like/approve it. That makes you a follower. If it’s dope, it’s dope. You don’t need a cosign. If you like and/or approve of a product/person/situation, another person’s confirmation is not a prerequisite to your authorization. Seriously, do you really need a celebrity” or other figure of “importance” to provide their stamp of favor before you decide its “cool??”
Yeah, yeah, I know, you’re saying to yourself, “I walk to the beat of my own drum … Stop the madness … just Jump off.
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MUSIC AFFECTS THE YOUTH
Sure, there are many things that can affect the mental and/or physical disposition of a person. Throughout history, music has been used to express a range of emotions, as well as to influence, educate, and inspire, etc … While most might deny or minimize the impact of music on one’s character, the evidence speaks for itself. Music inspires revolutions, makes you think you’re someone you’re not, makes you want to have sex, to try that drug, to sell that drug, to dance, to laugh, to cry, to fight, to love, to hate, to find religion, to question religion, to lie, to steal, to cheat, to win, to respect, to disrespect … Need I proceed.
So does music get all blame? No. Some of the blame? Yes. Today, the plethora and unfortunate abundance of lame, nugatory, unproductive, tomfoolery, “minstrel show,” musical expression has dominated and “dumbed down” the masses … in particular, the most impressionable citizens of society, the youth.
When it rains, it pours. Things are getting out of control.
Stakes are high, let’s get a hold.
“Shorties get the game with no instructions to assembling …” – Common – “The Food”
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SCENARIO
In 1992, A Tribe Called Quest along with the Leaders of the New School released arguably what was one of hip hop’s greatest posse cuts. While most remember the song from an energetic verse from Busta Rhymes (this song might have been his breakout moment), Q-Tip’s line in this song also penetrated the subconscious…
“So Don’t Violate Or You Get Violated”
While most embrace (better yet, front like we do) Peace, Enstrumental fully believes in the principle of retributive justice. All I ever had … Redemption Song.
Watch yourself.
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While some question and debate over who actually killed MLK or who killed JFK, there is no argument over who deliberately killed Fred Hampton. It was the Chicago Police Department (CPD). No conspiracy theory. Just the truth.
Peep the story …
The FBI, along with the CPD decided to set up an arms raid on Hampton’s Chicago apartment. With the help of FBI informant William O’Neal, they set up a team organized for a pre-dawn raid armed with a warrant for illegal weapons. On the night of 12/03/69, O’Neal slipped the powerful barbiturate sleep agent, Secobarbitol into a drink that was consumed by Hampton during the dinner in order to sedate Hampton so that he would not awaken during the subsequent raid. Hampton fell asleep in mid-sentence talking to his mother on the telephone.
At 4:00 a.m., the heavily armed police team arrived at the site, (2237 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL)At 4:45, they stormed in the apartment.
Mark Clark, sitting in the front room of the apartment with a shotgun in his lap, was on security duty. He was killed instantly after firing off a single round, which was later determined to be a reflexive reaction in his death convulsions after being shot by the raiding team; this was the only shot the Panthers fired.
Automatic gunfire then converged at the head of the bedroom where Hampton slept, unable to wake up as a result of the barbiturates that the FBI infiltrator had slipped into his drink. He was lying on a mattress in the bedroom with his pregnant girlfriend. Two officers found him wounded in the shoulder. Two shots were heard, which it was later discovered were fired point blank in Hampton’s head. Hampton’s body was dragged into the doorway of the bedroom and left in a pool of blood.
The next day, the police said they shot because Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers shot at them. The officers were praised for there bravery. Evidence later revealed that this was not true at all. All of the shots fired came into the house (from CPD) … No bravery, just evil.

Formula Werks x Shawnimals Wee Ninja Gear

Formula Werks just put up some fresh new gear that features one of our favorite little Ninjas. They have collaborated with Shawnimals to release some new sets of T-Shirts, Beanies, Hoodies, Beanies, and Bags, which showcase Shawnimals signature Wee Ninja character. The cool thing about the T-Shirts is that they...

Base Camp X Axes

Handmade and designed to last a lifetime, Base Camp X Axes ($175-$445) are a handy tool for clearing away that brush this spring. Available in five styles, including the large... Visit Uncrate for the full post.
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Just in: Private Stock

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Private Stock is the brainchild of Jon Koon. His menswear collection made of selvedge denim that has the perfect mixture of ingredients for a brand that is trying to establish itself. The first ingredient, the silhouettes, are largely the popular slim-straight fit that looks great on men of most body types and can be worn with just about anything. The second ingredient, the finishes/washes, are hand done and have just the right amount of variety; raw indigo, worn/abraded and aged pieces which are not over the top, but just right and are sure to be appealing to denim heads and average consumers alike. The third ingredient, the details, add hidden gems on each item that will keep the wearer in a constant state of discovery. Small details like the red lining on the yoke and pockets, the “Private Stock” repeat woven close to the selvedge edge or the nondescript hook that allows you to attach a “contraband” pouch ensure that the wearer will find something new everytime they put them on.
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Cardigan, $128
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Black Raw Denim, $128
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Medium Distressed Denim, $188
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Pouch, $48
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Backpacks $98, Duffle, $188
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Smoke DZA – Ralph Lifshitz (Produced By Boi-1da)

Off his highly anticipated T.H.C project, Smoke DZA now gives us a taste of his lifestyle visually with this new video for “Ralph Lifshitz” which is directed by Slick Jackson. It appears we are looking at what seems to be a new school version of a lo’ head. Meanwhile, T.H.C is currently in its final phases from completion, stay tuned for the official drop!

Case SlimLock Knives

Made by hand in Bradford, Pennsylvania, Case SlimLock Knives ($190-$250) feature a contemporary yet timeless design that's perfect to carry in your pocket for a few decades. First shown to... Visit Uncrate for the full post.
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