Tuesday, October 27, 2009

NO SNEAKERS ALLOWED

Sneakers are a staple of modern day fashion but so many "up-scale" clubs seem to always have an anti-sneaker policy. Some venues try to provide an overall aesthetic and ambiance and they feel that sneakers clash with that. Other venues feel like the people who wear them are the "trouble makers". Sneakers have been the scapegoat of violence in the club for many years now, "As if a guy who wants to tear the club up is going to let his hard bottoms stop him". As a guy who loves sneakers I pride myself in walking that fine line between sneaker and dress/casual shoes. So I am going to take this time to point out some brands that blur the line between sneaker and dress shoes and help you get past these guys.

bouncers



First, lets look at the Clae Whitman.

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Clae whitman front



This is a good example of a wingtip conversion sneaker. The toe box has the wing tip design of the popular dress shoes your father wears, but the sole of a sneaker. This isn’t the first example of this, Comme des Garcons eYe x Vans made a similar shoe, but Clae offers a more affordable shoe and it's accessible. Next, we have the Nike Air Max Toki.

toki side


Toki back



This is the chukka/desert boot conversion sneaker. After I did a little research on Wikipedia, I found out that a chukka is the name of the periods in Polo and the desert boots are modeled after boots worn by British forces wore in the Western Desert Campaign of World War II. Just some interesting facts, its Wikipedia so forgive me if the information isn’t 100 % accurate, but it could come in handy as some nice convo in the club LOL. Nike does a great job in this conversion. This rust brown color way is a classic fall color and it can be paired up with almost any top. Leather is always a plus and the perforated swoosh is guaranteed to fool any bouncer or doorman at the club. You can see the similarities to the Clark desert boots.

Clark Desert Boots



Vans also makes their own chukkas that are very similar.

Vans Vault Chukka



You might have to spend that extra cash for a Vans Vault Chukka, Vault is a more exclusive tier of the Vans Company, but at least you can go to club in a pair of shoes that you are comfortable wearing. COMFORT is a big factor when it comes to the consumers’ club experience. Everyone isn't comfortable wearing dress shoes. But we have take into account the clubs perspective as well. A club is a major operation but it all starts with a vision, and in some people's vision sneakers aren't part of the plan. I think my experiences being on both sides of the fence help me to understand both points of views and thanks to Nike, Clae, and Vans hopefully both parties can come to a compromise. So I suggest you give these shoes a try and see if you make it past those angry anti sneaker doorman. Hopefully they don’t tell you to KICK ROCKS.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

LEGWARMERS!!! 80's Tribute Concert





This past Friday went with some friends to the Legwarmers 80s tribute concert. If you're ever in the D.C. area and you loved the 80s definitely check their show out. I think they perform every month at the Falls Church State Theater in VA. There's a bar inside and everything!!! Radical...only thing missing was a Delorean. The Legwarmers covered everything from Pat Benatar to MJ...and there were some dope 80s outfits. Good times!!! And my boy Tripple had the dopest jacket at the show...check the pics

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

THE TEAM


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I'm Bob... yeah, most people don't believe that’s my real name. My full name is Bobvala (pronounced Bob-vel-lah). If that's hard, try spelling it phonetically; if not, then just let it be. I go to U.C. (University of Cincinnati) and work at Mixx Ultra Lounge. It’s a nice lounge/restaurant. We throw some nice events and have some dope sushi. Come check us out when you get a chance (1203 Main St - shameless plug). I'm from D.C. - Uptown to be exact. Anybody that knows me knows I love D.C. It's where most of my inspiration comes from. I'm kind of like a walking think tank. I come up with ideas all of the time. The two biggest sources of my creativity are boredom and pain. Sucka 4 Love came about because I was really bored with the whole College thing. I spent a whole quarter just brainstorming ideas and Sucka 4 Love is the one that stuck. I get most of my inspiration for Sucka 4 Love from experiences on public transportation and walking through the city. It’s amazing how much you notice when you’re not in a car. There are all types of random signs, old posters, and I seem to stumble over some of the most interesting conversations. Some of my favorite pastimes are coming up with t-shirt concepts, throwing parties, buying sneakers, and making girls smile. I can definitely say "I wear my heart on my sleeve". I can't help it. If I’m passionate about something there's no secret about it - whether it’s a girl, some new jeans, a cd or a new t-shirt design. Well, I'm not going to rap you up anymore. Enjoy the blog

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Kyle checking in. So, about me…well, let’s start with the fact that I too am from Washington, D.C. Bob and I actually grew up blocks away from each other. No matter where I end up, D.C. will always be my first love. Moving on, besides working on Sucka 4 Love projects, by day I am a Zoo Keeper…yes, it’s true. I am something like The Crocodile Hunter but on a much smaller scale…I can handle a 250 pound gator, no problem (I have pics to prove it!!!). Alligators, crocodiles, and venomous snakes are a few of my favorite things. In my room I have my collection of pythons, spiders, and the craziest bird ever, my African Grey Parrot named Smokey who will surely be featured on this blog at some point. I’m trying to take this to the next level, ultimately you’ll hopefully see me wrangling gators rockin’ Sucka 4 Love in a Chester French video…that would be dope. Right? As far as inspiration goes for Sucka 4 Love, I find it everywhere but must say a lot of it comes from music. As far more recent artists go, Kanye, Lady GaGa, Fall Out Boy, Chester French, Mos Def and TV on the Radio are my favorites and I find them all very inspiring. Taking it back I also find inspiration in material from Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther, Michael Jackson, Hendrix, Rolling Stones…the classic good stuff. I am a lover of art and fashion, and I definitely also find inspiration in the works of Raf Simons and Kris Van Assche for sure as far modern designers go. Anyway, I could go on all day with the randomness that creates the essence of Kyle…but I think you get the drift, and if you don’t, in time you will. Enjoy the blog!!!

THE LOGO


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This is my logo. I scribbled it on an old notebook and then got my design friends to make it look like what it looks like today. Tell me what you think.

I PUT THE OH IN OHIO

“I PUT THE ‘OH’ IN OHIO” is more than a t-shirt - it’s a way of life, inspired by people who make strides to influence culture and increase the overall progression of the state. Some are born and raised in Ohio, others have relocated to the state, but all share a common love for Ohio.

PRE-ORDER YOUR T-SHIRTS NOW

SHIRTS SHIP NOV 20, 2009

Men’s Design (M-2XL): “I PUT THE ‘OH’ IN OHIO” (Black American Apparel T-shirt #2001)
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Women’s Design (S-L) “I PUT THE ‘OH’ IN OHIO” (Black American Apparel T-shirt #2102)
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SIZES