HISTORY101: The Vans Era Pro ’76

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era pro 76

As an original Z-Boy and co-founder of the Powell-Peralta skate gear company, Stacy Peralta is a name that resonates profoundly within the skateboarding scene. He stands as one of the pioneers of modern skateboarding, and one part of a group of Californian youths that popularised the low-to-the-ground, aggressive form of riding back in the mid 70s.

Before Stacy became one half of the Powell-Peralta establishment in 1978, the man influenced a certain well-known footwear company in creating better shoes that not only had the resilient needed for a competitive skating lifestyle but also exuded spades of stylish street vibes.

Vans, in their desire to design the perfect skateboard-focused sneaker, utilised Stacy’s skate expertise for the creation of the Vans #95, now known as the Era. The first Classic Era shoe birthed through this partnership of sorts became the sneaker of choice for a generation of skateboarders.

Incorporating the colourways reminiscent of the original Vans #95, the Era Pro ’76 honours the impact the Z-Boy had in creating a much beloved skateboard shoe. The navy blue and red pair includes suede uppers and original rubber waffle outsoles, blending together new functionality with the timelessness of the first Vans “Off The Wall” skate shoe.

If wearing a reinvented Vans #95 is appealing to you, the ’76 is surely a must-have pair.

“Look Of The City” Pack Arrives In New York’s Accent

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Once again, Nike celebrates Air Max annually with the new “Look Of The City’ pack for women. With each year looking better than the last, this shoe takes inspiration directly from the infamous Chrysler building, with it’s geometric shapes & elaborate stitching, punctuating the cool celebration of Gotham architectural history.

In an ode to New York accents, the shoe is finished in a classic premium Black suede upper and contrast white print detailing on the vamp and heel wrap, custom ‘NYC’ metal lace jewel and lightweight EVA midsole with maximum impact AIR cushioning. A leather Swoosh and contrast minimalist lines mirror the modern feel of the city’s most forward-thinking design.

The women’s Air Max Thea LOTC QS “NYC” drops tomorrow at Hundred% store for a retail price of RM599.

Raymars “Color Of Life” spring/summer Collection 2016 Lookbok

Posted by & filed under Fashion, Lifestyle.

IMG_6775Fresh new release with best new material for you to wear at any time and anywhere. After 5 years in the local scene, Raymars wants you all to experience their journey of 2016 with more colourful vibe in life.

Their goal is simple, making people proud and happy while wearing their apparel. The “Color Of Life” collection consists of 5 t-shirt and 1 long sleeve for you to choose from.

If you’re interested in buying Raymars latest collection do head over to their official facebook, twitter and instagram account for more updates.

The Film Malaysia Never Got To Truly See

Posted by & filed under Events.

You might have witnessed Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin or Talentime, but never before Muallaf, at least not in the way it was intended to be experienced. The 2008 drama film by the late, and much beloved Yasmin Ahmad was initially denied screening in local cinemas due to the Malaysian censorship authorities request of key scenes to be cut, thus rendering the story meaningless.  By the end of 2009 however, Muallaf was finally allowed to hit Malaysia’s silver screens, albeit with a few dialogues omitted.

 

In a special screening making its way to The Bee Publika this coming April 3rd, Sunday you now have the opportunity to catch Yasmin’s controversial fifth film, which tells a tale of three souls finding solace in religion, in all its unadulterated glory.

Admission is free for everyone on a first come first serve basis. Attendees are urged to order food & drinks from the venue sponsor as 20% of their profits that night will be donated as a maintenance fund for Kok Heng, the little museum started by Yasmin’s mum, Mak Inom. What’s more, there will also be a special Q&A session with Datin Orked and her friends after the movie screening. If this event tickles your fancy, set yourself a time off to witness this rare screening directed by the inspirational storyteller Yasmin Ahmad.

For more info and updates of the event, head over to their official facebook event page.

BITTERSWEET New Album “BTSWT” Teaser

Posted by & filed under Art, Music.

BITTERSWEETAfter a four year hiatus and a long process of recording Bittersweet are back in action with their upcoming album titled “BTSWT”.

The local independent BritRock/Pop band will be releasing their 3rd album on the 1st April 2016. I’ll bet you Bittersweet fans can’t wait to hear their new songs or get your hands on their latest album.

The track include:

  1. Revelation
  2. Down To Me
  3. Control
  4. Inspire Desire
  5. Let It Fall
  6. Lukisan
  7. Hilang

If you want to be kept updated on Bittersweet, do head down to their official facebook, twitter and instagram accounts.

 

merayau: Like Cerealsly?

Posted by & filed under Features, Food.

Who says you can only eat cereals for breakfast? At Like Cerealsly, cereals are the main course for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had the opportunity to pop by the only cereal bar in KL, Like Cerealsly to check out their deal. You will be amazed to see over 40 varieties of cereals as you step into the store. Check the video out, like seriously :

 

HISTORY101: The Vans Authentic Pro ’74

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vans 5 (2)

Smack dab in the middle of the 70s, a band of California natives made their début on the competitive skateboarding scene, where upright freestyle skating reigned.

Ironically, while skateboarding is commonly linked to spontaneity, freedom of expression and rebellion against the norm, at the time the sport was rigid in the sense that no new styles seemed to have been explored.

The Zephyr Competition Team’s explosion onto a scene so anchored in its upright freestyle skating ways was therefore a cultural shock of epic proportions. Opposing the normal form, they embodied a surf-style approach as they grinded wheels to pavement, riding their boards low and aggressive. The form was free-spirited, true to the roots of the skateboard and a remarkable contrast to the apparently over-rehearsed, rigid performances of their peers at Del Mar Classic competition in 1974.

The Z-Boys became a sensation practically overnight, and their performance paved the way for the evolution of an artform in the years to come. Some could argue that the aerial and sliding skate moves the Z-Boys utilised are the foundation of modern day aerial skateboarding.

A humble Vans shoe bears this skateboarding team’s legacy. A minimalist-esque navy blue pair, the Authentic Pro ’74 is a reinvention of a Pro Classic that commemorates American skateboarder and surfer Peggy Oki of the Z-Boys for revolutionising the sport alongside other skate pioneers including Stacy Peralta and Tony Alva.

Fun fact: despite being nicknamed the Z-Boys, the team was not a pure “sausage” festival. Peggy Oki stood out as the only female on the original team and also the only member to take home the 1st place trophy from the 1975 Del Mar Nationals.

If you are looking for a laid-back style to fit snugly on your feet, the 74′ would be the no-brainer choice.

“Codex LXVI” by Art:tech

Posted by & filed under Art.

In conjunction with Van’s 50th Anniversary, Art:tech customized 2 skate decks that come in a set called ‘Codex LXVI’. The wooden skate decks were inscribed with gold and black paint. The sacred tablet of the Codex LXVI serves as recorded moments in the history of Vans, told through iconography, symbolism, ciphers and binary.

If you have no idea who Art:tech is, he is a self-taught artist, illustrator, designer, motion graphic designer and drummer from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He’s also the founder of Eightyfourcube collective. Quite the philosopher, these days he likes to retreat into the recesses of his mind to contemplate how the world works, questioning physical reality and understanding existence, all the while addressing these thoughts through his craft.

The aesthetic of cultures and religions, humanity’s advancement in technology and science and the futurist movement strongly influence his artwork. Art:tech prefers his art to be experienced like dreams; you understand it in your own terms. When he’s not making artworks he will either be in the studio playing drums or working on motion graphic projection mapping projects for international clients.

Check out the ‘Codex LXVI’ tablets on the slider below and be impressed :

Nike Air Max 90 Pays Tribute to Shanghai

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Drawing inspiration from the famous architecture and textiles of China’s biggest city, the women’s Nike Air Max 90 Ultra Shanghai is one fifth of the forthcoming 2016 City Collection.

The classic Air Max 90 is remixed with a red and burgundy suede upper that bears intricate embroidery, marking the pair as one of the boldest variations from the pack. The pair pays tribute to ancient Chinese culture with geometrical wavy patterning that is complemented in vivid red.

The midsole is cored-out of foam which is typical of the Ultra editions, and allows for a nice contrast to the rest of the pair’s aesthetic with its crisp and clean white. Red swoosh logos are visible on the sides with Air Max branding on the tongue and back heel , while the burgundy outsole definitely balances out the look.

The women’s Nike Air Max 90 Ultra Shanghai is slated for a retail price of Rm599 and it is available at Hundred% store.

HISTORY101: The Vans Authentic Pro ’66

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“Duke, I can make you a pair of shoes out of that Hawaiian shirt.” – Paul Van Doren, to Duke Kahanamoku

Often, it is a chance meeting that is the progenitor of something beautiful. Serendipity, they call it. In the gorgeous Southern California seaside city of Huntington Beach back in 1966, home to a distinctive beach and active outdoor culture, Paul Van Doren had the privilege of experiencing a truly serendipitous encounter.

Affectionately known as Surf City USA, Huntington Beach is no stranger to surfing virtuosos. It was here that the father of Vans bumped into Hawaiian surf legend, actor, and five-time Olympic medalist Duke Kahanamoku.

Duke2
photograph sourced from www.surfertoday.com

The surfing culture within the mainland of the United States tips its metaphorical hat off to Duke for its surge in popularity. His prowess in riding the waves gathered people in droves to attend surfing events in California and on the Atlantic Coast. Footfalls along the Southern California coast intensified thanks to Duke showing off the beauty of the Hawaiian surfing form during 1915 to the 1930s.

So there the man himself was, dressed in a navy blue Aloha print shirt amongst other similarly attired folk, one of whom just so happened to be iconic surfer Fred Hemmings. Navy blue Hawaiian shirts may not be something one would randomly get a muse from, but in 1966 that was exactly what Van Doren experienced.

Now, it isn’t foreign knowledge that surfing is essentially the step-father of skateboarding. For Vans, a brand that has skateboarding imprinted into its DNA, incorporating Hawaiian floral designs- that are arguably the hallmark of the surfing scene- into its shoes seemed a foregone conclusion. Paul Van Doren was inspired by the shirt, so Duke handed over Fred Hemmings’ own (it was at a beach, so it’s doubtful Fred minded). It’s somewhat amusing how something like that began a new business model for the footwear giant.

The original, custom-made Hawaiian floral print Vans shoe has Fred and Duke to thank for its vibrant beach vibe aesthetic. It was classic footwear infused with the Aloha spirit, and certainly something that would be appreciated if recreated in modern times. Which brings us to the present, and to the Authentic Pro ’66.

Donning the Vans The 50th Anniversary Authentic Pro ’66 is akin to wearing a physical manifestation of a momentous time in the footwear giant’s history. Bearing the timeless Vans aesthetic, with its printed textile uppers and original rubber waffle outsoles, the shoe pays homage to that meeting with Duke in the 60s which inspired Paul Van Doren to pair Aloha prints with the casual sneaker.

Of course, as a product within the Authentic Pro range, the ’66 is an upgrade over its original iteration back in the day. The shoe has DURACAP rubber reinforcement underlays in high-wear areas added on to endure the abuse of professional skating. The polyurethane-based ULTRACUSH HD footbed also keeps the foot close to the board while providing Vans’ highest degree of impact cushioning.

It’s an old-school style shoe enhanced by tech of the modern day. Simple and eye-catching, the ’66 presents a design that is destined to see an honourable placement in one’s sneaker collection.

And all it took for this sneaker to be loved was getting Fred to take off his shirt.