dasyatis americana

Fridays at work can get really boring or hectic. This was one of the former, so my colleague SL simply suggested we go look at some fishes at QianHu fishfarm during our [self-extended] lunch break(!) Not that it was something anyone would simply do on a whim, but i figured it should make for an interesting Friday don't you think? LOL
Collecting aquarium fish can really be an expensive hobby, especially those of the arowana variety [those prized ones run up to the couple grand per fish, my friends!] It pretty much tests the patience and skills of the collector/owner to rear these prized catches, and it definitely brings in the money for those who manage to breed or rear the rare-colored in-demand fishes.
Now that pretty much parallels those of the shoe-collecting world in my opinion, and thats why they call both fish collecting/rearing and shoe-collecting hobbies! Only difference is our kicks don't die, although its value drops dramatically to nought when we thrash them to bits, heh heh
SL brought me into the VIP area where QianHu displayed the arowanas for "export" purposes [amazing what a couple of smiles and nods can bring you, haha] and its simply awesome. Not that i can't take pics, just that i don't think any photo will do those reflective color any justice.
Walking on, and what do i find? Stingrays! awesome!

Check out these lovely freshwater "Flower Stingrays" nicknamed "Sakura". [yeah, they have nicknames for them just like we do with shoes!] Not too expensive [around 100-200sgd a pop] compared to the tiger-striped ones [yeah, camo-style!], but i quite like them, cos you can really make out the "sakura" patterns on the skin! and when they mature, the skintone becomes darker, it really brings out the camoflauge capabilities. SL kept like 6 different types back at home, i'm definitely impressed by his commitment and deep pockets [those were like 6K in the pond!]
Oh well, an hour or so, and its back to the office for the daily grind...
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"yes sir, yes sir, 2 bags full..."

lacoste.RRL.NB990.s2c lowe-alpine.
After work, i really went fishing, dropped by Vault for the NB ST33 release.

Catch of the day: black tartan stingrays
You won't believe the how plush the purple velour feels! For those still hesitating, don't think too long before its gone
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kicks
converse - fragment

HF posted a preview sometime ago, now Shinsuke does the full monty

These differ slightly from the all stars in design i think. Simple shoe once again from HF...but watch the lines start to form
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visvim sophnet logan

Sophnet continues the excellent collab with visvim this season. I'm loving the zipped rear [why does visvim reserve the zips only for collabs?! put them on the regular releases already!!!]
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dunk suedes

I liked the canvas dunk SB's that dropped long time back called the "carhartts", now they've released the suede versions... not too bad
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ads
Chec out these innovative ads:
Quiksilver-interactive ads for the surfwear/streetwear company

who the heck puts a railing that high?...but i guess it has something to do with the law-abiding company on non-skating regulation...
WWF-environmental ad in China

I think this is an excellent way to push the point across. Minimal text, action seaks louder than words.
pics via adgoodness
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pic of the day

moral: always proofread

laters

Daily (b)Read
While the info-boom from the rise of the internet eons back gave birth to what was the largest library in the world: literally the connectivity of the world(!), i still love the feel and nature of the traditional paperback in the palms of my hand. A new and old [5yrs in streetwear claims seniority these days] magazine form my 2 of my current regular reading fodder.
StreetWearToday

Never a Quarter arrives without an accompanying issue of STW2D. This quarter features the theme "act on instinct" with Hardy Blechman of Maharishi in the centerpiece-prose. Its such strange coincidence that i was just asking about whats going on about the brand 2 posts below...[hmm, i must be doing this bloggy-thing right eh?]

The doyenne of fashion-camoflauge speaks about his fascination with camo, and how acting on instinct brought him and the label where they are right now and his future plans for the label.
I've always loved the mainline and what the label was about, although i didn't really feel for the direction of mHi lately. In my opinion, too many distractions with diverging collaborations [although i guess that was what mHi-line was probaly about] took away the freshness and edge from the people's impression of the label. But all said, i wouldn't doubt the man who does epitomize "instinct", and i'll still be there to check out what he has coming out his sleeve.


Loads of beautiful features on beyondthevalley, evaw and new drops likes the stayhigh149 x Gravis kicks, new rocker packs from Eastpak [Hives, Prodigy,KaiserChiefs] and NB14000 'StingRay'[dropping tomorrow btw]

Features also on Dave White [shots from his "court is a battlefield" collection] and Fred Perry [and their lovely feminine mod collection]
Lots lots more label/shop/music/industry features than i can capture, but get your copy and enjoy!
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Monocle issue 2

At first sight, Monocle seemed too heavyweight for a regular like me. It looked too Economist with its claim to be a "briefing on global affairs, business, culture & design" to mentioned/compared with STW2D. And you know what? it's surprisingly easy on the uptake, and it does draw some parallels to the former. There aren't many publications out there that covers the same topics as succinctly or pointedly as Monocle. Like STW2D, its ahead of its class in its coverage.

This month's cover story is on Norway's focus/fears on being on top; short write on the arms market IDEX [i wanna buy a rocket or 2 too!]

Spotlight on buyers from corners o the fashion world; 223yr old John Smedley label and the efforts to move on with the times [with plans for a non-knitted line]

A colorful and glossy photo-essay on Benz G-wagon assembly-line; and the decidedly Jap-influenced KitaKoga manga.
Do not be fooled by my pics, theres loads and loads of other stuff and info in this 180page publication to occupy till the next issue [i'm still not done with it, and issue 03 is out!]
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Vice x adidas skate "StripeOut"

"This spring/summer sees the launch of the new adidas skate range, road tested in London by the capital's most prolific riders. Footwear goes old school and apparel sees collaborations with one of skateboarding's Godfathers, The Gonz."
To celebrate the new range, Vice and adidas are hosting an exhibition of skate phtography and moving image"
Looks good, while i'm not really feeling the footwear range, i'd be interested to see more from the exhibit. April 19th-26th

Laters

Midweek clearup
Some pics/info to clear from my desktop...
new GDEH UK

Peep at the new GDEH UK release. Cute lil' shells, collegiate feel; i also like the "flight patch" remake for the military touch.
pics via UCS
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Fred Perry/Jessica Ogden

After the successful Blank Canvas project, Jessica Ogden gets her own womens collection for Fred Perry. It prolly ain't every girls' tea, but i quite like the quaint/girly/feminine look of Jess... lovely
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so hot you need shades

Supreme really seems to be flying of the starting blocks this year. The Oakley joints are so on point it hurts ['specially the fire-red and camo] Pity is that they also hurt the pockets
metal militia - supply

However, i can't really say the same for their wtaps collaboration. Sure its a monumental collab, and you can't really put down the entire collection. I'm also glad the US woodland camo gets featured, its about time, and pretty much along the design lines of a US-Japan collab work. I just can't fathom the comic skulls and font. I mean, philosophy mantra's, slogans, inspirational poems/messages in arabic fonts are more than welcome [and probably par for the wtaps course]; so you can imagine how much i did not want to see the closeup of the jacket and see those comic skulls and slogan..."too late to die"?! is that a Malcolm Maclaren reference gone wrong?
In any case, there are still redeeming points:


key note: simple is good
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Frank's chops


Frank151 drops some lovely buckets for you headcases...heh heh
anyways, go cop them already
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Randomz
X-Wing DIY

If you'r still waiting for me to say something about this DIY paper X-Wing, you're nuts. Just click and awe!!!
ps: if anyone does succeed, please make me one? please?
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Kate Moss - Dazed&Confused

The lovely Ms Kate has just made that pair of jeans the most sought after item come May. Dazed & Confused May issue features uber-model Kate Moss in her TopShop line [due May of course]

laters...