Some of you may know that Eric and I are getting in a car today and traveling the country for 20 days. So activity on this blog will be slow, however I set up a mobile blog where I will be blogging twitter style from my blackberry.
http://wearevane.com/roadtrip/
So i will be posting as much as i can if any of you are interested in knowing where we are and what we are up to.
Stay in touch and if you have any suggestions for spots to check out please email me. Our emails are on the roadtrip blog.
Dreeewwww you killed it on the grill today homie...
There is a pretty funny story behind these shoes, it involves whiskey and redbull, hip hop and sin, raffle tickets and Coat of Arms...i'll post about it soon
2 Year Anniversary Product Drop - 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Jersey
Friday, May 23, 2008
Two years ago, we were sitting in the basement, throwing ideas around, knowing that we wanted to create something special for ourselves, something that would give us a platform for our ideas and expression. We founded Vane on the idea that we could create fashion and art with both high aesthetic value as well as a message and an idea. Combining those two principles with high production value and a classic design sensibility, we have found ourselves two years deep already.
To commemorate our two year anniversary, we are releasing a special, two-part product drop. The initial release is the Alpha 3/4 Sleeve Baseball Jersey, a 9-panel colorblock construction on an American classic. The silhouette comes in 2 colorways, both of which incorporate the color schemes from our very first collection of screenprinted Vane tees. Only 75 pieces total were made of both styles combined, so make sure to pick one up now in our online shop before they're gone!
The second piece is yet to be unveiled, but it's a handcrafted jewelry piece based on a New York classic that you're just going to have to see to believe, we promise we won't disappoint!
I am part of the FINGERPAINT group exhibition that is opening this Wednesday May 28th. It should be a kick ass opening so try to stop by. Information below.
The first event from Fingerpaint will be Wednesday May 28th from 7pm - 11pm.
It will feature work from 25 emerging photographers and artists, as well a selection of specially donated pieces. Items will be for sale through a silent auction with all proceeds going to benefit Brad Pitt's Make it Right Foundation for the restoration of the 9th Ward district in New Orleans. Held at the historic former Dia Gallery's 10,000 sq foot space on West 22nd street, the event will be an amazing showcase of emerging talent from across America for a great cause.
Fingerpaint seeks to facilitate the exposure of talented young artists, through ad hoc art events at high-end galleries in New York City. Each show is followed by a silent auction, from which all proceeds go towards the Make It Right Foundation, building green affordable housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The title 'Fingerpaint' evokes the do-it-yourself mentality often associated with youth culture, the childish impertinence of us 'sneaking in' to these high-end galleries, and the firm belief that our passions can be harnessed to benefit the lives of future generations.
Trolling around the web I came across these astonishing images of newlyweds getting pictures taken just as an earthquake measuring 7.9 hit Sichuan Province in China last week.
The earthquake has since left 80,000 people dead or missing. Pretty crazy to me that this and other natural disasters, like the cyclone in Mayanmar that left 134,000 dead or missing just 10 days earlier, give me statistics that I can't possibly imagine.
As individuals we commonly have just a handful of people in our lives that we consider close enough to us as family. It's distressing enough just thinking of losing those people in my life that when I see a number like "100,000 people dead" it becomes so much for my mind to wrap around and almost meaningless in its immensity.
Regardless of how we view stats, the pictures make me grateful for what I have, and who I have with me, as little as it may be! This memorial day weekend let's make sure we appreciate that we are fortunate to have our friends, family and health around us.
If you want to help the millions left homeless and in need, donate to the American Red Cross below: China Earthquake Myanmar Cyclone
I've been in Dumbo for the New York Photo Festival since Wednesday. Powerhouse and the VII Photo agency have done a great job in putting this together. I'm just surprised that it took so long for there to be a Photo Festival in NY.
I didn't go to every event but heard they were all great and of course there was a party at the Powerhouse Arena almost every night. Good times, make sure you are there next year!
Tuesday night I had the fortune (thank you Diana) of going to Kanye's Glow in the Dark Tour at MSG. Let me just say, the hype I built for myself over this show was immeasurable. Basically two of my favorite producers ever, two of the hottest rappers out right now, one of the best pop acts of the year, my favorite cross-over band (i'll let you make the connections) on one stage.... nuff said!
My boy Eddie managed to find possibly the hottest promotional concert tee I've ever seen.
Reflective print with a mirror image of the text on the back. Fire!
Lupe Fiasco's performance was strong, rhyming heavy on the mic without letting up. I thought to myself at one point "this dude's vein on the side of his head is going to pop any moment". Regardless, Lupe definitely did his thing, bringing flawless album-mates Nikki Jean and Matthew Santos along for more than a few songs.
N.E.R.D. was up next. No one likes NERD! WHY? Is it cause nobody understands they are Pharrell's experimental-side-project-gone-amazing?! They basically killed it, getting the crowd riled up and jumping for Rockstar and closing out with a performance of their latest track Everyone Nose.
BONUS: Here is the just-released video for Everyone Nose featuring a few familiar faces:
(just wait for the remix featuring Clipse, Kanye & Lupe!)
Rihanna. Need i say more? She's hot and she has some of the catchiest songs on the radio today. Needless to say I went nuts when she sang M.I.A.'s Paper Planes, seemingly out of nowhere. Oh and I'm sure those of you who care have already heard Chris Brown came out during her performance of Umbrella.
Rihanna & Chris Brown:
Enter Kanye West. I'll spare you the details since you probably imagine he comes on to blow everyone out of the water... and he does just that with a theatrical, futuristic, ego-laden storyline. Haters, fall back.
Here is a clip I took of Kanye finishing up Flashing Lights with a healthy dose of floor action:
The show was LONG. Lupe came on at 7:30 and we got out by midnight. I think im taking a break from MSG for a while!
Just got back from the PDN Photo Annual Awards. Kick ass time, got to meet some old friends and made some new ones.
The award ceremony seem to be of no interest to anyone, the food pretty much sucked, the venue was great and people were surprisingly friendly. All anyone wanted to do was network, mingle and drink.
The NY Photo festival is going on so there will be events going on all week, I'll try to post everything I get a chance to go to.
...yep it was fun but probably not as fun as Glow in the Dark at MSG....can't believe I didn't go. Hopefully Mauricio got some photos to post
I went to the Jamel Shabazz book signing on the 7th at the Bronx Museum. Like always Jamel's exhibition is stunning. If you get a chance definitely go check it out, it's up till August 5th.
I'm confused as to why people go to bars for happy hour in Chelsea, when there are a bunch of free art galleries offering free alcohol, fruit and cheese. And I don't mean cheap wine. I'm talkin bout gin & tonic, the perfect pre-game cocktail. Yesterday I attended White Columns' 2008 Benefit Auction, a benefit auction by over 70 artists to support NYC's oldest alternative art space. I had a great time checking out the pieces; rubbing my chin, acting like a pseudo-intellectual, and getting drunk in the process.
Throughout the year, White Columns presents an ongoing program of exhibitions, projects, talks, screenings, and events. It is a not-for-profit contemporary art gallery which is open to the public, free-of-charge, eleven months per year. White Columns is known for showcasing new and emerging talent, and if that's not a good enough reason to check it out, do it for the free booze.
All artwork may be viewed online at http://www.whitecolumns.org/. A live auction will be held on May 17th. For tickets & info, pls call 212-924-4212.
Once again thanks for everyone that came through. It was good just getting people together and catchin up with everyone. Hopefully we will be doing another one soon.
My camera died 10 minutes into the event because I was too busy messing with the following video all day. Basically hung the camera around my neck and walk from work to STAY.
So I didn't get to take that many photos... However I'm excited about this time lapse thing and will be coming out with a whole series of these soon, so be on the look out.
The full gallery is in the PHOTOGRAPHS section. Here are a couple...
On one hand, part of you wants to commend this dood for attempting a line, something positive and creative....
But the other, more realistic hand tells you homie needs to stay on the block, he's got a better chance surviving selling crack. Or at least weed. You would think that he could maybe find a friend's dad who had a classier ride than a ten year-old hoopty Lex, but I guess that's why most doods stay in the hood.
Make sure to check back for the Vane x Rich Gear collab, coming Fall Two Thousand and NEVER.
A few friends from grad school and I have started a not-for-profit organization called A Chance for Every Child and we are hosting our first fundraiser today. It's short notice but drop by if you can, you'll be helping a great cause.
Our first project is in Sierra Leone, where there are only 3 pediatricians in the whole nation and a child has the lowest chance in the world of surviving until the age of 5. Sometimes a kid has other things on his mind than what's poppin in the fashion world, ya dig?
