High Snobiety

Trial to Proceed With Murder Charges in George Floyd Case

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 23:41:36 GMT

The third-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer responsible for the death of George Floyd, has been dropped, while the charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter have been upheld. A Minnesota judge announced the decision on Thursday, October 22, as the George Floyd murder trial will proceed for Chauvin and the other three officers involved in his death.

The state has the opportunity to appeal the dismissal of the third-degree murder charge over the next five days. Furthermore, the court ruled to uphold the charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder against officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J. Alexander Kueng.

“The court has sustained eight out of nine charges against the defendants in the murder of George Floyd, including the most serious charges against all four defendants,” Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement. “This means that all four defendants will stand trial for murder and manslaughter, both in the second degree. This is an important, positive step forward in the path toward justice for George Floyd, his family, our community, and Minnesota. We look forward to presenting the prosecution’s case to a jury in Hennepin County.”

Lane, Thao, and Kueng have asked for separate trials, although it remains to be seen if the motion will be granted. The trials are scheduled to resume in March.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responded to today’s ruling by calling it an “important step toward justice for George Floyd.”

BREAKING: Judge upholds murder charges against Derek Chauvin and other officers. Important step toward justice for George Floyd.

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) October 22, 2020

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Floyd’s family, stated, “We are gratified that the court preserved eight of the nine charges against Derek Chauvin, including the more serious second-degree murder charge for which we expect a conviction, based on the clear and evident use of excessive force that we all saw on video.”

“We will continue to fight for justice in the civil courts and will advocate both for justice in the criminal system and for meaningful police reforms. The family of George Floyd has confidence that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will make sure that the officers are held accountable to the full extent of the law based on the evidence that we witnessed on that video tape,” he concluded.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Mega-Expensive Franck Muller Watch Is All Sorts of Cringe

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 21:53:45 GMT

When you’re the first footballer to bank $1 billion, you can certainly afford the finer things in life. For Cristiano Ronaldo, this means watches, among other things, and a whole lot of them.

This week Ronaldo took to Instagram to show off his one-of-one Franck Muller Cintree Tourbillon worth a cool $1.5 million. Sure, the watch costs more than most houses, but it’s just — well — tasteless. There’s a reason influential watch publication HODINKEE virtually never covers Franck Muller, because while being absurdly expensive, the watches are downright gaudy.

View this post on Instagram

Thursday style! ????

A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Oct 22, 2020 at 5:28am PDT

Unfortunately, however, this is nothing new for CR7. He simply has an affinity for lavish, over-the-top things. And when you’re raking in $105 million a year, you can easily afford whatever outlandish toy you want.

Ronaldo’s Franck Muller Cintree Tourbillon is one of his many watches, as he also sports designs by Rolex, Richard Mille, Hublot, Jacob & Co., Bulgari, and Breguet from time to time.

It really is a shame all that money can’t buy good taste. But hey, we still love you, CR7. Keep doing your thing on the pitch.

adidas Is Reportedly Preparing to Sell Reebok

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 19:57:53 GMT

adidas may finally be selling Reebok after years of struggle. According to German business publication Manager Magazin, adidas is planning to sell its fellow sportswear company by March of 2021.

Manager Magazin points out that adidas’ Kasper Rørsted had hoped to revitalize Reebok upon being appointed CEO in 2016. In the years since, he has stated on numerous occasions that he has no intention of selling the brand, even amid urges to do so from investors.

adidas is said to have an internal team currently working on the sale of Reebok. Possible suitors are VF Corporation, which owns Vans, Timberland, and The North Face, among others, and China’s ANTA Sports.

adidas purchased Reebok back in 2006 for $3.8 billion, as it hoped to have the brand compete with rival Nike in the United States. Recent struggles, including a 42 percent decrease in revenue in Q2 2020, have spawned Rørsted to offload Reebok for a desired sum of $2.4 billion, Manager Magazin reports, although this was the target amount given before the pandemic hit.

Since news of adidas’ reported sale of Reebok, the company’s shares have risen 3.2 percent.

Visit Manager Magazin for more on the story.

To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, follow @Highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, check our sneaker release date calendar, and subscribe to our sneaker chatbot on Facebook to receive lightning quick updates to your inbox.

Jony Ive Transitions From Apple to Airbnb for Multi-Year Partnership

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:34:06 GMT

A year after leaving Apple, Jony Ive has teamed up with Airbnb for a multi-year partnership. The news was announced this week on Airbnb.com, as co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky gushed about Apple’s former chief design officer.

While specifics have yet to be revealed, Chesky shared that Ive and his partners at LoveFrom will be working on a “special collaboration” with the Airbnb team in a multi-year partnership to design the “next generation of Airbnb products and services.” He then touched on his relationship with Ive, informing that the two have been friends for years.

“We share the same belief in the value and importance of creativity and design,” Chesky said. “We each believe not only in making objects and interfaces, but in crafting services and experiences. We’ve seen how design can facilitate trust and enable more human connection, something people are desperate for during an unprecedented time of loneliness and disconnection.”

Ive will also be aiding in the development of Airbnb’s internal design team, as reports reveal three designers recently left the company and design chief Alex Schleifer has transitioned to a part-time role.

“I hope all of this speaks to the seriousness of our design-driven approach,” Chesky concluded. “We believe that working together will be an important and powerful creative partnership. We’re both excited about the ideas we already have, as well as ideas that are currently beyond our imagination.”

Visit Airbnb.com for more on the Jony Ive partnership.

Meet June Ambrose, the Genius Behind the Craziest ‘90s Hip-Hop Fits

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:26:36 GMT

In 2020, a celebrity fashion moment (or faux pas) can come at any given time or place. With the entire Internet eyeing their every move, there’s a really thin line between a star making a statement, like Missy Elliott’s blow-up suit from “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” or becoming a meme that will live forever in social media infamy, à la Fiji Lil Pump.

In the latest episode of our podcast with PUMA, “Represent Yourself,” we caught up with the creative genius behind some of the most unforgettable red carpet and music video fashion moments of our lifetime, June Ambrose. Ambrose was heavily responsible for some of the stand out hip-hop styling moments of the ’90s and ’00s. Working alongside director Hype Williams, Ambrose put Busta Rhymes in space-age armor for the video of “What’s It Gonna Be?!” with Janet Jackson, she got Puff Daddy and Ma$e in shiny suits for “Mo Money Mo Problems” with Notorious B.I.G., and, of course, she blew up Missy Elliot to cartoonish proportions for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).”

Lucia wears Puma Suede

Ambrose is not new to understanding just how meaningful a fashion moment can be. Her keen eye and unquestionable know-how in the styling stakes brought her to the attention of PUMA, who recently signed her up as a creative partner, where she will be consulting on the design of key product categories across the brand’s women’s output.

On working with PUMA, June commented: “I mean, it’s ferocious, right? It preys on you in a sense. It prowls. It’s like, sometimes you don’t see it coming. I have all of these kinds of subtexts and phrases and words I think of when working in the capacity that I’ve worked with over the last 20-something years. When you’re in the lab and you’re working on stuff, or you’re thinking about, ‘You know, I’m just going to say just F it. I’m going to put Busta Rhymes in a turban, in a silk-lamé robe.’ Or, ‘I’m going to put sneakers with a gown.’ Just take things out of context and just be kind of rogue, but still be authentic to the spirit of what you’re working on.”

Lucia wears Puma Suede

To use a Power Rangers analogy’, June is a Megazord of the fashion industry, embodying the knowledge and gravitas in an array of areas that combine to form the ultimate June Ambrose. But she is a Megazord with humility; her unique style speaks out, it speaks loud, and it represents what Ambrose is about. Unashamed confidence to do things differently and flip the script.

Signature to Ambrose’s styling is her ability to both connect the cultural dots, and the willingness to take a risk and turn things upside down, inside out and back to front. Referring to PUMA’s brand history as a parallel to her approach Ambrose says: “The work that I did in the ’90s, like the Missy Elliott blow-up suit and all of the iconic moments, like ‘Sock It 2 Me,’ all those nutty, and what was over-the-top at the time music videos in hip-hop culture. Even the iconic videos I did with Jay-Z, I’ve worked with him for over 25 years. And then Puffy and the shiny suits […], literally flipping the narrative upside down, [that’s] what kind of happens in the world of PUMA. And what can continue to happen if you take that approach where you don’t necessarily ask for creative license or permission, you take a little bit of a risk, but also maintain a sense of the DNA and the history and the authentic true spirit of the brand?”

Lucia wears Puma Suede

Beyond the looks themselves, Ambrose also recognizes the platform she shares with her cohorts and the impact they can have as leaders of the next wave of creatives.

“I think that’s super important from a social, conscious place. There are so many inequalities in race, in gender, in sexuality. And I think that it’s our responsibility, if we have the access and the platform, to lend it to the next generation or for those who don’t have access. I think that just comes along with part of the responsibility of curating, being an editor, being able to give young designers that opportunity. They have their jobs cut out for them. They’re doing their part. Now it’s for someone who’s on the other side of it, that’s on the consumer-facing side of it. I think that’s our responsibility.”

Lucia wears Puma Suede

You can listen to the full conversation with June Ambrose whilst scrolling through our ’90s-inspired PUMA Suede lookbook above and check out the other two stories in the series, featuring looks inspired by Suede in the 60’s & 70s.

Be sure to listen to our podcasts with Tommie Smith and Walter “Clyde” Frazier as part of ‘Represent Yourself’ with PUMA on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Beyoncé’s Second adidas x Ivy Park Collection Is All About Color

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 18:21:18 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 2 images from this gallery.

Brand: Ivy Park x adidas

Model: Forum and Nite Jogger

Key Features: Beyoncé’s long-awaited second drop with adidas Originals (through her Ivy Park label) is all about color. The Forum, which happens to be Bey’s all-time favorite adidas model and is an absolute classic, features an all-mint colorway and mid-top design. Ivy Park branding is seen on the ankle strap. Meanwhile, the Nite Jogger features a 60/40 color-blocking (that carries over to the Boost midsole), which gives the shoe a slightly different feel to the general release version.

Release Date: October 30

Price: $130 (Forum Low), $150 (Forum Mid), $160 (Nite Jogger)

Buy: Online and in-store at adidas, as well as select retailers (see list below)

Editor’s Notes: Beyoncé’s first collection with adidas Originals was a hit when it dropped in January. Back then, Bey’s attention was on the Nite Jogger, a reinterpretation of the Samba, and the Ultra Boost. This time, Queen Bey has reworked the Nite Jogger once again, and added the Forum Low and Mid to her rotation — widely known to be her favorite adidas sneaker of all time.

“Color became a way to offset the sadness we’ve all been experiencing this year,” Beyoncé tells us. Colors are definitely at the forefront of drop two, as is the recently re-introduced Forum. The adidas Forum was first released in 1984 as a basketball shoe. It quickly became a favorite on the hardwood floors, as well as being worn on the streets by tastemakers and budding athletes alike.

“I am happy to reintroduce the iconic Forum, one of the most innovative sneakers of its day,“ beams Beyoncé. “While we all still feel a bit uncertain about the times, I hope this collection for men and women make everyone remember better times and that it adds some joy, fun, and playfulness.”

adidas
Social Status
Concepts
Sneakersnstuff
UNDFTD
KITH

To stay updated on everything happening in the sneaker world, follow @highsnobietysneakers on Instagram, check our sneaker release date calendar, and subscribe to our sneaker chatbot on Facebook to receive lightning-quick updates to your inbox.

Our designated Selects section features products that we love and want to share with you. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.

Woolrich Taps Goldwin for a New Japanese Outdoor Label

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:11:26 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 15 images from this gallery.

Brand: Woolrich Outdoor Label

Season: FW20

Key Pieces: The crown jewel is the hefty Wintertide Down Parka SD. The piece is made from a GORE-TEX Shakedry double-layer fabric to repel snow/rain. It comes padded with recycled down to lock in warmth.

Release Date: Available now

Buy: Woolrich

Editor’s Notes: The new collection from Woolrich’s Outdoor Label – designed by Japanese sportswear brand Goldwin – is offering a selection of parkas, fleeces, padded shirts, and a fleeced baseball cap for the approaching fall/winter temperatures.

As demonstrated by the lookbook above, the collection builds out a stylish but practical wardrobe for challenging weather. There’s a focus on developing outerwear pieces that are both sustainable and enduring.

The padded shirts, crafted from abrasion-resistant Cebonner® nylon, are made from upcycled oyster shell and recycled PET plastic bottles. Meanwhile, the filling from each parka uses Goldwin’s recycled “Green Is Good” down.

Even if you’re not planning a hike around the Appalachian trail as above, the collection works for the urban environments thanks to the inclusion of some ’80s and ’90s-inspired color-blocked pieces, and a few mid-weight options such as the high-pile Terra fleece pullovers and paneled nylon shirts.

The Next Battleground for Fashion Brands Is…‘The Sims’

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:39:43 GMT

Remember when The Sims meant dropping your little pixelated guy into the pool and then watching it slowly drown having deleted the ladders in a bout of nihilistic sadism? Simpler times, when Michael Bachelor was the undisputed MVP. In the last 15 years or so, the game has moved on somewhat, to the point where a Jane Fonda avatar and hyped Gucci gear now exists.

Announcing a partnership for the first-ever player-made gaming collaboration focused on sustainability with #Gucci and @TheSims 4, featuring #GucciOffTheGrid, celebrated by a digital version of the campaign with @Janefonda by @thegrimcookies. #TheSims4 pic.twitter.com/lMDbGSEfN2

— gucci (@gucci) October 21, 2020

Gucci recently announced the in-game recreation of its Off The Grid collection (Fonda starred alongside the likes of Lil Nas X in the Harmony Korine-shot campaign), designed by custom creators Grimcookies and Harrie. Fashion in The Sims is not a first — last year, you may recall, Jeremy Scott and Moschino collaborated with the game, but that was done through official channels, rather than players. It almost feels like Gucci has pulled a fast one, bypassing prohibitive advertising structures that would have been considered the norm before.

A major factor to the collaboration is Gucci approaching the PLAYERS to make the content. I am sure an official pack would be really good but we are proud that this is something new and different that also spotlights the (often overlooked) cc community!

— grimcookies (@thegrimcookies) October 21, 2020

On Gucci’s part, it’s no doubt saved a ton of money by enlisting modders. But that’s academic. Just being in The Sims is a no-brainer and an easy way to connect with the collection’s target demographic of environmentally-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers. Partnering with the game officially wouldn’t have felt as authentic, or even edgy. Partnering with the community is an easier sell to, well, the community.

The fact a global fashion powerhouse has decided to work directly with Grimcookies and Harrie sets an interesting precedent going forward. As per a verified tweet, the collaboration between Gucci and the modders was actually done with the permission of EA (how that works is unclear), which could blow the door wide open for brands paying customizers to make them unofficial ad content in life simulation games (think Animal Crossing). The likes of Grand Theft Auto Online are awash with mods that violate dozens of copyrights, but they mostly go unnoticed because they’re too small-fry. How long will that goodwill last? And how would they even begin to regulate it?

Coming back to The Sims – you have to admire the chutzpah on Gucci’s part, but at the same time, the thought of companies tapping third parties — and that’s the big difference here — to have their product featured is further proof that nowhere is off-limits, virtual or real life, when it comes to brand marketing. Gucci today, Prada or, um, Walmart next?

Fire Jackets Rule This Month’s Best New Luxury Fashion

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:32:59 GMT

New in Luxury, Presented by MATCHESFASHION is a collaborative series in which we guide you through the latest arrivals in the world of luxury fashion, sneakers, and accessories. The London-based retailer is a go-to for its curation of the world’s best labels, and you’ll find our joint-effort monthly selections in the hub here.

Coat and jacket season is back, baby. And if you’re considering refreshing that well-rotated outerwear piece you’ve had the past few seasons, then join the club. October has seen a silly number of new coats and jackets making the light of day online, and this month’s edition of Best in Luxury Fashion reflects that.

Aside from the cold-ready cops, we’ve shoe-horned in some too-good loafers by Martine Rose, got your legs covered by the likes of Eckhaus Latta, and even thrown in one of recent memory’s best Salmon colorways.

It can be hard to keep tabs on high-end arrivals, but Highsnobiety curator Rhianna Matthews and MATCHESFASHION are here to help. So, without further ado, we’ll let you get copping this month’s latest pieces.

Drawing inspo from the beat generation of the 1950s, YMC’s FW20 collection is all about relaxed cuts and function before form. Although this little beauty does both.

Just when you think you’ve seen pretty much every Salomon color combo possible, the running outfitter hits you with another gem. It’s the small details that make the difference in this one, with the gum sole offsetting the deep, dark upper beautifully.

A winter wardrobe doesn’t have to be all about the navy, black, and grey, and Eckhaus Latta screams that in your face with its FW20 collection. These pants are WILD.

Germany’s Kassl Editions keeps on pushing outerwear norms, and this kimono-style poplin jacket is more proof. A good one for layering with a roll neck or chunky sweater.

Headed up by London-based Nick Wakeman, Studio Nicholson is centered on meticulous craftmanship and Japanese-inspired design, two things evident in this slick, water-repellent coat.

More coat action from Nanushka, which serves up a check wool outerwear piece dressed in fall’s favorite colors.

From farmers to financial advisors, everyone loves a gilet. Don’t let that stop you, though, it’s all about how you style them.

It’s not the first time we’ve featured footwear by Martine Rose, but when it’s this good it’s hard not to. The designer gives her stunning penny loafer a FW20 update, embossing the leather beauties with names of places in London, Rose’s hometown.

Another London-based entry to this week’s best in luxury, this time from Ahluwalia. The designer has made a name for herself through genius reworkings of upcycled materials, resulting in patchwork pieces like these track pants.

Those Bottega wellies everyone’s talking about are some of the best boots we’ve seen for a long time. This pair of square-toe Chelseas hasn’t quite got the same level of attention, but still a worthy investment from everyone’s fave luxe brand right now.

Last but not least, this month also saw MATCHESFASHION launch an exclusive collection with Alexander McQueen. The capsule takes modern tailoring to new levels, with classic menswear staples re-envisioned through a modern lens. Highlights include the utility pants and raised-sole boots above.

Nike’s Orange Skeleton Air Force 1 Is Its Most Ghoulish Yet

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:18:52 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 5 images from this gallery.

Brand: Nike

Model: Air Force 1 “Orange Skeleton”

Key Features: After dropping an all-white and all-black version of the “Skeleton” Air Force 1 in previous years, Nike has upped the ante with this orange colorway. And let’s be real, does it get more Halloween-y than orange?

Release Date: October 28

Price: $130 / €130

Buy: Nke and select retailers such as Sneakersnstuff

Editor’s Notes: Nike’s two previous skeletal Air Force 1s were hugely popular when they dropped, so it won’t surprise us when this orange version sells out in nano-seconds. The overall design remains unchanged, just the colorway of the upper takes on a much more obvious Halloween-themed orange. The skeletal design on the upper does not glow in the dark this time, though the mid- and outsoles do.

Dropping via Nike SNKRS and select retailers on October 28.

Against All Odds, Headie One Has Made It

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 15:16:05 GMT

Irving Adjei, aka Headie One, arrives at the Highsnobiety office rocking Cuban links, a gray tracksuit, and an LV mask – along with a full entourage in tow. It’s an entry fitting for the UK’s brightest rising star.

Coming from the crime-ridden Broadwater Farm Estate in Tottenham, North London, this level of success certainly wasn’t in the books. Headie One’s ascent is one that has to be seen to be believed. Or rather, has to be listened as the rapper tells it on wax. His rich, layered storytelling is one of his most affecting assets, transforming the street situations he’d witnessed into expressive road anthems.

It showed early on that he had the promise to go the distance. He honed his rapping as a teenager — when he was known as “Headz” — slinging out road-raps as part of Tottenham’s Star Gang, before spells of incarceration saw him return as “Headie One.” The life of crime that informs his raps would play out in real-time, but these same verses would also serve as salvation from his old life.

His masterful bars, his ability to gracefully spit over a beat, and his booming aggressive instrumentals gave Headie One the perfect skillset to go straight to the top of the UK drill scene and beyond. With his raw descriptions of real situations, the legend of Headie One quickly went far beyond the streets and onto the runways of Burberry and into boardrooms of Sony Music. “I don’t really know. I feel like it just happened naturally,” he says with a cheeky smile.

However, balancing the precarious tightrope of doing music on the road hasn’t come without its downsides. The British press launched an all-out attack on drill and, as the reigning king of the genre, Headie had a target on his back. “Music is music, innit?” he explains. “Whether it’s drill or something else. There’s a reason music is a performing art and a form of storytelling. No one should be singled out. Music is one international language. There shouldn’t be no stigma against any genre.”

There is no handbook on how to drop one life and pick up another — the transition is uncertainly staggering between old habits and new realities. In January, Headie’s past caught up to him with a four-month prison sentence. He doesn’t want to talk about prison. And why should he, when he’s already laid those realities out in perfect detail in his music? During his time inside, the rapper teamed with producer Fred again. to release GANG, his most introspective and controversial mixtape yet. Lyrically, this was Headie One at his finest, but sonically, many fans were not impressed with the experimental new direction.

“The reason it sounded so different is because we were just creating music, and I wasn’t putting no boundaries on it,” Headie says of working with Fred. “We wasn’t trying to be anything, we was just creating music. That was the outcome, really. It wasn’t really over-thought. There was no fear. That’s why it was a good one.” Headie‘s bleak rhymes over Fred‘s sensitive production made for an unexpectedly beautiful pairing, at the same time, it strayed from the signature UK drill beats fans wished for. “I knew it would be a surprise, and that’s what me and Fred wanted when we were talking about the actual name of the project. Because the project is called GANG, and most people would expect, like, a full-blown drill mixtape, but yeah, I just gave them the same art, but just from a different dynamic.”

Despite the hate, Headie sees GANG as a genre-shattering victory. “In general, people like to keep people in a box because it’s easier for them to understand. Naturally, everyone wants to keep me in a box, but I just refuse to let that happen. I feel like, as long as I have the opportunity, I’ll continue to expand […] whether you’re getting on a drill song or a rap song, or R&B; If you are a musician, you should be able to explore whatever you feel like you can do.” With the collaboration of his multifaceted producer, Headie One pushed far beyond the limits of the drill sound that made his name. So far, the rapper even announced to fans that he had quit the genre altogether. “I was just trying to unnerve people. I was playing around, it was a joke. Come on, I love drill.”

Armed with his newfound range, Headie returned better than ever to reclaim his beloved genre — with some new admirers in tow. One fan, by the name of Drake, enlisted Headie’s help to get a piece of the UK drill pie on “Only You Freestyle.” “Honestly, I’m actually quite impressed by the people that are willing to try new things and get on different tempos, especially when it’s not their comfortable vibe, because that’s something that I like to do, as well,” he says of the unexpected collaboration.

It’s hard to believe Headie One has stacked so many wins without having an album to his name. But that’s changing. During quarantine, Headie made it his mission to cap off a wildly prolific period of ascendence with a debut album. “I feel like this time kind of helped me out a little bit, because where I’ll usually be up and down and just sorting out other stuff, now I had time to be at home and just work on music. I’ve done a lot of recording during quarantine, from home. The song that I done with Drake, I recorded at home during quarantine, and most of the album as well.”

The album name, Edna, began floating around earlier this year, and when I sit down with the rapper, it’s still one of the only things I know about the project. “Edna’s my mum’s name,” he explains. “I named the album after her. I just feel like I wanted to make that dedication, make that the concept of the album. It’s a good way to lead it, lead the album with that name.” When I ask him about the sound, he lets on that it’s “back to basics,” which I assume means drill. “It’s my first album, so hopefully it lets people know where I started to where I am now, lyrically but obviously musically as well. I feel like I’ve evolved as an artist. I feel like, when you’re listening to the album, you kinda see the transition, musically. It’s hard-hitting.”

To mark his 26th birthday, the all-conquering drill star finally dropped the highly-anticipated album. Edna enters the musical landscape at the peak of UK drill, a time when the genre is primed to have a stellar artist put it on the transatlantic map. With features from Drake, Future, Skepta, Stormzy, and more, Headie’s crossover ambitions have finally become realized.

However, his vision transcends global drill domination. For Headie, the only competition is himself. “My ambition is just to progress, really. When you’re one step forward, there’s always progression. That’s the plan, to keep stepping forward and making positive moves. I don’t really like to set goals and targets and that kind of stuff. I just feel like, as long as there’s progress, there’s elevation.”

Against all the odds, Headie One keeps breaking his own records, and it looks like Edna will be no different.

Justin Bieber Wants to Know Why You’ve Stopped Posting About BLM

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:01:59 GMT

Justin Bieber is still lending his voice and his platform to support Black Lives Matter even though it appears people have already “changed the subject” on social media.

The pop star posted a photo of Black Lives Matter protesters yesterday for his 149 million Instagram followers. In the caption he wrote: “I want people to know I haven’t forgotten. I want to use the platform i have to remind people that racism is evil and it is ingrained in our culture. I want my black brothers and sisters to feel supported, seen and valued. If this bothers you I just want you to know I’m not going to stop talking about it. Ever.”

View this post on Instagram

Some may say what good does it do to post “black lives matter…” I’ll tell you why.. I want everyone to know what matters to me. I want people to know what is heavy on my heart. I want people to know I haven’t forgotten. I want to use the platform i have to remind people that racism is evil and it is ingrained in our culture. I want my black brothers and sisters to feel supported, seen and valued. If this bothers you I just want you to know I’m not going to stop talking about it. Ever.

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Oct 21, 2020 at 12:08pm PDT

In a follow-up post, Bieber urged his fans – and naysayers – not to “change the subject” and addressed the need for white allyship, writing: “You can’t deny that racism is ingrained in our culture. It is straight up mean to change the subject to something you believe matters equally or more. Why can’t black lives simply just matter. Don’t change the subject.”

View this post on Instagram

Don’t change the subject..

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Oct 21, 2020 at 3:24pm PDT

The singer makes a valid point. Earlier this year, Instagram feeds were flooded with black squares and posts and stories about activism and racism. The problem is, this trivialized Black Lives Matter into a trend. And like all social media trend that are doomed to slowly die out and be replaced with something else, we’re seeing the same thing happen on our timelines with Black Lives Matter.

Justin Bieber’s continued posts about Black Lives Matter hold a mirror up to the performative activism of months prior and hopefully invite his millions of fans to continue to champion Black Lives Matter, not for Instagram clout but for real progress.

Join us in taking a stance against institutionalized racism.
For more:

Athletics Footwear Is Challenging the Notion of What a Timeless Sneaker Is

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:10:22 GMT

The best way to describe Athletics Footwear is that it’s got the unassuming vibe of a classic sneaker, but you can definitely see that it packs a punch under the hood — it’s not another Common Projects Achilles. It’s an all-new design that features a healthy dose of both nostalgia and innovation.

The all-star cast behind upstart Athletics Footwear includes ex-Nike designer and current Areté founder Myles O’Meally as well as Sneakerboy founder and all-around retail wizard Chris Kyvetos. It comes as no surprise, then, that the brand has a clear mission: “We live for product that was not designed to be marketed, but designed from a functional and very organic point of view,” explains Kyvetos.

Athletics Footwear was started because the founders felt a lot of function-first product had “stories,” as Kyvetos puts it, that ended when the product’s life-cycle did. The Athletics team also understands its limitations vis-à-vis major sportswear companies such as Nike or adidas, choosing not to waste resources on trying to develop its own revolutionary sneaker technologies.

“We’re not going to claim that we’ve got a new thing that’s going to make you run faster or jump higher,” explains Kyvetos. “It’s about using the best possible technologies available to us, and applying that to the resumption of these products and their stories and bringing them into a more urban setting.”

Ultimately what Athletics Footwear aims to do is to challenge the notion that classic silhouettes can’t also be contemporarily timeless. Athletics Footwear pulls inspiration from a wide range of products that the brand’s founders find inspiring themselves. You’re not going to go running or climbing in Athletics Footwear sneakers, but you can rest easy that everything that goes into the sneaker from a tech standpoint makes sure it delivers exactly what it needs to.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Athletics Footwear (@athleticsftwr) on Jun 18, 2019 at 2:58am PDT

Athletics Footwear has one silhouette — aptly called the One — which it is following up with a One.2 and a Zero model (working title). The former will be a slight update to the original, while the latter will represent the initial design process, kind of like a prototype, and released in the same vein as the Air Max Zero in 2016. True to its mantra, though, Athletics won’t discontinue its older sneakers. Instead, it will take a patient and considered approach to new designs. “We want to be able to work on updates of The One, even if we’re designing a Three or a Four,” explains Kyvetos. “We want everything to always exist.”

The brand isn’t for everyone, as Kyvetos readily admits. “It’s designed for somebody who isn’t driven by marketing. You don’t need to be shown it on a certain person for it to be interesting to you,” he says. This is a welcome break from the weekly hustle and bustle of limited, collaborative releases that is hard to ignore — even for the most seasoned of sneakerheads.

It’s also not in Athletics Footwear’s plans to rival the big boys in the sneaker industry anytime soon. “You can be so easily pulled and swayed by the impact of bigger brands. You’re carrying that impact around in your pocket,” Kyvetos says. “It’s a real challenge to basically ignore all the noise and say, ‘We’ve got a small idea,’ which is what we have. It’s an idea that’s rooted in product.”

Right now, the plan is to stay in their lane, build the brand slowly and organically, and make the best product possible. “You’ve just got to be absolutely focused on what it is you’re doing, the people you’re doing it for, and the people you’re doing it with,” Kyvetos muses.

Athletics Footwear may not be for everyone, but it’s not supposed to be. If you identify with Athletics Footwear’s message of blocking out the noise and prefer a considered, contemporary classic, it may just be for you.

You can buy the Athletics Footwear One via the brand’s official site for €195.

Aries’ New Balance 327 Takes Inspiration From Terracewear

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 10:20:22 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 8 images from this gallery.

Brand: Aries x New Balance

Model: 327

Key Features: Aries has taken New Balance’s ’70s-inspired 327 and added a bit of ’90s flavor to it. The sneaker is dressed in all-white or all-black leather and comes with reflective detailing. Aries’ version is a nod to the early ’90s football terrace aesthetic and fittingly drops alongside a matching tracksuit.

Release Date: October 30 (pre-release), November 6 (wider release)

Price: £140 / €160

Buy: Aries and select retailers (see list below)

Editor’s Notes: Aries continues its longstanding partnership with New Balance with a ’90s-inspired, football terrace take on the New England sportswear company’s 327. The shoe is a brand new design that was launched earlier this year and is heavily inspired by New Balance’s ’70s design language.

It became an overnight hit when it dropped as part of a collaboration with Casablanca, and Aries’ version is the latest that will more than likely sell out. The Aries x New Balance 327 drops first via Aries on October 30, before being released at select retailers on November 6. Find out where to buy it below.

Dover Street Market
SSENSE
KITH
Browns
Mr. Porter
Nordstrom
Boon The Shop

Here’s Your Chance to Design a Completely Original Sneaker

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 23:53:34 GMT

Sean Wotherspoon, Jeff Staple, and YEEZY’s Steven Smith are looking for the next big sneaker designer. The trio, along with several other industry leaders, have been tapped to judge Prospect 100’s global sneaker design competition, which is taking place from now through November 6.

Aspiring designers aged 25 and under are encouraged to submit a completely original sneaker design through prospect100.com. All submissions will then be judged by Wotherspoon, Staple, Smith, and other insiders including colette co-founder Sarah Andelman, Midnight Studios creative director Shane Gonzales, Sporty and Rich creative director Emily Oberg, art curator Ruba Abu-Nimah, artists Ketnipz and Trouble Andrew aka GucciGhost, Luka Sabbat, Evan Mock, and Highsnobiety’s own David Fischer.

The overall winner of the competition, to be announced on November 14, will receive personal mentorship with sneaker icon, Jeff Staple. Others will be offered internships with various brands, which will be made known at a later date.

“Our goal is to provide valuable real life opportunities to ambitious and passionate young people around the world at a time when it is needed the most,” said Alexandre Daillance aka Millinsky, creative director of NASASEASONS and one-third of Prospect 100. “I would have loved to enter this type of competition when I was younger and I can’t wait to see the submissions we will be receiving throughout the month.”

The sneaker design competition follows Prospect 100’s past two competitions in the fields of music and innovation. You can find out more about the footwear contest by visiting prospect100.com.

View this post on Instagram

Prospect 100 Global Design Competition Design a completely original sneaker Win mentorship and internships from the industry’s leading names Submit your design by November 6th 23:59 GMT www.prospect100.com #YourFutureStartsNow

A post shared by Prospect 100 (@prospectonehundred) on Oct 21, 2020 at 9:12am PDT

Feast Your Eyes on the 1,000-Horsepower All-Electric Hummer Supertruck

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 22:06:45 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 10 images from this gallery.

After announcing the vehicle at the beginning of the year, this week GMC officially unveiled the new all-electric Hummer. Marketed as the “world’s first all-electric supertruck,” the 2022 Hummer EV is set to go into production in late 2021, with prices starting at $112,595.

While GMC has yet to provide the torque output, we know that the Hummer EV is powered by three electric motors that deliver 1,000 horsepower. A 24-module Ultium battery pack then provides the truck with an estimated range of 350 miles, while 800-volt fast charging up to 350 kW gives it an additional 100 miles with a single 10-minute charge.

The electric Hummer is primed and ready for off-road adventure with its fully independent suspension and adaptive air shocks. This allows for a height adjustment range of six inches, and when in max-height off-road mode, you gain two more inches of ground clearance. Furthermore, Extract Mode lifts the vehicle six inches higher than the default setting.

The first version of the Hummer EV, the Edition 1, comes standard with 35-inch mud terrain tires. Paired with the suspension, the truck boasts a fording depth of two feet and is capable of climbing over obstacles up to 18 inches in height. Customers can also opt for 37-inch aftermarket tires to further beef up the off-roading capabilities.

Inside the Hummer EV you will find a 13.4-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch instrument display. The vehicle comes standard with clear, removable roof panels that can be stowed in the front cargo area.

Pre-orders for the 2022 Hummer EV have already begun, ahead of the production launch in late next year.

View this post on Instagram

The Quiet Revolution has begun. Reserve the world’s first all-electric supertruck now. #GMCHummerEV

A post shared by GMC (@gmc) on Oct 20, 2020 at 5:03pm PDT

"What The” Air Jordan 5 Blends All Your Favorite Colorways

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 19:58:18 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 5 images from this gallery.

Brand: Nike

Model: Air Jordan 5

Key Features: The “What The” Air Jordan 5 borrows elements from eight different colorways. Sporting a red and yellow mismatch design, the sneaker features graphic linings from the Air Jordan 5 “Bel-Air” and “Laser,” reflective tongues from the “Laser” and “Green Bean,” sole units from the “Bel-Air” and “Quai 54,” and a kanji character and medallion embroidery from the “Tokyo” and “Shanghai.”

Release Date: November 7

Price: $220

Buy: TBC

Editor’s Notes: This year has been a big one for the Air Jordan 5. While many are eagerly awaiting the release of Virgil Abloh’s “Sail” Off-White™ pair, Nike is continuing the 30th anniversary celebration of the silhouette by giving it the “What The” treatment.

The “What The” Air Jordan 5 blends all your favorite colorways, including the “Tokyo,” “Shanghai,” “Raging Bull,” “Bel-Air,” “Laser,” “Green Bean,” “Army Olive,” and “Quai 54.” At first glance, you’ll notice the sneaker features a red and yellow mismatch design, with numerous elements taken from the aforementioned eight Air Jordan 5 colorways.

Nike has yet to confirm release details for the new “What The” drop — although official images have surfaced — but reports are suggesting a launch will take place on November 7. As always, however, check back here for confirmation.

Dime Goes Underwater Skateboarding to Debut New Vans Half Cab

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 18:15:57 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 4 images from this gallery.

Brand: Dime x Vans

Model: Half Cab Pro

Key Features: Dime’s new Half Cab Pro comes in a blue and marshmallow colorway. The sneaker is predominantly constructed from suede and leather, and features a translucent sole with oversized Dime branding on the bottom, bold yellow details, and a Dime hang tag.

Release Date: October 24

Price: TBC

Buy: Select skate shops worldwide

Editor’s Notes: Dime is following its Summer 2020 New Balance collaboration with a new release alongside Vans. The two brands have reunited to offer an elevated take on a classic silhouette in the Half Cab.

For the new Vans collab, Dime has placed a focus on simple, classic lines. The Half Cab Pro is offered in a signature Dime blue and marshmallow colorway, crafted from premium suede and leathers.

The Montreal-based skateboarding brand chose to debut the collaborative Half Cab in unique fashion by engaging in a little underwater skateboarding session, which you can peep below.

View this post on Instagram

Pool skating @vansskate Oct. 24th 12am EST

A post shared by Dime (@dimemtl) on Oct 20, 2020 at 5:47am PDT

The Fear of God Exclusively for Ermenegildo Zegna Pieces You Have to Own

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 18:11:01 GMT

Founded in 1910 as a woolen mill, Ermenegildo Zegna has come a long way in 110 years. From producing its first collection of men’s suiting, all the way to partnering with Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God — one of contemporary fashion’s brightest stars. The result is Fear of God Exclusively for Ermenegildo Zegna, a collection characterized by classic tailoring and modern American luxury in equal doses.

From generous woolen polo shirts to sharply tailored, pleated formal trousers, Fear of God Exclusively for Ermenegildo Zegna embodies the maturing mindset of menswear without losing the raw, experimental attitude for which Fear of God is known and loved. To show our appreciation of this milestone in contemporary style, we’ve rounded up our favorite pieces from the collection.

This piece epitomises what the collection is about, Italian tailoring and classic American leisurewear. Timeless is the name, adaptable is the game. A jacket for any fit, season or occasion.

A long-sleeved tee never goes amiss during fall and winter, especially when it has a close-fitting mock-neck like this piece. A tonal Zegna logo graces the front in classic Fear of God font.

Zegna probably took the lead on these pin-stripe wool trousers, but the fact that the tapered legs would look equally good with a pair of sneakers as freshly polished derbies shows that Lorenzo wasn’t far from the table.

Ah, the braided belt. This definitely shouts Milan classicness but the fact it is a more un-traditional tie belt as opposed to a buckle shows that Fear of God influence.

Whilst this sneaker will not feel out of place on a million-dollar yacht it will also add a touch of laid-back casual cool to any fit.

Did you know that Ermenegildo Zegna Creative Director, Alessandro Sartori owns a red vintage Lancia as his preferred mode of transport? I would bet that when designing this jacket he was definitely thinking of wearing it whilst driving that car around Milan.

HHV Unites Fall’s Favorite Colors for a Lesson in Layering

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 16:05:45 GMT

Visit the original post to see all 11 images from this gallery.

Berlin-based streetwear and vinyl destination HHV can always be relied upon for its curation of the world’s best casual wear brands, and the retailer’s Fall/Winter 2020 campaign lives up to expectation. Full of cold weather-ready essentials from staple providers such as Carhartt WIP, Stan Ray, and Lacoste, the range seems built on components that can be easily swapped and styled as the season progresses and shifts.

Shot in Porto, Portugal, the lookbook for the HHV FW20 campaign is littered with fall-fitting shades of brown, orange, and green, with the styling proving how these versatile pieces are ideal for layering under and on top of one another.

As well as the lookbook above, we’ve picked out some of our favorite styles from the FW20 range, including pieces from Clarks, Columbia, Carhartt WIP, Lacoste, and many more. You can check out the campaign video below, and the editorial here.

Cord is king when the cold weather comes, and this Lacoste cap in the warm and durable material is a fun way to keep sporting summer accessories during fall and winter.

The patchwork look has been popping up all over recently, with designers like Ahluwalia showing how textile clashes can work. On the more affordable side of things, is this patchwork piece by Portuguese Flannel.

The necessity of denim doesn’t need to be explained. But if you’re struggling to pick one pair — Carhartt WIP’s heavyweight Maitland denim pants will provide, season after season.

So you’re ready to graduate from sneaker to shoe this winter and don’t know where to start? Mephisto’s Peppo Sup-Hydro is a good entry-level item, and it’s comfy, too, thanks to its custom Soft Air technology.

It was only a matter of time before cardigan-outerwear hybrids became a thing. Jardigan? Carket?

Cord pants are some of the comfiest around. Seriously, you’ll end up sleeping in them. So it’s an investment, of sorts.

Like Corduroy, the Clarks Wallabee was made for winter. The ’60s icon is always available in a host of fallen-leaf like colorways, but this chocolate brown edition is one of the tastiest.

In the lookbook above, you’ll see this Columbia fleece sweater layered beautifully with a hoodie, but you can wear yours however you like it (we’d still suggest the hoodie).

If you’re one of the brave types that wear white pants in winter, at least consider going for an off-white pair?

This sneaker-meets-mountain-hiker is a beautiful monster and one that’ll pair nicely with all three pants above. That’s handy.