Kings Recognize Kings: Mese Design Studios x Maker Boards
Style isn’t limited to apparel, it can be applied to your everyday lifestyle. Having an artistic eye can land you jobs internationally in many fields of work; starting from the canvas, to fashion & even sports. MakerUSA is a collective of talented individuals committed to creating lifestyle products that symbolize the American landscape. Their team is dedicated to creating lifestyle sport products with respect and in relation to diverse, natural landscapes. MakersUSA is collaborating with pioneering local and internationally recognized artists in painting, drawing, graphic design, street art and tattoo artistry. Local artist Hamid Holloman of Mese design studios is a featured artist who has designed a series of skate boards for Ric Allison, who owns MakersUSA.
Check out the skateboards designs from Hamid Holloman
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A Kings Wardrobe: Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan (adj): cos·mo·pol·i·tan: A city/place or person that embraces its multicultural demographics.
Being A gentleman of style, the blending of the eras is always close to home. Having a Jacket on that was originally constructed in the 50s & incorporating it with modern day garments showcases individuality as well as effortless style. From the 1960s to now It gives respects to the past as well as what the future represents.K.R.T.
Beanie Hat by Block Headwear
Vintage Custom Motorcycle Leather Jacket by House of Ra’oof
Jeans by J Crew
Construction Boots by Cabelas
Photos by: Taji Nahl
Welcome To The AYE
When it comes to music I’m a Q-Tip, Raphael Saadiq & Cee-Lo type of guy. I enjoy all genres of music but smooth R&B is what I enjoy the most. I have been told that i have a old soul so i adjust more to muisc that comes from within & has more meaning. So its kinda funny that for the past week I have been enjoying this mixtape by my good friend over at Abstract Thought Aaron Nearn better known as DJ AyeBoogie new mixtape “Welcome To The Aye”. It took me quite some time to listen to the entire thing but I like it because it shows you the different types of music being played down South that us folks up North don’t hear until 6 months after it has already came out. His trip to Atlanta inspired him to come out with his first mixtape full of instant club hits. Everybody says they go the extra mile but he went 658 miles for his!! K.R.T.
Download this mixtape here http://bit.ly/eTsr0M
Mitchell & Ness x Ubiq
Friday night I was invited to a private event at Ubiq (1509 Walnut st) for Mitchell & Ness new pop up shop located on the 2nd floor. This is a dope collaboration being that Ubiq is Philly’s premier sneaker & apparel boutique & Mitchell & Ness is the key source for athletic headwear, tees & athletic jerseys. This was the official launch which brought out all of their close supporters & avid customers. I networked with a great group of creative people who I plan to work with and feature on my blog in the near future. K.R.T.
Pictures from the Mitchell & Ness launch event
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Kings Inspire Kings: Karl-Edwin Guerre
During my time in NYC I stayed at the beautiful W Hotel in Time Square. What caught my attention the most beside the details of the bathroom, the faster than life elevator & the amazing details of the hotel overall were the pictures of fashionable people all over the walls of the lobby. It was a street style photography series by Swagger 360 founder and photographer Karl-Edwin Guerre. The series was titled “Gentleman Of Nonchalant Elegance & Effortless Style”. I have been following Swagger360 for quite some time now so as soon I as saw the photographs I immediately thought of him.
Karl captures individual style of all races male & female but in this particular series it was all males of unique taste & effortless style. It was a total coincidence that the series was showing at the hotel and I just happened to be staying there. Being a gentleman of style it was refreshing to see such amazing shots as Karl’s style is something I aspire to. Hopefully, one day I’ll get the chance to meet him because Kings Inspire Kings. K.R.T.
Check out pictures from the spectacular W hotel and Swagger 360 series. -K.R.T.
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King Conquers Tradeshow
“Kings Recognize Kings”
Tuesday & Wednesday I was able to attend 4 trade shows in NYC… Project, Capsule, Agenda & ENKNY. This was my second time attending a fashion trade show. A trade show is a place for clothing brands to show, buy & network to potential clients. This gives you the chance to predict what brands will be hot and what the trends are for the next season. I went as a buyer for my father’s store Kamouflage Concept store. The experience was a tad overwhelming, due to the fact that I wasn’t buying for myself but for the customers that come into the store. You have to differentiate what you like from what people would buy and what will sale.
From the creativity to the quality, I came across a lot of dope brands but my favorites were Desigual, Carapace, Beetle Bailey x Dr. Romanelli, Artisan De Luxe, Haversack, Prps, Illesteva, Bkyln Dry Goods & Brooklyn Circus. The Creative director of Brooklyn Circus Ouigi aka “The Bearded Man” remembered me from a minute encounter last year. I kicked it with them for a bit in their amazing booth @ Project and also ran into Philly Native Ab Liva who was with Pusha T from The Clipse at Capsule. He has a street wear brand called Play clothes. I’m looking forward to seeing more amazing designers at the MAGIC tradeshow in Vegas.
Check out pictures of the dope designers and brands at the tradeshows
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The Play “The Nigga Files”
The play “The Nigga Files”, written & directed by Donja R. Love & co-director Heather Thomas showed the ins & out of the education system of 5 inner city youth in a reform school & a teacher recognizing that his classroom may be the only hope left for the students. Majority of the time I was stuck in the basement with Muhammad & Ronnie doing quick changes for the actors & making sure collars were straight & looks were perfect. This was my first time as a costume director but with their help it made things a lot easier.
Read the rest for my thoughts on the play and for photos from the run of the show
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Behind The King: Source Magazine
Styling isn’t as easy as it looks, especially when you have a client who is 6’6 and has arms that are almost as long as you. Those are stats from Philadelphia 76ers star forward Andre Iguodola. I was honored to be a part of this photo shoot, which my mentor Rakia Reynolds introduced me to. Andre Iguadola and Kendra G from 100.3 The Beat radio station were being featured in the spring issue of The Source magazine in a feature called “Jocks vs Jocks”. I was abled to pull from many local area stores such as Mitchell & Ness, Torre Big and Tall, Adidas and Kamouflage Conecpt store. Kendra G was styled by Mareen Reese. It was amazing to see Mareen’s big bag of tools that made styling that much easier. She is such an accomplished stylist and I definitely used this as an opportunity to learn from her. I brought Muhammad along with me for assistance in the overall process. The experience was extremely surreal and I met some amazingly talented people I look forward to working with again in the future.
K.R.T.
Check out pictures from the Source photoshoot with Andre Iguodola
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California Dreaming Video
California Dreaming from Sophanit Makonnen on Vimeo.
Here is the final video from shoot I particated in “California Dreaming” for Sophanit’s site and online brand she is developing. The video turned out to be a beautiful interpretation of her trip to California. And it was great to see all of my talented friends showcased. Supporting and highlighting one another is what Kings Rule Together is all about, so big up to Sophanit for representing our generation well!
“The Nigga Files”
“King Shatters Nigga”
Those are strong words from the script of the play “The Nigga Files” written & directed by Donja R. Love & co-directed by Heather Thomas. Nigga is a word I try to refrain from using and I use the word King in reference to other men, hence the title of this blog “Kings Rule Together”. I’m extremely honored to be working as the wardrobe director for the play.
“The Nigga Files” revolves around 5 students in a reform school who all protray the stereotype of how a “Nigga” is suppose to be. The cast is amazingly talented with Salina Yasmine as Martha, Stan Dixon as Eddie, Jamarr Hall as Jamal, Aaron Thornton as David, and Keith Illidge as Antonie. The play is an intense dissection of young black men living in urban environments and the issues of homosexuality, murder and what it means to be a nigga.
The Nigga Files runs Tue., Jan 11, through Sun., Jan. 16, at the Shubin Theatre. The drama, first runner-up for Best Play in the fall’s Philly Urban Theatre Festival
Behind The King: Sophanit Video shoot
What were you doing when you were 19yrs old?
Me and my friends Gianni Lee & Aaron Ramey of Babylon Cartel took a trip to Jersey to be a part of our good friend Sophanit’s short teaser for her new site she is developing. I worked with Sophanit before styling her for Missfit Vintage photo shoot so I know how fun and inspirational she can be. I was impressed at the creativity in the room. Each person that was in the short “teaser” video was a young entrepreneur. I like to call them “doers” & “choosers”.
The theme behind the video was Sophanit reflecting on her recent trip to California. The name of this video is “California Dreaming”. We were all classmates who wouldn’t stop throwing baseball sizes paper balls at the teacher’s (Gianni) head. It was a fun experience and I’m glad I had the opportunity to be apart of a friend’s dream. A califorania Dream!!!
Here are some pictures from the day
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PROJECT x Stylecaster Correspondent Finalist: Tawfeeq Gaines
This might be the dopest video I have seen in a while. Tawfeeq Gaines is a Philly native, NY boutique owner and mentor of mine. I have learned a lot from him just by watching him represent many brands from Meezan Artcoutoure, Flightsckool and Prince of Soho. Tawfeeq put together this video for the Project x Stylecaster competition. He is a finalist and needs everyone’s support to win. Please vote/like the video on Youtube.
Project Correspondent Stylecaster video from Tawfeeq Gaines on Vimeo.
Arts, Beats & Eats “Good Shoe”
What better way to kick off 2011 then with our Arts, Beats & Eats “Shoe drive”. All the shoes we collected were donated to multipe organizations including Leeway Foundation, Salvation Army & shelters in the local area. Each month the quality of the event grows through word of mouth and the relationships that people have built from previous events. I can honestly say I have met so many new and goal-oriented people since we (myself, Shaheed and Gianni) started this event in May and I am looking forward to seeing it grow in the future.
Special thanks to the vendors: Mijourne Jewelry, Urbanea, Shestayfabulous Shoes, MissFit Vintage, Chill Moody & Spirit of Tranquility.
Special thanks to the artist Iye Yinde
Next Arts, Beats & Eats will be Feb 6th, 2011 and will be the ”Black History Month” SuperBowl edition
Check out photos from this past Arts, Beats and Eats
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