It’s apparent that Camber don’t do funny business. There’s an enduring mystery to this sports/workwear brand that’s nicely at odds with every other brand letting the blogsphere see every inch of their inner workings down to the guts – they make great product, so hard wearing that it nearly falls into the current workwear boom that’s got your local hipster hotspot looking like dress rehearsals for ‘The Grapes Of Wrath’ with added GORE-TEX. This has been the year of the heritage range. Marketing guy spots local urchins in denim and workboots, discovers the hype blogs and realises that all they need is their old logo on a patch, Vibram on the sole and voila! They’re in the running.

In the tumble to show just how goddamn old and authentic they are, old brands are acting less like the bemused Farnklin Davis who expressed concern for Ben Davis fan Snoop Dogg around the time he was aquitted of murder charges, “I heard something about that Snoop Dogg guy getting in trouble…” or a crotchety old man chasing a young man in cropped chinos wielding a DMC-GF1 off his factory property. Nope. Now it’s all blogger tours and storytelling.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing at all – many companies must be caking it this winter from a new breed of consumer but sadly, the waxed canvas bubble will pop one day, and there’ll be brand casualties, regardless of how timeless the product is. It’s the age-old story, a long lost tribe found then corrupted by another tribe – fickle consumers with oneupmanship on the brain.

I once theorised that all the industry’s current ills go back to the day Nike retroed the Jordan 1 in 1994. I was stoned at the time of attempting to contextualise this, but after that release was treated with ambivalence by all but the clued-up and the Jordan series retros started shifting, while it certainly wasn’t the first Nike retro, the brand must have clocked the profits to be made from raiding the archive – it’s interesting the golden age of sports shoe design comes to a close as the retrospect rose. But that’s a whole ‘nother blog entry, and I’m on holiday, so I’ll stop talking shoes.

You’ll find no J. Peterman style essays, or tales of kitting out workers in days of olde on their site, but Camber are a brand with some history, well, for those of us who can remember brands like Gimme 5’s UK Bathing Ape subsidiary Very Ape printing on their thick tees circa. 1995 we know they go back to the mid ’90s at least. There were brief rumours that Camber’s thermal hoodies were the basis for Supreme and ALIFE pieces – but this has been attributed to CYC, who’ve stepped out from blank status lately with Reigning Champ and Wings & Horns (who to be fair, have been talked about regularly on forums like Superfuture for nigh-on half a decade).

We know Camber are based in Norristown, Pennylsvania and that their gear is proudly US-made. And that’s about it. Both those previous factoids would see most brands elevated to capo status in the current climate, but this one seems content to go about their business.

Savvy Japanese consumers picked up Camber sweats and gave them some magazine buzz a few years back, and any visitor to workwear mecca Dave’s in New York might have seen stacks of chunky zip-up numbers sharing shelf space with Carhartt and Dickies. A recent visit had a poor showing from Camber, and a glimpse at their website today indicates stocks are significently lower; one style and colour at time of writing. This just makes them all the more intriguing.

Carhartt’s European franchise meant they could serve dual roles as a trend and working brand well, causing some minor confusion (it’s all in the way those bad boys are cut), but without alienating either fanbase. Dickies is currently in the middle of a hunt for that trend-level scrilla, and after making some mediocre selevedge ventures since the late ’90s, finally seem to be on the right track with the excellent impending Wiliamson-Dickie numbers.

Max-Weight t-shirts do what the name suggests – a Hanes Beefy T weighs in at 6.1oz – the Max-Weight is 8oz of shirt. That’s excessive to the heavy shirt haters, but if you’re in the market for a non transparent tee, they’re a good choice. The Arctic Thermal zip-up is a flagship product for Camber – 19oz is enough to beat a man to death with one, and they’re a good winter pick. Dark green and brown are two of the best shades, and for those of you fetishising Lampo and Riri zips – fall back. You’ll get none of that for seventy bucks, but the brass eyelets and overall fit, taking in the fact they shrink by at least ten percent (something that doesn’t happen with the CYC numbers), is decent. The set in sleeves are a good length too, though a little prone to fraying over time. Again…these are, like Carhartt hoodies, despite dependabe build, seasonally disposable thanks to their pricepoint.

The contrast hi-vis one isn’t some ‘07 nu rave flashback – it’s eye-bleeding for a reason, and there’s a custom service promoted on the Camber site that offers orders that can be placed be placed “with a minimum quantity as low as 6 dozen” and the photographs show some clean examples of the factory’s commissions. Plus a mention that they do private label work too.

Camber deserves more respect, but props to the brand for keeping it real while all those around them lose their heads over the new found attention.

www.camberusa.com

On a loosely related note, this blog shows a lot of promise -

www.one-percenters-clothing.blogspot.com

There’s some great bits showcased on there for the one percent who care. Holmes knitwear is quite a flashback.

And linking to an earlier point, here’s team Red Wing making plans for further domination in 2010, plus some good (underexposed) promotional videos from their European, er…wing.

]]> http://howtoactfrench.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/damien-hirst-for-supreme-skate-decks-box-logo-tee/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:29:38 +0000 Mike Pike http://howtoactfrench.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/damien-hirst-for-supreme-skate-decks-box-logo-tee/

Damien Hirst and Supreme re-visit their old relationship in the upcoming release of a series of skateboard decks. In addition to the similarly styled decks comes a t-shirt as well with the slogan “Life’s a Bitch Then You DIE” on the back with the theme of the decks seen on the front graphic.
British artist Damien Hirst was born in 1965 in Bristol, England.

During the 1990s Hirst was known as a wild child in the art world and his work embodied both everyday realism and provocative sensationalism. Known for his ironic wit and cultural commentary, Hirst often explores the theme of mortality through a variety of mediums and techniques from installation work, to painting and sculpture.

A series utilizing preserved dead animals suspended in formaldehyde (including a shark, a sheep and a cow) catapulted Hirst to fame amidst controversy. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, a 14-foot tiger shark immersed in a glass display case of formaldehyde became the iconic work of British art in the 1990s. Its sale in 2004 made Hirst the world’s second most expensive living artist after Jasper Johns.

Hirst is known for his iconic graphic Spot paintings that depict rows of randomly colored circles. Supreme will release a series of five individually designed decks and a Box Logo tee designed by Damien Hirst featuring his Spot paintings.

It looks like Supreme will be continuing its partnership with Vans, this time utilizing the understated V-106 model, another classic vulcanized offering from Vans. The shoes are featured in 4 different colorways, including two solid suede renditions and a set of canvas camouflage joints, both boasting Supreme’s original camo print. The suede models will retail for ¥12,600 (Approx. $140 USD) while the other two see a ¥11,550 (Approx. $129 USD) price tag. I would totally pick up a pair of the orange boys.

Via Highsnobiety

For me the best track on Fantazia’s First Taste album. Its got it all, rocking breaks, massive synths and a piano/ vocal break thats out of this world.

Delara just clocked me rocking out to it and told me im due to join the 21st century (she even did a nice running man for effect). If there was ever a track that would make me not want too. This would be it.

2009 Winter Collection!

Okay!

Source : http://freeaafia.org/

Criminal justice sytem

From my book CHILDHOOD MEMOIRS

 The words crime, punishment, criminal etc. were coined in the feudal era. At the time of the the capitalist revolution in France ( 177 5 ), when wooly-eyed writers and intellectuals took it as the true revolution ,words like liberty, fraternity and equality came into vogue. Victor Hugo’s Le Mirable  for the first time, made us aware of the fact that  a thief is also a human being. Alas! We have forgotten Hugo. Is  his name mentioned in any text book?

No wonder. It is highly inconvenient to mention his name, now that money is the supreme deity (in Malayalam the word for a billionaire is KODEESWARAN !). How else can we explain public linching of a poor harijan boy in front of TV cameras? If we claim to be humanists, we should have intervened to save the poor boy. Let us re-read Hugo. The word criminal must be deleted from dictionary.

We are all fallible. I used to travel in DTC bus, paying the minimum fare, until I was caught. Did I earn money this way? It is just human tendency to enjoy any gain, howsoever pitifully trivial it may be! Yet I am not a miser. We have to continuously improve our own thinking, attitude, outlook and behaviour. (To thine own conscience, be true). The system should help us to become a true gentleman, in every sense of the term! Wash away the criminal in me. Lockup, police brutality and the jail will only make me a hardened criminal. Parents and teachers have empowered themselves to beat a child whose sole parent is God. Will He be happy with our conduct?

A pick pocket or smuggler is let away with light punishment. Their patrons are in the good books of the police. Does the system have any way of reforming a criminal? The latter is just a tool .There is no law for punishing the real villain who works behind the scene. This aspect has to be taken care of.

In the proposed set up, a team of dedicated people will conduct a thorough probe into all aspects of even a petty crime and recommend measures to eradicate it forever. If only an individual is concerned, he can be given work of cleaning the gutter, removing garbage or some such useful work. Jails can be converted into schools. Hardened criminals  can be chained like slaves and made to work hard.

The investigating team should be headed by a judge (A retired one may be preferred).

The members of the team must be well trained, thoroughly honest and dedicated. The whole department could be under the control of the Chief Justice of India and function independently, without interference from any quarter. All proceedings must be video recorded, but the proceedings must be  in camera, lest others involved may know what is happening and arm themselves accordingly. The culprit shall remain in humane custody. No bail, even if the crime is trivial. The whole lot of lawyers should be asked to go home and tend cattle!

At present they work only to distort or delay the investigation and save the culprit for the sake of money. How do we tolerate this brazen miscarriage of justice?

APPOINTMENTMENT OF JUDGES

Like the election commission, there shall be a permanent judicial commission. Appointment of judges will follow the same pattern as that of MPs (see Democratic Disfunction).T he judges too should work hard from 8 am to 6 pm every day, with weekly holiday by rotation; but they will get suitable salary because they are not elected by the people.

Even a shadow of suspicion shall debar him .Once appointed, he should work for life time, without any age limit, so long as he is healthy and willing to work .Transfer and promotion etc. must also be decided by the commission.

They may be removed any moment, if proved to be incompetent or unhealthy or on grounds for suspicion; otherwise they can serve indefinitely as in the US.(Their system is better in all respects. If their system is a motor car, ours is a bullock cart, with one wheel broken and the animal unable to pull !)

Any person, not necessarily an aggrieved one, on the basis of news ,a first information report may be lodged even by e:mail  The concerned judge shall immediately start investigation ,assisted by CIDs, police etc., but in strict secrecy .Any person may be arrested, including witnesses who shall remain in custody till investigation is over.The people detained must not be allowed to meet each other. All questioning shall be video recorded in the presence of the judge. Refusal to answer a question will be treated as confession .

The judgement shall be given then and there .

The whole system must function independently, without  interference from any quarter. Nobody will even come to know ; how can they meddle ?

The policemen must be like elder brothers to the citizens, in the model of the English police.

Well known brand Supreme drops pictures of its up coming winter collection that should be available late November. Supreme’s style shirts are inspired from music and nostalgic America. The tees are dropping the same day as the Supreme x Vans collaboration which drops November 27th.

SOURCE: Supreme

“Accompanying Supreme’s upcoming Vans 106 team-up sneaker release comes a new series of t-shirts. A total of four different t-shirt designs are on hand and will drop the same day as the Vans on Friday, November 27th across Supreme New York and Supreme Los Angeles locations.”

Barbara Kruger is an American artist who became famous for her placement of bright text on top of her black and white photography. It’s usually declarative phrases that cricize “sexism and the circulation of power within cultures.” She’s been an influence for many, including Shepard Fairey’s work with Obey as well as popular fashion companies like Supreme. See some work below:

“Accompanying Supreme’s upcoming Vans 106 team-up sneaker release comes a new series of t-shirts. A total of four different t-shirt designs are on hand and will drop the same day as the Vans on Friday, November 27th across Supreme New York and Supreme Los Angeles locations.”

supreme is another one of my favorite brands. these are some of the t shirts from the fall line. i really havent liked theyre shirts lately but these are pretty dope . . . check them out.

It seems that Pakistan Feudal Party (also known as PPP) government in full swing

to confront independent media using all their internal resources and their external

links to put curbs on genuine journalism and news analysis.

It reminds us of Musharraf’s emergency days when similar was done to stop the voices against their mistakes and crimes.

Recent victim of this PPP government’s feudal martial law is “Meray Mutabiq” of Dr. Shahid Masood which has been banned by the Dubai government to go on air from Dubai.

Recently government, agencies, government sponsored media and journalists have started a massive campaign against independent media and the elements and methods used were pretty much same as of Musharraf times even the allegations are similar like being paid by opposition or serving the foreign agenda (We all know our governments have been serving the foreign agenda not the independent media).

We condemn this action of Pakistan and UAE governments and show our full solidarity with independent media.

We expect the genuine journalists and analysts to continue their role which they have played against dictatorship, against emergency,against innocent killings and illegal abductions, against imperialist takeover of our country ,against NRO and corruption and the role to restore the independent judiciary of Pakistan.

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Geo’s program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ banned from Dubai

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=92070

KARACHI: A ban has been imposed on airing of Geo News’ program ‘Meray Mutabiq’ from Dubai.

According to sources, the high government officials of Pakistan exerting pressure on the Dubai government had the airing of the program stopped.

Geo’s administration has said that this step of the government is tantamount to targeting the freedom of expression.

It may be mentioned here that the senior analyst Dr. Shahid Masood was the anchor of ‘Meray Mutabiq’.

Este es el resultado de la colabo entre 2 marcas punteras en el StreetWear, Vans y Supreme, eligiendo el modelo 106 en 4 colorways diferentes…..

This is really amazing no fair trial, no justice, baseless allegations on an innocent mother of 3 children two of which are still missing (if alive) and still they call their selves civilized fighting a so-called war against terror. The imperialists are real terrorists and hypocrites ruling the world with their power,brutal killings,economic exploitation and lies.

They Zionists/Neo-Cons don’t consider others as human beings , they are real fascists and modern face of Nazism.

Can Aafia get the share of civilization and system of justice she deserves? Is there any conscience left in our government which is busy in licking feet of their imperialist masters? Is there any Kerry-Lugar bill for Aafia? Is there any humanity left for an innocent lady who has suffered a lot for being a muslim women who loves her religion?

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Source: http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Politics/21-Nov-2009/Dr-Aafia-to-boycott-trial

Dr Aafia to boycott trial

The Nation
NEW YORK – While a defiant Aafia Siddiqui declared that she would boycott her trial in January, a federal judge Thursday rejected her lawyers’ plea that she could not be tried in the United States as they pointed out that the Pakistani neuroscientist’s alleged crime took place outside the country. Ms Siddiqui, who was brought to New York in August 2008 from Afghanistan where prosecutors say she allegedly fired at US interrogators. No American was hit but she was shot in the abdomen and was charged with attempted murder and assault.
In a pre-trial hearing on Thursday, her lawyers, led by Charles Swift, argued that Dr Siddiqui could only be tried on terrorism charges in the US, and not on murder charges. In this regard, he quoted various international regulations.
But US District Judge Richard Berman ruled out the motion, saying that the US courts have jurisdiction if American citizens were subjected to attacks abroad, citing some precedents.
But Ms Siddiqui, who is languishing in a maximum security jail, interrupted her lawyers in US District Court in Manhattan to announce that she did not plan to participate in her trial, scheduled for Jan 19.
“I am boycotting this trial,” she declared. “I am innocent of all the charges and I can prove it, but I will not do it in this court.”
Since the very beginning, Ms Siddiqui has said that she has no confidence in the American judicial system or the lawyers appointed for her by the court – even those retained by the government of Pakistan – and that she wants to make peace and knows how to do it.
She has vigorously protested against what she called humiliating strip searches before she is brought to the court.
Judge Berman said that her trial would proceed after her lawyers and prosecutors visit Afghanistan to interview eyewitnesses to finalise their case.
Lawyers for Ms Siddiqui tried to convince the court that she was mentally incompetent to stand trial, citing in part her refusal to cooperate with lawyers and the reports of a psychologist who said she suffers from delusional disorder and depression.
Judge Berman rejected that argument after prosecutors pointed to psychological reports that concluded she was faking mental illness.
Berman on Thursday rejected defence arguments aimed at tossing out charges against Ms Siddiqui that carry a potential minimum prison sentence of 30 years and a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Before he ruled on the request, Dr Siddiqui said visits by her lawyers were “torture for me” and it was a waste of money for lawyers to go to Afghanistan to interview witnesses because she was not participating in the trial.
“I’m not dealing with them anymore,” Dr Siddiqui said of her lawyers. “They’re just people coming to my door and talking, talking, talking.”
During a break, Dr Siddiqui was led out of the courtroom by US marshals when she would not stop talking loudly. “Take me out,” she said. “I’m not coming back.”
She was not present when the judge made his decision.

Click to see more.

Al termine di questa settimana i due brand statunitensi Supreme e Vans daranno alla luce la nuova collaborazione basata sul modello 106: formato da un totale di 4 modelli in colorazioni differenti. Due di questi modelli sono realizzati con fantasia mimetica, mentre gli altri due sono prodotti in pelle scamosciata, molto più classici e raffinati.
Tutti e 4 i modelli sono accumunati dalla suoletta interna in pelle, marcata Vans.
Le sneakers sono attese dal pubblico dal 27 Novembre, quando saranno disponibili negli stores.