Just as I was about to discuss the frequency of Bearbricks through a critique of the latest ACRONYM and Medicom Bearbrick Medicom goes out and proves my point with another useless project.

These stupid Japanese need to pick up a dictionary and look up the word “limited”.  It’s not going to be limited if you have tens of thousand of releases of the same thing each year.

The Bearbrick went from a fairly cool tool, to resembling any tired eponymous plastic toy.  In the past you would take another look at the large vinyl bear, but now it is a wave of the hand and onward with life.

Long story short – this dude sucks.  People from the Internet told him that Supreme was dope.  Last year all over print hoodies were fire (not really, being draped in an baby blanket print has never been cool).  So in a lapse of judgement, or a epiphany of sheer genius the kid puts together what he thinks are the bees knees of steeze.

What really happens is a train wreck.  The had a term for such disrepair coined in the Vietnam War; FUBAR.

Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition

Hyperfruit – Iphone? Check.  Supreme Fitted? Check.  All over Print Kid Robot Dunny? Check.  And the Coup De Grace (death blow in French) is the flowered shower curtain.

There is no online discount code for Supreme.  They’ll sell out regardless of whether there is a code or not.  This was ruse perpetrated by a few key SuFu and Hypebeast members. 

The first line of tees from this season can be summed up with a “meh”.  Nothing really spectacular except the “JFK” tee.  The tee has the iconic picture of JFK and his breezy before his assassination; an obvious commentary on the parallel between Democratic nominee Barack Obama, and a former champion of change.

I don’t even know if I want to wear this tee.  It obviousy has an idea that I share and would like to convey, but I really don’t want to get lumped in with the number of hypebeasts who are more in love with the little box logo then they are with the message.  I’ll decide when I stop by Supreme on Monday (Thursday releases are for fags, they hook the homie up on Monday if you aren’t a total herb).

The other tees are really lackluster.  Mad Max is a cool concept but the execution is pretty weak.  Not worth the $32 (price increase, FUCK!).  The Boar’s Head “only the strong” is nice because I love that fuckin’ deli, but again not worth the price of admission.  I would rep the Monaco and Supreme Smash tee, but need to find the right color.  And then there is the Bronson and Chaos tee that I am just not feeling.  Charles Bronson was a pretty good hardcore band, and this Supreme flip is just corny.  So is the Chaos bullshit.  There’s also a “Black President” tee that uses the same font that was used for an old “Dead Presidents” tee (same as the movie). 

All in all a lackluster Supreme tee line, luckily they have that bomb ass outerwear to save face.  We’ll see if the next drop of tees will be any better. 

I pretty much like to shit on everybody, but I didn’t think I would be doing it to Junya Watanabe, the protege of Rei Kawakubo.  Junya has been working as Rei’s protege through Comme des Garcon, and was given his own Comme des line in 1993.  Junya’s legend stems from his use of highly technical fabrics, and much of the praise is with his ability to creative innovative and distinctive pieces.  Lately, Junya has been fucking up.  There weer a string of collaborations with North Face that was more fruit, then innovation, and now we get this.

Gloverall Duffle Coat is an amazing classic coat.  However, I was hoping Junya would do something “innovative” with this classic piece.  Instead he just stitches some leather onto the shoulder and sleeves.  I’ll put you on to some tailors in the San Gabriel area down in SoCal that’ll hook that leather up on your duffle for $50 flat, while you’re waiting you can buy bootleg Vivid compilations and savor some Peking duck.  The bottom line is that you come to expect more from a designer of Junya’s caliber.  Of course, there is the argument that Junya merely lends his name, but I would not let my name be associated with shit (AND I am a nobody).  This is just another sad, overpriced , and lazy collaboration.   I would have liked to see Junya weave some space age materials into the famous Gloverall wool, but someone felt leather was “technical” enough.

Retail for the coat is around $1425, you can get a regular Gloverall at Sierra Trading Post for $240 when it goes on sale (4-5 hundy regularly).

If you need further proof that W)Taps is going down the tubes then look no further.  A nail file and comb is part of W)Taps 2008 Fall/Winter.  I don’t know about you but I sure as hell don’t need a plastic comb from a high priced military inspired Japanese label to validate my life.

I pity those who actually have these in their possession.  What’s wrong with your hand.  I have this thing where if I can’t brush my hair with my hand, then it’s time for a cut.  I know there are fancy dudes out there that needs a comb, but how fancy of a haircut where you need a W)Taps comb that is of the same look and quality of those given out on photo day at elementary school.  BTW, I am not fooled by the “hand made” bullshit on the comb.  Do I really need my comb (if I used one) to be hand made?   This is beyond retardation.  Take the attention to detail to a product that deserves it.

What irks me more is that it’s from W)Taps.  Bape, Paul Frank, even Mastermind would be understandable; but a brand that came up on the scene with BDUs?  WEAK.

Wings and Horn, Wings + Horn, W+H, or whatever incarnate you can derive from the imagery of angels and demons, is showing off their new season.  The makers of your favorite Supreme sweats has come correct.  While often criticized for being too plain, this is exactly what I want to see from W+H.  When I buy a Journey CD I want some fuckin’ Journey, I don’t want them to experiment with what I like.  Don’t fuck with what you are good at, and W+H know that they are good for shawl necks, flanel and fleece.  After all, they get their shit from the CYC mills up in Canada.

The Tiger Fleece hoody is looking extra sharp in that blue/tan color.  They two tone ninja cuffs, and waist cuff works really well.  I have owned the iconic kelley green from three seasons back, as well as the red from two seasons ago and they are by far the best hoodies.  Where Supreme is stiff and durable, these are soft and supple.  I also really like how W+H gives their customers a choice on the style of sizing.  Go emo with the slim fit, or brolic with the regular.  Plus, these are just dope enough to be above the run of the mill American Apparel hoody curve, without being Billionaire Boys Club (that fruity pebbles steeze).

The flannel zip up deserves some recognition.  The look is really clean.  The two large placket pockets allow it to stand out from what you find at Uniqlo and H&M.  While it can probably do without the zipper, I think I don’t mind it too much.  Both colors I have posted are really good, and can be worked into the wardrobe rotation easily.

This is what I refer to as the “got damn, Jesus” piece of the season.  When you see it you just have to ask what, and give a shout the the Jewish carpenter.  Simply put, this is the bees knees of steeze (copyright pending); inspired by Ganesha and rocked by Muhammed.  This shawl neck sweater is done to perfection.  Using the twisted/speckled wool is genius.  And throw on those two large buttons and you got a runaway hit.  Pair this sweater with a pair of JCrew chinos, some Redwing 875s, and top it off with a scarf and you are p magnet, while (this is the most important part) getting your propers from the SuFu homies.

The one thing one has to remember about W+H is to never pay full price.  Sadly, only internet nerds trying to impress their world wide web brethren actually order from Bluebird or Steven Alan online.  The truth of the matter is that W+H always goes on sale; it’s just not widely available.  Go to American Rag on La Brea toward the end of the season and expect 50% off.  Head over to Steven Alan and it’s pretty much the same there.  And then there are the crazy sample sales in Vancouver.  The point is to be vigilent with W+H.  Shit is steezy, but not worth the price of admission.

On, a side note the Koreans have their eye on the right shit.  It seems Heritage (some Forever 21 type steeze) has copied your favorite tiger fleece.  This might be the demise of your favorite hoody.  STILL, I wanted to give the Koreans their ups.  It took you guys about 3 years to catch on, yet you were the first.  AA’s feeble attempt with their salt and pepper was a total fail.  Here are some pics:

There are 2 things to discuss here:

1.  Lines

2. Hypefruit

Lines – Lining up for anything sucks.  I think there is an unspoken understanding that waiting in line is a sure sign of uncool.  That has changed with the number of “exclusive” release of shoes, t-shirt collaborations, or limited vinyl toys.  Although you obtain a rare collectible item, it does little to disuade the fact that while you were waiting for that ultra limited fitted, there were dudes on the prowl for the p.

Personally, prowling for the p and getting shot down by the dirtiest chola gets more props then any Supreme x Nike release.  This just makes me second think a dude rocking some exclusive fitted.  The dude is obviously not a pro-skater and/or snowboarder to get flo like that, so he either waited in line, or had to throw mad cake down on eBay (equally lame).  This leads me to Hyperfruit.

Hyperfruit – Is that dude who looks for the rarest of kicks, to match with the most limited of New Era fitteds to line up for more “limited” offerings.  They break out this gear every so often to impress the dudes who wait in line with them; in a seeminly desperate attempt to prove how down they are with the scene. That Supreme New Era fitted and the Tiffany dunks proves nothing.  All it tells me is that you either enjoy waiting in lines, or paying for marked up goods.

The dude with the strip polo from Footlocker and embrodiery jeans in the picture did the line up right (as if there is a way to line up).  He said fuck what you’ll think, I think this limited New Era is fire and I am going to get me mine, irregardless of what I look like.

Serving up another hot dish of poo is this recent collaboration between Crooks and Vans.  Vans has done some awesome collaborations with the likes of Supreme, W)Taps, The Simpsons, Marc Jacobs, the list goes on.  While not every collaboration is a home run, this is a definitely a failed bunt attempt.

The colors are rediculously horrid.  Personally, I hate how Crooks has made the iconic Green/Black/Red (Gucci) print a part of their staple.  I guess it makes perfect sense that a brand with “crooks” in it does some ripping off.

Here, is a picture of another poo poo design from the Crooks.

Last year I copped the Burnside for mad cheap.  I love the jacket.  The details blow any sub $200 Burton jacket out of the water.  I had the 2 in 1 Burton and did a comparisson to the Holden and it was no competition.  Holden’s quality is top notch.

Holden’s new season looks really strong.  There are two particular pieces that look great.  I am really looking forward to whatever else comes out from Holden.

My favorite jacket has to be the Brighton piece.  Since I am in sunny SoCal there really isn’t even a need for a jacket on most days.  I go up with a tee, and have a Supreme Box hoody in my backpack 50% of the time.

However, I really want to pick this jacket up because Holden is definitely not just for the slopes.  They don’t have the super baggy fit like most snow gear.  And even if it’s just the movies it is good to know your jacket has all the nice accouterments for a blizzard.

The other pieces are all good, but the Brighton is my stand out-favorite.  I also have a special spot for the last jacket in this post; just not enough to write more about it.

On two the second pick.  The Flynn is fire in my opinion, it is a woman’s jacket but it is all-so tactical steezy.  Was considering copping in a larger size, but the Birghton looks too dope.  I’ll probably still try it out.

And the rest: