Most streetwear brands start innocently enough. Some enterprising kid snags a pirated copy of Photoshop and his parents' plastic, throws an ironic pop culture icon or some HUGE BLOCK LETTERS on a shirt and hits the streets to promote. This is a time tested method through which some of our best young designers find an audience (remember Jack Black's biography of Stussy in Orange County?). The problem is, even Cobain's 'Corporate Magazines Still Suck' shirt ended up on the cover of Rolling Stone. Example: LRG's eco-hood designs were fresh before Zumiez turned them into the new Element. Since Rob and Big, 'limited release' Rogue Status tees are showing up on everyone and their bodyguard. Why are these companies getting stale? It all lies in the age-old belief that a brand name alone can keep you steezin'.
Here at CA, one of our core beliefs is that if it's not your style, then it's not style at all. The best streetwear companies are those that remain a source of creative designs that strike personal chords with customers. Last week, I ran across a particularly ill shirt from Akomplice:
I had never heard of the brand, but it caught my eye since I've been down with Spike and Scottie for as long as I remember. Their catalog revealed a few more gems, including shirts dedicated to the two baddest men of all time: Keyser Soze and Spud Webb.
Our advice is, dig deeper. Instead of going to the mall, hit up Goods or Laced Up in Seattle, or Locust in Bellingham. Like Plato said, "Know Thyself. And for fuck's sake stop buying shirts with cartoon characters on them. That shit is played."
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-In recent years, the iconic Jordan logo has become synonymous with top-shelf shoes and sportswear. Lately they seem to be a little more streetwear oriented, with last year's clutch Levi's collaboration and some new kicks inspired by Kobe and Q-Tip.
