Nike To Sell Cole Haan & UMBRO – Divesting Process To Begin Immediately

This isn't entirely surprising given the several brands that Nike already manage...

"Nike announced this morning that it plans to sell its Cole Hann and Umbro brands in order to focus on its core business lines, Nike Sportswear, Jordan, Converse, and Hurley. Nike will begin the process immediately and expects to be completed with the transition by this time next year, which the Beaverton, Oregon-based brand hopes will bouy their rising supplies costs just as demand continues to rise for its Swoosh-marked clothing and shoes. “Divesting of Umbro and Cole Haan will allow us to focus our resources on the highest-potential opportunities for NIKE, Inc. to continue to drive sustainable, profitable growth for our shareholders,” said Mark Parker, President & CEO of Nike. Nike bought Cole Haan, which specializes in casual and dress footwear and bags in 1988 while the Manchester, U.K.-based soccer-focused brand, Umbro, came under the Nike umbrella in 2008. Unfortunately, much like their failed attempt with the Starter apparel brand in 2007, Nike continues to face strong headwinds along their path toward unseating the dominate European player, adidas, using brands that have had trouble taking off under their watch." - Freshness

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Nike Air Yeezy 2 – Official Images and Release Information

Kanye with his second successful release with Nike. Be prepared for the insane mark-up, hype and campers...

"Short on the heels of a bunch of celebrities getting their new Nike Air Yeezy 2 sneakers, Nike provides official images and release information, of the probably most anticipated sneaker of the year.
“Forging a new form of sport craftsmanship, the Nike Air Yeezy II blends classic Nike court breakthroughs with the performance and aesthetic demands of bringing hype to a crowd of thousands.
A primal, tactile approach to technology runs throughout every element of the Nike Air Yeezy II. Armored animalistic forms imbue the upper. Hand skived anaconda textured leather quarter panels are embellished with a debossed Vac-Tech Nike Swoosh. The molded rear is sculpted with a reptilian inspired spike, while an engineered strap with scaled down spikes was developed to offer a greater sense of symmetry and lock down.

Bringing the inspiration forward from the late 1980’s basketball foundation of the original Nike Air Yeezy, the II is built on the Nike Air Tech Challenge II tennis shoe outsole and celebrates iconic Nike Cross Training silhouettes with the addition of the molded forefoot strap.

There’s absolute function at the Air Yeezy II’s core. Unnecessary padding was eliminated, and the foot-hugging tongue and plush collar are both comfortable and breathable. Fit was essential to the design with the goal to make the shoe slimmer than the original by tailoring it to Kanye West’s foot. The collar was also lowered to allow for greater movement.

An obsessive approach to materials results in a luxurious mix of leather, rugged ballistic nylon, and soft nubuck. Concealed but opulent details reference ancient civilizations, including a loop strap with hieroglyphics that spell out ‘YZY.’ Each screw on lace aglet is obelisk shaped, and the anaconda texture is echoed on the eyelets and leather lace toggle that carries the Roman numeral ‘II.’”
The Nike Air Yeezy II in the Platinum and the Black edition will release June 9th at select global retailers in limited numbers.

Many more images follow after the jump." - High Snobiety

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Nike Mayfly Woven TZ

I never really followed the Mayfly, but I will say that the woven design for this pair is pretty interesting...

"Earlier in the year, Nike brought back one of their more unique creations with the Mayfly running sneaker. The shoe was originally designed to last for 100 km of running, but since its return, its been released in more of a lifestyle sense. This latest iteration of the shoe, the Mayfly Woven, is a tier 0 release in both black and grey that sees the sneaker take on a serious woven element, foregoing the normal print design, on the upper part of the shoe. How do you guys feel about these new Woven version of the sneaker?

Take a further look after the jump." - High Snobiety

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VERBAL x Reebok Pump Fury HLS | Preview

Being involved in hip hop and the Japanese fashion scene for quite sometime, here's a look at VERBAL's Pump Fury HLS...

"Before being appointed as the Creative Director of Reebok Classics in Asia Pacific region, VERBAL came up the ranks of the Japanese music industry as one half of a pop duo by the name of m-flo, gaining popularity in Japan as well as overseas. He later joined the TERIYAKI BOYZ, an outfit formed and headed by NIGO, and the rest is history. m-flo started their 2012 SQUARE ONE tour recently, which was sponsored by Reebok Classics, and VERBAL got onto the stage in Chiba, rocking a brand new collaboration Pump Fury HLS. Though details are scarce on the actual collaboration, the AMBUSH logo on the tongue indicates a partnership with his jewelry brand. via: Fashionsnap" - Freshness

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Clarks Originals Outdoor Wallabee – Fall 2012

An Outdoor Wallabee, it looks good and it has a much more durable sole than the traditional crepe sole...

"The last we heard of Clarks Originals, the British footwear label was showcasing their foray into new design territory with their countrymates, Southsea Deckchairs, on a summer-time appropriate version of their Desert Boot. Now it’s clear that Clarks has turned their eye back toward putting boots back in their natural habitat with their Fall 2012 Outdoor Wallabee. Featuring new details on the lacing system and a three-ply rubber sole, these rich brown leather shoe/boot hybrids look good, but work hard. Thin tan leather piping around the ankle trim finishes off the look. You can expect these in a line of colors in the late summer 2012. via: freshngood" - Freshness

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Mixtape Table by Jeff Skierka

Because music is a daily part of our lives...

"Coffe tables taking on the shape of items from yesteryear are pretty cool. Do you guys remember the Nintendo NES Controller table we showed you last month? This time around, we present another iconic item made into the form of a table with a cassette tape — or mixtape in this case — that has been created as a 12:1 scale replica made out of reclaimed maple, walnut and lucite. Its maker, Jeff Skierka, did a great job of capturing the essence of the mixtape. This table is a prototype and one of a kind at the moment, and if we hear more about further production pieces, we will let you know.
Take a detailed look at the Mixtape Table after the jump." - High Snobiety

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New Medicom 400% Bearbricks – Karimoku Glow In The Dark & Aluminium

Another amazing wooden be@rbrick from Medicom, this time with glow in the dark...

"Aside from the upcoming 1000% Daft Punk Bearbricks, Medicom has more surprises waiting for you. When it comes to interesting new materials, we find the classic Bearbrick the most interesting and the Japanese brand introduces two in the near future. The wooden Karimoku version of the 400% returns, yet this time also with a glow in the dark layer – glowing wood. Furthermore they present an all aluminium version of the toy, using Amirex aluminium.

Both new 400% Bearbricks will release on June 23rd, 2012." - High Snobiety

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Loopwheeler – Shake-Kuma Figure

One of the best, if not the best, fleece/cotton manufacturer's in the world, Loopwheeler releases a figure representative of it's branding...

"Japan’s fleece specialist Loopwheeler has previously used the “shake-kuma” emblem (which translates to salmon and bear in English) on its tees and polos, and now the brand brings the ursine image into the 3-D realm with this shake-kuma figure. The bear, finished in white, sports a grey crewneck (complete with LW branding on the back) and carries the catch of the day in its mouth. Produced in limited numbers in partnership with GELCHOP, the figure comes in a grey fleece drawstring bag and is available in Loopwheeler stores now." - Freshness

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Harris Tweed: From Shearing to Stamping Video

Another great video giving us a glimpse into one of the famed fabric producers in the world, Harris Tweed...



"Produced in the Outer Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland since the 19th century, Harris Tweed has come to adorn everything from outerwear footwear to hats, bags, gloves and other accessories over the years, giving them all a rugged yet refined quality few materials can achieve. Made from 100% pure wool, this six-and-a-half-minute video shows the process of transforming the fiber before it is ready to receive the iconic Harris Tweed Orb stamp, first introduced in 1909, thus signifying that the textile has been “hand woven by the islanders at their homes in the Outer Hebrides, finished in the islands of Harris, Lewis, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra and their several purtenances (The Outer Hebrides), made from pure virgin wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides.”" - Hypebeast

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BIG BIG PIXEL – 8-Bit Sleeve

My eyes can't seem to see past the illusion that it's just a big floating icon. It'll definitely be better if I saw this in person...

"Nostalgia sets in instantly at the sight of these 8-Bit Sleeves by BIG BIG PIXEL. Before photorealistic graphics were developed, everyone indulged in 8-Bit games composed of chunky pixels and its trademark synthesized sounds. BIG BIG PIXEL is turning the vintage technology into reality by producing tangible accessories for your latest gadget. These protective sleeves are made from premium synthetic leather on its exterior with soft fibers on the interior lining to guard your electronic device. Three sizes are available for iPads, 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air, and orders can be placed on their online shop." - Freshness

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KAWS Companion Comes as a Balloon to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

First Murakami, now KAWS. While it's not entirely surprising, it's fitting that such a hometown artist of international fame is represented in his home city of New York. The KAWS Companion will be flying high at this years Thanksgiving...

"Here are some interesting news – the Kaws Companion character will come as a gigantic balloon to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. We have seen everybody from Hello Kitty, Kermit, Snoopy, The Simpsons to Takashi Murakami characters flying along with the parade. This year the Kaws Companion will also be part of the spectacle.

“The lovable Companion will be transformed into a balloon 40 feet long, 34 feet wide and 30 feet tall in Macy’s New Jersey studio. After the parade the balloon, along with preparatory drawings and models, will join other artists’ balloons in the Macy’s archives.”

We can certainly not wait to see the Companion floating in the air in New York City. (Via NYT)" - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Toyota – Twin Charged GT86 | By Gazoo Racing

GT86, the next tuning option for many auto enthusiasts who've been waiting for Toyota to release this to the public. In the mean time, check out this insane, twin charged (super and turbo charged) version from Gazoo Racing...

"Ever since Toyota announced that the GT86 was here to stay, speed addicts worldwide have been waiting for the Japanese car maker to build a charged version of its new sportscar. Too impatient to wait, Gazoo Racing decided to build one on its own using a 2.0-liter twin charged engine (yes, a turbocharger and supercharger) capable of producing 320 HP and 310 lb-ft via through a 6-speed manual transmission.  On the outside, a styling package gives the GT86 a more aggressive and sportier silhouette while a new set of brakes, suspension system, and 18-inch racing wheels enhance its ride. The interior has been stripped and refitted with racing bucket seats, a 4-point harness, and new Gazoo accessories. The GT86 will be revealed at the grueling 40th 24 Hours of Nurbergring endurance race in Germany from May 17 – 20. " - Freshness

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Nike Air Safari Vintage Fall 2012

A more detailed look into the colors ways for the Air Safari Vintage Fall '12 collection. Definitely into the green and orange colorways...

"The Nike Air Safari and new Lunar Safari are strong stories in the upcoming Nike Fall 2012 Collection. Today we take a look at the Nike Air Safari Vintage. The sneaker will drop next season in overall 4 colorways, inspired by the iconic classic and with a proper vintage treatment on the entire upper.

Check out all 4 colorways, that will come to premium retailers, including Overkill, after the jump." - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

The New York Times Tribute to Maurice Sendak

Another talented artist passes this year. RIP Mr. Sendak, the world will remember you for your contributions to children's literature...

"With the passing of writer and illustrator, Maurice Sendak, still fresh on everyone’s mind, The New York Times pays tribute to the storied author of Where the Wild Things Are through its latest Op-Art feature, “Thanks, Maurice.” Paying homage to Sendak who revolutionized the narrative landscape for numerous illustrators, artists and designers through his unique style, The New York Times tapped a range of artists and cartoonists to pay due respects to Sendak through a visual tribute. The tribute features the works of Marc Rosenthal, Art Spiegelman, Gary Taxali, Tomi Ungerer, Geoff McFetridge, Bob Staake and Jon Klassen. You can view the entire gallery here, as well as check out the Remembering Maurice Sendak Op-Art piece here." - Hypebeast

via Hypebeast

OriginalFake x Medicom Toy 6th Anniversary 1000% Bearbrick

Congrats to KAWS for continuing his relationship with Medicom. Hopefully the toys bring back more of KAWS originality from when they first started working together...

"OriginalFake and Medicom Toy celebrate their sixth anniversary with the 1000% Bearbrick. Dressed in a bold Chompers print fabric, the patterned outer portion can be removed for washing and maintenance. Extremely limited in quantity, the OriginalFake 6th Anniversary 1000% Bearbrick is available now at ambush in Singapore." - Hypebeast

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Depth of Speed: Track Day with JDM Legends

Such a beautiful GT-R. The Hakosuka is hands down my favorite vintage Japanese vehicle. That exhaust note, oh my...



"Depth of Speed catches a JDM Legends original on the tracks down at the Miller Motorsports Park in Utah. The beautifully restored Nissan Skyline GT-R makes a raucous sound as the JDM team gives it a final shakedown before handing it over to its satisfied new owner. Their verdict: the Hakosuka still sounds as good as it looks. The Depth of Speed guys have embarked on a journey across the USA in search of more cool cars to capture. Track their progress on Facebook." - Hypebeast

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Yuketen – Weekender Bags

Yuketen continues to expand their offerings, with the addition of these Weekender Bags. The Olive version is amazing...

"We have all been accustomed to the high quality and craftsmanship of footwear brand Yuketen. Although, the introduction of these Weekender Bags might mean they are starting to expand their horizons. As the name suggests, these bags will come in handy for short trips or everyday use. Made with heavy-duty cotton canvas fabric, the bags are finished off using brown leather handles, straps, piping, and reinforcements. For improved mobility, the bag is fitted with a detachable shoulder strap. Navy and Olive versions are currently available through Up There in Melbourne, Australia.

Up There Store
1/11-15 McKillop Street | Map
Melbourne VIC 3000" - Freshness

via Freshness

The Beastie Boys by Terry Richardson

While it's been several days, since the passing of a music legend, Adam "MCA" Yauch, these photos still bring back memories of the Beastie Boys during happier times. MCA, RIP...

"With the sad news of the passing of Adam Yauch, better known as MCA, of the Beastie Boys, Terry Richardson has published photos of the trio that he had shot in New York. A selection of color photos and a couple of black and whites have been put up on Richardson’s site. You can check them out now in our gallery after the jump.

Photography: Terry Richardson. - High Snobiety


via High Snobiety

Nike Air Safari To Be Available on NIKEiD

I haven't customized a pair of NIKEiD since the AM90s from awhile back (at least 6-7 years ago). However, assuming they offer the colors I'm looking for, I will be one of the first in line for these...

"An all-time classic, the Nike Air Safari, is going to be added to NIKEiD in the very near future. It’s been a solid year for Nike’s shoe customization platform and the momentum continues to build with this news. We’ve been hearing more about the Nike Safari as it set to come in a Lunar edition for Holiday 2012, and although those are cool, this news tops that. We will be sure to let you know once the shoes are fully implemented onto NIKEiD. (via Sneakernews)" - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Kate Upton by Terry Richardson – The Outtakes

Some outtake photos from the recent shoot of Kate with Terry. These are a bit more revealing, so please view where appropriate...

*Note: NSFW

"Superstar photographer Terry Richardson recently produced a fashion spread with top model Kate Upton for Harper’s Bazaar. Just the other day we presented some behind the scenes shots and the infamous Cat Daddy dance that Richardson produced in his studio recently. Here are now some outtakes from the Harper’s Bazaar story.

Photography: Terry Richardson

More to follow after the jump." - High Snobiety


via High Snobiety

Nike Air Trainer 1 Mid Premium NRG ‘Safari’

The colorway transferred over from the original Air Safari quite well. Excited to see these in person, I might need to pick these up if they live up to their photos and comfort...

"The safari print by Nike is one that is revered by many and it’s great to see it getting a lot of love recently, but this is the best execution we’ve seen of it lately. The original Nike Air Safari’s look is implemented to the great Nike Air Trainer 1 Mid — it’s not a hybrid, but a meeting of two great styles and models. The Air Trainer 1 adopts both the colours and materials of the Air Safari upon the whole upper. Hopefully we’ll be seeing more safari orientated goodness in the near future. This shoe is available now from Limited Edt.

More detailed images follow after the jump." - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Anderson’s for Le Berlinois Belt Collection

Happy to have discovered Anderson's belts, quality and renowned woven belts from Italy...

"Anderson’s is one of those great Italian brands with heritage that does one thing, but does it extremely well. Their core business is the belt. The brand is still family owned, they still produce in Italy and they are the very best at what they do. Known for their excellent woven belts, that do not only look great, but are also really comfortable, Anderson’s has worked with Le Berlinois for Summer 2012, the in house brand of Berlin store Soto.

From crazy color combinations to easy to wear solids, the range is wide and has something for everybody. Only a small inside leather tag hints at the collaboration. You can purchase the belts online here.

Photography: Highsnobiety

Check out all the belts in more detail after the jump." - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Nissan Juke-R | Production To Start

While it's not becoming a true "production" vehicle in the Nissan lineup, it's still quite impressive for folks out there who have the disposable income to fund a made-to-order Juke-R...

"The saga of the Nissan Juke-R continues. With its matte black paint job, reinforced roll cage, and a 485 horsepower engine transplanted from a 2010 Nissan GT-R, the Juke-R was the perfect poster-child of garage experimentation. Or at least that was the case, ‘till execs at Nissan learned of the unsanctioned project by its European engineers. At one point, folks thought the Juke-R project was a goner, forever interred at the auto show circuit or the Nissan Museum in Japan. Not anymore. In a surprise move, Nissan announced that the Juke-R will be in production soon. At a cost slightly higher than the Nissan GT-R, the most expensive trim in the car maker’s current line-up, each Juke-R will be made-to-order and comes with the new 2012 GT-R powertrain at 545 horsepower instead, an increase of 60 horsepower. In its press release, the company confirmed that the interests were such that three offers came in during the Juke-R’s trial run last year. Those offers also solidified Nissan’s decision to put the car into production. The process is to start in 4 weeks, and interested parties should contact Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk for more details." - Freshness

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Nike Air Safari VNTG – Mesa Orange & Gorge Green

Looking forward to a new Safari release. I must say, I'm actually interested in both of these colorways. Digging the Earth tones and the gum soles. Can't wait to see these in person...

"You’ll never know by looking at its vibrant product line that Nike is celebrating its 48th year as a company this year. In honoring its heritage, iconic design of the past, and occasion like this, Nike is bring back some of its most memorable vintage models. Needless to say, Air Safari made the list. A lightweight combination of suede, nylon, and leopard patterned leather, its off-the-center design forever altered the perception of sneaker as simple athletic footwear but a fashionable everyday wear. Available in two eye-catching colors of Mesa Orange and Gorge Green, the 2012 version of Nike Air Safari will be available soon at select Nike Sportswear retailer, such as BURNER of Mannheim, Germany.

Style: 525245-800
Color: Mesa Orange/Sail/Black Tea/Blk
Style: 525245-370
Color: Gorge Green/Granite/Bamboo/Blk" - Freshness

via Freshness

Video: A History of Cameras – The Camera Collection

A creative short video, illustrating a brief history of cameras through "8-bit" graphics...

the camera collection from antonio vicentini on Vimeo.



"Animator Antonio Vicentini goes through the history of cameras with this really nice pixelated and animated camera collection video. A fun way of giving a recap of the various styles and models that we have seen in the last 100 years. Watch it here below." - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Video: Skullcandy’s Take a Supermodel to Work Episode 1 – Kate Upton, Kevin Durant, James Harden

Kate Upton, this time more on the humorous side and less of the scantily clad super model side. There's still a little bit of classic Kate, it wouldn't be a proper video of her without that...

"Watch what happens when Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover model and member of Skullcandy Supermodel Crew, Kate Upton, goes to work with NBA superstars, and members of the Skullcandy NBA Crew, Kevin Durant and James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder." - High Snobiety

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Kate Upton by Terry Richardson

Kate Upton, I feel, is today's modern Marilyn. Terry Richardson (as creepy as he may seem at times) has one of the best jobs known to man, photographing some of the most beautiful women and iconic celebrities in pop culture...

*NOTE: The video may be NSFW

"Kate Upton is all over the place and has become in no time one of the most successful American models. The cover of Sports Illustrated certainly did not hurt. Here is now a studio session with Terry Richardson.

Photography: Terry Richardson

Upton also performs the Cat Daddy for Terry Richardson, as seen here below on Terry TV." - High Snobiety

via High Snobiety

Dudebox: Interview with Pete Fowler

Quite excited to see Pete working on toys again. Hoping these are well executed and of great quality...


Pete Fowler from DUDEBOX on Vimeo.



"Best known for his artwork for Welsh psychedelic rock band Super Furry Animals and his Monsterism toys, UK artist Pete Fowler recently invited Dudebox to his studio for a glimpse at his “monsterist” work. The two-minute video sees the artist speaking on his approach and inspiration while also touching on his upcoming collaboration with Dudebox. Dubbed “Pete Fowler and Friends,” the collaborative vinyl collectibles are due to hit retailers in the month of May." - Hypebeast

via Hypebeast

Corter Leather Bottle Hook

Corter is a recently established leather goods company and this kickstarter project is a great way to help expose their leather work. Can't argue with functionality and style...

"While often amusing or well-meaning, Kickstarter product projects often tread down paths that create solutions for problems no one has. Luckily for Eric of Corter Leather, he’s created an elegant key hook that is both highly functional and deserving of ownership, as it elevates convenience over creating a solution. The Corter Leather Bottle Hook is crafted out of steel and then plated to achieve a clean, vintage heirloom look. Aside from offering basic key-keeping functionality, it includes an integrated bottle opener for whenever you decide it’s 5:00. And true to Corter’s leather roots, the ring also holds a smooth leather tab on which you can inscribe your name or contact information should you lose the ring — or your pants. You can help fund Eric’s first major production run and get your own Bottle Hook by visiting the Kickstarter page here." - Hypebeast

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Porter x Karimoku x Medicom Toy 400% Bearbrick

Absolutely beautiful! Medicom's wooden Be@rbricks have always been amazing in quality and materials. Combined with Porter, makes this pretty difficult to not add to the collection. Unfortunately, the price tag for this version is slightly out of reach...

"2012 marks the 77th anniversary of Yoshida & Co (the makers of Porter bags), and to celebrate, the heritage luggage and accessory label is going big — 400% big. They’ve enlisted the help of Japanese Karimoku craftsmen to handcraft a giant Medicom Bearbrick out of exotic Padauk wood. Naturally, the bears are being produced in exceptionally limited quantities — each, carrying two bags inspired by Yoshida’s iconic ‘Porter silhouette,’ used in the company’s classic branding campaigns. The 400% Bearbrick isn’t expected to be available for purchase until October 2012, which will leave you plenty of time to save, as it’ll set you back ￥74,000 JPY (approximately $915 USD)." - Hypebeast

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Loopwheeler – Madras Patchwork T-Shirt

Still waiting to add some Loopwheeler to the closet. Need to see these in hand and try their fabric on in person, to see if the quality is true to all the reviews...

"Loopwheeler is gearing up for sunnier days with their rendition of a classic pocket t-shirt. Made from super soft loopwheeled cotton twill with original Madras patchwork pockets to spice things up a bit. Unfortunately, these photos do not do patchwork any justice, where each patch was made from a different fabric. Thus, not one is the same from the other. Four colorways are available in white, marine, gray melange, and black with contrasting chest pockets. Head over to Loopwheeler stores in Japan or their online shop to make a purchase for the limited offering" - Freshness

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