This project was an amazing experience to work on. Most times I visit the company I’m working with to begin conversations on our project together and to lay the foundation for design. I usually get the bulk of the work done from my office. This one was a bit different.

I flew out to Toronto to design this vest but the difference was actually walking the manufacturing floor of Canada Goose. Being able to see the raw material, the process and finished product was a great perspective to gain before delving into the design process on these vests. Learning the history of the company and understanding the purpose of their product was important to me. Canada Goose jackets, when used for their original intent, will save a life. The product they develop help professionals who work in extreme climates survive.

What is more important than that?

Granted my interpretation of this Alberta Vest was through the lens of fashion but it was built on function. Function to me is an important place to start— design that serves a purpose– and Canada Goose has mastered that.

I want to thank Dani, Kevin and Spencer at CG for their patience and support. I hope you dig the final product.

Also would like to thank Harris, Paul Mighty and Nick Cangello for the support on the project. It’s always a team effort.

This is the video piece I directed for the vest release— Paul Mighty is the model in the video and also produced the music used with Dj Manipulator under their production group name Boxcutters. TBB Music will be releasing Dj Manipulator’s “Live From The Badlands” in the next few weeks.

Concepts fam and lyrical phenom Reks has dropped his new video which is produced by Statik Selektah.

Amazing! Can’t wait for the album. Congrats homie!

REKS “This or That” (prod. by Statik Selektah, directed by Jon Wolf) from Clockwork Music on Vimeo.

Please join Concepts and Clarks Originals while we celebrate our continued partnership & the success of our latest collaborative project, The Concepts Weaver Boot.

Friday, October 1st
7pm – Midnight

STODDARDS
Fine Food & Ale
48 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111

Music by:
DJ Manipulator

All are welcome! See you there!

The goal is to make it look easy. The magic is in the mystery.

Being able to work with a company with so much of a heritage is truly a blessing. I’m confident in saying that Clarks is probably the industries most copied. Wallabees, Desert Boots, Weavers, Desert Treks— their design influence is in everything from high end dress shoes to skate shoes- and everything else in between.

I can go on about how the Wallabee means to much to me. From Sick Rick to Ghostface– Especially Ghost!!!

The Weaver is Mr. Wally’s sexy cousin and shes a beauty.

Long story short– from the design to the marketing plan, I had a blast… and the cycle continues… and by that I mean I’m already working on our Spring / Summer project.

Some randoms…

Vlad from Hall of Fame in Los Angeles and Vans Vault and Chris from Vans Vault came by to check out the shop and hang for a few.

Chris loves Margaritas (especially in bulk) and Vlad hates Mexican Food, unorganized women and wearing socks that aren’t the same brand as the kicks he got on. Other than that he is pretty normal.

You know this guy. Maestro travels with a back pack that weighs as much as me. Considering I eat a lot of Spanish food, that could be a heavy load.

Time is money— and so is this 1950 Panerai Luminor. Worth? A brand new SUV with all the bells and whistles.

I love babies. Especially when they don’t have my last name.

This is what I see on the daily

This guy right here has earned a desk in my fortress of solitude— and a spot on my site. CLICK HERE for his hi jinx.

Fresh would like Deon’s sweater more if it was gray. Why do we know that? Because he made sure to tell us.

Have to drink more water… Dr’s orders

New Era came through Concepts to do a piece on Boston for their online magazine “Your Lifestyle Fitted”. The article has a video component on page 9. They did a great job,

Shout to my boy Stebs who shot the video for the piece.

Check it out here: Your Lifestyle Fitted.

Signing my rights away

Stebs on the camera

Still from the video

I have had the pleasure of working with Sorel on a Concepts project we released around Christmas. I went into the project with some concern about our customer possibly not understanding the product. The Caribou and Joan of Arctic models that we partnered on would be considered extreme in the eyes of a “sneaker” customer. Well guess what? not only was the project well received but we could not bring them up from the stock room fast enough.

I had the chance to meet with the Sorel guys for round 2 of our partnership project. While I won’t let out any secrets, we do have some surprises coming later this year. Stay tuned.

Remember last years Ostrich premium Caribou?

Below are this year’s fall 2010 premium releases in Stingray and Bison leather.

This model is called the Woodbine and is 100% waterproof with vulcanized rubber and a gusseted tongue. I love it and will be wearing these when New England weather starts acting up. Very nice.

My personal favorite is the 1964 Premium T CVS. Vulcanized rubber shell and waterproof waxed canvas in the perfect color combo. Nothing else to say. Ok, maybe 3 words… A-maz-ing.

This is how the year ended at Concepts:

A well deserved self cradling of the nuts.

Concepts x Clarks Italian Patent Leather Wallabees (Olive, Maroon, Navy) – Sept 2009

We channeled our inner Ghostface on this project with the results being fly as fuck.

My G is too futuristic… I seen it like a Zenith.

Concepts x Timberland ‘Con-Ops’ 6″ Field boot / Mitchell & Ness ‘Con-Ops’ Tees and knit hats – Oct 2009

This boot was the equivalent to the new 50 Cent album “Before I Self Destruct”. Hard as hell and made for the block. Bodied. Enjoy this photo that didn’t make the campaign because of the obvious use of guns and ammo.

Concepts x New Balance ‘Freedom Trail Pack’ – 1500 and 875 Boot – Nov 2009

Coated in delicious chocolate, our New Balance project put smart dummies up on Boston history and put your feet in one of the illest NB’s collaborations ever created. Do the knowledge sucka.

Concepts x Sorel Caribou and Joan of Arctic – Dec 2009

Doesn’t get more serious than this. Made you not only cop your weapon for the winter war but also outfit your better half with an alternative to heels in snow. Oh, this was your first Sorel? Your welcome.

–

See you in the spring.

FRANKMATIC™

It’s here! Black Friday!! To commemorate our “Freedom Trail” collaboration with New Balance we are releasing our “Freedom Trail” mixtape with the legendary Bounce Master DJ Doo Wop.

Concepts was established in 1996 so we figured we’d rock with classics from that year with a special intro by the Wop himself.

Download and enjoy— see you at the shop!

DOWNLOAD HERE

With the upcoming highly anticipated release of the Concepts x New Balance “Freedom Trail” pack collaboration, we decided to throw a little pre-release party at Club Sanctuary in Boston. The turn out was amazing and the legendary Bounce Master Dj Doo Wop and Boston’s own Brek.One tore the spot down. Big shouts the New Balance team for holding us down, Paulina @ Sanctuary, Frankie, Brand Nation, Brek.One and Doo Wop (BSA 2010!) for the great night.

Remember: The Freedom Trail pack will be available 11/27 (Black Friday)

Jeff & Todd

Brand Nation holding it down

Friends from the other Boston shoe brand showing their support (as always!)

Dj Doo Wop & Brek.One

Kinda Dusty Crew

Hey! Paulina of Sanctuary

Chris One & Hollywood Pete

Stebs and Point

Fresh and his homie

Lauren of NB with her husband and Friend

With the Bounce Master Doo Wop (Follow him on twitter @DJDooWop)

Deon, Lou, Chedda and I though I knew this guys but his emo hair is throwing me off

Lovely ladies of New Balance

Brek.One tore it down

With the Evil Genius Greeeeeen Lantern

Wop killed it