Not every interest from your youth survives the journey to maturity. From fashion to music—some things are best left on the battlefield. Other things continue to feel current and timeless no matter when you revisit.

My earliest personal memory of the Timberland 6” wheat boot is around 1993. I remember a conversation between 2 older kids with one scolding the other for wearing the “no padding” basic boot version.

“Come on son! No padding? That’s wack!”

I quickly realized that what seemed to be a subtle difference to the uninformed was an unforgivable half step. Half in the way that if you made the effort to purchase a pair of “Timbs” but didn’t know enough to choose the appropriate version, you should have just stayed away. It made you worse off.

For me, the meaning behind wearing the 10061 has varied over the years but the root of it was having “cool” footwear that could be worn (and beat to death) everyday without the adolescent stigma of not having multiple kicks on deck. It was a sign of being above the sneaker rat race.

Growing up on hip-hop music and culture had a tremendous influence on what I wore as a teen. As normal as wearing a pair of boots designed for construction work might be today, reappropriation of “work wear” was still new. My dad was a foreman in an excavation company and actually worked in what I was attempting to apply to my lifestyle. An alien concept to most—especially Pop who wished he didn’t have to work a back breaking job that required such attire. He couldn’t say anything to the kid who was entranced by the sounds of Black Moon and their Brooklyn boot-wearing cohorts. Buck Em’ Down.

Nearly 20 years after overhearing the “padding” argument, I’m still a faithful wearer of the most classic boot design ever. It’s still rooted in being above the sneaker rat race and not fully accepting the fashion parameters set by my industry. Do I indulge? Yes. Am I known for sneakers? Yes – even more the reason to rock a fresh pair of “yellows” on a regular basis.

My name is @FrankTheButcher and I rock #Timbs

Photo by: Evan Tetreault

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™

This is how I feel right now.

I live in the world of premium denim, tier zero sneakers and thousand dollar outerwear…

…. but I remember a world that was simple…

A world where a fresh pair of Timbs, a thick (you know the exact version I’m talking about) Champion hoodie, and an army M-65 was being dipped. I walked my city at all hours of the night with a Jansport normally filled with mixtapes (not mix-CDs), a black book (a graffiti sketch book) and ultra flat black Krylon spray paint. Where I was never without my Sony Walkman, box cutter and just enough money to barely eat. All we did was hang out, paint and talk shit.

Nas’ Illmatic was my religion and Carhartt was my garb. My way of life was bombing freight trains and roaming the darkest parts of my city. The Source Magazine was the map to the promise land and the Nike Air Force One was yet to be available to anyone that wanted to be cool.

My youth was about discovering the new and the next, not reliving a previous trend. It was about living what you believed and finding your voice. It was about dissecting your favorite album word for word and line for line reading every single production credit and liner note.

This is when being “you” meant something…. being “myself” was mandatory…. and “biting” wasn’t aloud.

Basically the opposite of today.

Working as the brand manager of Concepts is not always an easy job but the percs of the job is being able to partner up with major brands to create something new. New Balance, Clarks, Red Wing, Sorel, Nike, Mitchell & Ness, Canada Goose and Timberland are some of the companies I have had the pleasure of working with but more importantly, learn from. I look forward to showing the world what we have been up too. Stay tuned….

I’m especially proud of this project here.

All black everything…..

Peep the info below . Available Friday, October 23rd.

—
Concepts presents “Con-Ops” Collection with Timberland and Mitchell and Ness

Concepts will be launching their first project under their military inspired “Concepts Operations” line on Friday, October 23rd, 2009. The first drop from the Con-Ops Collection will be a 6″ Timberland Field Boot which is inspired by covert military apparel utilizing all black technical materials. The boot construction includes “Ever-Guard” leather, the state-of-the-art cut-resistant material SuperFabric® on panels, abrasion-resistant rubber coated toe, Gore-Tex waterproof lining, and an outsole which is made with “Timberland Pro Rubber” that is puncture-resistant. Accompanying the boot release will be a Con-Ops x Mitchell & Ness knit winter cap, fitted cap and tee shirt, in 2 colors, which will be released in limited numbers.

Available at:

Concepts | Boston
St. Alfred | Chicago
Burn Rubber | Detroit

Concepts
37 Brattle St.
Cambridge, MA 02138

www.CNCPTS.com

Timberland partnered with Concepts on an event to launch their fall 09 Abington boot collection. Abington, which is Timberland’s original company name, is a top tier offering of classic styles with an emphasis on heritage and quality.

All of Abington’s campaign and look book imaginary is the work of the super talented 13th Witness. The event not only showcased great product but Concepts was converted into a gallery showcasing 13th’s original photography with Bobbito Garcia and Futura providing the music.

Fall 09 Abington boot collection available now at Concepts.

Big thanks to Brian Coleman for the commitment to getting this event right and everyone that made to time to come through.

Harris and “I don’t know his name”

Stussy Drew and Fresh the Haitian Macaulay Culkin

Trife

Sky and Ricky Kim made it down

Dj Beyonder of the Blade Runners

with Aleko and The Kid Daytona

Joined by Deon Pizzoint and J.Landlord of Jackmove

With Bobbito Garcia

13th Witness, Leonard and Ian

Abington designers – Dave and Chuck

Brian Coleman with Bobbito

Bob and 13th

Bobbito on the wheels

with Tarek and Timmy (13th Witness)

Leonard

Bobbito signed my copy of his classic book on sneaker culture

My dog Hendrix has absolutlety nothing to do with the Abington event. He’s a Puerto Rican Shi Tzu