Just got to see a little sneak peek of the new SLVDR Spring 12 line and its good to see the line growing each and every year. Congratulations to Rob Myers and to his sales team over at 722 Figueroa Showroom.
Below is more info on the brand if you never heard of it.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA – June 12, 2009 – Born in California and influenced by the world, SLVDR (pronounced sal-va-dor) is a new socially conscious clothing line that offers high quality, well considered garments for men.
The brainchild of seasoned designer and action sports industry vet, Robert Myers, SLVDR has literally been years in the making. As a kid growing up in Southern California, Rob spent countless hours at the beach, mountains, and shredding empty backyard pools. His genuine love for board sports and the surrounding lifestyle drove him to become an apparel designer fifteen years ago – a career path that has taken him to the ends of the Earth, and one he credits as his “creative salvation.”
Gaining inspiration from the richness of previous life experiences, and noticing a void in today’s menswear market for a sophisticated line he could fully relate to, Rob felt compelled to launch SLVDR.
Marked by a timeless design aesthetic, sharp eye for detail, top-shelf fabrics, and refined finishes, SLVDR is an excellent alternative for those who desire premium clothing that properly reflects their lifestyle and is priced right.
“With SLVDR we strive to offer an authentic, relatable brand that provides ‘attainable luxury,’” Rob says. “The basic idea is that you get a special product made with the best materials, but you don’t have to break the bank to buy it.”
As part of the SLVDR mission, Rob is using his brand as a philanthropic platform to give back to the board sports community. To make this happen, he established the Common Thread Project which works closely with likeminded brands and retailers to collect and distribute gently used boards, footwear, clothing and accessories to deserving youth around the world. Skateboarding, snowboarding and surfing all played key roles in the development of SLVDR, and it is the wish of the brand to provide similar opportunities for positive growth to kids who might not otherwise have the means to get involved with board sports.
SLVDR’s sophomore collection, Summer 2009, is now available at select North American retailers. The SLVDR line will expand each new season, with the Fall/Holiday 2009 collection slated to hit shops in September.
For more info, and to find a SLVDR retailer in your area, please visit: www.slvdr.com.
For all media inquiries, contact:
Greg Waters | Enright | greg@enrightcommunications.com | 201-618-4647
Another treat came in the mail last week and I wanted to give a little more depth to this great collaboration between RHPS and Vans.
Heres a photo of the Skate Mid with a limited edition RHPS x INDEPENDENT Trucks Tshirt that was made only available in Japan. SHAKA FAKA!
The color way of this project is my absolute favorite colors with the Blue/Black which to me resembles a great color way in a past shoe that was released in the late 80’s.
RHPS Tongue label alongside with SHAKA label in the Vans stripe.
The other side.
The soles are reversed. The Top is the RHPS shoe and the bottom is a Half Cab that has never been worn. The original waffle sole reversed to give all you POOL shredders some added grip.
Grant always send me these letters alongside the gifts he sends me. That sticker is so funny!!!!
Store number 3 in 2 days. Kenn and Crooked have been doing Knyew for about 4 years now and they have just opened up in their newest location at 3999 Spring Mtn Road. Their newest store is amazing and their brand assortment is second to none!
Keep your eyes peeled when looking for this spot. I ate at PHO KIM LONG and didn’t even know this store was only 3 doors away.
All the info you need on the door!
As I mentioned…nice, new and clean!
Brands are segregated by header cards. 10 Deep and Huf seen here and all tees hung are the smallest sizes available. Don’t be afraid to ask for your size.
Just one of many Knyew original designs. Tank Tops and Tees all day long in Las Vegas!
Opposing wall has brands like Crooks & Castles and The Hundreds. In the display case they got Shure M447s and replacement serato records for you DJ’s. I just missed DJ Five when I went there…I guess I am going to have to meet up with him later.
Heres the panoramic view from the entrance of the store. Thanks to Kenn, Crooked and Marc for all of the hospitality.
Today was my second day of venturing out to see whats happening and I guess twitter is a good thing as I got a tweet about my last post from the nice people at Let It Roll Skateboarding. Tim, Alicia and their daughter Olivia was a real delight when I got to the store and really know how to treat a newcomer in to their establishment.
My first day using my camera and I just so happen to take this photo of Olivia’s Eyes.
Heres a better photo!!! She’s amazing!
Let It Roll Skateboarding keeps it Boutique. Nice displays and a great mix of brands.
CHEE RAY!
CHEE CRAIG! AGAIN!
Let It Roll Skateboarding also produces their own shop decks. Tim mentioned that the designers are a couple from San Francisco. Good to see great Art on the walls!
Heres a panoramic shot of the store from the back. The local shop kids who also ride for Let It Roll Skateboarding came inside to say hello. Its stores like this that are so important to the culture of Skateboarding. These stores are made with a sense of reason and passion. A real store that gives tribute towards the term Mom & Pops!
As I am pretty much situated I am starting to venture and make the rounds around the city. I googled Pharmacy Skateshop and to my surprise it was only 40 minutes away so I made my way to there to see Las Vegas’s only core skate shop.
As soon as you enter you see that Pharmacy has its own original line and I am going to definitely pick some LOCAL tees now that I’m a part time local out here.
The Deckwall made me feel like a kid in a candy store as the selection was enormous.
Donnie who was working let me know about the last deck he had from the In4m x Habitat collab.
The shoe wall was also a shocker with Supra, Cons, Nike SB, Adidas, Converse, Vans and of course Lakai. (CHEE CRAIG!)
Vision Rails with Wood Screws and Variflex SK8 Plates in the counter by the register makes you realize how long Pharmacy Boardshop has been around.
The main apparel wall consisted of JSLV, REBEL 8, LOSER MACHINE, THE HUNDREDS and DIAMOND. Donnie was actually getting the newest FALL 11 Hundreds line out.
As I was lurking… shop local Troy seen here on left and Donnie holding sticker was kind enough to let me take a pic. Thanks guys and I will be back to visit real soon.
I just got to get a sneak peek of the new promotional vid from Royal Hawaiian Pool Service’s (Grant Fukuda aka Gdog & Gary Owens). The guys have gotten together with Vans and will be releasing a Skate Mid in a Black/Blue Colorway. These guys are a part of Hawaii’s true heart of skateboarding. Video was made by none other then Scott Kinsey of GoodFear!
Here is some info on the project that I took from the RHPS website.
this week our friends at Vans are releasing our long anticipated: Royal Hawaiian Pool Svc. Sk8-Mids. we have been: consumers, fans & team riders for vans decades deep. the general gary was one of the first to wear vans in hawaii back in the 70’s. during his first visit to hawaii, tony alva forced gary to buy a pair of vans authentics to skate in – up until then gary was still skating barefoot. mad dog told gary that everyone wears shoes to skate in – so you have to buy vans if you wanna be up to speed with the new sport. in the 80’s gdog rode for the van doren rubber company for years thanks to everett & beattle rosecrans. prior to that he got shoes from vision (i know cheesy), he switched up fast to vans. through the 90’s and 2000’s we bought vans because they were the only choice for the RHPS. yup – we are loyal to our staples: vans and indy.
Last year todd stanley from vans hit us up to do a limited collaboration – we quickly replied – hell yes. so we designed this shoe around our: style, colors and attitude. the materials are tough pig suede lowers, cordura nylon uppers (the industrial material they make backpacks with), the new duracap technology and of course the legendary o.g. waffle sole. They are light, comfortable and built to last. The little details we added are: extra lacing eyelets on the top three holes – for quick lacing and easy shoe removal, our main logos inside & outside and a little “shaka” side label ~ this is our “tip of the hat” to hawaii. trust us we designed these to break in fast so you can lace ‘em up and start rippin’ !
Shoe will be releasing soon and please visit the website below for more info!
As I checked the mail today I was super happy to see that my package from NYC came in. Sean aka The Flyin Hawaiian just mailed me a tshirt that he’s just gotten made. This Tshirt is a special one as its a photo that was took in the year 2000 of our friend Kenneth Brimer. Sean told me that he found this photo laying around and I remember those days of hanging out with Kenny and Sean skating and getting into things I shouldn’t have been doing. This shirt will be treasured and will be used only in special occasions.
Boy how time flies…A week ago I got to see a good friend Yong-Ki Chang as he returned to Hawaii from San Francisco to commemorate our really good friend Kenny Brimer’s one year of passing. I was just looking at his companies website www.solitaryarts.com and was super psyched to see that he has put one of Hawaii’s legends on his team roster!
J. Hartsel!!!!! Jef is and always will be committed to skateboarding as I get told that him and some others are always looking into getting into their
missions.
Yong-Ki Chang has been interviewed by his partner Geoff Mcfetridge, which I wanted to share with you all who are following my blog. Its a real renaissance in what is happening with Skateboarding and its good to see new perspectives in the lifestyle which is broadcasted in all households in the world.
INTERVIEW BELOW:
GM INTERVIEWS YKC
The Solitary Arts
“Climbing Through Windows and Looking out of Doors: Skateboards, Tables and the Importance of Bushings”
or “Climbing Through Windows and Looking out of Doors: Skateboards, Tables and the Solitary Arts”
by Geoff McFetridge
January 5, 2010
A table can be made out of two saw horses and a door. With a table like this, you could put chairs around it and have a dinner party. Yet as a design, it is teetering on the edge of legibility. It is a table reduced down to its most basic elements. A door on two sawhorses is almost a table, yet it only becomes a table when you sit down to have dinner at it. It is your understanding of tables and your acceptance of it, as the one that takes it the rest of the way. I like things that exist on this edge, where your perception of what they are becomes the final step of their creation.
I am part owner of a skateboard company called the Solitary Arts. We make boards, wheels, risers and bearings. We also make t-shirts, stickers and a newspaper called the Solitary Times. Everything we do revolves around perception; the perception of skateboarding. We are interested in how graphics and skateboard design can affect how people perceive what skateboarding is.
The average skateboarder is used to all skateboards looking the same; boards that vary slightly in size but are primarily popsicle shaped. An ollie on your board is the same as an ollie on my board. Companies have graphics and pro-riders to differentiate their boards from other companies. At this point in time skateboarding has never been more homogenous. The reason being; popsicle boards work great, in many different circumstances. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people.
The Solitary Arts is focused on uniqueness, boards that will ride in a unique way, forcing a unique experience. Our boards are more like the sawhorse-door-table. They exist on the very edge of what is accepted as a skateboard and, like the table, perception is our biggest concern. If people just hang our boards on the wall, or use them to go to corner store, we are not doing the right thing. If nobody will have dinner on your sawhorse-door-table then it fails.
When we get it right, our boards should invite skating. Getting it right is a bit of a process. I interviewed my partner in the Solitary Arts, Yong-Ki Chang about it – how he designs boards and about the details that maybe some of us take for granted.
Interview:
GEOFF MCFETRIDGE: The first board we did together was the Big Red. I immediately liked the way it looked, but the real revelation was in how it rides. There were two things; the fact that you could not tap the tail, and how well it carved due to the (added control of the) contemporary upturned nose and concave. It actually took me awhile to figure out all the details that make that board what it is. With the Big Red I feel that the wheelbase is the most important thing. It is a small feeling board with a big wheelbase. Where did this idea come from?
YONG-KI CHANG: The Big Red deck, in shape and size was born out of what I believed was a marriage between what you did artistically/graphically and what I could create on a tangible level with 7 ply’s of maple. Your artwork was the initial catalyst and inspiration that formed the ridable finished result.
I found the plastic original while driving home one day and saw it propped-up against the wall in someone’s garage. I bought it for $10 on the spot. The original was flat but I liked the shape and to pay homage to it, I decided to make our own version with 7 plys of maple, an upturned nose/tail and some concave. The wheelbase (15.25’) on our Big Red board was to create a wider carving radius within a smaller board length (28″). The short tail is the great equalizer. Since we wanted to create a quiver of releases over time, our first release had to be a board that everyone had to relearn to ride! It takes some dedication to get used to riding a board like ours. Like starting all over again.
I always like it when you see a skateboard on Dora the Explorer, or the Simpsons or something. They always draw the strangest, wackest, craziest looking boards! Yet, in the real world all boards look the same. Popsicles with grip-tape. I think it is funny that cartoonists can’t figure that out.
Skateboards all look the way they do because that shape works well. Our boards are unusual and can be challenging to ride, in a fun way. Our Pocket Horn (6″ wide board on 89mm trucks) is obviously going to change your experience at a familiar park or curb. It is really small but it is 9-ply so it is super solid and weighted a lot like a regular board. What inspired the 9-ply? I think that is one of the best features of our small boards.
We made a 9-ply version of the Pocket Horn since the added weight would change the way we thought a small board should feel and would be closer to the primary board that we rode at that time (which was larger and a popsicle setup, always a part of the quiver). Riding the 9-ply also made it more sturdier and with the small trucks and our 50 mm 87a Black Eggs, allowed us to push much further than the plastic boards that we used to bomb down the driveway with. Pushing and carving on a small board makes me feel like I’m going way faster too!
I love jazz and I’ve leant my ears to jazz for many years but rarely did I give my eyes the same respect towards photographs and paintings of these musicians. At that time, Don Cherry’s pocket horn was the inspiration. The smaller trumpet allowed him to have a distinct sound amongst other trumpet players and kept him challenged. The Pocket Horn is that board. it’s a good travel companion and it can make you feel like that slappy on a curb was mega!
In doing SA I feel like I am walking in a minefield sometimes. What we are doing is so inherently “wack” or “kooky” compared to mainstream skating. But that is also what I love about it. It keeps me interested. In the surf world a few years ago people, like Joel Tudor or Dan Malloy started popularizing riding different types of boards. Up until the late 90’s it was unusual for people to ride anything but the most high performance surfboards (which at this point seems unbelievable). But now it is a very accepted idea that you surf different boards for a different wave, or to seek a different type of experience. I have always felt that you can’t compare skating to surfing really, but I think the idea of having a skate “quiver” is relevant for some of us.
A quiver is mandatory for me for riding whatever feels right at that moment… options are good and damn-it if it doesn’t bring a smile each time I open up the trunk of my car to grab a board!
Back to that first Big Red…. from that board I also learned a lot about how you build boards. We used to make fun of our friends that BMXed because they always seemed to be talking about brake cables. But now… I like that you have an almost bmx attention to detail when it comes to building set-ups. What can you tell me about your philosophy of how you build set-ups?
I think a setup should make you feel like jumping on the board and rushing out to ride because you perfected it to your liking. I had that feeling as a kid, though further apart with each setup than I do now but these boards can sometimes dictate that search for a specific ditch, bowl, or hill or make you stop and ride something familiar but with a totally different setup.
I take the time I have these days to skate seriously and enjoy it each time. I don’t get bummed anymore if I can’t land a trick or even attempt one at all! I also take building these boards seriously for the same reason. If you have a Solitary Arts board, each time you take it out is a conscious decision (to ride something different). I don’t take that time and decision for granted. My main goal is to build quality boards so that once you step on one, you knew that it was solid under your feet.
You were the first person who introduced me to dialing in bushings and getting proper bearings. It is amazing how easy it is to ignore that stuff.
There are great trucks companies in skateboarding and none of them would be around if their trucks didn’t work. Bushings are what I found to help me get the turn that I wanted from a truck. I like my trucks loose so I can carve. Carving corners is the reason.
Are you a gear head? Where does your board design skill come from?
I did a lot of nose-clamping with wood glue and sanding it down when I was younger with my boards. Creating a slightly morphed shape of the original was guaranteed. Tails that were worn down and razor sharp were the norm. Over the span of riding a board, the shape probably changed 5-7 times before another new deck presented itself so I made due with what I had. I think that’s where it came from. Everything from age 13-16 that I tinkered with is what I tinker with now.
Our first wheels were based on a mold from our original wheel factory, but then we did the graphic on the inside as a tribute to those of us who flip our wheels. Do you know who did that wheel before us? And what was the era?
I’m not certain who used that original mold for our conical Drifters (58 mm; 87A) but I’m assuming it was in the early 70’s since they started that factory starting in the late 60’s.
Later came the Black Eggs and now White Yolks. I really love these wheels. They are unique I think and sort of a gateway drug to other stuff we make. You think?
I gravitate towards the wood and urethane parts of manufacturing. The wheels for Solitary Arts can dictate an entire setup! The whole board shape might be birthed only after we dial the wheels. It is a gateway!
Our new White Yolks wheels were inspired while riding bowls and wanting a smaller, harder, yet larger surfaced wheel to get as much speed on a 54mm size that would dictate our next board Solitary Arts complete (Spring 2010).
When the new stuff arrives, either samples or production runs, what are you most excited to open the box to see?
Wheels and stickers! I’m a huge fan of stickers and always have been. That’s the most gratifying for me. We have some good folks that all skate that make great stuff for us.
For me it is the wheels. I make a lot of stuff, but making a wheel is a really unique experience. I also love making stickers.
You are based in SF and I am Los Angeles. SF and LA are two different worlds of skating for sure. For me I was always drawn to how Socal is such a ying and yang on steroids of good and bad. If you see a beautiful sunset you know you are going to get stuck in a gnarly traffic jam to balance things out! I like the clean streets of So cal too. We do parking lots right here! thats our motto.
How do you feel about being in SF? My favorite skaters always seem to be from there…
I dig California. You’ve got cities, beaches, mountains, and deserts and everything in-between. You’re from Calgary and I’m from Hawaii and I think we’ve both found a balance of the things that we love about California and the things that we can live-with (like traffic) to keep what we love as consistent as possible in our day to day lives. I’m here to stay in San Francisco as I plant more permanent roots with each passing year.
And yes, I agree, SF breeds skateboarders. Backside power-slides bombing hills!
You’re also really into carving bowls these days. Do you ever do a session where you never lift your wheels or grind? When you grind it always seems like an accident!
I have a tendency lately where I’m only into finding a line and getting into corners as often as possible without kick-turns or grinding. The longer the run, the better for me these days. I do throw a grind or two into a line but the gnarliest ones do happen by accident!
What’s up with the AM (morning) skate scene up there?
There are crews everywhere skating the AM hours at any good park with bowls. My good friend Mark Buddah Ishimaru is the reason for me as he was the first to invite me on certain mornings before anyone else showed-up to get a session-in. It’s now a good-sized crew up here and one with no hype. We’re just riding and having a good time carving corners…
Mahalo…
Growing up I was afraid to learn about music and how it was played. Now that I am older and understand that every instrument means something in every song I realize that I should have took advantage of the free schooling that I could have. I do regret not learning things in what I chose but do appreciate the spawn of music.
Music is really important towards the culture whether if your from any decade. I was looking for a song on youtube and stumbled upon this vid and it shows that the new generation has a real sense of pride of what has happened. DAFT PUNK…the name has already a strong tie towards a movement and its so amazing to see the Trinity Orchestra orchestrate something so amazing!
It has been 1 Year since our brethren Kenny Brimer has passed. The more I think of how things work out in life the more I am grateful to be living and breathing today. Kenny…thank you for looking over all of us and thank you for always bringing joy to our lives. There will be a get together tomorrow 7/23/2011 to commemorate 1 year of Kenny’s passing. For everyone who is in Hawaii please see below for directions.
Date: JULY 23, 2011 Saturday Afternoon
For: Kenny Brimer Memorial Anniversary
Place: Fort DeRussy Beach Park, Waikiki
As I mentioned in my earlier posts from 6-8 months ago about a great friend Kenny Brimer and his battle with Leukemia has come to an end today at 11:15 PM Hawaii Time. Kenny was such a great friend to everyone he encountered with and whomever knew Kenny would be able to tell a story about his or her experiences. Since I saw the post from Fitted Hawaii’s Rene Matthyssen whom has always been a strong figure in our old crew I kind of felt that things were going to be different. Yong-Ki Chang another friend that went to High School with Kenny has really taught me a ton about things, friendships, relationships and life. I value all the input and lessons that I have learned from all of my friends have given me over time! I apologize for posting this on my blog but felt that everyone should know what happened. Yong-Ki told me that after Kenny went through his transplant that the real test was set after the fact. I would be the optimistic one as I always believe in things getting better but that is an easier belief as Kenny was always fighting for the one day he could step on his beloved lifestyle Skateboarding. I am also very thankful for everyone who did what they could for Kenny while he was at the City of Hope! Kenny….I love you man! Well get a session in when I see you again! Thanks again Everyone. Please see below for a set of Kenny’s self made Video’s that he did himself before he even left for California for his transplant.
UPDATED 7/27/10
Going to add each song that was in Kenny’s Playlist. I remember buying this cassette single at Jelly’s when I was in 8th or 9th grade. This was when I was realizing that I was going to be committed to Skateboarding 100%. A great group of friends that were older were teaching me about what to listen to and what not to listen to was happening to me at such a younger age. The Cult is timeless!
Thank you again everyone for listening and thanks again to my great circle of friends who was there for Kenny. Rob C, Rene M, Rob H, Larry W, Yong-Ki C, Al T, Kai M, Robert J, Nick, Toa, John B, Jeff M, Ryan T, Chad H, Chane W, Ryan A, Ian O, Darin L, Keith K, Jun J, Rhandy T, Sean K, Shawn N, Jose C, Gene D, Pat T, Mannie M, Grant K, John O, Neil N, John O, Chris O, Keola R, Chris A, Aree L, Shane R, Jaime R, Jake O, R2, Joe H, Glen O, Jarret B, Rich N, Craig P, Andrew P, Kirby S, Edison C, Cowin C, Tasshi F, Mike B, Francis J, Kyle C, Mike C, Sean R, Sean P, Chuck M, Jeremy S, Troy G, Christian R, Skillet, Jef H, Vince K, Ryan K, Mark O, Ryan Amore, Erron R, Bobby A, Jason M, Rod C, Gdog, Mike K, Chris K, Blue Hawaii Crew, APB Crew, Fitted Crew, Kicks Hawaii Crew, In4mation Crew and the old Hickam Hanger Crew.
Moment of Silence…My deepest condolences to the family of Kenneth Brimer and to the great family of Lillie Brown.
