Julian; Sydney

Saturday morning's in Sydney can throw up some interesting sights, and it was early on a Saturday a few weeks ago when I met Julian, someone who defied the Aussie winter to go all out with his look... literally.
His minimalist meets patriotically Australian ensemble was certainly eye-catching, and topped off with his new Nike's 2012 Air Max it made me think this could be an interesting post on IDYSM.
He was on his way to a Dr's appointment, but other than this I didn't stick around to find out any more.
Sometimes it pays to know when not to ask too much about someone's outfit!
Whatever you're up to this weekend - have a good one!

PUMA x UNDFTD Ballistic Clyde

 

As shoe silhouettes go, there is an elite core of styles that can lay claim to being some of THE most influential and iconic shoes created, and the Puma Clyde definitely falls into this category.

The guys at UNDFTD have been let loose on this iconic style twice before, and now in the third drop in the Puma x UNDFTD collab The PUMA x UNDFTD Ballistic Clyde is finally here.
Available in five ‘on trend’ pastel colours; Grey (my pick of the selection), orange, yellow, green and purple, the Ballistic Nylon upper and the use of suede on the heel and tongue make this an interesting and accessible twist on the beloved Clyde that can appeal to anyone.
So, if you fancy an order of classic shoe with a side of on-trend styling then check out Espionage, Laced and High’s & Lows for more info.

JC; Sydney

As many of you know I come from a TV Production background, and still to this day juggle shooting my urban style photography/videography with Producing and Writing shows.
I've just started work with a new production company for a show that will be going to air later this year, and it didn't take long for me to have the pleasure of meeting JC (in the above pics).  
Unfortunately this colourful character will be leaving soon, so I had to be quick acting to get these shots of one of the sharpest and smartest technology whizzes I have ever met.
He also knows a thing or too about what he wants from sneakers as he's an ardent Globe fan, with a collection of 5 pairs from a brand that he's ardently committed to.  The above Gold Cup pair are well worn and well loved after 10 years in his collection, but still have what it takes to keep him equipped for whatever a day in the TV game can throw at him.
JC - all the best for whatever the future throws at you!

adidas Originals Jeremy Scott 2012 Fall/Winter Preview

Nothing seems to throw as much colour and controversy (don't worry, I'm not going to mention the banned 'Shackle' shoe) as a Jeremy Scott drop.
I was invited to take a peek at the Jeremy Scott x adidas Originals 2012 Fall Winter collection and while the trademark JS style is far more flamboyant, colourful and outrageous than someone like can get away with wearing, I'm always very intrigued to see what the Willy Wonka of footwear will come up with next.
Among this collection are some classic shoe silhouettes given the JS treatment, including a 'love' inspired take on the Bear shoe (is this JS's most colourful shoe yet?), as well as his monochrome & metallic take on Superstars, fluoro Bowling Shoes, blue zip up penny loafers (called the JS Slim), as well as apparel ranging from his own varsity jacket, to Versace inspired tracksuits.
All up, it's another bold and brave collection that JS-heads will lap up and love it or hate it, you can't deny that yet again there is some really impressive innovation here that yet again raises the question...what will he come up with next?

Nikki; Sydney

For some sneaker lovers colour and elaborate design are what it's all about, while for others, simple design and monochrome colourways are their thing, and Nikki falls into the latter category.

In Sydney from NZ, she has 2 pairs of shoes at her disposal, both the easy to wear All Star, and with 1 pair in white and 1 in black she's covered for all occasions.

Behind The Brand; Vanishing Elephant

As the latest of my 'Behind The Brand' video interviews, I sat down with Huw Bennett, one of the founders of Sydney contemporary fashion label Vanishing Elephant to talk all things VE.
From it's humble beginnings only 4 years ago, the brand has gone on to become an Australian institution, picking up the illustrious 2010 GQ Designer Of The Year Award along the way.
Despite some impressive growth, the brand have managed to retain their core values something which will hold them in good stead for their new ventures in retail and global domination!

Music: "As Colorful As Ever" by Broke For Free (http://brokeforfree.com/)

Happy Birthday D!

I don't usually dip into my personal stash of pics for IDYSM but it's a rather special day today as my son Dylan turns 3!

I will validate this post with the news that he's already a huge sneaker fan; Vans Eras, Dr Seuss Cons and his beloved Hulk Reeboks already have pride of place in a collection that I imagine will grow considerably over the years.

Here's to you D, love ya wee man!

xx

Gourmet - Dignan

As you may know I've been watching the LA brand Gourmet with interest for some time and my most recent viewing of the brand (see here) when I bumped into Vinnie from Acclaim left something of a lasting impression on me.
He was wearing the 'Dignan' shoe, a style that represents a lot of what Gourmet is about; fusing recognisable sneaker design with a bold twist of untraditional styling.
As something of a concept shoe, the design is inspired by Mark Wahlberg's character from the Scorcese movie 'The Departed'.  At the end of the movie he is seen wearing ER shoe covers over his shoes and voila, the idea for the 'Dignan' was born.
As you can see from the above shots of the shoe in it's new polka dot design, it combines a running shoe aesthetic with a nylon zip up cover, and sure, they're not to everyone's taste (just check out Dignan's on the forums, this shoe generates really mixed views) but I love the fact that Gourmet are going for it and not just playing safe.
The shoes are popping up more and more on the streets so check them out, if you're looking for something different they could be for you!

I Nearly Wore The Same Thing; Melbourne

It's always intriguing to see what people choose to wear when they leave the house.  Everyone's approach to style is different, and this person is no exception.
Happy to pose for extended periods of time at Melbourne's highly busy Fed Sq, this attention seeker was out and about to showcase the virtues of tight PVC.
Not quite my thing, but when I joked 'I nearly wore the same thing' his attempt at polite laughter showcased the difficulty he had breathing in his mask.  I made my escape asap.

My Mate Matt; Sydney

 

I only moved to Sydney about 4 and a half years ago (man, how time flies!) but in that time I've been lucky to make some great friends, which I'm very pleased to say includes the top bloke featured above; Matt.
Originally from Canada Matt moved here around the same time as me, and we met through my ongoing work in the TV industry.  He's an amazingly talented Editor, and a stylish chap to boot, with a love of top quality designers, brands, music and sneakers, and he was more than happy to pose to show off his beloved Common Projects Premium Achilles kicks.
While low price point kicks are killing it around the world at the moment (yes, I am talking about the global Vans domination) Matt keep his view locked on the other end of the spectrum and likes nothing more than premium brands with a respected design aesthetic and build quality that he feels surpasses some of the cheaper labels.
With this ethos in mind it's probably no surprise to hear that he is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE Common Projects fan, and these are not his first Achilles, which he like many feels is the most universal and accessible silhouette in their range.
In his own words Matt says; 'Forgot how much I love just how minimal these shoes are. Which for me is what it's always been about.  Along with attention to detail, quality materials and craftsmanship.  Thinking about all this makes me wanna to online for another pair!'
As premium footwear brands go Common Projects product is right up there and I'll sit down with Matt to do something a bit more thorough on video sometime (about CP and other style musings), but for now enjoy this insight into his fresh approach to street style - cheers buddy!

Jaeyoung; Sydney

Something I find very interesting about sneaker culture is how each city and country have a different sneaker identity.  While Sydney's style is laid back, the observation from people that visit the city is that footwear is really expensive, which is an opinion shared by Jaeyoung from Korea who now lives in Sydney.
As a Converse lover he still ships his shoes over from his home country where there where there is more choice and more attractive pricing.
Note to self - get to Korea!

Cushe AW12 Preview

Cushe are a new UK brand looking to establish their place on the world shoe stage.  The brand’s owners come from backgrounds in the shoe game, and are bringing their surfy product that’s intended to bring some fun back to the footwear scene to Australia soon.

I was given a preview of the brand’s new 2012 collection and while some of the product could be an acquired taste, there is a pretty comprehensive selection of styles to check out ranging from the cutely packaged flip flops, to surf shoes, and skate style sneakers, all giving you the chance to experience the laid back and ‘Cushe’ way of life.

Man Of Many Tastes; Melbourne

Cass plays in a punk band with an absolutely fantastic name; Chics Who Love Guns.  Awesome!

Cass fuses a couple of key styles in his look, both punk, and street with influences ranging from hip hop to the skate scene.

His shoe of choice to straddle his array of tastes is the good old Vans Era.  He has a number of pairs all in black, and kudos to him as it truly is a shoe as hot as a chic with a locked gun!

Preview - Bonds SS12/13

It's always exciting to check out previews of brand's new collections, and I was lucky enough to be invited to check out the Spring/Summer 2012/13 collection from a true Aussie institution; Bonds.

Bonds are synoymous with quality and cosy clothing that adds a fashion twist on basics that everyone needs in their wardrobe.

The brand are keen to show that they're about more than just underwear with a collection to cater for all ages and sexes (kids - top row, men - middle row, ladies - bottom) with comfort, style and affordable pricepoint coming together in a collection that fuses a striking but subdued colour palette, with a love of stripes and a wide range of styles to cater for everyone.

Up There Mid-Season Sale

It's wet and miserable in Sydney today so it's the perfect chance to catch up on some retail therapy.  

Our good friends at the fantastic Melbourne menswear store Up There have some great deals in their mid-season sale with great offers on some of the fantastic premium product they are renowned for.  Click on the image above to get to their site and get your hands on some great goodies at even greater prices! 

2012 Nike Free Run +3

As some of you will know, my passion for kicks doesn't just come from a style perspective, it's also been influenced by the experiences I have had in life.
During my 20's I was forced to undergo some pretty full on treatment for some sports injuries, and after some pretty gruesome operations, (3x ankle reconstructions and the removal of a bone tumor from my knee) achieving the mobility I had lost for nearly a decade was not easy.
One of the turning points in my rehabilitation was the introduction of the Nike Free shoe.  From analysis of barefoot running, the shoe is designed to build strength in your feet, and for me, it helped enormously.

After loving the 2010 Nike Free 5.0 and the 2011 Nike Free Run 2, it's time to welcome the newest and brightest Free shoe to the range in the 2012 Nike Free Run +3.
This highly popular shoe embodies freedom to millions of people around the world so check out my short video previewing the latest and greatest shoe that can help give your feet the free feel that they've been dreaming of!

Nike Air Yeezy 2!

As shoe launches come, they don't come much bigger than this, with 2012's biggest drop about to hit us in the shape of the Air Yeezy 2.

The brainchild of Kanye, this shoe has had the sneakerhead fraternity salivating for a long, long, long time and finally the wait is over as it's out (if you can get a pair) this week.

As sneaker designs go, these things are epic - every plane and panel features different textures and details and the design is much slimmer than the Yeezy Mk I with this shoe designed to Kanye's own feet. 

Released in 2 colourways the Nike Air Yeezy II in the Platinum and the Black edition will drop on June 9th at Espionage (Syd), Shore Store (Melb) & Laced (Bris) in limited numbers.

If you're lucky enough to get a pair let me know!!!

Say hi to Shooii

If you're looking for a fantastic new footwear experience then please take a moment to check out Shooii.
This great new Australian site offers a fresh approach to shoe retail with a great selection of product for men and women from some A list brands, a really easy to use sales format and lightning quick delivery.
They were kind enough to send me some fantastic shoes from their impressive line up, and not only did the beautiful handmade European Mors 'Fox' shoes (or should I say Shoos?) arrive the next day but they also came packaged in enough Shooii loveliness (see the above packaging shots) to put a smile on anyone's face.
Check Shooii out here, I know you'll love it!

Where The Wild Things Are; Melbourne

This kid was hanging out in Melbourne, and when I spotted him he was on a busy street, completely oblivious to everything going on around him as he stood literally as you see him, up against a wall, staring into the ground.  

I've no idea what was going through his mind, or what inspires his look and approach to style, but he allowed me to take these shots, and I couldn't help but be intrigued by both what he's wearing and how he's posing/behaving.  A penny for your thoughts...

Preview - Puma SS12/13

With an array of footwear dropping next season, Puma will be looking to make a splash with a collection broad enough to appeal to anyone.

As always the brand's heritage is respected with silhouettes of classic Puma styles sitting opposite the brand's black label of premium product, and with this top tier of product featuring collabs with the likes of Alexander McQueen (RIP), Mihara and Hussein Chalayan there are some really interesting pieces ready to drop.

I'll be excited to see how Puma's lifestyle product fares over the coming months, and lets not forget their pedigree in sports too - the bottom pic shows the shoes that Usain Bolt will be wearing at this year's London Olympics.  Gold Medal worthy shoes - definitely!

Maria; Sydney

It's wet and wintery in Sydney at the moment but that doesn't mean for a moment that style choices need to be compromised.
Say hello to Maria, a great friend of mine who has just moved here from the UK.  She's an incredibly talented costumer designer and stylist from the movie and TV industry, and one of the most stylish peeps I know.
Last week she received her shipment of personal belongings from home, and couldn't wait to crack open her beloved Dr Martens and showcase them as the perfect shoe for the wet weather, no matter where she is in the world (although we're very glad to have her and her hubby Alan here in Sydney - welcome M!!).