Nike Innovation Pop Up Store; Sydney

It's time to take a quick break from my recap period to showcase a video I have made to showcase a great new op up experience that I urge you to check out in Sydney while it's here.
Sport and Innovation go hand in hand, and it would be hard to dispute the fact that Nike are among the most innovative and forward thinking companies out there.
I was able to meet with Nike Guru and Innovation Designer Matt Nordstrum to talk Innovation, which is the key inspiration behind the Pop Up Store that celebrates Nike's unique and constantly committed approach to pushing the boundaries.
With the Games currently underway many of Nike's amazing innovations are on display for the world to see - including the Nike Pro TT Turbo Speed, the world's fastest ever running suit that Matt has been involved in designing.
We sat down and talked about the store, Nike's progressive innovative outlook and some of the key items on display in this incredible space that combines amazing product, and interactive attractions that make it a must see while it's in town!

Address: Shop 4, 1-11 Oxford Street, Paddington, Sydney

Open from July 28th - August 2012.

Recap - Behind The Brand; DJ Neil Armstrong

So while I take a short break due to the arrival of a new member to the IDYSM family (yes, a baby!), this week will see another recap of some of my favourite posts from 2012 so far.
To start the week off it's time to revisit my interview with DJ Neil Armstrong.
As a huge music fan it was a great honour to meet him earlier this year at the Carbon Festival in Melbourne.  Despite the huge success he has achieved, the accolades, the prestige of being Jay-Z's tour DJ, and his role as a global adidas ambassador he's remained an amazingly down to earth guy who was happy to sit down and chat about his love for music and how he turned his passion into a globetrotting career.
So check it out as this video has everything - great adidas product, Neil on the decks, Star Wars, David Beckham, Noel Gallagher and Snoop! 

Recap - Behind The Brand; Sneaker Freaker

Through IDYSM I am lucky enough to go to some fantastic places and meet some great people, and earlier this year I was lucky enough to be invited into the mecca that is the Sneaker Freaker office in Melbourne.

Sneaker Freaker is THE sneaker bible and just spending time in this place was like being a kid in a sweet shop - amazing, amazing, amazing!  Fantastic product everywhere, samples, ideas, art mock ups and just an amazingly inspiring place to be for the sneaker lover such as myself.

Being around all the kicks was amazing enough, but better still was getting the chance to sit down and chew the fat with Woody, not only the genius mind behind this iconic publication, but also the nicest guy you could ever meet.  This was a good day!

Recap - NIke Mercurial Vapor III

The increase in video content on IDYSM has been great to work on, it's all made by yours truly - from producing, to coming up with ideas, shooting, directing and editing so it's pretty time consuming, and when leg models are needed I also step in (my cameo as the footballer in this clip is among my finest work - although filming myself running around got some curious looks from passers by).
I'm always interested in the innovations and developments of sports related product and this innovative boot from Nike was remarkable - incredibly lightweight and striking in both design, colour and speed, which I hope I did justice to.

Recap - Margarita

  

Margarita was shot in Melbourne earlier this year, and the set of shots are among my favourites on IDYSM.  
Her femininity is offset by her beloved burly DMs, which continue to be seen on the feet on the streets with the brands current resurgence. 
Margarita's striking look combined with some lovely Melbournian summer light all contributed to the above images which generated a lot of interest from the site's followers and brands.

Recap - Bowl-a-rama 2012

Next up for my recap of 2012 is my video covering the 2012 Bondi Bowl-a-rama.  

This key event on the skating calendar see's the worlds top bowl skaters migrate to Bondi each February for a weekend of colour, skating and celebration of all things Vans.

To many, 2012 was the biggest and best year yet, so here's my take on it. 

Recap - Kid Mac Rocks!

 

 

I'm going to be keeping a low profile over the next couple of weeks as my wife and I welcome the newest addition to the family, so while I swap kicks for nappies and sleepless nights I thought it would be a great time to revisit some of my favourite content of the year so far.  

To kick things off I thought we'd revisit a shoot I did at a Kid Mac gig at the start of the year. This multi-talented Sydney rapper has dropped his fantastic debut album 'No Mans Land' and is backing it up with his a tour - so for more info check here.

Back to the above shots, and this was a great night where Mac was joined on stage by musical powerhouse Sarah McLeod, and I hope the shots go some way to capture the energy and fun that is sure guaranteed on each live date on the tour so it's definitely one to check! 

Katsu & Nobu; Sydney

 

Ok, I love these guys! Their style is everything I love about shooting for IDYSM; individual, colourful and a clear illustration of their fascinating selves.

Yes, the look may be a tad kooky at first glance but collectively the guys share a fashion vision that is both admirable and forward thinking.

Together they're both constantly on the look out for new and inspiring fashion finds that they can liberate from Op shops and recycling centres, and from the results they display here it shows that if you're prepared to look for it there are some amazing finds out there.

From the detailing of their accessories (more people should wear pin badges!) to the thought out colour co-ordination Katsu and Nobu, I salute you!!

adidas originals x Opening Ceremony; Sydney

I love a good collab, and was delighted to be invited to last nights exclusive evening celebrating the launch of the adidas originals x Opening Ceremony collab that is getting a lot of peeps rather excited!

It all kicked off at the adidas Originals store in the Sydney City Westfield and as usual I popped in to snap the sights of partygoers, and the great product including some bold and beautiful paisley patterns on the apparel, and some equally great shoes including the transparent OC Dress Rubber Lace Ups.

Music played, Absolut Vodka provided the refreshments and the happiest man on the night is a man who is no stranger to these events.  Nicknamed The Don, the bearded sneaker lover (see above) is a serial sneaker shopper who loves nothing more than a good collab - I've seen him at previous adidas events, and he also recently got his hands on some Yeezy 2's - this guy can't let a new drop pass him by!

Yet again he was there to add another pair of cracking kicks to his 120+ pair collection as he like many of you found it impossible to resist this great collab - check it out now, exclusively at the adidas Originals store at Sydney City Westfield.

Neuw Service Store; Sydney

 

As a brand I have loved for some time it's great to see the denim gurus at Neuw go from strength to strength, and I was delighted to be asked to shoot the newest addition to their empire, their first Sydney store.

With the 'Service' store, the brand have given the illustrious address of 84 Oxford St it's smartest incarnation yet.  This sacred address has previously housed the Australian Bank of Commerce and the iconic Betty's Soup Kitchen, and now after a stunning refit designed to respect the history of the address while also showcasing Neuw's denim product in a raw and rustic way, it's never looked better.

There's no doubting that the store offers up the great mens and womenswear that Neuw is renowned for, but on top of that the store is called 'Service' for a reason as the in-house denim lovers want you to share in their passion, as each item in the store will already be well loved before cupids arrow hits and your heart strings are tugged at too.  Advice includes not washing jeans - put them in a freezer instead if you want to protect the wash, and whether you're checking out the classic denim pieces on the wall from Neuw co-owner Par Lundqvist's renowned personal denim collection, or picking up items from the brand's great new 'Sharp' collection, there really is something for everyone here - check it out!

Skating B&Ws

Eden; Sydney

Eden is a student, and we stopped to chat and take these pics as she headed home after doing some last minute photocopying before an exam she had the next day.  When asked about her look (that I thought was quite cool), she described it as her 'just gone to photocopy something and hope I don't see anyone I know' outfit.
Her summery West Coast look is well thought out which is what you would expect for someone who works for the amazing store Incu, and it's finished off with her trademark shoe of the white Vans Era, a shoe she has multiple pairs of in varying states of cleanliness.
I love the idea and commitment of a signature shoe, it shoes real passion and dedication, and I hope that same passion and dedication saw Eden sail through her exam with flying colours.