The Reigning Champ x adidas Athletics Lookbook Highlights New Innovative Wares

Not long ago, Reigning Champ and Adidas recently unveiled a crisp new UltraBOOST variant. Now, the cohorts release a lookbook that spotlights the aforesaid low-top runner, their AlphaBOUNCE model which debuted this past February and their latest crop of innovative wares. The unisex assemblage blends Three Stripes technology with the Canadian imprint’s premium craftsmanship, spanning woven jackets, crewnecks, hoodies, tees and pants done up in RC’s ubiquitous heavyweight French terry cloth.

Check out the lookbook above and expect the collection to officially drop on April 7 on adidas.com, Adidas stores, ReigningChamp.com, Reigning Champ flagship stores and select Foot Locker stores and stockists.

PHOTOGRAPHERADIDAS ATHLETICS

Watch How Babylon LA & Trash Talk Channel Hardcore Punk and Los Angeles

Today we see music and fashion more intimately connected than ever. Brands have promoted artists’ involvement from simply modeling in lookbooks to appointing them to high-level positions within the company. Artists themselves have also begun to not only produce tour merchandise but create their own (sometimes namesake) labels.

One of the few establishments that exhibit a refreshing connection between music and clothing is Babylon LA. The brand, helmed by Lee Spielman and Garrett Stevenson of the hardcore band Trash Talk, is directly influenced by the band’s experiences of making music and being on tour. Babylon’s designs impart the punk ethos with a DIY aesthetic that characterizes both their creativity and anti-establishment ideologies.

The brand is also directly representative of the band’s base of Los Angeles and California, Lee tells us. Through the brand and its store – complete with public skate bowl – he’s been able to create what he’s always wanted since he was a kid.

THE LEAK: HYPEBEAST

adidas Brings Primeknit Construction to the Stan Smith BOOST

After surfacing late last year, adidas‘s BOOST-cushioned take on the Stan Smith is getting yet another upgrade — this time in the form of Primeknit construction. Appearing exactly as you’d imagine, the silhouette is the perfect mashup of the Stan Smith Primeknit and Stan Smith BOOST and couples the upper of the former with the sole unit of the latter. Best of all, the kicks have been crafted in OG green and navy colorways.

Both pairs are available now from Three Stripes spots like Berlin’s Overkill.

Lootlove x Footwork Collab

FOOTWORK has been in South Africa for a number of years and the hard work is starting to show. With having great followership through the great collaborations with SA’s most recognized female media personalities like Amanda Du Pout, and now Luthando Shosha.

With FOOTWORK going from strength to strength, the company has looked to unite its five values – Sophistication, Style, Loyalty, Comfortability and Consumer Focus.

“It is an honour to have been chosen as the Face Of Footwork’s Winter Campaign. I’ve always had an obsession for footwear and I can’t wait for everyone to see how I’ve incorporated the different designs into my style. For me, style is an expression of one’s individuality and the collection’s versatility is perfect for a girl like myself who is constantly looking for the edge in her looks. This collaboration with Footwork couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. In addition to my Metro FM radio show, I am currently making a few career moves and I’m certain that with the right pair of shoes on my feet, I will be able to put my best foot forward and achieve my goals.”-Lootlove

Putting its stamp on footwear with a nod to the catwalk, the 2017 winter collection focuses on unique heels, stand out stilettos, show stopping boots as well as indulgent fabrics that will make any woman feel fierce. With the help of Lootlove, this range will communicate a transparent visual message and tone to women of substance.

The range is available at Superbalist, Spree, Zando as well as theshowroom.online and all major retailers.

SOURCE: THEPLUGMAG.CO

Is adidas Taking Its Three Stripes Trademark Too Far?

As could be expected of a global brand as large and well-known as Adidas, the German sportswear giant has fiercely protected its logo and branding for years — but is it taking things too far?

According to Forever 21, the answer is a definite “yes.” According to a claim filed at the US District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, just last week, Adidas has gone overboard in protecting the trademark of its Three Stripes. Said the suit:

Years ago, adidas managed to secure federal trademark registrations for use of three, parallel stripes placed in specific locations on certain shoes and clothing… But adidas has taken its claims even further — too far — essentially asserting that no item of clothing can have any number of stripes in any location without infringing adidas’s trademarks.

Forever 21 — who’s been sued by adidas in the past — went on to add that adidas is well-known for “aggressively enforcing its perceived” trademark rights and claimed that it has “fallen victim” to “threats” from adidas over the years, pointing specifically to a letter from February where adidas threatened to sue the Los Angeles-based brand over the use of stripes on six different pieces of Forever 21 clothing:

The stripes on the Forever 21 clothing at issue are merely ornamental and decorative. None of these items of clothing display any of adidas’s three-stripe marks, and no consumer is likely to believe any of these items are manufactured by, or otherwise associated with, adidas… Tired of operating with a cloud over its head with regard to its right to design and sell clothing items bearing ornamental/decorative stripes, and unwilling to stop doing something it has every right to do and pay a bully to leave it alone, Forever 21 has decided that enough is enough.

Adidas declined to comment on pending litigation, but reinforced the idea that “it will continue to ‘vigorously’ protect its rights and take action in cases of infringement.”

What do you think of Adidas claim to the Three Stripes trademark? Sound off in the comments section below.

SOURCEWIPR

Iggy Azalea Flaunts Her Assets in a Supreme Bodysuit

Just last week, artist Iggy Azalea took to her Twitter to announce her musical comeback, even sharing with fans her latest single “Can’t Lose” fearturing Lil Uzi Vert. This time around, the rapper took to social media to show off her racy, custom-made Supreme bodysuit, cut in a way to reveal a generous glimpse of her assets. Captioned with “#MoBounce,” it’s rumored to be a track from her upcoming album Digital Distortion. Take a look at the rest of her recent pictorial below.

PHOTOGRAPHER@THENEWCLASSIC

Nike, H&M, and Zara Are Amongst the World's Most Valuable Apparel Brands in 2017

According to Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy, some of the biggest names in its “Most Valuable Apparel Brands of 2017″ list include Nike, H&M, and Zara.

It’s not a shock that Nike leads the pack as it has always been on top of the list and is currently valued at $32 billion USD. H&M trails behind at #2 boasting a $19 million USD valuation. Some takeouts from this current roster include Zara grabbing #3 from Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs rapidly making its way up the rankings. It will be interesting to see where LV moves in the near future, especially now that it has collaborated with Supreme. It’s also worth to note that even with adidas and Under Armour closing in on Nike, the Oregon-based company is still miles ahead of the two. Nike is sure to make more noise with its plans for the “Pro Hijab” for Muslim athletes.

Brand Finance produces its list by considering the following elements — sales, market share, as well as global reputation, marketing investment, and employee satisfaction. The top 10 brands are named below, but you can catch the full list here.

1. Nike — $32 billion
2. H&M — $19 billion
3. Zara — $14.4 billion
4. Louis Vuitton — $13 billion
5. Adidas — $10 billion
6. Uniqlo — $9.6 billion
7. Hermes — $8.3 billion
8. Rolex — $7 billion
9. Gucci — $6.8 billion
10. Cartier — $6.7 billion

SOURCEFASHIONISTA

PHOTOGRAPHERNIKE

PUMA Drops We Run The Streets Ad

PUMA’s Run The Streets campaign gets a local flavor with rapper Gigi Lamayne, 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards winner Nasty C, Digital Maskandi founder and artist Mashayabhuqe KaMamba and PUMA’s own Rolo Rozay lacing up in the IGNITE Limitless Core and IGNITE evoKNIT Fade footwear.

The foursome will be featured in the footwear and evoKNIT apparel offering in the commercial shot by Paul Ward with voice over by MC Tumi (Stogie T) and music by Sibot. The commercial in a 90 second and 30-second format will be driven via television, digital and PUMA South Africa’s social media channels.

“We are excited to have a strong stable of powerful, talented local influencers that can sit alongside Grammy-award winning artist The Weeknd, in our Run the Streets campaign in South Africa,” said PUMA South Africa’s Marketing Director Brett Bellinger.

The IGNITE Limitless Core and IGNITE evoKNIT Fade, inspired by tailored performance, is designed to stand up to the stop-and-go of city living with stylish, comfortable, and protective features. The design began with streetwear influences then added performance features and technologies, with special interest paid to textures and details including bonded edges, matte and shine play, collar height, and large, bold branding.

The IGNITE Limitless core in red, olive, grey and black will be available exclusively in PUMA stores and select Sportscene stores from 15 February for R2 299.  New iterations of this style will drop through the coming weeks and months.

The IGNITE evoKNIT Fade retailing for R2 599 is available from PUMA, Sportscene, The Cross Trainer, Side Step and selected retailers nationwide.

D Double E and UK Road Rap Crew 67 Front TM's 2016 Fall/Winter Lookbook

London-based collective TM – formerly known as toomuchposse! – unveils its latest seasonal offerings in a slick new lookbook featuring the likes of D Double E and the drill/trap crew 67. The sleek outerwear pieces include a bevy of pullover jackets (all made in England) with a large front kangaroo pocket in green and tan camo as well as a classic solid black. Matching pants are included to finish off the entire look. The pieces will run you £160 GBP (approximately $198 USD) for the jackets and £115 GBP (approximately $143 USD) for the pants. Take a peek above and head over to TM’s online site for more details.

PHOTOGRAPHERVICKY GROUT

HAVEN Unveils Its 10-Year Anniversary Collaboration With WACKO MARIA

Canadian clothier HAVEN have unveiled its third collaborative effort for its 10-year anniversary project dubbed “Decade of Permanence.” Teaming up with Japan’s WACKO MARIA, designer Atsuhiko Mori has created a pair of graphic tees with a custom ‘Guilty Parties 10 Years F**k Dreams’ print on the back. Finishing the collection is a ’50s-inspired collared shirt with a chain-stitched ‘HAVEN’ on the left chest as well as a ‘Guilty Parties’ embroidery on the rear. Check the “Decade of Permanence” collection in the accompanying photo set above and purchase all items in-store or online now.

Pharrell Williams Presents His First Collection as the Head of Imagination for G-Star RAW

Skateboard P finally unveils his first project with G-Star RAW since being appointed Head of Imagination for the denim brand. Titled the ‘Elwood X25,’ the collection includes iconic jeans in 25 colorful prints ranging from checks, camouflages and traditional patterns from all over the world, all carefully selected by Pharrell himself. Also with G-Star RAW celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the collection symbolizes the brands ever-present commitment to innovation and self-expression. The G-Star RAW Elwood X25 collection will be available in select stores and online starting February 2017. Williams states:

“What we are trying to do is make a space for creativity and experimentation. We’re not trying to tell people what to do and what to think, but just help them to express themselves openly. To choose what to wear and how to wear it. This collection is about freedom of choice- it’s about adding democracy to your wardrobe.”

Bobby Hundreds Announces New Streetwear Documentary 'Built to Fail'

This afternoon at ComplexCon, Bobby Hundreds of The Hundreds announced he will be releasing an all new streetwear documentary which has been in the works for the past five years. Titled Built to Fail, the doc will include interviews with the founders of some of our favorite streetwear brands, with Tommy Hilfiger and Russell Simmons making an appearance. A short clip was shown at the event, and one of the highlights had to be Leah McSweeney from Married to the Mob stating that female streetwear fans will never line up for drops like guys do because girls aren’t “f**king lame.” No release date has been set as of yet, but stay tuned for more details.

PHOTOGRAPHERJOSHUA ZUCKER

Nike Sportswear Shines a Spotlight on Its 2016 Holiday Offerings

Nike Sportswear’s Holiday 2016 releases are already trickling out to retailers, so the Swoosh is shining a spotlight on some of the offerings ahead of the collection’s full rollout. Stylishly highlighted above are some of the season’s best footwear releases — including the Lunar Force 1 Duckboot and Lunar Force 1 Flyknit Workboot — alongside trim sweats and basketball shorts, not to mention graphic tees and hoodies with details like elongated tails and zippered enclosures at the hem.

Peruse the looks above and head on over to nike.com to shop for your favorite pieces.

Jean Jullien Teams up With ONLY NY for a Limited Edition Collection

Following a robust Fall/Winter 2016 collection and a range of collaborative capsules, ONLY NY returns again with an Artist Series offering with French illustrator Jean Jullien. As a part of the ONLY Arts Club, this limited edition collection includes a selection of T-shirts, hats, stickers and a tote featuring Jullien’s signature style. Perfect for any Big Apple lover, the designs are a fresh take on the city’s iconic motifs, printed on crisp pastels and easy silhouettes. Check out the collection above and let us know if you’ll be donning some of these candy-colored staples.

The collection will be available on November 3 at 12 PM EST exclusively online at onlyny.com and in-stores at ONLY NY.

Aitor Throup Named Executive Creative Director of G-Star RAW

Following three successful years as a creative consultant to G-Star RAW, British designer Aitor Throup has officially been announced as the brand’s new executive creative director. Since 2013, Throup has worked with G-Star on a range of projects such as the development and concept behind the brand’s Oxford Street flagship, the recent ‘What is RAW?’ global advertising campaign, and the RAW Research collection which launched during Paris Men’s Fashion Week in June. Throup’s ability to communicate G-Star RAW’s ethos through continued 3D experimentation and construction makes his appointment as the brand’s new executive creative director an organic progression for the designer and the brand.

Parajumpers Heads to an Airfield to Showcase Military-Inspired Looks for 2016 Fall/Winter

As the cold weather approaches, luxury Italian outerwear brand Parajumpers returns for the fall season with its latest lookbook set at an old airfield outside of London. The newest collection of designer Massimo Rossetti’s outerwear label fuses Rossetti’s expertise in activewear with Italian design sensibilities — touching on the heritage of the brand which is inspired by the 210th Rescue Squadron of the Alaska Air National Guard, and pushing forward with technical, military-inspired styling.

Throughout the shoot, which highlights its “Fire” bomber jacket, its signature “Masterpiece” Gobi, as well as a special-edition N3-B coat, the classic details that Parajumpers is known for are on display. All of the monochromatic outerwear pieces were conceived in the brand’s Veneto-based atelier using careful craftsmanship and details like water resistant shells and partially taped seams to keep you dry, as well as fur-trimmed hoods for warmth. Attention to functionality is also in full effect as the pieces are equipped with an abundance of both internal and external pockets to keep all of your belongings tucked away from the weather.

After you’ve checked out the complete lookbook above, see the Parajumpers fall/winter collection in its entiretyhere and gear up to keep yourself protected from the elements this winter.

PHOTOGRAPHERRON TIMEHIN / HYPEBEAST