Konichiwa Bitches - Part 2: Most Wanted

Trying to work out my most wanted kicks list is pretty bloody hard. There are a few newer models I'm really smitten with and seriously feel I can not live without. Then there are the ones I'd just really like to possess. And I'm sure along the way, I'll find a few more that I've never seen before.
My number one is the Nike Twilight. If I can get my hands on a pair of these, my life may well be complete. And I may require two pairs.
Next up is the most recent Valentine Pack Air Max 90. These bad boys didn't get a release in Australia despite the Dunks coming out, so I'd be stoked to find a pair of these.
Just like every other sneaker head on the planet, I feel a strong desire to possess a pair of Air Max 90 Infrareds. They came out here last year but I didn't bother, much to my own detriment. Now I'm determined to find a pair to call my very own. Doubts on whether they'll ever see the light of day, but I'll have them non the less.

Structures are by far my favourite design. I have quite a few pairs already, but I'm chasing a pair of Infrareds to add to my Structure collection. I doubt I'd wear these either, but I'm sure they'll get lots of cuddles.
The Ferris Bueller Dunks. I've been a huge Ferris Bueller fan since I was a kid and if I found a pair of these mofos I'd probably never take them off. Probably.
Hoops. Structures steez, in a hi top. Damn. I'm in love.
I'm a little obsessed with Sir Charles right now, so I'd be very happy to cop a pair of Force 180s... especially in the Blue/Black/White colour way. I am of the opinion that most of the Barkley models are pretty bloody ugly, but I'm down to cop a pair just so I can have them. Fingers crossed for Skit or LA Avenue to provide the goods.I'm so down for more Jordan 3s. I am now aiming for one in every colour way, but the True Blues don't really interest me much now that Footlocker is dropping Retros. I'm looking for something a little more exotic, like Brisk Blue/Gold, Green/Mocha/White or Orange/Black/White. I don't want what everyone is gonna have - even if it was deadstock.I'm also down for some Jordan 5s. Anything but white so my feet don't look like they belong to a gorilla.

Now on to the kicks my mates want me to look for. Mr Masto is down for B Huarache (Air Max Classic BW x Air Huarache).The Mr Masto wants me to keep an eye out for these Air Max ST Retros, but in grey.
But the kicks Mr Masto says he wants to most are these classic Black/White/Neutral Grey/Mid Grey Huarache. I make no promises, but I'll do my best.
Dr Dboe has requested a pair of Mars Blackmon Jordan 5s. I'll look, but I ain't promising jack shit.As some of you might know, Dr Dboe is a bit of a smartass. When I asked him what kicks I should look for for him, he tells me he'd like a pair of Air Max 1 Premium 'Atmos' Cement. Considering these came out in 2007, less than 5000 were produced and they cost $450US at the time, the chances of me actually purchasing these are slim to none. But I might be able to bring back a real live photo of me trying them on.

If I do find some/all of my desired foot attire, God only knows how I'm going to get this much shit back to Australia. Maybe a suitcase or 2 will be required, boxes flattened and shoes squished in via some careful packing.

This list doesn't even take into account models I find that I just like, or have never seen before. I have a huge thing for Court Force and I haven't even really thought about which ones I'm hunting - I generally just go for colour/look when it comes to Court Force or Dunks. And then there's clothes. If I buy clothes, I'm going to be stuffed. Or at least my suitcases will be!

Konichiwa Bitches - Part 1

I've finally been planning my trip to Tokyo. There's loads of places I want to go, but I've been putting together a list of must-do shopping spots. This has actually proved harder than I thought, because some of the more secret spots only have Japanese addresses, and I can't seem to translate them to English, and can only view them on Google Maps in Japanese. But I'm pretty sure I can work out where I need to go anyway - after all, I spent years sniffing out raves in the weirdest locations around Sydney. So I think it's going to be a bit of an adventure not knowing exactly where I'm going! All I need is a map, a print out of addresses, my camera and my plastic...

Nike NSW/ Nike ID
6-14-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku
TEL: (03) 5774 5585
Monday - Sunday: 12 NOON - 8PM
Website

The idea of checking out stores in other countries gives me a real buzz. Especially in Japan, because they have a reputation for having pretty dope store interiors - not to mention the totally different stock to what we get hear in Oz. The Nike NSW/ID store is no exception.
I've been hanging for some Nike IDs for ages and I'd love to cop some while I'm there. One of my favourite styles of Nike is the Structure, so I was pretty stoked to discover they've got a spotlight on these amazing Zoom Structure Triax+12. I'm loving the colourway below, even though it's a little more mod than I'd normally go for.
Kicks Lab
4-32-5 Jingumae HTS Building, 2nd Floor, Shibuya-Ku
TEL: (03) 6459 2124
Website

Kicks Lab is pretty much a staple if you're looking for kicks in Tokyo. And it's pretty obvious why from the flick below.

K-Skit
Kichijoji
TEL: 0422 47 6671
Monday - Sunday: 11AM - 7PM
Website

K-Skit is one of those secret places that people talk about but never reveal the actual location of. Luckily I have some directions, and a few photos to help me find my way. They have more stock than almost anywhere else - I've heard the place liked to what you'd imagine a Nike archive to look like. They have everything from new to used, thrashed and deadstock. I think it's going to be quite an adventure to try and find this place, but when I do, it'll be well worth it. Just check out the flicks below...
LA Avenue
1-7-1 Kichijoji Honcho
TEL: 0422 21 8333
Monday - Sunday: 11AM - 8PM
Website

LA Avenue is apparently located quite close to K-Skit, so I'll probably try to find these 2 stores on the same day. Some people say that although they don't have quite as much stock as K-Skit, the store is easier to navigate. But on the downside, the prices are pretty high. And when I say pretty high, I mean sell your own kidney to buy a pair.
Incidently, these K-Skit and LA Avenue are located in Kichijoji which is also home to the Tower Records Wall - the largest graffiti wall in Japan. This wall took 5 years to plan and complete. Pretty nuts!

Alife
3-15-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku
TEL: (03) 5775 0200
Monday - Saturday: 11AM - 7PM
Sunday: 12 NOON - 5PM
Website

I'll definitely be stopping by Alife. I'm not so sure I'll find anything for myself, but the store interior is pretty sick, plus I might find some gifts. Considering there are so few places that sell this stuff in Sydney, it's definitely worth a look.

Supreme
4-32-7-2F Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku
TEL: (03) 5771-0090
Monday - Sunday: 11AM - 8PM
Website

It wouldn't be right if I didn't take a trip to Supreme to see what's up - no doubt the Tokyo stores will have the latest stock and a lot more of it than we ever get here. I suppose it'll still be madly overpriced, but I'm still down for a look.

Atmos
4-32-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-Ku
TEL: (03) 3408 3895
Website

Atmos is another staple of any kicks tour of Tokyo. Most likely their stock range wont compare to K-Skit or LA Avenue, but work a look no doubt.

Original Fake
5-3-25 Minamiaoyama, Minato-Ku
TEL: (03) 3499 3333
Website

Original Fake is by special request for DBOE. Personally I'm not a massive fan of OF or Kaws, but I'm still down for a look. Plus the store looks DOPE! I hope they don't charge me cash money to take photos inside the store... but I heard they might...

Top Shop
La Foret 1-11-6 Jingumae Shibuya-Ku
Tel: (03) 5414 3090
Website

Now for some girlie retail indulgence. When I was in the UK, I could spend hours in Top Shop. That was 8 years ago, so it's been a long time between drinks! I'm totally down with some of the steez they are repping right now and I can't wait to get myself in there for some retail therapy.
More to come soon...

Retro Rumour

Jordan III Retro True Blues are to be released through Footlocker in Australia...

Hypebeast Handicrafts

The other day I had a conversation about a how funny it would be if you made a custom ugg boot that looked like a Nike. Like an Air Max or a Dunk made entirely of sheepskin, with a sheepskin Swoosh etc.

It got me thinking about Hypebeast Handicrafts. I'm sure most of you have read or heard of Hypebeast, the online magazine about fashion, kicks and generally cool culture. I'd seen a few funny cross stitch ideas in the past, like this BMX inspired number:
So I started to wonder if there was any fashion/sneaker/culture handicrafts out there. And apparently there are quite a lot - which resulted in me coining the term Hypebeast Handicrafts. Let's begin with some cross stitch:
Above: I'm not sure how Ice Cube would feel about this one, but I think it'd go down a treat hung on the back of a toilet door. It's certainly a good reminder to wipe.
Above: Thug Life. Enough said.
Above: There's nothing like a cross stitch subway map to remind you of where you're going. Would be a great edition stitched to a writers paint bag - rather than looking at the train map, the writer could have a permanent map.
Above: Now if I had this little gem on my mantle piece, there'd be an emergency in my lounge room everyday.
Above: The perfect Father's Day gift for the unsuspecting Baby Daddy perhaps?
Above: Moving on from cross stitch, I found this little graffiti tapestry. I didn't know people still did tapestry, but apparently so. I have to say I was pretty damn stoked on this bad boy. I want.

Above: Then of course, there's knitting and crochet. Mum used to try to get me to crochet as a kid. And my mate B tried to get me to knit a few years back but I couldn't even get a scarf finished, let alone a Nintendo controller.
Above: So many people I know are ridiculously addicted to Guitar Hero. Being winter and all, I'm sure more than one of them would love one of these babies - a hand knitted Guitar Hero scarf. You could even wear it when you play!
Above: A knitted Super Mario Piranha Plant. I'm not sure I can bare to live without one of these.
Above: A knitted Mario Brothers tissue box holder. I'm pretty sure this would make my Nan's toilet roll dolly's blush.
Above: The Grandmaster Flash tote bag. Sometimes it makes me wonder just how much time people have on their hands to come up with this shit...
Above: Last but not least, a Nike High Top plushie. It's ugly, but I'd like one.

For more stuff like this, check out Geek Craft. And if you see any other good Hypebeast Handicrafts, be sure to let me know!

Can't stop the cop

A few of my latest things. I copped the Nike Skinny Cherry Dunk Hi in beige. Not a design everyone likes, I think they are pretty cute but they might just live in the box for a while. Not sure I can bring myself to wear them, but they make me smile.
The Court Force High Pucci Pack. Yer kind of ugly, but they almost go with anything. And I'm super down with the metallic gold swoosh.
I got these giant circle and heart shaped gold bamboo door knockers off ebay. They are bloody huge.
A black Married to the Mob Shiny Kiss Hoodie. Other bitches might front, but I just get whatever the fuck I want. Don't hate.
And last but not least, Miss Lipstick Lady herself was generous enough to flow me a Sneaker Freaker Ekin tee, which is totally dope with my XXX and MTTM hoodie. Thanks love!

Graf Lamps

Those of you who've been following my blog for a while will know that I have a thing for graf inspired furniture. Masto just alerted me to these super dope lampshades found via Hurt You Bad. Apparently they are made using photos of graf printed onto the lamp material, as opposed to painting straight onto the lamps.
So very down with these bad boys. I'm sure I could find some special places for these at my house. Did I mention it's my birthday next week? Hint Hint.