donny jensen

Cliff Huxtable Dunk!

Nike SB is set to release a Cliff Huxtable/Coogi inspired Nike SB Dunk High. The Cliff Huxtable Nike SB Dunk High is inspired by the Coogi sweaters that Bill Cosby, aka Cliff Huxtable, rocked on The Cosby Show. The Cliff Huxtable Nike SB Dunk High features a White based leather upper with a Wool overlay that features an eclectic pattern of colors that are typical of Coogi sweaters.

The Cliff Huxtable Nike SB Dunk High is set to release this month at select Nike SB accounts.

KRINK!

A Meatball Mecca to open on the LES.

The Meatball Shop
84 Stanton St
(between Allen and Orchard)
New York, NY 10002
212-982-8895

Read more: http://www.urbandaddy.com/articles/print/8754#ixzz0ebBDHOhH

Luxury brand steward + Passionate Foodie = Jay Kos

A fellow colleague and I had the AWESOME opportunity to sit with Jay Kos yesterday and chat a bit about the state of luxury brands. I don’t want to say too much about what we chatted about but Jay is definitely someone to watch out for. Really sharp designer and incredibly passionate about his trade. It’s not a question of if Jay Kos will blow up but more of a question of when. Jay Kos possess all the ingredients that make for great fashion brands - amazingly colored and detailed menswear, with a very unique, compelling brand story.

Jay was actually featured on Cool Hunting yesterday (check out the link):
http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2010/02/jay_kos_fashion.php

For more on Jay check out his Park Avenue Men’s Shop or simply check out his blog:
http://jaykos.com/blog/

TRIAL AND ERROR…

I was just thinking about the notion of trial and error as I watch PRod and Chris Cole battle it out in this Dew Tour Skate Jam I’m watching in lue of the Today show this am [too much terror and negativity]. The old adage goes “If you do not succeed, try try again”. But the concept of trial and error takes on a whole new meaning in this context. These dudes are battling hard. And the consequence to their ‘error’ is hugely greater than the consequences most of us face on a daily basis if we screw up. If they fail, the punishment quite likely involves a broken extremity or even death in some cases but in life, the consequences to our failing [yes, it can vary but on average] usually just means getting flustered or annoyed. And in most cases, the consequence is not even a consequence, it’s just a method we use to get to an answer. Or what we think could be the answer.

But in the context of action sports [get ready, I’m setting up my metaphor for a way of living], the Chris Cole’s of the world are balancing real consequence on a daily basis. They’re in the limelight, doing amazing things each and every year. The impact of what they are accomplishing changes and sets the tone in their communities [action sports, skateboarding, etc…]. Everyone remembers Jamie Thomas’s leap of faith (breaking his board each time); if you had any interest in skateboarding at the time then you remember how it turned the industry upside down and on its head. I posted a video of Eero Ettala’s winning X Games run a couple days ago. [As once an avid rider], if you said to me 5 years ago that switch 1260’s, double cork 1080’s and switch double-backs would be a regular part of riding vernacular I would have said BS. But the truth is it is, and in another 5 years these tricks will be old news and new innovators will set a whole new tone once again. And this is a very necessary component of the action sports category. It’s rooted in innovation. It cannot exist without it.

What creates innovation in the above is the high degree’s of consequence [or risk]. Big consequence [risk] leads to big innovations [usually]. Sometimes high degrees of consequence leads to high degrees of lameness [not to knock Jim Rippey’s ‘Rippey Flip’ or Apple for the lame-ish ipad, but unnecessary consequence does happen], generally speaking.

Of course most of us are not professional athletes but the idea of consequence is still applicable. And the notion of risk is even more applicable. Just thinking about myself for example and how often a skirt consequence [just sit there with my head down] and take the safer approach, meanwhile knowing in the back of my mind that the risker approach or action is the better one.

How do you approach life? Are you a Jamie Thomas or something else? Are you working to create a whole new vernacular/tone in your job? Or even better yet, in your life?

If action sports is consequence dependent…how do we make our lives and the things we do more consequence dependent?

Modern Amusement out of business. Done-o!

As reported from Transworld Biz:

According to this story by California Apparel News‘ Erin Barajas, Costa Mesa, California-based apparel and accessories manufacturer Modern Amusement has ceased operations. The article does not identify a direct reason for why the brand will no longer continue to operate, but mentions complications brought on by a lawsuit filed in California’s Orange County Superior Court last year.

From California Apparel News:
Nicole Castrogiovanni, vice president of sales at Costa Mesa, Calif.–based Modern Amusement, confirmed reports that the contemporary sportswear label has ceased operations, effective immediately. Modern Amusement, which was founded by designer Jeff Yokoyama and later acquired by Mossimo Giannulli, made preppy West Coast–tinged styles for men and women. Castrogiovanni did not offer a reason for the brand’s closing.
Published reports indicate Modern Amusement fell on hard times under Michael Boyes, the company’s chief executive officer, who in 2008 created Blk Brd LLC, a company founded to act as Modern Amusement’s master licensee. At the time Blk Brd was created Giannulli said he hoped the five-year license would help the brand grow significantly … A lawsuit filed in California’s Orange County Superior Court late last year gives some insight into the turmoil at the company. Blk Brd and Giannulli have filed complaints and cross complaints against each other regarding the management of the brand.
Boyes, who also manages Toolshed Sports, a performance-underwear company, could not be reached for comment.—Erin Barajas

Oakley “Fade” Frogskins for Spring 2010 - dopeness!