The pic above says it all. Another line from Reason featuring tees, hats, and hoodies. Check out the Reed Space site, or better yet, the store in person for the whole line.

Info.Image: Reed Space

A few all over prints, a full zip-up hoodie, and you’ve got another streetwear label available on selective retail racks worldwide.

Info.Image: Hypebeast

Boundless NY has opened its doors. We really just posted this piece as an excuse to feature Joey Crack repping with Boundless / King Stampede.

Info.Image: Slamxhype

The signature Bounty Hunter Lace Locks, pictured above, are just one of the new items Bounty Hunter has released. Check out their site for several locks and a belt.

Info.Image: Bounty Hunter

The second part of the Nike Crocodile Reflector pack includes a Nike Dunk Low, a Court Force Low, and a Court Force High. Premium leather, reflecotr material, and a crocodile print complement the turqoise and black colorway of this pack.

Info.Image: Hypebeast

After recent collabos with artists including Shepard Fairey and DALEK, the D3STRUCTO R3MIX Project has teamed up with Stash for these special edition Trucks. Featuring a spraycan cap collage, the Trucks also contain Stash’s tag.

Info.Image: Hypebeast

Like the title says, there are many lessons in Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan – but not the ones you might think. Sure, one learns firsthand how crazy America and Americans are – often direct from their own mouths. But the most obvious lesson from the film? Comedy takes commitment.

Let me explain. For those who aren’t in the know, Borat is a “Kazakhstani” TV journalist making a documentary of American life. Of course, “Borat” is really Sacha Baron Cohen, the comic/actor behind Ali G. Cohen is also the premier method actor of comedy, immersing himself in the role and never once (on film, or in public) breaking character. And in Borat, he takes it to extremes that would have the Jackass boys begging for mercy – trust me. I won’t spoil the moment(s), but De Niro, Pacino and Jimmy Dean got nothing on commitment compared to Cohen.

While the Ali G./Borat TV show on HBO seemed spontaneous and “real” (meaning un-staged), one doesn’t quite know what to “believe” in the Borat film – and this works to its advantage. All the Americans he encounters on his cross-country journey seem so bizarre they must be real… I think. Likewise, Borat’s “Kazakhstan” village and its population seem equally true, but one never really knows. And like a good magician, Cohen/Borat never reveals all his tricks – leaving one to guess as to what is real and what isn’t.

Of course, all that doesn’t matter if you want to see a hilarious, cringe-worthy portrayal of America via a bumbling European village idiot. While Borat himself is responsible for many laughs, the most unsettling/funny/scary bits are drawn from the Americans themselves. Cohen/Borat is smart enough to let these unsuspecting self-righteous southerners take themselves down bizarre, racialist paths, with us along for the ride.

And in a movie filled with over-the-top moments, each consecutively more ridiculous, it is the restraint shown that paints the most realistic (and damning) portrait of America and it’s (well-intentioned) ills. For all it’s fun-poking, Borat remains honest despite its deception, sweet despite the cruelty he creates. Thanks to Borat, comedy has now joined reality – and neither will be the same again.

Before the high-tech games offered for XBOX 360 and PS2, there was Space Invaders. Take a trip back into the day of arcades and Atari by rockin’ the XLarge Japan alien apparel to be released November 15. Up for grabs: New Era hat, hoodie, jacket & T.

Info/Image: Hypebeast

Now you can rock the classic banana on your kicks. Royal Elastics will release four versions of these Andy Warhol-inspired sneakers for purchase at Barney’s New York. With only 960 pairs available, these individually-numbered kicks hit shelves on November 15 so get yours.

Info/Image: Freshness

When Joe Ledbetter and Wheaty Wheat’s Ringo was first shown as a prototype, it was a big deal. Put simply, the translation of Joe’s style into 3D was the breath of fresh air that the toy world needed. It seriously pushed the boundaries of what art toys could be. But while Mr. Bunny and FireCat came and rapidly went – hit eBay if you missed the boat, and bring a big wedge of cash – the towering Ringo never materalised… until now.

While delays aren’t uncommon in the toy world, Ringo’s ridiculous tardiness wasn’t down to any manufacturing issues. If you don’t know the tale, Joe and Wheaty Wheat had a disagreement of some form or another. And while many theories abound as to who did what and why their relationship dissolved, only they themselves know the full story.

As such, it’s not my place to point fingers. Like most collectors, I’m just over the moon that they’ve got matters sorted and Ringo, the last of the Joe’s original trilogy of vinyl characters, is going to come out (and – touch wood – gather dust along with the rest of my toys on my shelves).

Putting my own completist emotions aside, the whole situation of an artist and manufacturer falling out is an interesting one. These sort of bust-ups happen in all areas of business. But in this field specifically, the question has to be who needs who more – the toy companies or the artists?

To be fair, there’s no straight answer. It’s half a dozen of one, six of the other. On one hand, there’s no doubting the finances involved in getting original sculpts manufactured. Nor the marketing and distribution costs. The average artist can’t afford the time or money to finance and oversee this kind of operation. That’s where the toy companies come in – and that’s where the 400 colourways of each toy comes in, too. from The companies need to make some return on their investment, after all.

But without the artists, there would be nothing to bankroll. The toy companies would have no product. After all, it’s the artist’s talents that we’re buying. So it’s a chicken and egg situation and to be honest, I have no idea who comes first. One thing I do know, though, is that the toy companies’ need to make money is a big reason why we end up with lots of releases from the same old artists.

There is some new talent coming through, but you have to understand that any new artist is a risk to a toy company. In purely business terms, why would they pick a little known but highly talented artist when they can work with an established name? It’s a simple fact that names shift units. And that’s the name of the game.

Make no mistake, it’s a vicious circle – one that can make it very hard for an artist to break into the scene. Some get around it by manufacturing their toys themselves – a risky strategy, but one that can still pay dividends with the relative ease of marketing your wares on various toy forums – and a route I think will become increasingly popular.

With toy companies getting blasted for increasing edition sizes, there’s a real opportunity for artists to go it alone and make their own figures. Whether these are hand-cast resin or low run vinyl depends on their budget. But to be honest, I don’t think it matters. If the design is good, if you build it, the punters will come. Well, hopefully. Just don’t mortgage your house for it unless it’s really shit hot. The future is in the hands of the artists, my children. Go forth and create.