We as media designers, post-production designers, clothing designers, product designers, and shoe designers all want one thing; to do what we are passionate about and have the recognition that suits our persons.

Visions that I have in my dreams get transformed  onto a tiny sketch pad in the middle of the night as my girl wonders why she hears sketching. That sketch gets transformed into a pattern, then the pursuit of the perfect fabric, and finally, the hunt for the proper hardware and notions commence. Then it goes on line- sheets, photo shoots, look-books, magazines, then around the world and back before it hits a single store— and then people like Kanye West who gives it that mass exposure pick it up in one way or another.

Personally, I have never cared about mass exposure nor ever wanted it. Its not in the HomeRoom philosophy. We do this for our true fans and ours true fans only. We aim to be the best (however you define that) at our age group of those that do, what we do. I think its safe to say that we’re not slackers and that we are surrounded by many talented people that raise the bar on us everyday.

But, that’s not what this post is about. This post is about Kanye West and his roll in fashion. Why?

For the longest he has been a fashion icon in the mass media’s eyes. But, within the industry he’s always been a little behind, right? On another perspective, fashion wasn’t his world, it was music and the urban market side of fashion. Now seeing Kanye transform into a luxury/contemporary look, is interesting. The idea a year and half ago would have been laughed at and scrutinized. Now with the fashion industry in a tug-of-war between streetwear and urbanwear, and so many anti-urban labels and consumers jumping ship to form their own fusions, I simply sit back and think about how the future of design, trends, and how people like Kanye (that get emulated by millions) will keep defining what all of this is to the masses. He is in a sense the translator of our fashion world to the masses now. Its kind of scary.  Just to think this whole complicated spiderweb of music, fashion, media, socioeconomic patterns, self image, self value, self everything…all starts with a key being played or a pencil being pushed along a design pad. The circle of life….kinda.

Another thing about Iconic figures in Music and Fashion:

When you think of the Beatles,

the Rolling Stones,

U2, and Prince, they all have the same look throug out their careers. That’s what makes them visually iconic.

Which makes me wonder are people nowadays being too self-conscious about trend or are people getting bored with things fast?

Anyways, the conclusion to this rant is right here: this video. It’s a complicated spiderweb of design, media, fashion, and music. Welcome to the post, post, post-modern.

Edit*

Oh wait…its been done before… subtract one post from the post,post,post-modern.

Edit**

This is in NO way or form a diss to Kanye. This is post is here to make everyone realize, how talented and how important Kanye has become to pop culture, design circles, and media outlets.  Much repsect to him.

universally, police serve as our friends and foes. i stumbled across these obsure laws during my morning Googler. I’ve been caught for some objectionable law benders, but i think being ticketed for breaking these would be shamefully embarrassing. #14. that’s all i have to say. #14.

25. It is illegal for a cab in the City of London to carry rabid dogs or corpses.

24. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.

23. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down.

22. In France, it is forbidden to call a pig Napoleon.

21. Under the UK’s Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations 2006, it is illegal not to tell the taxman anything you don’t want him to know, though you don’t have to tell him anything you don’t mind him knowing.

20. In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving a vehicle.

19. In Ohio, it is against state law to get a fish drunk.

18. Royal Navy ships that enter the Port of London must provide a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.

17. In the UK, a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.

16. In Lancashire, no person is permitted after being asked to stop by a constable on the seashore to incite a dog to bark.

15. In Miami, Florida, it is illegal to skateboard in a police station.

14. In Indonesia, the penalty for masturbation is decapitation.

13. In England, all men over the age of 14 must carry out two hours of longbow practice a day.

12. In London, Freemen are allowed to take a flock of sheep across London Bridge without being charged a toll; they are also allowed to drive geese down Cheapside.

11. In San Salvador, drunk drivers can be punished by death before a firing squad.

10. In the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle.

9. In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed.

8. In Kentucky, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon more than six-feet long.

7. In Chester, Welshmen are banned from entering the city before sunrise and from staying after sunset.

6. In the city of York, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

5. In Boulder, Colorado, it is illegal to kill a bird within the city limits and also to “own” a pet – the town’s citizens, legally speaking, are merely “pet minders”.

4. In Vermont, women must obtain written permission from their husbands to wear false teeth.

3. In London, it is illegal to flag down a taxi if you have the plague.

2. In Bahrain, a male doctor may legally examine a woman’s genitals but is forbidden from looking directly at them during the examination; he may only see their reflection in a mirror.

1. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast is legally the property of the King; the tail, on the other hand, belongs to the Queen - in case she needs the bones for her corset.

Some of you loyalist that have been following HomeRoom since day uno know about Niko Villamor. Those that are just tuning into the homeroom show, i would like to introduce you to him. In my opinion this is the future of music. I said it!

This is just the mixtape stuff, what do you think his albums like?

With life being the way that it is, meaning… not having the moment for personal time… i am starting to live for moments like this. I consider eating at the spiciest place in LA personal time nowadays.

Here at Orochon Ramen in LA, If you finish the whole bowl of level 9 on their level of hotness within 30 minutes you get on the wall of bravery.

Ben (Clae) took me here a month ago. He did it (for homeroom) and got on the wall of bravery.

Notice how one of the bowls has red water.

Mystery girl did for HomeRoom too.  She finished the rest of soup through a straw smart strategy, just bypass the taste buds and burn your esophogus. No wonder she called in sick the next day…

…and got on the wall of bravery.

This guy knows exactly whats going to happen.

…and as we were going to the car, we saw this. Funny how it looks the same on floor as it does in the bowl.

My personal favorite store in Vancouver is Freshman. Carrying Polo, Ransom, Wings and Horns, Reigning Champ, and Staple, this store has a clean aesthetic and a refined vibe that compliments its name and college theme.

Curtis and Richie run the shop.

Walking through China town we spotted a inconspicuous sign that didn’t make sense. The sign read RICK OWENS and VIVIAN WESTWOOD.

Who knew that in the basement we would find the fashion elite.

Goodfoot.

Vicky recognized me when i went into goodfoot. Good to see that HomeRoom gets love in Van City.

Complex. One of the best streetwear shops in Vancouver.

Roden Gray.  Another top notch store.

look at the mini wings and horns.

SOOOOO… I’ve been spreading HomeRoom all over in this last month of my life. The last 30 days have been spent outside of my homebase, but…now i have multiple homebases all over the pacific. Thanks to all the great people that i have met.

My travels over the last 30 days and this following week looks something like this.

SF>LA>SF>SD>LA>SF>PORTLAND>SEATTLE>VANCOUVER>SF>LA>LAS VEGAS>MEXICO>SF…

NEXT MONTH IS GOING TO BE EVEN CRAZIER.

On a side note: This picture is kinda craze. It was taken in the complete dark. I’m finally learning how to use all the features of my Lieca.

You can find HomeRoom and the Giant pencil around 6:40.

I’m gload to know the vancouver is an equal opportunity employer of car thieves that work at parking lots.

NOTE: Omid (man on left) is not a car thief, you may remember him from things such as Fader magazine, Prohibit tin NYC and Microsoft’s Zune.

Hello Vancouver,

The HomeRoom Bridge.

As a kid I dreamed about having a job that facilitates me the opportunities to travel the globe. Meet great people, scoff great food, and enjoy the irreplaceable environments.

Even though this is 2 years and some months  into my dream, I still feel blessed at every mile I travel. The balance between voyage and being home is hard. Being away from loved ones and family is difficult when you’re wandering 3 weeks out of the month. Last thing you want to say to someone that’s a part of your life is “long time no see”. It forces the question to maybe choose one or the other. To say the least, roaming the world is a gift and a curse; not answering to anyone is as well. I’m jealous of you!

Mario Bartoli’s Father has a salami resturant in Seattle on 3rd ave. I grew up eating cured meats, cheeses and lives for most of my breakfasts (its a european thing). I welcomed this meal  before we hot the other areas of Seattle.

This is Deigo one of the designers from Supreme, he’s going to be doing some stuff for homeroom in the near future.

This is one of Diego’s pieces.

Walked around Seattle yesterday and took a bunch of pictures. Here are some of the good stores in Seattle (didn’t get a chance to hit up blackbird though).

ZEBRA CLUB

GOODS

Our Homies at Goods showed us a good time last night.

These Nostalgic planes are good to look at and horrible to fly in.

No AC, no seat reclining, no reading light, no beverages.