A week ago i mentioned that Niko Villamor, Dj Smiles, 080 and Myself have a record label project called “White Light”.

Well look who i-tunes featured on their spotlight ?????

Congrads fellas.

and a special thanks to Justin.

When i was 17 I took an ASVAB test, it gave me the eligibility to start taking steps towards becoming a fighter pilot. a month later I failed my vision test during my physical. Scraped that dream. So, i withdrew and signed up for the marines, cause i figured with my test score, i can have a high position in the marines. The day before my withdrawal deadline, the recruiter took me out for dinner. He told me,” good thing you’re in the marines because your not going to do anything else with your life.” I got up and left…i withdrew the next day.

Now what??

I was young, i was foolish, i was tired of doing a bunch on non-sense, but i wanted a lot. I stopped going to classes my senior year of high school and started exploring ways to make money that could afford me a certain lifestyle, because i already had enough credits to graduate. I thought I knew it all though. But, i didn’t. Instead of focusing on my strengths, i focused on my weaknesses to bring them up to par with my strengths. My weaknesses where lack of material things. Looking back on it now, why did i feel the need to have this?…Ignorant rap. I was/am a huge fan of music, particular hip-hop. Being young and impressionable though lead these guys to be my role models. They where in my ear 4-8 hours a day. Of course i listened to them! I should have listened to my parents, but “i knew it all”. I went about my early life trying to acquire all of these nice things that were spoke about in the music. Through various activities i got those nice things. But, around my early 20’s  I realized something, f*ck the hype. Why like something because everyone else likes it?! Do your own research, Why do so many people like Louis Vuitton???? Can it be because its a status symbol…why do you care about your clothing dictating your status? How about your personality be the definition of your self image and not what u have on. Come on people! Lets change the status-quo.

This quote applies to all things material. “Once you do it, once you do it really good, once you experienced it all. It becomes bland…. Young man, why do you want what’s bland?”

So last week Niko put me on to Malice of the Clipse’s video blog. I started to watch it in sections. A few videos every couple of days and I have come to this conclusion. People like Malice influence a lot of kids, and for him to have such a positive message through his video blogs gives me hope for man kind after all. Thank you Malice, check out his clothing label play cloths.

P.S.

I have to say HomeRoom has given me a platform to meet a lot of people, guide students of fashion and marketing, explore my limits,  see the world, meet the great influencers of our time and most importantly give to people that really need something more then just a material position. My firends strive for the untangible, strive for goodwill. You’ll be heavily rewarded with everything that you need and more.

At 17 I didn’t know how wrong I was…I still don’t know everything.

Fall/Holiday 09 lines are upsurging everywhere, despite the fact that it’s probably still summer everywhere else in this world—except here in good ol San Francisco.  It’s been windy, misty, and just cold as hell.  And it’s just here.  Go across the bridge and it’s another world and 40 degrees warmer.  That probably makes San Franciscans more excited for these Fall looks to come out sooner, because we could really use it.  Lanvin’s fall has been getting a lot of hype lately, and from what I can see, it’s the shoes that are making the bold statement.  Check out the utility boots, and hi-tops.  Definitely San Francisco-weatherproof.

Within the last month i have given previews and the background to a journey with my camera case. It served me for 2 years without fault. I always get requests from people. They want one for their car keys, cameras, i-phones, and blackberries. okay, okay point taken. I have made a few custom ones for my friends and long time supporters and will start taking custom orders in about 2 weeks. You’ll be able to send me your own material and i’ll whip that sucker right up.

But if you really want one for free in the mean time, head on over to my boys at limite magazine, as they will be giving away a couple that we worked on together.

*The cases are made in San Francisco from local California wool and Napa Valley bull leather.

I try not to talk about religion in the public forum EVER because I respect everyone’s views.  But, I think there are people out there that need some faith, some prospective to there lives too. Is it my duty to over step boundaries and help them?…no. Its up to you.

and if your one of those people check out Michael Pitts… do you see a resemblance?

Happy birthday to Jenny from acrimony, thanks for shucking the oysters.

Don’t forget about my food blog.

Niko Villamor and DJ Smiles killed it last night. If you missed it, you should kill yourself. I didn’t bring my camera so, i jacked these photos from facebook. Thanks Kris for bringing your camera.

My new friend Rob Roy killed it too! Big things for all 3 of the acts!

side note* i had an awful convo during Niko’s session.

Girl: I heard you design for *********

Me: I can’t confirm that, nor deny it

Girl: You can’t even tell me?

Me: I don’t know you

Girl: We’ll your outfit doesn’t go together then.

Me: and you are whom?

Girl: I graduated from “feeeeeeeeeedddddd thhhhhhhhheeeemmm”, i know everything about fashion.

Me: “feed them, what”?  You mean FIDM?

Girl: Yea, that, FIDM, I know everything abut fashion. I’m really good. (pulls out horn and starts to “toot”)

I love when people are absolutely out of their minds.

Me and Niko started HomeRoom with the intention of it being a 3 way project: Clothing, Design, and Music.

As you may have notice the blog features Dj Smiles, 080 and Niko Villamor’s music often. I believe in it full heartily and you should give it a listen.

In the short period of time we have been laying down the foundation and ground work for this music project. 080, Smiles and Niko have been building a strong buzz in Atlanta and its even on the radio there. I’m between LA and SF doing the same.

Yesterday we got together with Nessa and Jay Espinosa at the 94.9 studio. I’m blessed to have their support. Music was my first career choice,  and i’m glad that i have 3 great musicians around me that have made it their career.

Jay and Niko

Nessa and Smiles

Ready set…GO!

Kyle killing the shoot.

My homie Andres was in town for the five four Fall/winter 08 lookbook shoot. He hollered at me to help out with it.  You might remember the look book they dropped a few months back that had everyone raving. (below)

I never new how much Andres liked sweat shirts and sweat pants.

“at least its not ecko”- Andres

I met Kiya from Self Edge exactly 3 years ago. I remember it very, very  clearly. I was at Sneaker Pimps, Futura was outside spraying up a storm, Stash was smoking pot, the guys from The Hundreds were all in town. Then i met Kiya, he came up to me and asked about the cut and sew tee that I was wearing.  I told him it was a company that i was working on, and that I was planing on starting a company called HomeRoom.  We exchanged info and built from there. He askeds me to make him some custom hoodies for his stire TURF (before the days of Self Edge) and that was one of my first accounts. This was when Streetwear was a small business, it was still about exclusitivity. Maintaining an integrity and keeping it hush; a bunch of strugglers with nothing but a dream to get recognition. In a sea of tee shirt brands HomeRoom was the one of the first…if not the first…streetwear company to focus on cut and sew, rather than tee shirts and graphics. We later got into graphics and now thinking back on it. I wish we hadn’t for certain reasons.  This upcoming season will be the last time we put out graphic tees. HomeRoom will be strictly putting out Cut and Sew and Custom pieces only.

I digress…

SO this story is about memory lane and how much things change in such a short period of time. A blink of any eye and boom! I remember meeting Kiya up for the first time and him telling me about exclusive Japanese denim. I was in love with the idea of re-manufacturing denim to the old American specs with old American equipment. The historical references and the quality of the denim was entertaining. I quickly became a collector of Japanese denim and a student of denim history.

Here are a few thing that i picked up at selfedge. As you’ll see with, aging comes character.

My wallet a year later

my belt a year later.

and check out this restored Sunbeam in the Self Edge window. Nice addition!

A lot has changed since i met Kiya 3 years ago. I’m glad to see that my friends are in happy and taking over. Self Edge will be opening its NYC location this month. I’m very excited for it. See you guys at the SelfEdge party in NYC.

Check out the denim racks for S.E.NYC made right next door!