What I love about SF is the fact that anything can go and the city doesn’t stop it. Like these works by Roman Cesario, Mitsu Overstreet, and Roberto Gonzalez titled “fear heads”

Go check it out. Its on on Golden Gate Avenue in the Tenderloin District.

Photo: Troy Holden

The 2 finger rings are back. We haven’t had them in stock for about a year now, but after 212 people put themselves on the waiting list. We decide to bring them back for our customers. We have made some changes to the rings though. Previously we had to keep the price at $96 so we had to make it from a special made material that wasn’t silver to match the market price.

I decide we should be offering the very best quality at the best price on the market.  Now you can buy a sterling silver 2 finger ring for a reasonable price of $96.

Every ring has a laser etched homeroom logo on the ring finger and we make them in 3 different sizes.

The Gold ring is a plated sterling silver ring. You can buy them [here]

Yesterday I took a trip down to see a jeweler that makes the rings for the NBA. I’m going to have him create some of my sketches into reality.

I think counter parts are important in any facet of life. Everyone has something that balances them. For some people its working hard and playing hard, for others it a 9-5 and the family, religion and day to day. For me its HomeRoom and HomeRoom.  The brand always takes me somewhere that balances everything out. If it wasn’t for the brand I wouldn’t have met the people the i have become best of friends with. Balance can also be said for design. Everyone needs some inspiration, i usually get my inspiration from my friends. I know that some designers look at what other competitors are doing and build on top of that. What i do though, is I look at girls that have the style that i’m into and i start to design based on who i think they’re male counter part is. Its kinda like match making in a new way. Its about making people feel comfortable and confident in what they have on. Its all about balance.

Here is a good example of good balance… and style. Yea, I like that native print Pendelton bag (classic western) and those Jeffrey Campbell shoes (fellas if you don’t know what to get your woman for the holidays, and can’t put up $600 for the acne shoes that every girl has been taking about, get her the ones in the link) with the Opening Ceremony jacket. Simple, different and most importantly..it looks and feels easy! Oh, Michelle Le wanted me to throw in that her nails are by Mom.

My body guard Mr. Manly invited me to go check out the Mos Def and Rakim show with him and Team Gracie Fighter last night. You might be wondering why he’s holding up that jacket. The only way to get that jacket is to compete in a Shooto tournament in Japan and kill someone. I’m kidding about the killing part. Jason is one of the most dangerous people on earth. If you want to learn how to be dangerous i highly suggest training with Jason at his gym. I’ve learned a few things there.

Here is another Guy that I would consider dangerous; World Champion Jake Shields. He and Jason run Team Gracie Fighter gym in Berkeley (that i try to frequent when i have time). I and most others consider them the most dominant team in Mixed Martial Arts. Watch Jake on CBS November 7th as he goes for 14th straight win and the strike force middle weight championship. (Jake used to be Mos Def’s security back in the day)

My buddy Gilbert Melendez is the Strike Force Light Weight Champion and another member of the Gracie team. All champions on the team. I met him outside of NaS show when i commented on his girl friends HomeRoom tee. Turned out to be a small world.

Always a pleasure to see Big Von from 106 KMEL.

My bro JB.

the prelude

Rakim!!!!

Encore!!!

Mos Def not performing “Black On Both Sides” (disappointing)

Mos being Mos.

and good night to all.

Lets face it we all have to start somewhere. I’m looking for a few interns.

-Photo intern (must have your own equipment)

-Video intern (must have your own equipment)

Email me for more details.

Alval@homeroomclothing.com

Sundays are meant for relaxing. Something I have forgotten over the years. I took the day off from doing anything HomerRoom related and hung out with some friends. Its  good to watch the ALCS game and have some BBQ. The Yankees were over do for a world series appearance. If its not the giants that i’m rooting for, its the Mets and the Yankees.

Ivy is rooting for me to be Peter Pan for Halloween, so she can be Tinker Bell. There is no way i’m wearing tights. Rather, I will be making my custom this week. It will be monumental.

Birthday boy Ken was getting clowned for having UFC and Project Runway recorded on his DVR. That’s all that I watch too. Is that weird?

Its always good to hang out with people that have tons of accomplishments under their belts. Birthday boy has been a buyer at Nordstroms, managed the entire west coast for WESC, and 3sixteen. Nadia (in the stripes) is from Prada. Brian on her right is an interior designer and also does for prokeds/keds and Pete all the way on the right is helping launch an amazing sneaker. Not sure if i can talk about it. I will say this though. Its going to change the world of footwear, forever. I’m sure its something we’ve all thought about, but didn’t think was possible.

You win some

and you lose some.

Speaking of inspiration…from yesterdays blog.  In my opinion most of it comes from being out and about, but when your stuck working on a project or its storming outside where do you get inspiration from?!?! oh I know this guy..his name is Scott Schuman and he has an amazing website called The Sartorialist.

fortunate to have been the one taking a photo of him. (even though i didn’t have my camera on me)

I’ve gotten emails about why i don’t post the monthly inspirations anymore. Well to be frank, i think its a breading ground for group think. Which i fear. Just like the internet has brought globalization of design and ideas to a less creative fore front. No one is special any more. things get knocked off in a matter of days of it being released. I try not to contribute to putting out information like that as much as possible. But, I will share with you things that arn’t product inspired  rather things that are lifestyle inspired.

Being inspired is a job in itself someday. I like to gather images that get me going, get my gears turning. Here is what caught my eye this morning.

I’m still full.

What happend?!?! We used ot be a city that was known for rain 200 days out of the year. The last 5 years have been a dream come true, the city that was known for rainy days, northfaces, trees falling over and waiting for the bus in a crowded bus shelter has been on vacation.

WELL GUESS WHO’S BACK?

This is the San Francisco that i remember growing up.

And lets add some more excitement to out public transportation system. The flood isn’t enough.

Today I was faced with an life altering decision as an old school mustang sped towards the cross walk that an elderly lady was crossing. As I heard the rumble of him shifting from 2nd gear into 3rd gear and tires breaking loose from the pavement, i stared mesmerized. It was grey, it was fast, the tires were smoking, the driver’s face was blocked out by the glare on the windshield. I wasn’t sure  if he was going to stop or kill her.  As he approached the cross walk at a blur, I stood anxiously on the sidewalk. I didn’t hear the throttle let up, but only get louder. I saw the anxious look on the old lady’s face as she was halfway through the crosswalk barely mobile. She couldn’t get out of the way fast enough. She was reaching towards me as her life flashed before her eyes. I didn’t think, i just went for it.

and now i think… as my hand is a little bruised and battered from the lady’s grip. What would I/YOU do with life if you lost your hands?..there would be no design, there wouldn’t be any way to express what you feel or in vision onto a media. I wouldn’t be able to do this. This is what i love to do. I wouldn’t be able to love.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Maybe the reason is for me to write about what happened today, so one person can benefit, open his/her eyes and get with the program. Life is too short, do what you love. Live your goal, not live towards it.