WE WERE HOME BASE AND WE ROCKED THE PLACE

ELECTRIC

Around 1 PM everything was set to go into a snowball. But in contrast to what a snowball does, this thing went caneering and growing straight expanding and went straight - up - hill. The lines were increasing length even before gates were open. That black box at the back beside Sundae, That's the BLACKBOOK store, all the organizers and some sponsors had already made it home base and that's where we all rocked our socks off from there. Divided we were but together we stood. The mood inside was only electric and nothing could prepare us all for what was about to come.

+As a smal trivia; around 3 pm the Bouncer by the gate had already told me we've already reached 1,000 atendees.

Stay tuned for a more detailed write - up and more photos.

*And I personally would like to congratulate and thank that guy who worked his ass off to make it happen (always knew you could do this one), family from THE Clothing, our fam at INVASIAN magazine and here at The Collective. And the good people of TEAM MANILA.

THIS SUNDAY!!

You're invited to The Collective Block Party! This Sunday from 3-8pm. Bbq from Ritual, beer from Wingman and vegetarian treats from Wabi Sabi. B - SIDE will also be open for IRIE SUNDAY. PAPA DOM and the usual suspects!!

Up to 50% off goodies from Blackbook , Sundae, Crazy Eddie's Homeroom, Team Manila and Collective friends, Commune & Secret Service. Bring Cash! No entrance fee! Be there!:)

Featured!

We were featured in the recent MONDAY magazine! It's a new magazine which features corporate lifestyle, culture and consumerism. We're there together with SUNDAE , CRAZY EDDIE'S , VINYL ON VINYL , WABI SABI and PASTA BOX

Bear Necessities

Tightening The Loose Ends

Wallet chains were popularized in the 1950s, as an essential accessory for bikers who wanted to keep from losing their wallets during rides. They later became a favorite of skaters, punks, grunge youth, and other subcultures in future generations.

Designed for both function and form, this leather wallet chain is made from genuine top grain black cow leather for a natural and organic feel. Each strap is hand-braided from six strands for added durability, has antique metal swivel dog hooks to attach to belt loop or wallet, and features a coque chinchilla feather and three loose strands (appx. 9" long) on one end.

Available in single-strap (17") and double-straps (16.5" and 18").

All in store at 7274 Malugay St. San Antonio Village ., Makati. Get them while their there!

NEW DROPS!

We have a new collection of tees!
Take your pick and check them out in store!

PROUD RACE

Proudly Local. Proudly Filipino brand proud race has entered the doors of BLACKBOOKdesign.
The mostly ladies and somewhat androgynous collection is now in store.
Proud Race has been waving it's banner and our country's in Singapore based store BLACKMARKET and it now has a local presence here in the BLACKBOOKdesign store at 7274 Malugay St., San Antonio Village Makati.

Come by to see more of what they've got! See you girls in store!

FULKA by BLACKBOOKdsn

Red w/ White Weave Chambray L/SGray Chambray L/SWhite Polka S/S

Lucky Clovers Cotton S/S

Double Strap Waxed Leather Wallet Chain

Against All Elements is the first quarter collection of Fulka by BLACKBOOKdsn.
It's a reaction to everything around us. The apparel that we've made is meant to be worn everyday and it is made considering the basic needs of a man to be used as he goes through everything that bombards him.

This is just part of the collection You can see our whole line in A DISSERTATION OF STYLE this Saturday. Check the link.

other pieces : LORD VKTOR SELVAGE for BLACKBOOKdsn (available upon request)
Visvim Mastermind Kiefer

Converse - Stick To Your Classic

It's not enough for legendary brandConverse to have the best selling and most classic sneaker sillhouette in the world. After They've tapped actors , rock - stars , artists and the masses to produce and support their all time classic , they're now venturing into music. They got artists to collaborate this time in a compilation album that gets 3 musicians to do a song to promote them in a track and compiled n a mixtape.

The newest song off the album, ‘All Summer,’ features Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, Kid Cudi and Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend.

It just goes to show i guess that classic always reigns over the trends. Basic is the obviously the simplest is the most relatable form of aesthetics and the best way to influence is to get the best people, to keep it simple for others to relate. In terms of style, simple and stealthy will always be reliable.

Correct me if i'm wrong but I stand on this opinion. Good Job Converse, here's to the Chuck Taylor

See behind the scenes footage here

Destroy Your Enemy; Have A Better Taste

To all the sneaker heads out there, I introduce to you Taka Hayashi;

A self taught painter / illustrator / graphic designer, Taka was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1971. He moved to the U.S. in 1981 and relocated himself in Santa Monica where the early 80’s Skateboarding scene had a huge impact on his life & art. I've been a fan of his since his first syndicate line with VANS dropped in '09. He proves that there can be a fusion with self - expression / personal style and design together with footwear that is classic to produce products that are just a little above your run - of - the - mill tounge and taste buds. And another thing, it's all self - taught and natural progression.

And from a designers perspective; his attention to detail is a bar to reach. Watch and learn.

MULTIPLE ELBOW DROPS

Get down! BLACKBOOKdesign is releasing a new line of tee this Friday!
July23 2010togethere with SUPERMIKKI drops!
This event coincides with Meidey at Malugay! Like the poster? Thank Mikki...it's just a teaser for what we're releasing! You're all invited !

Engineered Garments. Intelligent Style.

Cambric or chambray is a lightweight cotton weave used as fabric for lace and needle work. It is possibly named after Baptiste of Cambrai which is in France.. It's usually made with Egyptian or American cotton. in some cases polymer fibres can be added. Cambric is also used as a coating for professional playing cards, to protect them for longer and make them easier to handle.
Chambray is one of the most malleable and versatile fabrics that you can use. During the 1980's and 1990 it was an iconic casual wear. In America, it used as workman's shirts and the fabric is dyed in indigo blue and weaved with white cotton to make it sturdy hence it's iconic look and it's history of use.. Therefore there is that term ; "blue - collar". The chambray shirts used to be sold by brands such as Ralph Lauren and would retail to up to 270$.

This time Engineered Garments has used chambray. With contrasting dark stitching and black and red buttons. 2 button - fastening utility chest pockets, reinforced elbow stitch detail gusset hem side seams and button adjustable cuffs. Im really liking the new Brogue slip - ons as well., as i've been wearing Brogue boots for some time now, this is a fresh twist in design for a classic style.
The jacket is just an add - on to what could be a good outfit. It's a great use of fabric and heritage style.

VAEL PROJECT

A SHOE THAT TRAVELS WELL IS A SHOE THAT IS CREATED BY ONE WHO IS WELL-TRAVELLED from marco limjap on Vimeo.

directed, shot, and edited by Marco Limjap for BLACKBOOKdesign

Music: Marlena Shaw - California Soul

See you all tomorrow!! 5 pm! bring cash!

Time Capsule

Honeycomb is a vintage store in Cubao x with a different feel. A different vibe. A place where you can buy pieces you would never be able to find, and you can buy them in affordable prices. From the moment you step on the second floor space there is a feeling that you just tore yourself out of the modern membrane and into a store that was open during the 60s - 70s in Haight Ashbury. By the collection he possesses and sells, the owner has outstanding taste in fashion, design and music. The music he plays in store, most, I have never heard of before a mix of both of classic underground and modern underground music (ranging from rock to dub to jazz). This in turn influenced my experience in the Honeycomb store. His brand selection and styles range from the 60s era to the 70s, holding brands like Levi's 501 originals to Penguin's classic polo shirts and vintage ray ban frames. To keep the retro aesthetic alive you will find some bell bottoms if you look well enough. It was all a bit of mod, hippie, and punk rock. All in all, Honeycomb is an extension of himself (the owner) and a definite expression of what he believes is beautiful. I find that fact, most intriguing of all. That sentiment was most pure and something you could feel and take a piece of. Honeycomb was more than a store, it was also an exhibit of collected things through time.

Needles In Haystacks

As I said before, I would be posting something about a place I recently went to with Kix of mean streets manila and Julius of Bee Eyes. And here it is tits and tots, i present to you the ukay ukay a place where you can find gems and buy them in exchange for what technically can amount to a happy meal.The ukay ukay's concept was initially not really intended for capitalism. All the clothes found here, are supposedly donations to under - privileged folk from countries like the U.S. , Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. But of course, in these hard - times and in the classic "resilient" pinoy fashion, they have turned these donations into cash cows. The ukay ukay has turned into an alternative retail experience for a lot of citizens.

By the way, the outlawing of ukay ukays happened ten years ago. Now the population of ukays have been so rampant that it's concepts primary intention has been forgotten and the present capitalist structure it holds is now very accepted by society. Why? because it can cater to anyone. From the convenient prices for the lower - class to the brand - conscious madness of the middle - class and quite possibly even some of the upper - class and the fashion concious (basically those who just want to have just a piece or a "vintage" find).

Yes ladies and gentle men, the ukay ukay is for me, the fast-food of retail. For a good price you can fill your retail stomach with the quick - fix , the good buy, or if your lucky, your own personal holy grail (i.e. designer bags , shoes , shirts what have you.) Just be sure it's real folks. Time to go hunting for bears.