Those clever people at Nike are famous for their inventiveness and ability to predict and even create future trends.  Their latest experiment is the VT (Vac Tech) range which uses a heated vacuum to mould one piece of material into the shape of some of the most popular silhouettes from the Nike Range. The result is a seamless unibody upper that gives classic kicks a futuristic edge.

Just take a look at these Air Max 90 VT's to see what I mean. The single colour, which seems to be in several tones due to the texture of the premium Nubuck leather, combined with the tiny indentations where there are usually stitches, make for an incredibly smooth,sleek appearance.

Now there's a bang up to date Nike Air Max 90. This Vac Tech process seems to have some amazing results. Almost like the silhouette has been sculpted from a solid block of fabric and the smoothed off lines around the air unit window complete the smoothed down appeal. Several people have stated that this new look for the 90 brings it closer to the original look of the Air Max 1 by simplifying and toning down the usual in your face appeal that it usually carries. It's almost a hybrid shoe between the two.

There's a definite stealth thing going on with these. The ninja or special op's Air Max 90 of choice, with the hi-tech back story making them a must for the die hard collecter.

The next classic silhouette to be given the Vac Tech treatment is the Nike Dunk High in this placid Obsidian colour-way. If anything the seamless uni-body effect is more obvious on this one, with the swoosh extrudes from the mainshape like the groove in a rock. Maybe I'm getting carried away but I'm really feeling this all in one upper thing. I think there is alot of potential and can't wait for it to be applyed to other silhouettes like an Air Max 1 or a Toki. I think it would suit the understated style of the Toki perfectly.

I really like the wrinkles that contrast with the smooth sections created by the heated vacuum process. It emphasizes the texture of the Nubuck leather.

 

We have a dope pair of Air Force One VT's coming online very soon and from what I've seen the heated Vacuum Technology does this silhouette justice too. Last but not least I've been told that the Nike Air Max 1 Omega Pack 2012 is on it's way and should be dropping mid December, just in time to fill your stocking. Last's years Omega was a godsend to all Air Max 1 fiends and from all the little bit of info I've got so far this latest one is going to be a banger. I'll let you know more as soon as I do.

 

 

Rook is the brainchild of Jon Garcia and Jo King who are two of the most well respected graphic artists in the industry, having built their reputation by producing mind blowing illustrations for several of the top streetwear brands over the last few years. The style of their work is instantly recognizable for this very reason. If you've bought a tee from a streetwear brand in the last six years then there's a good chance one or both of these guys worked on the graphics. That's how prolific they are. Big in the game.

From this background they formed the idea to start Rook, a brand where the artists are at the forefront. The main aim of this is to inspire other artists to continue pushing the limits of their own work and in turn keeping streetwear fresh.

We've recently recieved our first load of Rook tees and the talent possessed by these two artists screams out from all the designs. This first one, the 'Wicked LA' tee, is a prime example of the precision and consideration put into each design. The subject matter of most of these designs often has a darkly humorous tone to it, which is a theme often used in streetwear graphics, but rarely this well.
 

 A really refreshing quality of Rook is the variation of styles that they have in their arsenal.  This 'Bear Badge' tee has a cleaner more solid look compared to the darker, more intricate designs. The details and symmetry in the badge are reminiscent of some Obey designs and that is because a lot of those designs were rendered by Garcia and King. Fingers in pies those two.

Some of these tees are printed on a softer cotton than others and are cut to be a slimmer more 'fashion' fit. This next 'Chief Rocka' tee is one of these and features a suitably cool looking Native American chief rocking some shades and shows yet another illustrative style Rook is rocking. 

This 'Cobra Griz' is another one of these fashion fit tees and is sporting a design that is so intricate it takes a little while to take it all in. The red of the snake is the first thing to grab your attention then the bear comes into view and your eye is drawn across the intricate feathers and flowers that make up most of his face. Incredible illustration. Just loo at the detail around the snakes head. There are artists out there who'd sell their gran into slavery to be able to draw like this.
 

Old college graphics has been a staple of street wear design for a long time now. Some would say he theme has perhaps become over used. What it needs is for someone to come at it from a different angle and that is what Rook have done with this 'Ivy League Boar' tee. The varsity style lettering is rendered with such a striking 3D effect that it shows how dull other 'college' themed designs can be. Then you have the particularly ragged boars head contrasting against it with wicked effect.

And it's repeated on the back...

Animals looking at their most wild is clearly a running theme with Rook, and you couldn't get much wilder than this next 'Baboon' tee. He is either having the time of his life or about to rip your face clean off, or both. As with the Chief Rocka he is rocking a badman pair of shades, and these have the reflection of a city skyline in them. An urban ape.

That's enough of that for now. As you can tell we think these boys have got sickeningly good skills with the pen and what they produce transfers perfectly onto a T Shirt. Check out the rest of our current selection in our Rook section now and watch ths space for more fresh stuff coming soon.

 

 

 

What exactly are the Death Adders? They are one of Mishka's core graphics; an imaginary American football team; the mascot of a fixed gear riding team and a dope looking, angry, snakey bear monster thing. Mishka keep the meaning and history of this image intentionally vague, so they can continue to invent new uses for them. We don't need to know anyway. All we need to know is that it always looks good on a tee, crew, jacket, hat, or whatever. I think it would look sick on a five storey wall, leering down over passers by. Maybe there is one somewhere in Brooklyn.

Mishka clearly appreciate the impact that this now infamous graphic has, and that is evident in the latest drop we've recieved from them. It's DA all the way.

A truly stand out piece in this lot is the 'Death Adders Varsity' jacket. Mishka refer to it themselves as the 'bossest jacket we've ever made.' and after trying it on you may well agree. It is made of warm, medium weight felt with smooth silk-like quilted lining and features towelled fabric and embroidered graphics throughout. It's available in navy and black.

 

It's all about the details with this jacket; from the towel fabric Death Adder to the branded poppers.
To add to the comfort you experience while rocking your new jacket Mishka have teamed up with New Era to make this top quality 'Heatseeker' beanie, again with dope details.

We've had this next one plus the same design on a tee in stock for a while but I reckon it's worth highlghting as it's heavy on the Death Adders. As I mentioned above the imaginary American football team thing seems to be big with Mishka at the moment. This 'Death Adders ETD' crewneck' showa what their helmet would look like that and why it would be wise to be otheir side.

You can also show your love for the biggest team to never play in the NFL or evwen exist with this 'Death Adders Football' tee.

If you prefer you're Death Adders pure and untainted then we have some wicked colourways of the classic 'Oversized Death Adders' tees and crews. This black one with the glowing pink eyes is a staff favourite...

A new one for this season is this banging 'Oversized Death Adder' New Era cap. The heavy embroidery really brings the graphic out. A winner.
 

I bet you'd ever thought you'd want a tee that features Kurt Russell but this 'DA Escape' piece may make you thibk twice. He's only very small in the bottom of the graphic but he's definitely there, along with the rest of a poster illustration from a certain post apocolyptic New York film filling the words 'DEATH ADDERS. NEW YORK.' Pure New York.
 

 

 

 

  That's all for now people. Check out for Mishka section for different colourways of these featured pieces and the rest of our selection, including plenty of Bearmop stuff if graffiti bears are more your bag.