Fashion Fridays

Fashion Fridays: Clarks Originals x Greensleeves x Record Store Day

March 1, 2013

Words by Jesse Serwer—

Years before Vybz Kartel had everybody asking where he gets his Clarks, ’80s dancehall deejays like Errol Scorcher, Ranking Joe and Little John had their own tributes to Jamaica’s favorite British footwear brand. Sometime around 1980, Scorcher voiced a DJ version of Barrington Levy’s “Sister Carol” for Henry “Junjo” Lawes which came to be called “Put On Me Clarks,” after its most memorable line. A half-decade later, in 1985, teenage dancehall phenom Little John recorded told listeners to “hol’ up yuh foot and show yuh Clarks Booty” on King Jammys’ Father Jungle Rock riddim.

Tags:Clarks, Clarks Booty, Clarks Originals, Dancehall, Little John, reggae Little John, Scorcher

Fashion Fridays: Project Runway’s Samantha Black

February 15, 2013

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Words by Emily Shapiro

Project Runway has a history of featuring talented designers with roots in the West Indies, with Trini winner Anya De Rogue, and last year’s talented tailor from Guyana, Ven Budhu. The current season is proving to be no different. Bronx native and Brooklyn-based designer, Samantha Black, is killing the contest with her innovative designs and impeccable taste. Success is nothing new for Black, who’s parents are both from Jamaica, as she’s already made a name for herself with her sick bad collections for her own line, Sammy B Designs. In addition, Ms. B has worked with some amazing designers like Michael Kors and Alexander McQueen and dressed some serious divas like Keri Hilson and Ashanti.

Tags:Jamaican Project Runway, Jamaicans, Project Runway, Samantha Black, Sammy

Fashion Fridays: Nicki Minaj’s Leather Captain Hats

February 15, 2013

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Words by Jesse Serwer—

If you’ve caught American Idol this season, you’ve surely noticed Nicki Minaj rocking a look that’s more ’90s dancehall than Harajuku. The rotating cast of leather captain’s hats capping off Nicki’s rude gyal look on each episode are actually the handiwork of another Trini gyul, Tiffany Rhodes of Butch Diva, and leather craftsman Opio Chung, formerly of Ethiopian Taste, a famed record store and culture shop on Nostrand Ave. in Brooklyn. As you may recall, we featured Tiffany and her then-fledgling line in 2011, while Butch Diva muse and early supporter, Patra, wore some of the brand’s spandex bodysuits to our memorable photo shoot and interview with her that same year.

Tags:90s dancehall looks, Butch Diva, Leather captain's hat, Nicki Minaj, Nicki Minaj hat, Nicki Minaj leather captain hot, Opio Chung, Tiffany Rhodes

Fashion Fridays: RepJa Rep Bounty Killer with “Cross Hangry Miserable” Tee

February 8, 2013

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Words by Emily Shapiro—

RepJa, the dancehall-minded fashion label, never disappoints us with it’s bashy designs and on-trend cultural references. Their new “Cross/Hangry/Miserable” tee is no exception. The shirt, which comes in black and has a simple streamlined design, references the phrase made popular by Bounty Killer, with the words “Hangry Miserable” (there’s an ‘H’ in “Angry” when we’re talking Bounty) written in a white cross. RepJa has made an accompanying promotional video and the simple visuals match the clear message of the shirt. Check out the video and some pictures of the shirt below and support RepJa!

Tags:Bounty Killer, RepJA

Fashion Fridays: Camo Clarks

January 25, 2013

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Words by Jesse Serwer—

OK, now we know what Vybz Kartel’s first shopping trip will look like when and if the jailed dancehall star—and noted Clarks hoarder—regains his freedom. In what is sure to be a well-received move in dancehall circles, Clarks Originals is set to introduce camouflage editions of their classic Wallabee and Desert Boot. The shoes are part of Clarks’ new Clarks Hybrids series, described by Hypebeast as “an effortlessly smooth blend of classic chukka and desert boot uppers paired with the sole technology from Clarks‘ newly developed sportswear division.” No specific release info, but Hypebeast says the camo Clarks will be available “at select retailers soon.”

Tags:Camo Clarks, Camo Desert Boot, Camo Wallabees, Camouflage Clarks, Clarks Hybrids, Clarks in Camouflage, Clarks Originals, Dancehall, Desert Boot, everybody haffi ask, shoes, Vybz Kartel, Vybz Kartel Clarks, Wallabee

Fashion Fridays: Ewing Hi-Tops Inna Jamaican Colorway

January 4, 2013

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Words by Jesse Serwer—

Ewing 33 Jamaica hi

“Fashion Friday” is just about over, but when we get news like this we have to stop what we’re doing just to tell you about it: Ewing Athletics, basketball great Patrick Ewing’s newly-revived and highly classic sneaker brand, has just released pics of its classic ’33′ hi-tops in Jamaican colorways. The black, gold and green on white sneakers are, of course, an homage to the former New York Knicks star’s Jamaican roots: Ewing originally hails from Kingston. The shoes are set for a February release, according to The Sole Collector.

Tags:Ewing Athletics, Ewing Athletics 33 hi, Ewing sneakers, Jamaica colorways, Jamaican Ewing sneakers, Jamaicans, Knicks, Patrick Ewing