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Brand Profile: Warriors of Radness

frederickm — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:16:42 +0000

BRAND: Warriors of Radness

SINCE: 2007

HOME BASE: Los Angeles, CA

FOUNDED BY: Rick Klotz also founded Freshjive, RMK

WHY WE COSIGN: Rick Klotz has been in the streetwear game since we were all no more than a wet dream on a bedsheet. Homie has paid his dues, and put in his time. Hell, Freshjive is so rock-solid, Klotz is taking the logos off the whole line for Spring. So Cosign #1: Rick Klotz is king of this shit. Cosign #2? The Warriors of Radness line takes ’80s and ’90s beach themes and turns it modern, and in turn, highly covetable items for these hot summer months. We got our own interview on with RMK, after the jump.

Complex: What is the inspiration behind Warriors of Radness?

Rick Klotz: The inspiration for the line comes specifically from my beach culture meets city culture lifestyle here in Los Angeles. Aesthetically I also take inspiration from the beach and surf style of the ’80s, when this type of fashion coming out of California was unique onto its own. Though it’s definitely inspired in part by a particular surf culture, I don’t want to consider it “surfwear”. Also, we don’t sell to typical surf stores. Typical surf stores carry a bunch of corporate garbage.

WHERE TO FIND IT: Reserve Store

Pics from the Summer 2009 Collection…

L.A. GIRL T
Click here to Buy It Now at Reserve Store, $38

PLAID ELASTIC SHORT
Click here to Buy It Now at Reserve Store, $90

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Complex: What’s your design philosophy?

Rick Klotz: Well I’m out to make items that represent a unique casual lifestyle growing up close to the beach and the city here in L.A. I’m just trying to stay true to my roots here and the inspiration of my own backyard, and not take life too serious. You know they say life’s a beach.”

JEWELS PULLOVER HOOD
Click here to Buy It Now at Reserve Store, $100

CHAMBRAY SLIMS SHORT
Click here to Buy It Now at Reserve Store, $80

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A History Of Mr. Cartoon’s Sneaker Collaborations

Bradley — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:34:31 +0000

On July 4th, Los Angeles tattoo artist-turned culture icon Mr. Cartoon re-releases his original Nike collaboration Air Force 1 in a special Livestrong colorway. The new Black/Black-Varsity Maize Mr. Cartoon Air Force 1 will be the first time Mr. Cartoon’s “Spider Web” toebox goes on sale to the public. It was first released as a 2005 Hyperstrike version of the Mr. Cartoon AF1 (50 to Cartoon, 50 to UNDFTD), with additional retail outlets selling the still limted, but different tattoo pattern. This Livestrong-ed up colorway joins the other “Greatest Hits” including the soon to be released Futura FLOM Dunk, Hideout Woven, and Busy P. Air Force 1, created to hype Lance’s involvement in the Tour de France, which starts on Saturday, July 4th.

Mr. Cartoon is a sneaker kingpin, and his signature models of both Nike and Vans helped define the earlier years of the newest generation of sneaker heads. Hit the jump for a history of Mr. Cartoon’s collaborations, including the Livestrong AF1, which comes out on Saturday…

RELEASE: Early Spring 2005
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Nike Air Force 1 Hyperstrike
• Cartoon comes on the scene with Eddie Cruz and UNDFTD with both a Hyperstrike and Quickstrike version of the shoe.

RELEASE: Spring 2005
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Nike Air Force 1 Quickstrike
• If you weren’t in the 100 who got gifted (or paid out the ass for) the “Spiderweb” Cartoons, this version was available at premium Nike boutiques in limited quantity.

RELEASE: Spring 2005
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Nike Air Force 1 (Cinco de Mayo)
• The first round of the Air Force 1s went so well, Nike decided to throw a big ‘ol L.A. pre-Cinco de Mayo party. What’s a Nike party without a sneaker, right? Guess when these puppies hit retail.

RELEASE: Fall 2005
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Nike Air Force 1 (Brown Pride)
• Arguably the least hyped of the Mr. Cartoon AF1s, these came out a little later but still kept a following, particularly in the Los Angeles crowd.

RELEASE: Fall 2005
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Vans Syndicate Authentic “S”
• Mr. Cartoon’s Authentics were part of the first Vans Syndicate series, now a name synonymous with style and quality in the sneakerhead set.

RELEASE: Summer 2007
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x The Simpsons x Vans Slip-On and Sk-8 Hi
• To promote the Simpsons movie, Vans teamed up with the franchise and an all-star cast of artists to create sneakers based around the pop-cuture characters.

RELEASE: Fall, 2007
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Vans Syndicate Sk-8 Hi
• Mr. Cartoon kept it classy for his return to the Syndicate series in 2007.

RELEASE DATE: Summer 2009
SNEAKER: Mr. Cartoon x Livestrong x Nike Sportswear “Greatest Hits” Air Force 1
• You should be BBQing and drinking beer on Saturday, but if you can get someone to give you a ride down to UNDFTD or a boutique of similar caliber, you’ll be one of the few to cop these super-limited L.A. tough guy meets Lance super biker x Nike Sportswear. Get there!

Retail Spotlight: Hot Rod

mollys — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:08:49 +0000

The next time you’re in the city of silicone, make sure you check out Hot Rod, a skateboard and sneaker shop located on the Westside of L.A. The store is known for their large selection of Nike SB and has become a go-to spot when it comes to copping the latest skate sneakers. If you need some variety in your shoe game, they also carry adidas, Puma, Vans, and hard to come by French brands like Spring Court and Schmoove. Their selection of Nike Sportswear, Rogue Status, and Stussy apparel is top notch too.

Besides the footwear, the shop stocks decks off their in-house line called Cease & Desist Collection, which is best known for ripping graphics from industry heavyweights like World Industries and Powell and re-releasing decks in low-run quantities of 100. Pretty ballsy. Check out their gear and C&D skate decks below.

Hot Rod
2253 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
310-446-5527
hrlife.com