Kicks of the Day Vans Era (NYC Edition)

Everyone knows that New York patrons love the Era in the spring/summer, but Vans making an official NYC colorway of the low-profile sneaker? Awesome. To homage legendary skate spots in four (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York City) Vans created special make-ups that drop this month. Although the sneaker looks as simple as black, orange and blue, the city artwork on the footbed will have you reppin’ hard on the low. Check Vans.com, to cop the recession-friendly $47 sneakers.

Style Daily Style & Design News: August 13, 2009

*sigh* vs. CRAZE! Choose your own response. [Gizmodo]

Undercover cool guy alert! Check for dudes in a suits rocking these Porter garment bags. You can talk about how awesome the Augor/So Me covers are all the way to Vegas. [Limited Hype]

Robert Geller to design for Levi’s. Drake is crapping his pants over this one. [Slam x Hype]

So the Apple tablet miiiight be happening for this holiday. Fuck your gift guide, we want this. [Gizmodo]

Aquariums are awesome. You knew that. Giant aquariums? Amazing. (Maybe turn the sound off when you watch the video though, a little too emo-y) [PSFK]

Oh wow. Vodka in a tube. Wow. [Go-More]

Air Max to Air Maxim. [Hypebeast]

Style Street Detail: Bleached Hippie

NAME: Justin

AGE: 21

OCCUPATION: Actor/ Model/Hair Stylist

HOME BASE: NYC

HAT: Vintage

SHIRT: Koto

JEANS: Levi’s

SHOES: Replay

NECKLACE: Handmade

What are you saving up for the summer? My wedding, if they ever legalize gay marriage.

What summer trends have you seen? Every now and again I spot some hippie look that catches my eye.

What is your dream vacation? Explore all of Italy!

Sneaker style you are rocking this season? adidas Sambas. The only sneaker I ever wear.

Summer drink? I recently discovered the new XO Cafe by Patron. I usually get it on the rocks with Baileys.

Vote on whether this week’s subject is “Stylin” or “Wildin” below…

Politics & Crime 7 Recent Billboards That Caused Controversy

Calvin Klein is notorious for scandalous ads; he constantly uses young-looking models for his underwear campaigns and Brooke Shields was only 16 when she spread her legs in a pair of CK jeans and whispered, “nothing comes between me and my Calvins.” Well this time, Calvin Klein is getting prude panties in a bunch with a billboard in Soho, NYC that features a girl having, what looks like, an orgy with 3 other dudes. The American Family Association feels it’s inappropriate “to put a semi-nude photograph in a major billboard in a high-traffic area where tens of thousands of children see this kind of activity going on.” We feel the AFA should pull the stick out of their asses.

Controversial billboards are nothing new, but in the last few years, a whole new crop has popped up, drawing criticism for displaying overt sexual or political messages. Check out some recent billboard scandals…

Style Street Detail: Nutty Professor

NAME: Louie

AGE: 26

OCCUPATION: Teacher

HOME BASE: San Francisco

HAT: Thrift store

SUNGLASSES: Marc by Marc Jacobs

NECKLACE: Thrift store

SHIRT: Mervyns

JEANS: Levi’s

SNEAKERS: Vans

WATCH: Casio

BACKPACK: Jansport

What inspires your style? The seasons.

What city has the best style? New York City!!!

What movie best captures your style? Superbad. I dress to party!

Who has wack style? Prudes. No sense of adventure.

Vote on whether this week’s subject is “Stylin” or “Wildin” below…

Politics & Crime No iPod Tax: 10 Better Ways For NY To Get Paid

People of Illinois and Alaska, please don’t think you’re the only ones with boneheaded governors. Yesterday, New York’s own David Paterson released his insane budget proposal, which has us thinking he’s one broken leg away from blind, crippled and crazy. Not only does the plan cut aid to schools and hospitals, but it calls for new taxes on everything from cab rides (okay, fine) to massages (with the massage spots we go to, we already pay in shame) to…digital fucking music?

The so-called “iPod tax” might make revenue from those few rubes who are still going through Steve Jobs for their chunes, but it also feels more than a bit unjust. After all, we New Yorkers have to deal with a year-round scourge of tourists who come into our city'why not rely on them to raise a little extra money? We thought of a few sure-fire revenue streams (pause); think of them as a way to say “thanks, New York, for not mugging us when we visited”…

Sports 5 Former Yankees Who Weren’t Built For The Big Apple

Note to CC: Sometimes Yankee pinstripes feel like prison bars.

If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. If you can’t, you’re just a c-suckin’ sonovabitch. Star pitcher CC Sabathia, who just signed with the Yankees for seven years and $161 million, will soon find out if he can deal with the stress of hurling in the Big Apple. A fat, fun-loving California dude, he wanted to sign with a National League team in the Golden State, where life and baseball are sunny, but he took the Evil Empire’s money and now he’ll have to contend with cold weather, frigid fans, high expectations, over-involved owners and media that gets up in that ass more than a prison sugar daddy.

We’ll have to wait and see if Bronx Bummers boo the smile off his face, but in the meantime, check out six players who signed with the Yanks for big money as free agents and found out they were definitely not built for New York…

Art Peter Ruprecht’s Splashlight Studios Show Wraps Up

Left to Right: Peter Ruprecht, Anton Kandinsky, and Marc Ecko

This July, Peter Ruprecht (the photographer who brought us the stunning ladies of the Ecko Manufacturing ads) focused on a more humanitarian cause with his exhibit “Monadic Nomad.” It was through this series of environmentally and socially-conscious images that were both scenic and gritty that he documented his recent travels through India.

For the opening of “Monadic Nomad,” Ruprecht printed his photos on hand-made paper and hung them at the new Splashlight Studios Soho location in Tribeca. The exhibit officially closes its doors this Wednesday night, but the photos are available for purchase HERE. Proceeds will be donated to a charity that’s dedicated to providing clean drinking water. See some of the photos in the gallery below…

Style Pegleg’s Fall 2008 Collection Stands Up

The Pegleg crew has come a long way from their T-shirt beginnings, as evidenced by the fall collection that just dropped. The full set of cut-and-sew includes flannels, jackets, denim, and a sick rain coat. We’ve always been drawn to the playfulness of the line, whether that’s the modern take on '80s and '90s nautical gear or the “Fuck you, I’m a giant baby” feel of some of the less serious pieces.

Check out the line at your favorite cool-guy boutique, or cop it online through their website. See below for more photos of our favorite pieces from the collection…

Style Starks Laces The Colette x GAP Pop-Up Shop

For all the brands sitting around waiting for things to happen to them, relax and take notes. Starks is a shoelace company that went from three colorways to a sneakerhead household name and mainline collaborator in less than two years.

These laces just dropped at the GAP/Colette pop-up shop, where they are available now for $8. Look for these guys to continue creating special editions with top brands in snowboarding and skate shoes as the temperature drops. We can’t say who yet, but you already know. See the GAP x Colette laces close up below.