Sabit Night – Thursday, November 12th

Luxury fashion label, Sabit NYC is hosting their monthly event party called “Sabit Night” at Sapphire Lounge in NYC tonight.  If your in the area, it’s definitely something that you should check out.

The Goodie Bag Blog

I’ve now started to take The Goodie Bag Blog in a new and more informative direction. I’m going to update a lot more frequently from now on with things I like and find interesting, what’s happening in my daily life, and what’s up with our brands. I hope you enjoy and if you have any questions or anything that you would like me to post give me a shout at peter@thegoodiebag.ca or (1-613)-583-4663. Thanks!

INTERVIEW: Daniel Sears (The Czar Agency)

 

Could you please state your name & occupation?

 

Daniel Sears, owner of The Czar Agency (http://www.wholesaleczar.com).

 

How did you get into the industry?

 

I grew up skating & surfing, and I was always blown away by brands like Stussy, Fresh Jive, SMP, Fuct, and especially Powell Peralta.  I studied quite a bit of art & design, both independently and in school.  About twelve years ago, a friend of mine Adam Donahue got me a job at a very small t-shirt company called High Fidelity Dis Co. in Philly.  We’d bang out heat transfers all night, while I was at Villanova University.  It was a fun job.  One of the dudes from that company, a cat by the name of Dave Wurtzel A.K.A. Words, teamed up with Andy Hurwitz of Ropeadope Records.  Ropeadope was a small little record label started by Andy, ?uestlove and some other music industry OG’s.  They wanted to start a clothing line that was actually about something, and not just crap on a shirt.  So I submitted some designs.  After that a friend and I started our own t-shirt line called Flavor Country (you Simpson’s fans will get it) but it never really took off.  Then at one point Ropeadope Industries teamed up with a company called Banzai Apparel, an apparel company with roots in the tye-dye scene from WAY back.  Banzai came on the scene to help Ropeadope tackle the apparel industry.  So that’s when things really started picking up for me.  Banzai really dove into the music inspired scene, bringin’ on Ninja Tune, Blue Note Records, Duck Down Records, Definitive Jux, Daptone, The Roots’ brand Okayplayer, and of course Ropeadope.  Fortunately I was lucky to be at the right place at the right time.  That’s the beginning of the story.

 

What is the most memorable moment in your career to date?

 

That’s a tough question.  I guess it wasn’t really one big moment per say.  There wasn’t a day where Jay-Z walked in and threw me a briefcase of hundreds, and Slick Rick never asked me to make him a new eye patch of anything like that.  The most memorable time would probably when I saw my concept/idea of a Digital Showroom taking off.  I had this idea, born out of necessity of course, where I could have a site that acts as a digital showroom for buyers & shop owners from all over the world.  I was just trying to reach those guys who don’t or can’t make it to the trade shows.  Quickly I realized, “what is the point of doing tradeshows if it’s not cut/sew?”  I know apparel decoration pretty well, and if I see samples and evaluate the product, then there’s no risk for the shop.  Obviously I liked my idea, but when I created a blog to experiment, almost immediately I received great feedback.  Shops love not having to travel if they don’t want.  So that was really cool.  It wasn’t like the idea all occurred to me at once, it was a progression that took a great deal of time, an evolution.  That’s my most memorable moment, getting to see my idea not only pan out, but having it received with open arms was great.

 

What is your favourite part of your job?

 

Probably two parts really.  The collaborative part where I get to put in my two cents with brands on what I think will help them grow.  The real favorite is when we’re in the middle of a sales push for this order date or that.  When I check my inbox and it’s just order, after order, after order.  It’s such a good feeling.  Not because of money or greed.  But because it’s proof.  When you don’t work with your hands, you run the risk of not getting to actually see the value of your work.  Those emails in the inbox are tangible proof of hard work, and being on the right track. Love it.

 

What are your plans for the future? 

 

Always gotta keep thinking about the future particularly how to adapt and try to have an edge.  First priority is upgrading our site.  It’s pretty “rootsy” right now but it has been so easy, useful and very good to us.  In addition we’re branching out to offer more services such as product placement, brand strategy/identity, market research, and PR.  These services are going to be available on a consulting basis, and tailored for each brands needs.  One of the things I believe in is letting experts be experts.  In this industry, there are so many brands who have made it on their own.  I applaud brands that get far enough to create quality products to sell in fine retailers.  But when you want to grow and take it to the next level, you definitely want to work with people who’ve been down this road before.  So, we’re teaming up with some industry vets in those respective fields, look for an announcement by the end of the year.  The result will be an ability to not only open accounts for our brands but also assist with some of those services I mentioned.  After these changes occur we’ll be a little more polished, and as always looking to help our brands grow organically.

 

Thanks for taking the time Peter.

The Goodie Bag Interview With CorgiShoe.

If you’re a true sneakerhead chances are you’ve heard of CorgiShoe and his 2,000+ DS sneaker collection, which is said to be the largest private collection in the world.  Some of you may not know who he is, but here’s your chance to get into the mind of Corgi.

 

Hey Corgi, How Are Things Going?  How’s Life In Los Angeles?
Life is always good because I know how bad it can be.  Los Angeles is the best for me.  I’ve been all over and L.A. is where I always come back to.

 

What First Got You Interested In Sneakers?
I am a big sports fan. I got into sneakers because athletes wore them. Not because someone raps about it or because someone on a message board says I should wear this shoe, shirt, pants, and hat. My first true notice of shoes were the Converse Weapon’s and all the commercials that followed.  Then Nike came out with the commercial using the Beatles “Revolution” song and the Air Max 87 came out along with the revolutions and I was hooked.
 

How Long Did It Take You To Build Up Your Collection?
I bought and saved for a good 12-15 years.  Stopped completely in early 2004.
 

Why’d You Collect So Many Sneakers And How’d You Afford It? 
I collected them because I love sneakers.  Just the look, the lines, the simple colourways.  Each one was unique to me.  Almost like a collector’s piece in a way.  I certainly didn’t have a job and I certainly didn’t have my Mom buying me them all so you can draw your own conclusions.  I will say this about collections and money.  There is a direct correlation. Whoever has the most money has the best collection. Don’t let ‘em tell you otherwise.  Don’t let these fucking shoe god idiots make you feel like they are better or have “more skill” to collect or are a top loser fucking sneakerhead. Some will try and say that’s not true but look at the “so called” “top” collectors on those dumb fucking message boards and they have the most money to spend.  Now they may get deals.  But even with hook-ups, backdoor product, and deals you still need a lot of money to get the best shoes.  I had all that going on and the money to spend so I was able to acquire anything and everything I wanted.  But that’s the key.  Its all what I wanted.  Not what others tell me to buy or what I feel others will like. Fuck the sneakerhead who makes himself into something he / she is not.  Get over yourself.  You’ll enjoy your shoes and collect longer.  
 
Have You Ever Had To Travel To Get Your Sneakers?  I Mean Like Out-Of-City Type Travelling, Or Purchased Any Shoes Off The Internet? 

I used to solely get shoes by digging for them.  Mostly in the Los Angeles area but if I was in another city I’d always look in the “Mom And Pop” shops.  Once the internet came along I developed relationships with shoe people and stores all over the world.  And I was able to network through all the shoe boutiques and “Mom And Pop” spots in the Los Angeles area.  Once eGay (eBay) came along it was all too easy.  A bit of patience and strategy and you could get it all dirt cheap.  But I have never slept on a sidewalk or did the line thing. Actually there were never lines.  And by the time things started to pick up a bit in the early 2000’s I was already well connected.  And am still thankful to this day for those who took care of me considering I was a nobody who just likes shoes.
 

What’s The Highest Price You’ve Paid For A Sneaker?

Hmmmm…I’m sure I have paid a few hundred bucks for stuff.  I actually think it might be a pair of the Command Forces I have.  Those motherfuckers were around $300.00.  I more so bought multiple pairs and those transactions could get into the thousands but the value was there at the time.  And now the value is really there for all these fucking shoes I bought. I never bought recklessly.  Always got a great value or at least what I thought to be.  And by seeing what the shoes are selling for today I know I did well.

 

 

Why Are You Selling Them?
I’m selling them because I have no use for them.  Frankly, I don’t wear them and don’t even look at them.  To be honest 99% of them are fucking ugly.  But I bought them because I like the style.  So because I like the Air Burst I buy every single one even the colourways I would never consider wearing.  Now if I was still doing that today it would be almost impossible for two reasons.  First, they release too many fucking shoes for anyone to do that.  Second, many releases are fucking disgusting looking. I mean even though I know I wont wear it at least I want to pretend like I wouldn’t look like I’m wearing a bag of skittles on my fucking feet.  Basically, I don’t need them to have my memories of them.  The people who store them for me don’t give a fuck about shoes and don’t want them taking up space anymore.  I completely understand that.  They’ve been holding them for years.  Let someone else enjoy them.

 

Thanks for your time Corgi. 

Yeah man, it’s cool.  Peace, one love, Corgi.

 

 

 

Check out Corgi’s Blog at http://corgishoe.wordpress.com for daily updates of new sneakers for sale.  Feel free to e-mail him with any inquires about his sneakers or collection to corgishoe@thehundreds.com.  

 

Facebook Group Description Change…

We thought we’d give everyone a sneek peak at how the Facebook group will be changed in terms of description.

CURRENT GROUP DESCRIPTION:

 

We offer brand name clothing such as 101 Apparel, 8103 Clothing, Akademiks, Alador & Smith, Billionaire Mafia, Blood Is The New Black, BNX, Buddhist Punk, Cheap Monday, Clae, Dirty Jax, Division E, Elvis Jesus And Co. Couture, Enyce, Freshnes, Fully Laced, Gold Coin, Good Wood, Heist & Co., Hidden Apparel, IM King, Loud& Obnoxious, Milkshake NYC, Peter Says Denim, Religion, Rokk Clothing, Single Second, Something Sacred, Subconscious Threads, The RockStar Society, and many more.

 

NEW GROUP DESCRIPTION:

THE BRANDS:

101 Apparel | 8103 Clothing | Akademiks | Alador & Smith | Apliiq | Billionaire Mafia | Blood Is The New Black | BNX | Buddhist Punk | Cheap Monday | Clae | Dirty Jax | Division E | Elvis Jesus & Co. Couture | Enyce | Freshnes | Fully Laced | Gold Coin | GoodWood | Heist & Co. | Hidden Apparel | IM King | Loud& Obnoxious | Milkshake NYC | Peter Says Denim | Religion | Rokk Clothing | Single Second | Something Sacred | Subconscious Threads | The RockStar Society.

 

I’m not too sure yet whether I should do it like that or for the brands we act as an authorized dealer for and for the brands we distribute.  I’ll think about it a bit more and post up the finished product before I change it on the Facebook group.  Any feedback or ideas on this is greatly appreciated.

Lacoste Crocodile Mythology – Part #3…

We present you the last part of the Lacoste Crocodile Mythology, which once again consists of three sneakers, that will be coming out in June 2009 – Rene Lacoste Japan, Ogata India and Ibiza Amazonia.

The Rene Lacoste Japan is inspired from the traditional Japanese silk kimono. The upper fabric has a satin feel to it whilst the print is a digital interpretation of a crocodile skin print.

The Ogata India was inspired by the local cultures in India. The ornate stitching on the upper is based on the motifs and iconography found in Hindu temples whilst the bright pink highlights are emotive of the local textile colours. The grey leather shoe outlines have a crocodile pattern embossed on them and the colours come from colour of the Mugger croc.

The Ibiza Amazonia takes its colouring from the crocodile with a black reptile pattern leather used across the upper. Bright yellow colour pops represent the yellow of the Brazilian flag and the graphic pattern around the shoe and the inner sock was inspired by tribal designs of the Karaja Indians.

Each shoe is packaged in a special edition box and contains a booklet and postcard pack which outlines the stories behind the myth and the legend of Lacoste.

Make sure to also check out again Part #1 and Part #2 of the collection.