Up Against the Wall

OBEY NO ONE BUT NICK

2008-06-09T08:10:00.001-07:00

Whenever Nick of Obey stops by the home office two things happen: All the females in the office get all 'a-twitter', and I get fresh and scrumptious cup cakes. This time nick out did himself bringing a Nike Shoe box full of not just cup cakes but brownies. Now were these delicious delights born in a steril and unloving factory? Hell no, these cakes were lovingly hand made in Nick's not-so-sterile Ocean Citty Md appartment. Now about the girls in the office all loving to see Nick, it must be the baked goods.

Lakai- Fully Flared Intro

2008-06-05T19:34:00.001-07:00

Spike Jonz....

Momma MIA....

2008-05-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have been collecting intel on places where our staff likes to party and things they like to do. I figured who would know better than the crew who comes into work Saturday AM wearing the same outfit they were wearing on Friday...the club people... So with out further ado, here is the scoop for Miami from the staffs of Sunset and Dadeland....

Our staffs area of choice to party is in the dilapidated Downtown Miami area where the buildings are decaying and crack heads roam free and the clubs come and go. We really don't go near South Beach unless its for the few hidden gems we mention below.

Monday is the only day of rest.

Tuesdays are for Buck 15 on the Beach. Unless you know where to go you'd never find it....its a small upstairs spot hidden away behind a heavy steel door in a stinky alley off Lincoln Road. Keen One is the resident DJ, he spins a great blend of old-school Hip-Hop and lots of other funky stuff.

PS14 is one of our regular hangouts on any given night, but we mostly link up there on Wednesdays for the YO! BBQ party hosted by the IAMYOURVILLIAN fam where resident DJ Stravinsky (Third Key at Sunset) spins some funky MIA flavor amongst the ladies chugging down free drinks till midnight. They have a different theme every week, yesterday was ladies arm-wrestling for a bottle of bubbly. Other themes include the Cupcake Battle (I was runner-up last time), Midnight Rummage Sale, Bike Race from UNIV and other stuff.

Friday is a toss up! It depends what's going on but Jazid on South Beach is always a good spot for live music and really good drinks. Its a tiny little spot next to famed Miami Ink Tattoo studio.

The go to Saturday party is POPLIFE at the White Room, which is around the corner from PS14. Its been going on for years and always changes venues...but its the best underground night in town. Drinks are decent prices, the music is always fresh and the live shows are great too.

Sunday is not a day rest in the 305! Its reserved for Purdy Lounge, this place is off the regular South Beach strip...parking is free and theres NO DRESS CODE! Everyone gets a "Happy Meal"
(Miller High Life & Jager for $3) and plays pool to the sweet sounds of Induce, Keen One & Contra. They always have the best guest DJs liek Andy Smith from Portishead.

I couldve made this list crazy long but I would be here all night.

We party hard in the 305!

Francy Stores 27/31

Climbing Up The Wall

2008-05-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Blu is an Italian born street graffiti artist who's been in the game for years. You can see his stuff across the world in Berlin, London, Bolo, and Guatemala. He's known for his murals and urban design. This time, he's bombed the walls of Buenos Aires and Baden and captured it in real time animation.

Check out the vid>> http://www.vimeo.com/993998

and his site>> http://www.blublu.org/
[if you're really into his stuff, you can order some prints for the crib]

Cans Festival...

2008-05-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know where it is, I don't know anything really. I do know that I would sell a kidney to find it. The Cans Festival is a street art (aka. art)installation that features the work of some of the best street painters in the world. Banksy, BTOY, Dotmasters, dolk, faile and a bunch of other insanely talented artists have deceneded on some large, well lit, and completly caught off guard "tunnle space" and proceeded to stencil, poster, graph, write, paint, splatter, and Krink the shit out of it. The result is a space that is real and vicseral, yet is so well bombed that is has become one giagantic art peice.

Check out the flickr photostream here, there are 100+ pics form about 20 artists.

If anyone knows more about where the show is (or was)please post a commnet.
Thanks to Romanywg for the flickr stream.

LU23

Update: Here are the details of the event>> POW

The Land of the Setting Sun...

2008-05-05T08:25:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...man things have been busy. Anyway Ruth and I just got back from visiting stores and brands on the west coast. Here are some pics and descriptions to go with them.

We Stopped by Fivefour to say hi and to peep the new stuff for fall. Had a great visit with Dee and was able to say Hi to Mike who used to work for us in the VB and is now the Product/Sales Education Director for FiveFour. See...BELIEF is universal.

Dee- Cofounder of Fivefour likes to point at stuff.

Mike formerly of UATW, now hustles for FiveFour

We stopped by Laguna Beach to visit with the people there. Steve and Christine (owners and designers) showed us the new styles. It's nice to see a high end denim brand with down to earth owners.

Christine and Steve of Laguna Beach

We hung out with Rich from Crooks & Castles...Ruthie looked at the next season. Rich, BJ and Crew were great hosts...they left us wanting s'more...

Rich from C&C

World meet Jonathan of the Bureau. If you live in the valley you already know him. So what can a young guy like Jonathan teach two old seadogs like Ruth and I? How about everything. This guy understands that life is to be lived, issues are to be conqured and everything should be fun or whats the point...he mosdef walks the walk.

A Colab I can sink my teeth into....

2008-04-24T11:29:00.001-07:00

Please check out the origional fake post by clicking HERE I love these Kind of Colabs. LU23

Pace Maker. Heart Stopper

2008-04-11T08:29:00.001-07:00

Sooner or later everyone wants to be a DJ. Now you can carry your hardware (mixer, turntables) in your pocket. Check out the Pacemaker, two channels, one cross fader, a ton of effects...all in one digital device. Thanks to HESB (hesb.blogspot.com) for the scoop.

2D or 3D...wicked.

2008-03-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

I don't know the artist, I donk know where the space is, I do know that this one matters. If you can tell me what it says, I owe you a brunch. Check out the full size shot at http://www.ldexterldesign.co.uk/images/blog/daim_1_large.jpg#html. LU23

Put on your walking shoes....

2008-03-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

Yesi of UATW Miami asked me to post this...Absolutely. Some of the stats below are disturbing to say the least. Wrap it up people.

"Come on people...I know there are a few of us out there who care...we can spend $5 on the most trivial things...but when it comes to a good cause...people just don't care...there is something wrong with this...we only have each other to turn to...its not even time consuming...people need to start giving a damn...seriously*Participate in the AIDS Walk because:• Nearly 1.5% of the Miami-Dade population lives with HIV or AIDS and 1% of Ft. Lauderdale residents live with HIV orAIDS.• Nearly half (43%) of all people living with AIDS in Florida reside in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. These same 2counties also comprise 42% of the state’s HIV cases.• Miami has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the nation ranking first with Ft. Lauderdale following as second.• While Blacks compose only 19% of the population in Miami-Dade County, they account for 50% of AIDS cases.Similarly, in Broward, Blacks compose 20% of the population and 46% of AIDS cases.• An estimated 29% of Miami-Dade’s population is without health insurance.• The fight against AIDS isn’t over yet.Event Info: This AIDS Walk is one of oldest and largest in the country, and benefits Care Resource, South Floridas oldest and largest HIV/AIDS community organization serving both Fort Lauderdale and Miami-Dade. As per the current CDC fact sheets, Miami-Dade county is now the #1 city with the most HIV/AIDS infections in the country, followed by Fort Lauderdale. Care Resource currently takes care of over 4000 individuals with HIV/AIDS providing them medical services, case management, the only South Florida Food Bank for HIV/AIDS individuals and a plethera of other services. Currently Care Resource has over 120 employees. The course is 3.1 miles (5K) starting and ending outside the Miami Beach Convention Center. Registration begins at 8:00am. As participants come to the end of the walk at the Botanical Gardens, a celebration, sponsored by TBA is held to thank all the walkers. Please make checks payable to Care Resource, 3510 Biscayne Boulevard, STE 300, Miami, Florida 33137 Event Location: Miami Beach Convention CenterEvent Schedule: Miami-Dade Transit is providing FREE Metrobus and Metrorail Rides on the day of the walk to all participants who show their AIDS Walk Miami registration forms or wear their AIDS Walk Miami t-shirts.4/20/2008 7:00 am - 1:00 pm Registration and opening ceremonies for AIDS Walk Miami 2008 begins at 8:00am at Miami Beach Convention Center. The walk begins promptly at 9:00am - rain or shine. 4/20/2008 8:00 am - 11:00 am Join us after the walk for a family-oriented celebration at Botanical Gardens featuring numerous event sponsor booths, complimentary beverages, live entertainment and a whole lot more!4/20/2008 10:30 am - 12:30 pm Fees: REGISTRATION: No FeesThere is no fee to register for this event; however, participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of $50.00 to receive commemorative AIDS WALK T-SHIRT.If you cannot make it to the AIDS walk, please donate: https://www. kintera. org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge. asp?ievent=257870&lis=0&kntae257870=F03F561858814302992070F76933373E$5 will make a difference..."

For more info you can also email yesenia.duran@upagainstthewall.com

Man oh Man we are Such Good People.....

2008-03-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Who doesn’t love to waste time on the web? Can you imagine how much you would have accomplished in your life if digg, hypebeast, youtube, fark, slashdot and company did not exist. I have wasted more hours playing desktop_defender online than I have spent raising my child. (DO NOT GOOGLE DESKTOP DEFENDER- you are better off getting started on a lifelong love of crack cocaine. It took me several weeks of withdrawal to get that monkey off my back )
But don’t fret…there is a way you idle the days away with slightly less guilt. You can actually feed people and improve your vocabulary at the same time. FREERICE.COM will ask you questions…you answer them correctly…they jam a spoonful of food in someone’s hungry pie-hole…PERFECT. You get smarter…they get fed. Not to brag but I got to level 45. Let’s seed how you do. LU23

http://www.freerice.com/

Skinny Unleashed on the Street...

2008-03-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

This cat was hanging with Nate from Stalyon at Magic...We don't know his name....we just know he's reppin' UP Skinny Jeans in the Dark "11pm" wash. Bravo to you mystery guy.

Kill Shop Killahs

2008-03-07T09:20:00.003-08:00

A_R_K_@ the Kill Shop Kill Booth @ United.

A Good Blog Gone Better....

2008-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

For all you MARRIED TO THE MOB fans out there mobliving.com just got better. I have always loved their blog, the writing is sharp and the content is essoteric and relevant. Another fashion blog i have been peeping for some time now is http://www.trashbagaesthetics.com/, it has great street level perspective on NYC streetwear and fashion. So get this.... Tara, the host of trashbag... is going to write for mob living...that's like Mayor McCheese working with the Burger King...extra tasty. It's like IHOP joining forces with Cinnabon to work on the super Rutie-tootie, fresh and fruity-caramel pecan-a-bon . So check out both... http://www.mobliving.com/ and http://www.trashbagaesthetics.com/.

You may ask what the pic at the top has to do with this...It's a girl in leopard panties wearing a big feather hat thingy! It just works for me on all the right levels. Oh and she is also wearing a MTTM tee from the spring delivery.LU23

Causing a Scene...

2008-02-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

When I used to go out with my family, I was always fearful that my dad would make a scene. He was always prone to heckling the waiter, hassling the sales clerk, screaming at the cop. At some point in my youth, I decided to just remove myself from the situation personally, and become part of the audience. This made the adventures...well...adventures. Those who know me know that I love a good scuttlebutt. I am prone to sit back and enjoy a situation that makes most feel very uncomfortable. Normal is boring. So this crew of people in NYC get together and cause a gigantic scene. The organized prank at it's best. They describe it as below-

"Improv Everywhere is, at its core, about having fun. We’re big believers in “organized fun”. In the process we bring excitement to otherwise unexciting locales and give strangers a story they can tell for the rest of their lives. We’re out to prove that a prank doesn’t have to involve humiliation or embarrassment; it can simply be about making someone laugh, smile, or stop to notice the world around them."

In this one case-40 People show up to a random bar, identify a random guy who they will all call "Ted", and throw a Birthday party for "Ted" complete with gifts, cake and full "back stories" and free drinks. They planned it to the point of creating a fake dossier about "Ted" so all their made up relationships with "Ted" would be consistent. It freaked 'Ted' out at first, but within an hour or so he decided to just be "Ted" for the night. Raked in like 300 in gift cards..so how bad could it be. Another is 150 people stand frozen in place in Grand Central Station for 10 minutes at the same time, stopping dead in the middle of whatever they were doing at the target moment. Freaked the hell out of some, others didn't even notice, most found it cool. I know this may sound silly to the profane, but they are challenging people around them to maybe think just for a second that maybe things aren't as normal as they would like them to be. Is that not similar to fashion on some level? My favorite is 60 men gradually entering the AF flagship store in NYC not wearing shirts. Anyway it's worth a peek, if anything you will find their performances creative. http://improveverywhere.com/ LU23

Damn Skippy

2008-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Shop it up at Shopuponline.com

2008-02-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

Here at the UATW compound we have these really fancy IP telephones. They have all kinds of bells and whistles that none of us understand or use. They do however ring, and we understand that part of the functionality. Lately the person calling has been somebody who doesn't live in a major city, they're calling looking for something that we have, but they can't get to our store. We didn't know what to do. Then a friend told me about this thing called the 'internet'. According to this friend, we could build something called a 'website' where people could click on 'links' and actually buy things over the 'world wide internet'...amazing. So that's just what we did. We have built a 'website' that you can point your computer at and buy things online. Right now we just have Up Label Denim, Racer Jackets, Tees and we also have Shutter Shades that a young person named Kanye wore on some television music video show or something...but it's a start. Soon we will offer a plethora of goods that you can buy on this' passing fad' the nerds are calling the 'internet'. Amazing...Truly amazing. Lu23

http://www.shopuponline.com/

Futura is Future is Dope

2008-02-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

Futura and stussy for the summer.Who is Futura and why is he important??Born 1955 he is a graffiti artist from New York city although what he really calls home was the subway system.Doing graffiti on anything and everything he developed a his own personal "tag" in which he would be his whole foundation for which he would build on.He got his name from his favorite movie 2001 A Space Odyssey,sound familair nigo founder of bathing ape got his inspiration from his favorite movie to planet of the apes.He was one of the few people that has actaully made the tranistion from spraying halls,trains,and walls to world famous artist.He say's about his place in the art world "it was the plantform I needed to showcase my talents.not just painting canvases but actuall creating artistic compositions.I never went to art school,and wasn't even sure who warhol was,but I knew I had something.I had always known that.Right place right time,that's me.....I always go against popular opinions,like to blaze my own trails."Now with his own clothing line Futura Laboratories he is making his art on people's chest all over the world not only that he is sought after for collaboration after collaboration such as nike,bearbricks,MHI,nike and now stussy.Info per my brain,pics per hypebeast.com. Posted by CrisP of UATW14

HEY KOOl-AID

2008-02-10T14:50:00.000-08:00

Usually you’re trying to get the odor out of your shoe, but in a new sneaker released by Reebok this month, the scent is the appeal. Formed in a partnership with Kool-Aid, the low-tops will release the fruity scents of the classic powdered drink from a sock liner. The initial flavors are grape, cherry and strawberry, but should the venture prove successful (and really, why wouldn’t it?), the line will expand to the citrus flavors of lemonade, orange and lemon-lime. According to a press release, the soles of the shoes will also depict the Kool-Aid man, just in case the whole venture didn’t sound strange enough already. (lifeted form mentalfloss.com) LU23 (BTW/FYI YOu can pick up a pair for yourself at Major in Georgetown DC)

Model Call...

2008-01-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

I am getting ready to start production for the Skinny Up Denim Ad campaign. If any one wants to be a part of it send pictures of yourself to tim@upagainstthewall.com. Im looking for models of all types. I am going to do the shoot in a manner similar to the layouts in Vice Mag/American Appearal/Terry Richardson, if you know how these shoots are...great...love to have ya. If you don't, please check out the style of them first. (all models must sign releases and must be over the age of 18 or have a signed release from partent or legal guardian) . Note the pic of Ed the intern. Ed is back at school, where I assume things are going double well. Lu23

Hezba-love.

2008-01-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

Keffiyeh, shemagh, yashmag, ghutra, hatta, peace scarves, anti-war scarves, and even Kanye's scarf. Why the hell not. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty, the real questions are, Are the scarves anti war? Is it pro-terrorist? Or is it just a fashion accessory? Well, in the Middle East, it has useful and aesthetic functions. In the desert is protects the face from the sun and blowing sand. During a night living in the desert, it's used to keep the head warm.

I for one bought this to keep warm & add a little "omph," if you will, to my outfit. My first time wearing one of these babies was the most traumatizing events of my life in 2006. I went to a local hotspot called the Mission in San Francisco to hang out with the homies or whatever, and we went to go Hookah.

A middle eastern pastime time which involves tobacco, coal, and a tube. It was this awesome authentic arab-esque place owned and operated by real middle easterners! How surreal & dope right? Well, little did I know my friends and I were refused service, and I was scorned for wearing this scarf. Why? Apparently, I am pro-Palestinian and a supporter of terroism. Another trip in the city, another index finger of shame, waving back and forth. So, now I'm a Neo-Nazi & an Anti-Jew. Again, wore my stinking scarf to a big hippie hey day on the Haight, & now I'm part of the revolution.

I now wear them with confidence, because I now know that I am pro terrorist/anti Jew/a revolutionist, and the next person to ask me "How do you wear these things," will get the most fashion foward variation of wearing this square cloth. (See attached picture). PEACE!

Matt N
Assistant MacArthur 18

(Editor's note - If you can't detect the sarcasm that Matt is using when he refers to himself as Neo-Nazi and so on...well you missed the point. In fact I was banned from a girlfriend's house way back in the high school days for the same attitude toward the scarf. At least her mom let me debate the issue, her dad called me a bunch of names and tossed me out until I took it off. I showed up the next day wearing a kilt...he was cool with that. LU23.. oh... and Matt...good luck on your next encounter with the TSA....they love that kinda shit.)

What are you rocking today...

2008-01-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

#20 strikes again. I see you Portia.

Portia @ UATW Annapolis
Top: by Christian Audigier
Jeans: by Joes (honey)
Shoes: by Puma

Mike T @ UATW Annapolis
Hat: by Okutani
Glasses: by Shutter Shades
T-Shirt: by FUCT

The DC District is holding it down right now..... What's good Left Coast, MI-YAYO, the 7 cities.....

X-RAY DENIM

2008-01-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

X-Ray brings the public a full wardrobe of designer menswear. This Manhattan based company has become known for its intense attention to detail: from fashion-forward concepts, to remarkable embroidery, innovative washes and designs.

The collection is distinguished by the craftsmanship and care given to each individually treated item. X-Ray is a favorite among style-conscious men, who care not only about the look, but also the fit, texture and over-all artistry of their clothing.

X-Ray's can be found in novelty retail stores and designer boutiques, as well as in magazines and fashion shows, and on film and television. We have become a
favorite among buyers, in part, because we receive new samples every two weeks. Buyers can guarantee on always seeing something new and original when they enter our showroom. At X-Ray, no two styles have the same fit. We pride ourself on our attention to detail, concentrating on the unique ways material falls, feels and fits. CHECK OUT X-RAY at UP AGAINST THE WALL @ VCC, Iverson, PG Plaza, Military Circle and Foxhills.

The originators of style over @ Annapolis..

2008-01-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

Big shouts out go to Doyle and the crew down at Annapolis.

Here we see them doing what they do best...... Stay consistent!!

Paapa:
Crooks and Castles crew neck sweatshirt
Prps Jeans
Creative Recreation Boots

Doyle:
10 Deep Cardigan
Dissizit x DJ Crook Kate Moss Loves La Coka Nostra Tee
Edwin Japan Rainbow Selvedge jeans
Alife x Barneys everybody high

Mike T:
Stussy Hoody
Lrg Jeans
Nike CB34 Flannel

Lets keep it going....

Lucky

AokixWESC

2008-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

WeSC [WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy] roots in skate, art and music culture, with several musicians repin WeSC as WeActivists, the company certainly know the importance of good sounding headphones. WeSC recently released a new collection of headphones for nearly every music lover, from simple in-ear buds to DJ Pro sets.
WeSC CEO and co-founder, Greger Hagelin has this to say “Many Weactivists work with music, which is an important part of the WeSC life-style. Because of this, it seemed natural for us to create something that would help accommodate this aspect of life. Creating something new for our collection, that people do not expect, is part of our process. Our headphones are both fashion and tech. From the streets to the clubs, to the subway and hills, we are very pleased with them.”
WeSC headphones are available in 5 different models, in a variety of colour ways, in-sync with each seasonal collection. They also collaborated with DJ Steve Aoki on a pro model called the “DJ Steve Aoki Pro”. AVAILBLE AT UATW DADELAND
> WeSC