Helping the Homeless

I was just surfing the Wall Street Journal online and stumbled upon a great video about helping the homeless. As we are all aware counterfeit products are everywhere and I am sure with the economy in such bad shape that their business is booming. In the past when counterfeit products were seized by authorities they were kept as evidence and eventually destroyed. Now because of a new law in California the police are allowed to give some of these counterfeit goods to certain charities to help the homeless. All that is required is approval from the company whose products were replicated and these fake goods are given away to those in need. In the video homeless citizens are each given a pair of knock-off Bapestas that have the Bape logo cut away from the heel. I want to give Bape credit for taking a bad situation and finding a way to help others. Their business approach to this situation is inspirational and I hope other companies follow suit.

Here is the video via AOL.

Black Scale x The Tenderloin Project

It seems like street wear brands are popping up all over the place these days, but what impact are they having on their communities. Sure they may make products that may brighten people's days, but does it go beyond that? My hommie Mega and the Black Scale crew are making a statement with their first release at their new flagship location opening tomorrow 11/12. The store is located at 55 Grant Ave on the second floor and with its opening comes the release of their collaboration with The Tenderloin Project. I just saw this video and it gave me a great feeling in my heart because they are trying to improve the world around them. Black Scale is looking beyond their customers and looking at how they can create change and I can't give them enough props. I'll allow the video below to describe the project and let you see for yourself what impact Black Scale is having on their new community.

The Tenderloin Project x Black Scale from Sean Desmond on Vimeo.

Huf SF on ESPN.com

It's been a long time since I've posted so here is something to hold you over until I can get my act together. I have been a loyal client of Huf SF since 2002 when they opened. They are a Sneaker and Streetwear boutique that has gained international recognition over the years. Anyways ESPN.com wrote an article titled "The Huf Behind HUF" and it gives some insight into one of my idols lives. Check it out here "The Huf Behind HUF".

My Current Favorites

It has been a while since I did a fashion post so I thought I would show everyone what I am currently rocking. As I have said in the past I'm a sneaker head which means I usually wear a different pair of shoes everyday. However once and a while a pair comes around that I can't help, but wear all the time. I was also introduced to Japanese raw denim about a year and a half ago by my buddy Justin. He took me to a great shop Self Edge where I couldn't help but buy a pair of Sugarcane's. These are jeans that you can wear everyday and they slowly break in and form to your body. Since they start out raw they fade according to your daily uses. Finally I recently got a graduation gift from my girlfriend and it was this great Penfield jacket from True SF. All these items are what you'll generally see me rocking on the day to day so check them out below and let me know what you think.

Penfield Harrington Jacket (Tan)

Sugar Cane Denim

Vans TNT II Low Tony Trujillo (Purple Splater)

New Dirt 2 Video

Just thought I would do a brief post of the new Dirt 2 Video I saw. I'm getting too anxious for this game so hopefully September comes sooner rather than later. I'm having trouble getting the video to embed so just check it out on there site at IGN.com

Livin' the ALIFE

I just saw this digital article over on The New York Times website and it captured me and my passion perfectly. It is an interview with Jesse Villaneuva one of the main men over at Alife Rivington Club in NYC. The article is part of The NY Times One in 8 Million series where every week they feature a new resident to give an inside look of "The City that Never Sleeps". Every year when I go to visit family out in New York I make sure to swing by their shops, Alife and Alife Rivington Club. They carry the hottest product out on the east coast at all times. Their clothing line is amazing sticking with my favorite feel of always wanting to stay young and A.R.C. always carries the freshest kicks. If your in NY and get a chance check out their shop and go get buzzed in because you won't regret it. Check out the digital article here at One in 8 Million and below are a few shots of the shop and some of my favorite products.

Football for Good

I don't have a lot of time to post, but just saw this video and wanted to give it a shout out. Steve Nash is always working hard to use his popularity to better the world and his association with soccer stars has always helped him reach regions that most NBA players never attempt. Now he is organizing a program called Football for Good a non-profit social business being developed by the founders of the Steve Nash Foundation and Athletes for Africa. The aim is to bring community-centered academy football to regions that have been ravaged by war. The organization is asking for what ever help people in this economic crisis can provide even if it is only $5 dollars. Even I a poor college student have $5 to support this cause so visit their site and brighten someones day. Do it for yourself or do it for the good karma I don't care just think about others. So go out and support this great cause because everyone deserves the opportunity to kick the ball around.

Steve Nash - 'The Player' from meathawk on Vimeo.

Creation of a Sneaker Tour

In 2007 Nike worked hard on a series of shoes to release in 2008 for the 25th Anniversary of the Air Force 1(AF1). Among those shoes were two pairs of extremely limited edition AF1 Lux that were made by hand in Italy, have genuine exotic skin and have a 18k gold lace debay. I remember they released a video showing the process of creating these one of a kind pieces of art and it blew my mind. Both shoes were selling for $2000, but something about the white anaconda's just made me want to sell everything I had and buy them. All I could think about was having a pair and saving them to wear at a life changing event, like a wedding. That video changed my life and especially my respect for quality footwear. Watch the video and if your a sneaker head, or not, you'll know what I mean.



What made me think of that AF1 video was something I saw today on Highsnobiety. It is a great video by Frontline where they got the opportunity to take a tour of New Balance's Flimby UK factory and see how their amazing shoes get created. It's a great step by step look into one of my favorite processes the creation of shoes. Tours like this really increase my respect for the company and their final product. The effort that goes into every shoe that New Balance makes is wonderful and shows why they have continued success in the footwear industry. These videos are one of my favorite current forms of advertising because they are viral and increase the quality of the brand name. After watching this video I may just go down to a local shop and get a new pair of New Balances.

The Next Gen of Rally

My post on Dirt 2 gave a little insight into the World Rally Championship which is popular over seas in Europe. However, over the past 6 years Rally has started to become more popular here in the United States with the involvement of recognizable stars such as motorsport master Travis Pastrana. Pastrana got involved in competitive rally racing through the Subaru-backed Vermont SportsCar rally team in 2004. In 2005 his involvement motivated another big name to get involved, his close buddy and sponsor, Ken Block founder of DC Shoes. A year after Block joined Vermont SportsCar he and his teammate Pastrana both signed a new sponsorship with Subaru to become "Subaru Rally Team USA". Since then both have gone on to dominate in Rally America, an auto racing organization that sanctions performance stage rallying events in the United States. This year Pastrana has won 3 of 4 events and Block went on to win the other.

Pastrana and Block are constantly expanding the recognition of the sport through viral videos that take rallying beyond its typical field. First they have shown more of what their cars can do on television shows such as Nitro Circus and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory on MTV. However most recently Block has done two videos based on Gymkhana where it is required of drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s and other advanced skills throughout the predetermined course. These videos are amazing and really show what these cars are capable of. I'm sure many of you have already seen these videos, but just take some time and watch again because I know I will never get tired of hearing these Subaru's rip through these courses.

Gymkhana 1 (Practice)


Gymkhana 2 (The Infomercial)


Pastrana and Block (Nitro Circus)

Can't Wait to Get Dirty

When I was a kid I got the opportunity to travel around Europe with my soccer team and when we were laying low in our hotel rooms we watched a lot of sports on TV, because nothing was in English. This is where I got addicted to the World Rally Championship or WRC. What the drivers in the WRC can do with their vehicles is insane. Anything from drifting to hitting massive jumps and all on the craziest terrains around. Here in America people are obsessed with NASCAR where they drive in circles over and over again just hoping for a crash, BORING! WRC drivers are taking on anything from dirt to asphalt or water to snow and their doing it at insane speeds. On top of that they are doing it in my favorite cars on the road like the Subaru WRX Sti, the Mitsubishi Evo or the Ford Focus Hatchback, R.I.P.




Now on to the point, I have a couple weeks left in my last summer ever and the first thing that comes to mind is video games. I went to Best Buy yesterday and really didn't see anything worth buying for my XBOX 360 so last night I decided to go on ign.com and see what is coming out in the near future. Instantly something jumped out at me and that was Colin McRae Dirt 2. I played the first game religiously and this next generation version looks like it is going to blow the previous out of the water. The game will release in September 2009 so take a look for yourself and let me know what you think.

Dirt 2 at IGN.com

Fashion Tip of The Day

I was surfing my typical sites today and found what I need to be rocking for the up and coming future. First off we always start with the kicks because in the life of a sneaker head you can't suit up until your feet look proper. Hypebeast.com gave a preview of the Y-3 2009 Fall/Winter Hayworth Mid II and the blue colorway blew me away. This colorway reminds me of my favorite shoe of all time the Nike SB Futura. Y-3 is always combining high end fashion with streetwear and the combination they found with this colorway and shoe is too fresh. The simplicity of the design with a seamless toebox and ankle strap is everything I could ask for in a great all around sneaker.



Next I was looking at Bodega's 2009 Spring/Summer lookbook and found a simple and clean hoodie the "Lines Hoody". Even though it's California those that live in San Francisco know that it isn't the warmest place to be and a hoodie is still an essential part of life for getting around. This hoodie with the Y-3's and a pair of good khaki shorts and your good to go to any occasion.



Bodega's Spring/Summer line is available now at bdgastore.com and the Y-3's come out later on this year so stay posted.

Welcome to My World, The World of Red Bull

Ever since taking this advertising class this semester I have started really analyzing commercials and different forms of ads. Recently I have been seeing some great ads from Red Bull. They are simple and fully based off of sponsorships of different athletes. My roommate and I were just discussing the other day and realized how brilliantly energy drinks have come into the market and made themselves popular by sponsoring every event and athlete around. When you see someone like Travis Pastrana chug a Red Bull and jump out of a plane with nothing, but board shorts and socks on and then land safely on the ground because two people grab him and harness him to one of them you think, damn maybe I can do that with a little practice and some Red Bull. I may be rambling on a little bit, but the point of this is to show that simplicity is still key in capturing your audience through advertising. In this day of Tivo and DVR advertisers need to make ads that capture your attention and make you want to stop and watch. Check out some of these ads and let me know what you think.

Welcome

Welcome everyone to my new blog The Tree House Club. I have always had an obsession with tree houses, they remind me of being young and doing what ever you want. A tree house is a place to escape and let your imagination go wild. That's what this blog is all about, imagination. I'll be discussing anything from sneakers, fashion, sports and movies, to day to day activities. I'm also gonna let my imagination free and bounce off ideas I may have for future ventures. I'm a business marketing student that is about to graduate, so from time to time I'll be discussing anything that may fall under the marketing genre. My motto is no matter how tedious the daily grind gets, always make sure your having a good time. Stay positive and get out and enjoy life because it moves too quick and you don't want the good times to pass you by.