Vans SK8-Hi Fringe Pack – They Will Be Mine

Perfect complement to these:

Rare Video with My Idol: Hiroki Nakamura of Visvim

First it was people like Ricky Henderson, Dwight Gooden and Ozzie Smith. Then the likes of Johnny Depp and Michael Hutchence, followed later by Mike Carroll and Rick Howard. All were my idols of my younger years. Hiroki Nakamura has been assigned that role for a while.

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Comments on the video:

• Interviewer is clearly a total space cadet fashion-head
• He is visibly bored with the interview
• I want that shit: July 8th.

Road Tested: Visvim Logan Lattice

Click any image to enlarge.

Ya know, when these first came out, I was a bit disappointed with the resemblance to Vans SK8 Hi – which happen to be my least favorite Vans shoes. I thought, why would anyone drop that kind of dime on a pair of overpriced Vans? Then I saw these in person at Union NYC and then came to fully understand the difference. First, the resemblance to a pair of Vans in purely aesthetic. The quality of materials from top to bottom is pure Visvim and the details are NUTS. I never fully grasped the ‘lattice’ concept, but I suspect that it is inspired by traditional Japanese architecture or something. They literally sliced/scored every inch of the leather in this lattice pattern, which makes their already soft leather feel even softer in your hands. Unlike anything I have seen and of course, they are highly recommended. How could I not like something from this brand. Now if I could shed about 100 lbs, maybe I could squeeze into some of their apparel.

Peter, Bjorn and John – Nothing to Worry About

I think WTF, SMH, and even a little bit of LOL are appropriate for this video, FTW.   Upon discovering this strange Japanese rockabilly dance phenomenon, I would have had also said “We must use this for a music video”.    Not to mention, this song is amazing.

Visvans – But This is Not A Sneaker Blog

Another pair that I have wanted for a long, long time.  Finally found these in Australia.   Check the little skull.  I will never figure out how I end up with Native American-inspired shoes from Japan?

Road Tested: Visvim Folk

These were the perfect addition to my deep collection of 19th century clothing I have been collecting for a while. Aren’t you collecting it too? I don’t mess with the 80s and 90s influence. I take it back to the Davy Crockett, Remember-the-Alamo days (shout out to Texas history). 1880’s maybe. They don’t carry this shit at Fruition. Here, maybe, but not Fruition. My coonskin cap, all chamois leather pants and jackets are the flyest on the Q train.

I have put 1,000 miles on these shoes, and I am almost embarrassed at how much I wear them. They are like those Nike Free shoes that are supposed to feel like you are running barefoot. Except I don’t run in these. If you are considering Visvim, I promise you will fall in love with these. Good luck finding a pair over size 10. It took me almost a year to find these in 11.

Road Tested: Visvim FBT

Click the image to enlarge.

I have wanted these things forever, and finally I found a pair. This pair now represents one of three reasons I love this brand. And why I love Hiroki Nakamura. Like all brilliant guys, he was an ex-skater who now makes the perfect shoe for aging guys that still care about them. Not to mention, one of the few brands that I will even let adorn the pages of my carefully curated blog . I have a similar pair in suede which were my first pair of Visvim, but these are waaay nicer. Like all Visvim, the leather is super smooth, and I cannot find one place where quality was compromised. Despite the heavy volume of media coverage they get in certain circles, you will almost never see anyone with a pair. I guess most youngster would rather get a couple of pair of Yeezy’s instead.

Possibly Perfect: Vans x Taka Hayashi

The second I saw these… I thought: Who is this brilliant Taka Hayashi dude that was so kind as to combine my two favorite shoe brands into one super shoe? He is like Arnold in Terminator II – sent here from the future to somehow change my life for the better and while he is at it, show sneaker kids what their world should look like. These may as well be called Vans x Visvim = The Best Shoe Ever.

Japanese “We Are the World”

The title of this post could not be more precise.   Another Skeet Skeet find, and as strange as they come.   If you are remotely close to age 30, you will not be able to watch this without cracking a nostalgic smile.

Bathing Ape – Bapesta Squash

Since Stan Smith’s are one of my favorite all time sneaks, I can dig these new Bapes – hopefully some of the first in what will be a long line of tamer looks from Bathing Ape. I will be liquidating just about all of my pricey Bape jackets over the next few weeks, so be on the lookout for some sweet deals.