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Label Networks Launches 1st Street Fashion Business Association: THELABELLAB.COM January 10, 2008
January 10, 2008
| Favorite T-shirt Brand Preferences in North America Indicate Shifting Landscape for Major Fashion Labels + Unexpected Opportunities for Others December 31, 2007
Streetwear Fashion in youth culture continues to drive the market in many ways, particularly when it comes to T-shirts. Top preferences measured among 15-35-year-olds in Label Networks’ Streetwear Fashion Report reveals a changing landscape.
| China Youth Culture’s “After ‘80’s” Market Dictating Blogging, Spending, + Fashion Trends December 30, 2007
Label Networks’ China Youth Culture Study 2008 reveals what’s up with a new generation of consumers and the power of specific blogs + communication patterns as they affect technology, fashion, + lifestyle trends.
| “If you could volunteer for a non-profit organization, which one would it be?”—Label Networks Reveals Where Green Market Ops Lie in Reaching Youth Culture December 27, 2007
Label Networks’ Humanitarian Youth Culture Profile Report delivers top trends + insight in humanitarian, environmental concerns, and volunteerism and green marketing opportunities within youth culture.
| Converse-like Sneaker Transforms into Slip-On’s Winning the European ISPO Brand New Award for Innovation December 26, 2007
ISPO, the largest sporting trade show in Europe, features The Brand New Awards each January. One of the winners this year is an innovative sneaker brand.
| Santa’s Ghetto, East London’s Seasonal Pop-Up Art Show Takes It to Bethlehem Featuring Epic Work from Banksy, Swoon, Ron English, + Others—Proceeds Benefit West Bank Kids December 20, 2007
Pop-up art + retail taken to new heights with this latest from the artist collective Santa’s Ghetto. It disappears December 25th.
| Sunglasses as Key Accessories to Fashion Styles Indicate Changes in Size of Market Opportunities + Trends—Fresh Data on Top Brands, Spending, Plus Street Photos on Trendiest Looks December 18, 2007
Forecasts via street trend photos + consumer preference data about top brands + size of market indicate the importance of the sunglasses marketplace on global youth culture fashion and why now big-box retail is getting into the shades industry.
| “What ONE brand do you think is doing the most to help the environment?”— Label Networks’ 2nd Annual Humanitarian Profile Report Covers Who’s Doing Best When it Comes to Green Marketing December 18, 2007
A mix of automotive, apparel, non-profits, electricity, + food make into the results, indicating just where specific target markets find green initiatives by certain brands most effective.
| As Banzai Pipeline Goes Off Determining World Surfing Titles Including Vans Triple Crown, Label Networks’ Measures Importance of Surfing in Youth Culture Markets December 17, 2007
The evolution of surfing, events, pros, + media coverage has played a role in changing the dynamics and relative importance of surfing in youth culture over the past 5 years. Results indicate new opportunities for surf brands targeting specific demographics as new pros move in and surf styles including events change-up the sport.
| Brown Sound’s Fresh Themes on Steve McQueen, Big Sur, ‘70’s Sports Provide this Label Originality in Design December 17, 2007
Sporty with a retro flair, Brown Sound’s collection for Spring ’08 brings back more colorful times of early ‘70’s Hobie Cats + quintessential Steve McQueen-ness that keeps this brand on a different course.
| What’s Next for Street + Upper-Urbanwear Boutiques, Denim, + the NYC Fashion Landscape in Harlem, Brooklyn, + Manhattan—Special Interview Provides Insight December 16, 2007
In a new set of insider interviews with street fashion industry players, Label Networks talks with specialty boutique buyers, store designers, denim designers, and T-shirt manufacturers to provide insight on what’s next in street and contemporary fashion for ‘08.
| “Do You Consider Snowboarding As An Off-season Alternative to Skateboarding?”—Label Networks’ Snowboarding Profile Report Compares Rider to Skaters and Vice Versa Determining Top New Markets + Trends December 14, 2007
Snowboarding + Skateboarding are two sports that are used often by brands hoping to gain cred when reaching youth culture markets. In this story, Label Networks quantifies which demographics consider riding or skating more core to their lifestyle and thus, where opportunities lie within both.
| Hurley Launches Music Program to Connect Apparel + Music in Retail Experiences—Label Networks Data Quantifies Level of Association Between Music + Brands December 11, 2007
Music, Action Sports Fashion, + Retail come together in new move by Hurley to unite new fans to their favorite bands + in the process encounter a new retail experience that also expands the brand. Label Networks data on music and brand association lays open what this may mean.
| Communication Patterns Among Youth Culture Indicate Distinct Characteristics with Technology Generation Gap Starting at 25, + Divergent Traits Among U.S. vs. UK vs. Japan + China December 11, 2007
Knowing how young people use new media + communicate is essential for getting one’s brand message out into the marketplace. Results from Label Networks indicate vast differences by age groups and culture in methods such as WOM, texting, IM, email, links, profile pages.
| Fresh Results Measuring Eco-Friendly Fashion Awareness Among Youth Culture Indicate Certain Demographics Moving Forward as Leaders of the Movement December 10, 2007
Measuring the future of eco-friendly and environmentally friendly fashion in youth culture, Label Networks has been able to quantify what this new generation of consumers think and where the movement is headed next the fastest.
| Bread & Butter Goes King-Sized Expanding with Sourcing Section, Bigger Sport & Street, Sportswear, + Fashion Shows December 10, 2007
Bread & Butter Barcelona gets bigger and cooler each year—new announcements for January add special archetecutral dynamics, plus music, lights, and culture.
| Magazine Preferences Among Youth Culture Move Post-Gender, Influences from Manga Increase, + Numbers Read on Average Reflect New Hot Target Markets December 10, 2007
Magazines continue to play a vital role in entertainment patterns among youth culture in North America, however the marketplace has shifted into new directions. This story quantifies where and why, and what’s coming up next.
| Hispanic Youth Culture Preferences + Influences are Changing the Fashion Marketplace, Starting with Where They Find out About New Brands + Styles Mostly December 9, 2007
Results from Label Networks’ Hispanic Youth Culture Profile Report indicate that this cultural demographic has tremendous influence fashion trends and styles, as well as where and how they find out about new brands.
| Knitta, The All-Girl Knitting Graffiti Tag Crew, Hits up Paris Turning Urban Detritus into a Fiber Enthusiasts Dreamscape December 6, 2007
In a city that hates graffiti + street artists, in comes Knitta, invited no-less, to participate in a 60th anniversary of Bergere de France + bringing their fiber tags with them. Viva La Difference!
| Vivendi Buys Up Activision Stakes for $9.8 Billion Creating Massive Game Publishing House + Serious Competition for EA December 4, 2007
Makers of World of Warcraft buy into makers of Guitar Hero + Tony Hawk series, creating a massive gaming publishing--tips on what this means for new gamers + the industry in general
| Lipstick Prophets + Pretti Vacant = Two Women Brands That Know the Value of Shared Booth Space to Attract Leading-Edge Buyers Interested in Punk, Kitsch, + Updated Designs December 4, 2007
Updated hoodies + burn-out loungewear are among key items in Lipstick Prophet’s winter collection, whereas Pretti Vacant provides a glimpse into Plexiglas jewelry designs including owls, boomboxes, anchors, and snakes.
| Up-and-Coming Mexico City T-shirt + Apparel Brands Dirty & Miserable and AntiFashion Create Fresh Music-Inspired Graphics Combining PacMan, Skulls, Frankenstein, + Wrestlers—Part 1 of T-shirt Graphics from MC December 3, 2007
From one extreme to the other, Mexico City designers bring out new styles in T-shirt graphics that in influenced from music, but also old-school horror flicks, and national icons resulting in a fresh combo of ideas.
| “Peel Here” Sticker Event Brings Out Subculture of Top Sticker, Graff, + Street Artists in Major Event at the Ghetto Mansion, Downtown Los Angeles December 3, 2007
Sticker art is as old as street + graffiti art, which was celebrated big-time in Los Angeles bringing out top designers and tag writers from the West Coast.
| “Which of the Following Music Electronic Devices Do You Own?”—Results from Label Networks’ North America Youth Culture Study Quantifies Where Spending is Headed to Next When it Comes to Music + Electronics - Subscribers Only December 3, 2007
Expectations in Christmas season spending patterns lean towards music electronic devices. Based on results from Label Networks’ Fall Report from North America + Digital Lifestyle Profile Report, we reveal just where spending in this sector is headed by demographic + what this means for the entertainment + music industries.
| Sundance Film Festival 2008 Preview—Movies that Will Impact Street + Youth Culture December 2, 2007
The films have been announced for the upcoming Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT, in January ‘08. Label Networks previews top films sure to rock Street + Youth Culture.
| Quiksilver Comes Up with Interesting New Snowboarding Event with Pro Rider Travis Rice Called “The Natural Selection”—An All-Mountain Freestyle Invitational November 30, 2007
Going back to the roots of snowboarding and away from Superpipes, Travis Rice + Quiksilver create a natural event with 17 top riders all confirmed sparking a new revolution in winter’s most popular sport.
| Arbor Apparel Proves Integration of Bamboo from Boards to Street Fashion Including Denim = Successful Steps for Organic Business Growth November 27, 2007
As pioneers in using natural wood veneers + bamboo in creating snowboards, Arbor shows that sticking with its root materials creates a vast foundation for moving into apparel including the first to create bamboo denim.
| Snowboarding Big Air’s Back in the Winter X Games, Along with New Additions Skiing Big Air + Snowmobile Speed + Style; Plus X Games Franchise Heads Back to Dubai November 27, 2007
Coming full-circle, now with the X Games some sports that were ditched are back in, such as snowboarding big-air. We anticipate aggressive inline to make its “debut” next.
| Cyber-Monday + Online Shopping Among Youth Culture Reflect Different Patterns than General Population—Label Networks’ Data Quantifies T-shirt, Footwear + Other Online Trends among 13-25-year-olds - Subscribers Only November 26, 2007
Several research companies predicted lower than average consumer spending + changing patterns based on competition from online retailers. Label Networks data, which concentrates on youth culture, indicates online retailer successes in key areas.
| Freaky Friends + Tatei Brands From Mexico City Blend Girly Sophistication + Fun in 2 Imaginative Collections November 25, 2007
Mexico now has its own version of Hello Kitty in the collections found from Freaky Friends + Tatei. From both the runway shows at the Urban Culture Fashion Fest to the busy booth on the trade show floor, clearly these brands are becoming massively popular south of the border.
| Sneaker Culture + Footwear—Changing Preferences in Shopping Locations Indicate What’s-Up for Retail Ahead—Part 2 Label Networks Sneaker Culture Report November 18, 2007
While the explosion of sneaker bloggers continues, many people are starting to see them more as p.r.-feeders for the big-guys like Nike. Results from Label Networks’ Streetwear Fashion Business Study quantifies the differences between real consumer preferences + trends, vs. hype. Here’s Part 2 of our Sneaker Culture Report about Shopping Pattern Preferences.
| Beautiful Decay Shows How the Artists’ Magazine Became a Player in Shaping Street Fashion By Providing a Platform For Artists Through Apparel November 18, 2007
Fubz from BD knows his way around a trade show, magazines, + art gallery with aplomb. In this interview with Label Networks TV, the publisher talks about street fashion, art, new media, blogs, trade shows, + longevity in a saturated field.
| Mad-Dash by Entertainment Industry to Create Own Social Networks Results in Another Ill-Fated Idea Called “Bebo” Thanks to Turner, CBS, MTV, BBC, + Sky November 17, 2007
The creation of Bebo by top broadcasters is an example of just how large the entertainment/new media Generation Gap has become between a new generation of consumers + the self-perpetuating broadcast companies dependent on the old-school models of advertising.
| Surf Update: Megan Abubu Wins Reef Hawaiian Pro in 1st of Triple Crown Series on North Shore; Legend Sunny Garcia Fresh Out of Jail Stomps Competition; Big-Wave Competitions Mavericks + Eddie Aikau Now Open November 16, 2007
Big-wave season is upon us + with it, the most exciting action in surfing with the Vans Triple Crown, Mavericks, + Eddie Aikau. Top new surfers are expected to change the face of the sport as sponsors vie for coveted association + text campaigns abound.
| Marvin Magazine, Mexico City’s Hipster Publication Covering Music, Fashion, + Art, Showcases Exhibition at Urban Culture Fashion Fest in Unique Wooden Art Displays by Top Artists November 16, 2007
Marvin Magazine from Mexico City represents a mix of street fashion, lifestyle, music, + art. They’re recent art exhibition reflected the latest creations from top street + graffiti artists south of the border.
| King Stampede Shows How a Former Online Record Store Succeeded in Moving Into Retail (Boundless NY) + Street Fashion November 16, 2007
King Stampede may also be known as Boundless NY—the retailer known for carrying a Who’s Who of top street brands--which in this insightful interview with Label Networks TV, shows how the evolution of an online record store can turn into much more.
| China’s Top Accessory Trends + Why, By Label Networks’ “Cred Reporters” Reveal Where Things are Headed in Youth Culture—Part 2 of Fresh Fashion Report - Subscribers Only November 15, 2007
As the largest new consumer market in the world, knowing what’s going on in China is important even for the smallest brand or retailer. In Part 2 of the upcoming 3rd Annual China Youth Culture Study, here’s a look at what’s hot in Accessories and the importance of this market in China.
| JB Classics Sneaks X Ford X DJ Funkmaster Flex = Ultimate in Sneaker-Car-DJ Culture Collaborations November 15, 2007
Car culture crossing into sneaker culture continues as Ford + JB Classics create a 60-pair LTD drop; just as Onitsuka collabs with Mini in Europe.
| Ugly Doll-Like “Nomsters” + Mexican Wrestling Face Mask Pillows among New Version of Urban Toy Culture Coming Out of Mexico City November 13, 2007
In a fashion culture inspired by folklore, Mexico City has a thriving urban vinyl toy scene, but also plush character dolls and pillows which have become key accessories in various collections, similar to Harajuku-style doll accessories.
| Lemar and Dauley Indicate Why This Seasoned Street Fashion Brand Is Unique as Indicated by New Directions Representing Key Iconic Symbols, 1992, + Collabs November 13, 2007
Celebrating their 4 and ½ year anniversary, this iconic Brooklyn-based streetwear brand brings with it strong references + stories as to why they create + design what they do. Brian talks with Label Networks TV about what makes sense to Lemar and Dauley, the year 1992, fine arts influences, Notorious B.I.G., + ski jackets.
| Paola Hernandez from Mexico City Crosses Boundaries of Futuristic Designs with High-collared Ruffle Shirts Mixed with Contemporary Vinyl Dresses + Vests at Runway Show During Urban Culture Fashion Fest November 12, 2007
New designs out of Mexico City indicate that trends from south of the border are becoming more influential on the global landscape, as indicated by the fresh collection from Paola Hernandez during Urban Culture Fashion Fest.
| European “Cred Reports,” Highly-Anticipated Editorial Reports from Tastemakers Across Europe Covering Top Trends in Fashion, Accessories, Retail, Music, Current Events, Technology Now Available! - Subscribers Only November 12, 2007
Insider trendsetters across Europe tell it like it is regarding the state of fashion, retail, music, accessories, + technology, plus where they believe things are headed next in Label Networks’ “Cred Reports” released from Europe this week.
| Organic Cotton Exchange Report Indicates Global Organic Cotton Apparel Topping $1 Billion With Estimates to Triple by 2010—What This Means in Streetwear Fashion November 12, 2007
Street fashion trends are moving in a green direction as youth culture markets growing up familiar with the impact of their buying decisions on the environment, demand more choices in the designs and textiles they wear.
| Super Thin “Alice” Bands Provide New Twist in Headbands + Re-introduces ‘50’s Bouffant with Rocker-Edge November 12, 2007
Hair accessories continue to make waves in style, not only among girls, but also guys, particularly the advent of the super thin headband, also known in the UK as the “Alice” band.
| Sneaker Culture + Footwear—Top Brand Preferences Among Youth Culture Quantify New Trends Not Yet Picked-up by Prolific Blogger Culture November 10, 2007
While the explosion of sneaker bloggers continues, many people are starting to see them more as p.r.-feeders for the big-guys like Nike. Results from Label Networks’ Streetwear Fashion Business Study quantifies the differences between real consumer preferences + trends, vs. hype.
| Monster 666—Street-Inspired Fashion Brand from Mexico Brings Attention to Fresh Rockabilly-Punk Styles in Recent Runway Show - Subscribers Only November 9, 2007
Monster 666—Street-Inspired Fashion Brand from Mexico Brings Attention to Fresh Rockabilly-Punk Styles in Recent Runway Show - Subscribers Only
| Pop-Up Retail Store New High (M)art in Downtown Chinatown, Los Angeles, Features Fresh Concepts in the Realm of Experimental Retail November 7, 2007
The staleness of many retail experiences have caused alarm for many brands that simply can no longer get their target market to engage. One solution has been the advent of pop-up retail stores, which the Japanese first mastered on the backstreets of Harajuku, then London, + now Los Angeles.
| Fresh Designers from Mexico Showcase New Collections from Street-Inspired Trends Down Runways at Urban Culture Fashion Fest—Preview Story November 6, 2007
Runway shows in Mexico usually come in the form of high-end or couture during Mexico Fashion Week. However last weekend at the Urban Culture Fashion Fest, we got a real sense of urban + street-inspired styles in a punk-rock version of the catwalk.
| The City Loves You Art Installation Highlights Latest in Urban Vinyl Toys, Graffiti, + Street Art from Various Branches of Mexico’s Urban Culture November 5, 2007
Mexico’s art collective The City Loves You multi-dimensional installation showcases latest creative endeavors in urban culture highlighting what’s going on in Mexico’s vinyl toys, screenprinting, pixel art, graffiti, + street scenes.
| Mexico City Urban Culture Fashion Fest Illustrates Burgeoning Scene of New Designers Mixed with Top Bands, Skateboarding, Graffiti Artists + Urban Vinyl Scenes November 5, 2007
The 1st of its kind in Mexico, this trade show-like fashion, music, art festival created a buzz that indicates there’s a new version of urban culture on the rise.
| Youth Olympic Games Boil-Down to 9 Potential Host Cities—Skateboarding Possible Sport; Coca-Cola Pony’s-Up for Restoration of Ancient Olympia Site November 5, 2007
While the fight begins for who’s going to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, it also brings up the fact that potential sports, such as skateboarding, might just get scooped by the Youth Games 2 years before the London Games get their chance for a major, money-making, cred-building sport debut.
| China’s Top Fashion Trends + Why, By Label Networks’ “Cred Reporters” Reveal Where Things are Headed in Youth Culture - Subscribers Only November 5, 2007
As the largest new consumer market in the world, knowing what’s going on in China is important even for the smallest brand or retailer. Our Weekly Analysis provides insight on fashion trends taken from Label Networks’ Cred Report--a highlight to the upcoming 3rd Annual China Youth Culture Study to be released mid-November.
| Top Bands from Mexico Perform at Urban Culture Fashion Fest Indicating Popularity for Pop-Punk, Goth, Indie Among Youth Culture in Mexico City November 5, 2007
Chiquita Violenta, Six Million Dollar Wierdos, Los Concorde, Satin Dolls, and Anabautha among highlights in music coming from fresh bands out of Mexico indicating new influences of emo among youth culture.
| Unite the United + Music for Relief to Donate Auction Proceeds to California Fire Victims from VIP Tix, Collectibles, Instruments from Linkin Park, Madonna, Green Day, + Others November 5, 2007
Many California fire victims will get a break thanks to musicians willing to raise funds through an eBay auction of sales of VIP Tickets + various collectibles thanks to Linkin Park’s Music for Relief program + Unite the United non-profit from founders of the Vans Warped Tour + Taste of Chaos.
| Snow Industries of America (SIA) Trade Show to Move from Vegas to Denver by 2010 November 5, 2007
SIA’s move from Vegas to Denver by 2010 indicates potential expansion opportunities for the ski and snowboarding industries
| Los Angeles River Bank “Meeting of Styles” Grand Graffiti Murals Painted Over By Industrial Rollers Indicating Foul-Play—Public Radio Stations, Groups Rallying Back November 1, 2007
Suspected foul-play is behind the recent destruction of the documentary-worthy graffiti art mural exhibition at the LA River as “professional” fully-equipped rollers destroy an historical graffiti landscape.
| Denim Size of Market, Preferences, Purchasing Patterns, + Price Points Among 13-25-year-olds in North America Reveal Changing Landscape + Opportunities Influencing Fashion Landscape - Weekly Analysis Subscribers Only October 30, 2007
Fresh results from Label Networks’ North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ‘07 reveals shifts in consumer price points, preferences, + market opportunities among specific demographics when it comes to Denim purchasing patterns.
| New Leaders Among Top Women Surfers Raises Anticipation Levels for Upcoming World Championship Finals + Vans Triple Crown Titles October 30, 2007
New leaders among top women surfers brings with it industry changes from sponsors to fashion and lifestyle associations as the final competitions in women’s pro surfing get under way starting this month.
| Brooklyn Circus Boutique + BKc Brand Mix-up Street + Global Influences + Tell the Story of a “100-Year-Plan” October 30, 2007
Ouigi Q. Theodore is a unique boutique owner + brand designer who not only has one of the most underground, cool stores that’s become an internationally sought-after shopping destination in Brooklyn, but has also launched a unique clothing line called BKc for the traveled, streetwise fashion player.
| Fluevog Footwear Show at “Dress Right” Illustrates How This Brand Continues to Push Hipster Style Trends October 29, 2007
John Fluevog is known among hipster footwear fanatics for his progressive rock ‘n roll mixed with classic designs. His new collection, featured in a unique shoe runway show, illustrates his latest perfect mash-up.
| Japanese Brand Ayuite’s “Easy Rider” Collection by Hiroyuki Obara Among Up-and-Coming Designers from Tokyo’s Newest Hotspot, Ebisu October 29, 2007
Within Tokyo are new hotspots where tribes of fashion designers, musicians, and artists gather. Ebisu, Tokyo is the latest, known for featuring top men’s designers such as Mastermind, roen, attachment, roar, and Ayuite--most of whom have worked for international fashion brands before launching out on their own.
| 2nd Annual West Coast Graffiti Party Brings Out Top Artists--Frame DTK, CES one, King 157, Risk, Toofly, Ezra, + More To Educate + Promote Dialogue About the Power of Aerosol Art Among Today’s Youth Culture October 29, 2007
Graffiti art + the power of the spray paint can are often only recognized as a form of rebellion + pollution. However as the 2nd Annual West Coast Graffiti Party encouraged, programs + locations need to be built because it’s not negative but rather, the wave of the future for young artists.
| China Youth Culture Online Shopping Habits + Preferences Indicate Global Market Opportunities Within Specific Categories + Demographics, with Influences from America, Upcoming Olympics, + More October 28, 2007
As a prelude to Label Networks’ highly anticipated 3rd Annual China Youth Culture Study covering Fashion, Music, New Media, Sports, Technology, + more, to be released early next month, we deliver insights on results among 15-25-year-olds from the Online shopping section.
| Banksy Originals to Be Auctioned for Big Money Indicating Sign of the Times as Top Graffiti + Street Artists Finally Get Recognition + Revenue October 25, 2007
Banksy, a well-known street artist from the UK whose work usually inspires controversy + discussion, set to sell in rare auction for values upwards of $600,000.
| The Japan Fashion Report Special 02007 October 23, 2007
Due to the popularity of our Label Lab Newsletter stories regarding fashion in Japan, we have added a unique, in-depth Fashion story outlining key designer inspirations, brands, stores, and shopping patterns for our Weekly Analysis subscribers about what’s going on in street and contemporary fashion in Japan.
| Keep A Breast Chosen for Emergen-C + Liv Tyler Generation Pink Campaign, Wins MySpace Impact Award, + Raise $77,572 in Keep-a-Breast Event in Paris with Artists Baptiste + Nenah Cherry October 23, 2007
Keep A Breast, the unique artistic non-profit foundation that raises awareness and funds for breast cancer awareness + education among youth culture, combines art, fundraising, + brand involvement in remarkable strides during October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
| E for All (a.k.a. E3 Expo) Attracts 18,000 Hardcore Gamers, Industry Players, + New Game Releases, Plus Association from Intel, HP, MTV, + Sponsorship from Target October 22, 2007
E for All is the largest video gaming industry conference and consumer show in North America. Each year, while the event which used to be called E3, attracted hardcore gamers, this year, it also marks a shift with new releases from electronic companies highlighting their wares, and peripheral associations through brands such as Target.
| DJ Disco Wiz, the 1st Latino Hip-Hop DJ, Offers Up Insight on the Original OG’s + the Education of the Early Years Through His Label The Originators Clothing—Exclusive LNTV Interview October 22, 2007
Starting from the beginning of the hip-hop movement in the ‘70’s with DJs, MCs, Writers, and B-Boys, DJ Disco Wiz explains just how you have to go to the beginning to move forward.
| Cinnamon Roll Gang Bring Characterizations to Bags –Among Key Accessories in Blue Chips’ Fashion Fair at the Urban Woman Experience “Within” Graffiti + Rap/Hip-Hop Event October 21, 2007
In a unique event that highlighted the female side of urban culture, the Urban Woman Experience attracted hundreds of people curious to see what’s next in graffiti art + street fashion.
| Free Gold Watch, the Silkscreen Master T-shirt Brand, Dives into the Meaning of Graphic Inspiration, the Mariah Connection, + Wolf Tickets October 21, 2007
An interview with Label Networks TV, Free Gold Watch designers deliver insight their new project "Literbox", "Hater Blockers" and how to make profit backed by a rather unique “business model.”
| Horror Movie Popularity--Which Demographic Likes Them Most + Why Provides Target Market Opportunities in a Genre Mostly Relegated to Halloween October 21, 2007
In Label Networks’ North American Youth Culture Studies, we not only track favorite movies and actors, but “types” of movies and why. When it comes to horror flicks, there’s clearly target market opportunities among a specific genre and age group that most brands never realize.
| Menswear Designers Orthodox + Endovanera Revitalize Cropped Jackets, Short Pants, + Street-inspired Suits in Part 2 From GenArt Fresh Faces Fashion Show October 19, 2007
Combinations of street + civility provide 2 up-and-coming menswear designers with a significant edge as illustrated at their premieres during GenArt Fresh Faces. Part 2
| Dre Hayes of The Museum Group Provides Key Insight about the Influence of Streetwear, Garmentos, + New Influences on Contemporary + Runway Fashion—Part 1 with video October 16, 2007
Streetwear is the new pop culture, according to Dre Hayes, a leader in the street + contemporary fashion movement. What this means is we’re headed for a new regime of top brands in the near future.
| GenArt Fresh Faces Fashion Show Features 12 Emerging Designers With New Sources of Inspiration + Style Signaling What’s Next October 16, 2007
Many of today’s top new designers had their careers launched thanks to the Fresh Faces fashion runway show from GenArt. At last weekend’s 10th Anniversary, CW Christian Weber, Orthodox, + Su-Tahn were among favorites creating new looks for the future.
| The Urban Woman Experience “Within” Draws Diversity of Female Talent in Graffiti Art, Slam Poetry, Rap/Hip-hop, + Street Fashion Indicating the Rise of Women in a Predominately Male Subculture October 16, 2007
In a unique event that highlighted the female side of urban culture, the Urban Woman Experience attracted hundreds of people curious to see what’s next in graffiti art + street fashion.
| Artful Dodger Rumored to Be Bought by Iconix Brand Group, New Owners to Rocawear + OP, Sealing Trends That Urban Corps Are Buying-up Streetwear October 15, 2007
Streetwear may be the new urbanwear as big corporations seek out the next big movement buying up brands along the way.
| Graffiti + Urban Art Gallery Crewest Collaborate with Companion Bag Brand Cocaine Mule for Unique Fashion Week Showcase Bringing Accessories + Art Together October 15, 2007
Hundreds flock downtown LA’s hottest graffiti art gallery to check out the art-bag fusion with Cocaine Mule in an extraordinary series of one-of-a-kind art bag pieces.
| Sneaker Culture Trends in Europe Indicate Important Shifts in Preferences For Key Brands + New Opportunities for the Little Guys October 15, 2007
Within the recent release of Label Networks’ 5th Annual European Youth Culture Study, one of the most notable areas of new trends + influences can be found in the Footwear section, particularly the changing dynamics of sneaker culture.
| Welcome Back: Plaids Rebound in NYC’s Lower East Side October 14, 2007
Fresh street report from our NYU writer Lisa Solimeo provides a taste of what’s up in plaid’s comeback, including fitted shirts and jumper-style dresses on guys and girls from the streets of New York City.
| “Which do you think can make a bigger difference in the world?” + Results to Influences in Buying Patterns among Youth Culture Based on Philanthropy October 12, 2007
With Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize, environmentalism has been elevated, influencing the next generation particularly spending patterns. Results from Label Networks’ Humanitarian Youth Culture Profile Report reveal importance of philanthropy in spending, plus who they believe can make the greatest difference: Politicians or Corporations.
| Jeffrey Sebelia’s “Into the Wild” Themed Cosa Nostra Collection Kicks of BOXeight’s LA Fashion Week Events October 12, 2007
Winner of Project Runway with his rock ‘n roll designs and usage of colors, Jeffrey Sebelia’s kick-off runway show for LA Fashion Week illustrate new possibilities in designs mixing punk, cowboy, and nature elements.
| Video Game Music Tour Expands Beyond Gamer Fans Based on Demand from People Looking for Unique Music + Interactive Experiences October 12, 2007
Music in video games has become big business, just as Cosplay has spawned new subcultures in fashion design. The popularity of Video Games Live concert series proves new revenue models exist outside of the box.
| Los Angeles Street Fashion for Guys Pairs-up Indie Looks, Bordering on Geek-Chic Providing New Directions in West Coast Style October 9, 2007
The geek-chic look among guys stems not from runways, but indie inspirations mixed with rave resulting in a West Coast originality with androgynous qualities making style fun, youthful, + inspiring.
| Fiberops Introduce a New Version of Rockabilly/Psychobilly Inspired Designs in Denim, Shirts, + Jackets for the “New Traditionalists” in Gentlemen’s Clothing October 9, 2007
An internationally inspired brand from Brooklyn to Tokyo to Hong Kong, Fiberops is pushing the envelope of the new “old” movement of rockabilly, car-culture in gentlemen’s street fashion.
| 25th Anniversary for the Vans Triple Crown of Surf on the North Shore Creates Unique Gathering of the Tribes, Commemorative Vans Shoe, Sponsorship Changes, + New Heroes of Surf October 9, 2007
The North Shore of Oahu prepares for a massive gathering of surfers, including new title sponsors, champions, + trends that are sure to evolve from the gathering of the tribes in this special anniversary year.
| LA “It Girls” of Street Fashion Depict Hybrids of Indie, Rave, Harajuku, + Thrift Resulting in Styles Sure to Inspire Top Designer Seeking Inspiration Sources October 9, 2007
Fresh street-snaps of the Downtown LA Woman shows just why they’ve become new It Girls of fashion with self-assured attitudes (and long, messy hair) mixed with music influences + thrift finds resulting in an intangible allure.
| “What’s Your Favorite Brand of Clothing?”—Top Results from North American Youth Culture Study Indicate Great Changes + Trend Directions Affecting the Business of Fashion—Here’s Why October 9, 2007
In Label Networks’ 7th, bi-annual North American Youth Culture Study measuring perceptions and insights from 13-25-year-olds across the continent, top fashion brands continue to indicate that fashion influences continue to come from the streets + the spirit of DIY.
| Kunna Denim Jeans Fuse Japanese Wabi-Sabi Aesthetics, Design, + Organic Cotton to Create ’08 Collection Representing Up-and-Coming New Labels of the Movement October 8, 2007
The organic cotton movement is largely in part because of small up-and-coming denim brands that are pushing the trend. From Loomstate, Rogan, Kiyuchi, Levi’s Green Label, + featured here, Kunna, the marketplace is ripe for the movement.
| Detour Festival in the Streets of Los Angeles with Bloc Party, Kavinsky, Satellite Party, + Kinky Among Others Provide Glimpse of a Vibrant Future Downtown October 8, 2007
Cultural revival is happening in Los Angeles as it re-establishes itself as a leader of the graffiti art and music scenes as indicated by the popularity of the Detour Music Festival last weekend.
| Video Game System Preferences Across European Youth Culture Indicate Shake-up in Entertainment Patterns in General October 7, 2007
By looking at top preference patterns in video gaming systems, it’s clear how significant the changes in entertainment patterns have become + where marketers and advertisers need to go to next to reach youth culture across Europe, as indicated in Label Networks’ 5th Annual European Youth Culture Study results.
| Cheap Monday from Sweden Delivers Fresh Styles in High-waisted Denim, Colors, Even laced-up Denim Stovepipes—All Originally Affordable October 3, 2007
Cheap Monday is among the new group of cool designers and denim brands that have captured the attention of the rest of Europe and North America. But what really makes then stand apart isn’t just their styles, but the fact that you can buy many pairs: They are originally inexpensive, putting the fun back in denim.
| Texting Patterns Inspire New Speed in Communication Patterns, Fashion Styles, + Marketing Campaigns while Cell Phone Brands Struggle to Stay on Top October 2, 2007
Fresh analysis from Label Networks North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ’07 Cell Phone + Technology Sections indicate even faster morphs of languages used in youth culture + the phone feature challenges driving new brands to the top
| Radiohead Releases New Album--Fans Can Pay Whatever; Challenges to the Traditional Business Model of Music Continues… October 2, 2007
The model of the music business continues to change drastically, making it a benchmark industry to watch in terms of where things are headed. In this latest twist by Radiohead, the middleman has gotten the ax.
| Fitted-Caps Popularity Through Limited-Edition Drops Redefines Style Through the Traditional “Baseball” Hat—Photo Montage of Key Cap Trends Across America October 1, 2007
Baseball hats are here to stay in American fashion, but the latest LTD’s and graphics have elevated fitted-cap culture into a key accessory in youth culture fashion.
| Hundreds of Top Graffiti Artists Gather at Los Angeles Riverbanks to Create Massive Mural + Alter Perceptions about the Meaning of Art in the “Meeting of Styles LA”—Images Defy Words October 1, 2007
Worthy of a documentary, the live mural paintings of hundreds of graffiti artists working together for 2 days at the LA River was a breathtaking exhibition that transformed perceptions of a once-bleak concrete environment.
| Swerve Festival Brings Out West Coast Creative Culture Through Action Sports-Inspired Films, Music, + Art Exhibitions in 1st Annual Event October 1, 2007
While it’s well known that the bohemian lifestyle and creation of action sports, underground films, art, and music often duplicated around the world came from the West Coast, it was refreshing to see the celebration of the culture through the 1st annual Swerve Festival initiated by Fuel TV.
| True Love & False Idols Among Fabric Pioneers in Streetwear Mixing Cashmere, Satin, Bamboo + Cotton Resulting in Unique Traits that Sets the Brand Apart October 1, 2007
Fabric pioneers in men’s streetwear aren’t all that common, so when True Love & False Idols moved in that direction—from the beginning--it caught the attention of celebrities whether they liked it or not.
| China Youth Culture Study Provides New Insight + Trend Forecasting in Fashion, Technology, Communication, Entertainment, Sports, Music October 1, 2007
October 1, 2007
| Top Favorite Sports, Participation, + Sports to “Learn” in Pan-European Report Indicate New Trends in Lifestyle Associations among 15-25-year-olds September 30, 2007
Label Networks’ 5th Annual European Youth Culture Study ’07-’08 reveals far-reaching changes in sports and influences among youth culture across the UK, France, Italy, Spain, + Germany indicating new lifestyle influences on the horizon.
| European Youth Culture Study Reveals New Trends + Opportunities in Fashion, Technology, New Media, Entertainment, Sports September 27, 2007
September 27, 2007
| T-shirt Brand Favorites among North American Youth Culture Indicate Market Opportunities for New Labels + Shifts for Established Brands—Fresh Results from LN North American Youth Culture Study-Fall Report ‘07 September 25, 2007
The highly anticipated North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ’07 by Label Networks now out reveals fresh shifts and changing directions in top T-shirt brands indicating market opportunities.
| Imperial Junkie Bridges the Gap Between Premium Japanese Denim + Streetwear for the American Marketplace Using the Art of Knowledge + Signature Pieces September 25, 2007
Ruben Campos has been in denim and apparel for 17 years, so when it came time for his Imperial Junkie collection, the art of experience clearly shows where the next step in denim directions can lead to.
| Sex Pistols Re-Record “Anarchy in the UK” for Guitar Hero III Illustrating Importance of Music in Video Games Towards Reaching New Generation of Consumers September 25, 2007
Video game music has become far more important in capturing new gamers than most gaming companies first realized. Guitar Hero III and their usage of music in general have made this Activision game among the most popular in youth culture across America. The crossover continues.
| Starbucks, iTunes, Eddie Vedder Soundtrack, “Into the Wild” by Sean Penn—How Crossover Marketing Can Amount to Enormous Reach September 25, 2007
Cross-over marketing plans by Starbucks and iTunes has created a 7-degrees-of-separation story that even they probably didn’t realize existed.
| WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy + Diet Pepsi Collab with Designed Bottle by Graffiti Artist and WeSC Activist Axis, Signaling the Importance of Streetwear to Large Beverage Brands September 25, 2007
In a rare collaboration not often seen among massive beverage brands such as Pepsi and small streetwear brands such as WeSC, the Diet Pepsi’s Collectible Premium Goods Collaboration strikes a new chord for both sides.
| “Bra Boys” Surf Documentary Narrated by Russell Crowe Shows Cultural Evolution of Australia’s Gnarliest Surf Community + Gaining Groundswell of Underground Support Based on Social Issues Raised September 24, 2007
Maligned surf communities and inner-city social struggles are not your typical fare when it comes to surf documentaries, but “Bra Boy’s” captures the reality of a gang-riddled lifestyle and Australia’s historical stigma against surfing.
| Origami-Designed Memory Sticks the Next Step in the Highly-Accessorized Japanese Portable Electronic Movement September 24, 2007
Decorated mobile phones, Etchstar-etched laptops and iPods, and now, origami-designed USB memory sticks among latest trends in DIY-ing one’s personal electronics. Japan takes the lead.
| “Which country do you think is producing the freshest fashion trends today?”— Where European Youth Culture Is Turning to for Fashion Inspiration September 24, 2007
Fresh Results from Label Networks’ 5th Annual European Youth Culture Study ’07 not only tracks where 15-25-year-olds in the UK, France, Italy, Spain, + Germany look to for fashion inspiration, but also top brands, retail experiences, influences in purchasing patterns, and other topics.
| Alpinestars Runway Show Illustrates How a Moto Brand Has Successfully Crossed-over to Women’s Apparel—Highlights: High-waisted Denim + Plaids September 24, 2007
Alpinestars no longer simply provides motocross gear, pads, boots, and apparel, but in the past 2 years, they’ve turned to delivering some of the new leading-edge streetwear trends in apparel for young women.
| Crocheted + Knitted Hats Brings Get-Crafty Vibe to Headwear Accessories for Fall September 21, 2007
Handmade hats among new subcultures in streetwear that bring back the era of DIY accessories among young women.
| Sneakers Rule Footwear for Fall Fashion with Bright Colors Peaking New Interest in Hightops, Classics, + Slip-ons September 18, 2007
As Label Networks’ roving U.S. reporter Lisa Solimeo notes, bright-colored sneaks are the Fall fashion statement clearly overshadowing flats that were so last year.
| How to Build a Castle According to Top Streetwear Brand Crooks & Castles September 18, 2007
One of the new kingpins in streetwear or urbanwear depending on the ambiguous definitions of fashion, Crooks & Castles is undeniably on their journey to the top. Here’s a coveted interview with Label Networks TV on what’s behind one of the hottest LA brands from the street.
| DB Clay Transforms the Wallet Market from Duct Tape Billfolds into Storytelling + Eco-Friendly Pieces of Original Art September 18, 2007
Wallets can be a “pocket art gallery” as Benjamin C. Diggles of db clay explains to Label Networks about the leading-edge designs that have given new life to the old-school wallet marketplace.
| Steven Shein the Product Designer Re-Invents Jewelry with Pop Culture Aesthetics Attracting Wide Range of Buyers + Boutiques September 18, 2007
People stopped to stare at his collection at United fashion trade show because his pieces and the display, not to mention the designer himself, created an aura of excitement around jewelry that’s often missing when it comes to youth + street culture today.
| Dresses, Boardshorts, Tops, + Colored Denim Among Highlights from ASR Spring ’08 Runway Show Indicating Changes in Beach Culture Aesthetics September 18, 2007
In the 2nd fashion runway installment of 3 from the ASR Spring ’08 Runway Show, we feature key looks in dresses, boardshorts, tops, + colored denim, plus the various patterns, colors, and fabrications now being used to achieve new silhouettes.
| Saber of The 7th Letter Graffiti Crew Talks About the Graffiti/Fashion Crossover, Plus Who the Hypemasters Really Are—Exclusive Label Networks TV Interview September 17, 2007
Legendary Los Angeles graffiti artist Saber of the renowned The Seventh Letter crew talks about what’s taking place in the graffiti scene globally, how the LA style is ruling it, + what’s next within the graffiti fashion explosion.
| “What sport would most like to learn?” Fresh Results from North America Youth Culture Study Fall Report by Label Networks Reveals Unique Findings—for subscribers only September 17, 2007
The North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ’07 released September 15th reveals strong passion + aspirational characteristics influencing participation numbers + associated lifestyle such as fashion, footwear, + heroes within youth culture.
| ASR Trade Show Blasts Expectations with Largest Show in 5 Years Indicating Surf, Skate, Snow, BMX, Wake, + Freestyle Moto Markets are Key in Youth Culture September 14, 2007
As streetwear eats into action sports, last weekend’s trade show proved that there’s still a strong marketplace for new and old brands in the industry.
| Nicacelly Women’s Streetwear Remixes Dead-Stock Men’s Hip-Hop + Urban Graphic T’s to Create Unique Women’s Hoodies, Dresses, + Tops—and All Sustainable September 13, 2007
Women’s streetwear brands are rare enough, but Nicacelly takes it many steps further with sustainable practices, use of bamboo and soy, and recycling hip-hop graphics into fresh women’s streetwear.
| Mighty Crown’s Nine Rulaz Illustrates Just How Hot the Japanese Streetwear Scene is Today + Words from Master Simon Tse, Jr. about the J-Pride Movement in Music + Fashion September 12, 2007
Our 1st interview in Feb. with Japan’s music Master Simon Tse, Jr. from Mighty Crown and his fresh apparel line Nine Rulaz was interrupted when Akon stopped in to give props to the Master. This time, we got more details on Nine Rulaz, plus J-Pride in music + fashion from Simon.
| Agenda Trade Show’s Massive Success Indicates How Important the Crossover of Streetwear + Action Sports Industries Has Been Towards Redefining “Fashion” Today September 11, 2007
The forum created by Agenda for the collision of cultures hit max-capacity in San Diego last weekend as top brands in streetwear + action sports brought out what’s new in fashion + where things are headed.
| Pool Fashion Trade Show Refreshed with Mixture of Eco Section, Sneaker Pimps + Artists, + Broad Selection of Brands from Post-Apocalyptic, Punk, + Contemporary September 11, 2007
Often considered the little sister or little brother to the behemoth trade show that is MAGIC across the street, Pool offers glimpses of things to come based on fresh designs from a wide range of inspirational sources that only small brands dare to create.
| Bikinis + Onsies from ASR Spring ’08 Runway Show Re-Introduces Stripes, Block Patterns, + Mixed Fabrications to Beach Lifestyle September 11, 2007
In the 1st fashion runway installment of 3 from the ASR Spring ’08 Runway Show featuring the latest trends in beachwear, bikinis, onsies, shorts, dresses, and jumpers, it’s clear to see that early ‘70’s and early ‘90’s rainbow patterns, blocks, and stripes seeped into beachwear styles. But new twists lie in featured styles and mixed fabrications.
| Large Print Word Graphics from Key Underground Brands Among Fall Fashion Fascination Across Youth Culture September 11, 2007
Glamour Kills among key new large print graphic brands that have turned lettered statements into popular bold print patterns and creating a subculture for Fall fashion
| Cocaine Mule Creates Bags, Totes, + Packs with Systems That Provide the Everyday Pack-Mule in All of Us Greater Simplicity +Way More Style September 10, 2007
Instinctual modularity is not an expression you often hear when it comes to cool bags, yet it’s this philosophy, not to mention style, that Cocaine Mule has created and therefore setting new trends in this market.
| What Concerns You Most About the Future?” Fresh Results Among American Youth Culture Provides Indicator Factors Influencing Decision-Making, Purchases, + Lifestyle—for subscribers only September 10, 2007
Fresh results from Label Networks’ North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ’07 highlight what 13-25-year-olds are most concerned about + why which shed light on where things are headed on a macro level.
| FoSho FoShow’s Carefully Curated Trade Show with Complimentary Japanese + U.S. Streetwear Brands is a Sparkling Diamond in the Expanding Sea of Trade Show Scenes September 9, 2007
As a small suite-of-a-show, FoSho FoShow brings with it a connection between what’s possible + what’s next in streetwear lifestyle with a circle of different, yet connected set of brands.
| Break-out Bands of the Summer Season You Should Know from the Vans Warped Tour—A Wrap Report From The Pit September 7, 2007
As the tour travels, word also travels on who’s hot to watch so that by the end of the summer, there are always break-out bands. Here’s a wrap-up report on what’s next in music.
| Official Crown of Laurel Fitted Hats Delivers New Twists on Colorways + Styles, Turning the Coveted “Baseball” Hat into a Fashion Keepsake—LNTV Live Interview September 5, 2007
Official’s fitted cap styles and patterns are delivered fast and setting the pace of trends, which in this category has moved beyond the typical sports version and into leading-edge streetwear style.
| Food and Beverage September 5, 2007
Food and Beverage
| Internet September 5, 2007
Internet
| Footwear September 5, 2007
Footwear
| Label Networks’ MAGIC Presentation Available: “Global Youth Culture + Streetwear Fashion: Defining Trends, Subcultures + New Influences from Music, Sports, Technology + Street Attitudes”—for subscribers only September 4, 2007
Speaking to a capacity audience of more than 300 people at MAGIC’s South Hall conference room on Tuesday, August 28th, Label Networks delivered a passionate and insightful presentation that drew applause and global media attention
| United Trade Show Creates Streewear Atmosphere with Fresh Alternatives in Fashion, Brands, + Show Concepts Re-Defining the Movement September 4, 2007
Trade show week in Las Vegas continues to splinter away from MAGIC with up-and-coming tradeshows particularly focused around streetwear. Here’s the leader in this new direction.
| Bright Colors for Fall Fashion among Youth Culture Mix Psychedelic + Rave, Punk, Indie, + Hip-Hop--Fresh Street Shots in Denim, T’s, Sneaks, Accessories, Hair with What’s Neon Hot Across America September 3, 2007
It’s not all a rave thing that’s going on when it comes to bright colors in this fall season’s fashion palette among youth culture—it’s a far wiser mash-up that will clearly lead top-end designers to re-think their version of cool for Fall ’09.
| THELABELLAB Exhibition Featuring Graffiti + Sneaker Artists, Plus Live Media Stage, Attracts International Brands + Buyers and Forever Redefining Networking Trade Show Lounges September 3, 2007
THELABELLAB Exhibition goes off at United creating much needed information, networking, and inspirational lounge that will forever raise the bar on what trade show lounges can be.
| MAGIC Fashion Trade Show’s South Hall Scene Splits-up the Tribes with Urban, Punk, + Streetwear Sections Causing Exclusivity but Still Draws Streetwear Buyers + Brands September 3, 2007
The mothership of American fashion trade shows, MAGIC’s South Hall scene for streetwear, while busy, did feel the impact of new satellite shows that continue to carve-out new subcultures in fashion.
| United Block Party in Downtown Vegas (Hosted by the Mayor) Features Hieroglyphics, plus Art Shows “The White Album” by FUN + “Graffiti Splinters” Featuring Moody + Baby 168 September 2, 2007
As trade shows move away from just being a place to do business and into lifestyle events celebrating fashion, music, and street cultures, United kept pace with a Block Party and various boutiques in downtown Las Vegas.
| NBC Universal Stops Selling TV Shows to iTunes in Moves to Gain More Ad Revenue from Online Entertainment + Bolster Hulu September 2, 2007
Desperate attempts by media conglomerates to control online entertainment with old advertising models continue to prove how out of touch the industry is with the new generation of consumers.
| Fashion September 2, 2007
Fashion
| T-Shirts September 2, 2007
T-Shirts
| Denim September 2, 2007
Denim
| Spending September 1, 2007
Spending
| Music September 1, 2007
Music
| Kill Shop Kill (KSK) Draws Attention to NYC “Trouble ‘n Bass” Electro DJ Scenes with Oversized Print T’s in Meaningful Messages, Hot Pink, Black, + White September 1, 2007
Oversized graphics that tell of a strong NYC scene coming from the electro scene gives the new brand KSK cult-like status.
| Katalyst Clothing Showcases Artists Through Apparel Delivering a Platform for Creative Expression September 1, 2007
Often the work of the most creative people in the world including artists and musicians rarely gets seen. Katalyst Clothing provides a platform for creatives through hoodies, T’s, and caps to change this situation.
| Sports September 1, 2007
Sports
| Marc Ecko Shows New Line of Starwars Inspired Graphic Tees, Jackets and Hoodies August 29, 2007
Will the force be with Marc Ecko's new line of Starwars graphic Tees, Jackets and Hoodies, showing at the Las Vegas Tradeshows?
| Elephants + Hearts Among Key Accessory Themes for Necklaces + Charms for Coming Season August 28, 2007
Often animal themes get picked up among streetwear and hold tight for a season or 2. Just as sparrows ruled last year, this time it’s elephants and hearts.
| Palis Represents Core Directions in Urban Streetwear with Barrel of Gun Motifs, Ninja Moves, Varsity Letter Jackets, + Now Sneakers August 24, 2007
Core streetwear style can be seen from Palis with gun motifs, ninja’s, bling in preppy-polo, revolutionaries, as well as their women’s streetwear collection, and now, sneakers.
| Rock + Indie Looks with Punk and J-Rock Blends = Ultimate Mash-up for Progressive Styles in Youth Culture August 23, 2007
Rockstar styles continue to explode across streetwear and youth cultures, but based on fresh looks from across the nation, the mash-up has reached new levels.
| Metallic Over-sized Puff Bags Bring Bling to Style August 20, 2007
Large puff bags among stylish girls in metallic colors add bling to summer and fall wardrobes.
| Multi-colored Hair Stripes + Angled Cuts with Facial Piercings Among Key Choices of Personal Expression in American Youth Culture Style August 20, 2007
Hair has become a key “accessory” when it comes to personal fashion and expression in youth culture today, with new explosive directions in multi-colored stripes in strategic locations paired with facial piercings.
| McDonalds in Japan Offers Happy Meal Video Game Toys But It’s Collectors Who Are Lovin’ It August 20, 2007
McDonald’s is mixing it up when it comes to collaborations, creating Happy Meal video game toys in Japan and Hello Kitty promos in America, both of which have captured the attention of collectors of urban vinyl dolls and signature sneaks.
| Sponsorship Programs at X Games 13: Who’s Doing What + How Indicates Different Levels of Attraction for On-site Activation August 20, 2007
Much can learned from effective on-site activation as seen from the X Games 13 sponsors ranging from Subaru and Taco Bell to Element and New Balance.
| Accessories Profile Report—Youth + Street Culture Fashion August 20, 2007
In this Profile Report, we provide consumer insight data based on a representative sampling of more than 5,000 young people between the ages of 13-25-year-olds across North America, including their preferences and influences when it comes to Backpacks, Sunglasses, and Watches.
| Facts, Figures and Trends: Tiny Backpacks, Cartoon Patterns, Animal Bags Among Top Backpack Trends in Youth Culture August 19, 2007
Kid packs are in among young people in North America with animal bags and cartoon themes for back-to-school backpack accessories. This analysis includes top brands, size of market and pricing.
| Beautiful Society Pulls Inspiration from Martial Arts, Music, Graffiti, + Politics to Create Messages + Solar “Processes” Resulting in Collections that Push Limits August 17, 2007
Two cousins create unprecedented streetwear by following their lifestyle passion for positivity, yin-yang designs, and technical processes that literally give light to graphics.
| Mishka NYC Uses Intelligent Humor + Microscopic Details Resulting in a Walking Storybook of Streetwear August 16, 2007
With statements like lyrics, tiny tentacles and muscle men as patterns, Mishka NYC is a streetwear brand that attracts the discerning buyer looking for a fresh take on unique style.
| Label Networks X United Trade Show Join Forces to Create The Label Lab Exhibition + Live Media Set August 15, 2007
Label Networks’ “Label Lab Exhibition” + Media Set = Lights, Camera, Action at United Trade Show, August 27-29, at the Alexis Park Resort Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
| Gangster, Guns, Life-Death, DIY, Black + White Among Top Inspirations in T-shirt Graphics from X Games Fashion August 14, 2007
Fashion from the tribes of people who attend the X Games each summer often provide illustrations of just where things are headed and why.
| Big D + The Kids Table Rises in Popularity Despite Ska Backlash in the Midst of the New Punk, Emo, Indie Baby-Band Movement August 14, 2007
Sticking to your genre in music can be a difficult road if mainstream tastes don’t get it. However for Big D, the tides turning and their popularity is rising on the Warped Tour indicating ska influences are headed this way.
| X Games 13 Pumps MotoX + Rally with Live Coverage and Less Attention to Action Sports; Top Shots from MotoX Best Trick Prove Good-for-TV August 14, 2007
MotoX Best Trick provided thrills for 17,174 fans at X Games, but like Freestyle, represents the more “X Games-like” moto-sports out of the plethora of Moto events this year at the Games.
| Favored Forms of Advertising + Marketing in Youth Culture Across North America Reveal Major Shift in What Works + What Doesn’t—for subscribers only August 13, 2007
Based on fresh results from Label Networks’ “Sponsorship Profile Report” the results also reveal effectiveness and influences in marketing and advertising in general.
| (Capsule) Trade Show Provides Intimacy for Upscale Contemporary Brands Looking for an Alternative to Project—The Label Networks Review August 13, 2007
Small trade shows continue to take chunks of business out of larger ones and (Capsule) proved there can be an alternative to Project within the high-end contemporary genre.
| Women’s Skateboarding Taken to New Levels at X Games with Kickflips + Disasters in Vert and a Backside Flip in Street—Shots from the Coping Tell the Story August 12, 2007
With limited women’s events in the X Games, the skateboarding vert + street competitions tend to attract the greatest crowds for those looking for what’s next in women’s sports. The heroines of skate did not disappoint with tricks that took the sport to the next level.
| Hellz Bellz Streetwear for Girls Interview Reveals Market Potential, New Directions in Mod-Military Styles, + Inspiration from Music in Next Collection—with video August 11, 2007
Streetwear culture for girls is increasing, but brands creating styles for this scene are still lacking, as Hellz Bellz creative director points out. In her collection, it’s clear where things are headed with sexy takes on mod-military and crossover influences from music.
| Live Mechanics Founder Speaks of Positive Raps in Their Collection + Collage of Thought Processes that Makes the Brand Unique—with video August 10, 2007
One of the original streetwear brands, Live Mechanics chooses to take a path of positivity and lead by example using peace and raps as a weapon in graphics instead of guns and drugs.
| Urban Meets Art, Street Meets Rave, + The Joker’s Wild Among Top Fashion at Sneaker Pimps Show August 9, 2007
Sneaker culture events always bring out a unique crowd of fashionistas and the latest Sneaker Pimps event was no exception.
| Sneaker Pimps’ K-Swiss Shoe Gallery Illustrates Leading-Edge Artistic Renditions in Sneaker Culture August 8, 2007
Using painted sneakers as its canvas of art, branding, and marketing, K-Swiss revitalizes meaning and provides an art shoe gallery to remember.
| Shaun White Wins Elusive Gold in Men’s Skateboarding Vert with Historical Run—Images from the Coping Prove His Rockstar Status in the Sport August 8, 2007
Shots from the top of the coping tell the story of how the world’s best male skateboarders pushed the limits of the sport in their attempts at X Games gold, but Shaun White stomped a last minute run for the win.
| The Grn Apple Tree Blends Punk + Politics, Nature + Technology with Marketing in Japan to Be 1 Step Ahead—with video August 7, 2007
A favored brand of DJ’s and punk and rave-inspired style leaders, Grn Apple Tree’s Cody Debacker provides an inside look at just why the brand’s so coveted in underground fashion.
| Sneaker Pimps Hit LA + Produce New Levels of Sneaker Culture with Artistic Renditions, After-Market LTD’s, Music, + Demos August 5, 2007
Sneaker Pimps are well-known among sneaker-freakers globally for their traveling lifestyle exhibition of rare kicks, celeb-autographs, and artist’s collaborations, however at the August 3rd event in Los Angeles, the organization was clearly at a high point.
| DunkXChange: Sneaker Cultures After-Market Subculture August 5, 2007
DunkXChange, which was present at the recent Sneaker Pimps event in LA as it toured through the city, represents the new underground business of after-market sneaker culture.
| Monster Big Air with 720 Over 70-foot Gap in X Games by Skateboarder Jake Brown Results in Sneaker Blow-out on Crash Landing August 5, 2007
The most memorable jump of men’s Big Air in skateboarding happened August 2nd at the 13th ESPN X Games, but only silver medal result for all the pain.
| Famous Stars & Straps Launches “The Fast Life” Store + Sponsors X Games Kick-off with Rockstar Energy Attracting Progressive Streetwear Crowd August 5, 2007
Car culture, urban, action sports crowd crossover indicates new trends in streetwear that come from an Inland Empire angle resulting in originality.
| Animal Print Patterns Among Summer + Early Fall Trends Among American Youth Culture August 4, 2007
Animal graphics among top pattern trends across the country, with subcult cropping up for elephants.
| New York New Rave July 31, 2007
Integrated elements of rave’s bright colors and retro vibe make their way into New York City’s streetwear scene but with an ironic mix of accessories and eBay finds.
| Leroy Jenkins Collaboration with Royal Elastics + Launch of Apparel + Cap Line at United Brings Out Old-school Florals, Polka Dots, and Paisley in Streetwear July 28, 2007
Satin baseball and puffy leather jackets, polka dot and floral V-neck T’s, new caps, and a sneaker collaboration elevates Leroy Jenkins to a new level.
| The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Among Break-out Bands from Warped Tour—Inside Scoop from the Road with Label Networks TV Reveals Why RJA is Different July 28, 2007
Combined mix of punk, pop-punk, emo, and metal, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus is a band on the rise with lyrics that cut to the heart of youth culture in America today. Label Networks TV captures an interview from the Vans Warped Tour.
| Leggings + Long-Tops Among Staple Styles in Summer Streetwear Trends in Europe July 27, 2007
Young women in Europe have taken a previous season staple of leggings into summer by wearing them as a key accessory piece with summer dresses, short skirts, long tank tops, and short shorts.
| Music Non-Profit Unite the United from Warped Tour + Taste of Chaos Joins GoodSearch to Raise Funds July 27, 2007
Kevin Lyman’s tours bring together musicians, labels, and industry players through Unite the United towards fundraising for local charities.
| Top New York City Graffiti Artists On Display at United, Along with Largest Collection of Mr. T Dolls Making for One Trippy Lounge Scene July 26, 2007
Moody, RD 357, Baby 168 were among the legendary New York City graffiti artists on site in a gallery at United along with a massive collection of Mr. T dolls in all types of attitudes and outfits courtesy of Greg from Mishka NYC.
| Japanese Company Creates “Free” Photo Copy Options (Think: Free Kinko’s) with Embedded Ads Creating a Frenzy Among ‘Zine Creators + Copy-Freakers July 26, 2007
If there was a free Kinko’s in our city, the place would be packed by creatives intent on making their ‘zines or photo collages no matter if there’s an ad in the corner or on the back. Leave it to Japan to create and next step in free copies.
| Blog-Nation: The Influence + Impact of Blogs in Youth Culture Based on Fresh Results from Label Networks? Digital Lifestyle Profile Report?for subscribers only July 26, 2007
Based on fresh results from Label Networks? upcoming annual Digital Lifestyle Profile Report, this story goes deep on latest trends in blogs and their influence in youth culture. For subscribers only.
| United Trade Show’s Success in New York Proves East Coast Vibe in Streetwear Is On the Cutting-Edge July 25, 2007
Brands ranged from 10 Deep to Free Gold Watch and SMO providing a glimpse into what’s new in global streetwear and attracting East Coast buyers and attendees in what proved to be a major trade show hit.
| Tiny Rope Hair-Bands for Retro/Contemporary Looks Among Key Accessories for Youth Culture in Parts of America July 22, 2007
Hair accessories have evolved from the wide headband into the thin rope band that keeps hair in place, almost matted, creating a contemporary look from a retro vibe.
| JB Classics Sneakers Present a Chrome-Plated Design called the Chromeo, plus Announce Collab with Kid Robot + Artist Tilt July 20, 2007
It’s not often that you find female sneaker designers with an industrial design background. But Mdot out of San Francisco keeps JB Classics fresh introducing chrome-plated Chromeos and vibrant Green Hexell kicks.
| What’s Next in Virtual Fashion Runway Hits from H&M via Sims 2 Created by “Ordinary People Designers” July 20, 2007
Virtual fashion runway shows are now a reality with the launch of H&M’s and Sims 2 showcase with the theme Party Time illustrating a wide usage of asymmetrical cuts in dresses for women, and stripes in button-down shirts for guys (no T-shirts trends is in).
| Nudie Jeans Human Rights Gallery + Benefit Sets New Standards for Philanthropic Fashion as Passion for Denim Moves to Making a Difference July 19, 2007
30 T-shirts designed by top artists and musicians to represent the 30 Human Rights Declarations to benefit Amnesty International resulted in a gallery and benefit in Barcelona that made your arm hair stand on end.
| Swarovski Crystals’ “Crystallized Elements” Show Illuminates the Possibilities of Artistic Expression Through Crystals in Streetwear July 19, 2007
Adornments outside of the realm of graphic art through use of crystals provides a new landscape of possibilities beyond bling as illustrated in the Swarovski exhibition in Barcelona.
| Round-up of European Smaller Brands Making their Move in Fashion Particularly Rock ‘n Rave and Vintage Influences as Seen from Bread & Butter Barcelona July 19, 2007
The rise of DIY continues on its course marching across fashion in Europe, including the north and south, and reaching into Russia as seen by the slew of new brands representing unique styles. This is the non-UK, U.S. (that story coming soon) round-up of what’s next.
| Bread & Butter Trade Show Review: How the Barcelona Show Continues to Lead Trends in the European Denim, Urban, + Sportswear Marketplaces July 17, 2007
In our 4th year covering Bread & Butter, first in Berlin and now in Barcelona, the denim market is moving premium, streetwear is making its move, and the DIY spirit thrives through new brands, footwear, and collaborations.
| ISPO Sport & Style Trade Show Review: While Potential Exists, 1st Delivery Missed the Mark for Streetwear, Sports, Style Brands and Retailers July 17, 2007
As noted in last week’s first-day report about the ISPO Sport & Style Trade Show not quite capturing the marketplace, after another 2 days of the show our final assessment is that it missed the mark for truly reflecting what’s going on in the burgeoning scenes of streetwear, sports, and style.
| Correlations Between Denim, T-shirts, Sneakers Tell of New Market Opportunities in Youth Culture Fashion?for subscribers only July 17, 2007
Looking between markets that are most interrelated such as denim, T-shirts, and sneakers, reveal just where fluxuations in youth culture fashion are moving to next and why. For subscribers only.
| Indie UK Band Art Brut and Hip-Hop Reggae Artists Sol Jah Among Bands Delivering Various Moods at Bread & Butter Barcelona July 17, 2007
Music is a vital component to fashion and as Bread & Butter illustrated, a key component not only within every fashion hall, but also in the Luna Park courtyard featuring top bands.
| IOC Launches Youth Olympic Games—What this Means for the Real Olympics + Youth-Oriented Sports July 17, 2007
Yet again the IOC is trying to maintain relevancy but with a confusing new format, rules, and ancient guidelines in their attempt to “spread values.”
| Wakeboarding + Wakeskating Demos on ISPO Lake Sponsored By Reef Draws European Fans of the Growing Sport July 17, 2007
One of the highlights of ISPO was the Reef-sponsored wakeboarding and wakeskating show featuring new moves, rail slides, and tricks by top European pros in the sport.
| Business Resource: E3 Drops the Big Gaming Trade Show, But Hosts Exclusive Business Summit—Here’s a Wrap-up of What to Expect from Gaming Big-Wigs July 16, 2007
Disney goes with gaming online communities, Capcom showcases Wii titles, Sega goes vintage, Konami gets spookier, EA targets mobiles, and Activision pumps up the rhythm-action genre with Slash + the Beasties.
| Reef Fashion Show Illustrates Bright Colors in Bikinis, Onsies, + Sundresses for ’08 Collection July 16, 2007
Highlight of the ISPO show were their runway features including the outdoor Reef show featuring latest directions in bikinis and summer wear for girls.
| Sunglasses in iPod White Among Key Color Trends for Eyewear in American Youth Culture July 16, 2007
White’s classic, clean, retro, and cool, which are just some reasons why America’s youth culture are all into white shades while in Europe, it’s still all bright rave.
| Barcelona Graffiti Scene Steps-up as Global Hotspot for Artistic Expression—Stunning Masterpieces as the Streets Speak July 16, 2007
The streets speak through Barcelona’s global graffiti and street art scene. Check out the latest.
| "What One Brand Do You Think is Doing the Most to Help the Environment?"--for subscribers only July 16, 2007
Results from Label Networks new Humanitarian Youth Culture Profile Report provide insight into what brands, campaigns, and organizations are making the most difference and why. For subscribers only.
| SolarShopper, a Solar-powered Bag That Collects Energy to Re-charge iPods + Cell Phones, Among Winners of ISPO Brand New Awards July 11, 2007
This cool new bag that collects solar energy to recharge cell phones and iPods taps into what’s possible in the growing new design category of wearable technologies.
| ISPO Sport & Style Trade Fair Attempts to Capture Fashion & Sports Crossover for Europe July 9, 2007
Coming off the success of Bread & Butter days before, ISPO’s new version of sports and style crossover highlights new trends in wearable technologies, but still struggles with streetwear and lifestyle genres.
| Colored Denim Brings Out Rave-Influenced, ‘80’s Emphasis in European Urban + Contemporary Streetwear July 8, 2007
Coming off the success of Bread & Butter days before, ISPO’s new version of sports and style crossover highlights new trends in wearable technologies, but still struggles with streetwear and lifestyle genres.
| Royal Elastics with Letters First Offer Up Latest in Graffiti + Sneaker Art Collaboration in One-of-a-Kind Exhibition in Barcelona July 8, 2007
Top street and graffiti artists offered up their artwork in a massive exhibition on the entrance to the Sports & Style section of Bread & Butter attracting thousands.
| Japanese Ska Rock Girl Band Oreskaband Takes Anime Expo by Storm Indicating Trends in Girl J-Pop Scene July 8, 2007
While new music from J-rock guy bands has been shaking up youth culture across North America lately, Oreskaband brings a new source of J-pop inspiration from girl musicians.
| Bread & Butter Barcelona, the Leading Streetwear, Denim, + Contemporary Trade Show in Europe, to Double in Size for January, 02008 July 8, 2007
Press conference information from Europe’s mostly highly regarded streetwear, denim, and urban fashion trade shows in revealed that with expansion come new trends and opportunities for various brands and retailers.
| Bread & Butter Barcelona Kicks Off with International Fashion Players, Buyers, Brands—an Intro of What’s to Come July 5, 2007
Bread & Butter in Barcelona kicked off to an incredible crowd of international buyers, retailers, brands, and media on Wednesday, July 4. The show, which is known for some of the best brands in denim, sportswear, street, and style
| T-shirt Graphics Series by Label Networks to Provide Top Trends, Design, + Popularity as Seen on the Streets of America, Europe, Japan—Part 1 June 30, 2007
T-shirts are among the most popular aspect of global youth culture because it allows for individual expression for a DIY generation. This series provides inspiration paired with quantifiable data provided in addition for subscribers only.
| Vans Warped Tour Kicks-off to 20,000 Sold-out Capacity—Producer Kevin Lyman Hints at What to Expect from America’s Largest Running Tour—with video June 30, 2007
Up-and-coming bands such as Paramore, Funeral for a Friend, Circa Survive, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and Scary Kids Scaring Kids are among the potential break-out bands of the summer to know. Label Networks TV talks to producer Kevin Lyman about what to expect from this summer’s Vans Warped Tour.
| Cosplay, Masquerades, J-Pop, Aristocratic Midnight Tea Parties, plus Anime + Manga Industry Panels + a Performance by S.K.I.N.—J-rock’s Concert of the Century--Among Highlights of Anime-Expo 2007 June 30, 2007
As the fastest growing industry in entertainment today, anime and manga are becoming a cultural force influencing new generations in fashion, role-playing, music, reading, and entertainment, making Anime Expo a must-see event towards gaining insight on the future.
| Like a Tattoo for Electronics, Etchstar Lasers Artwork on iPod’s + iPhones Among Other DIY Capabilities June 30, 2007
Who wants a plan iPod or cell phone when you can bling it out with a personalized etch? Etchstar’s the latest chapter in DIY-ing your electronics.
| Sonar Festival Week in Barcelona Turns Electronic Music Culture into Highpoint of European Summer Gatherings for Networking, Fashion, + Fun June 28, 2007
Music festival season in Europe kicks off with a networking bang with Sonar Festival in Barcelona. While it’s a well-known electronic music cultural experience, the scene has turn into a must-attend event among Europeans bringing with it a clash of cultures, styles, and fun.
| Al Gore Ranked #1 Greatest Humanitarian or Environmental Hero among North American Youth Culture—Find Out Who Else is Making an Impact + Why June 26, 2007
Label Networks 2nd Annual Humanitarian Youth Culture Study Profile Report reveals new changes in youth culture perceptions of heroes, as well as the effects and impact of issues such as the environment, poverty, terrorism, green marketing, AIDs, Africa, terrorism, volunteerism, and more.
| Socially Active Clothing Line, Social Atelier, Brings Awareness about Darfur via T-shirt Launch + Exclusive with Fred Segal June 26, 2007
More brands in fashion are using their designs to influence consumer purchasing power to make a difference rather than for profit only. Social Atelier’s launch collection in T-shirts and designs called “Awareness” to be carried exclusively at Fred Segal is such a brand making a difference for the women of Darfur.
| Advertising Effectiveness in Youth Culture: "What type of advertising are you so over?" for subscribers only June 25, 2007
Label Networks' latest Sponsorship + Advertising in Youth Culture Report takes an in-depth look at who and what has the greatest effect on specific demographics, including sponsorship, advertising, communication patterns, and influences. This story takes an in-depth look at the advertising methods that 13-25-year-olds in North America are just completely over and why. For subscribers only.
| iPhone Frenzy Begins in Anticipation of Friday Launch Among Youth Culture, but Questions Remain About Texting Capabilities June 25, 2007
June 29th is the launch of Apple’s iPhone which with it’s feature set including music and video player, browser, camera, and phone, gives it a major advantage over anything else in the marketplace. But question remains: How good is the texting feature if there’s no physical keyboard?
| Oakley Bought by Luxottica for $2.1 Billion in Cash June 24, 2007
Sunglasses giant Luxottica buys Oakley, taking out the next big player in the business and leaving few independent brands left in this market segment.
| Icelandic Street + Graffiti Art Will Inspire the World as Illustrated in “Icepick” by Thordis Claessen June 24, 2007
Icepick delivers on providing insight into the unique work of Reykjavik street and graffiti art through a well-documented and designed book that shows a refreshingly new slice of culture.
| Vans’ Vault Collection Features Robt. Williams with Launch Party Including HotRods, Rockabilly, + Limited Edition Sneakers June 19, 2007
Robt. Williams’ cartoon artwork crosses subcultures from rockabilly, film noir to pin-up and with it brings out a California Americana vibe which Vans used to represent a different kind of heritage in their latest collaboration from their Vault series.
| Summer Tours + Sponsorship Round-Up: Vans Warped Tour, Honda Civic Tour, Projekt Revolution, Ozzfest, Family Values, Volcom Tour, Zumiez Couch Tour June 19, 2007
Busy summer music tour season ramps up with bands and sponsors in various North American multi-band, multi-stage tours featuring unique packages to attract specific audiences. Here’s the round-up.
| How Important is Sponsoring Athletes in Reaching Youth Culture + Creating Brand Cred??for subscribers only June 18, 2007
Label Networks? latest Sponsorship + Advertising in Youth Culture Report takes an in-depth look at who and what has the greatest effect on specific demographics, including the sponsorship of professional athletes. For subscribers only.
| Farmer Jeans Feature Hand-Sand Washes with 1060 Sherman Bohemian Chic Tops Debut at California Market’s LA Fashion Week Kick-Off—with video June 18, 2007
The CMC in downtown Los Angeles is fast becoming a must-see location for global buyers looking for latest in denim, contemporary, streetwear, and accessories. LA Fashion Market Week kicked off with the debut of two distinctive brands coming together under a Parisian theme.
| “From LA with Love” Creates a Living Time Capsule of the Movement Going On Inside the “Other” LA—a Spirited Subculture of Musicians, Artists, + Entrepreneurs June 18, 2007
Most think of Hollywood glitz when it comes to the City of Angeles. Underground event creator Andrew Lejero from ArtDon’tSleep brings out the movement from the other side: musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs that have created a renaissance within the world’s freshest metropolis.
| Skate-inspired Artists Andy Jenkins, Andy Mueller, + Andrew Pommier Premiere “stAAAmmering” Showcase Illustrating Art-Skate Connection June 18, 2007
Girl Skateboards is known for it’s collection of artists and as shown in this exhibition, there’s creativity that can stand alone, and yet is intricately tied to skateboarding culture.
| Credible Youth Culture Study Reveals Opportunities + Driving Trends Effecting Global Markets in Streetwear Fashion, New Media, Sports + Entertainment June 14, 2007
September 14, 2007
| Sponsorship + Advertising Effectiveness Report Reveals New Opportunities, Major Influences, + Fresh Ideas for Reaching Savvy Consumers June 14, 2007
June 14, 2007
| Found Fable Fine Artwork, Collages, Assemblages with Textures in Bone, Lace, Paint, + Found Metal Pieces Create Post-Apocalyptic + Retro Backdrop for Skin.Graft.Designs Debut June 12, 2007
Fashion runway shows rarely set the stage around the stage to create a complete aura of a different time, however the artwork at the debut to Skin.Graft.Designs brought together featured artists who used collages, fables, assemblages, and textures that created a space of another time and place.
| Post-Apocalyptic Couture Streetwear Brand Skin.Graft.Designs. Premieres Otherworldly Runway Show at Pool Trade Show Offices Providing Inspiration from the Alchemy of Style, Textures, Art, + Fantasy June 12, 2007
Underground streetwear brought to an altogether higher level through a mix of the past and future fantasy using various leather textures, metal, bone, post-apocalyptic themes, Victorian, pirate, and even outlaw cowboy with holster purses, were among the catalystic collection debut of Skin.Graft.Designs at the Pool Trade Show offices.
| Sponsorship Effectiveness in Youth Markets: "What's the Best ONE Thing a Sponsor Can Do to Grab Your Attention?" for subscribers only June 12, 2007
In tribute to summer events and sponsorship season, Label Networks has put together a fresh report about Sponsorship + Advertising Effectiveness among American Youth Culture. In this story are the results that reveal what many marketing, sponsorship, and branding strategists have wanted to know when it comes to successfully reaching youth culture. For subscribers only.
| Red Carpet Skate-Formalwear Shows Directions in Streetwear From the Pros + Industry Tastemakers Themselves June 11, 2007
Skate-formalwear is a rarely seen phenomenon given that most pro skaters are traveling, competing, shooting videos. So when they flashed their red-carpet best at the TWS Skateboarding Awards last week, it was clear their version of formal combines T’s with suit jackets, street, urban, punk, heavy accessories, tatts, and of course, sweet sneakers.
| Business Resource: New Era Opens Store in London; UNIV Opens Store in South Beach Miami; Levi’s Opens Stores for Girls June 11, 2007
Store openings abound as more brands use retail openings as part of future business strategies to control their own revenue generation as indicated with the opening of the New Era: LDN in London with the largest collection ever; UNIV in South Beach Miami tributing old-school Florida with a collection of streetwear and footwear including Keep, New Balance, Hellz Bellz, Crooks & Castles, and The Hundreds; and Levi’s with 20 new retail stores specifically for young females featuring new slim fits, and skate and urban-inspired styles for guys.
| H&M Collaborates with The Sims Allowing Players Opportunity to Dress Characters in Summer Collection, Create a Retail Store, + Enter a Fashion Runway Contest for Possible Production June 11, 2007
Crossing over from virtual gaming to reality in terms of design production, shopping, and retail creation is the latest effects coming from the recent H&M and EA The Sims collaboration called The Sims 2 Fashion Stuff Pack and Fashion Runway Showcase. New themes for the Fashion Runway and possible selection of the winner’s designs to be produced by H&M next include Party Time, Skate Park, and Streetwear.
| Transworld Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards Provide a Preview of the Future of Skate Bringing Out Top Skaters + Legends: Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Bob Burnquist, Lance Mountain, Pharrell Williams, + Host Jason Lee—with video June 11, 2007
Transworld Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards Provide a Preview of the Future of Skate Bringing Out Top Skaters + Legends: Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards by TWS brought out top skaters such as Lance Mountain, Christian Hosoi, and Tony Hawk, but also proved where the industry is headed with crossover collaborations and teams such as Pharrell Willams and the Ice Cream Skate Team, Zenetti Wheels, and Rookies.
| IOC in Talks with Cycling Governing Body to Introduce Skateboarding in 2012 Games June 11, 2007
It rings of déjà vu when the IOC tried to umbrella snowboarding under skiing, something the committee “recognized” in order to bring the sport into the Games. Here we go again with skateboarding umbrella-ed under the International Cycling Union to bring the “new” wheeled sport into the 2010 London Games.
| Youth Culture Sponsorship + Advertising Effectiveness Report Reveals New Opportunities, Major Influences, + Fresh Ideas for Reaching Savvy Consumers June 10, 2007
Label Networks’ Sponsorship + Advertising Effectiveness in Youth Culture—North America Report ’07 provides fresh consumer insight and analysis that indicates how, where, and why this new generation of consumers is influenced most by specific sponsorship programs, plus the state of advertising effectiveness, including what’s hot and what’s over, in addition to quantifying effective grassroots and viral marketing ingenuity via specific industries and unexpected communication formats.
| North American Advertising and Sponsorship Effectiveness Report 2007 June 8, 2007
Label Networks’ Sponsorship + Advertising Effectiveness in Youth Culture—North America Report ’07 provides fresh consumer insight and analysis that indicates how, where, and why this new generation of consumers is influenced most by specific sponsorship programs, plus the state of advertising effectiveness, including what’s hot and what’s over, in addition to quantifying effective grassroots and viral marketing ingenuity via specific industries and unexpected communication formats.
| United Los Angeles Store Opening Introduces Exclusive Streetwear Apparel with Mix of Japanese Brands including Afterbase, Product, Mad Foot, + American Brands Born Uniquorn, Cipher, Free Gold Watch—with video June 5, 2007
The guys behind United Trade Show that made an unexpected splash in fashion when it premiered in Las Vegas next to MAGIC last spring, have opened a boutique in the heart of Hollywood called United Los Angeles featuring rare Japanese denim and brands, one-of-kind fashion creations in T-shirts, hoodies, caps, and sneakers, all in a unique retail setting offering fresh streetwear and lifestyle products for guys and girls.
| Venice Graffiti Walls Move to Permit-Only Sparking Debate + a Paint-out Day Illustrating a Blast of Intense New Artwork—with video June 5, 2007
The Venice Beach graffiti walls, one of the most prolific areas in the world for artists, has launched a permit-only campaign sparking a debate between stifling artists’ space and creativity and local resident complaints of vandalism. ICU Art stepped in to offer up a compromise solution which kicked off June 3rd with an intense paint-out of from a select group of high quality graffiti artists. Pictures and video of the artwork, artists, and people onsite illustrate the thriving creative scene juxtaposed against heavy security.
| Bike Culture Goes Off Starting with New York Bike Film Festival Kick-off June 4, 2007
There’s a new passion for the bike culture movement that’s taking cycling to a new level by mixing up political defiance, art, music, and fashion as people take to the streets to ride rather than drive in urban environments. The Bike Film Festival, which launched last weekend in New York, taps into this growing subculture, particularly around messenger lifestyles and track bikes, and through a film series, art show, concert, and tour.
| New Themes in Graphics Continue Push Towards Making Statements in Streetwear Style June 4, 2007
Graphics in T-shirts, hoodies, caps, sneakers, and even denim in streetwear continue to push the boundaries of making a personal statement within one’s fashion style. Top graphics include skulls, weaponry, environmental motifs, graffiti-inspired lettering, crowns, money, politics, plus new moves in the all-over print prints.
| The Influence of Music, Musicians, + Bands When it Comes to Youth Culture Product Purchase Decisions—for subscribers only June 4, 2007
Label Networks delivers fresh insight on just how influential music and musicians are within the 13-25-year-old marketplace across the United States delivering target demographic results by gender and age groups to important questions such as the influence of musicians on lifestyle and music influences in product purchasing decisions. Results are part of our upcoming Sponsorship Youth Culture Profile Report. For subscribers only.
| Graffiti Book Collectors of Gathered Artists’ Tags Are Among New Youth Culture Keepsakes + Sources for Inspiration June 4, 2007
While many young people collect baseball cards, there’s a growing number of people today who collect graffiti artists’ tags in personal sketchbooks. As seen onsite at the Venice Art Walls Paint-out event last weekend, scores of young kids quietly wandered the area asking the working artists if they would sketch something in their books. This new source of inspiration and adoration for graffiti artists shows the change taking place in what a new generation considers to be credible art.
| Zenetti Wheel Designer Launches First-Ever Pro Skate Team by the Wheel Industry Indicating Another First in Crossover Trends June 4, 2007
New crossover trends continue to change-up market opportunities among brands and pros, as indicated by the recent announcement of Zenetti, the wheel designer also known for creating Paul Wall’s Grills and Wheels, and Brooklyn Project’s new Pro Skateboard Team including top guys such as Stevie Williams and Paul Rodriquez.
| To Write Love on Her Arms Campaign, T-shirts, + Stories Prove Meaning Can Push Viral Marketing Beyond Expectations June 4, 2007
Youth culture movements often start from the simplest formats and can spread like air on fire through especially if it’s related to a cause that young people feel a deep passion towards. To Write Love On Her Arms is a T-shirt campaign that has become an underground movement in youth culture that most people have never heard of, indicating just how important cause campaigns can be towards making a difference among today’s generation.
| J-Rock or “Visual Kei” is the Freshest Japanese Fashion Revolution Now Infiltrating America’s Youth Culture Landscape May 29, 2007
J-rock or visual kei is the freshest fashion trends coming from Japan making a major impact on underground styles among America’s youth culture. Key influences in anime and music inspired J-rock style appeared en masse last weekend at the first J-rock Revolution festival in Los Angeles as the top 9 Japanese J-rock bands came to town including Kagraa, alice nine., Miyavi, DuelJewel, Vidoll, Mucc, girugamesh, Merry, DespairsRay, and the founder of the movement, Yoshiki from X Japan.
| EXPN.com Finally Recognizes the Future and Offers Live Event Webcasts, Video, + Audio Podcasts Online May 29, 2007
EXPN.com re-launches their site with new features such as live event webcasts indicating that they are finally recognizing that online coverage particularly of events makes more sense for some demographics than waiting for late-to-cable TV shows.
| What’s Really Behind Word-of-Mouth Marketing + Effectiveness in Youth Culture When it Comes to New Products + Brands; plus Fresh Results on Sponsorship Effectiveness through Free Swag—for subscribers only May 29, 2007
For subscribers only, we deliver fresh research results of how and where word-of-mouth is most effective when it comes to new products and brands and what young people think. In addition, we deliver results about the true effectiveness in sponsorship programs towards reaching youth culture via free give-aways at events.
| Anime Conventions Exploding Across America Indicate Massive Growth of Japanese Entertainment, Workshops, Cosplay Fashion, + J-rock Culture May 29, 2007
Anime conventions are among the most popular and fastest-growing new consumer shows in America today based on the growing fascination with Cosplay—dressing as anime or manga characters—manga comics, anime films and video games. Label Networks takes a look at this subculture, particularly the Anime-Expo Convention or AX in Long Beach, CA, and recent announcement of the supergroup Skin with Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo, and Miyavi to perform June 29th, and what it all means for the next generation of youth culture.
| Visual Kei “Coordinates” = Next Tip on Accessorization Trends May 29, 2007
Accessories are an important part of achieving specific visual kei or J-rock styles. In Japan, young people often buy such accessories at character goods shops inspired by those wanting to dress like anime characters, but in America, such stores are hard to come by which is why DIY rules and goods that are found are often discovered online. Here are the top trends in accessories for the Visual Kei look from Japan.
| Purikura Machines in Japan, China, + Taiwan take DIY Photo Booths to New Levels Including Videkura—Short Videos Distributed via Mobile Phones May 29, 2007
Purikura machines from Japan bring personalized photo booths to a new level of fun an entertainment as machines now offer finished product transfers to cell phones and the creation of videkura—short, animated video clips. Purikura or “print clubs” are popular not only in Japan, but Taiwan, and China.
| Japanese Music Invasion: J-Rock Revolution Festival Revealed Massive Subculture of Young American Fans for Japanese Rock—with video May 29, 2007
Japanese rock has invaded youth culture of America as seen with through the Jrock Revolution Festival last weekend in Los Angeles. J-rock, also known as “visual kei” meaning visual style, or visual rock, also includes fashion from the bands that are capturing the imagination of young people today.
| Big-box Retail’s Off Month + Changes in the Retail Landscape in General Accounted for Here—for subscribers only May 22, 2007
Big-Box retailers had a bad month last April based on many factors such as lack of good designs, the competition of online retail, housing prices sagging and gas prices increasing. But there’s way more than meets the eye in terms of fashion retailers’ woes. Label Networks examines the retail landscape and where changes are headed based on fresh data from the North American Youth Culture Study—Spring Report ’07.
| America’s Hispanic Youth Culture Rank “Success” as a Higher Priority for Their Future than Any Other Cultural Demographic May 22, 2007
Hispanic youth culture in the United States is the most important new cultural demographic influencing trends, spending, and change within the American landscape. As the 2nd largest demographic and fastest growing youth culture population, knowing what their future concerns are and how they differ from others indicates a highly motivated group that ranks Success as their #1 priority. Label Networks’ Hispanic Youth Culture Study reveals highlights.
| Music + Fashion: The Not-So-Secret Secret Ingredient in Attracting Youth Culture—So Why Aren’t More Brands Using It? May 22, 2007
Music and fashion are so intertwined when it comes to connecting with youth culture, we often wonder why more brands and agencies don’t use music in marketing and advertising campaigns. Usually it’s based on a lack of understanding about the music industry in general. Here, we debunk the risk-factor of using music to reach the marketplace and the power of grassroots effectiveness.
| Pirate Ships, Diamond-Eyed Gold Skulls, Storm Trooper Blasters, Knuckle Duster Rings + Other Weapons of Mass Destruction among Accessory Directions of High-end Streetwear May 21, 2007
Accessories in jewelry are moving into a direction that includes pirate ship themes, gold skulls with diamond eyes, and disarming weaponry that match the mood of the nation. Two brands pushing high-end streetwear accessory trends are Han Cholo out of Los Angeles and BiJules out of New York City. Label Networks TV interviews Guillaume Pajolec from Han Cholo on the latest in streetwear accessory trends.
| Potential Size of Market for Music-Enabled Cell Phones "the New-School Boombox for the 21st Century" for subscribers only May 21, 2007
Music-enabled cell phones, as anticipated with the upcoming launch of the iPhone from Apple in June, will change the marketplace for technology, electronics, and music in the near future. Our North American Youth Culture Study?Spring Report ?07 results indicate just how massive the size of market really is for this introduction and in what directions by demographic are most likely to explode. For subscribers only.
| All-over Print Denim: The Evolution of the Urban Jean Market May 21, 2007
All-over print denim jeans from brands such as Artful Dodger and Evisu jeans illustrate the latest evolutionary crossover of the all-over print hoodie to denim that’s growing particularly in the urban jean marketplace.
| New Trends in Entertainment Preferences, Sports, Technology, Communication, + Fashion Revealed in North American Youth Culture Study—Spring Report ’07 May 21, 2007
The launch of Label Network’s North American Youth Culture Study—Spring Report ’07 illustrates where trends are changing most and why when it comes to American youth culture. Here are some highlights of what to expect in T-shirts, denim, fashion, footwear, spending patterns, new media, communication patterns, music, sports, entertainment, technology, video gaming, and lifestyle traits.
| Business Resource: Lululemon Proves Model for Yoga-Inspired Apparel; Volcom Launches VolComics + Independent Music Tour; O’Neill Bought by Logo May 21, 2007
Business Resource: O’Neill is acquired by Logo International and the trademark is moved to the European headquarters which was a very successful licensee of the surf-inpsired brand; Volcom keeps with non-tradition and launches VolComics tour and it’s first independent music tour with Volcom bands; and Lululemon yoga brand and retailer files to go public, proving the growth of yoga and yoga-inspired apparel as reported in Label Networks’ North American Youth Culture Studies.
| Venice’s Urban-Beach Fashion Vibe is a Key Source for Crossover Trends; Here’s Insight into Why Venice is Such a Dogtown + the Fascination of the Boardwalk Circus May 15, 2007
Venice Beach and the boardwalk scene is a hotbed for incubating new trends not only because of the urban detritus that slips down to the ocean from the rest of LA, including all the colorful people, but also the concepts of street vs. beach inspired fashion that comes from the cornucopia of skaters, artists, musicians, and independent business “entrepreneurs” setting up stalls along the sand. Here’s a look at what makes Venice such a Dogtown and why people are constantly fascinated by the circus.
| Live Earth Concert on 7.7.07 Across 7 Continents To Bring Out International Artists + 2 Billion People in Kick-off for Massive Awareness Campaign about Global Warming Co-Chaired by Al Gore May 15, 2007
Live Earth is a massive global awareness campaign co-chaired by Al Gore to bring awareness and change about global warming with 24 hours of top musicians playing live on July 7, 02007 in 7 countries, broadcast to reach 2 billion people.
| Fresh Results from Label Networks’ North American Spring Report ’07 in Youth Fashion Brand Preferences Indicate Major Changes + Opportunities for Specific Brands + Retailers—for subscribers only May 14, 2007
Fashion brand preferences have changed dramatically among youth culture in North America since 6 months ago, as indicated by fresh results from Label Networks North American Youth Culture Study—the Spring Report 07, indicating new opportunities for specific fashion brands and retailers. For subscribers only.
| Guitar Hero’s Popularity Among Females Opens Doors for Air Guitarists, Game Publishers + Guitar Brands as Dynamics in Video Gaming Industry Change: Label Networks Reports on the Female Impact—for subscribers only May 14, 2007
Guitar Hero’s massive popularity among female gamers has attributed to an industry shake-up and educational slap in the face among publishers and manufacturers who are just now starting to see the potential of tapping into this grossly underdeveloped marketplace. Label Networks’ North American Youth Culture Study—Spring Report ’07 delivers the latest trends on the changing landscape of the video gaming marketplace and in this case, the crossover potential for guitar manufacturers. For subscribers only.
| Spidey-3 Soundtrack Sparks Attention Outside of Movie-Goers Indicating Blockbusters May Finally Get the Importance of Relevant Music May 14, 2007
Spiderman 3’s movie soundtrack has made waves because of it’s top-notch musicians and new songs from bands like the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, The Flaming Lips, My Chemical Romance, Wolfmother, and The Killers, among others, indicating that perhaps blockbuster movies are finally getting it right when it comes to the importance of scoring relevant music with the movie-mix.
| Lowrider Customized Bicycles Feature Evolution of Car Culture in DIY 2-Wheeled Rides + Provide Stepping Stone for Youth Culture May 14, 2007
Lowrider bicycles are the latest evolution is the fast-growing, multi-cultural scene of DIY cars, particularly lowriders. Tweaking bicycles into show stoppers like the high-handle-barred Hollywood Cruiser or stretched-out Limo bike with new chrome jobs, spokes, and candy paint and marbleized graphics, is also taking root among many inner city after school programs as a way to teach young people important skills and to provide camaraderie through various clubs that support lowrider bike shows and their artists.
| Magazines May 11, 2007
Number of magazines read per month?
| General Lifestyle May 11, 2007
How would you describe where you live?
| Video Gaming May 10, 2007
Which system do you prefer to play video games on?
| Internet May 10, 2007
How many hours you spend online per day?
| Electronics May 10, 2007
Which electronic would you most like to purchase in the next year?
| Cell Phones May 9, 2007
Which phone features are most important to you?
| The Power of the T-shirt Marketplace Based on Fresh Results Including Size of Market, Price Points, + Top Brand Preferences Indicate New Potential for Youth Culture Fashion?for subscribers only May 8, 2007
T-shirts are one of the most vital components of global youth culture fashion. Based on fresh results from Label Networks? North American Youth Culture Study?Spring Report ?07, there have been new changes in T-shirt brand preferences, and new opportunities based on the size of market, price points, and T-shirt purchasing power among youth culture. For subscribers only.
| Crisp, Plaid Long-Shorts Bring Class to Urban Summer Style for Guys May 8, 2007
Crisp, long, plaid shorts on guys mean a classier summer style from a heritage that goes back to New England prep. Part of the new upscale in urban streetwear, also known as New Dandyism, the classic long plaid shorts are slightly different this time around, as shown by leaders in the movement, Rocawear, Stüssy, FreshJive, Triple 5 Soul, Artful Dodger and G-Unit.
| IOC “Welcomes” Idea of Youth Olympic Games to Start in 2010 with “Relevant” Sports May 8, 2007
The International Olympic Committee has announced that it will consider a Youth Olympic Games in 2010 to help address the lack of interest in the Olympics among young people. Does this mean skateboarding will finally be an Olympic sport in 2010?
| Bread & Butter Fashion Trade Show to Focus + Expand in Barcelona Only, Ending Bread & Butter Kraftwerk in Berlin May 8, 2007
Bread & Butter Fashion Trade Show has announced that it will focus solely on expanding their shows in Barcelona rather than conducting B&B Kraftwerk in Berlin, despite their success in January. B&B will also expand its art installations and creativity in areas called Studio.V as well as continue its programs to make Barcelona a new fashion capital of Europe.
| Virginia Tech Shootings Impact Youth Culture: 3-out-of-4 Students Believe It Could Happen In Their Schools—More Fresh Results from Label Networks May 8, 2007
Based on the recent events at Virginia Tech killing 32 students, Label Networks took a pulse on the youth culture of North America measuring the opinions of 4,000 13-25-year-olds on how they feel about a similar event happening at their schools. Label Networks examines the implications this has on youth culture in their upcoming Humanitarian Youth Culture Study ’07.
| Projected Text Messages Made Into Instant Graffiti Using NYC Artist Jesus Saves May 8, 2007
Text messaging as an interactive public street art performance by Paul Notzold and Adam Chapman show the recent progression of using communication technology and art in a unique format for engaging viewers. Called TXTual Healing, the performances use the “drip” text fonts by NYC artist Jesus Saves to capture an artistic expression of text messages sent to them which are then projected onto the sides of public city spaces and buildings to engage the public and to think about their surroundings.
| Sports May 7, 2007
What sports do you do?
| Footwear May 7, 2007
Which brand of footwear do you like to wear?
| Accessories May 6, 2007
What is your favorite brand of backpack?
| Shorts May 5, 2007
What is your favorite brand of shorts?
| T-Shirts May 4, 2007
What brand of T-shirt do you like to wear the most?
| Denim May 4, 2007
What brand of denim do you like to wear the most?
| Fashion May 3, 2007
Where do you find out about new fashion brands and styles mostly?
| Music May 3, 2007
What types of music do you listen to?
| Television May 2, 2007
Hours of TV you watch a day?
| Movies May 2, 2007
What is your favorite type of movie?
| Summer Festival Fashion Kicks-off at Coachella Music & Arts Festival with Key Trends in Tube Dresses, Ankle Boots, Gym Class Heroes, + Slim Denim Among Top Styles May 1, 2007
Coachella Arts & Music Festival kicked off its 8th show last weekend in Indio, CA, marking the beginning of summer fashion we can expect to grace the festival fields across the world this season. This year’s Coachella was a sensation of mash-ups across era’s including the ‘80’s and ‘90’s, new takes on dresses, ankle boots, sport-punk, vintage, raver, and environmentally conscious styles.
| Headbands Make a Comeback with a Contemporary Twist on Guys + Girls as Captured at Coachella May 1, 2007
Headbands in all design, shapes and textures such as wide, super thin, and even string motifs make a comeback on guys and girls as the new must-have headwear accessory for the summer, as captured at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival.
| The Coachella Party Round-up Featuring Filter + Diesel, GQ + Rock ‘n Republic, Anthem + WeSC May 1, 2007
Coachella Music & Arts Festival has become the new scene where various magazines and brands get together to throw exclusive invite-only pool-parties for celebrities, musicians, and fans. We visited the Filter and Diesel party, GQ and Rock ‘n Republic, and Anthem and WeSC parties—each of which offered up different vibes, music, people, settings, and sponsors. Here’s the lowdown.
| Business Resource: IPATH Bought by Timberland; Volcom to Expand into Europe; Hot Topic Hires Chief Music Officer May 1, 2007
Business Resource news reveals that IPATH, the environmentally conscious skateboard-inspired footwear brand was purchased by Timberland for an undisclosed amount, indicating Timberland’s foray into skate-inspired footwear. Volcom’s 1st quarter earnings call Monday revealed a 22.2% increase in revenues, and expansion plans into Europe; while Hot Topic hires a Chief Music Officer as part of their initiative to revamp their music and internet strategy to boost their current sales slump
| Music Break-out Performances + Key Highlights from Coachella Indicate New Directions + Influences from New-School + Reinvented Old-School Global Artists May 1, 2007
Coachella Music & Arts Festival represents the kick-off of which new-school and old-school artists will have the greatest influence during this summer’s festival season. With a wide range of bands, from Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, The Arcade Fire, Interpol. Arctic Monkeys, and Amy Winehouse, Coachella provides the round-up of what’s taking place in music and will be influencing global youth culture in the coming year. Label Networks captures the highlights.
| Massive Art Installations, Vaudeville, Kinetic Powered Sunflowers, Lightening, Fire, + a Misting Oasis Round-Out Coachella’s Art Festival—with video May 1, 2007
Massive interactive art installations are no longer just the realm of Burning Man events, but have become a key part of the Coachella Music & Arts Festival. From Vaudeville performers shooting water cannons of mist, to kinetic powered fields of sunflowers, lightening, fire, and giant metal sculptures, the Arts Festival at Coachella heightens the experience for festival goers beyond one’s imagination, moving from daylight, into an entirely new scene at night.
| Energy FACTory at Coachella Offers Green Scene with Bike-Powered Cell Phone Chargers, Ethanol-Powered Popcorn BBQ, + Biodiesel DJ Porta Potty Station May 1, 2007
The green movement will be a major theme in upcoming music festivals this season as was apparent starting with Coachella’s Energy FACTory scene including bike-powered cell phone chargers, ethanol BBQ’s for making popcorn, and a biodiesel DJ porta potty station.
| 13-Year-Old U.S. Texting Champ Wins $25,000 (OMG) + Illustrates the Influence of Texting and Talking Text as Communication Patterns Push Trends in Youth Culture April 23, 2007
Text messaging culture is a key form of communication and language creation pushing forward the speed of trends in youth culture. Last weekend, texting was recognized by the LG National Texting Competition where a 13-year-old, Morgan Pozgar won $25,000 from a field of 250 competitors for her texting capabilities, including speed, spelling, and punctuation. Texting culture has become a key aspect of youth culture in terms of trends, communication, and psychodemographics, as detailed in our Digital Lifestyle Profile Report. This story examines these concepts.
| Business Resource: Volcom Directors Exercise Options; Foot Locker Bids $1.2 Billion for Genesco (Dockers, Journeys); Urban Outfitters Goes Indie with Free In-store Concerts to Gain Cred April 23, 2007
Spring earnings reports for youth culture brands and retailers are coming out, making it a busy season for ’07 predictions in this business resource article. Volcom directors exercised options; Foot Locker put in a $1.2 billion bid for Genesco, owners of Dockers and the popular footwear retailer Journeys; and Urban Outfitters tries to build cred by hosting indie concerts in-store
| Create: Fixate “Down to Earth” Show Provides Insight into Los Angeles’ Growing Green Movement, Artists Support, + Fashion April 23, 2007
Earth Day weekend in Los Angeles brought out the best among those who want to make a difference in the name of Mother Nature with a variety of festivals, events, concerts, and beach and city clean-ups. One of the best events was Create:Fixate’s “Down to Earth” show which brought up many of the up-and-coming artists in the area, plus silk-screen masters Hit + Run who created various designs on-site, and a 9 different DJ’s throughout the night. Eco-friendly and DIY fashionistas attended the event, checking out various non-profit groups such as Surfrider and Trees of the Future, and interacting to raise funds and awareness for various green organizations.
| LA International Textile Show Illustrates Fabric, Knit, Print, + Color Forecasting for Summer ’08, plus a Recap from Promostyl’s Design Predictions April 23, 2007
LA Textile Show at the downtown California Mart attracts top textile manufacturers, as well as patterns, prints, knits, and design direction forecasting companies. Label Networks checked out the lastest predictions in textiles and colors from the show for Summer ’08, and stopped in to see what couture design forecasters Promostyl has to say.
| Russian Game Publisher 1C Offers Popular Titles to American Audiences Through Atari + Offers Western Game Companies New Connections into Eastern + Central Europe April 23, 2007
Russia is coming to America with a new set of old-school and new school gaming titles from the popular publisher 1C through new distribution through Atari. Now, the most popular eastern and Central European gaming publisher can get it’s titles into the massive American marketplace including IL-2 Sturmovik flight sim series, Soldiers: Heroes of World War II, and Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators. On the flip-side, 1C opened up offices in the UK and is introducing Western game publishers to the vast Russian marketplace.
| DipSet Launches DipSkate Pro Team Marking the New Revolution of Urban Inline a.k.a. FreeStyle Rolling (“Don’t Call this Rollerblading” Movement) April 22, 2007
FreeStyle Rolling is the new movement in urban inline skating and has just been taken to a new level by Diplomat Records with the launch of their new pro team, the DipSkates. This marks the first time that a record label has launched a pro sports team, marking the fusion of sports, music, and fashion—from another direction--in a new lifestyle movement from the streets.
| Lowrider Customized Car Show Brings Out Multi-cultural Americana Featuring DIY Rides, Candy Paint Jobs, + the Return of the Zoot Suit April 22, 2007
The Lowrider car show came to Southern California bringing out the best in DIY rides, old-school Chevy Impalas, candy paint jobs, and the multicultural lifestyle behind it including fashionable zoot suits, mechanic/utilitarian wear, and the rockabilly girl.
| Brave Art at the Telus World Ski + Snowboard Festival in Whistler Attracts Top Street + Board Artists with Live Paintings + Awareness Campaigns such as Keep A Breast + Surfrider April 18, 2007
Brave Art, during the Telus Ski and Snowboard Festival in Whistler, B.C., brought in a unique selection of international artists in street and board cultures to paint live, including Chris Pastras, the dark, Russ Pope, among others, as well as breast cancer organization Keep A Breast who cast top skiers and snowboarders and had live paintings on-site. In addition, O’Neill displayed and auctioned off artistic renditions of surfboards with the theme of global warming to raise money and awareness for Surfrider Foundation.
| United Trade Show’s “Board of Directors” Represents the New Young Designer CEO’s on the Urban Underground Tip—with video April 18, 2007
United Trade Show’s “Board of Director’s” showcase during LA Fashion Week on Melrose represented the urban underground tip of entrepreneurial designers including Stacks & Bundles, Cipher, Free Gold Watch, Guermo, The Quiet Life, Copy, Brain’s on Fire, and TRU Youth. As Rama Mayo, the co-founder put it, Board of Directors’ intention was to provide a place for the new designer CEO and complimentary shops and buyers to check out these new brands, while getting consumer feedback from people off the streets that know fashion and cruise Melrose consistently. Board of Directors later showcased in New York at Sparky’s Showroom above the store Boundless, known for carrying core brands such as King Stampede.
| Urban Jacket Brand Guermo at Board of Directors Illustrates New Trends with Mix of Textures + Themes: Deer-Hunter, Varsity, Pin-Stripes, Wool, Leather, Silk April 18, 2007
Guermo is an aspirational designer out of New York whose recent launch of a collection of urban jackets, hoodies, and vests at Board of Directors clearly marks where things are headed in the urban underground for Fall/Winter ’08. Using a mix of themes and textures, including deer hunter wool patterns, tailored pinstripes suit jackets, leather, suede, and silk, each jacket and vest is custom made to the buyer’s specifications. Varsity jacket themes combined with the hoodie concept and mashed-up with traditional outdoorsman-hunter themes give the Guermo style a super-fresh look that’s bound to inspire other brands in the future. Label Networks TV delivers the scoop.
| Vans Warped Tour Kick-off Party Features Breaking Bands + Innovative Festival Themes that Prove How America’s Longest Running Festival Can Reach “Lucky 13”—with video of founder, Kevin Lyman April 18, 2007
Vans Warped Tour kick-off party at the Key Club on Sunset Blvd. provided a preview of what to expect for America’s longest-running festival this summer, while featuring underground bands you should know including Bleed the Dream, The Briggs, Meg & Dia, K-O’s, The Almost, and the Pinker Tones. Label Networks delivers an insider look at just why this tour is so successful and has made it to this year’s theme year of “Lucky 13.” Included is a live interview with founder Kevin Lyman.
| California Chic Inspired by Edie Sedgwick Singled-Out in “Single” Runway Show as Featured Designer of Directive West’s Fashion Show April 18, 2007
Los Angeles fashion is on the rise as indicated with last month’s LA Fashion Week called the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios on the Westside, and the Boxeight version in downtown LA, including runway shows at California Mart. In this piece, we highlight the featured designer of Directive West’s show called “Single,” which represents new trends of California chic for women in silks, knits, and unique stitching which we can expect to hit the streets for Fall ’08.
| Business Resource: Wrigley Gets Heat for “Mojito-Flavored” Gum; Chronic Candy Launches “Herbal” Green Tea April 18, 2007
Wrigley launched a “mojito-flavored” gum with their Orbit Mint Mojito campaign and has taken heat in the last week from alcohol watchdog groups for touting a rum-flavored drink to kids through gum. Meanwhile Chronic Candy is launching a new “Herbal” Green Tea, which as we saw at a recent event where they had a sponsor booth set up, was packed with people of all ages. To think that young people don’t know what these things are is to stick your head in the sand. However it does raise the question, especially for Wrigley which has a huge agency BBDO for Orbit, who claimed they were running out of names, why they can’t be more creative.
| Hispanic Youth Culture: The Strongest Demographic Wanting to Learn Action Sports, Indicating Vast Market Opportunities within the Nation’s 2nd Largest Cultural Demographic—for subscribers only April 10, 2007
Based on fresh results from our Hispanic Youth Culture Study, action sports are clearly preferred as the top sports that 15-24-year-olds most want to learn. For subscribers, the information in this story details not only key demographics by gender and age groups, but also the major sources of influence through lifestyle associations as well including fashion, footwear, video gaming title preferences, TV entertainment, and pro athlete icons.
| Cherry Blossom Season Brings Out Japan Spring Streetwear Trends April 10, 2007
Spring season streetwear trends among girls in Japan bring out all things pink do to Cherry Blossom season, as well as an extension on the Beyonce look with thigh-high tights and leggings, short shorts usually in wool and hemmed, and now denim short jean shorts and skirts.
| Hispanic Youth Culture Indicates Strong New Marketplace for Video Gaming + Tony Hawk Titles—Especially Among Females April 9, 2007
Video gaming has a strong new marketplace among Hispanic youth culture of 15-24-year-olds in North America. However they have unique traits, as indicated in the recent release of our Hispanic Youth Culture Study ’07. As noted in this story, gaming platforms have distinct differences based on gender, and the Tony Hawk titles, while clearly meant for males, tend to be more popular among Hispanic females, indicating a new market opportunity.
| OzzFest’s Free Tickets to the Tour Redefine Sponsorship/Fan Interaction April 9, 2007
Ozzfest’s Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne along with producers Live Nation announced Monday how their free tickets for this summer’s tour concept will work. The idea is to get fans to visit various sponsors’ websites, retrieve a code, which they then use to go back to a site a month later to download 2 free tickets to the concert of their choice. While is sounds good, especially for sponsors looking to drive fans to their websites, some fans already don’t like the idea of having to interact with sponsors to get tickets overall. We’ll see how the concept works for the “FreeFest” based on fans’ reactions to the 24-city, metal tour which starts July 12th in Seattle.
| Parkour + Urban Freeflow, the Graffiti Art of Movement, Indicates a New Rise of Sneaker + Entertainment Collabs + Streetsport Culture April 9, 2007
Parkour and the sport of Urban Freeflow has captured the attention of new urban dwellers looking for a sport that they can tap into. Urban Freeflow has also captured the attention of some of the most innovative corporate brands in the world, including Adidas, Nokia, and K-Swiss among others, who use the Urban Freeflow team for consulting gigs on movies and commercials (i.e., “Casino Royale”), and has created new apparel and sneaker product for the practitioners of the sport of freerunning.
| New Kicks on the Block, TLT, Inspired from Graffiti Bombing Freight Train Lines April 9, 2007
Sneaker culture is a tough business which Scott and Noel from The Lines Toughest Kicks understand, but went ahead and decided to launch their new sneaker brand anyway because, as they put it, they were sick of the styles currently out there. TLT Kicks takes inspiration from Northern California graffiti artist King 157 and his bombing of freight train lines into the styles of their kicks. Label Networks TV captures what’s behind this new sneaker brand.
| Business Resource: Puma Takeover by Gucci + Yves Saint Laurent for $7.07 Billion April 9, 2007
Puma gets taken over by PPR retailer, owners of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent for $7.07 billion. Speculation of a bid started last year when Reebok was purchased by Adidas for $3.8 billion. PPR’s plans for Puma are to extend it’s international reach, especially in the key market of the United States, and improve it’s high-end line of products.
| Label Networks’ Hispanic Youth Culture Study Reveals Power of the Marketplace Effecting Businesses in Fashion, Footwear, Technology, Entertainment, Sports, + Lifestyle April 3, 2007
Label Networks release of the Hispanic Youth Culture Study indicates that there are many new influences effecting youth culture in America today based on the strength of this demographic. As the 2nd largest population group in America, knowing what’s taking place in this market is vital for success. Here are highlights from the Study.
| The Mad Potential of Women’s Sneaker Culture—Where It’s Happening + Where It’s Not…Yet—for subscribers only April 3, 2007
Women’s sneaker culture, especially among the hardcore collectors who are in essence the messengers of trends to the rest of the world, are still underserved, but starting to gain traction from some brands, websites, and stores in various markets. This story takes an in-depth look at the women’s sneaker-freaker marketplace, those with a passion for sole, and where the market opportunities are shaking out across North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
| Obey Clothing Illustrates Cross-over Brand Potential + Viral Marketing Success—with video April 2, 2007
Label Networks TV interviews Obey Clothing, the brand inspired by Shepard Fairey, street propaganda artist most known for his Obey Giant street campaign. What’s unique about Obey, the clothing and accessories line however is that it’s part of a new subculture of brands, including WeSC, Paul Frank, and Cardboard Robot that cross borders between action sports and music, street artists, and even car culture fans, and mostly is promoted through word-of-mouth campaigning with very little advertising.
| Music + the Importance of Ringtones in China Youth Culture April 1, 2007
Ringtones in China youth culture are a part of cultural identity and have long been one of the best ways of personal expression. Their popularity is also making changes in the music industry as people are now creating music for the purpose of becoming a popular ringtone. This story taps in the Cred Report from Label Networks’ China Youth Culture Study and the importance of music and ringtones in youth culture.
| Volcom, American Apparel, Hurley, Hollister—Among T-shirt Brands that Reach Unique Demographics of Hispanic Youth Culture—for subscribers only April 1, 2007
Top favorite T-shirt brands in our Hispanic Youth Culture Study ’07 reveal that there are specific traits that appeal to certain demographics and based on this, indicate where new opportunities per brand may lie within this demographic. This story takes a look at Volcom, American Apparel, Hurley, and Hollister—all among top brands but with completely different appeal to different aspects of the marketplace.
| Torah Bright Becomes Coveted Ticket To Ride Snowboarding Champ; Tara Dakides Makes a Comeback with Roxy Chicken Jam Slopestyle Win April 1, 2007
Women’s snowboarding season comes to a close with the Roxy Chicken Jam event in Park City, Utah, and the final tally of the Ticket To Ride Series. Torah Bright was named the TTR Champ while Tara Dakides made a comeback and won the slopestyle event at the Roxy Chicken Jam.
| North American Hispanic Study 2007 March 30, 2007
Based on consumer responses from a representative sampling of 1,500, 15-24-year-olds of young people across North America that were screened as being mostly of Hispanic descent. Reaching into the broadest and most diverse regions, as well as taking more samples from heavily populated Hispanic regions such as Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, and Oakland, the consumer research results in the Hispanic Youth Culture Study ’07 are as authentic, fresh, and as street-level as possible.
| Hispanic Music Report 2007 March 26, 2007
Hispanic Music Report 2007
| Hispanic Video Gaming Report 2007 March 25, 2007
Hispanic Video Gaming Report 2007
| Punk Fashion as Told by Tripp NYC + the Famous Trash & Vaudeville Store at St. Mark’s Place, NYC –with video March 24, 2007
Punk rock fashion has been around since the Sex Pistols invaded America in the early ‘80’s—which is around the time that the famous punk-inspired store on St. Mark’s Place in New York, Trash & Vaudeville, began. Label Networks TV interviews the store co-founder, Daang, about the evolution of punk rock style, her brand Tripp NYC, which is one of the most famous and oldest punk brands in the world, and where punk rock fashion is headed to next.
| The United States of Japan: Invasion of J-Pop Culture, Cosplay, Video Gaming, Online Entertainment + Its Influences on America March 24, 2007
Japanese pop culture including video gaming influences from Manga comics is having an impact on American youth culture not only through gaming, but also in fashion such as Cosplay—dressing as specific gaming characters—fashion, technology, and arts and entertainment patterns.
| Getting Connected w/the European Mobile Phone Youth Culture Marketplace—Specifics from the UK Scene, including Electronic Usage Habits, Music, + Communication Habits March 24, 2007
European mobile phone youth culture markets are among the most dynamic communication space in the world. This story takes a specific look at latest trends from the UK, as reported in Label Networks European Youth Culture Study, the UK Report.
| Hispanic General Lifestyle Report 2007 March 24, 2007
Hispanic General Lifestyle Report 2007
| Grandmaster Caz, the OG of Hip-Hop, Reveals in a Rare Interview the Roots of the Bronx Scene + Music Evolution with Fashion + the Launch of Sedgwick & Cedar March 24, 2007
Grandmaster Caz, the OG of Hip-Hop culture, gives Label Networks TV a rare interview about the origins of hip-hop from the Bronx from an insider perspective, as well as highlights of his new apparel brand, Sedgwick & Cedar. He talks about the originals of the scene including Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grand Wizzard Theodore, MC Shaw Rock, Ice-T, among others.
| Street Artist WK Interact Showcases in Paris’ Addict Galerie Drawing Street Art Fans; WK + Shepard Fairey to “Battle” in East/West Propaganda Project in Tokyo + Paris March 24, 2007
Street artist WK Interact showcases new work in Paris drawing fans of graffiti and street art to Addict Galerie. WK Interact and Shepard Fairey will also be battling next month in the East/West Propaganda Project in Tokyo and Paris with live on-site creations and comparisons of the two artists’ propaganda work.
| Hispanic Internet Report 2007 March 23, 2007
Hispanic Internet Report 2007
| Hispanic Sports Report 2007 March 22, 2007
Hispanic Sports Report 2007
| About The North American Hispanic Study 2007 March 21, 2007
Fresh results from Label Networks’ Hispanic Youth Culture Study ’07 illustrates the astounding power, influence, and strength of America’s fast-growing demographic of 13-24-year-olds.
| Hispanic Television Report 2007 March 20, 2007
Hispanic Television Report 2007
| Hispanic Movies Report 2007 March 20, 2007
Hispanic Movies Report 2007
| Hispanic Youth Culture Fashion Trends Building Momentum as Growing Demographic Influences the U.S. Landscape March 20, 2007
Hispanic Youth Culture is influencing fashion trends in the United States as the second largest cultural demographic and the fastest-growing youth culture market segment in the country. Label Networks’ Hispanic Youth Culture Study reveals fresh information from the fashion section specifically, quantifying the differences, direction, and new market opportunities by catering to this profile group specifically.
| LA’s Fast Eddie Provides Insight on the Crossover of Car Culture + Greaser/Mechanic, Rockabilly Streetwear Fashion March 20, 2007
LA’s Fast Eddie delivers the inside scoop in an exclusive look at the growing subculture of car culture and streetwear styles including greaser, mechanic, rockabilly, and auto.
| U.S. Open of Snowboarding Showcases Top Global Riders, Sponsorship Ingenuity, + Names Ticket to Ride World Snowboarding + Burton Global Open Series Champs March 19, 2007
The U.S. Open of Snowboarding is often considered the Olympics of the sport. Last week, not only was the sport moved to the next level with top global riders competing, including Olympians Shaun White, Kelly Clark, and Gretchen Bleiler, but also came the announcements based on the season’s points of new Champions of the new Burton Global Open Series and Global Ticket to Ride Series. This was a week of top riding and sponsorship ingenuity from corporate brands including Motorola, Snickers, Nintendo Wii, and NBC.
| China X Games in Shanghai Sponsored by KIA Motors Matches New Sports Moves to Attract Youth Culture + Cool-Factor, However 1-Child Rule Backlash Disses Skate, Moto, BMX as Too “Extreme” March 19, 2007
X Games is launching a China X Games in Shanghai to bring skateboarding, BMX, aggressive inline, and a motocross demonstration to one of the most happening cities in China. However, as Label Networks has noted in research results in our China Youth Culture Studies, there is a backlash to this new generation of the 1-child rule to “extreme” sports among parents. Label Networks breaks it down on the future of action, extreme, and sports in general in China youth culture.
| Sneaker Artist Sole Junkie Delivers the Scoop on the Painted Sneak + Battle Scene, His Inspiration, Latin Roots, Bobbito Garcia, Color, + the Power of MySpace—with Video March 19, 2007
Sneaker painter/artist Sole Junkie tells the story and importance of sneaker culture and what’s going on in the sneaker battle and art world, the importance of Bobbito Garcia, and the power of MySpace for creating his own business. Label Networks TV delivers this exclusive interview with Sole Junkie, delivering the depths of sneaker culture with the new king of sneaker art.
| Hispanic Electronics Report 2007 March 18, 2007
Hispanic Electronics Report 2007
| Hispanic Cell Phone Report 2007 March 18, 2007
Hispanic Cell Phone Report 2007
| Hispanic Shorts Report 2007 March 16, 2007
Hispanic Shorts Report 2007
| Hispanic Accessories Report 2007 March 16, 2007
Hispanic Accessories Report 2007
| Hispanic Footwear Report 2007 March 16, 2007
Hispanic Footwear Report 2007
| Hispanic T-Shirt Report 2007 March 15, 2007
Hispanic T-Shirt Report 2007
| Hispanic Fashion Report 2007 March 15, 2007
Hispanic Fashion Report 2007
| Hispanic Denim Report 2007 March 15, 2007
Hispanic Denim Report 2007
| FoSho FoShow Private Brand Showcase Combines Suite of ‘90’s Inspired Indie U.S. Brands + Japanese Streetwear March 13, 2007
FoSho FoShow trade show was a small select suite of brands that brought out a ‘90’s nostalgic flavor, B-girls, old-school hip-hop, and brands that represent new directions in U.S. and Japanese streetwear labels including Lemar & Dauley, Phenomenon, 10Deep, DC Shoes and The Life Collection, Complete Technique, RockSmith Tokyo, KiloGoods, and Hiqee
| Cardboard Robot—Politic + Social Awareness in Streetwear + Cardboard Furniture Brings Re-Purposed Meaning to a Politically Charged Apparel Line—with Video March 13, 2007
Cardboard Robot offers politically and socially charged streetwear designs and cardboard furniture that brings together though-provoking themes through apparel and re-purposed displays. Label Networks revisits an interview with founder and artist Mason Brown, and an up-to-date TV interview with the brand and where it’s moved on to today.
| China Youth Culture Online Habits Reflect Patterns of New Markets Moving into a Larger World via the Web March 13, 2007
China youth culture is moving online in droves, however there’s been a serious backlash to the popularity of internet cafes as seen in many recent media reports about young males addicted to being online, especially in gaming sites. As Label Networks has determined in the last tow China Youth Culture Studies, there are some major benefits to this generation being online, including opening up an entirely new marketplace for new online consumers, as well as social online networks. Label Networks delivers the data and the story.
| Band Line-Up Revealed for Vans Warped Tour “Lucky 13” Indicating More Bands You Need to Know from America’s Longest-Running + Most Influential Tour in Youth Culture March 13, 2007
Vans Warped Tour announces their Lucky 13th year band line-up, plus eco initiatives, their time capsule and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame exhibition, plus new online social networking capabilities for passionate youth culture fans of punk, rock, emo, screamo, ska, and hip-hop.
| SXSW Showcases New Music That Rocks America; Keynote by Pete Townsend, + Exhibitions, Art, + Film--Making SXSW a Smart Sponsors’ Dream Landscape March 13, 2007
South-by-Southwest Music Festival launches today, March 14th in Austin, TX, for a week showcasing bands-you-need-to-know because they will be soon rocking the American landscape. SXSW also has a grand tradition of bringing in excellent speakers in a conference series on music, recording, and the impact of music and marketing on the cultural landscape of American youth culture. This year’s keynote is Pete Townsend from the Who, which is actively recording for a landmark new release in the near future. All of this combined makes for a sponsors’ dream landscape, including Levi’s, Zune, Coke, and a plethora of hip magazines.
| Space-Invader Pacman’s Paris + Brings “Rubik” Street Art + Old-School Game March 12, 2007
Space-Invader’s Pacman artwork of Rubik cubes and old-school gaming as graffiti is one form of street art that police do not seem to discriminate against in Paris. Made of colorful tiles in obscure areas just above street signs, Space Invader reminds us to look outside the box. Label Networks delivers recent pics from Paris.
| We Are the Superlative Conspiracy Creates New “Conversations” with Consumers— Label Networks TV Interviews WeSC Founder + CEO March 12, 2007
WeSC is a unique streetwear brand from Sweden that has successfully crossed over from skate-inspired denim, apparel, and accessories, to full-on streetwear culture. Label Networks TV captures an interview with the founder and CEO, Gregor, who explains the brand’s unique philosophies and “conversations” through clothing with people interested in a similar lifestyle.
| Levi’s Back Pocket Seagull Stitch Becomes American Fashion’s Biggest Legal Battleground; Label Networks Has the Bigger Story: Denim Data from Global Youth Markets + What’s Really Going On March 12, 2007
Levi Strauss has been on a rampage in the past 2 months suing brands in the competitive denim marketplace for copyright infringement of their coveted seagull in flight back pocket stitching and vertically sewn tab in the pockets. While it seems fair that they don’t want people to copy their design, which is 133 years old, it’s also given them tremendously bad p.r., not to mention the perception that the reason they are suing is because the brand’s lost billions in the past decade because they have not kept up with trends. Label Networks has the real story, and data—based on 6 years of tracking youth culture perceptions of Levi’s, as well as other denim brands, from North America, Europe, Japan, and China.
| Pool, the “Fashion Freedom” Spectacle for Art-Inspired Streetwear Brands, Showcases Under the Bigtop—The Label Networks Review March 7, 2007
Pool Fashion Trade Show features up-and-coming brands, designers, and mostly art and music-inspired collections. With the theme Spectacle, this winter’s show took place under the big white tent, complete with clowns, mimes, and various freak shows by the eclectic mix of exhibitors themselves. Label Networks delivers a story review on top brands, and features Pool on Label Networks TV.
| Rendez-Vous Fashion Show, Paris, Showcases High-end Streetwear Labels Surface to Air, Opening Ceremony, United Bamboo, Minimarket, + More March 6, 2007
Rendez-Vous Fashion Show in Paris is the side show of highend streetwear in the midst of couture Paris Fashion Week—offering up a glimpse of things to come from Europe including latest collections from Surface to Air, Opening Ceremony, United Bamboo, sneaker brand Veja, Sweden’s MiniMarket, and Japan’s Masagon, among others.
| “Bands You Need to Know” Tour by AP + Rockstar Energy Drink Launches New Genre of Up-and-Coming Artists Driving Youth Culture Fans March 6, 2007
Alternative Press Magazine and Rockstar Energy Drink Launch the “Bands You Need to Know Tour” with headliners Cute is What We Aim For and Circa Survive. This tour corresponds with AP’s annual 100 Bands Your Need to Know almost always accurately portrays the top bands and up-and-coming artists that are attracting youth culture fans in North America.
| Radio Anti-Payola Settlements May Open Airwaves to Independent Record Labels + Local Artists March 6, 2007
The crackdown on radio anti-payola schemes are coming to a head with the FCC fining $12.5 million to the Big 4, Clear Channel, CBS Radio, Entercom, and Citadel for settlements against pay-for-play radio formats and opening up 8,400 half-hour segments of free airtime for indie record labels and local artists. Known as payola, the FCC in the past has not had such schemes high on the radar, but this move, along with another from the American Association of Independent Music, may just make free airtime available to independent record labels and local artists. If the FCC crackdown and AAIM campaign works, we can expect to hear a greater variety of music on the radio, which will also affect cultural trends in the near future.
| Part 2: Fashion Mavens Flash Their MAGIC “South Hall Styles”—Photo Essay of Bling, Accessories, Hip-Hop, Punk, Upper Urbanwear March 5, 2007
Fashion mavens from MAGIC’s South Hall indicate where trends are headed in styles inspired from hip-hop, punk, upper urbanwear, Japanese B-Boy, B-Girl, and Car Culture. Label Networks photo essay Part 1 delivers the latest.
| X Games to Include Women’s Surfing; Fuel TV To Cover ASP Women’s World Tour; Label Networks’ Surf Data Tells the Female Story March 5, 2007
ESPN X Games has included women’s surfing into its competition line-up for this summer, while Fuel TV steps up it’s commitment with dedicated coverage of the ASP Women’s World Tour. This is all in line with the market opportunity that Label Networks indicated 3 years ago as our primary data continues to show a higher percentage of 13-24-year-old females who want to learn to surf, and who like to watch the sport of surfing than males in the same age category.
| Reaching Youth Culture In America: Online vs. TV?for subscribers only Some of the best ways to anticipate changes in reaching youth culture via entertainment patterns is to watch what?s going on in the music industry. March 5, 2007
TV vs. Internet continues to be debated in terms of the most effect ways of reaching youth culture today in North America. However as we?ve seen in our primary data and shifts towards entertainment via online among young people, including watching YouTube, spending time on MySpace, etc. you can see that the future of reaching this new consumer group is not via traditional means of TV as it is today. Intuitive brands in music and action sports have turned to creating webisodes, ads, and interactive entertainment online for years now, which is just starting to catch on among the big players and agencies. This story quantifies trends and future forecasting and where things are headed and why.
| Label Networks TV with Hit + Run Silk-screening Masters March 5, 2007
Brandy Flower and the Hit + Run collective are known in underground circles for making a statement with their live, on-site silk-screening events. Not only do they provide a platform for collaboration of up-and-coming artists with T-shirt brands for interactive, one-of-a-kind pieces, but the H+R crew also creates the Mark of the Beast ‘zine and events that bring corporate cultural jamming to new heights.
| Part 1: Fashion Mavens Flash Their MAGIC “South Hall Styles”—Photo Essay of Hip-Hop, Punk, Upper Urbanwear, + Car Culture Influences February 28, 2007
Fashion mavens from MAGIC’s South Hall indicate where trends are headed in styles inspired from hip-hop, punk, upper urbanwear, Japanese B-Boy, B-Girl, and Car Culture. Label Networks photo essay Part 1 delivers the latest.
| Internet Patterns of American Youth Culture: Trends in Online Shopping, Social Networks, Downloading, YouTube Habits?for Subscribers Only February 27, 2007
Based on fresh data from Label Networks, this story is for subscribers only illustrating latest Internet patterns among American Youth culture in terms of trends in online shopping, social networks, downloading, MySpace and personal profiles, + YouTube habits.
| Business Resource: Volcom Up in Q4, to Open Stores + Expand in Europe; Quiksilver Taking the Heat by Warm Winter Weather; Hot Topic Earnings Conference Call Coming Soon February 27, 2007
usiness Resource: Label Networks delivers top news from recent Q4 reports including Volcom and it’s increase in revenue up 7% to
$7.6 million for Q4, as well as it’s expansion plans for opening more stores in the U.S. and moving into Europe as well as the integration of more video clips on it’s site that’s driving ever-increasing traffic; Quiksilver and it’s lower than expected results due to a warm winter season, and raising the flag that indeed snow sports are effecting this so-called surf brand, whereas others such as Volcom are not as affected, as well as privately held brands such as Sessions.
| Live Interview + Story with Nick Cannon--Musician, Comedian, Actor—And his Re-Launch of the Apparel Line PNB—Post No Bills February 27, 2007
DJ Nick Cannon, musician, comedian, actor, relaunches the old-school apparel line, PNB—Post No Bills—with the campaign called “Don’t Hate.” Nick explains in a live interview with Label Networks TV that it takes out-of-the-box thinking to make it as an MC, DJ, designer, and that we should all start congratulating each other rather than hating—which is what his ’07 PNB Nation apparel is all about.
| Label Networks TV: Interview with King 157 Train Graffiti Artist--Inspiration Behind New Sneaker Line ?The Trains Toughest? (TLT) Kicks February 26, 2007
King 157 Interview with Label Networks is an exclusive example of how a core underground graffiti artist painting on trains has managed through his artwork to make a statement, create a living for his family, and moved on beyond the description of the ?Solo Cholo? to inspire a new sneaker line called The Lines Toughest (TLT) Kicks.
| Part 1: MAGIC Fashion Trade Show’s South Hall Scene Provides Rich History + Trendsetting Styles Inspired from Hip-hop, Upper Urbanwear, High 5 Campground Street Culture February 20, 2007
MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show’s South Hall scene is notorious for bringing out masses of people inspired by music and fashion. In part 1 we review top brands making a statement in Hip-hop, upper urbanwear, the High 5 Campground Street Culture scenes.
| Akon, Grandmaster Caz, 50 Cent, Omarion, DJ Nick Cannon, Nelly, Russell Simmons, Gene Simmons, Blacksmith among the Musicians Featured at MAGIC Illustrating Strong Ties of Musicians + Streetwear—Label Networks Captures the Scene February 20, 2007
Top musicians and apparel collaborations bring hype to the South Hall of MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show with new lines premiering from musicians, and vice versa. Top choices Label Networks captured included Akon, Grandmaster Caz, 50 Cent, Omarion, DJ Nick Cannon, Nelly, Russell Simmons, Blacksmith, and Gene Simmons.
| Omarion, Timbaland Rock the Hard Rock, while Christopher Brian Presents their Collection at MAGIC’s South Hall Party February 20, 2007
Omari and Timbaland Rock the Hard Rock Café for the 2nd night party representing the South Hall during the Magic Fashion trade show.
| Part 2: MAGIC Fashion Trade Show’s South Hall Scene Provides Rich History + Trendsetting Styles Inspired from Art + Auto/Moto Car Culture Apparel, Punk + Goth, + Sneaker Culture February 20, 2007
MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show Part 2 story covers the Art scene in the South Hall including Hit & Run and the Label Networks’ Label Lab Exhibition, plus inspiration from brands representing auto and motocross inspired apparel, punk, Gothic, and Sneaker culture.
| Let It Ride—Documentary on the Legendary Pro Snowboarder Craig Kelly to Premiere in X-Dance Screening Series February 20, 2007
The feature-length documentary, “Let It Ride” by Jacques Russo about the life of legendary snowboarder Craig Kelly won the Lat34 X-Dance Film Festival for Best Film during the Sundance Film Festival last month. The X-Dance film festival series will be premiering the top films, starting with Let It Ride in Hollywood this week.
| Science in Surfing: Surf Forecasting Tool LOLA Delivers Premium Global Forecasts Offered up to Top Pro Surfers Only in a Surfline Deal with ASP World Tour February 20, 2007
Surfline has cut a deal with the ASP World Tour to allow top surfers access to premium surf forecasting data through a system called LOLA. The science of surfing and forecasting has been perfected over the years by Surfline through ocean buoy systems, height measurement, speed, and weather and wave forecast predictions—bringing science and surf together.
| OP Staff Booted; New Owners Iconix Move Operations to New York; So What About the SIMA President? February 20, 2007
OP staff in Irvine offices booted as Iconix restructures their recently bought acquisition in attempts to move things to New York and bring the old school surf brand to the mainstream. Ironically however, the President Dick Baker is also the president of the core organization, Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, which may not take too well to their president consulting with a Hollister-esque franchise of mass market surf apparel.
| United Trade Show Brings Together High-end Streetwear, Buyers, Retailers, Artists, Musicians, Seeking a Different Plane + Providing a Glimpse of Where Things are Headed February 20, 2007
United trade show scooped Magic’s South Hall and Pool by providing a new Pool type of show with high-end streetwear, cut-and-sew T-shirts, graphics, denim, vintage dresses with hand-stitched embellishments, among other things, such as a live recording studio, skateboard deck art gallery, putting green, table tennis tournament, and a pool. As trade shows evolve, the move towards events and art installations of the show itself are a necessary step towards capturing the most creative designers, brands, buyers, and retailers in streetwear fashion today.
| In the House: Graffiti, Street, + Sneaker Artists Sole Junkie, ManOne, King 157, DJ Shiro + Natasha, VJ Paul Sangster--Elevating the Label Lab Exhibition + Attracting Scores of Fashion, Music, Art Industry Players and Forever Redefining Trade Show Lounges February 19, 2007
The Label Lab Exhibition goes off in the South Hall creating a much needed information, networking, and inspirational lounge that will forever raise the bar on what trade show lounges can be. The 3-dimensional aspects included Label Networks primary data and charts, global streetwear photos, live art installations with ManOne, King 157, Shiro and Natasha, VJ Paul Sangster, Sole Junkie, attracting musical artists such as Grandmaster Caz, Omari, DJ Nick Cannon, and the band Blacksmith among hundreds of fans of fashion, art, and music.
| MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show Launches, Bringing Together Fashion Tribes from Street, Denim, Contemporary, Juniors, + Couture February 14, 2007
MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show Launches, as well as Project, Pool, and niche shows United, and FoShowFoShow, bringing together the latest tribes from streetwear, denim, Contemporary, Juniors, and Couture Fashion to Las Vegas. Key trends in streetwear include a return to the original B-Boy, B-girl looks of 1981.
| Neville Brothers + Fat Tuesday Themed Opening Night Party at MAGIC Ties in Fashion with Philanthropic Component as Proceeds Go to Habitat for Humanity February 14, 2007
MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show Launches, as well as Project, Pool, and niche shows United, and FoShowFoShow, bringing together the latest tribes from streetwear, denim, Contemporary, Juniors, and Couture Fashion to Las Vegas. Key trends in streetwear include a return to the original B-Boy, B-girl looks of 1981.
| Facebook Adds YouTube-like Component via Comcast’s Zidio Creating “Facebook Diaries” + Competition Series February 13, 2007
Facebook partners with Comcast and their Zidio video file sharing capabilities to ramp up a YouTube-like component and contest series called Facebook Diaries.
| Livity + Listen Clothing Tell of the Spirit One Love, Nature, + Music Can Provide Towards Creating a Movement in Sustainable Style—Live Interview February 8, 2007
Label Networks TV Reveals Heartfelt Interview with Livity + Listen Clothing that prove One Love, nature, music, and sustainable fashion can be a movement. Sounds through song provided by Ras Attitude.
| Urban Surplus in Uptown NYC: Streetwear Takes Cues from Midwest as Outdoor + Hunting Staples Take Root February 6, 2007
Urban Surplus fashion styles in Harlem include a new twist and irony combining outdoor classic brands from the Midwest, tree prints in camo, and Redwing leather boots in the most urban environments in a new style we call Urban Surplus. Even sneaker brands like iPath are recontextualizing sneaks to resemble high boots, ala grunge era, but with a hunting/workman attitude.
| OzzFest Goes “Free” Creating Sensation in Music Tour Business Models February 6, 2007
Ozzfest’s Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne along with producers Live Nation announced February 5th that tickets are free this summer, which will change the business model of music tours in general. The catch however is that sponsors will be in charge of making it happen, and in essence, giving the power to the sponsors, which many fans may find difficult to deal with, especially if they simply want to go see the Prince of Darkness but may first have to complete an entire form to get in.
| Retailer Perspective “The Candy Shop” Delivers Sweet Insight + Streetwear Brand Beautiful Society Collabs on New “Processes” Towards Keeping It Real—Live Interviews February 5, 2007
The Candy Shop tells how streetwear brands make it into his select retail store on the East Coast, while Beautiful Society keeps it real with latest “processes” in streetwear with glow in the dark cap logos, a cool bonsai tree logo, and martial arts inspirations in apparel. Label Networks TV delivers live interviews from the Agenda Fashion Trade Show January 25-27 in San Diego.
| WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy Releases “Let’s Get Physical” Compilation Ranging from DJ Stretch Armstrong to Timbuktu in Funny New Marketing Campaign February 5, 2007
We are the Superlative Conspiracy isn’t street-horsing around with the launch of their CD, “Let’s Get Physical” with 12 compilations by a mixed range of artists remastering the Olivia Newton-John 1982 hit to mark the launch of their new Spring/Summer collection. This unique and funny clothing launch marketing concept combines irony, humor, apparel, and music and among the leaders in trends in new approaches to fashion marketing. Videos and songs can be found starting this month on YouTube and MySpace.
| Palis Represents Latest Directions in Streetwear T-shirt Cut & Sew Through the Art of Storytelling, including a Much-Needed Women’s Collection—Live Interview From Agenda February 5, 2007
Palis from New York is one of those unique new T-shirt lines that takes cut & sew T’s, hoodies, and pants into a new direction. Stand-out traits are how everything tells a story, including the details necktape tucked into backs of shirts, and the collective sneaker boxes that stuff is shipped in. Most original however is that they launched a women’s line, which is much needed in the men’s saturated streetwear business and as ladies continue to seek out new innovation brands just for them.
| New Japan Youth Culture Study Reveals Growing Influence of Streetwear Fashion + Technology Trends Impacting North American Markets February 5, 2007
Based on the recent release of Label Networks Japan Youth Culture Study 02007, new correlations can clearly be made between mobile phones, communication patterns, technology, and streetwear fashion trends. As niche text messaging occurs in various areas of Tokyo, for example, so too do new demands on communication and technology transpire—thus leading the way and impacting North American markets.
| A Welcoming Ceremony for Proenza Schouler for Target February 5, 2007
Target collaborates with designers Proenza Schouler, known for bringing back the bustier in 2002, and creating quirky asymmetrical angles and color combinations, with the launch not at a Target store, but this time at the prestigious Opening Ceremony in Manhattan as part of their Target Go International line campaign. This debut in fast-fashion is a first as Opening Ceremony cleared its racks for 5 days to allow for the Target-Proenza Schouler collaboration.
| Streetwear Brand Nikita Introduces Upscale Selekzion; Live Interview Provides Insight on the Future of Women’s Streetwear, Snowboarding, + Who’s Killing It February 3, 2007
Nikita streetwear brand for girls who ride launches Selekzion—an upper urbanwear collection for girls who want to glam-it up after a day of riding, skating, surfing. Label Networks met up with Nikita rider Gabby for a live interview on what she thinks about the state of women’s streetwear, Nikita, and women snowboarders who are killing it right now.
| Crossover of Winter Outerwear + Lifestyle, Wearable Electronics, + Skier/Snowboarder Styles Indicate Expansion Beyond Core to Lifestyle-Inspired “Participants” February 1, 2007
The SIA trade show in Las Vegas from January 22-25 indicated that some ski and snowboarding brands are realizing the impact of lifestyle apparel in terms of reaching beyond the core participant marketplace, which is a must-have in today’s age of global warming and limited access to winter sports in general. Hype surrounds snowboarding still, with brands that are still hungry such as Rome Snowboards, Lib tech, Grenade, Sessions, Volcom, Capita, and Nikita.
| 5Pointz in Long Island City, Queens Provides Graffiti Artists from the Boroughs Space to Create + Speak the Streets February 1, 2007
5Pointz in Long Island City, Queens is one of the only places where graffiti artists can do their thing (under strict permit) and tell their story. It’s a place intended for graffiti artist from the 5 boroughs, this it’s name, and it’s constantly morphing—speaking the word on the streets.
| ASR Trade Show Live with Label Networks TV + Host AJ Jackson Recaps the Energy, Brands, + Passionate Players Who Dictate Where Action Sports Lifestyle Is Headed Next January 30, 2007
ASR Trade Show live with Label Networks TV and host AJ Jackson indicates where trends are headed next for action sports including surf, skate, snow, and motocross. The highlights in this video recap including the GoldBox Mission for Up-and-coming brands, booths and installations, and the industry players that are making moves in action sports lifestyle.
| Business Resource: Transworld Media, Publisher of Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Surfing, Bought by Swedish Bonnier Magazine Group January 30, 2007
Transworld Media and Time4 were bought by Swedish-based Bonnier Magazine Group for an estimated $200 million. Speculation about what will happen to youth culture magazine titles such as Skateboarding, Snowboarding, and Surfing remain uncertain however VP Jonas Bonnier says they are willing to invest in niche magazine markets in the U.S,
| Coachella Music + Arts Festival—Kick-off of the Music Festival Season—Announces Band Line-up + Top Selection within Today’s Influential Music Scene January 29, 2007
Coachella Music and Arts Festival, the kick-off festival of the summer music scene, announced their band line-up last week, 3-day festival format, and new artists that will surely have a massive impact on music and its influence across America this summer.
| Bread & Butter Barcelona Showcases What to Expect from Streetwear Fashion ’07-’08 in Europe from T’s, Denim, Patterns, Cultural References, + Brands January 29, 2007
Bread & Butter Barcelona was the most crowded it’s ever been, indicating and strong trend in streetwear in Europe and indicating new directions in denim, T-shirts, and style that are inspired by nature, vintage, urban landscapes, and more. B&B is the place to be in order to understand what to expect in ’07-’08 in European streetwear.
| ASR Runway Show Brings Grunge + Camping/Wilderness Themes Back to the Future with Punk Hair, Duckie Boots, + Thigh-High Selvedged Leggings January 29, 2007
ASR Fashion Show indicates that grunge is back but recontextualized with an apocalyptic Americana feel including selvedged leggings, thigh-high tube socks, rubber duckie boots in colorful styles, thigh-length shorts, lumberjack plaids and camping meets punk rock themes
| Alpinestars Runway Show Presents a New Spin on Moto-inspired Streetwear January 29, 2007
Alpinestars have come a long way from simply providing motocross gear, pads, boots, and apparel, to delivering some of the new leading-edge streetwear trends in apparel for young women and men. Top of the line are the military-like black, ankle-high grunge boots paired with purple dresses, raw skinny denim jeans, mini skirts, and an assortment of thermals, leather jackets, and hoodies. Aplinestars stepped-out with their own runway show at ASR January 26th.
| Snowmobile “Freestyle” Debut + SnoCross Events at Winter X Take ‘Biling to an All-Time High Supported by Massive Crowds January 29, 2007
Snowmobiling in the Winter X Games in events such as SnoCross and the debut of Freestyle indicate that motorized sports are clearly a part of action sports these days—just as motocross and wakeboarding in Summer X. The massive crowds stoked the riders as they pulled backflips on 500-pound beasts flying down the mountain at break-neck speeds and the pics are here to prove it.
| Winter X Games Showcases Steve Fisher’s Lofty 900’s to Win Gold in Men’s SuperPipe; Torah Bright Stomps It for a Gold + Women’s Title January 29, 2007
Winter X Games SuperPipe Results for Men’s and Women’s brings out new winners such as Steve Fisher and Torah Bright and legendary Olympians including Shaun White, Gretchen Bleiler, and Hannah Teter as well as top new 1080’s, 900’s, and other moves to the largest crowd ever in attendance at Winter X Games.
| Sundance Film Festival + the Sponsor, Lounge, Gifting, Marketing Ambush—Highlights of the Most Innovative Attracting the Brightest Celebs January 29, 2007
Sundance Film Festival always attracts top sponsors, celebs, pr agencies, and brands. This year was no different despite the “Focus on Films” campaign with MySpace producing a cool lounge along with loads of others. While gifting lounges for celebs have been cut back thanks to the IRS taxing such prizes, top brands did figure out a way to get into the action. Here’s the scoop.
| Adidas Skateboarding Live Interview: Label Networks TV Gets the Scoop with Jess Weinstein on Latest Pro Team Rider Inspirations, Art Collabs, + Styles January 29, 2007
Label Networks TV captures a live interview with Adidas Skateboarding and how they plan to continue making inroads in action sports with its hot team of 3 guys, Mark Gonzales, Dennis, Busenitz, Tim O’Connor, plus the lowdown on where the brand’s headed in the future.
| Enter the Dojo--N20 Record’s 10 years of Underground Sound Event January 25, 2007
Enter the Dojo event by N20 records brought out the best in hip-hop, DJ, culture, reggae, dub, and DJ battles last Friday night as the underground sound event of Los Angeles continues to gain momentum.
| Starbucks in China’s Forbidden City May Close Based on Heat from Popular Insider Blogs Indicating New Internet-based Power Exchange January 23, 2007
Starbucks in China’s Forbidden City may close based on heat from Insider internet correspondence and disgruntled visitors, not to mention an insider CCTV blog. This indicates a change in policy in China as internet campaigns gain power.
| Vintage Trends from Post-War to Psychedlic Rampage London January 23, 2007
London’s vintage craze has taken youth culture by storm coming from post-war influences, psychedlic retro, and the musicians behind the movement. East London is host to scores of hot new second-hand and vintage shops and has become the new place for underground fashionistas and stylists looking for individuality outside of today’s fast-fashion movement.
| Sundance Short Films on iTunes Opens Door to Mini-Movie Makers, Including Top New Mini-Flicks (that are probably on YouTube too) January 23, 2007
Sundance short films available on iTunes means good news for youth culture consumer reporters who have been creating mini-movies since their first cell phone.
| The Yard at SIA—The Space for Up-and-Coming Brands—Provides Cool Vibe, Lounge, DJs, Art, + Street-cred to Winter Sports, January 23, 2007
The Yard at SIA provides space for up-and-coming brands, plus provides a cool urban and street-cred vibe based on its creators, Stix, Frank 151, and The Block.
| SIA Winter Outerwear Fashion Show Illustrates New Crossovers of Skier Chic, Upper Urbanwear Snowboarder Styles, + Sexy Ski Racer Speedsuits January 23, 2007
SIA winter fashion show in Las Vegas kicked off the trade show with indications of new crossovers with skier chic, upper urbanwear in snowboarding styles, sexy ski racer speedsuit concepts, and over new vibe for winter outerwear.
| Female Musicians--The Gossip, The Long Blondes--Take Center Stage in Europe, Elevating Music, Passion, Style Among Scores of Girls January 23, 2007
Female musicians, including Betty Ditto from The Gossip and Kate Jackson from Long Blondes have moved into the forefront and taken with them new styles among scores of young girls for retro looks, pin-up, betty-boop, and vintage.
| Venice Beach Graffiti Wall January 2007 January 16, 2007
Venice Beach Graffiti Wall January 2007
| “Rock Fresh” Graffiti + Street Art Documentary DVD Release Provides Insider Perspective on the Struggle of Urban Artists + Where Things are Headed in Street Culture January 16, 2007
Rock Fresh documentary delivers the world of graffiti and street artists through the struggles between balancing creativity and commerce in a rare glimpse at what’s going on in the underground as seen through top artists Axis, Clae, Kofie, Trixter, and Tyer—some who have been commissioned by brands such as Levi’s, Toyota, Red Bull, MTV, and Nike.
| Business Resource: Nintendo Wii Tops PS3—Latest News on the Console Wars January 16, 2007
Business Resource: Nintendo Wii outsold PlayStation 3 Consoles in December final sales, with Nintendo selling 604,200 compared with 490,700 from Sony. Xbox has sold 1.1 million consoles so far, however they have the advantage of coming out onto the marketplace earlier. Tracking the console wars will indicate where trends are headed in gaming platforms, and therefore games in the near future.
| Perry Farrell Launches Satellite Party—A “Solutionists” Collaborative to Inspire Change, Featuring Unreleased Morrison Track, + Debuting at X Games January 16, 2007
Perry Farrell launches a new musical project called Satellite Party, an interesting new collective intended to inspire change and create solutions for the world, environment, and creativity. The new album, Ultra Payloaded, includes an unreleased Jim Morrison track, plus sores of guest artists. Satellite Party is to debut at the Winter X Games January 25th in Aspen.
| Beckham’s Move to America May Pump-up the Volume for Soccer in the USA, Sponsor Adidas, + UK Fashion Trends Known as WAG + Chav January 16, 2007
David Beckham’s move from Real Madrid to the Galaxy team in Los Angeles this summer brings new attention to the sport of soccer in the U.S., as well as his sponsors Adidas, Pepsi, Motorola, and Gillette. With his wife, Posh (Victoria) Spice also comes a new flavor of fashion known as WAG and chav culture—think white-trash imports from England. Lovely.
| Snow Sports Industry Trade Show Gets Urban + Provides Lounge called “The Yard” for Up+Coming Brands; Action Sports Retailer Trade Show Goes Green January 15, 2007
ASR goes green and SIA adds the urban vibe for up-and-coming brands called The Yard, which provides 2 new aspects of trade shows worth noting this season as others try to keep up with innovative plans and progression.
| 50 Cent Launches Condom Line to Go with G-Unit Books—a 1st in Publishing January 14, 2007
50 Cent announced that he’s launching a line of condoms with a percentage of proceeds to go to HIV awareness campaigns. Fiddy’s announcement was made during this promotional tour for his street fiction, also known as hip-hop novellas, called G-Unit including books, The Ski Mask Way with Essence Magazine top authors, K. Elliot and Nikki Turner, and Death Before Dishonor with ghetto fiction author, Noire.
| Graffiti Artist André Collaborates with Medicom Fabrick Creating Special Edition Backpacks, Pencil Cases, Oven Mits, Aprons January 14, 2007
Graffiti Artist, Andre from France collaborates with Medicom Fabrick to create a collection of cool accessories including backpacks, pencil cases, oven mits, and aprons—all sure to be hot items among collectors of artists.
| Dynamic Changes in Finding out About New Fashion Brands + Styles Illustrate Targeted Global Market Opportunities for Reaching Specific Youth Culture Demographics—for subscribers only January 9, 2007
There are distinct traits of where specific demographics in youth culture markets find out about new fashion brands and styles when looking at Label Networks’ research results across the board of North America, Europe, Japan, and China to the question “Where do you find out about new fashion brands and styles mostly?” The most telling differences are that Internet is gaining pace as the main source in North America and China, whereas it’s losing pace in Europe. Japan sources Magazines, Europe sources Stores.
| Dynamic Changes in Finding out About New Fashion Brands + Styles Illustrate Targeted Global Market Opportunities for Reaching Specific Youth Culture Demographics—for subscribers only January 9, 2007
There are distinct traits of where specific demographics in youth culture markets find out about new fashion brands and styles when looking at Label Networks’ research results across the board of North America, Europe, Japan, and China to the question “Where do you find out about new fashion brands and styles mostly?” The most telling differences are that Internet is gaining pace as the main source in North America and China, whereas it’s losing pace in Europe. Japan sources Magazines, Europe sources Stores.
| Another Ticket 2 Ride Snowboard Event Postponed in Europe Due to No Snow; Volcom Drops $35K in the Acid Drop Mini Ramp Fest at Surf Expo January 9, 2007
Volcom Stone drops $35,000 in prize money for their new pro-am contest called the Acid Drop Mini Ramp contest taking place during Surf Expo next week, and another Ticket to Ride contest, the ONeill King of the Park is canceled due to lack of snow in Europe.
| iPod Launches the iPhone—The Inevitable Evolution January 9, 2007
iPod launches the iPhone which was bound to happen. This very cool device will certainly be the rage of global youth culture in the near future, as it was released at the Apple show yesterday. The mobile phone game has changed for the future.
| Advice from European Youth Marketplace for Fashion Store Retailers: Highlights from Label Networks’ Qualitative “Cred Reports”—UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy January 9, 2007
Straight from the Cred Reports of Europe, Label Networks is releasing the top advice and opinions of 15-25-year-olds to the question, if they owned their own fashion retail store or online store, what would they do to make it cool and important. The results indicate that most would do more with a store than just sell clothing, but add special events and festivities around the store itself.
| The Label Lab Exhibition: Label Networks Presents Global Street Culture, Fashion, Attitudes in a 3-Dimensional Multi-media Art Exhibition Showcasing at MAGIC January 9, 2007
Label Networks presents the Label Lab—a 3-dimensional art exhibition live at the MAGIC International Fashion Trade Show, featuring Label Networks streetwear fashion photography from around the world, live top graffiti and street artists, a VJ multi-media show, and fresh charts and trends from Label Networks’ marketing intelligence.
| The Evolution of Global Youth Culture Streetwear Fashion Trends—A Quick Recap of ’06 + What to Expect in ‘07 January 8, 2007
Year-end look at how urbanwear and streetwear have evolved since ’06 and where it’s moving into ’07 as reported by Label Networks international network of reporters in North America, Europe, and Japan.
| 50 Cent Launches G-Unit Books, Pumping Up the Street Fiction Genre Usually Ignored by Mainstream Publishers January 8, 2007
Street fiction, also known as hip-hop novellas, is a genre that has been largely ignored by mainstream publishers mainly because authors have chosen to self-publish using street vendors as distributors based on lack of trust of mainstream publishing house. 50 Cent has just launched a new street fiction book publishing house called G-Unit with the launch of The Ski Mask Way with Essence Magazine top authors, K. Elliot and Nikki Turner, and Death Before Dishonor with ghetto fiction author, Noire.
| Cell Phone, Electronics, Internet Preferences of Youth Market Showcased in 2nd Installment of Label Networks TV: Watch it Here January 8, 2007
Label Networks’ TV (LN TV) second installment includes highlights from technology preferences of the youth culture marketplace including cell phone preferences, top websites, and electronic purchasing decisions.
| Latest YouTube Conspiracy Theory: Is The Dew Behind the Elderly Crunk-lovin’ Masher, Sue Teller? January 8, 2007
YouTube conspiracy theory behind the funny and creative new show, elderly Sue Teller’s “Do Your Own Adventure” has people speculating on just who are the creative geniuses behind this show. If indeed it is Mountain Dew, then it’s a great example of how the brand has mashed the concept of short videos via YouTube, humor, pop culture, and mystery—all in what’s essentially and an ad for the Dew.
| Business Resource: Gap May Sell; Levi’s Up After Down 8 Years January 8, 2007
In our fashion business resource stories, Gap is rumored to be going up for sale over having poor sales for the past 5 years and woeful sales over Christmas holiday season. Meanwhile, Levi Strauss is up 1% after being down for 8 years, based on changes in innovation of it’s styles, including the straight-leg, adding more stores, moving online, and creating more hip TV ads.
| Big-Wave Contests Eddie Aikau + Mavericks Set to Go Off in Winter Swells Attracting New Fans + Sponsors January 2, 2007
It’s the season for Big-wave surf contests such as the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau in Waimea Bay and Mavericks Surf Contest in Northern California with both ramping up for surfing 50-foot swells, bringing with it top big-wave surfers, new fans, sponsors, and unique ways for people to view the competition thanks to sponsors’ websites, cell phones, and podcasts.
| Sundance Film Festival Preview—What to Expect from a Global Youth Culture Perspective January 2, 2007
Sundance Film Festival kicks off in Park City, Utah January 18-28 with a new crop of amazing films. This is a round-up of films with a global youth culture perspective that are premiering in the following categories: Native American and Indigenous, Short Film Programs, Urban Interest, Women’s Interest, Music Interest, African-American Interest, Politics & Conflict.
| Montreal Streetwear Fashion Mixes ‘80’s + Northern European Influences to Create Unique Styles January 2, 2007
Montreal streetwear fashion comes with an urban vibe influenced from Europe and a retro reflection of the ‘80’s, plus new influences from music such as Arcade Fire, turntablism, and a mix of skate and club-wear. Among top locations are the lower plateau area, known for stores such as sneaker-freak hang-out Goodfoot, and eclectic boutiques that mix vintage with new. Styles include leg warmers, large scarves, short bangs, tall boots, tights and skirts, and among guys, white belts, bomber jackets or fur-lined hoodie jackets and sneaks.
| Technology’s Global New Year’s Eve: Nokia Connects Top Artists with Fans via Site + Cell; YouTube, Chevy, + Warner Music Group Provide Video Count-down January 2, 2007
This was the first technology New Year’s Eve with Nokia connecting fans via their website and cell phone with various sponsored events around the world, and YouTube, sponsored by Chevrolet teamed up with Warmer Music Group to bring almost-live videos as a countdown to the new year.
| Label Exec Damon Dash to Launch Pro-Keds Apparel to Match Kicks + a Social Network—Yet Another Example of the Music-Sneaker-Apparel-Social Network Connection January 2, 2007
Label Executive Damon Dash, known for co-founding Roc-a-Fella Records with Jay-Z and discovering Kanye West, has added to his hip-hop empire with the license deal with Pro-Keds not only for their shoes, but also now, an apparel line that’s intended to match the kicks. In addition, Dash is launching his own social online network, BlockSavvy.com intended for urban fashionistas.
| Bread & Butter Pushes Boundaries with Launch of BBB Kraftwerk-Berlin for Streetwear Fashion Brands to Express Creativity In an Imposing Industrial Ruin January 2, 2007
BBB Kraftwerk Berlin-Mitte is another step in the evolution of the anti-tradeshow movement by allowing brands to express their creative sides with live art installations, DJ sets, models, fashion shows, exhibitions, and lounges in a new format of an imposing industrial ruin in Berlin.
| Beamvertising: Projection Graffiti Art of a Skateboarder by Sportlife Chewing Gum Offers Cool Idea for Brand Recognition January 2, 2007
Beamvertising, also known as projection art, has moved on from graffiti and street artists to brands that are using the motif for brand recognition in major cities. The latest creative injunction of projection art took place with Sportlife chewing gum in Holland of a skateboarder skating across the building facades of various cities throughout the Netherlands to promote the brand’s campaign “Can you find the pack?”
| Video Gaming Platform preference - Historical Trends May 17, 2006
Video Gaming Platform preference - Historical Trends
| Favorite TV show - Historical Trends May 17, 2006
Favorite TV show - Historical Trends
| Sports Participation Preference - Historical Trends May 16, 2006
Sports Participation Preference - Historical Trends
| Music Style Preference - Historical Trends May 16, 2006
Music Style Preference - Historical Trends
| Movie Type Preference - Historical Trends May 16, 2006
Movie Type Preference - Historical Trends
| Magazine Title Preference - Historical Trends May 16, 2006
Magazine Title Preference - Historical Trends
| Average Hours Online Per Day - Historical Trends May 15, 2006
Average Hours Online Per Day - Historical Trends
| Future Concerns - Historical Trends May 15, 2006
Future Concerns - Historical Trends
| Average Footwear Pricing - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Average Footwear Pricing - Historical Trends
| Footwear Brand Preference - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Footwear Brand Preference - Historical Trends
| Cell Phone Feature Preference - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Cell Phone Feature Preference - Historical Trends
| Cell Phone Average Spending - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Cell Phone Average Spending - Historical Trends
| Cell Phone Service Provider Preference - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Cell Phone Service Provider Preference - Historical Trends
| Planned Electronics Purchase - Historical Trends May 12, 2006
Planned Electronics Purchase - Historical Trends
| Cell Phone Brand Preference - Historical Trends May 11, 2006
Cell Phone Brand Preference - Historical Trends
| North America Spring 2007 September 14, 2004
North America Spring 2007 |
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