Hood By Air is Byke

Shayne Oliver’s brainchild Hood By Air has boldly returned to the fashion industry with its first official ready-to-wear collection starring none other than Naomi Campbell.

Aptly titled The Prologue, HBA’s forthcoming offering consists of three distinct sections: Mother, Veteran, and Merch. Naomi, being the Empress that she is, was picked as a spokesmodel for the initial portion to accent its essence.  “She is such a mother figure to so [many people in fashion] and has always been so outspoken about Black people in fashion, Black identity and Black creativity,” says Oliver to Vogue.  

Photographed by Luiz Alberto Rodriguez, Campbell is seen rocking pieces fundamentally based on function and utility such as: a leather puffer, leather motocross pants and a handy-dandy top equipped with zippers, straps, and belt clips (Playboi Carti must be salivating looking at those pics right now). Shout out to Carlos Nazario for a great job styling this one.

Since Shayne and ASAP Rocky made up, I hope to see these two collaborate on something major for the brand’s advancement. After all, he is a..Veteran...in HBA wear. (Damn, I’m nice).

The 'We Outside, Outside' Collection

If an adult Dora The Explorer and P Diddy had kids (just follow me on this), they would be the first ones on the block to effortlessly rock the extravagant pieces from Gucci’s collaboration with The North Face. 

Alessandro Michele, the luxurious Italian fashion house’s lauded Creative Director, truly believes that man is not separate from nature. During his tenure at Gucci, he has pushed the brand to become environmentally-friendly with moves such as its “off The Grid” sustainable collection, which utilizes recycled, organic and sustainably sourced materials. Gucci’s latest offering continues its earth-conscious trek with none other than TNF, who is also taking strides in making a positive impact on the environment.

Teased back in September via Instagram, Gucci’s joint venture with The North Face focuses on the great outdoors and channels the spirit of exploration. Don’t get it twisted—these pieces ain’t for your regular hypebeast camp-outs, you dig? The collection, inspired by The North Face designs from the 1970s, remains true to Gucci’s maximalist aesthetic and TNF’s functionable outerwear.  It includes retro climbing gear-inspired backpacks, belt bags, a tent, a sleeping bag, hiking boots, beanies, shirts, and coats. These offerings take coziness to Mount Everest Heights!

The North Face x Gucci collaboration is available in select boutiques worldwide.  And as of today, online at Gucci and The North Face.

Kerwin & Rocky's Second Dance

SOHO scene kid turned thriving DJ and social media personality Kerwin Frost kicked off the new year with an extensive sit-down with Harlem’s very own ASAP Rocky.

Some of you may not be aware, but this is actually the second time these blossoming buds have chopped it up. Six months ago, Ian Connor and his ASAP affiliate joined Frost to discuss Downtown NYC’s golden era. On this occasion, Rocky gets a bit more personal as he touches on his humble beginnings Uptown (as a matter of fact, he gave off major Goldie vibes in the interview), untimely arrest in Sweden, issues with SpaceGhostPurrp, ASAP Yams’ “magical” powers and many more. 

Check out the chat in its entirety below:

P.S I still have a few sizes left in my SOHO,NYC hoodie—don’t miss out on it. Click here to cop. New items are dropping shortly!

Get Flee In The New Flea

About a month ago, Cactus Plant Flea Market released a rather unique iteration of the Nike Blazer Chukka which sold out before it could even cool down! (Get it? Blazer...y’all ain’t ready for the bars).  Made under the Swoosh’s “By You” customization platform, customers were able to remix their respective pair with an array of materials, patterns and colors. The shoe itself features deconstructed edges, quiltings you can find on your grandmother’s favorite comforter, asymmetric textiles and a tan upper comprised of mixed materials.  

Now, Cynthia Lu’s brainchild is gearing up to deliver yet another hotly anticipated sneaker with the american multinational corporation utilizing its classic Air Force 1 model.

Already worn by two of Hip Hop’s major braided up players, Travis Scott and ASAP Rocky, the CPFM x Air Force 1 is made with the silhouette’s triple black and white colorway. As seen on Instagram, Flacko rocked the “Air Flea” version in black, while La Flame flexed in the “Air Sunshine” pair in white. Rimmed with a potent reflective material, the bold letters (they resemble those on Scottie Pippen’s Uptempos) are located across the kicks’ upper.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on when these are going to drop. Knowing CPFM’s style, these bad boys will be sold in limited quantities!

A Brief History Lesson on Cactus Plant Flea Market

The fast rising label was founded by mysterious designer Cynthia Lu, who was a former intern for Complex and then later worked as Pharrell Williams’ assistant.  As you can see, she took a page right off The Jeffersons and swiftly moved on up “to a deluxe apartment in the sky,” which, in her case, is inhabited by other streetwear giants.

Lu has done no interviews. As a matter of fact, fans had to get their Sherlock Holmes on just to figure out that she was the mastermind behind the booming brand.  They started piecing the puzzle together after Pharrell gave her a shout out during his awe-inspiring acceptance speech for the CFDA Fashion Icon award in 2015. “So you see, I’m not a style icon. I’m just inspired—I am Other, and I’m ok with that. Someone’s gotta do it,” says a humble P.  “And to my genius assistant Cactus, listen to your instincts and the people who see the qualities in your differences, because you too might just make a difference.”

In just over a year since its inception (2015), the brand was co-signed by many tastemakers, including Big Sean, Cara Delevingne, Tyler, the Creator,Travis Scott, and of course Skateboard P (I mean, it can’t get any better than the Gawd himself).  In March of 2016, Lu revealed that CPFM would be sold at Dover Street Market New York.

The playful label has collaborated with a slew of prominent brands such as Nike, Nigo’s Human Made, motorcross brand Alpine Star and even designed merchandise for the ASAP Mob, Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

Potato Salad

A huge smile creeped across my face when I heard the beat used in A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator's new freestyle, oddly titled "Potato Salad." 

Most of you reading this article might be too young to remember, but the riveting instrumental is also found on legendary R&B singer Monica's 2003 hit "Knock Knock."  Reworked by Missy Elliot and Kanye West, the beat dates all the way back to 1976 as it initially appeared on The Masqueraders' single, "It's A Terrible Thing To Waste Your Love."

It's always great when rappers flex their knowledge of music beyond Hip Hop (specifically classic R&B jams).  Furthermore, the juxtaposition of braggadocious lyrics over a soothing sample is the perfect recipe for an eargasmic tune! 

Serving as a teaser for their rumored collaborative WANG$AP album, the visual for the Rap duo's surprise chune appears in a new AWGE 3 DVD.  While we patiently wait for that project to surface, check out the flossy clip below:

Rocky and Skepta Praises The Lord

It's only right that I present this right after the epic interview with my VLONE-affiliated buddy Ryan Mulry.  I like to keep everything cohesive, you know?  In any case, ASAP Rocky has finally unveiled the much anticipated visual for his Testing album standout cut, "Praise The Lord (Da Shine)," featuring the grimiest of emcees himself, Skepta.

The trippy, split-screen and building bouncing visual finds the two rap comrades in their respective hoods, as they exchange fiery bars on the"Shutdown" spitter-produced banger (I'm talking about Skepta, if you didn't know).

Check it out below:

Monsieur Mulry

Aw man!  It feels so good to be writing these Original Stories again.  I took a little break to gather my thoughts on the direction of the series.  Although we live in a digital age where content is consumed like fast food, I wanted to allow (sort of forced, honestly) you guys to fully digest and enjoy the existing tales of the talented individuals I am blessed to know.  Quality over quantity is my strategy.

With that said, allow me to present my latest interviewee, Ryan Mulry aka Monsieur Mulry.  As you may have guessed, Ryan and I met at my old office in BAPE (yes, I'm talking about the second floor of the shop).  In A$AP Rocky's single "A$AP Forever," the self-proclaimed PMF proudly boasted he had "Goyard by the sack," but I can personally attest that Ryan had it by the boatloads about a decade before the bags were a much sought-out accessory in the Rap world.

The New Jersey-native and I clicked instantly simply because we share the same, chill vibes.  As fashionable as he was (and still is), he didn't have any sense of entitlement or cockiness and treated those around him with absolute respect.  It was all love whenever he stopped by to cop our latest threads, but we never actually kicked it outside of the shop.  This is why it's such a pleasure to finally have a sit-down with him after all these years to find out more about his life beyond the lavish aesthetics.

Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY:  Ryan, the man!  Thanks for taking the time to chat.  It's been a minute since we actually saw or spoke to each other so I'm excited to know what you've been up to.

RYAN:  What's up Frendy!  It's an honor to have this discussion with you so many years later.  So much has happened for both of us—I think we are two examples of people really living what we do and look forward to talking about that.

FRENDY:  Amen!  It's all about authenticity at the end of the day.  So, let's get right to it—how'd you afford all that Goyard back in the day? *Laughs*.  Nah, I'm just playing.  What initially drew you to the French trunk and leather goods luxury brand?

RYAN:  *Laughs*.  That's always peoples first thought like, "How did you afford this or that?"  *Laughs*.  I could lie to you and front like I worked hard for all my pieces, but the truth is that I was just really blessed to work at Barneys New York during the time I did.  I got a huge discount, not to mention the fact that Goyard used to be about 50% price of what it is today, so it was easier to purchase—yet still very expensive.  

It was always more [pricey] than Louis Vuitton, which is why some people immediately saw it as an elitist brand based off that alone.  One day I was having a discussion with Lupe Fiasco about it and I believe he was an example of that mentality.  His exact words to me were, "it's an elitist thing."  While that may be true, I never looked at it like that.  To me, it was the fact of how the canvas was printed and the materials being used that really captured me.  Mixed with the fact that people didn't really know what it was back then—I was in love!  I prefer things that are under-the-radar and don't draw too much attention for my everyday uniform.  A subtle stunt, rather than everything all in your face.  Less is more, you know?

FRENDY:  Beautifully said!  I totally agree.  Furthermore, once you deeply know that "you're the shit," you can rock virtually anything and it's praised by the masses.  It's energy more than anything, but that's for another story.  Oh ok, so you actually worked for the brand.  Were you at its New York store location or corporate offices?

RYAN:  It's funny you mention energy—I'm a firm believer of manifestation and the powers we all hold within ourselves.  Confidence is definitely key.  Style is subjective and really boils down to what makes you feel good personally.  As far as Goyard, I did indeed work for the brand.  The corporate offices in New York are actually located above the store within the townhouse.

The Goyard home in New York is truly beautiful and one of a kind.  I am grateful I got to open that to the public and be a part of the experience.  All love for all my Goyard family in France, they have showed me love from day one when I just had a cardholder and a dream *Laughs*.  Now I'm on to new projects with business partners I was fortunate enough to meet during my time with the brand.  I have to say Goyard has been very good to me for the 10 years it has been involved in my life—it has done nothing but attract like minded friends and family.  Interestingly enough, the brand has shaped a major part of my life and I couldn't be more grateful for it.  Shout out Goyard man!

FRENDY:  Damn, that's whats up!  It must be nice to be appreciated by such a huge brand *Laughs*.  Let's take it back a bit before all the fashion happenings.  Earlier you mentioned that you grew up in New Jersey.  Where exactly?

RYAN:  *Laughs*  Yeah for sure!  I am extremely grateful for that, but I also worked hard to earn it.  I know you can say the same for one of many people's dream company as well!  In a way, BAPE and Goyard both share the same mysterious beginnings.  Definitely two cult brands—severely different spectrums, but both have undeniable similarities in the culture of the companies.

I did grow up in New Jersey, another thing I'm grateful for.  My father is fully Irish, catholic born and raised in the Bronx.  My mother was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia.  The two met in North Jersey at work and the rest is history *Laughs*.  We lived about 25 miles outside of Manhattan so getting to the city was very easy for me via public transportation.  I never really connected to the town I grew up in and felt like the city gave me an escape out of the differences I felt in High School.  I connected with people who cared about art and fashion through my Saturday Live classes at FIT.  I would take the bus on Saturday mornings to attend my weekend school there. It was there I learned how to screen print—my life changed after that!

FRENDY:  That's awesome!  Many kids in HS wouldn't even think about changing their environment for some new inspiration.  They would rather wallow in their own sorrow of not being able to fit in.  Did you actually end up attending FIT to obtain your Bachelor's degree?  

RYAN:  Not even wallow, but I would just say accept things.  A lot of people would rather accept what's happening instead of making a change.  It's hard for people to go through times of discomfort so many choose to avoid it.  I prefer to explore and go outside, rather than remain in a box.

I ended up moving to Chicago to attend Columbia College for a year before I got accepted and transferred to FIT.  I was happy to be in New York, but it wasn't the right place for me at the time so I ended up transferring to Parsons.  I think Parsons was the best place for me to be, I met some of my best friends there and truly feel I learned a lot about my environment in the creative career world.  I ended up dropping out of Parsons because I felt like I got everything I needed at the time and had to move on to the next venture.

FRENDY:  What's the most important lesson you learned at Parsons?

RYAN:  I learned so much there it's hard to say the most important thing, but if I really look back as a whole, my time spent at Parsons helped me continue going after my dreams.  I met like minded people that turned into my actual network.  The people I met are more valuable than any actual courses I took while studying there.

FRENDY:  Hey, as the old saying goes: your network is your net worth.  When were you initially conscious of your fashion sense?  Did your parents put you on to brands at an early age?

RYAN:  Yeah man, the saying is definitely true.  I have learned you're only as strong as your weakest link.  My parents didn't really put me on to brands, but my mom and her whole family gave me style for sure.  My aunt was really the one into European designers and really knew how to shop.  My aunt Vera is the flyest, [she] always had dope Chanel pieces, good Gucci *Laughs*.  The best part, though, was that she knew how to get things when they were on sale or at outlets, and the real come ups she would always find.  I learned that from her and my mom.

I really got into those things around my sophomore year when I could start saving for little sunglasses and small pieces, from places like Century 21 or the D&G store in Short Hills *Laughs*.  That was D&G, not to be confused with main line Dolce at that time.  I definitely was stretching for the sale D&G tees!!  I truly found my style in HS toward senior year when I probably first met you at BAPE.  It was before I was a regular customer.  I really started to mix street, everyday style with denim and found my way.  After I moved to New York, I started working at Barneys and I met one of my best friends and soulmates, Sheena.  She put me on to Rick Owens and that changed my life for real!  It was over *Laughs*.  From then on, there was never another designer that I could eat so effortlessly and feel so comfortable in.

I love mixing Rick classics with my own tees, VLONE, M65 jeans with Rick leather!  That's one of my favorite outfits.  Anything made by Hedi Slimane to me is collectible.  My Rick clothes are more wearable for everyday, but I like to archive any boots and piece of clothes from jackets to denim that Hedi has made—he was the first designer for me, before Rick even, back in his Dior days.  I couldn't afford anything and didn't know how to get the pieces at the time, but I would stare at his Dior boots in Saks [Fith Avenue] and dream of owning a pair.  He was the defining style for me and truly made wardrobes, uniforms, timeless pieces in the most incredible fits.

But yeah man, I have always been into fashion as a young kid, I was wearing Rage Against The Machine or Beastie Boys shirts.  Always in some band shirts—Nirvana for sure.  That was like first through eight grade forever.  I started dying my hair blue in the sixth grade and was wearing ball chain necklaces back then even, which is a huge trend today *Laughs*.   A lot of the things I was doing then I still do today.  So in terms of style, you could say I always had that, I was always, even at a young age, aware of that.  I started gaining knowledge of the fashion greats and just getting to know the world in general as I got older.  I think style is something you're born with.

FRENDY:  You're absolutely right!  A lot of your style choices back then are still prevalent today.  It just goes to show that you dressed according to your innate feelings, rather then following the herd.  Speaking of VLONE, I know that you're close with the ASAP Mob, especially ASAP Bari.  How did that friendship come about?

RYAN:  *Laughs*  Yeah, I have love for the entire mob and will always be grateful for them showing me love as well.  I am very proud of all of them and how far they have truly come.  You can really look at each individual member and see them doing things that really inspire today's culture, in terms of fashion, music and overall style.  They are true leaders and I am extremely grateful to have been around their energy.  I have Bari to thank for that, of course.  He's like a brother to me and I couldn't be more proud of VLONE and everything it has accomplished thus far.

I really met them all in 2012 at Venice Beach after Coachella on some universal planning shit *Laughs*.  Bari and I just clicked over some style and ideas that people didn't really embrace like us at that time, and the rest is history.  I live in Harlem and have a home today because of him, I'm grateful to say the least.  Shout out to Sheena as well, she gave me a home in the East Village when I didn't have my own place.  I have been blessed to have the best people come to me and go from friends to family.  I have a lot friends, but family are the ones I truly live for and love to death.  Shout out to Alex, Shaun and Ashley as well.

FRENDY:  Real friends make the world go 'round.  The universe works in wondrous ways for real—I know all about that *Laughs*.

RYAN:  Yeah, real friends and family indeed!

FRENDY:  You said that Bari and yourself instantly clicked due to having similar taste in style.  What was your first fashion talk with him?

RYAN:  Honestly, I couldn't tell you what that was exactly, but I could tell you our mutual love of Ksubi brought us together.  Another brand I learned about at Barneys.  Ksubi, in my eyes, was the best denim company era.  They had the most amazing skinny jeans that were the best fits and washes you could find.  No one was really making skinny jeans like Ksubi.  Not even close!

FRENDY:  Yeah, some of my boys from down under knew the guys behind the brand—they definitely had the denim game on lock!  I saw some BTS photos of you, Bari and Rocky at the VLONE Paris fashion show.  Were you helping them out with their presentation?

RYAN:  I was lucky enough to be the assistant stylist to Bari who was the director and head stylist.  That was a dream come true—fuck everybody, we put on a fashion show in Paris!  Men's Fashion Week!  The day prior was a Kim Jones LV show, Rick show, etc. and none of those drew excitement or fresh energy the way "Black History" did, that was the genius title of the show.  The name itself is self explanatory, it is powerful and is in fact now a monumental piece of history.  

That really meant alot for me.  I didn't do that show for Instagram, I didn't go to Paris so we could take pictures with people.  Everyone wants to see me post on Instagram and all that.  We went there to put on the best possible show we could and make history.  That's the difference between me and a lot of people in today's world.  Shout out to Du, my partner-in-crime that week for real. He is one of a kind.  Shout out to Brick and BStroy as well.  Du was on that trip with me.  He too could give a fuck about Instagram or what anyone is thinking.  We were there to do our job, and at the end of the day we did an amazing one!  People want to criticize, this and that, but none of us graduated Central Saint Martins, none of us worked for any major fashion houses or came from fashion families.  We're just kids with a dream that couldn't be told "no."  That's what we went to Paris to show the world.  I think the mission was accomplished, but of course there's much more work to be done *Smiles*.

FRENDY:  Shout out to you and the entire mob for pulling that off.  What were your duties as Bari's assistant stylist for the show?

RYAN:  Shout out to the mob always, but big ups to Bari for that!  His genius is still unfolding and I look forward to watching the story continue just as the world is watching Virgil for now.  My duties were a little bit of everything really, from just making sure Bari was good to making sure the clothes were organized, steamed, getting shot for our mood boards and everything.  I just did everything I could.  It was like, "ok, you see that needs to get pinned just do that," or "pass that to the atelier for finishing."  Perhaps just organizing looks into categories and playing with the clothes to find the best outcomes.  It was really about feeling the mood and making the world of VLONE come to life.  It was about putting our whole energy on the runway and showing that through incredible garments.  Few people have ever got to look at how well the garments actually are, but don't be surprised when I tell you some of the factories crafting your favorite Balenciaga in Italy, or say N(N) in Japan, all had a hand in manufacturing some of the VLONE pieces.

FRENDY:  Damn, that was dope of Bari to bring you along.  It's a true testament of how much he trusts you and your work ethic.

RYAN:  Exactly!  Not even just about the trust part, but the loyalty—that's real to me.  I was there before Paris and I'll be there after.  For life, regardless!  To find real people is so few and far between and that's why we must cherish those that cherish and love us as well.  It's important to be your friends fan and not just the people who are popping.  Support your homies the same way you would support Beyoncé and the support will come back tenfold from your family.  People are quick to support major celebs but they might not be quick to support their best friend who may be lesser known.  You see a lot of people just trying to come up in all the wrong ways, and that never interested me.  I am always in everything I've invested in mentally and emotionally for the long haul.

FRENDY:  Amen!  Most people won't even support their "homies."  It's truly a shame.  Are you currently working n the fashion industry?

RYAN:  It is a shame, but if your people don't support you, those aren't your people!  I am lucky enough to be working on things I enjoy and really love.  Recently, I was working on Prada campaigns with one of my best friends Ashley, [whom] I mentioned earlier.  Working with your best friends is highly underrated.  You grow up being told that you will have to work with people you don't like, which sometimes may be true, but if you do it right, that doesn't have to be the case always.  Anyway, Ashley is a producer and has had me on as her assistant to some of the biggest artists like Karl Temper, Pat McGrath, Guido Palau.  Iconic photographers like Patrick Demarchelier and Steven Meisel.  This past week, I felt so fortunate to work on a shoot with Fabien Baron and the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell.  That energy was incredible.  Real world visionaries and changers.  That's inspiring to me.  I couldn't be more grateful for the people she's brought me around and the world she has showed me.  I can't express my gratitude enough!

I have my passion project with my Goyard brother from Paris Pierre Tzenkoff, the mastermind himself.  We are bringing something to the world of cannabis that only we could.  Check it out at Devambez.com and soon in fine cannabis retailers throughout the U.S.  I am also working on my own ongoing concept project titled, "11:11."  I want to focus on wellness and expanding the knowledge of how important our well-being is.  Physically as well as mentally, and how we can harbor that well-being through meditation and self care.  Those are things that are really on my mind and what I'm trying to work on.

FRENDY:  A man of many hats, that's what's up!  What do you think abut the mélange of streetwear and luxury that's taking place in fashion right now?

RYAN:  That's a great question.  When I worked at Goyard, I had to wear a suit and I couldn't stand it.  They gave me a uniform that was made of polyester but I used to wear my own Dior suit because I didn't like the fabric of our uniforms.  To me, it was very poorly made and cheap fabrics couldn't empower me to promote expensive products.  If you want to feel a certain way, you will usually dress to that occasion.  I love the saying about how you have to dress the part to be it, or however that saying goes.  I find it very true.  If you want people to look at you a certain way it's easily attainable through the way you dress.  The same is said for our personal feelings.  We can dress they way we feel or the way we dress.  I think a lot of people are interested in living a life that involves luxury culture and finer goods, higher standard of living than previous generations.  A natural evolution if you will.  In that evolution, we have decided to be comfortable and to dress in our comforts.  We have taken casual garments and changed them into high end uniforms.

Customizing the idea of high end to match what makes us feel good empowers us personally.  So I feel like it's a good thing.  It's modern.  It's real.  There is something to be said for a beautiful bespoke suit from Savile Row, of course, but I don't really feel comfortable in a suit.  I want to wear fabrics that move and make sense for running around the city or going to the gym.  Just as much as those fabrics make sense in casual settings, I want them to transfer me into whatever I see fit, maybe that's the Mercer [hotel] for dinner, or the juice press in Equinox.  But whatever's the location, I think the one constant factor remains that we desire to dress nicely in both scenarios to feel comfortable and confident.  To me, the mix truly represents our way of living in the city, running around daily and maintaining our sense of style within that comfort.

FRENDY:  Equally great answer.  Thank goodness comfortability is in!  You've always been surfing your own wave when it comes to fashion.  Which brands are currently on your radar?

RYAN:  Thank God is right!  Vans checkerboard slip ons are my favorite shoes of all time.  I wear those every year.  My favorite is still Rick, honestly, and I pair his pants with tees I make generally or my V tees and anything from M65 gives me.  He is probably my biggest inspiration forever! Since I've moved to the city he has been inspiring me, I knew he would be special.  He was in Japanese Vogue at a young age and he has put me in Vogue for my very first time with M65!

My brands are definitely consistent, man.  I love Hermès, Rick Owens, I still wear my Saint Laurent, but nothing new, only from Hedi *Laughs*.  I really like classic pieces that will last forever, like anything from Dries [Van Noten] is incredible or Prada is always classic but fun.  I don't buy pieces constantly, but the things I will shell out on usually are pieces that I will wear for years to come.  I don't like to buy into trends that I won't keep in my closer forever.  I did buy the Triple S sneaker, but that was a moment in time *Laughs*.  I really think in 20 years I will show my child that sneaker like it's a sculpture.  Just because it is, in fact, a sculpture.  The Italian version of the shoe weighs more than many sculptures I've seen.  It truly is a workout shoe *Laughs*.

But besides that, I like hippie culture and vintage shops in San Francisco, stuff like Patagonia or Pendleton, North Face—things that are utility based and actually make sense.  clothes that do their job.  For instance,  a jacket that actually keeps you or your clothing underneath dry.  Weather appropriate garments are important and I appreciate designers that take those technicalities into consideration.  I like things that make sense, but still look good and are made well.

FRENDY:  Man, this conversation is so dope that I don't want it to end.  We'll definitely have to do a part 2.  But before I go, I have to know who would you want to work with in the industry (dead or alive)?  And why?

RYAN:  Man, this is a great conversation and good vibes with you always!  Positive energy.  You're an authentic person and I'm glad we were able to meet so long ago and collaborate, finally.  A first of many to come.  I can't wait to see all the things you have to bring to the table through your writing and exploring.  Never stop creating and exploring!

I am grateful to have worked around a lot of people and companies that are my top choices, but If I could choose someone dead or alive, it would have to be Andy Warhol.  I would love to exchange energy with him and have his knowledge of art coming to commerce.  Turning art into money.  He was good at turning art into money, but also good at turning objects into art.  I really find that concept very modern and mesmerizing even today.  I think that is groundbreaking to have that mentality during his years so I would love to experience that.

A$AP FOREVER (Video)

Man, I'm still thinking about the incredible SoHo Sounds event I was invited to last week hosted by Soho House.  The building (more like empty factory) was filled with so many entrepreneurs, models and just straight up dope individuals who are thriving in their respective creative fields.

Not only were the vibes on point, I was able to connect with so many people that I haven't seen in years.  One of my long lost acquaintances was DJ, who is affiliated with the A$AP MOB.  After we kindly greeted each other I had to come clean and state my distaste for Rocky's 2 previous Soundcloud releases.  Fortunately, I was told those loosies were not included in his much anticipated album and that fire is on the way.  Well, I'm really happy to see that he was right as Flacko recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform a medley of pleasing tunes that are speculated to be on his forthcoming project.

Not only did we get a performance from the braided-up spitter, he unleashed a mind-bending new visual for one of his new tracks titled, "A$AP Forever," featuring Moby.

Check out the Dexter Navy-directed clip below:

Tyler Is Talking His Sh*t

Out of thin air, Tyler, The Creator unleashes a brand new single with its accompanying music video!

Titled "OKRA," the bass-heavy banger features the Golf Wang general spitting the most fiery, braggadocious bars.  I'm sure this is quite a surprise for Tyler fans who are accustomed to indulging in his often off the wall, meticulous storytelling tracks.  Not only is he showcasing his flashy side in raps, the budding mogul is actually starting to rock trendy threads besides his own.  I guess that's what naturally transpires when you're good buds with ASAP Rocky.

Check out the luminescent, Wolf Haley-directed clip for the song below:

Anabi Wasabi

“To all the ladies in the place with style and grace,” is how The Notorious B.I.G. kicked off his 1994 platinum-selling single, “Big Poppa.” Danielle Anabi wasn’t alive when the song initially released but she presently has the same swag as the women Biggie referred to.

Danielle is what you call a “rare gem” in the world of Instagram. With less than 5K followers, the Claremont, California beauty is silently bodying fits your #WCW wouldn’t dare to pull off. Whether in a pair of rare Air Jordan 1s or enthralling Vetements lighter heels, Anabi’s style effortlessly remains street yet chic.

But the sky wasn’t always sunny for Danielle. Before her parent’s astronomical success in the oil industry, the 21-year-old fashionista grew up residing in her grandparents’ home, with not only her mom and dad, but also aunts, uncles as well as younger siblings.  Anabi’s humble beginning fuels her drive to become the first member of her clan to graduate college.  As you can already infer, there is a deeper level to Danielle beyond her flashy exterior.

I recently sat down with Anabi to have a thorough discussion about her parent’s booming business, love of fashion, style and future goals. Check out our dialogue below:

FRENDY: Let me first confess that I’ve never heard of Claremont.  Can you fill me in (no Craig David)?

DANIELLE: Cozy Claremont! The city of trees and PhD's. It's a small college town, and a good place to grow up. However, it's a bit of a bubble to say the least.

FRENDY: Cozy Claremont? Sheesh! Sounds like everyone is walking around in pajamas! Were you born there?

DANIELLE: Born and raised. Then I migrated about two hours away to San Diego for college.

FRENDY: Awesome. What are you studying there?

DANIELLE: Yeah, San Diego is a nice change of scenery. I'm majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Arabic. Graduating next year.

FRENDY: Congrats! I know this is a huge deal for you and your family. Did you receive any sort of pressure from your parents to finish school?

DANIELLE: It definitely is a big deal for my family and I. Neither of my parents went to college, so being the first person in my family to attain a degree is a blessing.

Initially though, I'll admit, I didn't want to further my education. Many of the people I surround myself with have been able to achieve great success with only a high school diploma. However, I've also seen these people experience a great deal of setbacks because of the lack of a degree.

FRENDY: Good on you for deciding to stick with it. I was unable to finish college due to finances, but when there's a will there's certainly a way to make things work out. It's a bit “easier” to progress in life with a degree, so at least you’ll have a great accessory.

DANIELLE: I feel you. I have a lot of respect for people who are able to create their own success without having a degree to back them.

FRENDY: After graduating, are you going to work in the field you majored in or take part in your parent’s booming business?

DANIELLE: That's the million-dollar question. My major is certainly not my passion. However, I think college really contributed to my intellectual growth.

FRENDY: What is your passion then?

DANIELLE: My passion is Art, specifically in terms of fashion and design.

I feel like the meaning of "fashion" has sort of deteriorated over time, or rather has just changed immensely. But that's the beauty of it. Fashion can mean whatever the hell you want it to mean, and its meaning varies depending on so many complex things revolving around each individual. I love it.

FRENDY: Your dope sense of style clearly indicates that you have an immense fashion infatuation. How do you go about selecting an outfit?

DANIELLE: I really enjoy feminizing masculine pieces. I'd say that about 65% of my closet consists of statement menswear pieces that I wear daily, regardless the weather, occasion, etc. I also like to implement some sort of sophistication into my fits. It's hard to explain, but the best way to sum it up is attempting to add depth with style.

Overall, I think to really understand my style, you have to see that I'm not just fabric oriented. Styling is more than just cloth. Many people don't realize that fabric is the most external layer of what lies beneath.

FRENDY: I like that *DJ Khaled Voice*.  What are your favorite clothing lines right now? And what do you look for when purchasing a piece?

DANIELLE: My favorite brands change pretty frequently. It mostly depends on the designer and what their vision for the brand is.

I like when designers make me think and feel. Very few are able to perfect the balance of intellect and style, while still keeping true to their own identity. If they are able to implement themselves in their designs, rather than just conform to what's "trending,” it gives a sense of authenticity to the label. So when I do sense some sort of rawness, I cling to it. Because I believe the designer is the face of the brand, I spend a lot of my free time watching interviews and reading articles about what they have to say in order to get a feel of who they really are.  This helps me pinpoint what they're trying to convey in their designs.  Typically, I look for them to address why they chose specific concepts and what they mean to them as the designer.  It creates a certain type of genuineness that adds intellectual depth to their label. When designers do articulate these points, it usually touches me on an emotional level and makes me feel some sort of connection or attachment to their brand.  Once this bond is made, I ultimately feel inclined to purchase items because I value the individual's vision.

For example, Maison Margiela does an amazing job at perfecting, what I’d like to call “complex simplicity.”   I think I was about 15 when I discovered Margiela. He actually was the first figure who cultivated my love for fashion.  I saw how his designs were able to challenge the industry and change the meaning of "high fashion" altogether. Unlike other designers who constantly went out promoting themselves, Margiela refused to be photographed, interviewed, and even faxed people instead of meeting face to face.

His pieces truly captivate this aura about him. Creating a nameless, faceless brand, while still using your real name, was/is so cool to me. Made me feel something for sure, as I'm pretty reclusive myself. He gives me some inspiration when I think of how I would like my brand to be someday.

FRENDY: This might be a bit early to ask, but will your potential brand provide aesthetically sound streetwear pieces or the high luxury feel?

DANIELLE: Why not both? A streetwear brand can have luxury elements to it. However, I feel like by the time I decide to launch my brand, what we now know to be streetwear (as much as I love it), will be on the come down. Before I start getting heat for that statement, I guess I should define that by streetwear, I mean the trend-based nature of it today (a.k.a. track suits, athleisure, sportswear; being able to wear sweats to your wedding type shit).

Although there are so many new emerging brands right now that are specifically centered on being "street,” I don't see much longevity to it. This is because consumers dictate what's trending next... not the brands themselves. Take Off-White for example. I think Virgil is a prime example of streetwear-gone-vogue. He's able to comprehend that street style may just be a trend at the moment, and has elevated his brand with more sophisticated, luxury pieces in hopes to gain long term success.

FRENDY: Have you already thought of names for your brand yet?

DANIELLE: “Delusions of Grandeur,” which means a false impression of one's own importance. Clothing shapes how people feel. Typically when people buy expensive pieces that come with a high status and designer name, they feel like they're above others - more confident and cocky.

In short, people hide behind their clothes. Imagine investing in a brand, whose name alone contradicts the emotions you feel towards luxury items. I would want my brand to make people question their perceived self.

I haven’t really been able to take it too seriously with school and everything going on in my life right now. A lot of people ask me why I can't just juggle both, but when I put my name on something, you know I'm putting 100% of myself and time into it. I can't half ass it. I'm either all in or just not playing all together.

FRENDY: Since you’re so busy with school, do you still have time to shop for exclusive threads? 

DANIELLE: All I got is time! *Laughs*  Nah, I will admit, I do have a lot of good friends that help me get certain pieces. But really I'm pretty skilled at tracking down rare items myself. I guess I shouldn't be too proud about that. I'm just very drawn to the challenge of finding cool shit. I like knowing that I'm one of the few who has something. Makes me value it a hell of a lot more.

FRENDY: What are some of your grail pieces?

DANIELLE: *Laughs* Such a hard question. If I really had to pick just one... I would have to say my Gucci embroidered denim jacket with shearling on the inside. It was one of the most difficult pieces to hunt down--primarily because I wanted to have it first. In total, I waited around 6 months for it to come in because it wasn't actually made yet. Only a select few orders were being made, so it took awhile to get here from Italy.

Next in line would be my vintage Chanel pieces. I love vintage shit.  There’s always a story behind each piece.

FRENDY: Ever thought about becoming a Stylist in order to guide those who can’t quite pull off a fire fit?

DANIELLE: I actually am doing my first “styling” gig for a close friend's start up clothing brand. I'm not sure if I would want to be a stylist full time though. Why not reach for more?

FRENDY: True.  Who do you think has the best style in the game right now? And why?

DANIELLE: I would have to say A$AP Rocky. Not going to lie, I peep his fits often to get some inspiration for myself. As you could probably tell, I love mixing designer with street. Rocky executes that shit so well. Rather than wearing a whole Supreme suit or a full on Raf fit, I think it's all about mixing and matching different brands that compliment one another.

FRENDY: Are your parents aware of your deep longing to work in the fashion industry?

DANIELLE: I'm extremely close with my family. Their opinions matter the most in my eyes.

My parents are tremendously supportive about any goal my siblings or I have. I'm grateful to have role models like them in my life who encourage creativity, push me to achieve more, and teach me to be the best possible version of myself.

When I think about starting up a brand, my chief inspiration comes from my family and the experiences taken from my upbringing.

FRENDY: If you had to rock one outfit for an entire year, what would it be?

DANIELLE: Crazy hard question!  Probably my vintage Chanel velour tracksuit with my red satin Jordan 1s. Shit is way too cozy. *Laughs*