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… As a young aspiring Photographer/Journalist/Designer/Film Director... I am steadily surrounding myself with people who are all experienced in there craft.. for one .. I have been taking sewing lessons from my grandmother .. I also set aside my mornins.. to be devoted completely to my readings.. where an hour goes exclusively towards news (world, fashion, sports) .. which leads me to the reason of why I have  been. hanging around the Brooklyn Circus.. steadily for the  couple past week.. not just for the clothes.. but for the inspiration that you get when circling yourself around young talented people.. who are all well respected and well mannered (Role Models). who portray the light of the BKC idea to its fullest… as for Collin aka the Circus Trainer.. Today began my training.. as I have been following him around the store.. with my handy camera.. while he begins to full heartedly enhance my photographic eye …. 

Tip #1: Master Lighting.. Don’t be afraid to lower the Aperture.. 

Tip #2: Rather than face the light .. have the light reflect off of the subject

- Dap

P.S.

Tomorrow I continue my training.. 

… is the date.. of film… the same film.. that was shot over to me from… Lex of Premium Goods..off  of their latest publicity stunt .. in promoting the last and final pair to the Air Yeezy Trilogy.. which is scheduled for release today.. each pair will be raffled .. so if you already put in your bid …. expect to hear from them soon.. no lines.. so….  if you’re a hater stay your hating ass home… as for the sneakers..  there are only ten pairs.. so good luck.. 

Shout Outs:

to Premium Goods…”serving the community for eight years”.. 

and  to Ethos… “New Fam”

Premium Goods:

347 5th Ave

Brooklyn, NY 11215
(718) 369-7477

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I have been meaning to post this for quite some time …. and as of late .. I have to admit.. I’ve been overwhelmed with alot.. (good weather x parties x shopping x family x job hunting)… but with today’s forecast being as gloomy as it is.. has given me enough time to post..

Duncan Quinn.. to me .. is by far one of the best independent designers/tailors of the times.. and to show my gratitude… I stopped by to ask him a couple of questions ( being the great journalist I am).. and .. since it wasn’t that far from my every day commute…I made a quick detour to 8 Spring St.. where I sparked quick convo with the lad.. about an interview. and..although I wasn’t able to capture any pics of him..(slippin’ on my pimpin’)… I was able to catch some pics of the store.(most important thing)…  as well as ask  Quinn some in-depth but brief questions about Life x Collaborations x Brand….

Enjoy 

- Dap

Q&A after the Jump

Duncan Quinn

8 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

Phone: (212) 226-7030

Tue –  Sat: 12pm – 8pm

Sun: 12pm – 6pm

Ties and Crowbars -  For those of us who don’t exactly know who you are… introduce  yourself

Quinn –  My name is Duncan Quinn, and not a lot of people know that.

T&C - give us some background to who you are..

“Q” – A lover of fine company, fine food, fine wine, fast cars, fierce cocktails and yacht racing over powerboats…I’ve always had a penchant for a very finely tailored whistle with some edge and panache and it just works so well with the right backdrop.   

T&C -  I read somewhere that you were a lawyer at one point in your life..                     Explain?

“Q” -My father was in the Flying Squad at Scotland Yard in the 70′s.  He thought lawyers had a good time of it.  So I tried to convince myself for a while.  It didn’t take.

 T&C - so from being a lawyer.. how did you get into the realms of designing your own clothing brand?

“Q” - I’d been having things made for me for many many years, which often elicited the odd look or three from both prominent Savile Row characters I’d see in the private bars in London in the 90′s and also was stopped in the street daily in New York and asked where they came from. Eventually as a little something to do, I opened the New York store.  I guess working 16 hours a day wasn’t enough to feed the need.

 T&C - As a designer what exactly do you want capitalize on with your brand?

“Q” – I’m not sure capitalize if the right word.  Integrity would be a better one.  We live in a world of faceless brands conjured up by marketing machinery and funded by private equity.  At some point it would be nice to be recognized as one of those rare creatures who managed to do something where the focus was on doing things the way they should be done, not milking the final penny from every item.  When all’s said and done I’d love for our customers’ grandson’s to be having their DQ suits adjusted to fit and still be the nattiest character in the room 60 years from now.

T&C - what is  gentleman rogue?

“Q” - You’ll know one when you meet one.

T&C - What can we expect to see from Duncan Quinn this year?

“Q” - We’re engineering in some further benefits and services for our band of characters and looking to a fall collection which picks up where our Urban Warrior series left off.

T&C - also.. how did you become the exclusive US outlet for G.J. Cleverly  

“Q” - I tripped and fell awkwardly at a party.

T&C –  So..  I know a lot of people ask  you this.. but your models are very unique.. how did that come about?

“Q” - Our customers are all unique.  And the models on the website are all real customers.  They really look that way when they walk out.  Its not manufactured.  Its real.

T&C - as for that ..Thank You .. for your time… and..  you are always welcomed to pass by… and drop some info… on whats new from Duncan Quinn… 

“Q” - Your Welcome.

…. okay.. let’s be honest.. can you stand it when you’re on the train.. and all you hear is.. “I’m tryna raise some money for my basktball team.. or excuse me ladies and gentlemen“.. every fifteen seconds… and let us not forget about the after school chaos ..(btwn 2 – 5 p.m.)….so..if you can relate… Please… I mean Please .. by all means.. buy these AiAiAi “Professional Headphones” constructed by Kilo Design… that are set to be released in August ..they are worth it (check out their pipe phones)..  because I know I definitely will be (oh how I miss my Bose Headphones)… as for you guys… don’t get mad at the next time you see me on the train… and I’m singing “Coming Straight out of Compton” at the top of my lungs… on a crowded train while you try and get the last 15 minutes of your precious sleep…. then and only  then… you would wish that you listened … to me… 

- Dap

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“Nike in my opinion is not a fashion brand but and athletic brand. As far as athletics go and making shoes for performance – Nike is NOT the best. You can get better running, basketball and track shoes from other well established companies that are NOT Nike. If you like Nike then you like the style. (Lolz)  Nike does have some ok looking sneakers but none of them are really styling. You got the dunks for the young punks which is cool. It is cool to be punk sometimes but not all the time. If you rock Nike all the time it just means you are lazy. You dont dare to be different. You just wanna fit in, which is wack.

Back to my point. Barkleys. I likes Charles Barkley but I dont even think CB himself likes his shoe made by Nike. The ugliest shoe Nike makes. That is saying alot! Take the Nike logos off and it looks like something a retarded person would make. Payless has better designs.You are NOT styling if you wear these. They dont look good in any colorway. Just a waste of money. Put on some Jack Purcel’s (www.converse.com) and you are killing it. Put on some Adidas Sambas and you styling! (Put on some Air Force Ones even or Y3 or Gucci or Bally or Balencies or walk barefooted on some Tom Sawyer shit). When I say styling I dont mean styling where you at. I mean go to London or Japan, South Side of France or the South Side of Chicago and still be fly. Universal. Not local.

Only thing you pulling wearing these Barkleys is a chick who’s panties still smell like piss.So while you are finger poppin La quisha rotten crotch she can tell ya how you stilling in your shit kicker sneakers by a washed up B-baller.

Nike stop being lazy hire some new designers who went to school.”

Fin (as in Finito)

- Filthy aka Sunburn

Dap’s Response:

“Hey!!! Filthy.. I know the name isn’t sugar.. but sometimes you just want to hear the sound of base kicking and bumping full steam from your sound system while driving in an American Manufactured Drop Top(Mustang)…..while driving down the block..(see the picture).. untill it sounds like a group of oversized Gorillas are playing Volley Ball in the middle of the street (Whattup Chuck!!!).. well.. for me the Godzilla’s do just that… ugly and all.. I feel like I’m walking on buildings… and for Sir Charles… He’s isn’t washed up.. He’s just not Crisp (denial)… as for Nike… yea for real..  it’s time to step the game up.. Retro’s are getting a bit over kill… but.. I can still say that .. I will be purchasing those  CB4 Og colorways.. well because.. I’m just that .. a sneaker fiend that loves oxfords, rugbies.. and wingtips…”BARKLEYSSS!!!

- Dap 

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…. Pause... first off.. I would have never found this place .. If it wasn’t a good day outside.. It’s like the store with the strongest A.C. is the one that grabs your attention.. I think when it hits 90 degrees out.. everyone should hit up Nike Town.. because they have the strongest A.C. (hands down).. .. and if you don’t mind heading uptown.. come and pay me a visit .. at the Mansion .. on 72nd and Madison.. as for Lord Willy’s (pause)… their whole play on the word gentleman is genius.. the umbrella.. (a Fonzworth Trademark)… the catch phrase.. for the richer .. for the poorer.. BRILLIANT!!!!.. I was greeted by Alex.. who took the time to explain in lay-mans.. that I am late on the brand (Est.2005).. but was so cool.. to allow me to take some pics.. of the place… BRILLIANT!!!!… as for me.. I am coming back for that Blazer… 2 g’s and an arm.. but I’ll be back… 

- Dap

LORD WILLY’S

223 Mott St.

New York, NY 10012

Near. Spring St.

Tel: 212 – 680 – 8888

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Since summer looks like she is here to stay.. I am not giving in to the A.C.. nor Cable.. well.. Cable.. only to watch the playoffs and the news… I rarely stay in the house.. only to blog.. or .. eat.. but even so.. I hate staying in the house.. especially when a weeks Metro Card is $25… so.. I met up with Jay Sentine .. took my back pack (camera x laptop).. and headed down to Fat Beats .. to drop off this Demo Tape (Jay’s).. and purchase the all time classic Welcome 2 Detroit… Dilla LP.. also.. I stopped over by Magnolias.. to cop a cup of Banana Pudding (the best ..hands down).. another classic day… 

- Dap

..I caught up with Carl ..from Daves Qualites … to discuss what we can expect from them.. this summer... well… just know there will be alot more Cut & Sew..and as for Carl… well let’s just say.. the Bed-Stuy bred.. is taking a more laid back approach this summer.. but don’t sleep I swear he is cooking up something … 

- Dap

…Two minutes later.. or in reality a week earlier .. I bumped into Stalley .. at the Alife store.. This is after hearing a couple songs from his latest mixtape entitled  .. Mad Stalley.. which consists of him.. rapping over classic beats from Madlib.. (if you guys dont know who madlib is.. it’s okay just shoot yourself in the foot)… now..  as for Stalley the .. guy can rap.. and I’m not just saying this.. so .. If you don’t believe .. check out Stalley Goin’ Ape (Crazy Cover Artwork)….. IllROOTS, Nahright, and 2dopeboyz .. all agree.. so when I bumped into him in the Sports Branch (A.R.C.).. I quickly asked for a quick 16.. you know me.. Not long after interviewing Dice.. and taking a couple shots of Vodka .. I tape recorded.. and..began asking a couple of questions…

Since I am back in the city… I had to visit the fam.. (ALIFE).. of course … Dice was on the scene.. you know…  his verbal  love for  ..drugs.. women.. and guns .. which he swears he lives by (not really)..but… Its funny how many characters you can find at Alife.. which to me makes the store one of the most unique ones ever.. everyone are themselves… because.. they realize .. that they..  make the store .. the store doesn’t make them… and that’s why .. I always find myself coming back… I have honestly..  been a consumer since Junior High School (JHS 56).. I don’t know if thats a good thing.. but it shows that this brand.. has remained steadily progressing.. Dice gives little to no information … about whats coming out for Alife.. but he does give us .. a little look into what he is doing… and I can respect that.. keep the stuff exclusive.. by keeping the people guessing.. I’m still mad at the fact I wasn’t able to cop their first Reebok TENNIS BALL VICTORY PUMPS.. its alrigh though.. I don’t hold grudges.. 

- Dap