Happy New Year!

The Night Shift

CLOT x Disney x Madsaki

We did a version of Donald with CLOT x Madsaki's iconic Alienegra camo. Launching at Man Is In The Forest in January.

Mr. P

How dope is that parking lot logo.

Beer Testing - Round 20 (Battle Royal Japan - Christmas Edition)

Christmas time always calls for a little celebratory beer testing, so we set up another battle royal to determine the next champion.

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Heading back to Japan to defend its title, this beer is looking for its 6th straight win, with a score of 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Asahi Kutsurogi Shikomi "Perfect for Relaxing Time" 4VG

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

Claims to have a "suitable scent for relaxation time" with "characteristic of German Weissen beer." Light in colour, watery in flavour, and bitter in finish, it's not that relaxing. Final score 4.85/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Suntory "Luxury of Scent"

Origin: Kyoto, Japan

Alcohol: 6%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

This is a limited edition beer apparently made with some special hops and champagne made grain. It does have a nice light, flowery aroma, but again, is slightly watery, and tastes a bit soapy. Final score 4.95/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Asahi Premium "Belgian Ale Type"

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 6.5%

Price: USD2.70/can USD0.77/100mL

This beer is part of Asahi's "World Beer Journey" collection. Light in colour, light in taste. Really flat, and a little sweet. Final score 6.55/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Yebisu Kohaku (Amber)

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.86/can USD0.82/100mL

I'm always impressed with the Yebisu's simple can design, and have high hopes for any Yebisu beer. This one does not disappoint. This limited edition beer has a rich caramel colour and a good head of foam. Slightly malty, but not too strong. A nice rich taste. Scoring a very respectable 8.5/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Sapporo Creamy White

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD1.61/can USD0.46/100mL

This 3rd grade beer smells like banana??  On the back of the can, they instruct you on how to pour by holding the can high to get maximum foam. Doesn't that just release all the carbonation and make it go flat really fast? The taste is mild (and flat). Final score 5.5/10.

Although Yebisu came close, Asahi "The Master" Pilsner wins again!

I Miss Lite-Brite!

Destroy To Create

Went to the Nike 'Destroy to Create' event last night, to celebrate the legacy of the Destroyer jacket and preview this coming season's campaign.

In typical Nike fashion, they did a nice set up. Flew in Gildas from Kitsune to do the music. Stuff got 'destroyed'. "Hey drunk people! Here's a sledgehammer! Smash sh*t up!" There's always a few laughs to be had with that.

It was a fun event. More on it here.

Tron Legacy Soundtrack

I received an advance copy of the anticipated Tron Legacy soundtrack (thanks KT!), which was composed and produced by Daft Punk. On first listen, it's much more "soundtrack-y" and dark than I imagined it would be, with lots of orchestration and variation in pace. It's not your typical electronic dance music soundtrack that many may have expected. But then again, when does Daft Punk do anything typical? They skillfully manage to interlace the score of a full symphony with the electronic synth sounds they are known for. It's a masterfully crafted soundtrack that really showcases the intelligence and maturity of Daft Punk, taking the music of Tron to a whole new level.

Pumping this through my headphones as I go for a midnight ride on my bike, I find myself now stealthily floating through the darkness.. Suddenly, going to the corner store to buy something to drink has turned into an epic journey through The Grid to quench my thirst..

The CD drops December 7th.

Camper Magazine IKASDAM Exhibition Coverage

Gold Standard

Visiting one of the apparel factories to check samples. Who doesn't love gold trimmed slippers in their hotel room?

Morning Light

Stacked

My Hood - The REAL Panda Express

This is where you can get a styrofoam box of rice and your choice of 4 things for $1.50. It's open to the street (so not exactly the most hygienic), and they have some tables and seating set up on the sidewalk. The cheap price and easy access make it a popular spot with the local cab drivers who want to make a quick pit stop for their lunch or dinner break.

"IKASDAM by MADSAKI" Exhibition

Damn, it was a late night setting up. Originally I had planned to meet up with Madsaki in the afternoon, have lunch together, then bring the prints down to the store and slip them into the frames. Done. Go for beers.

Nuh uh. Never works that smoothly in China. One f*ck up after another by the contractor. First, the window sticker needed to be cut out in the middle. It was drawn out already - all they had to do was take a box cutter and trace the outline. Well, they do it haphazardly, so none of the curves are smooth and it looks like sh*t. Not acceptable. So we made them go print another one. Waited around for that, then Madsaki himself cut it out because we didn't trust them anymore. Alright, 7:00pm, we're still ok. Or are we?..

Jack up #2. The custom frames don't f*cking fit the standard A2 size paper that we gave them the specs for?? ARE YOU MOTHERF*CKING KIDDING ME?!?! You didn't think to slide a piece of A2 paper in there to check?? In his mind, I know Madsaki seriously wanted to kill someone when we suggested he trim down the sides of the print by a couple of millimeters. But he was too cool a cat to flip out. However, I think he would have rather committed harakiri than alter his prints. Ok, trimming is not an option. So here we are at 8:00pm driving around the city trying to find a mom 'n' pop frame store that can build us 12 custom frames in like 3 hrs..

What the...wow, we actually found one. Meltdown averted..

They are delivered before midnight (the only thing that happened right all night), and we finally can start framing up the prints. You'd think we're home free. But no. Next c*ck up - the guys can't hang the frames evenly spaced and lined up. Wtf. So we had to stand there and keep telling them how to adjust everything. So much for an easy evening of beers. Finished at 2:00am. Gotdamn f*cking sh*t contractors..

Why don't people here take any sort of pride in their workmanship or craft??? I really don't want to make any generalizations about people in China, but when you keep seeing the same thing happening repeatedly, it's kind of hard not to..

Anyways, the exhibition opening went well and that's all that matters in the end. We gonna get hammered tonight..

Madsaki x Disney Exhibition - Shanghai

We're having a small art exhibition opening at Man Is In The Forest this Friday for a collaboration we did with Japanese artist Madsaki. Please stop by if you have time.

The exhibition features 12 original works that combine Mickey with Madsaki's architectural aesthetic. The prints, along with 2 limited edition tees, will be available exclusively at Man Is In The Forest for 3 weeks.

Wasted Youth, Pt. 21

The standard Guangzhou 1 hr delay. *sigh*..

Airline: China Southern

Route: Guangzhou - Shanghai

Delayed flights: 21

Total time spent waiting: 20.5 hours

Breakfast of Champions

I was over at my friends Thuy and Eugene's apartment for dinner the other night, and I asked if they had a good book they could lend me, as I was out of stuff to read. Thuy gave me this:

I'd never read any of Kurt Vonnegut's work before, but by the end of the first chapter, I was an instant fan. His writing style is not for everyone - he's definitely one of a kind - but his dark satire on Americana is hilarious.

With each turn of the page, you have no idea where his mind is going to take you next. It's whacky, it's silly, it's improbable; but his deadpan, matter of fact, simple style of prose is hilarious, and his basic observations on society which we often take for granted are spot on. I read a review that said, "Vonnegut writes like he is explaining life on Earth to alien children." And that actually sums it up pretty well.

And in the same style as his writing, the amusingly simple illustrations drawn by Vonnegut are just as funny and integral to the story.

I won't explain the plot, because it's pretty out there, but if you're looking for something a bit off-the-wall and completely unpredictable, give this modern classic a try.

Shake It Like A Polaroid Picture

Got an article in Shake Magazine about some of our upcoming product collaborations.

My Hood - The Barber Shop

This is where I get my hair cut. It's not exactly the cleanest place, but they are super steady with the clippers, and can even line you up.

No offers of cafe lattes and magazines to read here. It's just straight into the chair and down to business.

After the cut, they wash your hair while you're still sitting upright. They somehow manage to put just enough shampoo and water on your head to create a lather without any of it dripping. And then they go to town with their fingernails!! It's f*cking PAINFUL! Feels like they're clawing your scalp open with one of these.

Then over to the sink where you lean over the basin and they wash out the suds. It's like I'm a kid again when my mom used to cut my hair.

Back into the chair where you're fully reclined for the shave. Hot towels, lather, and then the straight razor. I'm usually pretty nervous, cuz they are so damn fast with that blade, but I am still here typing, so they haven't managed to slit my throat yet..

In the rear of the shop, sometimes there's a bunch of old guys playing mah jong under a haze of cigarette smoke. People often just stop in to shoot the sh*t, or check out what's on tv. It's a very social place, like the old school barber shops in the U.S.

It costs $1.40 for the cut & shampoo, add an extra 30¢ for the shave. Bargain.

One Stop Shopping

You know, it's your typical

seafood/live frogs/polo shirt store.

Madsaki x Disney Exhibition - Tokyo

We've done a collaboration with Japanese artist Madsaki, featuring 12 original prints. He's having a preview exhibition in Tokyo at PUBLIC/IMAGE.3D gallery, in association with TOKYO CULTUART by BEAMS. The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs until the 24th. Please stop by if you're in the area.

Magic Happens

We just launched the CLOT x P.A.M. x Disney "Magic Happens" tee collection at Man Is In The Forest, based on the classic story of The Sorcerer's Apprentice in the Disney animated film Fantasia. They'll also be available at Colette in Paris soon..

My Hood - The Jacket Factory

Go Green

My Hood - The Bike Repair Shop

Sitting On The Job

I'm back to Shanghai now. In the mornings, I sometimes see these guys posted up at this intersection. Down that street is the wet market, where you can get your fresh vegetables, meat, and seafood. They're both wearing the same shirt with a badge on the arm, so I'm guessing they are some kind of wet market vice - not sure what exactly they're looking out for though - a food fight?

Ok, Maybe More Is Not Always Better

Chill with the houndstooth, lady!

More Is Better

I miss shopping at Zellers (Canada's version of Target). Look at all the rows and rows of crap!

Up Your Alley

Beer Testing - Round 19 (European 1/2 Liter Challenge)

Last time it was European cans. This time it's bottles.

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Scoring 8.95/10, this beer is going for a record 5 wins in a row.

Challenger 1

Name: Hacker-Pschorr Munchener Gold

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.29/bottle USD0.46/100mL

This was a good, smooth, light beer. Nothing outstanding, nothing unique, but solid. Final score 6.65/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Baron Bohemian Tmavy Lezak

Origin: Czech Republic

Alcohol: 4.7%

Price: USD2.33/bottle USD0.47/100mL

Heavy malt flavour. A smooth dark beer. Final score 7/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Kulmbacher Export

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 5.4%

Price: USD3.05/bottle USD0.61/100mL

Starts with a sweet floral scent, but is deceiving, because there is a strong rubbing alcohol finish. Final score 3.5/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Krusovice Imperial

Origin: Czech Republic

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.55/bottle USD0.51/100mL

Smells a bit like urine. Fizzy with no taste. Final score 4.9/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Tyskie

Origin: Poland

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.80/bottle USD0.56/100mL

No particular aroma. Taste is bland and lacks character. But kind of has a refreshing finish! Final score 6.15/10.

Challenger 6

Name: Zywiec

Origin: Poland

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.75/bottle USD0.55/100mL

I like the label design. Claims to be Poland's "#1 Premium Beer". Doesn't smell that good though. Taste is watery and slightly bitter. Final score 5.45/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner takes win #5!