Been a While... Thought I'd post... Sean Boxy!

So I recently came across the website for Shin Tanaka (http://shin.co.nr/), a Japanese Graffiti artist who specializes in Paper and Vinyl toys.  I asked him nicely and he sent me the template for his Boxy paper toy design.  So I spent all last night creating the first of what will be many Boxy designs... Sean Boxy, a boxy version of me!  Enjoy.

LoveHate "Non-Seasonal" Designs... Shoes

Shoes

LoveHate "Non-Seasonal" Designs... T-Shirts

T-Shirts

LoveHate "Non-Seasonal" Designs... Sweaters

As a precursor to the release of my Summer and Fall look books, I thought I would share some of my designs with everyone.  I doubt I will use many of these designs in the future, but that said, I might... so do not jack them.  Enjoy.

Sweaters

Brilliance Recognized...

Ryan Leslie (Pictured above with R&B singer Cassie) made his own black history this month when he released his self-titled debut album, Ryan Leslie on February 10th. After years of being overlooked and underated by the general public, this enigmatic and creatvie producer is finally getting the recognition a talent like his deserves.

You can check out the album and many many videos of his creative procress on his website, http://www.ryanleslie.com/.

Peace.

Black History Month Installment #2

For my first actual post this Black History Month, I decided to post something written by a black hero for a black hero. Malcolm X's eulogy as written and read by Ossie Davis. Every time I read or hear this I am filled with a strange mixture of sadness and pride; to have known or been in the presence of Malcolm, or Ossie for that fact, must have been like knowing you would never be so privileged again in your life. Malcolm X dedicated his life to the advancement and progression of black people and eventually that dedication claimed his life. Ossie Davis dedicated his life to that same end and although he was able to live to see the righting of the many wrongs he fought against, his dedication to the civil rights movement shall never be forgotten.

If I have ever been sure of anything in my life; it is that they would be proud of what we have accomplished in the past couple of years.

RIP.

Faith Temple Church Of God, February 27,1965

Here, at this final hour, in this quiet place, Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes, extinguished now and gone from us forever. For Harlem is where he worked and where he struggled and fought. His home of homes where his heart was and where his people are. And it is, therefore, most fitting that we meet once again in Harlem to share these last moments with him. For Harlem has ever been gracious to those who loved her, have fought for her and have defended her honor even to the death.

It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us, unconquered still. I say the word again, as he would want me to: Afro-American. Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over the minds of men. Malcolm had stopped being a 'Negro' years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he wanted so desperately that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans, too.

There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee even, from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain. And we will smile. Many will say turn away, away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man. And we will smile. They will say that he is of hate, a fanatic, a racist who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him:

Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood! This was his meaning to his people. Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man but a seed which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. And we will know him then for what he was and is. A prince. Our own black shining prince who didn't hesitate to die because he loved us so.

LoveHate Poetry... Black History Month Edition #1

In anticipation of Black History Month (and in response to some major black history being made this month), I offer you the following poem by the late Oscar Brown Jr.

I Apologize...

I apologize for being black,

For all I am, plus all I lack,

Please ma'am, please sir,

Give me some slack,

Cause I apologize.

I apologize for being poor,

For being sick and tired and so,

Cause I ain't slick, 

Don't know the score,

I do apologize.

I apologize because I bear,

Resemblances most people share,

Thick lips, flat nose, and nappy hair,

Yes, I apologize.

I apologize for how I look,

For all the lows and blows I took,

On those, lord knows I'd close the book,

As I apologize.

I apologize for all I gave,

For letting you make me your slave,

And going to my early grave,

Yes I apologize.

I apologize for being caught,

For being sold, for being bought,

While being told I count for naught,

Yeah I apologize.

I apologize for all I've done,

For all my toil out in the sun,

Don't want to spoil your righteous fun,

So I apologize.

I apologize and curse my fate,

For being slow, for being late,

Because I know it's me you hate,

Why not apologize.

I apologize and tip my hat,

Cause you so rich and free and fat,

Son of a bitch that's where it's at,

And I apologize!

LoveHate News

Now that 2009 is in full swing, it is time for a quick News update.

2008 ended on a good note.  The first ever LoveHate shirts were released in a special edition run for Seeing is Believing and I began the set up of a home office to operate and design out of.

The first few months of 2009 shall be spent creating a direction for LoveHate's first full season; this will hopefully lead to a summer run of shirts followed by a full line of tops, bottoms and accessories for Fall 2009.

Keep an eye out for an up and coming Look Book to be released in the coming weeks.  As for a LoveHate web site, that is a few months out still.

The next few weeks I intend to set up my company to run more like an actual company.

One final note, special releases of LoveHate shirts over the winter and spring months are anticipated.

Peace.

Thou Shalt Covet Thy Sunglasses...

I have always known that I am somewhat of an impulse buyer... by somewhat, I mean that I am fairly good at walking away from an item that I see in a store that I immediately want.  However, I am extremely bad at walking away from items which I covet over time (and I can be very impulsive in my coveting choices).  Point and case, my Beats by Dre Tour headphones (posted below), which I had many weeks to agonize over prior to purchase. 

My latest acquisition, however, I have always known I would own eventually.  Now, for many reasons, I had put off actually buying these glasses; firstly, because the majority of the Ray Ban Wayfarers you see in the stores are small, they never really looked quite right on me; secondly, I own many pairs of sunglasses, Oakley Frogskins (very similar) being part of that collection; and thirdly, I knew, that of all the glasses I own, I really only wear one pair on a regular basis.  Then, about a month ago, tragedy struck and my trusted favorite sunglasses died, leaving a hole within my collection for a new favorite pair.  And then yesterday, upon a purpose driven visit to the optical store, I found my new favorite; black frames, with black polarized lenses, large Ray Ban Wayfarers. Fate. Bought. Loved immediately.

My Beats By Dre Tour...

Not available in Canada! What?! Just picked these up today to replace the headphones damaged during my epic journey on December 14th.  Check the specs... http://www.beatsbydre.com/

The Studio headphones are available in Canada at major retailers for $399.99.  The Tour headphones will be available eventually (probably for around $200).  Just remember where you saw them first... take it from me, they are epic.

Word.