I am going to use this here forum to talk about a number of different topics, but the one that will be covered most is Design. While going through my normal sites, I came across this blog written by Paul Mittleman. I am indirectly linked to him through that same forum, which has a blog for a project that both, Dustin and I are involved with.

Mr. Mittleman starts to discuss criticism in his blog and mainly concerning something he knows quite a bit about, Sneaker Culture or Streetwear. Whatever you really want to call it, but basically from the criteria he uses as examples, clothing and shoes designed by the likes of aNYthing, Hundreds, Rockers, Brown Babies, etc. I want to offer some sort of rebuttal or extension to Mr. Mittleman's insights, and I hope that if he ever find this blog that he not take offense, but I don't think he would for two reasons. One, I am taking the time to offer what I hope is a reasonable, and somewhat logistic opinion, and I hope that I provide the type of criticism that he is not referring to in his post.

Sneaker culture, as a broad whole, is something that I have come increasingly critical of. I am looking at the culture in general and will explain it as such, though I am not saying all of sneaker culture is bad, or all of it is good. To specify a bit closer what I am referring to, in general terms, is all-over print shirts and hoodies, bright colored sneakers, and horribly ripped-off graphics, or just plainly poorly done. Now to get into the thick of it.

What I just described as sneaker culture is not design, nor are any of the people that create these products 'designers.' There is simply no design to the vast majority of what these companies produced. Design is not simply knowing how to use photoshop or illustrator, nor is it the ability to take a logo and put it on the back pockets of jeans, afterwards stating that 'Hey, I designed them.' Design requires a thought process, a check-list of reasoning that leads you to a final conclusion of communicating an idea or concept across to a viewer. Now, thats a very general statement on design, but good enough to show my point. There is no communication with these brands except, 'I don't know anything about actual design, and I am trying to exploit a market that is currently popular.' Now, this is all a matter of my opinion, and nothing is meant personally, but this criticism (and it is just that, criticism) will be a bit more than 'those shoes are wack.'

First, I am not a fan of the majority of the clothing I see these kids wearing. I find it poorly executed, kitschy, and of poor quality. I also think that a lot of it is just plain ugly. Now part of that opinion is merely that. I don't like it, so I don't wear it. The other part is that the clothing and shoes are poorly designed, for example, use colors that should not really sit next together. There is color theory that most designers take at some point in their education and these guys obviously missed it. Some colors blend well, and some clash well, but some just do not go together. Some colors just cannot sit well next to each other, causing wierd vibrations or just a poor combination. I love color, but what I see on sneaker lately is nothing I think should ever be done with them.

Second, the designs of these are some of the most un-original ideas I have ever seen. Blatant rip-offs and usage of things that really have no pertinent connection to the brand they are 'designed' for. Now, Mr. Mittleman, describes a sense of history in his post. That you must know where you came from, to get where you are going, pulling a quote from Design Frog as reference. I find that quote and Mr. Mittlemans opinions on the subject entirely correct. Design is a constant re-hashing of what has come prior, but it is not the blatant plagiarism that exists in Sneaker Culture. I find it embarassing that these designers merely take ideas from around them and throw them into a 'new' design claiming originality or some sort of justification for why they did it. I would like to hear their reasoning behind quite a few of their designs, for if they could offer up a legitimate reason to why they are creating these pieces, I will step down, offer an apology, and take back everything I have just written. I just sincerely doubt that that will happen.

Stussy and Paul MIttleman do not fit into this category of Sneaker Culture I am referring to in the previous culture. I have been a fan of Stussy for quite awhile and own more than a few pieces of their clothing. I think they make excellent stuff, but their brand is something they have defined for 25 years now and still maintains a strong sense of originality. There are many other brands out there that I see linked to Sneaker Culture, but are not of it. They stand above it, releasing superiorly crafted products with a sense of design and thought such as the brand, Visvim. Hiroki Nakamura is a true inspiration, for not only is his clothing amazingly well designed, his store, catalogue, bags, boxes, etc, are also beautifully done. And of course, Cadence Clothing is another. Dustin does his own thing and bleeds his heart and thoughts into his clothing, which looks nothing like any other brand I have seen.

I am not just trying to hate on Sneaker Culture. I am just very skeptical of what they stand for, and this is my forum to discuss it. It is only opinion and I do not expect anyone to be swayed by what I say, but I hope that I am not looked down upon for simply stating my beliefs. I dare to open my mouth, and realize that I will make enemies for it, but I also hope that they realize I am not trying to irrationally place judgement on others. To each their own, wear what you want, just make sure it is what you want.