BEAT THE HEAT.

A couple of the 707 partners were just in Tokyo for SUMMER SONIC. Came back raving about the Japanese concert experience (clean, organized, with wildly enthusiastic crowds shouting things like "we respect you!") but traumatized by the infamous Tokyo summer heat and humidity.

For a better idea of the kind of desperate measures Tokyoites are willing to go to in order to escape the heat, check this photo of a popular wave pool... Even better, check the YouTube video to see the surreal human wave.

Guess the Japanese have a slightly different definition of 'overcrowded' than we do... Personally we think it would have been cool if right after the wave machine started, trap doors suddenly opened up to release the sharks with laser beams on their heads... Another great opportunity for laughs and hi-jinks wasted...

{thanks to C-SCOUT}

QUEEN OF NEW YORK.

Congrats to Leah of MARRIED TO THE MOB on a great interview at WORSHIP WORTHY. Check it out to get the lowdown on the ultra-cool mastermind behind the hottest women's label around - we think the MCM / Colette photos trump any attempt to debate us on this...

MARRIED TO THE MOB just arrived yesterday (!) in 707 Kemang and should be up on the racks by Friday. Stocks are super-limited. Yes, we have the 'Men are the New Women' T. No, we don't have many. Yes, you should run, not walk to pick it up. No, we're not going to give you a discount. No, not even if you're friends with the owner. No, not even if you do that thing you do.

MOB x MCM takes over the display at Colette, Paris.

DISSECTED COMPANION.

Kaws' Dissected Companion (original colourway) with rare Kozik Monger

Thanks to Alvin at Ambush/Surrender for hooking me up with this... Currently on display in our Kemang store. Not so many thanks for the crazy hangover after an unsavoury bar-crawl with him, Mark Eley (Eley Kishimoto) and Colin (graphic designer, graf artist).

Mark, Alvin and Colin. They are as dodgy as they look.

YONE LOVE.

Influential Japanese photographer Yonehara Yasumasa just held a retrospective at STAPLE DESIGN's Reed Space in NYC. We already got a preview look through Staple's spring/summer 2007 catalog that he shot, and it definitely supports his rep for taking original (and dodgy) photos of stunning girls. A few pages are up at Jeff Staple's site, and we may post a few later if we get the all clear...

Yone wearing TWELVEBAR tee collaboration

Look out for Staple's spring collection in both 707 and 707ANNEX around february/march...

JUSTICE VS. SIMIAN VS. KANYE.

Kanye asking if 707 has any more Surface2Air tees...

Not only did JUSTICE vs. Simian unexpectedly win 'best video' at the European MTV music awards, they also picked up the trophy in style with one of them in a Surface 2 Air t-shirt, and even better, pissed off Kanye West enough to get him to bum-rush the stage... Mildly ironic considering that their award was for their track 'We are your friends'.

Great quote from Kanye when he was on stage; "F**k this! My video cost a million dollars. Pamela Anderson was in it, I was jumping across canyons and s**t! If I don't win, the awards show loses credibility."

Brilliant. We've met six year-olds with better reasoning skills.

SBTG'S CIRCUS PROJECT.

Dropped by to hang out with SBTG and Alvin at the PHUNKSTUDIO, well, studio. Caught a quick peek of the Mark's new project for BROOKLYN CIRCUS, a set of custom Air Force Ones in their very early stages. 707's colours black and pink seem to be conquering the world these days... Keep an eye out for these to be released soon - not quite as rare as the SBTG x 707's but still should disappear pretty fast...

Just thought I'd add this shot of PHUNKSTUDIO doing their thang for STARHUB in Dhoby Ghaut MRT station... Designers ARE the new supermodels.

CHILI-IN' AT WENDY'S.

mmmm... seriously - what the hell is this?

SBTG's got guts. probably literally, in the cup.

Not quite sure what the fuss is all about, but seems like Wendy's chili has a lot of fans. Mark (SBTG) was craving it since the minute he landed (no Wendy's in Singapore), and it was the only place he wanted go for brunch the day after the Dunk launch...

No one else at the table would take him up on his attempts to make us try some (we're smart enough to be wary of anything made of random, unrecognizable substances in Jakarta), but 707 crew have been telling me since that it's got a loyal local following...

SBTG IS COMING TO JAKARTA!

click to enlarge

SBTG IS COMING TO JAKARTA! World-famous sneaker customizer SBTG will be in Jakarta for the final launch of his collaboration with NIKE, the SBTG Dunk SB. He will be signing boxes and T-shirts.

SBTG will also previewing a new, EXTREMELY limited-edition custom handpainted Nike Dunk that he's made especially for the event incorporating the 707 colours of black and pink. There will be no more than 7 of these produced and they will also be available for sale from 707ANNEX.

In addition there will be an amazing limited-edition T by DARBOTZ & 707 (using a variety of special inks on a T with a 707 designed custom-fit) and ALL BUYERS OF THE T WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN A FREE PAIR OF NIKE SBTG DUNK SB'S!!!

And there's still more!.. There will also be special giveaways and surprises given at random to people waiting in line...

You KNOW the only place to be on Saturday.

FOR EXTRA INFORMATION ON THE LAUNCH, OR THE CUSTOM SBTG/707 DUNK, SIGN UP FOR OUR INSIDE INFO EMAIL ON THE RIGHT ===>

note:
The Nike SBTG Dunk will be priced at only 1.350.000 rupiah. This is Nike approved pricing. The distribution will be split between those at the start of the line and a random selection of those in line done by raffle. It will be one pair per person, no trying on. The closer you are to the start of the line, the better your chances of being allowed to buy...

TOSHIO & CO.

DJ and ex-United Future Organization member TOSHIO MATSUURA dropped by Jakarta a few weeks ago to spin at Manna House before it closed for renovation. Manna, unsurprisingly, was jam-packed as Toshio span an amazing mix ranging from downtempo latin grooves to crazy beats that had the crowd going wild. A great way to end the current incarnation of Manna - we're looking forward to seeing the new interior at the reopening party...

This was taken the next day, relaxing and recovering in Kemang... left to right; Winfred (Aksara/707), Jason (Plakat Paradisj), Michael (Manna), Toshio, and DJ Alan.

FOOTURAMA INTERVIEW.

Sort of like going to a psychiatrist but without the huge bill, questions about our mothers, and RORSCHACH tests...

Thanks to FOOTURAMA for giving us a chance to reveal a few things. And keep even more hidden.

For the full interview click here.

0800 BANKSY.

a Banksy work in East London

BANKSY's work is a common sight whilst walking around London, never failing to provide a smirk when spotting a new one. We caught this one while walking around in the East End recently and thought now would be a good time to post it after all the hype surrounding his recent solo exhibition.

the infamous camouflaged elephant highlights avoidance of discussing pressing global issues

BANKSY's been doing his 'guerilla' art for years, but in the past twelve months he's rapidly been gaining credibility in (or gatecrashing depending on the viewpoint) the contemporary art scene culminating in the recent, hugely successful, 'Barely Legal' solo exhibition in L.A. For those that don't know his work, his website or WALL AND PEACE book are good places to start. They cover both the earlier and more recent works, and give a feel for the dry humour (which we find typically British), illustrative style, recurring themes, and social commentary that punctuates his works and differentiate him from his many imitators. If you don't know him yet, you will.

a reworking of a classic Monet theme

{with respect to J.N.}

HUSTLIN'.

ladies love Michael707

a 'Falling Down' moment from Alex

the 707 crew

Mutia, Rahma707 and module

From the HUSTLE event on wednesday. Having it in a house definitely gave it a completely different vibe. Felt a bit like any moment someone's parents were going to come home and shut it down...

Big thanks to Mutia, Michael707 and co. for running the show, Rahma for rocking the mic, and DJ's Alan, Anton and Hogi for reminding us why classic house rules... Thanks also to L'Oreal for sponsoring the event - but less stingy with the free booze next time guys...