Went to Vegas a few days ago for MAGIC. Thanks to The Cosmopolitan for the upgrade. I quickly adapted to my balcony life.
Left.
Right.
Numbers don't matter when you're so damn high. Floor 58 or 57, who cares.
Risky.
Got back to my suite like whoah.
I was at the MAGIC trade show in Vegas yesterday with Joshy, Doug and Ramon. It was hot outside!
I haven't been to MAGIC in years because it's always pretty depressing. I always end up seeing graphics produced by copycat brands and it breaks my heart every time. And I can't really get mad at the copycat brands. There will always be greedy motherfuckers out there that just want the quick buck. I don't think that will ever stop. It's the artists that work for these lowlifes that really bum me out. They are making a living copying my personal style. I just think that's so shameful. So disrespectful. I've been dealing with biters for over 20 years and it still bums me out.
And I don't feel like I can do much about it. But you can. If you go to a store that sells rip-offs, tell the employees about it and ask them to look at REBEL8. If they hear about it enough, they will tell their managers about us. If the managers hear about us enough they will ask their distributors about us. If their distributors hear enough about us, they will try to get REBEL8 in their stores. It's as simple as that.
And again, thanks for all your support over the 8 years REBEL8 has been around. You have helped our little company grow steadily through some of the worst economic times in American history. We couldn't be more thankful. For real.
Now back to the drawings...
But I can't. Forgot my Canon cord to load some photos to my laptop to blog. Picture me in Vegas. Picture me rollin'.
Today I visited a really cool store called Unionville. They carry the leaders in high-end denim (Iron Heart, Mister Freedom, etc.), but also make their own garments right in the back of the shop. Japanese selvedge, designed, cut and sewn in Stockholm. Thanks Douglas.
I hate toys, but I really liked this guy.
Unionville's sister store Sivletto proudly carries REBEL8.
On the very same block I saw the coolest scooter throttle grip ever. Those indeed are some Daisy Dukes.
Popped into a graffiti shop called Curb Servin and met Christian.
Scoped some dust tags.
This is street art.
Then I ate here. BOMB.
About to fly to Vegas before I turn right back around to Sweden. Hope to see you at Magic!
I got to visit the studios of Industrial Light and Magic and Lucasfilm, the folks responsible for producing all the Star Wars movies and 100s of other movies you've seen. Yoda was holding down the entry courtyard, of course.
What's up Boba Fett?
If you get a chance, check this place out. It's bananas.
I was on a boat.
Then on a train with this PY-thang.
And as soon as I got to Stockholm I went traditional Swedish dinner.
On my walk back to my hotel I was disgusted BY this sign.
And then I made more Joshy D's.
Fall '11 is here! This one is called Eazy Duz It. It rules.
It's been a while since we did Magic. I can't wait! We'll be showing our Spring 2012 collection to wholesale accounts from around the world. If you want to carry REBEL8 in your store, holler at Ramon 415-643-3933 x102. Our booth is appointment only. You must make an appointment to open an account, see our line, or place an order. We get crazy busy. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.
Here are the details you need:
S.L.A.T.E. at MAGIC
BOOTH #21420
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
3950 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
I can't wait to see you in Vegas and get REBEL8 in your shop! It's time you carry the Originals.
Mjukglass is the shit.
I ended up just standing by this sign.
This is Grisslehamn.
Advertising can tell you a lot about a place.
Even if you can't read the native language.
And if you are unaware that our Fall '11 collection just dropped in our store, please waste no time and check it out! This one is called Original Rebel.
Surströmming is so crucial you must open it outside.
So let's get to it. You start by getting wasted. Personally, I hate schnapps, but it really helps cut the taste of the rotten fish. Please pay no attention to my long fingernails. I'm actually cutting them now SMH in disgust looking at this photo.
Zoom.
It's common to hide the flavor of the fish with plenty of onions, dill, potatoes and flat bread. This was my plate.
This was Morfar's plate. He prefers the entire fish while I settled on just the filet.
Extreme close-up AKA National Geographic shot.
While I think I generally tell a decent story through my photography, in this case, I just can't. The smell is like no other you've ever experienced. As soon as that lid popped off, flies were everywhere. I was lightweight happy they were here actually; helping me finish my plate of fun.
And then my little helper landed on my bread and had to go. RIP playa.
The aftermath.
I then sat and tended the fire until morning.
Hope all is great with you. Fall '11 is crushing our warehouse right now. I used to hear tall tales of boxes stacked as high as mountains and orders plentiful. I now know this place as REBEL8. Thank you.
What were you doing during the summer of '95? I was painting walls in Oakland.
Represent, represent...