We explore the history of the functional menswear mainstay the Arctic Parka. From the Arctic Circle and Alaskan Oil workers to hip-hop heads and Raf Simons collectors, the highly coveted parka is the cherry on the outerwear pie. Join cultural archivists Samutaro and Too Hot Limited's Ollie Evans as we dive into the parka's origins, the reasons behind its popularity, and how its functionality has lead to its essential status in our closets over the decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highsnobiety Podcasts

ORIGINS- THE ARCTIC PARKA

In 2020, a celebrity fashion moment (or faux pas) can come at any given time or place. With the entire Internet eyeing their every move, there’s a really thin line between a star making a statement, like Missy Elliott’s blow-up suit from “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” or becoming a meme that will live forever in social media infamy, à la Fiji Lil Pump. In the latest episode of our podcast with PUMA, “Represent Yourself,” we caught up with the creative genius behind some of the most unforgettable red carpet and music video fashion moments of our lifetime, June Ambrose. Ambrose was heavily responsible for some of the stand out hip-hop styling moments of the ’90s and ’00s. Working alongside director Hype Williams, Ambrose put Busta Rhymes in space-age armor for the video of “What’s It Gonna Be?!” with Janet Jackson, she got Puff Daddy and Ma$e in shiny suits for “Mo Money Mo Problems” with Notorious B.I.G., and, of course, she blew up Missy Elliot to cartoonish proportions for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Represent Yourself: June Ambrose

While the NBA stage has become a new runway for flexing fits and footwear of the latest pedigree, it would be a crime to forget New York Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier. We’re used to seeing players trying to get crazy with their looks nowadays, but nobody could rock a wide-brim hat right after calmly icing a game-saving shot quite like Clyde – all in the same sneakers, of course. In our latest podcast with PUMA, Represent Yourself, we sat down with the two-time NBA Champion to talk about his colorful suit collection, supreme confidence, and what all of these staples of Frazier’s persona mean as direct results of his experiences. Now the NBA broadcaster stunts a wardrobe stocked with more prints and patterns than you can shake a Suede at, but to understand Clyde today, you have to learn about young Walt and when he first moved to New York: “I liked the way the guys were dressing. I liked what was going on. Once I became more popular as a basketball player, when I used to go out I’m always dressed up. Once I got the hat, the mink coats, it just started happening. I love New York – the style. You can be innovative, creative, and that’s why I love it still.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Represent Yourself: Basketballs First Style Icon, Walt Clyde Frazier on Suit Inspo, PUMA Deals & Dressing Up

Awake NY founder and former Supreme brand director Angelo Baque joins us on this week's episode to discuss the hottest news in fashion. After providing his opinion on some of the biggest product reveals in recent days, he takes the time to delve into his brand and the fashion industry as a whole. Baque and host Noah Thomas begin the podcast by discussing a number of new sneakers, ranging from the Air Force 1 winter boot and adidas' mule creation, to Cactus Plant Flea Market's rhinestone Dunks. The two then touch on Gucci and The RealReal's recently-announced secondhand initiative, Matthew Williams' debut Givenchy collection, and artists collaborating outside of their realm. Next, Baque discusses giving deeper meaning to collaborations and drawing from things that inspire him personally. He speaks on how products should bring awareness, as well as being able to appeal to multiple markets and age demographics by knowing who you are as a brand and remaining honest and sincere in the work. A significant portion of the conversation is rightfully dedicated to brands needing to find consistency in nurturing black and brown talent. Donations have quickly become the trendy play, but without consistency, there will be no change in diversifying the industry. Relevant Links: NIKE'S NEW ALL-BLACK AF1 BOOT IS THE PERFECT WINTER HYBRID STUDIO FY7’S 992 COLLAB IS THE NEXT WE’LL BE SAD TO TAKE AN L ON THESE ADIDAS CLOGS ARE FOR THOSE THAT CAN’T BRING THEMSELVES TO BUY CROCS IF PARIS HILTON WERE A SHOE, SHE'D BE THE CPFM X NIKE DUNK LOW GUCCI WANTS YOU TO STOP BUYING NEW GUCCI THE FIRST MATTHEW WILLIAMS COLLECTION AT GIVENCHY IS FINALLY UNLOCKED BALENCIAGA'S SS21 COLLECTION IS A BIG POST-PANDEMIC MOOD J blavin x mcdonalds collab  WE’VE ARRIVED AT THE ERA OF THE “INSOURCED COLLAB” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #131: ANGELO BAQUE WANTS TO SEE BRANDS NURTURING BLACK & BROWN TALENT

Its as if the PUMA Suede has been with us for all time. The iconic Form Stripe set to a background of beautifully brushed suede has been flashing across our screens and consciousness’s generation after generation. From its inception as a basketball sneaker it has been behind the scenes of so many important cultural turning points, social movements and game-changing moments it’s hard to keep count. The Suedes timelessness is certainly down to its minimal aesthetic, but it also owes a lot to the pioneers that chose to wear the sneaker and represent themselves as key voices of their generation. To chart some of the most iconic Suede moments in history we are catching up with several of PUMA’s most legendary cultural figures in our Podcast series ‘Represent Yourself’ which kicks off with 1968 Olympic Gold medal winner, one of sports first activists and the inspiration behind PUMA’s #REFORM programme, Tommie Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Represent Yourself: One of Sports First Activists, Tommie Smith on Social Change & His Silent Gesture

We have two special guests on this week's episode. First up, Highsnobiety Editor-in-Chief, Thom Bettridge, calls in to discuss the hottest news in sneakers, fashion, and beyond. And then hip-hop legend, DJ Paul, joins us to dish on his new podcast, Mafia Radio. Led by host Noah Thomas, Thom begins the show by providing his thoughts on a number of high-profile sneaker collaborations, ranging from Vivienne Westwood's new ASICS, to Grace Wales Bonner x adidas and Aimé Leon Dore's obscure New Balance project. Next, the two delve into Reebok's appointment of Kerby Jean-Raymond as its Global Creative Director and Tyler, the Creator's message to fans regarding voting in the upcoming election. DJ Paul then joins the program to speak on his new podcast on Hot New Hip Hop, called Mafia Radio. The show will include interviews with celebrities, discussions on everything from music and fashion, to cars, real estate, and politics, and stories from the man himself on the younger, wilder days of Three 6 Mafia. Elsewhere on The Dropcast, DJ Paul touches on Three 6 Mafia's influence on the new generation of hip-hop, 2020 being a year for the hustlers, and his duties as the "hood newsman." Press play above to hear Thom Bettridge and DJ Paul on The Dropcast, and look out for Mafia Radio coming to Hot New Hip Hop in early-to-mid October. Relevant Links: YOU CAN NOW SHOP VIVIENNE WESTWOOD’S NET-EQUIPPED GEL-KAYANO 26 NIKE SB DUNK HIGH "INVERT CELTICS" IS TWO COLORWAYS IN ONE @louisvuitton and @nba announced their partnership in January, and here's a potential preview of their first collaborative Here’s your first look at the basketball-inspired B27 sneaker by  AIMÉ LEON DORE RESURRECTS A FORGOTTEN NEW BALANCE SNEAKER Grace Wales Bonner x adidas Marine serre ss21 A$AP ROCKY & TYLER, THE CREATOR SHOW YOU HOW TO STYLE NEW SEASON GUCCI KERBY JEAN-RAYMONAD IS REEBOK'S NEW GLOBAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR @feliciathegoat is urging his fans to vote in the upcoming election.  Hot New Hip Hop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #130: DJ PAUL IS SHARING ALL HIS CRAZY THREE 6 MAFIA STORIES ON HIS NEW PODCAST

Artist and owner of Babylon Cartel, Gianni Lee, joins us on this week's episode to discuss the latest topics in the Highsnobiety world. After delving into the current events, we then talk to GCDS creative director, Giuliano Calza, as he provides us with some background info on the label's recent digital fashion show. While speaking with Highsnobiety's Noah Thomas, Lee shares his thoughts on everything from Slam Jam's upside-down Swoosh Dunks and Dior's new mules, to Kanye West's YEEZY slides, our Colette, Mon Amour Tokyo merch, and the PlayStation 5 pre-order frenzy. He also touches on some of his most recent projects, including a limited edition rug. Next up, Giuliano Calza shares his thoughts on an unusual Milan Fashion Week, before delving into GCDS' SS21 showcase, which served as the first-ever digital fashion arcade. Admittedly excited about virtual shows, Calza feels the GCDS showcase was entirely on-brand for both himself and the label. He has been into cartoons for years, so creating such an otherworldly atmosphere came somewhat easy to him, he says. But while he thoroughly enjoyed working on the digital show, as well as the collection, he insists he's already on to the next show and the next project. To get inside the mind of Giuliano Calza and find out what he sees for the future of GCDS, and fashion in general, press play above. Relevant Links: SLAM JAM'S NIKE DUNK FLIPS THE SWOOSH UPSIDE DOWN OFF-WHITE SHOE COVERS ARE THIS SEASON'S SNEAKER SAVIOUR DIOR MULE ALYX NEW SNEAKER ‘COLETTE, MON AMOUR’ TOKYO MERCH IS COMING YOUR WAY SOON DAPPER CORDUROY SUITS AS EVERYDAY WEAR? NO VACANCY INN, STÜSSY & A$AP NAST THINK SO HOMME PLISSÉ ISSEY MIYAKE FW20 GETS FORMAL WITH TUXEDO PLEATS DEMNA GVASALIA IS PREPARING US TO CARE ABOUT  COUTURE FOR THE FIRST TIME PATTA X UMBRO X INTER MILAN SONY APOLOGIZES FOR CHAOTIC PLAYSTATION 5 PREORDERS Gianni Lee GCDS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #129: GIULIANO CALZA & GCDS SUPPLY THE BLUEPRINT FOR DIGITAL FASHION SHOWS

This week's episode welcomes guests Jeff Chang and Favianna Rodriguez of the Cultural New Deal. The organization serves as a call for each of us to transform our personal, institutional, and global thinking in the pursuit of cultural and racial justice. Before diving into the meat and potatoes of the conversation, Jeff and Favianna provide us with some additional background on the Cultural New Deal. Talk then shifts to the artists and culture bearers of color, whose voices have been excluded from the arts and culture sector in the United States. As the Cultural New Deal aims to revitalize arts and culture in the US, and center the voices of those previously unheard, the organization is providing steps on how to work towards racial reconciliation. This begins by thinking locally and giving people the tools to organize. Throughout the episode, you will find out how to get involved with the Cultural New Deal and hear more on regaining communities by both organizing and promoting people of color. Press play above for valuable insights from Jeff and Favianna, and be sure to visit culturalnewdeal.com and culturalpower.org for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vibe Check #50: JEFF CHANG & FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ DISCUSS THE STEPS TO RACIAL RECONCILIATION

Zach Macklovitch and Nathan Gannage of Saintwoods join us on the latest episode to talk the hottest products in fashion. Led by host Noah Thomas, the podcast kicks off with a discussion on the best sneakers to pop up in recent days, followed by commentary surrounding some key streetwear collaborations. After providing listeners with a bit of background on their multifaceted outfit, Zach and Nathan give their thoughts on Bottega Veneta’s couch-like loafers that are perfect for office wear in the winter. From there, talk transitions to Hender Scheme and The North Face's new must-have release, which blends utility and style. This week's fashion news centers around a series of streetwear collabs from Virgil Abloh's Off-White™️ and Stüssy, Palace and Happy Mondays, and Supreme and Yohji Yamamoto. We also discuss this year's CFDA Fashion Awards winners to round out the segment. Press play above to hear Zach Macklovitch and Nathan Gannage of Saintwoods delve into the latest in footwear and fashion, and be sure to stay on the lookout for their tenth collection dropping at the end of the month and a monumental collab with Helmut Lang coming at the end of the year. Relevant Links: Bottega Veneta’s Couch-Like Loafer Might Be Fall’s Comfiest Footwear Hender scheme x The North Face  @dior’s CD1 continues to evolve every season and here’s the FW20 edition. Virgil Abloh Reveals First Look at New Off-White™ x Stüssy Collab Palace x Happy Monday Supreme Is Far From Over, the Yohji Yamamoto Collab Proves It With a Big CFDA Fashion Award Win, Kerby Jean-Raymond Shows What’s Next 4SDesigns @willsmith partners with @airbnb to celebrate the @freshprince 30th anniversary, listing the iconic Bel-Air mansion on the home-sharing platform. ⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #128: HENDER SCHEME X THE NORTH FACE JUST SET THE BAR EVEN HIGHER

Actress Kiersey Clemons joins us today on the latest episode. Clemons, who plays Shoshanna Meadows in new horror-thriller Antebellum, takes some time to touch on the parallels between Black horror films and racism in America. Led by Jordan Peele, the Black thriller genre has gradually transitioned into the mainstream, as stories of Black individuals being terrorized by white people ultimately mirror the horrifying experience of being Black in America today. During the podcast, Clemons delves into how Hollywood previously chronicled such narratives using a lens of comedy through shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Elsewhere in the episode, the Antebellum actress discusses her affinity for secondhand clothing and how she recently gave away a portion of her own wardrobe to fans on Instagram. In closing, she shares how her mood admittedly affects what she chooses to wear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vibe Check #49: KIERSEY CLEMONS ON BLACK HORROR FILMS MIRRORING RACISM IN AMERICA

For over a decade, SoundCloud has been a proving ground for up-and-coming artists looking to make it big in the music industry. From musicians like Post Malone and Kehlani to Billie Eilish and Lil Uzi Vert, the platform has been crucial for artists and fans alike looking to discover new music. On today’s episode of Vibe Check, we speak with Leon Sherman, the global editorial director at SoundCloud, as well as Orlando Urbina and Marshall Tan, founders of Washington, DC-based company GRVTY, as they discuss the inspiration behind their new fashion collaboration and how it came to fruition. The collab is all part of SoundCloud’s plan to inspire creativity and empower its community during these times of increased isolation from the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vibe Check #48: SoundCloud Gets Into the Fashion Game With a New Clothing Collaboration

WhenSmokeClears® is a jewelery and fashion brand based in Los Angeles. Known for their varsity cardigans and “Radiant Heart” patches, the label was nearly destroyed in the nascent stages of their growth when a blaze took over the team’s apartment in their former New York base. Now, true to its name, the brand is thriving in LA, where it’s made the “Radiant Heart” logo a signature part of its aesthetic; one that speaks to the ability to overcome adversity by radiating love and positivity. You can check out their online store (and a new pair of patchwork-detailed jeans) here. We invited founders of the brand Thermal and Ksace to join host Noah Thomas to weigh in on some of the week’s hottest releases: the paisley Community Garden Dunks (“they look like something John Mayer would like”), Reebok’s divisive spin on the Chelsea boot, YEEZY slides, Vetements’ self-troll, Travis Scott’s high-calorie collab with McDonald’s, and Virgil Abloh’s new Mercedes. We also answer our deceptively simple QOTW: “High tops or Low tops?” Smash the play button above to hear our take. For a chance to hear yourself in a future episode of The Dropcast, peep Highsnobiety’s Instagram every Monday for the latest QOTW, then call The Dropcast Hotline at 833-HIGHSNOB (833-444-4766) and leave an answer. We’ll catch you next week. Relevant Links: Each Pair of This “Community Gardens” Dunk Low Is Unique Reebok’s Chelsea Boot-Slash-Instapump Fury Is Not as Awful as It Sounds The adidas YEEZY 450 “Ophani” Could Be Kanye’s Next Slide Offering Nike Is Dropping a Blood-Soaked “Freddy Krueger” Air Max 95 Nike Tries to Extend Summer With the 2020 Nike Air Max 1 “Powerwall” Wait, Did Demna Gvasalia Just Rip Off…Demna Gvasalia? Virgil and Mercedes-Benz Want To Rebuild the Luxury Landscape, They Explain How Stop the Press: Kim Jones Is Joining Fendi Nugget Pillows & Menu Rugs…Travis Scott’s McDonald’s Merch Is Supersized Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #127: WhenSmokeClears® Founders Weigh in on Virgil Abloh’s New Whip

This week we welcome rapper, producer, singer and songwriter, and record label owner Hit-Boy. Hit-Boy’s moniker isn’t even remotely hyperbolic, the California-born producer’s credits include Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “N***** in Paris”, “Trophies” by Drake, “Clique” by GOOD Music, “Racks in the Middle” by Nipsey Hussle, “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott, and “Sorry” by Beyoncé, among many others. On top of those certified platinum and Grammy-award winning records, Hit-Boy has just executively produced King’s Disease, the thirteenth studio album by Nas which dropped last month. For this week’s Vibe Check, Hit-Boy calls in from lockdown to chat with Noah Thomas about his super-producer status and finding things to celebrate while in a state of lockdown –such as spending time with his 5-month old son – and reflecting back on those “Wow, I really made it” moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vibe Check #47: Hit-Boy Drops In To Discuss What Makes a Super-Producer Tick

For almost 40 years, Tommy Hilfiger has changed how young people around the world dress. Pushing the boundaries of what a fashion business looks like commercially as a true global brand that just last year generated $4.7 billion dollars in revenue. Business aside, the storied American brand reshaped what, and especially who, drove influence among youth culture. He was a pioneer in seeing musicians, especially hip hop artists, as powerful marketing vehicles that could culturally, and financially, create value for the business. First it was Grand Puba from hip hop band Brand Nubian, who shouted out the brand in a song with Mary J. Blige. Then came the rest. Britney Spears, Lenny Kravitz, Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Snoop Dogg the list goes on. Remember, this was at a time when fashion brands refused to work with hip hop artist, dismissing them as drivers of youth culture, and believing a too close association with predominantly black artists would be brand dilution. How times have changed for the better. I called up Tommy who during our call early on in lockdown was on his boat. We discussed it all, from the early days of Destiny’s Child and Aaliyah wearing the brand to what make up the new foundations of a successful fashion business all these years later.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On The Record: Tommy Hilfiger

On this week’s episode, we spotlight a number standout sneaker releases. Maison Margiela just debuted a luxe reinterpretation of the Air Jordan 4, while fragment design is prepping the release of a pair of Air Jordan 3s. Reebok will soon be delivering two fall-appropriate colorways of its new lifestyle sneaker, the Premier Road Modern, an inline silhouette that is definitely worthy of a cop. In other sneaker-related news, adidas’ Jon Wexler has left the brand to join Shopify. Wex is largely responsible for bolstering the brand’s roster of ambassadors, having added Kanye West, Pharrell, and Beyoncé — just to name a few — to the Three Stripes team during his tenure. Also, we continue our discussion surrounding Walter Van Beirendonck’s criticism of Virgil Abloh, which is hypocritical at best. The episode comes to a close as we segue from Neymar’s potential deal with PUMA to ask our listeners what sportswear brand they would want to be sponsored by. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dropcast #126: Reebok’s New Lifestyle Sneaker Proves the Brand Shouldn’t Be Slept on

This is Highsnobiety Podcasts, covering the best in sneakers, street culture, and men's fashion. Our flagship shows are The Dropcast, a weekly wrap-up of Highsnobiety's most notable headlines and new releases, and Conversations, intimate, off-the-cuff interviews with some of our world's leading creatives.

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Highsnobiety Podcasts

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