VANS Shoes



VANS Shoes

VANS Labyrinth

VANS, VANS, VANS. Now we all know that purchasing your first pair of Vans, is and can be, a massive headache but don’t reach for the prescription drugs just yet playa we got your back here at N.T.S. Here is a cheeky guide to the Vans maze start to finish and why you need to complete each level to keep it fresh on the deck.
 So you’ve heard about them, you’ve seen them, you’ve thought about and visualized them and now you feel ready to cop the sneaker that has blown up in the last few years bigger than the big bang itself.
Vans have been kicking around since 1966 when the Van Doren brothers took a 12 pair order on the first day of establishing. The design where it all started is better now known as ‘Authentic’. So seeing as you need a foundation what better place to start, than the start, Right?

Ok, you have in mind that you are going to part with hard earned cash for a brand you might not usually invest in, so you don’t want to blow your load on something you aren’t happy with. You want to stand out and let cats know you’re involved, so pick the white authentic. You need your first pair to last to be sure that you want to walk the plank and plunge in with many more pairs. So cop leather over canvas because those bad boys ain’t surviving the skate park, let alone the strawberry jam off your toast spill in the early hours of the A.M rush before school/work/college.

So you are pretty satisfied with the first pair, look fresh, feel fresh. Level 1 complete.
 Next step in the puzzle to impress the chicks, switch it up. You need people to be noticing the change, so throw that curveball harder than Justin Verlander (Detroit Tigers pitcher and American League Baseballs 2011 MVP) and hit them with the 106 vulcanised in navy. The 106’s are complete opposites of the authentic design and heads will notice. We say keep them navy to keep them neat. Dirty ain’t fresh, PEROID. 

You are becoming pretty legit in the Vans game now but there’s still a way to go to being the ultimate off the wall player. Now you want to jump on board the ‘ERA’ range. Designed by Old-Skool skate legend Stacy Peralta the extra padding, extra grip and some sick colour combos show you know what you’ve got yourself into. Vans are now becoming a way of life making the next step over important. Throw in some suede to canvas, canvas to leather additions and you can now make your outfit fit for a Sunday service with god himself, whoever your god is, (The Van Doren Brothers maybe?) Navy canvas and brown leather or Black canvas, White leather is our Fresh tip of the day.

We’ve conquered the boss and are now strongly on route to the holy grail of any Vans inspired civilian. Everybody is taking you seriously with your collection of these kicks now so it’s time to bring out the big guns and just blatantly show off. Now you want to be wearing this next pair with a ‘you think I care air’ about you because you’re going in with a chonger. You will be looking for colours or patterns from strips to speckles, Aztec to flowers or maybe even anchors and leopard print. Natestruestyle are overly feeling these ‘Van Doren’ ERA Multi stripes. Sick summer sunshine style wherever you are flexing. Check out the ‘Rainbow leopard print’ authentic shiners too. Whatever final style you pick make it loud and wear it proud brother because you have just completed, The Vans Labyrinth.

Fred Perry X Amy Winehouse

Fred Perry X Amy Winehouse

'Swag My Bitch Up'


Here she is, Little Red A.K.A the slightly better half to N.T.S.

Now you all know i am a complete Fred Perry fiend by now and i ain’t shy of a cheeky collaboration either. So i obviously keep a close mince pie (eye) on anything exclusive that is being released.

The legend, hero, pure inspiration to music and fashion that was Amy Winehouse had already released one successful line of her take on the brand and was due to release another before her unfortunate and touching demise from this catwalk world we call life. Luckily Fred Perry thought it would be a great prop to Amy to go ahead with the release, and I couldn’t agree more. What a way to celebrate this influential ladies life by donning the clothes on your back that she had an input on.
 
Now as a boy, clearly, I was in no position to be wearing any of this clobber but appreciated what it meant to British culture. I wanted to be a part of this history, fortunate for myself I knew the perfect beehive rocking candidate to wear such a unique and special garment. Someone who is aspiring in the music scene writing her own songs, can hold her fashion, legitimately reps a beehive and was a Fred virgin ( I weren’t havin’ that).
So we nipped on down to the local Fred clothing establishment were I let Little Red have full control of the store and bank balance to pick her collab piece, Baller. I had a few different items thrown in front of my face before I saw ‘The One’. I quickly shooed her into the changing room and was ecstatic with the result.
Little Red went for a classic polo, which is exactly where every Fred Perry virgin should start. The polo is fluffy candy pink and navy in an F1 race flag style print all over the shirt. The collar also has some miniature square’s all around it. The reason I found it perfect was the fit, Little Red isn’t lacking in the Lar Lar department (Breasts, for my international pals) and the shirt complimented this wonderfully. Let’s just say, how can I blame heads for having a browse?
In every way possible she looked the part paired with the hive hair and cheeky eye line flicks just how Amy would of wanted it and rocked it.


‘I cheated myself,
like I knew I would,
I told you I was trouble,
you know that I’m no good’.    R.I.P Amy Winehouse ‘83-2011

  'Little Red Buttoned Up'

Listen to Little Red's originally written songs here: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_13234762#!/littleredruby

Like the page and show support here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/little.red.71619

DOPE CHEF/STARTER

Dope Chef

'Dopest Snapback From The Starter'

The shipment has finally docked at N.T.S HQ with contents fit for a king.


2 Dope Chef/Starter snapback hats. YES.

Dope Chef seduced fans of the snapback way back in Feb on their website and as soon as I laid eyes on them I was charged up! I had seen a few of their hats at the Boat shop AKA HMS #SWAG in London just before last Christmas. I enquired about the killa items and was quickly told that they weren't ready for release yet. So, when the internet teaser came up for pre-orders, I handed over my card details quicker than Tulisa said 'it wasnt me'.

Dope Chef had four bangers to choose from and only 144 of each style would be made, From these four I was keen to obtain at least two. I opted for the 'Miami Vice' and  'Dope Block' styles. I then proceeded to eagerly wait six weeks next to my letter box...


Dope-day finally arrived.

The HQ went quieter than a doctors waiting room as i unveiled the Royal Mail box of goodness. I havent stopped beaming since that moment. I couldnt be more pumped and impressed with these hats. I was overly worried that this could be a massive anti-climax and a gigantic flop for Dope Chef but without a doubt was seriously worth the wait and the cash money.

I own a few snapbacks already from DGK and OBEY (pieces on those brands coming shortly) but they are nowhere near the standard of quality as these. Then again, these have been cooked up by meanstreet hat creators STARTER- only like the most original snapback producers ever. So of course they were going to be pretty tip-top.

The hats really do have everything you could want and more, even down to the Starter signature circular relective sticker on the inside peak of the cap. Dope Chef  haven't just thought about the front of the hat either. The Chefs have certainly made double sure that any style chaser will know, these snapbacks are not easily purchased  for a penny or pound from your local JD Sports, in the words of Wretch 32, 'NO WAY'. The Chefs have put the signature moustache logo on a little yellow label next to the fastener at the back of the cap, another signature detail, is a Cross-bone style Knife and Fork emblem at the side.


 I most definetly expect Dope Chef to release many more Snapbacks in the future due to the success of the first baked batch. Obviously i am already looking forward to donning one at my next event in two days time with Little Red- getting up front and grimey to sounds of Joker and Mike Skinner's first UK DJ set.

Top hats for top cats.

LOOK DOPE, SMELL DOPE, BE DOPE. DOPE!

Dope Chef

Dope Chef
'Cooking Up A Hype'


I've been following Dope Chef for about 6 months and in that time they've blown up like Mount vesuvius. 


It seems that the chefs at this fashion brand are bringing something completely new and different to the kitchen counter. With their use of eye-popping colours and striking, satirical cartoons, Dope Chef garments are a step above the rest at the moment.


The clothing line's main character is a cartoon chef who cooks up nothing but dopeness. The brand also has a ‘CHI Town’ range, consisting of Chicago Bulls and Oakland Raiders logo's on Dope Chef toques.

I got myself down to the shop in North London (which is actually on a boat...on a river and everything...I know...dope.) When I was onboard I was presented by THE sickest layout of a store I have ever seen.The chefs working there were tip top people too.  So nice in fact that they invited me down to the Christmas party in a basement club that was smackin’ hip-hop till the early hours of the A.M. A special guest appearance from controversial UK smash ‘Mikill Pane’ (The wordsmith on Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team' Track Remix- Little Lady) assured me that dope chef must be taken seriously. Mikell has also done a collaboration with the clothing line that sold out in no time at all. He's definitely a special sauce within the range.

The likes of Piff Gang, Tiny Tempah and my personal all time favourite cheeky Rapping/Singing/Dancing duo, Rizzle Kicks! Have all been clocked supporting the brand.

Little Red and I went to see Harley and Jordan (Rizzle Kicks) a few weeks ago at XOYO and sported my fresh out the oven (pardon the pun) Dope Chef Logo sweatshirt. Supporting my chef piece was an ONLY panel cap, the brightest red jeans I could find on the high street and some mid-top, canvas, Chuck Taylor Converse All Stars. This gave me the Rizzle Kicks ‘jump up and sing with a Cheshire cat smile’ vibe I needed to bounce along with the overly energetic youngsters.

Rizzle Kicks have also featured a couple of Dope Chef items in the video of their newly released track, ‘Traveller's Chant’.

Dope Chef have a range of 4 snapbacks on pre-order at the moment that are due to finish baking early April. I've already requested two of these and will be telling you what I think as soon as I receive them. 

I am pretty certain that Chef fans will be all over the snapbacks like ants over a chocolate whirl so I suggest you get cooking because


DOPE CHEF AIN'T GOT AN EXPIRATION DATE.

Me & Harley From Rizzle Kicks Sharing A Benson

Jamie T- Emilys Heart (Ruby Sigurdardottir Cover)

Me & Jamie At Wedgewood Studios, Portsmouth
2009

Jamie T- Emilys Heart

(Ruby Sigurdardottir Cover)

My girlfriend Ruby “Little Red” Sigurdardottir was recently in the recording studio and recorded one of my favourite Jamie T tracks.

I’m a huge Jamie T fan and have been to a couple of his gigs.  A friend and I even had a little chat with the man himself as well as his bassist Louie, outside Wedgewood studios in Portsmouth. Five words to describe Jamie are:

DOWN TO EARTH GENUINE HERO.

I was a little worried that I might stubbornly be stuck in my ways in favor of the original but this was most definitely not the case. In my opinion, Ruby (as that over hyped up pre-Madonna Cheryl Cole would say) “absolutely smashed it.” Her sweet, soft voice compliments the lyrics perfectly and contrasts effectively to what is actually a pretty dark song.

The original music video was actually filmed in our local town, Broadstairs, by the seaside. Therefore we felt that we should stay true to the original and film it in the neighboring seaside town of Ramsgate. Ruby had local producer Nick Wilson remake the acoustic guitar backing track. She then had a very talented young lady named Parisa Tarjomani shoot and edit the music video.

We were going for a rustic, grimy feel for the video, so I felt that my clothing had to be a touch dark, giving me a moody, dirty but still quirky vibe.

I opted for black skinny jeans rolled up at the ankles to show thick grey socks paired with beige canvas desert boots. On the torso I wore an iconic piece that I feel really set the tone of the outfit: a dark Ivy Fred Perry nylon cagoule, made with the finest British Magellan material. It gave the whole look that proper traditional English feel.

This was all topped off with a soft khaki trilby hat and brown tortoiseshell Ray-Ban spectacles.

Hold tight and I will keep you posted for more Little Red music.

Check the outfit and the video out below, and be nice, or it may be you that ends up bruised and bloody (I’m joking, violence is for people who are poor with words.)

DGK Sunglasses

DGK Sunglasses

'Your eyes might not like the sun, but they do love the haters'

These sunglasses are SICK. 


Everybody loves an 80's style wayfarer shade these days, but let's not just stick to traditional Ray-Ban. Especially not the ones that look like they've come from a bald headed fellow with a suitcase full of moody gold situated on what looks like your grandpa's old wallpapering table at the local Friday afternoon Market. Fake bans never were and never will be, cool.

That's why DGK (Dirty Ghetto Kids) have hit the nail firmly on the head with these 'I love haters' ones. Taking an iconic, vintage frame and giving it a modern twist, these are bang on trend. They're also a good effort on price and come in red, white or black. The only drama with these is that you have to buy them from the US of A to get them for cheaps. So be expected to wait extra postage time. Nonetheless, these are certified bangers for the festal season, beach days or just standard high street shopping. Hell, I'll even where them out at night. 


I CANNOT WAIT for the blazing hot day when I can rock these.
 
I love them and the haters hate that they do too.

23TwentyThree

23:23
‘Jox’


23TwentyThree is a brand that all hip hop dancers will be able to relate too, as it is the brand that created THE best tracksuit bottom to dance in known to man, (or woman, of course.) These, ladies and gentlemen, are the Jox.It’s a pant that has a carrot fit crutch (nothing to do with carrots what so ever but basically means hangs lower than average…I guess giving you ample room for your carrot) and is tapered in at the ankle, so that you can show off your sickest footwear (and, in my opinion, Hi-Tops are the way forward with these bad boys.) 


Anyway, they are the comfiest bottoms to wear EVER. Whether you’re jumping, rolling, diving, spinning, walking, running, cycling or just cotched at home on your sofa doing sweet naff all in, this is what you should be wearing. Team them with snapbacks, t-shirts and crew neck jumpers to give you that street edge. Hell, you can even dress them up a bit, pair them with a buttoned up shirt and trilby. Seriously, these are the only trackies invented that are socially acceptable to wear out to your local shopping mall. Personally, I wear them everywhere: round the house, to bed. I’ve taught break dancing in them AND I’ve even gone to the local boozer for a few beers, and still fitted right in. 


Jox are THE most universal leg wear you can own all for only fifty gold sovereigns. Unfortunately, for a reason I do not know, the company has gone bust, therefore Jox are no longer in production. But they are still out there, you just got to look hard enough and its well worth it.
  
    23TwentyThree made them in a few varieties including zipper, pouch and hoop styles and came in a many colours (pink, orange, navy, grey, black, green and purple.) I am always on the lookout for another pair of these diamonds and I hope you do too.