#17talks

Havana Club x Pigalle Paris' Capsule Collection Is A Love Letter to Cuba

Cuba’s iconic architecture, vintage cars, evening skies, and effervescent culture form the inspirations for one of the liveliest collaborations in recent memory. “The days I spent in Cuba have changed my life,” says Stéphane Ashpool, founder of Parisian label Pigalle Paris which has joined forces with Havana Club. The seven-piece capsule collaboration stands as a visceral celebration of the designer’s time in Cuba. Music and rhythm have long played a central role in Ashpool's creative process. From 9th-arrondissement block parties to top-story hotel jam sessions, and soundtracked Pigalle Paris runway shows, Ashpool is never far from loud music, bold colors, and a powerful sense of community. A love for Cuba, then, feels both natural and inevitable. Now, through his label Pigalle, Ashpool has immortalized his days exploring the country. Pigalle Paris x Havana Club celebrates togetherness, building upon common values: a strong commitment towards local communities and constant advocacy for diversity and inclusivity. Ranging from a limited-edition rum bottle of Havana Club 7 Years Old to a leather jacket, box-logo tee, tracksuit, and accessories, Pigalle Paris x Havana Club goes a long way in just seven steps. The seven-piece collection revolves around the dusty shades of Cuban streets, paying homage to the bright skies, iconic vintage cars, and vibrant atmosphere of the country. The taste of Cuba is part and parcel of the collection, too, with the smooth yet earthy, aged Cuban rum acting as the protagonist. Do not underestimate Havana Club 7's ability to transport you; its creator, the late great Don José Navarro, described it as "the very essence of Cuban rum". To accompany the release of the exclusive collection and limited-edition bottle, Havana Club x Pigalle Paris will roll out a series of community workshops. Calling on their network of designers, artists, dancers, and more, Ashpool and Havana Club will offer invaluable insight into the creative world, passing on the tools for the next generation to build yet more creative communities. Community and creativity is the name of the game for Havana Club x Pigalle Paris. Please Drink Responsibly. Find out more about Havana Club x Pigalle Paris including where to shop the collection and limited-edition bottle here.

How adidas Dropped the Ball on Signing Drake

Drake has had a special relationship with Nike for a while now. With the rap star relentlessly endorsing the brand from Swoosh-heavy music videos to original sneaker collaborations, and his own Nike sublabel. so it might come as a surprise that once upon a time the Certified Lover Boy was very close to signing with adidas. Back in 2018, Drake was signed to Jordan Brand, but was reportedly "looking for an exit and a new deal that would afford him more creative control." And three years later, we've finally got confirmation that one of the brands courting Drizzy was none other than the Three Stripes. According to former VP GM of Adidas Yeezy Jon Wexler, who is now serving as the VP of Shopify’s creator and influencer program, the rumors of adidas' efforts to sign Drake back in 2018 are very true. Speaking to Complex, Wexler revealed, "There was some flirtation back and forth and some meetings, but it was just a really interesting situation because adidas set up the playbook for the entertainment marketing piece and other people started to do it in their own way." Looking for more creative control it would have make sense for Drake to be wooed by an adidas offer, especially considering he would join the likes of Kanye West and Pharrell Williams – both of whom have been able to produce and design far greater, and enjoy more success since signing with adidas.

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J. Cole Shares Inspiration Behind His Upcoming Album in New Documentary 'Applying Pressure'

Ahead of the release of his upcoming album, The Off-Season, J. Cole is welcoming the next chapter in his music career, or what he’s calling “The Fall Off Era,” with a short documentary that chronicles the inspiration behind his new work, titled Applying Pressure. Scott Lazer directed the film, which begins with a conversation between Cole and 21 Savage. Cole explains that his fear of contentment has always been the driving force behind his music. In his early career, that sentiment manifested in unwavering determination as he pushed himself to reach new heights as an up-and-coming artist, and now as a well-established name in music, Cole still seeks that same motivation. “I had to make a real decision: Are you okay with getting comfortable, chilling, mailing it in, waiting around on inspiration?” he asks himself. “If this is as high as you ever got — not career success-wise, but from a skill level, like have you wrote your best songs? Did you leave no stone unturned creatively? And when I thought about that feeling, I was like, ‘Nah, I’m not cool with that.’” As the documentary progresses, Cole discusses how becoming a father changed his day-to-night work schedule into something much less demanding. “About two years into being a father, I remember, like, ‘Oh, you need a schedule where your family knows this is your time in the studio and this is the time when I’m at home in family mode,’” he says, after revealing he would often spend 12 hours in the studio at a time before having kids. “It’s something that I needed to do, because I’m not gonna shortcut on the family side. So I put the studio in the house for that reason. I love being able to work knowing my family is right upstairs.” Elsewhere in the 12-minute documentary, Cole draws comparisons between progressing as a rapper and training as a basketball player, ahead of his upcoming professional basketball debut. “I started realizing the parallel between rapping for me and basketball,” he says. “I’ve got to operate at a high skill level, and the only way you’re going to operate at a high skill level is putting in the hours, you know what I mean.” Cole is set to play a select number of games with the Basketball Africa League’s Rwanda Patriots, the first of which is scheduled for this Thursday. The Off-Season is set to release this Friday, May 14. In anticipation of the drop, listen to the first single off the tracklist, “i n t e r l u d e.”

Balenciaga Targets Footwear Fans With Its Sneakerhead Top Handle Bag

Known for turning the mundane into luxe creations under the direction of Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga has now introduced its new Sneakerhead Top Handle Bag. Inspired by its own overdesigned sneaker styles, the deconstruction-themed carrying option made from a mix of mesh and faux leather comes in two sport-sleek colorways. The top handle bag features a mesh base paired with overlays and traditional lacing elements that accent its curved shape. The main flip closure is held down by a stud magnet with a concealed back pocket for more carrying space. Additional branding comes in the form of “B” logo hardware and “BALENCIAGA” both printed and embroidered at the face. Each bag also comes complete with a detachable adjustable carrying strap for secure shoulder carry. Priced at ₩2,800,000 KRW (approximately $2,500 USD), the Sneakerhead Medium Top Handle Bag is available now on Balenciaga’s website.

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Michael Jordan Game-Worn UNC Jersey Auctions for $1.38 Million USD

A jersey that Michael Jordan wore during his 1982-1983 championship season at the University of North Carolina has sold for a whopping $1.38 million USD at Heritage Auctions. According to reports, the sale made history to become the most expensive Jordan jersey ever sold. The article of clothing was worn during a UNC-Stanford game at the Stanford Invitational Tournament, and a local high school student who was working as a locker room attendant for the visiting team kept the jersey. Heritage Auctions added that the jersey is the only one that was photo-matched to his “Player of the Year” photo on The Sporting News; Jordan can be seen wearing a uniform that’s dressed in the traditional Tar Heel colors, his number 23 and his last name and the school’s. “As the final price tag proves, this jersey has everything any serious collector could possibly want,” Heritage director of sport auctions Chris Ivy said. “It’s got scarcity, it’s one of a kind, it’s photo-matched,” he added, continuing, “It’s a great investment. That’s another angle. … It’s something that you’re investing in. I think this is as solid as it gets.” Photo-matching is a process now used to authenticate game-used/worn memorabilia, with Ivy further explaining that the high-resolution images of the jersey and Jordan’s The Sporting News cover should show ”corresponding mesh holes, lettering and other threading at multiple points.” “As far as collectors go, that’s iron-clad,” he added. “That comfort level is what allows us to generate such a significant price.” Prior to the sale of the UNC jersey, the record for most expensive Jordan jersey was held by a 1986-1987 game-worn Chicago Bulls uniform that sold $480,000 USD.

Supreme x Timberland Spring 2021 Collaboration

Following the release of its Nike Air Max 96 collab, Supreme is continuing its major collaboration series for the season, teaming up with Timberland once again. Skipping the footwear this time around, the duo has put together a range of retro apparel. Leading the collection is an Anorak and matching Tracks Pants which come in an array of color combinations. The set is marked by embroidered co-branding, 3M reflective striping, zipper elements and adjustable toggles. Accompanying items include is a ’90s-esque Crewneck style and embroidered Painter Pants. Rounding up the collaboration is a Camp Cap and Beanie that continues the branding and design elements of the aforementioned pieces. The Supreme x Timberland Spring 2021 collaboration will see a global release, available via the streetwear imprint’s website on May 13, 11 a.m. EDT in the United States and May 15, 11 a.m. JST in Japan.

Greater Goods Upcycles Celebrities' Old Clothes for Charitable Capsule Collection

London-based label Greater Goods continues its sustainable efforts with an upcycled capsule collection spearheaded by the creative ad agency Wieden + Kennedy, which sets to raise money for Kazzum Arts. Using donated garments from the wardrobes of Kate Moss, Damson Idris, Little Simz, Clara Amfo, Ama Lou, Joy Crookes and Jordan Stephens, Greater Goods has crafted T-shirts, vests, trousers, and bags for a project titled “Cut From London’s Cloth.” As expected from Greater Goods, everything is unisex, exclusive (limited to just one piece per item) and sustainable. The utility vest presents a patchwork of fabrics and colors, while a T-shirt has been made using off-cuts from old tees, notably including a segment from the Off-White™ x Nike collaboration. The “Everyday Tote” features pieces of denim combined with Carhartt WIP camouflage fabric, while another black tote bag has been customized with white exposed stitching that adds a unique pattern to the piece. All of the proceeds raised in the raffle-only collection will be donated entirely to Kazzum Arts, which is a charity youth organization that provides creative opportunities to Londoners aged five to 25, and also helps young asylum-seekers, refugees, and migrants with a creative approach. Take a look at the eight-piece capsule collection above, and enter Greater Goods’ raffle online before it ends on May 13. Winners will be announced on Friday 14.

BOOK OF THE WEEK: "The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success" by William N. Thorndike

In this refreshing, counterintuitive book, author Will Thorndike brings to bear the analytical wisdom of a successful career in investing, closely evaluating the performance of companies and their leaders. You will meet eight individualistic CEOs whose firms' average returns outperformed the S&P 500 by a factor of twenty — in other words, an investment of $10,000 with each of these CEOs, on average, would have been worth over $1.5 million twenty-five years later. You may not know all their names, but you will recognize their companies: General Cinema, Ralston Purina, The Washington Post Company, Berkshire Hathaway, General Dynamics, Capital Cities Broadcasting, TCI, and Teledyne. Note: "The Outsiders" was #1 on Warren Buffett's recommended reading list in the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholder Letter (2012). Buy here