Moderated by Walker Ryan, Talking Shop is a Panel Discussion based on various issues to do with creating a career path geared towards working in skateboarding.

Panelists are:
Kim Woozy – Founder of MAHFIA.TV
David Jurusik – Transworld Skate Marketing executive
Fred van Schie – Leading social media skateboarding consultant
Kelly D Williams – Owner of Permanent Distribution, Broadcast Wheels and Format Skateboards.

Interactive workshop with the Panelists to follow discussion. Tickets available thru Eventbrite.

The Permanent Co-op is the debut capsule of product from Permanent Distribution, and is designed in cooperation with their extended family of brands, artists, designers, photographers, etc. Released only periodically and truly collaborative in nature, both entities share ideas and concepts- working together to create a very limited run of products that are only available at premium retailers and in the web store. For the debut capsule, Permanent teamed with the enigmatic Village Psychic NYC. This collection consists of wearable goods designed around the mantra “A Cosmic Alliance”, exemplified by the Candle of Good Fortune. For several millennia, it has been believed that those who bear the Candle of Good Fortune will be blessed with positive energy and providence. Basically, good stuff will happen to you if worn regularly. So they offered the collection in two colorways. Balance out the universe and get both. Images courtesy of Todd Midler Photography.

Born at the turn of the twentieth century, Emilio De Marchi was a friend of cycling pros such as Ottavio Bottecchia, Fausto Coppi, Giordano Cottur and a list of others including later legends like Basso and Moser. De Marchi’s career began as a bike and motorcycle mechanic, where he eventually became actively involved in some of the first cycling teams ever created. “At that time, quality cycling apparel was hard to come by, so Emilio [through his wife Emma] solicited by many fellow cyclists, started a small homemade production of cycling clothes and actively contributed to the definition of a cycling-specific [garment] standard as opposed to more generic ‘sports’ clothes that were more easily available back in the day.”

To commemorate this legacy, the De Marchi Company has recently assembled Dawn of The Pros, The Evolution of Style in Cycling (1940-1955). This beautiful hardcover book (printed in Italy!) is overflowing with images from this exciting era. De Marchi was there during the early years of cycling and is responsible for the design of some iconic garments such as the Italia track suit and the current jersey design that allows cyclists to breathe freely without the restraints of the rigid collars that were common in sportswear at the time.

I’m sure most readers of this blog could agree that for the past few decades, road cycling has eluded the concept of good style, and we generally equate functional cycling kits with sun-faded spandex covered in excessive logos like some kind of Nascar skin-suit, adorned with mostly unreadable pseudo-sponsorships from banks, car companies, and for some reason, chili peppers. However, this is not always the case. Brands like De Marchi have been quietly producing thoughtful and classic apparel designs that keep cyclists looking sharp as a tack. This is what their heritage is all about. Check out the book at demarchi.com

I’ll be putting on a quaint video premiere for the release of the latest skate flick from Bronze (56k) titled Solo Jazz this Saturday. If you’re located in the Westerly regions of the North American continent, you’re invited to come and enjoy a brief visual presentation of East Coast skateboarding and redolent spectacle being projected onto a white wall in Los Angeles.

The video premiere starts at 10:00pm on Saturday August 17th at The Vex, located at 5240 Alhambra Avenue in L.A.

If you have no idea what Bronze or Solo Jazz is, then welcome to class. All ages are welcome, no entry fee. Visit permanentdist.com for more information.

One of the most exciting new brands to appear recently is Evisen Skateboards from Japan. Amazing graphics, talented team, and soon to be available in the United States.

Katsumi has this to say about Evisen’s latest collaboration with Sadam for Maru’s homie, Shota Kikuchi: “Evisen Skateboards will be releasing a first ever guest model for a skateboarder from Sendai Japan, Shota Kikuchi.  The art work is done by SADAM an artist also from Sendai who has offered to design for the previous collaboration board.  The graphic is not just a Bouquet but there is a Gimmick in the graphics. Kotobuki means felicitation.

“The reason why we made a guest board for Shota is that we have huge respect to him but its not only about that.  Our team rider MARU has been skating with Shota from a young age up till now. MARU strongly wanted to give back to his lifetime brother so that is why we have decided to give a Bouquet designed in the board. Thank you skateboarding.”

In 1872 a human-sized gold nugget weighing more than 600 lbs was unearthed from a dusty hill in New South Whales. Rumor has it that when the prospectors were chiseling away at this shiny mother lode, a future-historic skateboard was found deep within the core of the gigantic chunk of cheddar. Not knowing whether it was extraterrestrial, celestial, or just plain pugilistic, the archeologists decided to bury the skateboard and never speak of it again.
From the land down under comes a brand that you should certainly be paying attention to. PASS PORT is making premium skateboard decks and a range of apparel that confirms this is more than just another garage project… and quite possibly connected to the aforementioned true story. They recently dropped a new collection on their website, and fret not: you will soon be able to get your passport stamped, as there are rumors that Pass~Port will be available in the US soon. For more information visit passportal.com.au

FTCSF will be hosting a special event on Saturday July 21st in conjunction with the release of Jack Curtin’s new Pro Model shoe, The Capitol by Fallen Footwear. If you’re in the area, stop by FTC for free bubbly beverages and good vibes. If you’re not in the area, check here for photos afterwards. Live music set by Cellski!

No longer a part of the Comune camp, Michael Quinones is now involved with a pretty exciting new label called We Are Runts. I’ll let them do the explaining:

“We Are Runts [or WAAR] is a creative lifestyle brand built with a product assortment of repurposed vintage military surplus and or short run/deadstock fabrics.  Each piece has been updated, reconstructed and adapted with a modern silhouette while keeping the color palette and utilitarian details of military garb, in addition to being manufactured domestically.  Essentially, it is a collection and identity of kids that grew up, but never stopped loving their youth and what has shaped their lives now as adults (well, sort of adults).
Conceived on the decision to rely on each other, not work for others, the idea of RUNTS and the history of the name really began a while back for us.  We’d constantly refer to each other and our larger group of close friends as ‘RUNTS’ in the industry.  We were always the little guys in the office as far as ownership, and were constantly looking out for each other.  That is the same mentality that we’ve tried to bring here; a group of friends working together and looking out for each other.”

For more information, stay updated at WeAreRunts.com

UPDATE: Congratulations to the winner, Nick! Please email me your address and i’ll have this stuff sent out!

I’m going to give away some free shiz today! The craftsmen at Armourdillo make a buttload of leather goods. Literally, I think their catalog has like 75 pages of belts and wallets. They sent me some new product that is ultra luxe, and I want to give it away to one lucky person this week. To be eligible to win a Chad Bartie Signature Belt & Wallet pack, just respond to this question in the comments below. A winner will be randomly selected from those who participated by answering the question correctly. Make sense?

Free product trivia: In what skate video does Chad Bartie star alongside teammates Rob Gonzalez and Ricky Oyola? Remember, even if someone beat you to it, you still need to post the correct answer to be included in the randumb drawing. The winner will be notified via email after end date of 11/22/11.

Part 2/2 of the video document on Broadcast was just posted on The Berrics the other day. You can catch up with the first segment here. Thanks to Brock Mitchell and everyone at The Berrics for making this happen!