While up in Toronto I had the pleasure of hitting a Maple Leafs hockey game. I’ve never much been a fan of hockey but the game in person is intense. I witnessed more fights for no reason than right before my parents got divorced when I was in 3rd grade.

Canada Goose rolled out the red carpet with a private suite filled with food & spirits, great seats and a lesson in the sport Curling (awww Canada).

Big thanks to Dani, Paul, Kevin and Spencer for the good time.

The Canada Goose sponsored coat check in the Platinum Club area

Players fight in hockey. Wait till I tell the hood…

Leafs get the win

I had the opportunity to travel to Toronto to visit Canada Goose to work on our upcoming collaborative capsule for Concepts. It was my first time in Canada and it was what everyone says it is– beautiful.

It’s easy to forget that your actually in another country because the city of Toronto looks pretty “American” with the major differences being polite people, clean streets, no car horns being abused and the occasional French signage.  Ok so its the total opposite of the States.

Canada Goose has been in business since 1957 as a manufacturer of outerwear for the most extreme climates.  Their legendary coats and jackets could be seen from the ice of the Arctic to the streets of Cambridge (especially Brattle St.). I had the chance to visit the company and manufacturing plant and in the process gaining a greater understanding and appreciation for their process and product.

Had a chance to check out what CG has cooked up for fall / winter 2010.

Here is a preview of the Lance Mackey Constable. Lance Mackey is a world champion dog musher and is considered “The World’s Toughest Athlete”. You ever have to walk from the corner store in the freezing cold holding a gallon of milk? Not even close to what he has to endure!! Oh yeah, he is a Goose Person!

Here is an exclusive peek at the new Yuki Matsuda Collection which has focused on using wools and tweeds which features the Canada Goose disk patch in Yuki’s black and red embroidery. There are 3 pieces in this collection in multiple colorways and will only be sold at best shops globally—- like ours. Amazing.

A few upcoming accessories

The Canada Goose team were amazing hosts and even took the kid to see a Toronto Maple Leafs game. I know for a FACT that I was the only Hispanic in the arena and possibly the city—that’s ok though. My mom would tell me that it made me special… then laugh as she walked away.

Pictures on the way!

A couple months back I introduced you to my new favorite group when I posted The Wellington Paper’s “Berlin” video— well they are back.

Here is the video for TWP’s joint Jackie.

Enjoy.

Follow them on Twitter @HBWELLINGTON

New Era came through Concepts to do a piece on Boston for their online magazine “Your Lifestyle Fitted”. The article has a video component on page 9. They did a great job,

Shout to my boy Stebs who shot the video for the piece.

Check it out here: Your Lifestyle Fitted.

Signing my rights away

Stebs on the camera

Still from the video

I have never been asked so many questions about a shoe.

“You see the Weaver?”

“When does it release?”

“Can I order it?”

The cousin to the Wallabee has only been available in the UK but finally has a release date for fall 2010 in the States. Classic Clarks styling and quality and debuted in 3 colors and fabrics.

Already a favorite!

Big thanks to Glory and TC.

Run DMC and Jam Master Jay are the kings of rock and the Gods of hip-hop.

Mitchell and Ness has partnered with Japan’s FAMES on a Run DMC branded fitted cap. The cap features the legendary (and constantly bitten) Run DMC logo in raised embroidery.

Classic and a must have for any hip-hop head.

I got mine. “Why you bugginnnnn?”

Big shouts to my man Vic over at M&N. Peep his site here.

Rest in peace JMJ.

I have had the pleasure of working with Sorel on a Concepts project we released around Christmas. I went into the project with some concern about our customer possibly not understanding the product. The Caribou and Joan of Arctic models that we partnered on would be considered extreme in the eyes of a “sneaker” customer. Well guess what? not only was the project well received but we could not bring them up from the stock room fast enough.

I had the chance to meet with the Sorel guys for round 2 of our partnership project. While I won’t let out any secrets, we do have some surprises coming later this year. Stay tuned.

Remember last years Ostrich premium Caribou?

Below are this year’s fall 2010 premium releases in Stingray and Bison leather.

This model is called the Woodbine and is 100% waterproof with vulcanized rubber and a gusseted tongue. I love it and will be wearing these when New England weather starts acting up. Very nice.

My personal favorite is the 1964 Premium T CVS. Vulcanized rubber shell and waterproof waxed canvas in the perfect color combo. Nothing else to say. Ok, maybe 3 words… A-maz-ing.

Dr. Dre is arguably one of the greatest producers of our time. Let me clarify, not one of the greatest hip-hop music producers of all time but just greatest music producer in general. Dre is notoriously a perfectionist when it comes to his soundscapes and it’s evident in the amount of time between his album releases. The sonic quality of his production has always been a characteristic that separates his music from his peers.

The Beats by Dr. Dre Studio headphones are what you would expect from someone who lives and works in the world of sound. Someone that probably has headphones on more than not. The clarity and quality of sound, with the high’s and lows (and everything in between) sitting where they need to be, is amazing. Not to mention the isolation of outside noise— I almost can’t hear my children bugging the hell out of me! If you think about it, just being able to listen to the music uninterrupted by the war around you is half the battle.

One thing that really impressed me was the comfort of the headphones. I have had my fair share of flights and I could never leave my headphones on for long periods of time because of the lack of comfort. Eventually every headphone I have owned become uncomfortable. The overall construction and materials used on the Studio model were put in place for long listening sessions (and or flights to Vegas from Boston!).

The difference between Beats and other higher end headphones is the difference between a car looking fast and actually performing as such.

Side bar: I had the pleasure of seeing a special project that my city will enjoy. More on that later.

Message to Dr. Dre: I understand you have been busy but I would love to hear your new album. Thanks.

Big thanks to Marc from Level 4 Collective

Interview I did for Karmaloop TV during the Statik Selektah album listening party at Concepts.

Big shouts to Dennis Todisco and the KM team.