Category Archives: Style

Agenda Show Founder Aaron Levant On Why You Should Break The Rules

Aaron Levant, founder of the streetwear/urban show Agenda based in the states, proves a point that being a successful entrepreneur doesn’t require an Masters degree.

In January 2003, at age 19, Aaron started a Los Angeles-based tradeshow for streetwear and action sports apparel which goes by the name of Agenda, holding the first event in a Thai restaurant back in the day – the only place he could find for a day rental. This low-budget affair, nonetheless, drew 33 brands that signed on at $500 apiece to have their merchandise wheeled in on racks.

Fast forward 10 years, and Agenda has grown into one of the biggest sports and streetwear tradeshows in the United States with two shows a year at key venues in Long Beach, California (opening today) and New York City in two weeks, along with a new one to launch in Las Vegas in mid February. Last January, Agenda announced a partnership with tradeshow giant Reed Exhibitions.

So how did Mr Levant do it? Find the full interview over on Upstart.

Kenema – African-inspired unisex streetwear collection debut

Interlude is Kenema’s debut unisex collection of streetwear, inspired by a love of 90s hip-hop and RnB and a celebration of the cultural foundations rooted by the music of the decade. The collection – comprised of a shirt and trouser set, bomber jacket, and t-shirt – takes on the space where gender becomes ambiguous and the clothes are shared.

“With Interlude I’m exploring the androgynous aesthetic that was so big in a lot of 90s fashion,” says Kenema founder Tamu Thomas.

The shirt and pants, £95.00 and £105.00
The shirt and trousers make an undiluted African – almost animal – print easy to wear. The shirt is oversized, making a silhouette synonymous with 90s UK clubland. The trousers take a more modern tailored cut and create a contemporary fitted shape. Perfect to inject a bold dash of colour into the winter wardrobe.

Bomber jacket, £175
The reversible bomber jacket is perfect to switch seamlessly between day and night. Choose between a black and grey geometric Ase Oke fabric from Nigeria, or black and white hand woven Country Cloth from Sierra Leone, fused with neoprene arms on one side or a dazzling African print in wax cotton; a truly inventive juxtaposition of fabrics. The Country Cloth is produced in a rural area of Sierra Leone by a lady called Martha Kenneh. Martha weaves the cloth using a hand loom, making it a real heritage fabric with this method having been used for generations. The cotton comes straight from the cotton trees which is then hand spun and dyed accordingly.

T-shirt, £30.00
The t-shirt is a play on the wax cotton fabric with the brand name subtly hidden amongst the pattern. From every t-shirt and sweatshirt sold that uses the Kenema print, 25% of profits will be donated to the Innovate Salone textiles project in Kenema where young people are given the resources that enable them to produce dye for batik and tie dye design, all from local natural resources.

Kenema was launched in 2010 by Tamu, a former social worker focusing on troubled families, children and young people. “It went from receiving a dress from Sierra Leone as a present to discussions about importing them, to me sitting down and thinking there must be a way to use these fabrics in everyday garments that will appeal to a global audience, to me actually designing and producing an entire collection,” she explains.

Other recent African-inspired collections from heavyweights like Ozwald Boateng and Vivienne Westwood have seen the continent emerge as a serious player in the fashion world, with prints jumping from the catwalk to mainstream pop consciousness via stylish ambassadors including Solange Knowles and Michelle Obama.

Tamu is passionate about supporting local businesses in Sierra Leone and across Africa, directly impacting them and empowering communities. The label works with entrepreneurs and artisans to provide products, goods and services in exchange for fair pay. The country cloth is made from locally grown cotton, hand carded and spun into thread, and woven into strips on traditional looms. The strips are then sewn together edge to edge to form the finished cloth.

“We want to open pathways so the ethical background of the label is discovered,” says Tamu, mindful that awareness of these global issues is key, but savvy enough to understand people don’t want to be force fed moral viewpoints.

Kenema takes its name from the third largest city in Sierra Leone, just one of many ravaged by the civil war which raged from 1991 until 2002. “The citizens of Kenema carry themselves with such courage and resilience,” says Tamu. “I want my brand to represent that beauty, strength and tenacity in all of the people.”

Nike LunarENDOR Quickstrike Snowboard Boots

Nike’s up it’s game in the snow sport industry. The newly released Nike LunarENDOR QS Boots are impressive, these LED packed stunners will put your audience in a state of hypnosis. The iconic Swoosh is lit by 30 LED attached to a small lithium ion battery within the sole.

If you dont want to be center of attention the off switch is located at the top of the boot.

Pretty sexy right?

Nike-Luna-Boot

Cobb & Co Watches

When you think of Cobb you immediately think of corn, you do, don’t deny it, I did too! Well that’s all about to change.


Enter Cobb and Co watches; the new luxury brand from down under making a splash in the UK market. Not only are they very pretty in looks, but the trim and detailing comes as a total and added surprise.


Green and red Sandalwood, ebony, and maple woods combined with high grade leather and steel, whilst ensuring that only natural wood is used ensures that each watch is unique, with its own impressive wood grain. Your own fashion fingerprint.


Not only does the mixed media offer a fresh take on classic watch manufacturing, they don’t break the bank either. Retailing at £120-180, these pieces return nicely on your investment whilst hitting the younger affluent marketplace who’s seeking style and newness.


What With the new trend of sustainable fashion Cobb and Co are driving nicely in the right direction.