Get your Puma Suedes and your freshest track suits ready because we about to break! Ok, Bboys and Bgirls dont all dress like that anymore but the hip hop culture still lives strong here in Sydney. With Breaking being apart of the 2024 Olympics, the Australian Breaking Association (ABA) was formed to help formally represent Australian Breakers and the Australian breaking scene without it being comprised by outside factors and to get a team from the streets to the Olympic world stage. ABA hosted its 4th battle last weekend, this time in conjunction with Willoughby Council and the Lunar New Year celebrations. Both bboys and bgirls battled for the top spot in a 2v2 battle format and the bgirls had their own 1v1 battles. Competitors from around Australia and of all ages, with the youngest breaker being about 7 years old battled hard in open showcase battles for the top 8 spots where they would then face off in a knock-out tournament format. At the end of it all, Bboys Kid Tek (Flowtality/Zealous Crew) and Tango (Flowtality/Zealous Crew) took out the 2v2 Open Breaking battles and Bgirl Raygun (143 Liverpool Street Familia). Check out what went down in the photos.
Ego Expo has once again ignited the streetwear and lifestyle culture in Australia back into motion. Events now coming back into play, Ego Expo 2022 show cases some of the Nation’s most fashion-forward and entrepreneurial individuals this weekend.
With over 2 years of covid its left the Australian Culture community a little dry in the streetwear world. But now with the easing of restrictions the Australian culture community has come together to create a spectacle for the people to see at Ego Expo. Some of these are exciting upcoming Brands that have been preparing and cultivating their pieces during lockdown to release to the public. Then there’s the other seasoned businesses preparing your favourites that are pleasing to the eye.
Ego Expo 2019
But the great thing about Ego Expo is that its not just about the Urban streetwear community. Multiple vendors in the entreprenuerial space are there to exhibit their wares for the whole family to see.
The must see activities you’ll witness during this 2 day event:
Fashion eccentric brands showing their take on styling culture
There will be numerous sneakers on display for you to glance and awe
Music that keeps your heart and blood pumping to a beat
Dance battles that will make your raise your eyebrows
Unique art that makes your question your beliefs of culture and lifestyle
Delicious food to quench the fires of your hunger and thirst
Highlight reel basketball performances
Plus plenty more
In addition to that you know its going to be an exciting event when Big Brands are even joining in on the fun to sponsor the event. Brands such as Foot Locker, Redbull, AS Colour, Sneaker Doctor, Angelus Paints, 5PM Beverages and Vintage Customs.
Also to put a nice cover on things, Ego Expo 2022 will be donating $1 from every ticket sold to raise awareness for mental health and suicide. Aligning themselves with Lifeline Australia charity for a good cause.
So if you haven’t yet, check out Ego Expo to support Melbourne urban culture and experience some of what the locales are cooking up. If you know what you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.
Ego Expo 2022 is this weekend, 26th -27th of February at the Meat Market venue (Blackwood Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051). Tickets are now available at www.egoexpo.com.au.
It’s not often 2 classic cultural icons are forged together to create something submlime. And that is exactly what the Shoecutterz have done. They fused together the cult sneaker classic Jordan 1 High Off White silhouette and meshed it together with inspirations from Wu Tang Clan music. Then viola! We now have the 1 and only Air Jordan 1 High OW “KILLA BEEZ” bespoke sneaker.
Shoecutterz has been around for a number of years now and have deep roots in the Brisbane sneaker scene. Roger Hung, the owner / designer of Shoecutterz, has been experimenting with a number of designs and have finally come public with their first ever official release the “KILLA BEEZ”.
If you didn’t see it, this master piece was unveiled at The Kickz Stand – It’s More Than Just Sneakers event in Sydney in January. The original concept was drawn in when they wanted to put Hip-Hop Music and and the Jordan 1 Off White sneaker together. So naturally with Wu Tang Clan having such a deep following even until now, it just seemed right to put that inspiration on one of the sneakersphere’s most well known models.
And just like other respectable bespoke custom sneaker boutique designers, Shoecutterz uses only an array of high quality materials and mediums to convey their concept onto the sneaker. Like Italian Tumbled Calf Hide, Bovine Nubuck, Waxy Pebbled Cowhide, Nappa Lamb Skin Liner, Macrae Cord Rope Lace w/silver aglets just to name a few.
If you couldn’t tell already other inspirations from Wu Tang Clan are the name itself of the design, “KILLA BEEZ” Which is one of the songs from world renowned hip hop group. With Black and Yellow Beez colour way spread across the upper and even dripping effects on heel.
The W symbol being impaled by the Nike Swoosh represents the martrial arts and clashing swords heard on a multiple song intros. And even a subtle Wu Tang Clan with Chinese Characters 武當 placed where the original “Air” wording used to be.
As with normal beautiful bespoke pieces there are only limited slots available for a build like this. 10 build slots will be available on the 23rd of February at 8PM AEST on a built to order basis. Each pair represents one of the original members and will be accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.
Follow Roger’s Instagram and Facebook Shoecutterz for more details and how to order or email Roger directly on contact@shoecutterz.com. Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date! Click here for more Sneaker articles, or for previous Bespoke Sneakers articles, click here.
As part of its global mission to “Change The Game For Good”, Curry Brand, powered by Under Armour, has proudly forged a partnership in Australia with Charity Bounce, an organisation that exists to inspire change, build resiliency and positive job opportunities for young people at risk, using the power of sport. As part of the ongoing partnership, Curry Brand has committed to rejuvenating the facilities in Arncliffe New South Wales, Australia used for Charity Bounce programs, into the first official Curry Brand basketball court outside of the United States.
Stephen Curry has long been dedicated to making basketball accessible both on, and off the court. However, in order to be better, athletes need the opportunity in the first place, where they can explore and nurture their unique sporting talents. Through Curry Brand; footwear, apparel, and accessories are backed by Under Armour’s performance product innovations. The driving purpose is to invest in under-resourced communities around the world and support young athletes facing challenges, with access and opportunity to help pave their way from potential to greatness. Founded in 2016, New South Wales, Australia, Charity Bounce is Curry Brand’s first international partner.
The newly developed Arncliffe Youth Centre is focused on supporting young athletes in the Bayside Council region, but it became apparent that the hard floor courts were unsuitable to host elite basketball programs or attract athletes to invest their time to engage with the charity’s longer-term initiatives. Charity Bounce is now set to transform the centre into a world-class sports facility where, through this partnership with Curry Brand and Under Armour, will install a Curry Brand FIBA-approved floor that will provide not only a top-of-the-line play surface, but a glistening centre stage for all future Charity Bounce programs and initiatives.
With the new court installed, Charity Bounce will launch a calendar of weekly programs and initiatives to support and empower youth athletes in the neighbourhood and surrounding areas. Local primary and high schools will be welcomed to access the new court and engage with Charity Bounce on its plans to deliver resiliency basketball and social impact programs to more than 5000 youths. Additionally, the venue upgrade will also be accessed by a range of other community partners and sports program providers, in partnership with Bayside Council.
Stay up to date on Curry Brand powered by Under Armour by following @UnderArmourAU and using #ChangeTheGameForGood or shop the latest Curry Brand collection by visiting www.ua.com. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter for updates. For previous Under Armour features, click here and Curry Brand features, click here.
ASICS SportStyle continues to push the boundaries of fashion forward design with the new HN2 S PROTOBLAST™ sneaker. Assimilating the great designs from their deep archive, ASICS allow their history to reshape the future, working in tandem with the Kiko Kostadinov Studio to develop the new lifestyle sneaker.
The design language on the ASICSHN2-S PROTOBLAST™ sneaker has been created through an amalgamation of parts borrowed from sneakers within ASICS’s archive. Looking at past offerings that were designed for basketball and running, tooling elements from eight different models have can be seen in the HN2-S PROTOBLAST™ sneaker.
ASICS continue the development of their advanced FLYTEFOAM™ BLAST technology with the HN2-S PROTOBLAST™ sneaker, infusing the model with cushioned and bouncy mid-sole, heel tooling and an exaggerated geometric aesthetic. Working with ASICS Institute of Sports Science in Kobe, ASICS used 3D AI technology to make a unique outsole tread pattern for the HN2-S PROTOBLAST™ model.
Foot Locker atmos Japan GK is soon releasing the stylish PUMA x atmos x DustyChamp x QDS quattro collaboration sneaker, the ‘Puma Suede VTG MIJ Neo Classic.’
QDS (Motomichi Q Sekimura) worked on Japan’s first bespoke sneaker shop in the 90’s. This time, he has teamed up with atmos and participated in directing PUMA’s masterpiece, ‘Suede,’ again.
Sekimura says, “There is a story behind this special collaboration. There were shoes that never made it to the market called ‘RaBiD’ “(INSUNFLOWER x TECTECK x HIDE AND SEEK). It had customised colours, and it was designed with BMX and skateboarding in mind. However, it became a phantom pair as they never made it past the sample stage.” “The colourway of this new collaboration reflects extreme culture and longing for the Californian lifestyle, with the theme of industrial rock.”
Kevlar fibre is used for the foam strip, gold for the outsole and stitching, and suede and leather for the upper material. And the quality of MADE IN JAPAN (aka MIJ), has definitely given it the perfect finish.
Apparel and accessories complementing the sneakers are part of their release; thanks to the cooperation of DustyChamp, the BMX line of HIDE AND SEEK, which also helped plan ‘RaBiD.’
The Puma Suede VTG MIJ Neo Classic will be available to the general public on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date! Click here for more Puma articles, or for previous atmos articles, click here.
Samsung has announced the next generation in their Galaxy series with the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra all announced earlier this morning (AUD time). All this took place during the hour-long Galaxy Unpacked event that served as our official introduction to the new products. Of course, if you’ve been keeping tabs on rumors surrounding the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy Tab S8, Unpacked didn’t reveal many surprises, though it’s still good to get the official word straight from Samsung.
If you feel like sitting through the entire Unpacked event, here it is for your viewing pleasure
So here is a quick overview of what was announced at the event this morning.
Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus: The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus ushered camera improvements, including a beefier main sensor and better optical zoom on their respective telephoto lenses. The phones feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset in the U.S. and come with slightly smaller screens than their Galaxy S21 predecessors; prices haven’t changed from the S21, however.
Galaxy S22 Ultra: The highlight of the lineup is the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which adopted many Galaxy Note features, as had been anticipated. There are camera improvements here, too, such as a clear lens that cuts down on glare and lens flare and 45W charging.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra with S Pen
Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S8 Plus: The Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus both include an S Pen. The Tab S8 offers an 11-inch LCD with 120Hz refresh rate, while the Tab S8 Plus ups that to a 12.4-inch OLED. Both are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip.
Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the crown jewel of Samsung’s tablet lineup, and it could finally give Samsung a formidable competitor for Apple’s iPad Pro. You get a 14.6-inch screen, included S Pen and dual front cameras for video calls. People who’ve invested in other Samsung devices will appreciate the interoperability of the Tab S8 Ultra.
All three phones have glass back and front for improved durability, 5G compatibility, and screens with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz and greater peak brightness than before. Samsung is guaranteeing the S22 phones will support at least four generations of Android software updates, and as part of a partnership with Google is including a custom version of the Duo video calling app that will allow screen sharing and synchronised media playback akin to Apple’s SharePlay.
As last year, the Galaxy S22 line is aggressively priced, with every model matching or undercutting the equivalent iPhone if you compare the S22 with the iPhone 13, the S22+ with the iPhone 13 Pro, and the S22 Ultra with the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Looking at the least expensive 128GB models of each, for example, the S22 comes in at $1249 versus the 13’s $1349, and the S22+ hits $1549 versus the 13 Pro’s $1699. The 128GB S22 Ultra and 13 Pro Max are both $1849, but Samsung makes savings at the high end with the most expensive 1TB model coming in at $2569 versus Apple’s $2719 for the equivalent iPhone.
The new Samsung range is due to hit Australian stores on March 4th while pre-orders are open now via Samsung Australia’s website if you feel like buying one outright.
Let us know what you think about the new range? Is it an improvement overall the previous generation?
“I have been collecting kicks since 2008, starting small with 2 random pairs of Dunk Lows and a pair of the white-on-white AF1s to amassing what I have today. I’ve been photographing my sneakers since 2014 but really taking it more seriously on IG since 2016.
My style has evolved over the years but generally with my sneaker photographs I make, I try to highlight the sneaker as much as possible, allowing the backdrop/background, accessories and supporting product to further accentuate the sneaker through colour, texture or telling a story. I usually don’t do on-foot photos for myself.”
It seems like forever since we sat down and wrote one of these features, but here we are. After 2 years of many postponements and COVID-19 dramas, we FINALLY got there. WE ARE BACK! Bigger and BETTER!
The “It’s More Than Just Sneakers” event tour is finally back on the road, with the first stop in the hometown of The Kickz Stand, Sydney. The last event, funnily enough, was held in Sydney back in October 2019, and here, we start again.
Whilst the Sydney event was watched closely, it felt like it was a return to normal with the events. Even with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 swirling around Sydney, we saw a record number of vendors and guests come to the event and show the support we had been missing for the past 2 years.
The community came out in full force and supported the event. At around 10:30am there was a huge line up outside PCYC Auburn that wrapped around the venue about 200 deep.
The first 200 guests were able to grab free giveaways from our sponsors, a Monster Energy pack (contained 2 x Monster Energy cans, stickers, and a can holder, key chain or wristband), Crep Protect Sport and Comfort Insoles, Crep Protect White Markers and Indomie keychains. There were huge smiles from everyone who received these free giveaways and definitely got more value than the $5 entry that they paid for to be at the event.
This year we have 22 sponsors… Yes, you read that right, 22! Our sponsors are not just in Australia but also overseas. We are going global! With their support for this year and also going forward, our events get bigger and better every time.
There were a variety of vendors on the day that sold a huge range of things, not just sneakers and streetwear. We had vendors that sold toys/cards/comic collectibles, Korean skin care products, supplement drinks, artwork, pins, stickers and vinyl records. And of course, FOOD. Burgers, loaded fries, pop waffles, snow cones and more.
The main highlight of our event (and what makes it so unique and special) is our Raffle Draws. Each person who attends our events receives a raffle ticket. They can purchase more raffle tickets to increase their chances of winning so many prizes from our awesome sponsors. For our Sydney event, we had so much to giveaway that we had to do 6 draws, and each draw had 5 prizes to be won.
A new addition to our event is the Ryugi All Style Dance Battles, in which 30 competitors were able to compete in an all dance styles battle. The winner received a Ryugi trophy, a $250 Foot Locker voucher and a Cosmonauts t-shirt pack. The runner-up received a Carnival skate deck and a Cosmonauts t-shirt pack.
Overall the event was a huge success. It was good catching up with friends and making new ones as we head into a full tour season (fingers crossed) and ramping up community awareness of what The Kickz Stand is all about.
A BIG thank you to everyone that came and supported the event. To all our guests, vendors, volunteers, PCYC Auburn, food trucks and our sponsors… THANK YOU!
For almost as long as Halo has been around as a game series — and that’s over 20 years now — people have been trying to adapt it to live-action, first as a movie and then as a series. The names of directors who’ve tried to make a Halo movieis like a who’s who of the best action and effects filmmakers in Hollywood; Peter Jackson, Neill Blomkamp, and Guillermo del Toro were all involved at various points, but their proposed movie never got off the ground. On the TV side of things, Steven Spielberg has been involved, and so has Rupert Wyatt.
Spielberg still has a producer credit on the Halo that’s finally coming to Paramount+ streaming later this spring, but this version was developed by Kyle Killen and Steven Kane. The material in the first trailer should look familiar to Halo fans. There’s Master Chief (Pablo Schreiber), along with a war with the Covenant, and Master Chief’s AI Cortana. The trailer also reveals when the long-awaited series finally debuts.
Here is the official synopsis from the upcoming series:
“Dramatizing an epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant, Halo the series will weave deeply drawn personal stories with action, adventure and a richly imagined vision of the future. In a war for humanity’s very survival, our deadliest weapon is our greatest hope. See Master Chief, Cortana, the Covenant, and the other Spartans of Silver Team more in this epic trailer for the new Paramount+ Original Series, Halo. Find the Halo, win the war.”
Halo premierers on Paramount+ on March 24th 2022.
So what do you think? We know the history with computer games being turned to movies/tv shows generally doesnt work out too well. Will this change that? Let us knnow what you think
