The Tastemakers Society

If you read a variety of magazines there’s a chance you may have read one of Matthew Newton’s articles. Newton is many things a writer an editor, a father, a book publisher but the simplest way maybe to describe him would be as a man with a computer trying to write something worthwhile. Living in what he calls the city of Champions, Pittsburgh, PA (which I’d have to kindly disagree) Matt Newton, 31, spends time researching, typing, editing, retyping, editing some more, pitching, and so on, to write material he loves but at the same time in a way helping make sure others are entertained or taught something from his work. His late nights, countless hours of staring at a computer screen are all really as much a benefit for us then it is for him, yes, he gets his satisfaction, but his one piece can bring much more to many others who read it. So pull up a chair, grab a snack, and take a look into the life and mind of Matthew Newton. And remember next time you read an acrticle that someone somewhere may have spent a night fueled off Red Bull and chips, and that same someone could easily be Matthew Newton.

I first mentioned Kid Cudi when I told you to download his mixtape, did you? Shame on you if you didn’t but I have a way for you to kind of make that up, just read this interview with Cudi and see if you don’t rush to download the mixtape afterwards. His sound is unique, his lyrics tell segments of his life helping you piece them together, and he’ll have you party rocking easily. So read up learn about who this Kid named Cudi is, he may have left Cleveland to grind in New York, but now Cleveland may want to try and get there forgotten son back, even if they and the world may not be ready just yet for Cudi, no matter, he’s coming regardless so stand attention and make note.

Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic also known as the multi-task-king, juggles projects like those acrobats in the circus juggling knives, always looking to add just one more into the mix. Lex stays busy traveling, consulting, designing and that’s just a few things he handles to keep from overdosing on too many Japanese youtube videos. This interview with Lex was done in 3 parts over 7 months, visiting 3 continents and talking about everything from collaborations, culture comparisons, Buenos Aires women and public speaking.

I am Rob Roy, that’s what splattered across Rob Roy’s myspace page, so who is this Rob Roy guy, well simply put a musician, one you should pay close attention too. Listen to Rob and the first thing you notice is that you don’t recognize the sound its completely something new to your ears, you’ll sit and gaze for awhile, listening before gaining an opinion.  With the production often sounding like a neptunes, swizz beats, kanye shake blended, tossed and mixed together to make for a hypnotic like beat that will keep hold of you like Pamela Anderson running down the beach on Baywatch. After the beat hits you then enters Rob bringing you over to Rob’s world an adventure like park ride that’ll have you wanting to get back in line as soon as you get off.

The energetic new comer from the Bronx, has got people buzzin and heads bopping to his amped up tunes. Mickey Factz has no problem mixing genres and beats to spit verses over, whatever he’s feeling, he’s gonna do, so it’s no wonder his weekly leaks of tracks have been furthing his rise to the top while also showing his diversity with his tracks.

Tailor made (no not the dude who won I love new york) it’s what Christopher Bevans does, well he also has a knack for sportswear as well. Bevans, 34, who is a part timer between New York and Portland divides his Christopher Bevans line up makin tailored suits and sportswear but also mixing the style structures to help him design his sportswear line. His line is a great example of the word “dapper”, it’s also like Target in a way, in the fact that it carries everything you need, Bevans can get you dressed head to toe, for any occasion. Even fly fishing, well that’s if you want to look fresh in a lake with knee-high water boots.  

Scott Goodson may or may not have an obsession with frogs, and yes before you begin to wikipedia or google ’strawberryfrog’ they do really exist. I may not ever know the connection between Scott and frogs but I did figure out his connection to the world of marketing and how he’s trying to mix things up. Now Goodson is leaping all over the place using his red and blue frog as his messanger.

World traveler, jet setter, frequet flyer miles can all be attached to Ivana Kalafatic, 33, who if you asked where she lived would give the type of answer you only here from people in movies “somewhere in this world, primarily NY, London, Croatia and San Francisco”. Trying to figure what Ivana’s occupation would be like trying to guess how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop. She has created a magazine, coordinated events, put together fashion shows, and is opening up a branding agency so keep track if you like but to make things easier I’ve asked some questions, so just read a little and see what she said.

Joel Knoernschild has worked in TV, made music videos, put on gallery shows, plus whats seems to be an etc. attached to the end of his name, because he’s countlessly doing more. Joel’s focus is now on K.Z.O his cutting edge menswear line with designs that could easily contend with the high fashion elite. Everything from art, music, to fashion all have a way of entwining in his continuos efforts to grow K.Z.O as well as delving into many other projects aside from K.Z.O.

2008 rings in a new year and a very new devotion to the environment as well. Over the past few years the eco awareness has grown 10 fold and the issues are now even being talked by politicians who in the past steEred away from such outspoken talks on the subject. Their are many individuals involved with the eco growth and even more who’ve jump on board over the last year or two but for some they’ve been ahead of the eco pack for years. And Graham Hill is one of those individuals, he’s been charging away at eco issues for 4 years. Actually Grahams eco flame was burning as a child with his hippie parents giving him an environmental mindset from very early on. Graham has started successful companies before but his eco website TreeHugger just might have the biggest and most important impact then any of his other endeavors. Green is the new Black.

 

Designers aren’t so much of a rare bread as they used to be, now the hard part is finding the really creative ones and the ones that fit best for you. It’s like cars there’s such a huge selection to choice from but does anyone really want to drive a Geo? Portia Vania Wells (you gotta say her middle name it has that ring to it) is more like BMW and her designs showoff that talent. But it’s no wonder she’s turned out so gifted anyone part of a club called the  ’Crafty Critters’ and surviving Lake Sharks has got to have something just a little special about them.

 

Unoriginal should be the slogan for 2007, it was full of pop up this, collab that, and new dope wannabes. The shoe game played on both sides of the fence producing some real creative shoes and others not even getting close to hitting the mark and coming up with all type of new ways to describe shoes beyond the word wack. Nike over collaborated, again, making some hits but missing more times then not, Reebok, what can I say get a whole new marketing and design team, I love the effort Puma, keep it up you’re making some good moves, Addidas, stan smiths are about all I got for you, Vans, fucked with the artist collabos, DC, make more high tops, Creative Recreation gets best indie shoe brand for 07. I could go on, mentioning the other many shoe brands but that’ll take up too much time that I don’t care to give up. I can’t fathom for the life of me why some streetwear brands are trying to put out shoes after only being around for a few years, because for some reason you really think you can get away with that, yea, sure you can. I’m sorry, of course you can do that and I can be a rocket scientist after reading the dummies guide to being a rocket scientist. Go figure. In all this cluster fucking happening in 07 the end rounded out with a bang, a brand gave new life, going through a rebirth giving us a look ahead at the 2008 front runner for shoe brand to watch. Clae shoes, run by once founder of PNB Nation and all around shoe designer Sung Choi. Clae has a very fresh crossover feel, that easy flow from the office to the bar without having to stop at the crib to change shoes, that’s what Clae had created especially with my favorite the Russell (even though I can’t find a size 12 in black anywhere). I suggest you keep a close eye on Clae in 2008 it may not have a bigger year then Harry Potter but it’ll come close behind.