It’s all about being fashionably attractive and the coolest guy on the block, isn’t it? Well at least for nostalgia sake. Fortunately, Doug and Ben Burkman got the picture early on. The two Canadian brothers developed an affinity for stylish clothing as kids. Succeeding their tenure with Gap Inc. as designers, the brotherly duel launched their own label, Burkman Bros, and since their inception in the spring of 2009, Doug and Ben have relished pushing the envelope each season.
With a completely distinctive style that melds a well – traveled lifestyle and American sensibility, the creative partnership delivers timeless menswear pieces, drawing inspiration from their travels abroad and a dash of Asian influence. Tailoring the philosophy “If I wouldn’t wear it, I wouldn’t make it” their modus operandi if you will, has gained them the respect of retailers Bergdorf Goodman, Odin in New York and United Arrows in Japan. For original prints and pops of color this spring, look no further than Barney’s New York, where their collection is being sold exclusively.
Throwback Thursday isn’t always about flooding timelines or news feeds with vintage photos from your young tadpole days. Last week, was the anniversary of Malcolm X assassination in 1965 at the Audobon Ballroom located in Harlem, USA. In remembering his life and words, I cannot think of a better TBT than Yasiin Bey (known as Mos Def then)–reciting the words of Malcolm’s famous “Message to The Grass Roots” speech, originally delivered at the King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan in 1963. Enjoy it below and scroll down for the full text and audio of the original speech.
One year ago today, the world lost a famous visionary and the driving force behind a company that has been called the best designer of the past century. Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple, died of pancreatic cancer at age 65 on October 5, 2011. Tim Cook, the current CEO of Apple, gave this statement in honor of the anniversary:
“Steve’s passing one year ago today was a sad and difficult time for all of us. I hope that today everyone will reflect on his extraordinary life and the many ways he made the world a better place.
One of the greatest gifts Steve gave to the world is Apple. No company has ever inspired such creativity or set such high standards for itself. Our values originated from Steve and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple. We share the great privilege and responsibility of carrying his future legacy into the future.
I’m incredibly proud of the work we are doing, delivering products that our customers love and dreaming up new ones that will delight them down the road. It’s a wonderful tribute to Steve’s memory and everything he stood for.”
Apple has posted the short video below on their website to honor Jobs.
San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has released a very short film entitled ‘Andy Warhol at work’ which depicts the pop art icon working with an assistant in his factory studio. The clip begins with the Warhol adjusting a massive sheet of white paper on the ground with an unidentified blonde worker. The two men are surrounded by the artist’s silk screens including the celebrated ‘Campbell’s soup can (Tomato)’ as they create his ‘Marlon Brando’, 1966 as a still from the film ‘The Wild One’ created in 1953. SFMOMA’s archival film visualizes the two working side by side for a minute and two seconds in order to bring the full-length portrait of Brando to life.
In honor of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary basketball career and to celebrate the anticipated statue that will be unveiled by the Los Angeles Lakers in-front of the Staples Center Star Plaza on November 16th, comedian George Lopez, will host a celebrity roast on Saturday, November 17th at the JW Marriott L.A. On hand to join Lopez for the honors will be a Who’s Who of sports icons and celebrity guests, presenters and performers including Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the “Showtime” Lakers and many more.
This is the first time the basketball icon, best-selling author, humanitarian and cultural ambassador will be roasted. Since his retirement as a player, Mr. Abdul-Jabbar has devoted himself to projects focused on African American history and education.
The Celebrity Roast will also serve as the kick-off to a national multi-city tour called the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Experience. Presented by The Skyhook Foundation will feature a never-before-seen 300+ piece traveling exhibit of memorabilia from all segments of Abdul-Jabbar’s life and professional career and will benefit the Skyhook Foundation and STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). Generous support provided by Wells Fargo. Additional information about the event can be found at www.skyhookfoundation.org/kaj
Hard as you may try, and with the unrestrained bravado of a superstar it is easy to not want to, but dang it’s hard to not love Usain Bolt.
The fastest man in the world was born Usain St. Leo Bolt – yes, Bolt is his actual last name – making him predestined to be a sprinter. Even the parish of Trewlany in Jamaica, West Indies where he was born has produced other champion runners like Veronica Campbell-Brown, Lerone Clarke, and Ben Johnson, but none would achieve the notoriety of Bolt who at the 2012 Olympic Games in London not only crushed his competition but defended his record-breaking 100m, 200m and 4x100m victories, the latter in a new world record time of 36.84 seconds. After the 200m race fellow competitor Anaso Jobodwana of South Africa compared Bolt to a “ghost” who “disappears in front of you.”
The “intelligent action film” used to be a paradox. A misnomer. Even a contradiction. But since Christopher Nolan entered the main stage with the mind-bending Memento (2000), he has consistently produced popcorn fare that straps the senses and the mind into a wild ride that doesn’t let go, even after the credits roll. Just remember the top spinning at the end of Inception. How many arguments did that spark among viewers?
This year has really seen Tom Hardy, 35, explore the gamut of Hollywood by appearing in a range of differing genre films. Starting with This Means War, a high-tech, action-oriented rom-com that also stars Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine; then continuing to the thunderous summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises; and later in the historical gangster piece Lawless. Tom Hardy has proven himself to be a formidable entity on the acting scene, one whose sex appeal is equally matched by his dramatic chops. Hardy has made people take notice of his career and be interested in what he does next.
Jamaica has honored the father of the pan-Africanism movement, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and inspiration for the Rastafari movement by posthumously awarding him the keys to the city of Kingston, in a ceremony marking his 125th birthday today. Dr. Julius Garvey, Garvey’s son, is currently in Jamaica on a four-day tour that will also see the launch of a Marcus Mosiah Garvey mobile museum, and will accept the ceremonial token on his father’s behalf.
A resolution has been passed that August 17 be observed annually in Kingston and the parish of St. Andrew as Marcus Garvey Day. A concert will be held at the Eastern Peace Centre, on Windward Road, with performances by Sizzla and Capleton, among others. Kingston Councillor Ian Telfer called the honor a way to “pay homage to recognize the works of Marcus Garvey and not fall prey to what we’ve seen in the past where others, from other countries, other movements recognize our people prior to us making note ourselves.”
The end of the Oscars marks the end of another awards season filled with its share of victories, as well as disappointments—perhaps none more bitter (depending on whether you’re camp Davis or Streep) than the snubbing of Michael Fassbender for his devastating and shockingly vulnerable portrayal of long-suffering sex addict Brandon Sullivan in Shame. For those of you who have only recently become aware of the actor, well, let’s just say there’s a lot to learn. Last year was certainly a breakout year for Fassbender with the release of four films (Jane Eyre, X-Men: First Class, A Dangerous Method, and Shame), a feature in GQ as the magazine’s pick for Breakout Man of the Year, and a Golden Globe nomination. Though he didn’t win the award, the nomination and subsequent publicity have done much to garner Fassbender some well-deserved attention. But, unfortunately, there are still those among us—those non-believers—who may need some convincing. So whether you’re reading this for validation or proof of the wonder that is Michael Fassbender, here are a few reasons why we love him and why you should, too.
