Yes, after a very long and happy time here at WordPress.com, we felt it was time to up our game somewhat and provide you, the audience, with something a little better.
Please update your Welcome To The Fold bookmarks to www.threefoldmedia.co.uk <<<CLICK HERE!
See you on the other side!!
Kristian, James & André
The Threefold Team
As regular readers will know, we like to do what we can to promote emerging talent across all industries. For the past 8 months or so I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ben Cuervo, a very talented fashion graphic designer and good friend who is now putting all his energies into Innercity Clothing, a streetwear brand of his own making. I had a quick catch-up with him to discuss past, present and future.
(As a bit of a disclaimer, Ben expresses some opinions about various other brands – we would like to make it clear that these are solely the opinions of Ben and not necessarily shared by us at the Fold. We don’t want to upset anyone, or get sued. Ta!)
For those who may not know, tell us a bit about Innercity (how long you’ve been going, what you do, who your peer brands are etc).
Innercity is a brand new streetwear brand based in Bournemouth. We’ve been building it for the last year but we only launched with our first collection this summer; we took so long because we wanted everything to be right, no half-assed rush job! My partner-in-crime in making Innercity is Wayne Collins, who was the man behind Criminal Clothing. We’re very much picking up where he left off but with a heavier graphic element to the tees.
Given the large number of streetwear brands available to UK consumers, what do you feel sets you apart from the rest?
I think that us just doing what we like and making the best product we can is what set us apart. We’re not churning out stuff for profit; we’re doing what we love. Every tee, hood or whatever took me hours and all my thought and passion. All the big brands hire freelancers!
How can you design for one brand and yet design for 3 more at the same time? That’s why their product is all the same; I live what I design and wear my own designs every day so I have to be proud and believe in what I do. A freelancer doesn’t give a shit; it’s all about the money. Nuff said.
On a more personal note – how did you get into clothing and graphic design?
I did Graphics at the Arts Institute in Bournemouth; it was awesome! I stood out like a sore thumb with all those arty types but there were a few like-minded people in my class who encouraged me to get my head into it. I did okay, passed my degree then went off trying to freelance. After a while I came back to Bournemouth, worked in a studio for a bit doing normal graphic stuff then met Wayne and did a few tees with him for another brand that I went on to work for. It didn’t work out well so Wayne said that we can do this ourselves… so we did!
Tell us a bit more about your range.
The brand has two sections to it. There’s the old-school vintage range, which definitely has a hip hop theme, but its more 80’s and 90’s. Music I love! Just like everyone, music is a big influence in what I do. I wanted that vintage feel but without being cheesy, so we came with the old school vintage tip.
On the other side we have the streetwear tees which are just based on things I see every day and just life experiences that I’ve had. It’s not trying to be cool for being cool’s sake; if you don’t live it you won’t love it.
The material used in the t-shirts has a very unique, almost luxury feel to it for a street wear brand. Without giving away too many trade secrets, how do you achieve this effect?
We spent a lot of time and money getting this right; we custom-made every garment we sell from scratch and we use the best material we can. When we started, we decided that we wanted to go for quality not quantity and so we make our tees in Europe. That way we can keep everything under control and make sure it’s the best it can be; they are without doubt the best quality streetwear tees out there. All you have to do is try one on and you will see; the fit, the fabric, the detail… it’s the bollocks!
Is there any advice you would give to budding designers or indeed anyone that wants to set up their own business?
Yes, I’ve read loads of books about entrepreneurs and now having started a business myself there two thing I would say. Firstly, you have to start. Trust me, this is harder than it sounds! I started thanks to Wayne and a year later we have a brand in the shops, but a year is a long time; you need the stomach for it. Secondly, do the things you have to do even when you don’t want to. That is also hard but you can never put anything off in this game.
We would like to thank Ben for his time and wish him all the best in the future – keep your eyes peeled for Innercity/Threefold collabs in the future! Innercity is available from these fine outlets:
So go and fill your boots. Alternatively, catch them here or on Facebook.
James
On Sept. 21, 1970, readers who turned to the last inside page of The Times’s main section found something new. The obituaries that normally appeared in that space had been moved, replaced by something called Op-Ed. The vision of John Oakes, the editorial page editor, and Harrison Salisbury, the eminent foreign correspondent, Op-Ed was meant to open the paper to outside voices. It was to be a venue for writers with no institutional affiliation with the paper, people from all walks of life whose views and perspectives would often be at odds with the opinions expressed on the editorial page across the way. (Hence, Op-Ed – Opposite Editorial.)
And so here we are. Four decades and nearly 15,000 pages later. This special anniversary section features artwork and adapted excerpts from a tiny fraction of the writing that has appeared on the Op-Ed page over the years, as well as selections from commentary published exclusively online.
An excellent and detailed look at the world of Op-Ed, from the extensive experience of the fine people at the NY Times. Includes a full 10-minute video presentation of guest artworks over the past four decades too. Take a look here.
James
Again, the Newham Generals smash it. ‘Like it or Not’ is the latest dubstep-infused tune to be released (in hood video format) from the forthcoming ‘Bag of Grease E.P.’ out on the 4th October. Produced by Skitz Beatz, Dee and Foots ride his rumbling basslines and epic stabs with deceptive ease, dropping lyrics fans may have first heard the duo spit on a recent DJ Cameo set.
Everyone hypes about this new generation coming through, and whilst there is definitely solid talent there, many can’t hold anything to the style, pattern and flair the Generals exhibit. Whilst there is an undeniably serious and violent undertone in most of their music, it is more often than not offset by a playful lyrical approach. If ever you see the New Gens perform live, there is always a smile or a tongue in cheek. Watch the below video to see what I mean.
It’s something I feel is lost on the younger generation of MC‘s who seemingly make it impossible to enjoy their music if you are in anything but an angry or aggressive mood. The hosting element is lost on them. Anyway, back to ‘Like it or Not’ – it’s a record that’s hard, danceable and unique to the UK. Big up Dee and Foots who relentlessly cook up new styles, sounds and patterns like it’s normal.
Good to see Kronik vybzing in the video too!
Kristian
I have just come back from an epic holiday in New Orleans. Famed for it’s food, drink and music (it is of course the origin of Jazz), N’awlins is a feast for the senses. Here, I leave you with a video of a local brass band called TBC playing on the infamous Bourbon Street, which my partner and I saw a few times. The intensity of their performance could never be captured in a video, but watch nevertheless. A truly awe-inspiring spectacle.
Enjoy,
Kristian
So here is the first taste of 2k’s latest effort Bioshock Infinite. The game is certainly shaping up to be the spectacular, vertigo-inducing cyberpunk extravaganza Ken Levine had promised last month. You might want to have an air sickness bag at the ready.
Bioshock Infinite will be the third instalment of the hugely successful franchise and the first to depart from the claustrophobic metropolis of Rapture. Favouring a more grandiose affair; the cyberpunk inspired city of Colombia will be your backdrop –gliding through the skies as a both a symbol of American opulence and technological dominance. The game is set in 1912, fifty years prior to the events of the first two games. Players with take on the role of one Booker DeWitt, professional wrestler? No, a former Pinkerton agent now known as a “fixer” sent to Columbia to rescue Elizabeth.
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I remain intrigued by the project and while the footage does look incredible. One thing I cannot get my head around is the release date. The game is scheduled for release sometime in 2012. Which begs the question, can the hype be sustained for that long?
We’ll see….
Dré
“For a Japanese like me, the Château de Versailles is one of the greatest symbols of Western history. It is the emblem of an ambition for elegance, sophistication and art that most of us can only dream of.
Of course, we are aware that the spark that set fire to the powder of the Revolution came directly from the centre of the building.But, in many respects, everything is transmitted to us as a fantastic tale coming from a very distant kingdom. Just as French people can find it hard to recreate in their minds an accurate image of the Samurai period, the history of this palace has become diminished for us in reality.
So it is probable that the Versailles of my imagination corresponds to an exaggeration and a transformation in my mind so that it has become a kind of completely separate and unreal world. That is what I have tried to depict in this exhibition.
I am the Cheshire cat that welcomes Alice in Wonderland with its diabolic smile, and chatters away as she wanders around the Château.
With a broad smile I invite you all to discover the wonderland of Versailles.”
Takashi Murakami
From 14th September – 12th December 2010.
James
Our first foray into film.
Big look. Big up Opium!
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