AGENDA's surf board (above) prop station.
From 10 years ago, once started in the humble beginnings of a small Long Beach Thai Restaurant, to now hosting over 600 brands in the Long Beach Convention Center last week, this summer's 2-day AGENDA event put a stamp on being one of today's premier fashion trade shows domestically in the USA. Iconic record labels such as Delicious Vinyl had a brand, Lil' Wayne's TRUKFIT represented, Beats By Dre had a lounge (open bar included) and even for music icon Bob Marley, you had to listen. Still on hand too, were other new brands such as UNYFORME or CRCL-R, tagging themselves as "another brand from Los Angeles"! And the creative agencies such as ADBD as well as ABC Brands were all on hand too, acting as those silent forces behind brands you may know like, Crooks & Castles for instance. So much to learn and to take in from this year's LBC show.
Delicious Vinyl (above) display caps and vinyl. Even cassettes were given out.
Its expansiveness, acute organization and the enthusiasm from the buyers, booth & brand reps and all those invited to attend, was nothing short of overwhelming. Imagine trying to categorize, far less remember new and upcoming brands, in this show's HUGE range of casual, street, sport, surf and skateboard fashions. Again, overwhelming to say the least. But there's a benefit of over saturation. Well, that's considering you're not a sucker (aka "follow-fashion" savvy) for what's already trending. However, if you're quick to sift out from the mundane, predictable or what's already been bitten, you'll be amazed at what really stands out as superior. And that doesn't necessarily mean you have to know of the brand. So with music being my passion, a great taste in anything being my profession, let's scope the over-600 brands over two days. I'm already so thirsty!
Some of the show's creative props (above).
Attention to detail, forseeing a trend for the future or simply having an "eye" for a 2-day event of this nature and magnitude was my ammunition. The arsenal? A brand new Samsung Galaxy S4 awaiting new pics to be taken. Walking the alphabetical lanes surrounded on either side by brands galore, and in close proximity to each other? Not a task, a luxury. Not being an exibitor, competitor nor a buyer? Skepticism was at a minimum. In other words, I wasn't profiled in any competitive or negative way - except for that assinine Adidas rep - but that's a different story. You know, fashion could be cut-throat. It's a fine line between color n' shape! Pretend this is your escape from all that tension and mess. A visual guide in style. Mentally paying close attention to the artistic presentations, the creativity behind products, the color patterns and even the social or humane relevance behind a brand, had fueled these snaps shown (also described) BELOW!
Music producer Aaron LaCrate (above) w/his
customized Milkcrate Beats By Dre headphones
and "Life's A Bitch" cap.
Leroy Jenkins Ltd (above) one of, if not the 1st street brand to rep florals for men.
Brimskins (above), a company out of Orlando specializing in just making multiple-patterned brim skins so you'll never get tired of your old cap(s)!
Shepard Fairey's (above) Obey Clothing line was actually outdone by their 2-day booth that more resembled a permanent boutique store.
Rastaclat (above) reinvent lacings into chic accessories!
Just looking at this style from
Waimea Clothing (above) makes me want a vacation. On an island of course.
Rrrarrrr Rrrarrr like a Onitsuka Tiger (above)! The name may be hard to pronounce, but their classic street style is easy to admire.
Diadora (above): "don't call it a come back!"
Adidas (above) was amongst the few huge corporate brands wagging its big tail, barking for attention w/HOT femme items like this.
Skate Mental (above) had eye-catching art for the skating heads...
And w/that skate posse, Sk8 Mafia (above) wasn't to be undone, either.
Simple? Try $5000 for this
diamond-studded Melin (above) cap. Ouch!
Caps - of every imaginable pattern - was definitely a constant, seen here (above) as part of the Santa Cruz-based, Sha-lom Cultural Peace Project.
That's artist Persue1 AKA Bunny Kitty working 'round the clock customizing kicks for Project Canvas!
House Of Marley (above) kept a "natural
mystic" theme 'round dem headphones.
But competition, as in LSTN (above) - another company specializing in headphones - was never far away.
The use of wood - especially w/Brooklyn's Good Wood (above) - seemed to be a popular reoccurring theme for many products.
What's wood!
STRGHT (above) hand-carved skateboards...
Some booths - like Denik (above + below) - very much
resembled art galleries w/live drawings + more.
Beats By Dré (above) displayed their very NYC
Staple Pigeon Design.
DJ Babychino - was rocking
Flat Fitty gear, pimped by his dad of course.
I needed a full explanation on how this - Grenco Science (above + below)
product worked. And I still don't get it!
Double trouble! (above + below)
South African brand Unknown Union.
Hop on Indosole's boat (above).
Their shoe's soles are made from tires!
AGENDA sure was a pile of fun. Good night!