RESTORATION MEN

In the dryer months I always re discover my passion for trainers.

I've also mention before a cracking little forum of sole lovers that turned up some chaps who are outstanding in the art of trainer restoration and custom jobs.

One such chap is Rich Osborne who has knocked out some real head turners for me of late, so being the nice fellow I am I though it only fair to share! JM

                        

The Facebook friendly among you can find the man here....

                    https://www.facebook.com/pages/RORestorations/138292823008827

INTRODUCING PAUL CRUSE

In the early days most of our designs were done in house using our own computer knowledge and that of a few friends. 

As the brand grew many copycat labels appeared quite rightly forcing us to up our game and look further a field than our own limited talents.

A handful of early designs were by Dan one of the twins behind the successful Casual Connoisseur brand and not so long ago up and coming Leeds based illustrator Josh Parkin produced several excellent designs for us.

But of all the talented people we have worked with we have never been so pleased to have someone among our ranks that truly understands what we are about and is of late producing artwork that we feel is second to none.

Ironically Liverpool based Paul used to sell our early designs in his days as a sales assistant in one of our stockists. Who would have guessed that nearly ten years later he would be such a key part of our business also having his own clothing label and studio.

To see more of Paul's work or if you wish to contact him for a project of your own, please take a look and like his Facebook page here...

https://www.facebook.com/paulcruseillustrations

TERRACE COUTURE

'Couture' means dressmaking, sewing or needlework and is used as a common abbreviation for 'haute couture' and refers to 'the same thing in spirit'.

All of our tee designs start off as an idea or sentiment we want to express. Sometimes transferring that image can be difficult so we go through several processes to realize our vision with the artists in our group.

As match going lads, dressers, boys, casuals or whatever the latest buzz word for what we do is, we share 'the same thing in spirit' as we all have a basic desire to follow our team looking sharp separating ourselves from the Christmas trees at the match.....How many times have you looked at your rival fans and picked out the 'boys' by their higher level of sartorial elegance? I know I probably spend more time studying what the opposing fans have on offer in this department than I do watching the game! (although supporting Tranmere I can be forgiven for that).

So with that in mind this design drawn by Man of the moment Paul Cruse depicts a rather natty outfit freshly laid out in the pre match ritual that many of us follow. One True Saxon jungle parka, Edwin jeans and New Balance 1300's....nice. JM

Available online tomorrow 26.08.13

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

Only 126 days folks!

And guess what we're praying for here a Eighties towers? Only a fucking Subbuteo team kitted out in the Dukla Prague away kit!

Yes the more switched on among you will understand the nod to this cult ditty by post punk band and fellow Tranmere fans Half Man Half Biscuit from a time when The Tube was a cool music program on channel 4 but if the Rovers were at home on a Friday night HMHB certainly wouldn't be appearing on it. 

Due as a T shirt print in the coming months with artwork by the wonderful Paul Cruse. JM

ONE DOWN

I think it's fair to say that anyone with a passion for cult Brit flicks will be a fan of the Shane Meadows classic Dead Man's Shoes.

 Now it's not the first time a Russian GP5 mask clad Richard has made an appearance on one of our t shirts, but this Goddamn film just gets better with every watch so we felt it was time for an up date via the very talented Paul Cruse www.artofwarclothing.com

This re drawn version of the original promotional picture takes inspiration from Richard's first slaying and chilling message to the rest of the gang in the film. JM

TRAINER BOTHERERS

Those who know me well will appreciate that I am a bit of a trainer botherer as like to have something a bit different to everyone else on my hooves, so I customize. As a result of this I often get asked to take on other lads footwear for a touch of trainer pimping but I really don't have the time or want the responsibility. So over the coming months we will be featuring those with more know how and bigger balls than myself for all your trainer fiddling needs........ 


So on that note a few words from the main Man Simon at  Adi - dye. JM

                     

'adi-dye' is a solo ran project, with a passion driven aim for restoring and re-dying new/used/vintage trainers. The inspiration behind adi-dye first came in March 2006, when adidas released the very limited W1 adicolor range. The idea that you could paint straight onto a plain white leather silhouette, giving the owner the chance to customize a unique trainer, really appealed. As this particular release was so limited though, the thought that it could all go wrong was way to daunting. So for now, the brush never touched the leather. 

Fast forward a couple of years and 2008 saw the release of the adidas City Series collection, consisting of the much sought after London, Dublin and Stockholm re-issues. I managed to bag myself both the London's and Stockholm's, however, the Dublin sneakily eluded my grasp. 

Over the years, while being a member on a number of forums associated with fashion from the 80's casuals sub-culture, I came across the idea of the 'Holy Grail'. The 'Holy Grail' term is used by many to describe the trainer that also manages to escape their ownership, even despite their best efforts. It pains me to say, but the Dublin is my Holy Grail.

In early 2012, frustrated to think I may never get my hands onto a box-fresh pair of the adidas Dublin, I researched into dying, as well as, painting suede and leather. From this I went on to replicate the Dublin colour-way onto a silhouette of my choice (adidas tobacco ivy/chilli c/w). Although not the 'real thing' I was more than pleased with the results. Now with having re-dyed and restored more than 60+ trainers from customers across Europe, 'aid-dye' has became more than just a personal obsession for all things trainer related. 

'adi-dye' can now be contacted via a number of platforms, so please feel free to get in touch.

Email - info@adi-dye.com

Instagram - @simontones

Twitter - @adi_dye

Website - www.adi-dye.com

SUNNY DAYS....

Doesn't the world always seem a better place when we get a rare sunny weekend on this tiny isle? For me it always has me getting all giddy with memories of open air raves and Ibiza. Problem is even if the missus let me I don't think I'd fit in at any such event any more with my middle age spread and a distinct lack of bed head.

Option two is get a few other friends that haven't grown up round with the decks on the decking and a bowl of Gary's thrown on the table but what about the kids and the neighbors?

So option three it is.... a nice bike ride with the kids to Parkgate for world famous ice cream before sneaking of to the spare room to knock up a flavor of how the sun makes me feel good,

enjoy. JM

DROME

We are pleased to announce the introduction of Drome to our extensive range of Stockists. Based in Liverpool and recently opening in Glasgow the store has supplied Merseysiders with a range of aspirational brands for over 15 years.

From humble beginnings as a small womens store in Old Swan liverpool, the ownerswere quick to realise the potential of selling menswear. Stores in Cavern Walks and Bold Street

followed before settling in Liverpool 1 in recent years.

Check the Argyle Street premises in Glasgow for some re-prints of previous Celtic and Rangers designs,

as well as some classic Eighties T-Shirts from recent years.

The Liverpool 1 premises are based at 23 Paradise Street and shall be stocking the latest Eighties tees in the coming months. DH

GRIM TALES

OK I know we are banging on a bit about our tenth anniversary year, but to be honest we are just a pair of working class lads who share a passion and have to pinch ourselves daily that we have come this far....

So continuing our 'Anni' celebration theme we have blended our inspiration of the 80s with our own decade of history to come up with the 'Grim Tales' t shirt. The so very 80s back print depicts the original character from one of our most popular early designs 'Grim Up North' flanked by the hand written tag lines from some of our most notable early designs, whilst the front carries our simple 'Palla' sewn badge on the chest.

 Released this coming weekend in sky, raspberry and navy in our online store. JM

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

We are close to celebrating our first year as a vinyl only record label. As a Thank You to all who have supported us, the bands and the artists throughout this year we are selling our first ever LP for the measly sum of £10 on Pre-Order.

It is being produced on Heavyweight 180g Black Virgin Vinyl and is Limited to

just 250. It's exclusive to Vinyl, so No Downloads, No CD's, No Tapes,

'Just Records' as it is called. It is due for Release in July but you can

Pre-Order here; www.eightiesvinylrecords.co.uk 

Follow the label here; http://www.facebook.com/EightiesVinylRecords 

One of the bands on the label and the LP who seem close to making a breakthrough are The Merrylees. Their single 'For You' has been receiving some notable airplay and the band recently appeared in the Buzz section of the NME with the track also gaining a mention.

It also appears that they are gaining some well known celebrity

fans along the way with both Shane Meadows and Liam Gallagher being photographed with the single.

Download the track on ITunes as the Limited Edition Cream Vinyl on Eighties quickly Sold Out. DH

SUEDE HEADS

Recently I have re discovered my passion for trainers through a social media site I joined specializing in the buying, selling and exchanging of OG rarities. Through this site I have met some rather nice chaps that run a website dedicated to 'trainer sniffers' (as some of my friends who don't share my passion call us!), and I thought it may be a good idea to pass on the knowledge here.

Founded in 2011 the idea behind their magazine is relatively simple: They are creating a site that showcases both the history and the hype of the worldwide trainer culture without being elitist or trying to dictate to their readers. They cover various aspects of this culture by providing archives for both adidas and Puma. 

Eatmoreshoes is meant to be a living representation of this cultural phenomena. As writers, photographers, programmers and most importantly trainer lovers, they strive to speak out to the global trainer community not as a voice of authority but one of understanding. They aim to showcase the shiny new collaborations and specialty drops side by side with the secretive and unknown stories of historical trainer ancestry. For them it's all about context and quality, not status quo or one-up-manship. 

From collector interviews, store tours, designer chats and in depth product articles, Eatmoreshoes is the place to go for daily news on both adidas and Puma brands.  JM


 www.eatmoreshoes.com

RESURRECTION NORTH

A key turning point in the history of our brand was adidas taking umbrage to the homage we paid to their archive in our early designs. This meant we had to move  in a new direction as far as t shirts were concerned and one of the first (and to date most popular) was the classic Mille clad lad gazing at the tower blocks in front of him with the wording 'The North Will Rise Again' taken from lyrics by Prestwich post Punk band 'The Fall'.

Sadly we can no longer salute our cherished trainer brand on our tee's (although every other Tom, Dick and Harry seems to be!), but we can pay tribute to this iconic design that to an extent saved our little label and gave us the inspiration to make it to 10 years and counting.....we give you 'Resurrection North' released later today. JM

DEEP SOUTH

Tonight sees the release of a re worked classic Eighties design from 2007. The 'Deep South' tee depicts a rather dapper chap in his Mille jacket, beanie hat and checked scarf over looking the famous skyline of our beautiful capital city, but all is not what it seems as it can be pretty un welcoming if your caught in the wrong place at the wrong time........"your in bandit country now boy". JM

DIXIE

Well you didn't think we would forget the blue boys who have supported our brand from the off did you?

Available mid June exclusively from www.distantecho.co.uk and Ran in Liverpool JM

CARRA

Now even as a Tranmere fan I can't fault the service or achievements of Jamie Carragher both to and with Liverpool football club. Jamie is an old school football player if you like, one club Man, gets on with the game and doesn't appear to be attracted to some of the nonsense that the modern day footballer has come to be associated with. Add to this he's always had the same hair cut, never worn an ear ring and offered a talk sport presenter a straightener....I like him.

Available soon exclusively from www.distantecho.co.uk and Ran in Liverpool. JM

THE OLYMPLICO SUN HAT

The classic sun hat brings back some great memories for me. The first time I can recall seeing one in a football context was as a teenager delivering leaflets in Chester city center. A firm of Blackpool lads were causing a bit of a fracus on the town hall steps all decked out in Burberry reversible sun hat as I watch on from a distance in ore. 

The sun hat has always had it's place on the terrace weather it be Burberry, Ellesse or Lacoste. So throwing our own hat in to the ring (pun intended) we have just released the OLYMPICO a classic 80s inspired number with reversible check. Perfect for days in the beer garden, on your jollies and the pre season sun.

£29.95 in olive, beige and navy. JM