Wow, we’ve come along way since MASH. Today DC announced that they’ve opened a concept store in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi. It’s pretty amazing actually that only a few decades after one of the worst wars in history, skateboarding would play an active role in bringing the US and Vietnam back together. The Hanoi store is now DC’s third in the region following openings in Bali and Manila and will carry a full line of DC apparel and footwear although they will probably not be carrying the Norwegian DC video, Delta Charlie, for obvious reasons. More store pics after the jump.
We normally stay away from the boring businessy stuff but DC hired a new President named Anton Nistl today and sent out a release saying “DC Co-Founder Block Joins with Quiksilver CEO McKnight and Nistl to Return Brand Focus to its Core Skate Roots.” That’s a bold statement and we welcome it. CEO McKnight even goes on to say, “Anton and I will be working in close collaboration with DC co-founder Ken Block with a renewed commitment to refocus the brand on its core skate values including a realignment of product innovation and brand positioning. As we continue to navigate our way through these challenging times, I’m confident that a return to DC’s foundation of core technical skate products, marketing and distribution…will better position us for years to come.” Again, sounds dope…but the dude they hired , although chock full of experience (Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Pastry, Run Athletics, J-41, Esprit, Osh Kosh, Carters, Adidas, Fossil and Saucony) doesn’t have a single skate brand on his resume. Hmmm. Maybe they should’ve just given the job to Dyrdek. Read the whole release after the jump.
Over the weekend, DC continued to kill it in LA with their Gold Standard 2009 events and on Friday night went big with Monster for an all-out ho-down at the Fantasy Factory. Boldfacers included DJ Clark Kent, Clipse, Fabolous, Ken Block, Rob Dyrdek, Chris Doyle, and Nick Dompierre. You know you wish you were there. More pics after the jump.
It’s an action sports party bonanza this week. Across the country DC is holding court at the Standard LA and kicked things off for their Gold Standard 2009 last night. While Peanut Butter Wolf rocked, heads like Nick Dompierre, Chad Cagy, Jolene Van Vugt, Ikka Backstrom, Kimmy Fasani, Aaron Bittner, and Corey Bohan partied with Hollywood types and other industry hangers on. The Gold Standard 2009 is sponsored by Monster Energy, Codemasters’ DiRt 2, New Era, FUEL TV and TransWorld Media. Check out the pics after the jump.
DC & UXA has just released the limited edition Ryan Smith 2.0S “The Big Apple” collaboration. Designed by Peter Huynh, Jefferson Pang and Peter Bici. The mid cut pro shoe is inspired purely by skateboarding lifestyle in the Big Apple. The colors were drawn from the philosophy of form and function in which the thought that a good looking maneuver is not complete without a good looking shoe. The Smith 2.0S UXApple is a full-on skateboarding shoe with the utmost support and features
DC Founder and speed freak Ken Block has just released a new edit of his “Gymkhana Practice” video. Gymkhana is an automotive sport that basically consists of taking a tricked out rally car to an airfield or other open space and beating it to death. It’s pretty sick. Peep the first edit of the video after the jump. As part of all this Gymkhana craze, DC has launched a minisite as well as some limited edition tees. Check it all out here.
It’s PJ Ladd day over at DC today. The Boston ripper is releasing his signature shoe, the PJ S LX, and DC is launching a mini-site dedicated to PJ to celebrate. As part of the launch for both the shoe and site, DC has hooked up with The Berrics for “Project Granite,” a contest that will have PJ doing a new trick off a solid granite ledge each week for three weeks after which Berrics viewers can submit footage of themselves being inspired by PJ. PJ will pick a winner each week before selecting a champion who will win the actual granite ledge. For more on “Project Granite,” go here. The PJ S LX is available in rust brown and black and is the first DC shoe to feature dual gel insoles with a 180-degree heel airbag. A look at the black after the jump.
For Spring 2009 DC introduces its first Signature Apparel Collection featuring designs from Danny Way. Working closely with DC designers to make the products 100% his own, Danny has created a custom jean and a corduroy pant. Though signature shoes have served as the cornerstone of the DC strategy for over 15 years, this Signature Danny Denim Collection is the first time DC has offered apparel stamped with a team rider name. Besides being the greatest skateboarder ever, Danny is a man with a defined and unique style, so who better than him to kick off DC signature apparel.
Check out this interview with Danny, talking about the new signature denim.
When DC decided to re-launch the Graph shoe, SUG caught wind of it and wanted to be a part of it. So, he contacted his mates at UNKL and suggested they do a limited edition glow-in-the-dark SUG figure and shoe combination package with DC. SUG has since become a big skateboarder, in fact at 7 foot 7, he may be the biggest skater on the planet. He is now cruising around his native Iceland rocking the only skate shoe he owns, a size 26 DC Graph. Only 450 DC X UNKL Double Label™ Graph and SUG packs were made and a pack will go for 260 USD.
Release event Friday, January 23rd from 6PM – 9PM at 5&A Dime during the AGENDA tradeshow in San Diego:
701 8th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
Check out many detailed images of the DC x UNKL sneaker and toy after the jump.
