Urban streetwear companies are a dime a dozen and some last a couple of days, or couple of years, or they can change the game and make a fashion statement, and this year Mishka celebrates it’s 10 years in the business with this mini-capsule collection with the Decade of Destruction.
Mishka: Decade of Destruction
September 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Mishka Fall 2013 Women’s Lookbook
September 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Recently Mishka dropped their Fall 2013 Women’s Lookbook. This Fall Collection theme is color aggressive, a does of punk-rock with a sprinkle of yuppie-glam. The 36-piece collection features leggings, graphic tees, jackets, button shirts and pants.
Kidrobot x Marvel Labbits and Frank Kozik
September 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Last week in SF, our Ramen crew went to a special Kidrobot event with artist/designer Frank Kozik and his Marvel Labbit series.
Tokidoki x Peggy Guggenheim Collection
September 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment
When we hear people mentioning “modern art” or “contemporary art”, one of the words that pops up in our minds is the “Guggenheim”. Now Tokidoki is collaborating with the Guggenheim to bring us “The Peggy Guggenheim Collection.”
From Big Wow Comicfest : Toshio Maeda (前田俊夫) – Famous Japanese Comic Artist
September 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
“The Eddie” was able to get a brief interview with Japan’s famous adult manga (comic) artist or Hentai (perverted) comic artists, Toshida Maeda. Click on his name to view his website.
He’s very well known and we feel pretty lucky have interviewed him. His comics may be for adult eyes only, but he definitely has solid good advice for anyone – including young artists wanting to get into comics and make it as a career.
Black Milk Clothing x Harry Potter Collection
September 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Fashionable Harry Potter clothing? What are you talking about? Urban apparel company Black Milk Clothing teams up with Harry Potter with this Hogwarts Collection. This capsule collection has 32-pieces featuring leggings, dresses and swimsuits. Prices range from $56.00USD and up to $93.00USD. Harry Potter fans can look sexy and fashionable.
Interview with Legendary Character Designer: Yoshiyuki Sadamoto
September 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment
At Japan Expo 1st Impact 2013, Jonelle from “Ramen & a Half” had the pleasure of interviewing iconic artist and character designer Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. His famous works include Nadia, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Summer Wars. Emanuel, the agent for Yoshiyuki Sadamoto was our translator during the interview.
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RTNDR: What was your background and inspiration in becoming a character designer and artist?
Sadamoto: First, it was the director Yamaga Hiroyuki, the director of The Wings of Honneamise who asked him to do the character design. It started here. Up to that time, it was manga that had led him to draw his own characters for his personal works and this, in turn, led him to work in character design.
Zipper Bags from Japan
September 3, 2013 by 1 Comment
It may look like a piece of zipper strip fabric, but it actually turns into a portable bag. There are 4 different bag shapes and if you can combine 2 zipper strips into a bigger bag. The Zip Bags from Japan 1984.
Uniqlo Tezuka Osamu Graphic Tee
August 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s been 50 years since the debut of Tezuka Osamu’s iconic creation Astro Boy. Uniqlo celebrates the anime legend Tezuka Osamu with a line-up of UT graphic tees that feature some of Tezuka’s most popular characters. The first out of the gates is commemorating the 50 years of Astro Boy. Look for more US releases from this UT x Tezuka Osamu Collection.
Connect Design Multi-Purpose Bag-in-Bag
August 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Yes, almost everything can be done with a jazzy smartphone, but if you got make-up, credit cards, cash, stationery items, and just “stuff” your big purse can get a little disorganized and messy. Now you can grab this Bag-in-Bag from Connect Design.
Kensington Contour Overnight Backpack
August 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I can’t believe the summer is over already and it’s back to class! If you are one of those people that likes a super durable and one pack that carries everything like laptops, jackets, books and stuff, then check out this Kensington Contour Overnight Backpack.
JanSport Backpacks
August 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Go “Back to School” with JanSport backpacks. I had various classic JanSport backpacks during my school days holding my lunch, notepads, pencils and books. Here’s a list of cool packs to rock.
JanSport Right Pack – MSRP: $55.00USD
Swiss Gear Backpacks
August 19, 2013 by Leave a Comment
One thing that annoys me, is backpacks that don’t last a week, they start tearing and showing wear. I like my backpacks durable, heavy-duty for everyday use and can hold stuff! And the guys over at Wenger that make the poplular Swiss knifes make some good backpacks.
Bern 18″ Backpack – Black/Orange
MSRP: $39.99USD
Elysium: The Art of the Film
August 14, 2013 by 1 Comment
I had the pleasure of watching Elysium on the big IMAX screen this past weekend and it was a blast to watch. Director-writer Neill Blomkamp created his first intellectual sci-fi hit with District 9 on the cheap and now with a Hollywood budget, he’s able to create visual science-fiction tour de force.
“The idea of Elysium was born out of growing up in a country where wealth discrepancy is a huge issue,” says Blomkamp – Elysium: The Art of the Film.
The year is 2159 and the Earth is overpopulated with scarce resources, rampant crime and poverty. The wealthy class escaped to space and built a heavenly space colony called Elysium. Our anti-hero Max played by Matt Damon clinging to life takes on mission to not only save himself but for the people of Earth. But before I get to the down and gritty of this art book I had some minor complaints: 1) Is it just me or Jodie Foster accent really annoying? 2) When the rebel ships try to land into Elysium, bad guy Kruger uses a shoulder-mounted missile launcher with missiles that are able to go all the way up to space and knock-down the rebel ships? 3) And this leads to my next rant, if this space colony has magic healing machines that can cure cancer and is a technical marvel, Elysium doesn’t have self-defensive weapons like in Star Trek’s Deep Space Nine or Babylon 5 – what is up with that? 4) My last rant – I wished we could see more of the people living in the futuristic space colony. But other than that, it was a wonderful summer movie.
Limited Edition – Hurley x MADSTEEZ
August 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Enter the colorful world of artist Mark Paul Deren or better known as MADSTEEZ. Mark has painted well renown murals all over the world and this time his collab is with Hurley.
Herschel Supply Co x New Balance
August 13, 2013 by 2 Comments
It’s “Back to School” time and if you’re searching for new backpacks to rock, well here’s a cool collaboration between the Herschel Supply Co and kick’s company New Balance.
Stussy x Yo! MTV Raps
August 12, 2013 by 2 Comments
Does MTV play any music videos anymore? Well, back in the day, MTV played lots of music videos and this collaboration will between Stussy and MTV celebrates 25 years of Yo! MTV Raps TV program.
Viral Video Friday: A Jazzy Music Journey through Japan
August 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment
It’s Friday and I want to go somewhere! Musician David Hansoo Lee (LEEHAHN) was inspired by his two-week Japan trip, that he made a music track and video montage about his journey.
Amazon goes Warhol, Chagall & Dali
August 8, 2013 by 1 Comment
Awhile back Amazon created a cool Retro Video Game Shop and Amazon.com has been expanding their reach and now they will also sell collectible fine art and modern contemporary art.
Alodia Panel Interview CUTS 2 : The Mistress of Cosplay
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew felt a bit like a paparazzi, though we haven’t exactly dodged crowds, leaped over people, or body-checked anyone aside at any convention yet! The only thing we managed to dodge are off topic questions, loud hand-clapping and voices that over powered us from hearing our subject, Alodia Gosiengfiao FHM.
In this segment we get plenty of new surfacing information about our Mistress of Cosplay.
So here’s Panel Interview CUTS 2 – raw and lightly cut – which means I did very little editing. So it’s
STRICKLY FOR THE FANS to hear first hand answers from Alodia herself :
– Her Cosplay beginnings
– What she likes about being a Cosplayer
– Her stumbled upon opportunities
– Video Game influences like Final Fantasy
– Cosplay pointers
– Her first reaction as Guest of Honor at AX 2013
– The Fan that came all the way from Germany to see her
– Costume making
– Her make up – her eyes & contact lens of choice and why?
PREVIOUS MAGAZINE STORIES FROM ANIME EXPO 2013:
Alodia Panel Interview CUTS: Finally we get some answers!
ANIME EXPO 2013: Sleeping Cosplay? Batman & Spiderman duo? Mortal Come back?
AX 2013: Adventure Time & X-Men Cosplayers Collide
AX 2013: Captain Falcon & Crew!
ANIME EXPO 2013 : In line to see Alodia and we meet Kirito & Asuna Cosplayers
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade: Thomas Depetrillo’s EVA-01
Jessica Nigri : Part 1 of 3
Jessica Nigri : Part 2 of 3
Jessica Nigri : Part 3 of 3
ANIME EXPO 2013 Masquerade : Ornament Tree Wings
Hey Hey Alodia from ANIME EXPO!
Each story is not just an interview, but one of the many interesting and entertaining things that happen at Anime Conventions. They’re short, sweet and you might find yourself liking our content!
Go Back to School with Adidas x Run DMC
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Adidas Unite Originals is back with a new collection this Fall/Winter 2013 with collaboration with iconic rap group Run DMC, DJ A-Trak and Adidas. 1,000 Limited Edition Superstar 80s sneakers kick-off this collection and an assortment of hoodies, sweatshirts and sweatpants will round out this collection.
Dr. Romanelli x Head Porter
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Are you looking for bags to rock “Back to School?” Yeah, it’s that time again. Dr. Romanelli and Japan fashion accessory brand Head Porter come together for this sweet collab collection – the ARMY vs NAVY Tote Bag Collection.
Dr. Romanelli X Coca-Cola
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I have various soda branded clothes like A&W Root Beer and Fanta graphic tees and here’s a cool collaboration between Dr. Romanelli and Coca-Cola.
This Sunday in San Francisco: Crafts, Fashion and Design for the interior home to jewelry
August 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
There’s been an interior Design, Art and Fashion for the home and crafts going on this weekend. “Think about the moment we live in and all the images from post, modern to impressionism – like the styles and periods of great paintings influencing and changing to what we call modern today.” 
Just as images change for the age of art, so does home interior and craft designs. If you happen to be in SF and if you’re interested in getting to feel how contemporary décor may serve you or if you’d just like to see some interesting styles, designs and crafts – there’s an event taking place this weekend that will showcase these innovative interior home designs first hand at the American Craft Council Show – a showcase of 230 of the best contemporary home décor, furniture, jewelry, and clothing artists from across the country.
It’s one of the largest craft shows in the world!
Sunday, August 4: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more details click here: http://shows.craftcouncil.org/sf
Tile art from Justine Tartarsky & Clive Bridges. Take a look at their website site www.artontile.com . This is just one of the many interesting designs and things you’ll get to see.
ANIME EXPO 2013: Sleeping Cosplay? Batman & Spiderman duo? Mortal Come back?
August 1, 2013 by 1 Comment
What’s going on here? Well, it’s early in the evening and some cosplayers are snoozing while others are trying to keep up with photographers. We lead in with cosplay model, Vampy Bit Me, who happens to be from the San Francisco Bay Area.
In this segment the Ramen Crew really caught some random images, a cosplay snoozing, and of course the other 99 percent getting their photo’s taken every which way and loving it. Interestingly enough, we caught a Batman and Spiderman dynamic duo cosplaying on the ground floor. Ryan Turney tells us how he used dye sublimated lycra to create his outfit and Danny Lopez shows off his Batman cowl mask which is made by professional prop maker, Shawn Reeves. Then we get a flash back taste of Mortal Kombat!
We pretty much interviewed the obvious of course… other than eat breakfast then cosplay, eat lunch then cosplay and then catch dinner and hit the cosplay night life, but for those who come from afar or from next door to the Anime Expo convention center and perhaps maybe stayed up a wee bit too late the night before excitingly undecided in what cosplay will do …Well, we got one person to explain that!
Edward Ballar
GuestContributor
Ramon Angel
Al Woo
SW biko
Retrenders 