Streetwear has undeniably become the defining fashion trend of the Kanye West/Lil’ Wayne hip-hop generation. Usually characterized as cost-effective tees/hoodies adorned with eye opening designs, patterning, insignias, or satirical wordplay, urban wear and the scene that accompanied it was once teeming with creativity. Unfortunately, things have turned south in many respects, as companies are blatantly reaching, hoping to create the next big buzz.
But now is not the time to dwell on the negative aspects of urban culture—a very select group of companies are making it happen. Enter independent clothing company For All To Envy (F.A.T.E.). With clever diction and cool hoops references, their basketball-themed offerings have had me excited for quite some time. To make a reference of my own, these guys are teaching while the others are reaching…(Ehh…I’m here until next Tuesday!)
Check out part of For All To Envy’s ’07-08 clothing line below!
Wilt Chamberlain—20,000 Girls, 20,000 points?
In his autobiography A View From Above (1991), Wilt claimed to have slept with nearly 20,000 women (and no, I don’t plan on calculating his daily ‘scoring’ average). Of course, “The Stilt” was the quickest NBA player ever to score 20,000 points, needing only 499 games to accomplish the stunning feat. Which leaves me wondering: what is Chamberlain smiling about?
Len Bias—The Saddest Thing In Life Is Wasted Talent
How many more banners would be in Boston had Bias not passed?
Rivalry
I wasn’t around to see Larry and Magic duke it out in the ‘80s (though admittedly, I try to watch ESPN Classic whenever these games appear). Relive the magic of the series with this tee.
Legend In Two Games, word to Pee Wee
Ahh yes…undoubtedly the Bounce favorite. Before NBA salaries and stardom reached astronomical amounts, excellent ballplayers often bypassed the League for more lucrative excursions. Pee Wee is one of them, Joe Hammond another. Rock this with hustler’s pride.
The Dynasty
Don’t sleep on this New York. Auerbach and his cigar are synonymous with Celtics W’s.
White Men Can’t Jump
Chris Mullin might not jump, but he’ll school you with his square-top fundamentals on the way to the baja. As a white male who simply does not have ups, I’ll have to represent with this sometime down the line.
For more information, peep F.A.T.E’s Website or their eBay store
Thanks Kirk!
May 12th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
bobbito garcia says:
it should be known that pee wee kirkland frowns on his former life as a hustler and doesn’t try to glorify it at all. he spent 10-15 years in federal prison because of it, losing an opportunity to see his family grow and continue to dominate at the rucker like he would’ve in his prime. he spends his time now working and mentoring the youth through his ’school of skills’ program. if he ever saw the above shirt, i’m pretty sure he’d actually have beef with the company for putting it out . . .
May 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
CCB says:
Good looking out on that Bobbito, I think with the Blackfives site and the current flow of info on hoops history, the clothing companies could actually uplift instead of remaining mired in stereotypes and hood themes.
This is not to say anything is wrong with the hood but it seems that to capitalize and make it in music, art, etc. those of us who love the culture shouldn’t disrespect the culture.
The Wilt shirt is wack.
The PeeWee Shirt, not needed at all. (They should know better, it’s like the story on Skip Wise in Bounce, no need to bring back the bad.)
The Bias shirt, I don’t know about that one. (I’d rather have the movie that’s coming out.)
The White Men Can’t Jump, don’t rock it Jeremy. Chase Buddinger might hunt you down and dunk on you. Besides if that shirt is fly, how would cats feel about a “Black kids can’t shoot” shirt.
Love the love you show the small guys and I can’t wait to send you some stuff so you can review it and comment, but I’m not feeling this one.
Chris Burns
http://www.marquiathletics.com
May 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Doze33 says:
I really love FATE’s stuff..Met their dude through Niketalk. Beenn reppin’ their Len Bias/Rivalry/WIlt shirts for a hot minute. Can’t wait to see more of the ‘08 stuff! Thanks for the early look Jeremy
May 12th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Jeremy Ripley says:
Thanks for all the thoughtful responses fellas, as I’ll definitely be sending this to the good people over at F.A.T.E, and I’m sure they appreciate the praise and criticism.
Re: the Pee Wee piece. I knew Kirkland had done something postive with his life, and regarded his troubled past with a targeted sense of youthful exuberance, not in such a negative light.
Personally, I really love the Wilt jumpoff. Combining a career gem/personal substantiated claim to form something that’s funny, yet pretains to history was awesome to me. The Bias t-shirt is another favorite, as I’m reminded of the perils of drugs, but would be proud to wear Len on my chest. I read about him in the Lloyd ‘Swee Pea’ Daniels and was just amazed at his talent. R.I.P.
Stereotypes are definitely an issue that shouldn’t be avoided, but shouldn’t be made fun of. Being of Causacian/mostly European descent, I think I regard directed stereotypes a bit differently than you guys do. I don’t really take not being able to jump that high or the perpetuated characterization that seriously. Whether that needs further examination in and of itself, could possibly be discussed.
Chris, be sure to hit me up soon about the Reign. I’d love to profile it.
Peace-
Jeremy
May 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
PR says:
Bob,
I’d probably have to disagree with you on that one. Seeing as Pee Wee was actually in The Clipse “Grindin” music video in which Pee Wee was featured when they dropped the now famous “Legend in two games like I’m Pee Wee Kirkland” line.
Regardless, we both agree that Mr. Kirkland is doing great things with today’s youth.
paz,
-PR
May 12th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Sneekerhead23 says:
wOW. the Bias tee is fire!
The auerbach joints is nice too,
GO Celts! ‘08 NBA Champs.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Teddy "Doowop" says:
I really cant see myself rockin any of these. Im not big on shirts with big pictures of people on them.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
bobbito garcia says:
PR-
you really think i ever heard the clipse’s lyrics? you know i only play instrumentals! haha
May 13th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Carlito Roc says:
The shirts are all wack. Not even a bit creative or original. 10 min job in Ms Paint at most.
If this is a “company” hire some real artists.
Wilt Rip.
Carlito Roc
Tck Krew.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:12 am
illest says:
really who listens to clipse anyway? i could see how he wouldnt like the shirt….and that mullin is terrible. because ive seen mullin get up and jam a few times. maybe paul mokeski needs to be on that shirt
May 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
illest-
leave paul mokeski alone! he was one fo the few pro players to wear spot-bilt early on, so i give him a go-free pass on the strength of that even though his game was about as exciting as wathing a pigeon eat a bread crumb on a rainy day.
May 13th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
andy schremp k.i.c says:
hey jeremy get at me about this stuff tonight if you check this comment this afternoon – nice job bob letting everyone know pee-wees afterlife is on track
May 13th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
FM says:
^hell yeah peep these incredible clips of mr kirkland:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nfZaSeYuoE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okoI4fSjhyU
in some ways the interview is more candid and moving than the footage in Black Magic (but whos comparing? bottom line is its all essential viewing)
May 15th, 2008 at 8:16 am
illest says:
bobbito…
the paul mokeski reference was because i was reading WYGT last night and the first page that appeared was the spotbilt page and you mentioning that.