Always ahead of the curve, The Hundreds have decided to premiere their Holiday 2008 collection via a music video, in addition to the more traditional lookbook route. “Everyone Knows Us” is a smooth joint featuring up-and-coming LA hip hop artists Dom Kennedy, Pac Div, Carter, and Gomez Warren IV doing their thing decked out in the hot new threads The Hundreds will be dropping this season. Some highlights from the collection include several innovative Cut & Sew pieces, such as an ’80s-inspired varsity jacket and a hooded cardigan. Most of the collection is available now at select retailers.

Sticking to the “preppy” side of street fashion is The Award Tour as they have released their fall/winter 2008 lookbook. The collection, titled “The Private Rebellion” is now public and was shot on location by Devin Christopher. As you would expect from previous seasons, the cuts are very clean and simple as well as the prints and logos. Great execution with no filler or clutter while still keeping the attention of the wearer. They even got some heat for the ladies (and its not tacky or “aggressive”). Available soon.

Info.Image: The Award Tour

These days, the sneaker world is a lot like the music industry: once dominated by major labels (Nike, Adidas), but with cool, independent companies now popping up every day. One such brand is Cipher, who have boldly proclaimed their products as the “Sneakers for a New Generation.” Fortunately, their footwear lives up to the hype, using premium materials and unusual colors to give new life to their somewhat classic silhouettes. Available online now.

Mishka has revealed their Holiday 2008 Collection, “Exotica”, via a brand new lookbook. The line consists of several classics and essentials reworked to have that distinct Mishka flavor. Along with a number of stylish sweatshirts, flannels, bottoms, accessories and varsity jackets, two pieces that particularly stand-out include the “Zeitgest” M-65 jacket in hardy wool with flannel lining, and the “Keep Watch” New Era, which is a fitted cap adaptation of a leather aviator’s hat. Mishka’s Holiday 2008 has begun shipping, so look out for the line at your local retailers.

Official is scheduled to drop their new Holiday/Winter 2008 collection this Saturday, November 8th. This season, the San Francisco-based brand has a wide selection of headwear — including fitteds, snap-backs, 5-panels, and beanies — to keep you looking fresh no matter the situation or weather. As well, Official have begun producing Cut & Sew tees that feature the same edgy style that is present in all of their hats. The line is available in stores and online starting tomorrow.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Upon his election in 1992, Bill Clinton — affectionately referred to as the nation's first black president — asked Maya Angelou to compose a poem and read it at his inauguration. Angelou feels a new poem welling up inside her following Barack Obama's election, but she does not expect another command performance.

"I'm sure Mr. Obama, president-elect, will have them bring his own poet," the 80-year-old writer said Friday from her home in Winston-Salem, where she holds a professorship at Wake Forest University. "I was somebody else's poet."

Angelou raised some eyebrows when she decided to support Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic primary over a fellow African-American. But when Clinton withdrew, the writer threw her support behind Obama, "thumping the drum" on his behalf and introducing his wife, Michelle, at an event in Greensboro in September.

The poet and author of such books as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" said she had a visceral, physical reaction when Obama was declared the winner late Tuesday.

"First I laughed," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Before I could finish laughing, I wept. Then I shook. I mean, I trembled. You know, the old meaning of the word `thrill' has a physical aspect. It's like, `Brrrrr!' My body started shaking."

But the experience was also cerebral. Images of slavery and the civil rights movement and of her slain friend Martin Luther King Jr. raced through her mind, and in that moment, she realized that the United States was finally "growing up."

"I thought of my people, African-Americans. I thought of white Americans. I thought of Asians and Spanish people. And I thought, `My God! What a country. What a country.' I believe that in the secret heart of every American there's a desire to live in a great country. And look at us now."

"On the Pulse of Morning," the poem she composed for Clinton, talked of war and divisiveness, but also of hope for a new beginning of peace.

Angelou said Obama is "a clear and clean wind, a breeze. ... There is some poetry in him, yes."

She has not been approached by Obama about the inauguration, nor does she expect to be. She plans to write a poem about the election of the nation's true first black president in the coming months, but she cannot yet say what form it will take. She only knows that, like this milestone, it will not come easy.

"I will approach it as the work it is," she said. "Try to put all my energies and my talents and my prayers and hopes and all that, my nervousness — all of those things will go into it."

The Hundreds are still playing their hand in the sneaker world and by the looks of this newest pack of “Johnson” Mids, they aren’t letting up anytime soon. You see, they have latched on to the idea of an simplistic upper, free of all the technical shit, and just focused on dope colorways. Constructed of nubuck or suede uppers and paired with a gum sole, make this sneaker a nice option to other “classic” sneakers. Available on 10/30 at the 2 Hundreds locations and select accounts.

Info.Image: The Hundreds

It seems like there are awesome, innovative brands popping up every single day. Japan’s QUENCHLOUD continues the trend with their sophisticated Fall/Winter 2008 collection. With fresh, new spins on essentials like oxford shirts, hoodies, and thermal sweaters, the line manages to be simultaneously fashion forward and classic. QUENCHLOUD is now available at SUBDIVISION in Vancouver.

Over the last few years, San Francisco’s HUF has established itself as one of the most consistent labels in the New Era game. Their Fall/Winter 2008 releases are no exception, keeping things simple with four tonal, monochromatic fitteds and a basic camo joint. These will basically go with anything you wear, and are bound to become staples in your wardrobe this season. Available now in-store and online from HUF.

On the day of one of the most important elections in history, MINDstyle has announced the release of the “Abraham Obama” bust by Ron English. Scheduled to drop later this month for $200 USD, the bust comes in three colors and depicts a mash-up of two revolutionary political figures — one who brought about great change, and another who promises to do the same if elected. Remember people, every vote counts. Make sure your voice is heard today.

Info.Image: TOYSREVIL

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More to come

Puma’s Mongolian BBQ is by far the most elaborate shoe customization system out there — and it just got even better. The iconic footwear brand has added the popular First Round silhouette to the mix, with a number of new materials for you to design your own personal sneakers with. With so many options, Mongolian BBQ is also great for wasting time at work — which is what I’m currently using it for right now.

This Saturday, Nov. 1st, Crooks & Castles will deliver their Holiday 2008 collection at their LA Flagship store. This season, Crooks & Castles have taken classic sportswear items such as down vests and varsity jackets and given them a sophisticated spin, in addition to a wide selection of graphic tees and sweatshirts. Don’t sleep on this - the first 150 customers on Saturday will receive a limited edition, signed and numbered print. For more info and to see the entire line, click right here.

With his portrait of Barack Obama becoming an almost iconic image in pop culture, Shepard Fairey has turned his attention back to his clothing line, Obey. The label’s Holiday 2008 collection upholds the commitment to quality we’ve come to expect from Obey, with a slew of unconventional graphic tees and sturdy, well-crafted jackets and sweaters. The entire line is now available at 80’s Purple.