This week we welcome Tokyo’s own, Children of Discordance to Wish ATL. Children of Discordance was established by Hideaki Shikama in 2011. The up-cycled pieces that he’s become famous for are inspired by recollections of fashion and music from the 90s to the present. Shikama has updated and up-cycled items from his personal collection of archives and vintage pieces, sourced worldwide. His usage of vintage materials and deadstock approaches sustainability in a way that doesn’t feel forced. The environment isn’t his sole concern; focusing on respect for craftsmen, creators, and producers while designing ethically. This has been achieved by working beyond the concept of fair trade for production that creates the sophisticated one off products expressing the attitude of “DISCORDANCE”.
Another surprise for our grand reopening, we’ve once again teamed up with Atlanta’s own Fani & Original Fani Designs to deliver a clean new collection. We brought back some classics like the “You Wish” crewnecks, revamped the denim Fandana, as well as some special celestial prints. Check out the collection when it drops this weekend!
We have many surprises “in-store” for the reopening of our iconic building. As we move into the next phase of Wish ATL, we’ve declared that “the sky is the limit” and our latest collection with Chinatown Market echos this sentiment. The blue skies and dreamy clouds are seemingly perfect for wishing upon. Be sure to shop this collaboration when it releases Saturday August 22, 2020.
Accompanying the relaunch of the new and improved Wish ATL, we are also releasing our collaborative capsule with Billionaire Boys Club. This is BBC’s first collection with a prominent entity in Atlanta so it was important to go classic by featuring the cult favorite “moon man” as well as “ATL” stylized with BBC’s popular font. Be sure to grab these when they release in-store Saturday August 22, 2020.
Inspired by its own predecessors and the feel of a traditional Japanese garden, this AJ1 honors the past while exploring new territory. Color pops on the collar and stitching, suede materials on the upper, and a full-length Zoom Air cushioning system put modern moves — and comforts — on this standard of sneaker culture.
This iteration of the Air Jordan 1 Zoom comes sporting a Green hairy suede on the toe and side panel with some smooth black leather overlays. A vibrant green liner, 3M reflective Swooshes, and an icy translucent outsole all help fortify the look and feel of this latest Jordan 1 Zoom. Check out this sneaker before it releases 8/14 in-store & online!
This week adidas prepares to bring us more collaborations with Nigo’s Japan-based Human Made. This time they’re remixing the Stan Smith and Rivalry Low. The adidas Stan Smith sports the signature in-cut Human Made hearts on the lateral panel, adidas text on the tongue, and “Dry Alls” insignia on the heels.
As for the Rivalry Low, the “Night Marine” colorway features Human Made’s signature heart logo on the medial, while “Gears For Futuristic Teenagers” are printed on the lateral Three Stripes.
Be sure to catch this drop when it releases Thursday August 6 in-store and on WishATL.com.
Capturing the innovative nature of Nike, the N.354 line has created a space to test some more unexpected ideas. Denoted by the “-Type” in the name of each style, Nike continues to explore all possibilities with a dive into the “zoom-type” expands the realm of the classic “Nike Zoom” collection.
Exposed Zoom air pods in the forefoot & a TPU plate running the length of the midsole experiment w/ technology, while the hand of the designer is seen in smaller details like the logo treatment, targeted perforation for breathability, and exposed stitching for supports.
Check out the drop when it releases Friday July 10th at 10am on WishATL.com
In the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, many local Atlanta entities have been negatively affected by the effects of the virus. In a time where masks have become the norm and almost mandatory, we partnered with 3 up-and-coming Atlanta based clothing brands to provide masks for charity. OriginalFani Designs, Surrender ATL & Wisdom Fashion House created limited edition masks that were available for purchase & proceeds from the sales were donated to Meals On Wheels Atlanta.
Thanks to the support of the city & others around the world, we were able to raise over $1,300 to help Meals On Wheels provide meals for thousands of elderly & health compromised, in the metropolitan area.
Head over to the Meals On Wheels Atlanta website, to see how you can help in any capacity during these times.
Telfar is a black-owned, gender-less fashion project established in 2005 in NYC by Telfar Clemens. Clemens, a Liberian American hailing from Queens, is a fashion prodigy & international celebrity. He creates high-quality work and always embraces the opportunity to speak up for social injustices. He’s made quite the name for himself over the past few years with his ever-creative runway shows. From a throwing party in White Castle to roll out their collaboration, to crowd-surfing in Irving Plaza, he has a strong eye for flair.
Clemens has carved out a niche in creating everyday sportswear with a quirky twist. Often hybridizing his pieces, he combines elements from an array of influences in a way that makes his pieces stylish and most importantly, comfortable.
Telfar has one of the more successful lines of bags in the market right now. The “Telfar Shopping Bag” nicknamed the “Bushwick Burkin,” essentially sells out every time they’re released on his site. Shop the collection here, and stay tuned for more Telfar releases at Wish ATL.
The Jordan 5 made its first appearance in 1990 with three OG colorways: black/metallic silver, fire red/white & grape ice/white. The Jordan 5 is just as popular now as it was three decades ago, but the grape colorway stand solo as the only look that strays away from a team-oriented color scheme. Since the integration of purple in the Jordan 5, we’ve seen it in various way in the past, but never like this.
The deep purple suede covers the entire upper, with complimenting black accents along the tongue, laces, mudguard & sole. There are also a couple of contrasting splashes emerald green that helps to bring the whole look together.
Sign up for the raffle here, entries close Monday July 6 at 4pm!
Space Hippie is an exploratory footwear collection inspired by life on Mars —where materials are scarce and there is no resupply mission. Created from scraps, or “space junk,” Space Hippie is the result of sustainable practices meeting radical design.
In the spirit of Nike’s journey toward zero carbon and zero waste, Space Hippie’s Flyknit yarn is made from 85-90% recycled content, including plastic bottles, t-shirts and post-industrial scraps.
To provide comfort and convenience for the city “athlete” on-the-go, each of the Space Hippie silhouettes features unique fitting options such as traditional laces, Flyease & lace-less technology.
Crater Foam tooling in the sole uses about 12% Nike Grind rubber combined with foam materials for a more sustainable, lightweight and responsive feel during city exploration. The box itself is made of recycled materials & plant based ink. Check this drop when it releases Friday July 3rd at WishATL.
Sprite has given us $50k to Give Back. We will provide $2500 to ten designers & ten visual artists to help support them & enrich their work during these uncertain times. We are opening submissions today and will award selected brands & artists with the funding as well as a week-long pop up shop to support the sales of their work. As Atlanta continues to grow as a city for art & fashion we understand our responsibility with our platform to help push the city’s talents to the world.
Sign up here for the chance to win $2,500 for your brand or to help support your art.
Sprite – which has championed hip-hop culture for more than three decades – is collaborating with five of the genre’s most influential voices to support community partners they believe are doing the best work to serve and support creators and communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and racial inequality.
“The Give Back” will use Sprite’s resources and platforms to amplify Black voices and help drive positive change, starting in the brand’s hometown of Atlanta.
The brand tapped five respected and recognized partners based on their commitment to give back to the Atlanta community and empower emerging talent to push the boundaries of creative expression. Sprite allocated $300,000 for “The Give Back”, and these partners will “pay it forward” to organizations, causes and creators in a time of great need:
Mali Hunter, music industry powerhouse, is supporting her EarthGirls Inc. foundation and empowering the next generation of Black female musicians through mentorship, education, entrepreneurship, and health and wellness.
Cam Kirk, hip-hop’s most trusted photographer, is expanding his “Night School” program at Cam Kirk Studios to educate emerging photographers, designers, and other creatives, and partnering with The Recycling Partnership to address equitable access to recycling in public spaces in Black communities.
Wish Atlanta, Atlanta’s premier streetwear and sneaker boutique, will provide grants to emerging fashion designers and artists that will allow them to bring their visions to life.
Grammy-winning, platinum-selling artist and entrepreneur 2 Chainzand his Street Execs management company family will provide “stimulus packages” to some of the most important figures in the hip-hop ecosystem: DJs, many of whom whose careers have been affected by COVID-19.
Two-time BET Hip Hop Awards ‘Producer of the Year’ winner and behind the music for an endless list of hip hop hits, Metro Boomin is making a donation to Campaign Zero, which advocates for policy solutions informed by data, research and human rights principles to change the way police serve communities.
The Nike Dunk was first premiered on the college hardwood, making major waves in 1985 when it debuted in a pack of color-coordinated products for high-profile teams. Now, that theme is being revived to commemorate today’s leading programs in honor of the silhouette’s 35th anniversary. This edition blends an upper of university orange with overlays of marine to celebrate men’s college basketball’s most recent champions, the UVA Cavaliers. Look into these detail images of the shoes, and gear up for the 6/24 release.
The raffle is live today Monday June 22 until 6pm. Sign up here!
BeTrue celebrates the pursuit of equality of all athletes.
This year’s collection celebrates the power of the team. The definition of team is expressed in many forms. Even when we’re on our own, we’re still together. United. Unstoppable. We’ve thrived in the face of struggle. Prevailing on the strength of our teamwork. Reclaiming our spaces and setting an example for the world to follow. We recognize the need for everyone to know they have a team. A community working as one toward a future we can all believe in. A future that sees every one of us. One that’s accessible to every athlete and every generation, keeping us together through the collective.
To celebrate the traditional flag symbol and make room for every expression of pride, the AF1 carries a ten-color heel mark inclusive of a spectrum of voices.
The BeTrue 2020 collection captures the vision – the Power of the Team, anchored by the Nike icons from the past to present – the Air Force 1 and the Air Max 2090.
Throughout the collection, a series of design elements speak to significant nuances within LGBTQIA+ culture. These details offer a shared visual language between like-minded athletes and allies, while educating new audiences and creating connections that rescind any distance.
Translucent and iridescent finished present new looks and color combinations from every angle, and speak to an enduing story of LGBTQIA+ identity, teamwork and mobilization.
Shop the collection online or in-store while supplies last!
As we celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday to commemorate the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy, we’d also like to acknowledge the many great contributions that Black designers & brand owners have made to help push fashion & streetwear forward. We’ve highlighted some of the Black designers & Black-owned brands currently in-stock at Wish ATL.
Circa 2003, Pharrell Williams traveled to Japan to partner with NIGO, fashion designer and creator of A Bathing Ape, as well as graphic designer Sk8thing to create what is now the world famous Billionaire Boys Club. The brand was also premiered in 2003 by Skateboard P in the “Frontin” music video . ICECREAM, initially a subsidiary of Billionaire Boys Club, released its footwear line in 2004. The following year, Billionaire Boys Club opened its first brick & mortar store in Tokyo, Japan, followed by stores in New York and London as well.
In August 2011 rapper Jay-Z, a frequent collaborator of Pharrell, partnered with the Billionaire Boys Club line. Later the rapper, through a joint venture with Iconix, invested in the brand. The following year BBC recorded high $25 million to $30 million in volume, up from $12 million. Pharrell reacquired Iconix’s stake in the business in 2017.
Jay Z and lifelong friend Emory Jones embarked on Planes/Roc Nation apparel after recapping the success of Roc-A-Wear. Growing up Emory was always into fashion. To him it was a way to express his individuality in a world where everyone wants to be a clone. Going back to their teenage years, Emory’s his favorite pastime was shopping. Hov and their other friends would joke about him having a shopping addiction.
Emory had taken over and expanded the lifestyle division of Roc Nation. For him, merchandising the lifestyle was the next step in the natural progression of the business. The idea was create something that was elite in style and quality while still being more affordable than contemporary counterparts. Jones, joined forces with Mike “Upscale Vandal” Camargo, a former employee of Roc Nation, Billionaire Boys Club, and consultant for many major brands. Upscale Vandal assisted Emory in bringing his vision to life. Emory has taken the more organic approach with marketing the brand, not really leaning on seeding influencers, but relying on those that influence the influencers.
Ih Nom Uh Nit (innominate), which means “without name” is a ready-to-wear brand that has become a new cult favorite. The L.A. based brand has appeared on a myriad of celebs from Luka Sabbat to Janet Jackson. Chaz Jordan has created a brand that can do it all, from sweatsuits to sequin-embroidered gowns.
Chaz Jordan, founder of Ih Nom Uh Nit began his career in the fashion industry in 2011 during college. While in his junior year at the University of Illinois – Chicago, he met and ultimately ending up working for Virgil Abloh and Don C at their Chicago concept store, RSVP Gallery. This is where he launched his first successful apparel label, Au Courant, before moving to Paris, France. While in Paris he was able to find an atelier that educated him on the history of Parisian fashion and their savior faire. As his knowledge of the industry & skillset grew, so did his network and exposure.
Founder and Creative Director Jahleel Morris is socially known as Playhouse Jah. Born and raised in Stone Mountain his upbringing was very much Atlanta. From dirty south music (OutKast being his favorite group), buying Dickies and Girbauds at Metropolitan flea market, Black Santa Claus at South DeKalb to skating at Cascade, to working in Lenox mall he is truly of this city.
Known for “The Best Caps Out the South” Playhouse World is a lifestyle brand founded in Atlanta. Built on community using art, fashion, and cultural references to communicate to a wide demographic unifying them through worldly views.
HONOR THE GIFT
Russell Westbrook has over the years showed a strong passion for fashion & he embodies letting his clothes speak for his mood, so you know how he’s feeling before he says a word. His collections are defined by the environment that shaped him, the Inner City of Los Angeles. A harsh and unfair environment, but one that develops strength, leadership, focus, and self worth.
His brands focus for the first few drops have been capturing the raw point of view of Inner City Public School. Demonstrating the collection through a surveilled lens of the unfamiliar worlds of Public and Private School confronting one another. Embodying the affluent lifestyle of Private School. Demonstrating the collection through a refined take on the unfamiliar worlds of Public and Private School confronting one another.
London based designer Martine Rose’s self-titled label has become a stalwart in menswear since 2007. Particularly known for her peculiar approach to presenting collections, she’s done shows outside of the schedule in unconventional venues like marketplaces & rock climbing centers. She’s previously collaborated with Been Trill, Timberland, Nike & CAT, while expanding into womenswear.
Rose has been nominated for the heralded ANDAM prize for emerging designers as well as the LVMH Prize. In 2018, she was also nominated for the BFC’s British Designer of the Year for menswear.
Originally from Trenton, New Jersey, Anwar Carrots founded “Peas & Carrots International” in 2007. It began as an emerging streetwear brand & creative collective. Known for his dynamic approach to aesthetic, both in personal style and his creative output, Anwar has become an entrepreneurial leader of this new generation of Los Angeles creatives and fashion icons of street culture & music.
Always evolving, Anwar launched “Carrots by Anwar Carrots” in 2015.
The first June 2020 release from Jordan brand will be the Bugs Bunny-inspired Air Jordan VI Retro “Hare,” not to be mistaken for 2017’s “Alternate ’91” Air Jordan 6 release. This Air Jordan 6 is modeled after the original “Hare” colorway of the Air Jordan 7. It features white leather overlays, grey underlays, a translucent tongue with the iconic “Hare” print, a carrot-themed lace lock completed with printed inner lining, insoles & translucent infrared soles. Check out the images below & cop them when they drop in-store & online at WishATL.com on June 17th.
This episode of Wishful Thinking serves as a temperature check with several thinkers and thought leaders within the culture and community as we discuss topics surrounding racism and police brutality.
Bobby & Skateboard P talk about his influence as a Black brand owner.
This past week, streetwear industry leaders The Hundreds and Billionaire Boys Club collaborated on a T-shirt benefitting Black Lives Matter and Black Mental Health Alliance. Bobby Hundreds and Pharrell Williams, the creative geniuses behind the two brands, came together for an interview to discuss various topics impacting our current social climate. In the Q&A, Bobby interviews Pharrell about being a Black brand owner, mental health in the Black community, and the importance of sharing knowledge.
Browse through the excerpts below, and check out the entire interview here on The Hundreds’ website.
On launching Billionaire Boys Club as a Black man:
When I launched BBC [ICECREAM], I was a different person. My concerns were different, my thought process was different, my self awareness was premature. I considered myself a black man and making chess moves was enough at the time because that’s what the people I looked up to were doing. I was proud that they were black and I thought it was enough. Since then, I’ve educated myself and realized that would never be enough when the playing field was never leveled. It’s never been a leveled playing field since the beginning of time. It took traveling around the world and seeing what people go through to open my eyes and humble me and recognize how blessed I am. Aside from achieving, my biggest responsibility is to hold open the door and show the way for my own people… and to explain to those who have the power over these doors why they need to open their doors or not have them at all. With BBC, I always say ‘Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket.’, but that wasn’t enough.
On the importance of mental health in the Black community:
There are a lot of variables that affect the minds of the people whose likeness gets traded on and marketed towards and then don’t receive benefits from it at the end of the day. And not everyone can get access to mental health resources like therapy or rehab, not everyone has people around to help. If you never really dealt with the erosion of your mental state, then it only continues to erode. There’s so much to unpack when it comes to this but, the fact that the fashion industry is thinking about the importance of mental health and how it affects the African diaspora is a very important step that we all need to take.
On his influence in the industry and the need for sharing industry knowledge:
You know, I’m honored for things like that. But going back to the earlier question…I feel like I didn’t do enough. At that time, it was about me, I was being selfish and I thought being black was enough. So if I could encourage you all to do anything, it’s to take your people with you…don’t make it just about you. That’s why you see me with my hands together [prayer pose]. Some of us pat ourselves on the back, others of us beat ourselves on the chest. That’s cool, I’m gonna let you do that…but when you’re done, bring people with you. Share the codes…share the cheat codes. A lot of us had to figure it out ourselves…that’s where we go wrong. The more of us that learn the codes, the stronger we are. That’s how we get to market share. If we don’t have market share, we don’t have a voice. If you don’t have a voice then you’re going to need help with healthcare, education and the biases that are ingrained in our legislation that makes the gravity 2x heavier on us. Share the codes, hold the door open.
This uber-popular colorway of the Air Jordan 13 was originally released in 1998 and then re-released twice in 2005 and 2010. Back in 2017, it was rumored to re-release once again, but the retro never happened. This will be the fourth time the beloved “Flint” Air Jordan 13 has been released.
In Jordan’s final playoff series in 1998, Jordan’s ability to close solidified his GOAT status as the Bull’s became the first team to three-peat on two separate occasions. The Jordan 13 inspired by Mike’s spirit animal, the black panther, were his primary kicks in his last season with the Chicago Bulls.
The “Flint Grey” color-way was one of the first releases of the silhouette. This release aims to get as close to the original as possible with everything from some minor details to the box itself. This iteration, like the OG’s, comes with 3M reflective uppers and a shade of blue on the vamp meticulously matched to the navy tone of the throwback version. This 13 also brings back the molded sock-liner from the original model for the game-ready fit & feel.
