AND1 2013 Product Preview - Part 1

[Shoe Session – 7.9.12] – AND1 2013 Product Preview  - Part 1

Inks: FLASH aka g_sk1lls 
Images: Diane Skaer and Rob Purvy, AND1 USA (via email)

Greetings, And Juans.  Last May 2012, executives and distributors of the AND1 brand from all over the world, led by no other than the AND1 President - Rob Purvy, converged and held their annual sales conference in Madrid, Spain.  Upcoming AND1 products, from shirts to jackets, jerseys to shorts, sweatpants, socks and shoes (both performance and off-court), were on full display for the review of everyone who were present.  And now, thanks to AND1 USA, I was able to secure some images (through the lens of Diane Skaer) that I can share to everyone and provide a sneak preview of what is to come for 2013.

Part One of my two-part blog feature will focus on AND1 apparel and accessories, and Part Two will be published next week (July 16), which will include images of the upcoming footwear for 2013.  I’ve posted all of the images below, and will let them speak for themselves.

A couple of shots of new AND1 shorts from 

the official AND1 Instagram account (@and1_basketball).

Jacket with matching sweatpants, new AND1 cap, shorts, and an upcoming bag.

Peep the shoe.  If you're asking me if it's coming back..IT IS.

If these caps reach the Philippines, I'm a happy camper.

 Socks bearing the updated AND1 logo.

Compression gear.

We got balls.  Lots of them.  Big ones too.

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph).  Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com, send us images of yourself rocking And1 gear/footwear, your personal And1 collection or even your own mixtape.  We might post that in the fanpage or even publish a blog article about you.

And that’s the 411, And Juan.

Watch out for Part Two next week!

AND1 (AKT!V) Glorietta 4 Outlet sports a new look

[Shoe Session – 10.30.11] – AND1 (AKT!V) Glorietta 4 Outlet sports a new look

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

One of my favorite places to cop And1 gear (apparel, footwear, and accessories), the G4 or Glorietta 4 And1 store in Ayala, Makati recently got a makeover. It is located at the ground floor of the Glorietta mall (near the exit towards SM Makati). For one, the And1 logo on top of the store entrance has already been replaced by AKT!V, and the store window now showcases Monta Ellis’ promotional poster for the ME8 Empire Mid shoe.

Personally, I miss the old And1 logo that customers gets to see prior to entering the store before. It has kept the identity of the store for the last 5 or so years (maybe more), and the atmosphere really isn’t the same without it. Fortunately however, the store retains the chainlink background that adorns its walls where And1 pairs are displayed for sale. It still saves the playground appeal of the And1 brand and distinctly sets it apart from the retail stores from other sports brands.

Despite the new look, the store retains another key element that gives it an edge over other retail stores.. its knowledgeable and friendly staff. Here’s a tip: in case you drop by the And1/AKT!V store in Glorietta 4 anytime soon, try looking for “Hook Up Joe / Joe Hook Up”. He’s the guy you can turn to literally for hook ups on shoe sizes (try reserving a must-cop pair for yourself, or ask for another store that carries your size in case And1 G4 no longer has stocks, and he’s very much willing to help), great sales deals (info on dates, pricing, etc), and just an over-all good guy. I got most of my stuff from him, so Hook Up Joe is definitely the man to seek out for nice And1 deals.

The look may have changed, but some things remain the same. Do drop by the And1 / AKT!V G4 store soon, and let And1Ph know if you scored some good deals too. Word.

It now says AKT!V where the old And1 logo used to be.

Store interior, And1 ME8 Empire Mid decos.

Scored that And1 jacket for a really nice price c/o Hook Up Joe.

Circa 2007, c/o King Del Rosario's blog. That's the And1 logo that I was talking about.

And1 (AKT!V) San Juan Outlet

[Shoe Session – 10.18.11] – And1 (AKT!V) San Juan Outlet

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Filipinos love a good bargain. I mean, who doesn’t right? A lot of people I know that are into And1 keep on bugging me.. “Yo Flash, where can I get affordable And1 gear in Metro Manila?”.

Answer: The San Juan outlet (officially 189 A. Mabini St., Addition Hills, San Juan)

To get there, head to Shaw Boulevard intersection/crossing either via bus or MRT. Once in Shaw Blvd, head to Star Mall (it’s right across Shangri-La Mall) and look for the jeepney terminal there for trips bound for Kalentong or Quiapo. Fare is only Php 8.00. The barker usually makes sure that the jeepney is full of passengers before it leaves the terminal, so while waiting for it to fill up, make sure to tell the driver to drop you off at Pure Gold Shaw (it should be on your left side). Across Pure Gold Shaw is a Shell gas station, so you can’t really miss your stop.

I got a map like Dora.

Once you alight from the jeep, you’ll see a couple of tricycles on your right side (corner of the Shell station) waiting for passengers. Board it and tell the trike driver that you wish to be dropped off at the And1 outlet. Everybody in the place knows it. Why? Coz it’s got a huge And1 SALE sign right outside (see image below).

Friendly staff can hook you up with great deals not available even in mall sales.

Now about the outlet, it’s not really an “outlet”. It’s actually an old house (reminds me of my grandparents’ ancestral house in Cebu), very spacious in the ground floor and they got very helpful staff members. Feel free to rummage through the finds, and you can see other brands aside from And1 that are also on sale (K1X, Gola, Triple Five Soul, Ryka, Bike, Sofsole, etc – also locally distributed by Relzbach).

Looks can be deceiving.

SCORE!

So what can you find on-site? A lot. There are shoes (some are even current models, not old pairs), shirts, shorts, sweatpants, caps, sleeveless tops, heck.. even socks, lanyards, and shoelaces! Check out more pictures below.

The stocks sold from the San Juan outlet are replenished irregularly, so it also helps if you call their contact number at (02) 725-1005 before you go there. They’re open between 10AM-7pm if I’m not mistaken, including weekends…but the best time to drop by is after lunch (lazy hours 2-5pm).

So feel free to visit the San Juan outlet and get the best deals there. My first visit there yielded 2 t-shirts, a cap, a pair of shoelaces, and a pair of socks for ONLY Php 800. Now, ain’t that something. Shop till you drop (or at least until your cash runs out). ONE!

And1 2012 footwear and product presentation (read: Sneak Previews!)

[Shoe Session – 10.17.11] – And1 2012 footwear and product presentation (read: Sneak Previews!)

Inks and Images: FLASH aka g_sk1lls

Greetings, And Juans. Last Saturday (October 15, 2011), I was invited by Relzbach Ventures, the local distributors of the And1 brand in the Philippines, to join their semi-annual sales conference and product presentation for 2012 collection. Now I already had an idea that representatives (read: bosses, executives, head honchos) from And1 USA, Australia, Spain, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia were present since Friday night, but I was absolutely surprised and thrilled to be actually INVITED to join them for the product presentation and lunch (at the Manila Peninsula Hotel along Ayala, Makati) and dinner (People’s Palace in Greenbelt 3).

As soon as I got in the conference room around 11AM, there was only one word that I can use to describe the experience – WOW. It was my 1st time to join such a meeting, and from the personalities inside the room to the apparel and footwear that were shown for 2012 preview, so pardon me if I was blown away.

(With Rob Purvy - Executive Director for And1, Rod Keller - Director of Brand & Sports Marketing

& Bob Bachmann of Relzbach Ventures)

Now let’s start with the apparel line-up. I got in at the tail end of the apparel presentation (the actual shirts, shorts, jerseys, jackets, etc were on hand for inspection and public viewing), but what I got to see was still pretty good. For one, the trash talk tees are coming back with The Player aka Faceless Raceless featured with trash talk text on the back print of the shirt (remember those?). Some of the shirts had the graphic in the front and the classic And1 logo in the back, but even if they were interchanged, all I can say is “NOSTALGIA baby”. I used to rock those back in early 2000’s and seeing them back for 2012 was really sweet.

I also got to preview other shirt designs, and according to Alejandro Lesaola of And1 Madrid (Spain) who was in charge of the apparel presentation, there will also be a new set of team jerseys + shorts with matching sweatpants already available in some parts in Europe (I’ve seen some in And1 Germany, if I’m not mistaken) and hopefully Relzbach gets to distribute those locally. They can market it further by offering practice jerseys with matching shorts in school colors of local high schools, colleges, and universities in the Philippines for better brand recognition.

I really liked the fact that the And1 apparel line for 2012 seems to have really got it back on track after a few hits and misses with their designs in the previous years, and there are even some jackets and sweat pants that feature simple looks (And1 logo) but the material and the feel of the clothes really make up for it. Can’t wait for those to drop.

On a side note, check out the And1 trash talk graphic tee that I got as a gift from Dan Dougherty (image below). Now that’s really cool, simply because that shirt isn’t even available in local retail yet..at least not until 2012. :)

Now let’s talk about the footwear. The And1 shoe line up that I got to see before we had to take a break for lunch was really strong. And I mean rock-solid, SHUT-DOWN-the-gym kinda strong. Now while I can’t post images of those yet (the kicks that I saw were samples with different colorways per model, and all came in size 9s. I wear 9s, so I was in shoe heaven). Hopefully Rob Purvy and Rod Keller would let me post something for all y’all to see very soon (end of the year, eh boss?), but trust me on this.. it’s gonna be FIRE.

Here are some notes on what I saw, held, and almost (yes, almost) got to try on:

- There will be low cut versions with the current And1 ME8 Empire Mid tooling.

- Saw a Steve Blake PE but not in Lakers CW. The Laker CW was recently featured in SLAM though (D.Rose cover, October).

- Saw a ME8 PE, in Away Golden State Warriors CW (of course). I want one. Like now.

- Speaking of ME8, Monta’s got a NEW LOGO. I can draw it, but I’ll be shot if I did. LOLs. The current ME8 Empire Mid is awesome. Surely, there should be a sequel right? *winks* BUILD YOUR EMPIRE, the tagline says. Right.

- Straps are back. Not all silhouettes will have them, but yeah, straps are back. And they look dope too.

- Some silhouettes seem to have been designed with big men in mind. That means high tops, better ankle support, and more-than-sufficient cushioning especially in the heel area. These might be available locally with more stocks from Sizes 12 and up. Big men will be happy with a couple of pairs due to be released soon.

Right after we had lunch, I had to excuse myself because I had a previously-scheduled game in the afternoon. Got back to the hotel around 6pm, talked shop with Joe Kawai of And1 Japan and the other peeps and man, got a ton of insider info that would be posted in future articles soon.

For now, check out some of the few images that I got to snap on that day (which isn’t really much), and will update this blog with additional images c/o Relzbach.

If you want more And1 news, updates, and, shoe sightings/sales on the fly, follow us in Twitter (@and1ph) and LIKE us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/and1ph). Also feel free to e-mail us at and1pinas@gmail.com, send us images of yourself rocking And1 gear/footwear, your personal And1 collection or even your own mixtape. We might post that in the fanpage or even publish a blog article about you.

And that's the 411, And Juan.

Props to Relzbach Ventures, Inc. (And1 local distributor) for the invitation.

Dinner with [L-R] Rod, Rob, Peter of And1 AUS (CEO),

Joe Kawai of And1 Japan, Dan D (thanks again for the shirt!) and Bob.