Something Worth Considering: JeffStaple the truth 1585 Collection

Graphic designer, fashion designer and all around street wear /lifestyle icon, Jeff Staple recently launched a new collection with centered around evoking positive change in the lives of many of his consumers.

I read this headline today on Hypebeast and 2 things jumped out at me immediately, “Jeff Staple” and the “truth collection”. “With its self-titled motto, “a positive social contagion” serving as its foundation, jeffstaple and his namesake creative agency, Staple Design Today, Staple announces his latest socially conscious collaborative effort alongside the truth campaign. Named after the campaign’s unique Pantone color, the “truth1585 Collection,” takes aim at spreading a message to “Open Your Eyes” to the lies and manipulations around you.”

I’m inspired by, and driven to create around  ideas similar to this. Design has the power to change people’s thoughts, perception and focus. This power can be but to good use (which doesn’t occur often enough) or it can be used to negatively influence society.  Hats off the Jeff Staple for making another move in the right direction.

Read more about the project and view the gallery, over at Hypebeast.

Jay-z’s New Lifestyle Blog

Jay-z’s new lifestyle blog is well designed, informative, covers a variety of interesting topics and is a daily must-read.

The Tanning Effect Series by Steve Stoute

Former music executive Steve Stoute presents The Tanning Effect video series coinciding with his new book “The Tanning Of America: How the Culture of Hip-Hop Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy.” Stoute takes a closer look at how pop culture transformed a generation of listeners and created a new global marketplace. In the videos, Stoute sits down with Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga and Jimmy Iovine to speak about how today’s generation have rewritten the rules of the new economy. For an in-depth look, purchase the book online and at retailers out now.

Amy Winehouse x Terry Richardson Tribute

I first heard of Terry Richardson back during Obama’s run for presidency in ’07-’08. I love it when he allows the subject to be free to express themselves. Here are a few candid shots he took of Amy Winehouse before she passed.

Quick word about Amy: I first heard of Amy’s death on Twitter; I’ve never met her but I was a huge fan and her music meant a lot to me. I have to admit, I wasn’t surprised when I heard she died; but I couldn’t help but think of the pain she must have been feeling inside all these years. Unfortunately, there are too many people in the world that are struggling with issues that we’ll never know of (until it’s too late) – people like Amy who wrestle with trying to sort them out and conquer demons before they conquer the individual.

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Real talk

The measure of a man is determined by how he reacts during tough times. Some give up, others thrive – ultimately becoming stronger for having gone through the struggle. My dad reminded me of this today.

So much this week has not gone according to plans. Needless to say, its been really tempting to become discouraged; and thoughts of throwing in the towel are louder than ever. I know its important that I remind myself who I am, who I represent and continue to stay strong. One thing I’ve learned in life about rough times is that I can look forward to the better times (right around the corner).

Thought Provoking Straight Talk

…in Charlie Rose interview w Cory, “On the march to true freedom & liberty.” (View here)

“It Feels Good To Go Somewhere & Come Back Different”

Amanda Diva talks about why she prefers Paris, why she contemplates moving there and the value of a fresh perspective.

Overcome Resistance and Get Out of Your Own Way

The three dumbest guys I can think of: Charles Lindbergh, Steve Jobs, Winston Churchill. Why? Because any smart person who understood how impossibly arduous were the tasks they had set themselves would have pulled the plug before he even began.Ignorance and arrogance are the artist and entrepreneur’s indispensable allies. She must be clueless enough to have no idea how difficult her enterprise is going to be—and cocky enough to believe she can pull it off anyway.How do we achieve this state of mind?By staying stupid. By not allowing ourselves to think.

A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate. (more…)

Libya’s Pathway to Peace

I.H.T. OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

By BARACK OBAMA, DAVID CAMERON, and NICOLAS SARKOZY
Published: April 15, 2011

Together with our NATO allies and coalition partners, the United States, France and Britain have been united from the start in responding to the crisis in Libya, and we are united on what needs to happen in order to end it.

Even as we continue our military operations today to protect civilians in Libya, we are determined to look to the future. We are convinced that better times lie ahead for the people of Libya, and a pathway can be forged to achieve just that.

We must never forget the reasons why the international community was obliged to act in the first place. As Libya descended into chaos with Colonel Muammar el-Qaddafi attacking his own people, the Arab League called for action. The Libyan opposition called for help. And the people of Libya looked to the world in their hour of need. In an historic resolution, the United Nations Security Council authorized all necessary measures to protect the people of Libya from the attacks upon them. By responding immediately, our countries, together with an international coalition, halted the advance of Qaddafi’s forces and prevented the bloodbath that he had promised to inflict upon the citizens of the besieged city of Benghazi. (more…)

What if David & Goliath Got Together?

Richard Canny is a very smart guy when it comes to cars and especially electric vehicles. He’s been a big cheese at Ford as well as CEO of Think, the funky EV company – he has been both David and Goliath.

So when he writes that the smaller electric vehicle companies and the big car manufacturers should consider going into partnership together we should take notice.

We’ve recently seen Modec go under, and soon Londoners won’t be able to buy the G-Whiz anymore. It would be a crying shame if the most pioneering EV brands failed for lack of muscle. 

Collaboration – not competition – is fast emerging as the default business operating system for those brands that are shaping the future. I don’t mean collaboration with consumers (like BMW’s new car share scheme) but producer collaboration (like Vattenfall and Volvo) - what we might call ‘upstream collaboration’ – sharing smarts, technology, r&d to forge new businesses and create new categories.

And when the collaborators are David and Goliath the potential is huge – Tesla + Daimler, AOL + Huffington,Green and Blacks + Cadbury, Unilever + Ben & Jerry’s, Will.i.am + Intel, Aardman + Sony, and not forgettingVice + WPP (the latter conjuring images of Sir Martin Sorrell at a rave).

It’s the new way of doing business.

Source: Wolf Olins