Today I went out to Oakland to meet up with our Burton and Analog reps to check out the Fall 2010 apparel collections.  Most of the time its a bit of a hassle to go to these meetings when most of the buying happens at tradeshows or from the catalog, but I really like going out to met our peeps at Burton because they are really nice, they work out of an amazing showroom filled with awesome snowboards and cool clothing, and it s close by.  The big loft space is pretty much exactly what I hope to move into some day for hoodiepeople HQ.  The pictures above are Burton’s new retro ad campaign that I really liked and the last pic (second row on right) is of two really old Burton Snowboards, literally some of the first ones ever made.  Apparently the owner of Big Dreams is a huge collector and the boards are worth a few grand each.  Thats it for now, a little slice of life at hoodiepeople.com.

Tags: Big Dreams, burton, Burton retro ads

hoodiepeople.com asked friend and “Purpose Finder” Jullien Gordon to take a quick break from his nationwide college tour to give our readers some helpful information on how to achieve success.  Jullien Shared with us the following tip on “networking”.  For more of Jullien’s work, check him out at Purpose Finder

True networking is all about facilitating a new flow of energy. It is about creating a channel and currency between two energetic beings that is mutually beneficial to both sources. Oftentimes we qualify our ability to network by the number of business cards we have sitting on our desk at home, but that is a false measurement. Our social capital is our ability to mobilize our network to move in a unified direction, whether it is by garnering (social, intellectual, or financial) resources from them and/or their networks.

The key to developing more social capital is learn how to plug in. Plugging in is 20% about what you say when you actually meet someone for the first time and 80% about what happens afterward. We have 4 choices when we meet someone new:

1. 2-way: They plug into what we’re doing and we also plug into what they’re doing
2. 1-way: They plug into what we’re doing only
3. 1-way: We plug into what they’re doing only
4. No way: No exchange (except meaningless business cards)

In order to effectively plug in, there are a few things that you should do.

1. Have a story to tell.

When someone asks you “What do you do?” don’t just give them your job title (ie doctor, lawyer, banker). Instead, share your purpose with them. The more clear you are, the easier it is for your new friend to hear where they can plug-in to what you’re doing.

2. Ask about their story.

Honestly, I suggest asking questions into you find a deeper bond and a compelling reason for the two of you to plug-in to each other’s lives afterward. If after interviewing the person you still can’t find a link inlet or outlet, think of all of your friends that this person could potential plug-in with.

3. Have something to give.

By giving them something (anything) you automatically activate the law of reciprocity. When people receive something for free, they feel inclined to give back. Lasting relationships start with small commitments and exchanges that get bigger over time. Simple gifts to consider include referrals to a person, website, organization, event, or book that you think is relevant to them or a genuine affirmation about them and their purpose.

4. Have something to recruit to.

Always have an upcoming opportunity to deepen their relationship with you like a monthly dinner at your house or a current project. Make them say “no”. (Note that it is harder for people to say “no” if you’ve done #3.) By inviting them into your world, they will get an opportunity to know you more intimately by seeing you in your element which will deepen the relationship.

Everyone has inlets and outlets that may energize you. Don’t let another potentially beautiful relationship pass you by without trying to plug-in.

By   Jullien Gordon

www.julliengordon.com

http://www.facebook.com/jullien

While its a bit of a stretch to think Spring is here we are starting to see the early spring deliveries come in and we can’t wait any longer to announce a few of the major new brands joining the hoodiepeople family.  The fall and holiday seasons were very big and we launched nearly 10 new brands in November and December 2009 alone, including Marc Ecko, Famous Stars, Playback Clothing, Diamond Supply Co., Elm, Supra, KR3W and more.  It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t open 2010 with the same intensity.

So what fresh brands are launching on hoodiepeople.com Spring 2009?  Here are a few to wet your hoodie appetite:

Tokidoki is one of the hottest brands in the world right now and started as a personal website of founder and creative mastermind  Simone Legno. After moving from Rome to LA Legno has built an entire world of Tokidoki including some of most sought after collaborations in the universe with names like Karl Lagerfield, Hello Kitty and new for spring 2010 Marval. www.tokidoki.it

We all remember original Penguin polos from back in the day, and the brand has stayed true to its design roots and is once again making a huge splash.  Original Penguin perfectly balances quirky 70’s colors and patters with modern cuts and a major emphasis on quality fabrics and construction.  The 2010 lines from Penguin look amazing and we are extremely happy to have fresh Penguins hoodies for you. www.originalpenguin.com

Hailing from Sweden and originally making aa name for themselves with their epic headphones WeSC WeAretheSuperlativeConspiracy has been growing like crazy in the US over the past 5 years and is already a major player in Europe.  They describe the brand as  a Street-Fashion brand for Intellectual Slackers and they have gained a loyal global fan base by staying very true to the brands focus and working alongside freinds and fans to promote it. The apparel is extremely current on a global scale and reaches people with a very positive and unique message. www.wesc.com

What I like most about each of the new brands is that they all have a strong cult following of real like minded people that love the style and lifestyle and get out in the streets to represent it.  The authenticity of the three brands has obviously contributed to their success and helps them stay real through the growth.  Additionally each of the brands does a lot of cool work with hoodies and offers customers something unique, style driven, and cool. Big thanks t all the peeps we have been working with at Penguin, WeSc, and Tokidoki.

Tags: hoodies, new spring hoodies, original penguin, tokidoki, WESC

Let’s welcome Rocawear to hoodiepeople.com! Created by Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records in 1999, Rocawear is hip hop clothing done right. We’re getting started by featuring their 10th Anniversary Diamond Collection hoodies. The Metro hoodie has an angled zip up design, lined hood, and a pieced together body which actually came out perfectly.

The Diamond hoodie is a basic zip up featuring a fashionable heather charcoal color with finishing details like a custom zipper pull, drawcords, and leather 10th anniversary chest label. Check out these hoodies and more on www.hoodiepeople.com

Tags: diamond celebration, hoodiepeople.com, hoodies, rocawear

New Alpinestars Championship Series Hoodies

Alpinestars launched the Championship Series hoodies in 2009 reaching back to the brands deep roots in motorcycle racing.  Def capturing the spirit of the track and winners circle.  Check out the all the fresh new Astars hoodies at hoodiepeople.com.

Tags: alpinestars, alpinestars hoodies, astart hoodies, championship series

It may be snowy, rainy and all around stormy out there right now but the good folks at Dub Wise Clothing are delivering the heat with their latest jacket designs. Each piece is meticulously styled and customized to deliver exceptional freshness. Dub Wise is a small but very well respected clothing company based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each season they create a limited collection of Island and Rasta inspired clothing for men and women.

The Rip Stop Hoodie (pictured left) is a medium weight jacket with bomber jacket look in brushed cotton with ribbed cuffs and waist. The colors are super versatile and the overall design is super clean. Check out all the pics and details here, its $80 and there are only a limited number available.

On the right is the Summer Rip Hoodie, which is a little bit lighter weight and features cool red, yellow, gold military style stripes on the shoulders and an amazing stitched outline lion design on the back. Again the style is super clean and understated with some sharp design features that come together to make it original Dub Wise. The Summer Rip hoodie is $80 as well and also very limited.

Big thanks to our freinds at Dub Wise for keepin it so fresh with their designs and continuing to deliver amazing hoodies for the people.

Tags: dub wise, Dub Wise Clothing, dub wise hoodies, Dub Wise Rip Stop, Dub Wise Summer Rip hoodie, island style clothing, rasta, rastafarian clothing

Massive Upper Playground hoodie drop at hoodiepeople.com

Last week we launched a huge collection of new Upper Playground hoodies for Guys and Girls.  Taking from the many amazing artist brands that make up the Upper Playground collective including superFishal, Estevan Orial, Fifty24SF Gallery, we now have a hugely expanded and eclectic selection of fresh fresh fresh new hoodies for you to check out.  The Upper Playground movement remains strong with an ever expanding array of amazing new artists contributing to the cause by producing distinctly modern urban inspired art across a wide variety of mediums.  On the clothing side, each hoodie not only has a dope graphic or design but is constructed with superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.  If many of today’s brands seem watered down and boringly mainstream, you will def love Upper Playground’s fiercely independent, often controversial design style.

Check out all our Upper Playground hoodies

Mens Upper Playground Hoodie

Womens Upper Playground Hoodie

Tags: artist hoodies, Estevan Orial, Fifty24 Gallery, scooter hoodies, superfishal, upper playground, upper playground hoodies

New brands at hoodiepeople.com: PlayBack Clothing

Based in Brooklyn New York, PLAYBACK clothing is a different kind of eco/sustainable clothing brand.  Rather than taking on “organic” approach that is cool but can also have only a marginally less negative environmental impact.  Playback clothing makes 100% recycled clothing.  Additionally Playback hoodies aren’t just “eco” they are very stylin and extremely well made.

Check the two Inside Stripe hoodies for guys.

PLAYBACK Hodies for girls are equally fresh if not even a little fresher. The contrasting colors and fitted cuts are a step above the standard solid hoodie, perfect for hitting the grocery store, park, or yoga class and lookin cute with no fuss.

Check out the full collection of PLAYBACK Hoodies for guys and girls here. We’ve got them all at $49.00, which is the lowest price you’ll find anywhere, so go ahead get yourself a sweet new 100% Recycled, 100% fresh new hoodie. Welcome to hoodiepeople.com PLAYBACK, we are stoked to have the brand and will continue launching more of their hoodies in the near future.

Tags: eco hoodies, girls eco hoody, inside stripe hoody, Playback clothing, Playback hoodies, recycled hoodies

Marc Ecko Cut & Sew Hoodies are def a favorite here at hoodiepeople, each season they do lots of styles and each one stands out as a unique hoody.  The holiday hoodie collection from Marc Ecko has just dropped at hoodiepeople.com.  We’ve got three different but equally fresh new hoodies for you to check out.  These hoodies are built for holiday weather, a little bit heavier weight and perfect for layering.  From a graphics standpoint the new Secret Society hoodie is amazing, the big Scissor print on the back is an amazing image, def going to be a fav amongst fashion heads. My personal pick is the My Guy hoodie, its simple yet super fresh with cool faux leather elbow patches and piping on the front zipper and around the hoodie. Throw in a little contrast plaid lining in the hood and you’ve got a completely fresh hoodie.  Check out the new collection below, let us what you think in the comments.

Marc Ecko Secret Society Hoodie

Marc Ecko Advance Hoodie

Marc Ecko My Guy Hoodie

Check out all our Marc Ecko Cut & Sew and Ecko Unltd hoodies here. Still have a few days to shop with guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve, and you can save 15% off any hoodie with coupon code: HoodyHolidayz

Tags: marc ecko cut and sew, marc ecko hoodies, streetwear hoodies, urban hoodies

I know ice cream is not the first thing that comes to mind in this burrr cold weather but there are some of us that have that extra sweet tooth. This holiday Upper Playground collaborated with an organic creamery in San Francisco called Three Twins and made their own  “Walrus” grey ice cream, flavored with chocolate cookies and almond. If  your local go indulge and satisfy your sweet tooth @ 254 Filmore Street.

Shop Upper Playground Hoodies at www.hoodiepeople.com

Tags: hoodiepeople.com, hoodies, three twins ice cream, upper playground, walrus ice cream