The VOCAL Times: Collaborative Creativity
A Pepsi lifestyle initiative, Project Cobalt is a new way of bringing creative people together through the power of collaboration. Its mission is to enable the next generation of creators by providing them with the tools, resources and platforms that they may not otherwise have, in order to help bring their vision to life.
Project Cobalt is a uniquely networked platform that accelerates the potential of young cre- ators to impact the world through the disciplines of fashion, art, music, lm, technology, and craft. The goal is to maintain an ongoing conversation with future generations who embody creative culture.
To launch the program, the strategic consul- tancy All Beuys Club oversaw the Cobalt Style initiative that fosters the best of young, visionary fashion assisted by the expert guidance and un- common insight of industry veterans. Known as the “Craft Class”, the rst young designer team was mentored under Jeff Staple, Liza Demeyrijan and Parke & Ronen to produce the Project Cobalt SS15 Collection. The success of the collection nods to the innovative approach of the initiative, as well as creativity and dedication of the young design team: Olu Alege and Edgar Garrido of Street Level Culture; Alexandra Kennedy, Samantha Giordano of Dolores Haze; and Drew Villani of Dreu.
Photos shot by William Yan, a photographer born and raised in New York City whose work extends to household names such as Heineken, Intel, Levi’s, Nike, New Era, New Balance, Oscar de la Renta, Supra, Timberland, and Vince among others. Look Book video shot by Everyday Won- ders, a full-service production company o ering a creative and collaborative approach to producing innovative content.
As part of their ongoing commitment to support young designers, Project Cobalt partnered with the three biggest fashion fairs: Capsule, Agenda and Liberty.
For the first-ever Men’s New York Fashion Week, Project Cobalt partnered with Capsule to present brands from around the globe in an event titled “A Snapshot of Modern Menswear”. The show at the Skylight Clarkson Square featured the brands Baartmans & Siegel of the UK, Black st of the U.S., CAMO of Italy, CMMN SWDN of Sweden, Matthew Miller of the UK, as well as Maiden Noir and Second Layer, both of the U.S. Each brand presented a sneak peek of five looks with highlight pieces from their Spring/Summer 2016 collections. The dream team behind the presentations consisted of talent caster Kevin Amato and Complex magazine’s fashion editor Mathew Henson as stylist.
Hosting the first all-day sponsored Agenda Emerge workshop, Project Cobalt provides both an interactive and educational experience for all aspiring youths looking to succeed in fashion. These unique series of presentations and panels host some of the most inspiring newcomer and veteran designers to inform and inspire the genius of tomorrow’s fashion leaders.
In partnership with Liberty fashion and life- style fairs, Project Cobalt provide resources to emerging brands and creatives showcased at for the rst time during Men’s Market Week. Founded in 2014 by menswear designer Jonathan Taylor, Moment Homme navigates directly to the spirit of the modern day consumer to demonstrate a global aesthetic that mixes classic American tailored pieces with denim with a strong Japanese influence.
CobaltStyle.com
Project COBALT is a uniquely networked platform dedicated to accelerating the potential of young creators to impact the world through the creative disciplines of fashion, art, music, film, technology, and craft. The goal is to maintain an ongoing conversation with future generations who embody creative culture.
As a Global Creative Network, Project COBALT Launches COBALT Style to Inspire and Realize the Potential of Emerging Fashion Designers.
Project COBALT is a uniquely networked platform dedicated to accelerating the potential of young creators to impact the world through the creative disciplines of fashion, art, music, film, technology, and craft. The goal is to maintain an ongoing conversation with future generations who embody creative culture.
As the kick-off for the greater platform, COBALT Style launches as the first of the creative initiatives that fosters the best of young, visionary fashion under the guidance of designers Jeff Staple and Liza Demeyrijan. In celebration, Street Etiquette is hosting an exclusive preview event on November 20 to showcase the overall vision of Project COBALT and the first of the COBALT Style collaborations.
Project COBALT is a network dedicated to accelerating the potential of young creators to creatively impact the world.
WHO:
Hosted by Street Etiquette. Performance by Lucas Walters. Founders Mentored by Jeff Staple and Liza Demeyrijan in partnership with Anthony Flores and Mathew Klein. Style pParticipants: Street Level Culture, Alexandra Kennedy and Dolores Haze. Performance by Lucas Walters.
WHAT:
The official launch of COBALT Style will be held at SoHo House in New York City as the exclusive debut for the fashion industry, hosted by Street Etiquette with sounds by DJ Lucas Walters. Featured will be the release of a collaborative line between COBALT Style and The Black Ivy capsule collection by Street Etiquette.
COBALT Style is designed to assist emerging designers in building a successful brand through the guidance of fashion industry leaders. Fashion Accelerator 360 and All Beuys Club agency have come together to build a program that stars fashion veterans as Mentors and aspiring designers as the Craft Class. Designers will partake in personalized business development with respected fashion entrepreneurs Jeff Staple and Liza Demeyrjian, as well as topical discussions and networking activities with fashion veterans such as Stephen Alan, Denise Willamson and Parke Lutter and Ronen Jehezel. The goal of COBALT Style goal is to empower young designers across multiple categories of fashion with the industry insights required to build a successful business.
COBALT Style is one of Project COBALT’s platforms embracing the cross-pollination of fashion, art, music, film, technology, and craft
WHERE:
SoHo House, 29-35 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
WHEN:
Thursday, November 20, 2014, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
For more information please visit www.cobaltstyle.com. For all media inquiries contact VOCAL.
The VOCAL Times – Aimé Leon Dore
Fueled by his own personal style, a creative eye and a strong work ethic, his brain child Aimé Leon Dore has made a worldwide impact since its release. With quality, comfort, and a minimal aesthetic at its core, Leon Dore has cemented itself as a brand with a uniquely refreshing take on product and presentation.
Teddy Santis is the designer and founder of Aimé Leon Dore, a fashion and lifestyle brand based out of New York City.
Born and raised in Queens, Teddy Santis grew up admiring great style and architecture which he coupled with an interest in fashion, footwear and streetwear. Teddy eventually turned his passions into a fashion / lifestyle brand a little over a year ago.
Fueled by his own personal style, a creative eye and a strong work ethic, his brain child Aimé Leon Dore has made a worldwide impact since its release. With quality, comfort, and a minimal aesthetic at its core, Leon Dore has cemented itself as a brand with a uniquely refreshing take on product and presentation.
Following the release of three successful collections and concept shops in Manhattan, London and Amsterdam, Santis’ young brand heads into 2015 with a seemingly unstoppable momentum and rapidly growing intrigue.
Photos by Justin Chung shot throughout Harlem.
Justin Chung is an American photographer based in New York City. Originally from San Francisco, CA, Justin began pursuing a career in photography while finishing his graduate studies in public health. Self-taught, Justin’s approach to his photography is to keep things as natural and honest as possible, focusing on capturing a moment.
Aside from his commercial assignments, Justin began documenting creative people as a personal fulfillment. Faculty Department is a personal photography project and visual journey by Justin Chung that focuses on the lives, spaces and stories of creative individuals worldwide.
Good Times International, Forecasts Kinfolk
Beginning with the release of their latest menswear collection, Kinfolk has engaged New York-based PR and Communications specialist agency VOCAL. “I’ve kept an admiring eye on Kinfolks movements over the years, and have always been a fan,” informs Sarah Bronilla, founder and CEO of VOCAL. “We’re very proud and excited to be formerly working with Kinfolk, and look forward to a lot of fun and success ahead.”
Kinfolk Appoints VOCAL NYC to Lead PR, and Releases an Extended Menswear Collection for AW16.
The creators of thoughtfully elegant lifestyle and product experiences, Kinfolk today announces the coming release of their Autumn/ Winter 2016 apparel collection. Melding a range of casual outerwear and knitwear along with iconic formal pieces, the Good Times International collection incorporates two capsule collaborations with La Paz (confirm link) and Cockpit USA for an unexpected contrast of styles that find harmony in astute design.
Kinfolk’s Good Times International release for AW16 draws inspiration from the terrifying and gritty play land of 1970’s New York, celebrating the fever pitch of culture and expression that would define the city’s future. The collection utilizes a muted yet crisp color palate that stays very true to New York classic fall imageries, creating a cohesive and functional range of garments that can be dressed both up and down. Key pieces fronting the collection include: the B10 Bomber jacket, a classic reenvisioned for today’s smart dresser; the Aspen Fleece, a hybrid item inspired by an oversize rugby shirt and the classic Patagonia pullover; the Baltimore four-pocket jacket, inspired by a vintage military piece we found during our design process, and is the perfect mix of a CPO military overshirt and a cotton coach jacket. Need a good summary to wrap collection.
Beginning with the release of their latest menswear collection, Kinfolk has engaged New York-based PR and Communications specialist agency VOCAL. “I’ve kept an admiring eye on Kinfolks movements over the years, and have always been a fan,” informs Sarah Bronilla, founder and CEO of VOCAL. “We’re very proud and excited to be formerly working with Kinfolk, and look forward to a lot of fun and success ahead.”
Born in 2008 as a collective from New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo, Kinfolk initiatives grow from the collection of locations the brand has established – the communal design studio in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, Kinfolk 90; their culinary and cocktail nightspot in Tokyo, Kinfolk Lounge; the bar and cocktail club that has grown into a multiuse creative space, Kinfolk 94; and, of course, The Kinfolk Store that has become one of the city’s most notable menswear boutiques.
Kinfolk apparel is available at their flagship storefront at 94 Wythe Ave. Brooklyn, NY
By Robert James
New York menswear house By Robert James has raised the bar in brand experience with a multi-channel retail and communications platform that envisions the future by embracing intimate customer connectedness. By Robert James draws heavily from community roots, living, producing and retailing in around New York City — furthering the involvement of customers and the public is a natural and strong step forward.
BY ROBERT JAMES RELAUNCHES WEBSITE TO SUPPORT ECOMMERCE AND NEW BROADCAST CENTER
New York menswear house By Robert James has raised the bar in brand experience with a multi-channel retail and communications platform that envisions the future by embracing intimate customer connectedness. By Robert James draws heavily from community roots, living, producing and retailing in around New York City — furthering the involvement of customers and the public is a natural and strong step forward.
After seven years of focusing on building a strong retail presence in Manhattan and Brooklyn, By Robert James has now incorporated this elevated service into a comprehensive website that is powered by inventory-rich ecommerce. In response to nation-wide and international demand, customers around the world now have 24/7 access to their favorite and latest By Robert James garments. To celebrate, 50 customers, friends and BRJ family will receive their own personal access code that grants them exclusive access, discounts and offers. In the spirit of community, each may share this code with their own people under the “Drop My Name” campaign that tallies the number of individual code shares to award the greatest with an enhanced preference program.
“Our fans and regulars are from all corners of the world; in many ways we’re a shopping destination as much as a neighborhood store,” informs namesake and designer Robert James. “With the new website we’re hoping to reconnect with some of our many friends from the past, and meet their friends in the process.”
By Robert James now has not just the technology, but also a space dedicated to supporting this vision of connectedness – the newly refurbished third floor of the flagship store in Manhattan’s Lower East Side has been converted into their Broadcast Center, where upcoming releases will be designed, shot and showcased. To showcase the space itself, the launch party for the new website will be held at the Broadcast Center on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 from 7-10 pm, at By Robert James, 74 Orchard Street, New York.
Introducing: Aimé Leon Dore
Created in 2014, Aimé Leon Dore is a fashion and lifestyle brand based out of New York City. With a strong focus on simple yet powerful design, they are driven to create timeless work by portraying an aesthetic that is uniquely their own.
Created in 2014, Aimé Leon Dore is a fashion and lifestyle brand based out of New York City. With a strong focus on simple yet powerful design, they are driven to create timeless work by portraying an aesthetic that is uniquely their own.
For their third collection release entitled 0214 New York – inspired by the New York that was and the New York that is – VOCAL supported Aimé Leon Dore's exclusive pop-up store cocktail launch. The collection consisted of fourteen exclusive pieces including outerwear, shirting, jeans, trousers, sweats and accessories, all of which are handcrafted in New York's historic Garment District. Previously only available through their online platform, New York City media, press and friendshad the unique opportunity to experience the full collection merchandised within a retail space.
Kinfolk AW16: Good Times International
As the creators of thoughtfully elegant lifestyle and product experiences, Kinfolk has announces the coming release of their Autumn/ Winter 2016 apparel collection. Melding a range of casual outerwear and knitwear along with iconic formal pieces, the Good Times International collection incorporates two capsule collaborations with La Paz and Cockpit USA for an unexpected contrast of styles that find harmony in astute design.
As the creators of thoughtfully elegant lifestyle and product experiences, Kinfolk has announces the coming release of their Autumn/ Winter 2016 apparel collection. Melding a range of casual outerwear and knitwear along with iconic formal pieces, the Good Times International collection incorporates two capsule collaborations with La Paz and Cockpit USA for an unexpected contrast of styles that find harmony in astute design.
Kinfolk’s Good Times International release for AW16 draws inspiration from the terrifying and gritty play land of 1970’s New York, celebrating the fever pitch of culture and expression that would define the city’s future. The collection utilizes a muted yet crisp color palate that stays very true to New York classic fall imageries, creating a cohesive and functional range of garments that can be dressed both up and down. Key pieces fronting the collection include: the B10 Bomber jacket, a classic reenvisioned for today’s smart dresser; the Aspen Fleece, a hybrid item inspired by an oversize rugby shirt and the classic Patagonia pullover; and the Baltimore four-pocket jacket, inspired by a vintage military piece found during the design process, and is the perfect mix of a CPO military overshirt and a cotton coach jacket. The Kinfolk FW16 collection marks a come back to classic American sportswear that blends perfectly with the 70’s New York storyline.
Born in 2008 as a collective from New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo, Kinfolk initiatives grow from the range of locations the brand has established: the communal design studio in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg, Kinfolk 90; their culinary and cocktail nightspot in Tokyo, Kinfolk Lounge; the bar and cocktail club that has grown into a multiuse creative space, Kinfolk 94; and, of course, The Kinfolk Store that has become one of the New York City’s most notable menswear boutiques. Kinfolk apparel is available at their flagship storefront at 94 Wythe Avenue Brooklyn, NY, as well as American Rag in LA and select retailers in Tokyo and London.
Project Cobalt Unveils the First Results of "Cobalt Style"
Project Cobalt announces their debut clothing collection to be release through Cobalt Style, the fashion division of their newly launched network of young creatives. Simply titled Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection, this highly inspired interpretation of timeless classics brings new life to old favorites with ingenious design concepts that appeal equally to the modern man and the modern woman.
Project Cobalt To Release Spring / Summer 2015 Collection Created by The Craft Class, Launching Worldwide on April 15.
Project Cobalt announces their debut clothing collection to be release through Cobalt Style, the fashion division of their newly launched network of young creatives. Simply titled Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection, this highly inspired interpretation of timeless classics brings new life to old favorites with ingenious design concepts that appeal equally to the modern man and the modern woman.
Cobalt Style is led by All Beuys Club to partner with designers across multiple categories of fashion, creating two distinct avenues through which the platform pushes innovative fashion design. The Design Lab initiative aligns with emerging yet accomplished fashion brands to develop unique collaborative collections, the first recently launched as The Black Ivy capsule collection by Street Etiquette. Parallel to this is the Accelerator Program that fosters the best of young, visionary fashion under the guidance of veteran mentors. Known as the Craft Class, this select group of inspired designers works together to create seasonal collections, the first of which debuts as Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection.
Inspired by a cool spring day in Brooklyn, Project Cobalt’s inaugural collection was conceived and created by an eclectic group of New York designers who are part of the Craft Class team: Olu Alege and Edgar Garrido of Street Level Culture; Alexandra Kennedy, Samantha Giordano of Dolores Haze; and Drew Villani of Dreu. Though hailing from a range of background but finding unity in a common ethos: beautifully simple clothing inspired by traditional silhouettes employing modern details and trims. The intent was to present Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection as androgynous and versatile; the perfect unisex collection drawn from a deep consideration of fashion, form and function.
Subtle and refined yet bold and confident, Project Cobalt’s first season is original – remarkably on trend while following no trends. Standout outerwear classics like the topcoat and bomber jacket have been reinvented and brought to life by lighter spring fabrics and a washed-out tonal color palette. Wardrobe staples such as the dress short encourage a new respect and inspired style for basics, constructed from a light-weight worsted wool blend that allows the slight detailing of measured cuff and extended rear-pocket tab closure to create sophistication in simplicity.
Uniquely networked to create a foundation from which to build Craft Class excellence, Project Cobalt is dedicated to accelerating the potential of young creators to impact the world through the creative disciplines of fashion, art, music, film, technology, and craft. As mentors within the Cobalt Style program, Jeff Staple, Liza Deyrmenjian and Parke & Ronen contribute invaluable experience and uncommon insight that not only guides the Craft Class to success but creates within them real possibility for fashion greatness.
Launching April 15, 2015, Project Cobalt's SS15 Collection is the first example of how the Cobalt Style program of counseled creativity can inspire and realize the potential of emerging young fashion designers and create a collection truly worth collecting.
For more information please visit style.projectcobalt.com.
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About Project Cobalt
Project Cobalt is a new way of bringing creative people together through the power of collaboration. Its mission is to enable the next generation of creators by providing them with the tools, resources and platforms that they may not otherwise have in order to help bring their vision to life. To help identify these young creators, Project Cobalt is working with a variety of industry experts across entertainment, fashion, technology and more.
Most Recent:
For the month of June, NYC Pride welcomes WorldPride as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and a half century of LGBTQI+ liberation. To celebrate this moment, The Ally Coalition have created an emotive community-driven sound and light experience featuring a soundscape by St Vincent, and generated by user messages. The experience is powered by Microsoft AI technology that explores powerful feelings of hope, anger, joy and determination.
London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London is continuing its collaboration with Microsoft to inspire the next generation to rethink, redesign and revolutionize the future of the fashion industry. Leveraging Microsoft’s cutting-edge Mixed Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and IoT technologies and LCF’s industry-defining mentors, selected students were invited to participate in a semester-long intensive course that culminates in a final showcase of their prototypes this June.
The Petersen Automotive Museum announced today that its upcoming “Hollywood Dream Machines: Vehicles of Science Fiction and Fantasy” exhibit will spotlight a unique and immersive mixed-reality experience powered by Microsoft HoloLens. The display, named “Hollywood Dream Machines: Worlds Reimagined,” will be centered around the iconic Time Machine from “Back to the Future” and the famed Warthog from the “Halo” franchise. Opening May 4, 2019, the experience will offer guests an inside look at these legendary sci-fi machines.
Sister City, a new, meticulously designed hotel in NYC that embraces technology to offer guests a modern respite, debuts a first-of-its-kind lobby music score. Inherent to Sister City’s founding ethos was the question of its sonic landscape — Sister City asks what new shapes music can take as a site-specific, living extension of the hotel, and looked to Brian Eno’s Music For Airports and John Cage’s concept for “4’33”” as touch points for these conversations.
We’re excited to announce a new action sports music festival Gnarlytown set for June 22 in San Pedro, CA, co-founded by veteran pro skateboarder Chris Cole in partnership with John Reese of SGE and Nitro Circus. Set at the scenic LA Waterfront Berth 46 in San Pedro, CA, Gnarlytown will combine the perfect blend of action sports, punk rock, and craft beer tasting.
Microsoft has announced another partnership through their ongoing In Culture program that supports today’s most innovative creatives, this time with English singer-songwriter and rising star NAO. Together they are producing a never-before-seen interactive and personal music video to support the “Orbit” track on her new album Saturn released late in 2018.