Highsnobiety Podcasts

We explore the history of the functional menswear mainstay the Arctic Parka. From the Arctic Circle and Alaskan Oil workers to hip-hop heads and Raf Simons collectors, the highly coveted parka is the cherry on the outerwear pie. Join cultural archivists Samutaro and Too Hot Limited's Ollie Evans as we dive into the parka's origins, the reasons behind its popularity, and how its functionality has lead to its essential status in our closets over the decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2020, a celebrity fashion moment (or faux pas) can come at any given time or place. With the entire Internet eyeing their every move, there’s a really thin line between a star making a statement, like Missy Elliott’s blow-up suit from “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” or becoming a meme that will live forever in social media infamy, à la Fiji Lil Pump. In the latest episode of our podcast with PUMA, “Represent Yourself,” we caught up with the creative genius behind some of the most unforgettable red carpet and music video fashion moments of our lifetime, June Ambrose. Ambrose was heavily responsible for some of the stand out hip-hop styling moments of the ’90s and ’00s. Working alongside director Hype Williams, Ambrose put Busta Rhymes in space-age armor for the video of “What’s It Gonna Be?!” with Janet Jackson, she got Puff Daddy and Ma$e in shiny suits for “Mo Money Mo Problems” with Notorious B.I.G., and, of course, she blew up Missy Elliot to cartoonish proportions for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” Learn more

While the NBA stage has become a new runway for flexing fits and footwear of the latest pedigree, it would be a crime to forget New York Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier. We’re used to seeing players trying to get crazy with their looks nowadays, but nobody could rock a wide-brim hat right after calmly icing a game-saving shot quite like Clyde – all in the same sneakers, of course. In our latest podcast with PUMA, Represent Yourself, we sat down with the two-time NBA Champion to talk about his colorful suit collection, supreme confidence, and what all of these staples of Frazier’s persona mean as direct results of his experiences. Now the NBA broadcaster stunts a wardrobe stocked with more prints and patterns than you can shake a Suede at, but to understand Clyde today, you have to learn about young Walt and when he first moved to New York: “I liked the way the guys were dressing. I liked what was going on. Once I became more popular as a basketball player, when I used to go out I’m always dressed up. Once

Awake NY founder and former Supreme brand director Angelo Baque joins us on this week's episode to discuss the hottest news in fashion. After providing his opinion on some of the biggest product reveals in recent days, he takes the time to delve into his brand and the fashion industry as a whole. Baque and host Noah Thomas begin the podcast by discussing a number of new sneakers, ranging from the Air Force 1 winter boot and adidas' mule creation, to Cactus Plant Flea Market's rhinestone Dunks. The two then touch on Gucci and The RealReal's recently-announced secondhand initiative, Matthew Williams' debut Givenchy collection, and artists collaborating outside of their realm. Next, Baque discusses giving deeper meaning to collaborations and drawing from things that inspire him personally. He speaks on how products should bring awareness, as well as being able to appeal to multiple markets and age demographics by knowing who you are as a brand and remaining honest and sincere in the work. A significant portion o

Its as if the PUMA Suede has been with us for all time. The iconic Form Stripe set to a background of beautifully brushed suede has been flashing across our screens and consciousness’s generation after generation. From its inception as a basketball sneaker it has been behind the scenes of so many important cultural turning points, social movements and game-changing moments it’s hard to keep count. The Suedes timelessness is certainly down to its minimal aesthetic, but it also owes a lot to the pioneers that chose to wear the sneaker and represent themselves as key voices of their generation. To chart some of the most iconic Suede moments in history we are catching up with several of PUMA’s most legendary cultural figures in our Podcast series ‘Represent Yourself’ which kicks off with 1968 Olympic Gold medal winner, one of sports first activists and the inspiration behind PUMA’s #REFORM programme, Tommie Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have two special guests on this week's episode. First up, Highsnobiety Editor-in-Chief, Thom Bettridge, calls in to discuss the hottest news in sneakers, fashion, and beyond. And then hip-hop legend, DJ Paul, joins us to dish on his new podcast, Mafia Radio. Led by host Noah Thomas, Thom begins the show by providing his thoughts on a number of high-profile sneaker collaborations, ranging from Vivienne Westwood's new ASICS, to Grace Wales Bonner x adidas and Aimé Leon Dore's obscure New Balance project. Next, the two delve into Reebok's appointment of Kerby Jean-Raymond as its Global Creative Director and Tyler, the Creator's message to fans regarding voting in the upcoming election. DJ Paul then joins the program to speak on his new podcast on Hot New Hip Hop, called Mafia Radio. The show will include interviews with celebrities, discussions on everything from music and fashion, to cars, real estate, and politics, and stories from the man himself on the younger, wilder days of Three 6 Mafia. Elsewhere on T

Artist and owner of Babylon Cartel, Gianni Lee, joins us on this week's episode to discuss the latest topics in the Highsnobiety world. After delving into the current events, we then talk to GCDS creative director, Giuliano Calza, as he provides us with some background info on the label's recent digital fashion show. While speaking with Highsnobiety's Noah Thomas, Lee shares his thoughts on everything from Slam Jam's upside-down Swoosh Dunks and Dior's new mules, to Kanye West's YEEZY slides, our Colette, Mon Amour Tokyo merch, and the PlayStation 5 pre-order frenzy. He also touches on some of his most recent projects, including a limited edition rug. Next up, Giuliano Calza shares his thoughts on an unusual Milan Fashion Week, before delving into GCDS' SS21 showcase, which served as the first-ever digital fashion arcade. Admittedly excited about virtual shows, Calza feels the GCDS showcase was entirely on-brand for both himself and the label. He has been into cartoons for years, so creating such an otherworl

This week's episode welcomes guests Jeff Chang and Favianna Rodriguez of the Cultural New Deal. The organization serves as a call for each of us to transform our personal, institutional, and global thinking in the pursuit of cultural and racial justice. Before diving into the meat and potatoes of the conversation, Jeff and Favianna provide us with some additional background on the Cultural New Deal. Talk then shifts to the artists and culture bearers of color, whose voices have been excluded from the arts and culture sector in the United States. As the Cultural New Deal aims to revitalize arts and culture in the US, and center the voices of those previously unheard, the organization is providing steps on how to work towards racial reconciliation. This begins by thinking locally and giving people the tools to organize. Throughout the episode, you will find out how to get involved with the Cultural New Deal and hear more on regaining communities by both organizing and promoting people of color. Press play above

Zach Macklovitch and Nathan Gannage of Saintwoods join us on the latest episode to talk the hottest products in fashion. Led by host Noah Thomas, the podcast kicks off with a discussion on the best sneakers to pop up in recent days, followed by commentary surrounding some key streetwear collaborations. After providing listeners with a bit of background on their multifaceted outfit, Zach and Nathan give their thoughts on Bottega Veneta’s couch-like loafers that are perfect for office wear in the winter. From there, talk transitions to Hender Scheme and The North Face's new must-have release, which blends utility and style. This week's fashion news centers around a series of streetwear collabs from Virgil Abloh's Off-White™️ and Stüssy, Palace and Happy Mondays, and Supreme and Yohji Yamamoto. We also discuss this year's CFDA Fashion Awards winners to round out the segment. Press play above to hear Zach Macklovitch and Nathan Gannage of Saintwoods delve into the latest in footwear and fashion, and be sure to st

Actress Kiersey Clemons joins us today on the latest episode. Clemons, who plays Shoshanna Meadows in new horror-thriller Antebellum, takes some time to touch on the parallels between Black horror films and racism in America. Led by Jordan Peele, the Black thriller genre has gradually transitioned into the mainstream, as stories of Black individuals being terrorized by white people ultimately mirror the horrifying experience of being Black in America today. During the podcast, Clemons delves into how Hollywood previously chronicled such narratives using a lens of comedy through shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Elsewhere in the episode, the Antebellum actress discusses her affinity for secondhand clothing and how she recently gave away a portion of her own wardrobe to fans on Instagram. In closing, she shares how her mood admittedly affects what she chooses to wear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For over a decade, SoundCloud has been a proving ground for up-and-coming artists looking to make it big in the music industry. From musicians like Post Malone and Kehlani to Billie Eilish and Lil Uzi Vert, the platform has been crucial for artists and fans alike looking to discover new music. On today’s episode of Vibe Check, we speak with Leon Sherman, the global editorial director at SoundCloud, as well as Orlando Urbina and Marshall Tan, founders of Washington, DC-based company GRVTY, as they discuss the inspiration behind their new fashion collaboration and how it came to fruition. The collab is all part of SoundCloud’s plan to inspire creativity and empower its community during these times of increased isolation from the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WhenSmokeClears® is a jewelery and fashion brand based in Los Angeles. Known for their varsity cardigans and “Radiant Heart” patches, the label was nearly destroyed in the nascent stages of their growth when a blaze took over the team’s apartment in their former New York base. Now, true to its name, the brand is thriving in LA, where it’s made the “Radiant Heart” logo a signature part of its aesthetic; one that speaks to the ability to overcome adversity by radiating love and positivity. You can check out their online store (and a new pair of patchwork-detailed jeans) here. We invited founders of the brand Thermal and Ksace to join host Noah Thomas to weigh in on some of the week’s hottest releases: the paisley Community Garden Dunks (“they look like something John Mayer would like”), Reebok’s divisive spin on the Chelsea boot, YEEZY slides, Vetements’ self-troll, Travis Scott’s high-calorie collab with McDonald’s, and Virgil Abloh’s new Mercedes. We also answer our deceptively simple QOTW: “High tops or Low

This week we welcome rapper, producer, singer and songwriter, and record label owner Hit-Boy. Hit-Boy’s moniker isn’t even remotely hyperbolic, the California-born producer’s credits include Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “N***** in Paris”, “Trophies” by Drake, “Clique” by GOOD Music, “Racks in the Middle” by Nipsey Hussle, “Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott, and “Sorry” by Beyoncé, among many others. On top of those certified platinum and Grammy-award winning records, Hit-Boy has just executively produced King’s Disease, the thirteenth studio album by Nas which dropped last month. For this week’s Vibe Check, Hit-Boy calls in from lockdown to chat with Noah Thomas about his super-producer status and finding things to celebrate while in a state of lockdown –such as spending time with his 5-month old son – and reflecting back on those “Wow, I really made it” moments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For almost 40 years, Tommy Hilfiger has changed how young people around the world dress. Pushing the boundaries of what a fashion business looks like commercially as a true global brand that just last year generated $4.7 billion dollars in revenue. Business aside, the storied American brand reshaped what, and especially who, drove influence among youth culture. He was a pioneer in seeing musicians, especially hip hop artists, as powerful marketing vehicles that could culturally, and financially, create value for the business. First it was Grand Puba from hip hop band Brand Nubian, who shouted out the brand in a song with Mary J. Blige. Then came the rest. Britney Spears, Lenny Kravitz, Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Snoop Dogg the list goes on. Remember, this was at a time when fashion brands refused to work with hip hop artist, dismissing them as drivers of youth culture, and believing a too close association with predominantly black artists would be brand dilution. How times have changed for the better. I called

On this week’s episode, we spotlight a number standout sneaker releases. Maison Margiela just debuted a luxe reinterpretation of the Air Jordan 4, while fragment design is prepping the release of a pair of Air Jordan 3s. Reebok will soon be delivering two fall-appropriate colorways of its new lifestyle sneaker, the Premier Road Modern, an inline silhouette that is definitely worthy of a cop. In other sneaker-related news, adidas’ Jon Wexler has left the brand to join Shopify. Wex is largely responsible for bolstering the brand’s roster of ambassadors, having added Kanye West, Pharrell, and Beyoncé — just to name a few — to the Three Stripes team during his tenure. Also, we continue our discussion surrounding Walter Van Beirendonck’s criticism of Virgil Abloh, which is hypocritical at best. The episode comes to a close as we segue from Neymar’s potential deal with PUMA to ask our listeners what sportswear brand they would want to be sponsored by. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we welcome Dexton Deboree, a filmmaker, branded content creator, and founder of Falcon content, Deboree has had the pleasure of working with a number of high-profile names from the Highsnobiety world, ranging from Virgil Abloh and Kim Jones, to Serena Williams and Michael Jordan. We begin our time with Dexton as he details how he’s been keeping his creative juices flowing during the pandemic. In between meditating, journaling, and reading, he admits he’s made a concerted effort to get a few ‘fits off, even if just for drives or walks. Deboree has had a hand in some of the most noteworthy projects from the past few years, including the Dior x Jordan campaign and Unbanned: the Legend of AJ1, the documentary exploring the history of the Air Jordan 1. During the podcast, he dishes on these initiatives, while also teasing his next documentary centered around one of the NBA’s hottest rookies. Elsewhere in the episode, Deboree delves into his filmmaking process, how he manages to land such coveted gigs, an

Spanish footballer player Hector Bellerin plays for both the Spanish national team and London footbal club Arsenal where he’s known for his attacking defense style of play. On the field, he’s known as one of the fastest players in the world, who just this month won his third FA Cup at Arsenal. Off the field, there’s a completely different side to Bellerin. He’s incredibly vocal about environmental issues in his interviews, frequently attends fashion shows, just last year he walked Louis Vuitton’s men’s show, after being hand selected by its Virgil Abloh and he was instrumental in making LA streetwear brand 424 the exclusive off-field outfitter of Arsenal. His public persona is in stark contrast to what we’re often used to from football players. He drives an electric car, he strictly buys vintage, and in his free time is taking a fashion business course. He says that Hector Bellerin on the field needs to be balanced with Hector Bellrin off the field for when the day comes when he does retire. I wanted to dig

In the metaphorical sense, Jaden Smith lives on his own planet. And, all things considered, who wouldn’t want to astral project somewhere else? Between the global pandemic and racial reckoning, it feels like Planet Earth as we know it is in shambles and nobody knows where to even start cleaning it up. Our interview happens to fall on what would have been the late Oluwatoyin Salau’s 20th birthday while also coinciding with natural disasters like Hurricane Laura and the California wildfires. The next day, news of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman dying from colon cancer sends shockwaves across the Internet. But in spite of a persona built on being perpetually spaced out, Smith himself feels the grief of these events like a weighted blanket of sadness. He’s been aware of this messy reality pretty much his entire human existence, but recognizes that this traumatic moment is a massive wake-up call for people who “wanted to turn a blind eye to racism and try to ignore it.” And yet, the most turbulent times are w

Leading the way is Lucien Clarke x Louis Vuitton, as Virgil Abloh tapped the London-based skateboarder to help design the fashion house's first-ever skate shoe. Civilist’s Nike SB Dunk is another high-profile skate sneaker that's on the way, while Snow Peak has teamed up with New Balance for a three-in-one footwear collab that just makes sense. And let's not forget Virgil's forthcoming Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. We really hope it doesn't come with a huge red zip-tie. On the style front, we take some time to discuss NEIGHBORHOOD's FW20 collection that just dropped, as well as Aimé Leon Dore's new campaign starring friends and family of the brand. Also, is Dior Homme making its own movie? We think we deserve that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had the pleasure of speaking with the founder and CMO of Miilkiina, Nadia Azmy and Maria Alia. Miilkiina is a new digital media space and creative agency that spotlights global tastemakers and trailblazers and focuses on underrepresented identities. Azmy and Alia have a renewed appreciation for the internet and social media during a time when physical interaction has been drastically reduced due to the pandemic. During the podcast, they discuss the power of the internet and how their reach has been able to expand amid the coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever, Miilkiina is bringing in creatives from all over the world to have specific conversations that may not have been previously possible. Miilkiina is a space for everybody, something Azmi and Alia wish they had access to earlier on in their careers. Here, they also delve into how they broke into the creative industry and what it takes to follow similar pursuits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices