Weekly Digest
👑 J Balvin Reclaims His Throne
TLDR:
In our exclusive digital feature, the musician talks about his
return to superstar form, including an upcoming world tour, his first
time gracing Hollywood’s silver screens, and Balvin’s plans to “intern”
under Pharrell at Louis Vuitton.
Why
It Matters: Despite being a global sensation with the type of
schedule that would make the average person break out in sweats,
Balvin’s chilling because he knows he’s back on the throne. Not that he
ever left. But after four years off from releasing a proper full-length
record, 2024 marks a return to form for one of the most successful and
influential musicians currently working on the blue marble we call
Earth. As a 39-year-old family man, others might lose the script and sit
on their laurels. Balvin, however, is feeling fresh after his hiatus
from releasing records. He’s mastered work-life balance and is ready for
the next slew of milestones in his iconoclastic journey. Exuding a sense
of hard-earned wisdom and youthful curiosity, the Colombian legend
humbly explains how he maintains his perennial cool while also
spotlighting what’s new and next across culture.
Read the full article here.
🤩 Editors’ Picks: Our Favorite Sneakers of 2024
TLDR:
The final days of December are upon us and ’tis the season for
the Hypebeast team to come together and look back at which new sneakers
we enjoyed the most throughout the year.
Why
It Matters: 10 different footwear brands ended up making the
list, encompassing everything from Cecilie Bahnsen’s flower-covered
ASICS to Kyrie Irving’s debut lifestyle silhouette with ANTA. It’s no
secret that the sneaker industry is in desperate pursuit of newness.
While brands like On and HOKA have made breakthroughs, the styles
proposed failed to hold one's attention for long. That all changed when
POST ARCHIVE FACTION (PAF) entered the mix. Challenging the status quo,
ASICS and P. Andrade unveiled an original release that blends local
inspiration with global appeal. Rooted in the story of an Amazonian
beetle, this design captured another's attention with its mix of
innovation and cultural narrative, resulting in a sneaker that feels as
experimental as it is elegant. Each pair has a personal connection to
its owner and offers a glimpse behind the scenes at what styles captured
our attention in 2024.
Read the full article here.
🚪 Babylon Opens Its Doors in Harajuku, Tokyo
TLDR:
Hypebeast sits down with co-founders, Lee Spielman and Garrett
Stevenson to discuss everything from the new store design to dream
collabs and future plans.
Why
It Matters: On December 14, Babylon opened its first retail
location in Harajuku, Tokyo. Created by Lee Spielman and Garrett
Stevenson – members of the hardcore punk band Trash Talk - Babylon is a
street brand/store/community-based concept in Los Angeles. The
newly-opened Tokyo outpost marks the brand’s third store ever, but the
very first outside of the U.S. To commemorate the opening, a limited
collaboration with VERDY will be available at the new store, spanning a
black long-sleeve T-shirt, hoodie and T-shirt with Babylon and Wasted
Youth’s logos. In addition to that, a special edition Visty vinyl figure
is also revealed, coming in Babylon’s signature all-black color scheme.
Produced by SECRET BASE, the piece features a mix of matte and glossy
finishes that nod to the interior details of the new store.
Read the full article here.
🎁 Urban Outfitters’ Ultimate Anti-Hero Gift Guide with Jean-Luc
TLDR:
A gift guide unlike any other, this Anti-Hero holiday approach
provides the best gifts for even the trickiest of gifting situations.
Why
It Matters: We all know some holiday interactions are…well,
less than festive. That holiday party you’ve been reluctant to attend
because you might run into your ex (awkward!) or receiving your
fashionably challenged coworker for a Secret Santa gift trade — we could
go on and on, but we all know that sometimes, gifting to those who
aren’t necessarily on your “Nice List” can be a near impossible task.
There are plenty of gift guides out there, but why don’t we ever see any
of the best gift options for the least giftable people in your life? If
you want to steal the show at your next holiday party, Urban Outfitters
has it all — even gifts for your ex or your neighbor who needs some
hygienic help. Dive into them all below, in UO’s Anti-Hero Gift Guide
with Jean-Luc.
Read the full article here.
💵 Unboxing: On-the-Go Crypto Security Starts with Ledger Flex
TLDR:
In light of Ledger’s 10th anniversary, Hypebeast takes a deep
dive into its next generation of crypto wallets, discovering how
advancements in interface and physical design are supplementing users
with top-end asset security.
Why
It Matters: Having recently captured the user-friendly tech
behind the Ledger Stax, a new Unboxing video now explores the brand’s
recently released Ledger Flex. As its name suggests, the portable device
presents a noticeably compact design – built with a high-resolution 28”
E Ink touchscreen, an aluminum frame, and an anti-glare gorilla glass
screen cover – that flexes around on-the-go lifestyles with
well-considered ergonomics. Though small, the Ledger Flex is mighty in its security software offering. Similar to the 2022-released Ledger Stax, the model features a 24-word recovery system, a clear signing transaction feature, and the ability to pair to your smart device via the AI-powered Ledger Security Key app.
Read the full article here.
|
2023 Hypebeast Limited. All Rights
Reserved
Hypebeast, 40/F, Cable TV Tower,
No.9 Hoi Shing Road, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong
|
|
|
|
|
