Sneaker Lust: Diadora The Queen 70

Diadora The Queen 70

Sneaker Lust: Diadora The Queen 70

After a month or so of sneaker hiatus, I've decided not to succumb to the hype. I'm sick of it. I'm tired of playing the game I can't play. I'm sticking to the classics.

Ever since the adidas Tubular released, I was only able to take a few photos. There were no more sizes. And the black cw was zip. Everybody went crazy! So I kept cool and said to myself, "nope, I'm done. Go on looking like everyone else. I won't." That is why, I'm going old school. Something more subtle yet cool enough to still make a statement. I still love sneakers, don't get me wrong, I'm going against the hype. 

Anyway, I'm Sneaker Lusting on this one! The Queen 70 reminds me of Nike's Montreal Racer. Simple, stylish and classic. I have found my silhouette and I'm sticking to it. Too bad, this is no longer available. I saw one in Rakuten but they don't ship to Manila. Ouch. I'll just see you when I see you.

Less Talk. More Juants.

Mr. Kamote

Photo Credit: Kicksonfire and EUKicks

adidas Tubular

adidas Tubular

Quoting SneakerFreaker, it is truly a "Minimalist Masterpiece", a definite JUANT. No doubt!

What I like about the overall concept is the modernness of it. It might not be a classic silhouette that I usually look for but in an Industrial Designer's point of view, the design is awesome! Yeah, it might be patterned from the Y-3 Qasa, so what?!

I also have a few dislikes about the Tubular - the leather parts at the upper and heel counter. From a far, I'm sorry to say this but it looks off. If only they had done it like the toe box design print, this would have been more awesome! Also, I think the tongue is a little too high. Don't get mad at me, this is just what I think, ok? Who am I to judge anyway. I still love the Tubular!

The Tubular is coming real soon and will be made available worldwide! According to theshoegame.com, it's gonna be sold at $110. I need to see it up close before I make a purchase. I'm still in love with my SL Loop anyway.

Check out SneakerFreaker's interview with the man behind the adidas Tubular, Nic Galway here. He's my new design hero, by the way.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: SneakerFreaker

Nike Cortez Classic Nylon (Womens...pfft)

Nike Cortez Classic Nylon (Womens...pfft)

Umm... Why, Nike... Why? Why release my Sneaker Lust, my ULTIMATE JUANT in women's sizes only? Why is it only available at Suppa in GERMANY?! Talk about torture!!!

Ugh... Just look at the beauty of its simplicity. There may be a lot of awesome sneakers out there but this one is at the top of my list. To be honest, I can be happy with just this one (but with a lifetime supply HA!). I don't care about other sneakers, anymore. I want you Cortez!!! 

Restock... Please.

If you love the Cortez and have the same cravings as I do, check out Suppa, here.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: Suppa

Nike Cortez Basic Nylon '06

Nike Cortez Basic Nylon '06

Sneaker Lust: Nike Cortez

If you could have your own shoe, your official shoe, your signature shoe, what would it be?

Mine will definitely be the Cortez. I have been juanting this ever since! (Thanks to Proline Sports Center in Rockwell Powerplant, I was able to find a pair!) This is my ultimate JUANT! Nike, if you happen to come across this blog, please please please please please bring back the Cortez! PLEASE RESTOCK!!!

What I really like about the Cortez is the classic silhouette. It's so simple but it just speaks to me. I love it! You can never go wrong with this pair. Just pop on your favorite shirt and jeans and let the shoes do the talking!

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: EUkicks.com

Milanos

Milanos

I didn't know my office shoes looked like a dolphin.

It's been awhile since my last post because I haven't found anything interesting to talk about. There wasn't a JUANT! What?! 

Then this happened yesterday. Pfft. But with this happening to me early in the morning, I was able to come up with my own 10 commandments for buying shoes. It may apply to you or not but I will certainly follow these rules from now on!

10 commandments for Buying Shoes

1. Thou shall not buy cheap ass shoes, you'll regret it (photo above). Instead of saving, you're wasting your money.

2. Thou shall sleep on a desired pair. When you wake up and still want it and can't get your mind off of it, do it.

3. Thou shall not covet thy neighbors shoes, find your own pair and make it yours. But it never hurts to like their photos! Make them feel good.

4. Thou shall keep shoes clean, it reflects your personality. Take care of them, you'll never know when is the next "GO" signal!

5. Thou shall not spend on stupid expensive ones, you can buy a lot with that amount and

you'll be much happier. Unless you're rich then go right ahead!

6. Thou shall invest on quality, and not the name. There are far more affordable shoes with great quality. The name comes second.

7. Thou shall make your partner know about the shoes you want, if they recognize it and like it too, isn't it sexy? Am I correct or am I right?

8. Thou shall purchase the right size for you, sales people may have opinions but you should know what you need.

9. Thou shall know what you want and don't go with the hype. Don't buy it just because it's a new drop and everybody wants it, you'll end up looking like everybody else. AND AND AND you'll just be disappointed if it's out of stock in a matter of minutes.

10. Thou shall thank the person/people who bought you shoes. They love you that much.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: 1st photo by yours truly, 2nd photo from tumblr

Kanye West by The Sartorialist

Kanye West by The Sartorialist

Ok, it's either you love Ye or you hate Ye.

I kinda like the old Kanye, more dapper. Not the layer after layer after layer after layer. This is definitely one of my favorite looks of Yeezus.

Again, this look is not for all, and that is why I like it a lot! Rolled up sleeves, long back, crisp white shirt, so much win! I JUANT this shirt! Imma make this happen. I just need a sip of confidence and head over to my favorite tailor this weekend. If only I had done this a few weeks back, this could have been my halloween costume. Although, I don't have any parties to go to, I can still rock it any day.

Thank you Mr. West.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: The Sartorialist

Puma Disc Rendering

Puma Disc Rendering

I really really really enjoyed my manual rendering and freehand drawing classes. The students were super talented!

The freehand class were freshmen, straight from high school with minimal experience in drawing. They have God-given talent alright, but needed guidance and development.

The manual rendering class, on the other hand, was a mix of sophomores and juniors. A little stubborn but they so do have skills! 

So I was just rendering away (image above) as they were busy doing their plates when one student saw what I was doing and approached me, "Sir, what is that?!" With big, round, enthusiastic eyes, they all looked and wanted me to teach them how to use Kurecolor markers. This was the freehand class, by the way. I said, "Sure, if you finish your plates on time, I'd be glad to."

I asked both my classes before the term ended and asked them, "Did you ever think that you could do this and be this good?" They said in reply, "Umm... no sir. Thanks to you, now we can!"

I'm not here to brag but I'm glad I was able to encourage, develop, and guide my students in the most creative way I can. Oh, and that moment when they say "thank you, sir" before stepping out of the class room for the last time, was the best feeling ever.

Thank you God for making me an instrument of creativity, and using me to help and guide these students. Until the next opportunity.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

I'm Mr. Kamote, and I'm a frustrated sneaker designer.

A Rough Sketch of the Nike Cortez

I'm Mr. Kamote, and I'm a frustrated sneaker designer.

This was a sketch done a while back when I was teaching manual rendering and freehand drawing to future Industrial Designers at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde. I had a blast teaching young, driven, enthusiastic sponges with what I have learned as a student and experienced as a professional. I hope I could teach again someday. My students miss me. Aww.

This was the time when I was sneaker lusting for the Cortez. I couldn't find a decent pair anymore, anywhere in the Philippines, until my wife and I went to Rockwell Powerplant Mall. My wife was in the salon and I had nothing else to do. I wasn't really expecting anything from PROLINE sports store, it was more of a golf store than a sneaker store, although it has some new ones like Roshe Runs and Pegasus. So I happily went in.

Do you remember that moment when Jake Shuttlesworth came into the store to buy a fresh pair of Jordan XIs? That look on his face! I was like, sh*t, I'm never letting you go. You are mine. Best thing about it, it was on sale at Php 1,700+!!! So I ran back to my wife, politely asked for her permission (yes, you need to do that when you're married), and that sweet sound of "GO!" was just music to my ears.

Tried it. Bought it. Happy Kamote!

If it's meant for you, it will present itself to you. Just be ready to have cash.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

adidas SL Loop Runner Trail

adidas SL Loop Runner Trail

As per Sneakerpedia's definition, SL stands for Super Light. Well, mine stands for Sneaker Lust!

Demmet, this has taken over the place of my sneaker lust for the Nike Cortez! I think I may have decided too early to stick with subtle colors but this one is just too awesome!!! That sole, that speckled sole. That red, speckled awesomeness of a sole!!! Ugh. I. JUANT. YOU. RIGHT. NOW!!!

More on this beautiful creation at freshnessmag and is readily available online at adidas. Priced at $75, what more can you ask for?!

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year, I'd like to have a size 10 with both color ways please? Thank you.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: freshnessmag.com

Overkill x KangaROOS Coil R1 "Abyss Flip"

Overkill x KangaROOS Coil R1 "Abyss Flip"

It's a little weird if there's a kangaroo on your feet and not the usual swoosh, three stripes, N, etc. This one, definitely, is an exception.

Ok, why is it an exception? It's a collab with Overkill, it's aqua, the silhouette is classic and it's not for everybody, and the quantity is limited to 50 pairs individually numbered! Talk about exclusivity.

More on this online at Overkill's and hypebeast (my daily source of sneaker oxygen).

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: hypebeast

Native Shoes "Apollo Hand Dyed" Collection

Native Shoes "Apollo Hand Dyed" Collection

Native Shoes has finally caught my attention. The grey one just greeted me with "come and get me."

I like them all three. I JUANT them all!!! One for casual, another one for everyday use and the other for office. Yeah why not?! This limited edition will certainly be flying off the shelves at select retailers when it releases this coming November.

More on these Native awesomeness at hypebeast.com.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: hypebeast

Mr. Kamote's Top 10 Basketball Sneakers

Mr. Kamote's Top 10 Basketball Sneakers

Grade School and High School was the time when us kids wanted nothing but basketball sneakers. We wanted the freshest pair. We wanted the craziest. We wanted to look cool on and off the court. We wanted to be popular.

Gone are the days when I went crazy over them. I rarely get excited about basketball shoes now because there's no more MJ, CB, Pip, GP that ruled the hardwood floor. BUT, there are some exceptions like KB and KD, of course.

Talking about my own Top 10 basketball sneaks is kinda hard because I have a lot in mind. There are a lot of JUANTS but these 10 are sure fire my favorite pairs.

1. Nike Air Force Max - Worn by Sir Charles and the Michigan Fab5, this pair is no doubt my all time favorite. I used to be at the power forward position but then some kids woke up and decided to be taller all of a sudden. Pfft.

2. Nike Kobe 9 Elite Low Multicolor - Ok this pair certainly have the best of both worlds. Performance and style! With the flyknit upper, man, this pair is gorgeous! Too bad Nike pulled out the multicolor. Pfft NikeID. No doubt, it looks good on and off the court.

3. Jordan IX - I hated this when it first released. It looked like his airness suddenly wanted to become a boxer. Then I came to realise, stared at it a coupe of times, tried it on, oh man, I was definitely wrong! This is my favorite Jordans.

4. adidas Crazy 8 - Kobe wore this while sporting an afro. That dude looked cool! Do I want to be like him? Nah. I respect you, though.

5. Jordan XI - To me, this has the best design ever. Tinker Hatfield is definitely one of my heroes. I would like to meet him someday, oh and his airness too.

6. Nike Air Zoom Flight 95 - This shoe was like out of this world! Jason Kidd was fun to watch back then and he annoys me now especially what he did with the "Hit me" thing. Tss, class act, Mr. Kidd. Ok fine, I forgive you.

7. Reebok the Question - This was worn by Iverson when he made Jordan dance. Everybody remembers that. For me, that was when AI truly made a name for himself.

8. Reebok The Blast - Doesn't this look cool?! I'm such a fan of the black and white colorway. Nick the Quick wore it making treys and slashing through the lane.

9. adidas Superstar 2G - My taste in basketball sneakers gradually changed from flashy to subtle, and I wasn't looking up to the stars anymore. My heroes were the 6th man, or even the reserves. Mario Elie played a big role in winning the championship with Houston and with San Antonio.

10. Nike KD 6 - This was like something fresh for me with the yellow/teal colorway. Low cut with a big swoosh, it reminds me of a soccer boot. It's so simple, it works. Then they released the PB&J. Now that's wow.

If I were to have any of the pair mentioned, Imma go with the Kobe 9 Elite Multicolor.
Why? Just look at it!


Stay tuned for more Top 10s.


Mr. Kamote
Less Talk. More Juants.


Photo Credit: google

Vans Authentic Floral

Vans Authentic Floral

I miss wearing Vans. I used to rock them when I wanted to be different from the rest. I still do, though.

Before everybody started wearing all the hype, Vans was like the sh*t! The checkboards slip-ons, zapatos, authentics, eras, sk8-hi's, you name it, I had it. But then, of course, we all want something different from time to time. I wanted to try something else but that's a different story.

I saw this image when I was browsing through tumblr and instantly fell in love with the pair! Us men are no longer afraid of wild prints and bright colors. You can easily pair these with long sleeves to t-shirts, and jeans, slacks, shorts, anything (preferably plain because you don't want to over do it). So I liked it, reblogged it, now, I juant it!

More on this awesome pair at highsnobiety and Vans online, selling at $55!

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: tumblr and highsnobiety

fragment design x Nike Sock Dart

fragment design x Nike Sock Dart

Let's start the week right, again! Just look at this awesomeness. Wow.

My usual routine of internet window shopping is to go immediately straight to hypebeast and all the other sites that I go to, and fill in my imaginary shopping cart with everything that I juant with my imaginary money and sulk. Yup.

Aside from drooling over these juants, I also go deeper into the concept, design, or for whatever reason makes it interesting for me. Don't you just want to know what's on Hiroshi Fujiwara's mind?! Oh man, when he creates, he delivers! Just by looking at the Nike Sock Dart, it makes you wonder what's his design inspiration is, where does he get his ideas from, why this particular colorway, blah blah. All these questions come into mind but I can set that aside first and continue drooling over those pair.

I'm really hoping to see an all black upper with speckled soles (fingers crossed) colorway, now that's definitely a BIG JUANT or maybe a multi-colored kinda flyknit colorway! Gasp.

How about a 306 Shanghai colorway, oh sh*****t!!! Doesn't it look comfy? Doesn't it look awesome?! I'm pretty sure it's like butter and your feet will just slide in.

Oh Lord, please let me have one, or two, or the LD-1000 Roshe, too. Ugh. 

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: hypebeast

The adidas SL Loop Runner Munich Unboxing

The adidas SL Loop Runner Munich Unboxing

My first ever unboxing of awesomeness. Please click here for the video. Hopefully this won't be the only unboxing I'll be doing. I had fun making this video with the help of my iPhone 5 and Splice Video Editing app. Hope you like it!

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Nike Spring Flyknit Lunar 3

Nike Spring Flyknit Lunar 3

Why, Nike? Why? Why Women's only? Nah, I'm sure you're going to release for us too, right? Oh please do!

The colorway on this one is spot on! Definitely, a JUANT! Just wear your favorite joggers or pinrolled jeans, and a black shirt and you're ready to go. This would be crazier if it had the racer soles. Man, that would definitely take the cake.

Set to be released this coming February 2015, I'm pretty sure everybody can't wait that long. More on this feature at hypebeast.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: hypebeast.com

adidas SL Loop Runner Black/Black

adidas SL Loop Runner Black/Black

This pair just speaks to me and it says "buy me!" 

When a good friend of mine tagged me at Extra Butter NY's instagram post, I had nothing else to say but #thatssokamote. I JUANT this so bad! I never really liked the all black colorway on sneakers except this pair, the ZX Flux and my kamoteATBP project - SPATS. 

The adidas SL Loop is currently my favorite. With the simplicity and innovativeness of the design, the loop lace holes are just brilliant, not to mention the affordability of each pair, selling at $75.

I hope I can make you mine.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: Extra Butter NY

Ms. Edith Oliveros, (May 8, 1938 - October 14, 2014)

Ms. Edith Oliveros, (May 8, 1938 - October 14, 2014)

This time, I'm going to blog about a heroine of mine. No JUANTS, just praise and thanksgiving.

She is Edith Oliveros, a very creative, inspiring, I laugh with you kind of individual. She is my aunt. She has gone through a lot in her 76 years. She has brushed elbows with socialites, partied with politicians, shopped with royalties but she kept herself humble and simple. She just wanted to hear a joke and spend every peso in her available sms balance to everyone so that they could all laugh with her. She also has been through hard times but cancer couldn't put her down. She went through all of these and won because she was filled with positivity.

She doesn't like wearing shoes (a total opposite of me), she doesn't like wearing make up but she would make time and fix herself up for you. But what she likes is to share stories with you. Anything that interests you, she will listen while she flips through cable channels continuously.

She had an interior design studio where the staff was like a one big family. They would have costume parties, theme parties, out of town trips, you name it! Everybody had a great time at the studio. Some of the staff told me that if boss got mad or frustrated, she'd fly off to the US, and come back with pasalubong (treats) for everyone, forgetting the reason she fled was because of them. Haha! She is still boss to everybody because they respect and love her.

She was like a second mom to me. I'd run to her for creative related stuff, talk about life, money, and how to make life less complicated. I asked her if I should study interior design so I could continue her legacy. She politely said no and told me to pursue my dreams and make my own legacy. "You'll never know what's going to happen if you don't try new things, learn new things and make new things. Do good because you're really talented. You'll make your own name eventually." I learned a lot from her. I never thanked her enough for who I am and what I am now but because I'm here now, here you go Tita, thank you very much.

I love you, Tita Boss. May you rest in peace.

JAMMY

Menswear Dog

Menswear Dog

This dog is definitely richer than me.

Bodhi, the 5 year old Shiba Inu, is making a whopping $15,000 USD every month! With the help of his owners, Kim and Fung are just brilliant by making him wear all this clothes and take pictures of him. Well-known brands have been calling and booking him ever since they started in tumblr.

Now I seriously JUANT a dog. I miss having a dog. I just saw a fluffy puppy yesterday on the way to the office. I wanted to steal it, hug it, squeeze it, until it di... until it makes my day! HA!

More on this adorable pooch at HUH.

Mr. Kamote

Less Talk. More Juants.

Photo Credit: HUH Magazine UK