We want this bag ……. perfect to go with some pieces from our upcoming Summer Collection.

This is taken from LOUIS VUITTON’S Spring 2011 collection. Marc Jacobs knows what he is doing!!

Today is the last day of voting for the HYPE AWARDS. Please vote for our man Leo Large in the Best DJ Category by smsing “DJLeoLarge” to 41931. Remember today is the last day so please help our dude nab the award!

Whats good world?! We’re launching our late Summer range this Fri, 05 Feb 201 at our HQ in Cape Town and we’d like you to be a part of it.

There’s nothing that gets the local streetwear industry more excited than fresh new drops from the hottest label in the country. This time around the Head Honcho team has outdone itself – the gear is fresher, more diverse and sexier (for the ladies). Our headgear game has also been stepped up in a major way!

As per usual, some fresh beats and refreshments will be provided on the night. All you gotta do is bring your wallet and leave the bad attitude at home ….. we live progressively out here! Tell your mates cause this streetwear  evolution will not be televised (okay, maybe it will!).

Place: 62 Roeland Street, Pentagon Place, Cape Town CBD (diagonal to Fruit & Veg)

Date: Friday, 05 February 2010

Time: 5 – 10pm

NB: Cash Only sale. Unfortunately no credit or debit card facilities will be available. Bring those Benjamins.

Talk about customizing? We got this pic from the guys at Jak and Kil. Someone very creative or ridiculously desperate, depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting on, crafted their own Chanel paper bag…. I wonder how Mr Karl Lagerefld would feel about this bold gesture? What do y’all think?

Forbes has once again put out its 20 Richest Hip Hop Cash Kings list and they are a couple of surprises. Once again, moguls like Jay-Z, Diddy and 50 Cent have made the Top 10, whilst previous contenders such as Jermaine Dupri, Nelly and Yung Joc have fallen off the list. OG’s like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg are still bringing millions of dollars of revenue.

They have been joined by newcomers on the list such as T-Pain, Akon, Rick Ross and Flo Rida (yeah, him! those ringtones are clearly making the cash registers ring). Forbes also pointed out that overall the Top 20 Cash Kings made $100 million less than what they made last year. Clearly, the current economic downturn hasn’t spared our favourite rap stars. Check out the full list below and see how the members of hip hop royalty make their money:

1. Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter

$35 million

Reclaimed his crown as the top Hip-Hop Cash King despite taking a steep pay cut from the $82 million he brought in a year ago. The reason? That figure was inflated by a top-heavy 10-year, $150 million deal he signed with Live Nation last April. Still had a good year: wrapped up a huge an international tour, made a groundbreaking appearance at the U.K.’s Glastonbury Festival and honeymooned with new wife Beyoncé. Owns a stake in pro basketball’s New Jersey Nets and New York’s 40/40 nightclu

2. Sean “Diddy” Combs

$30 million

Dapper don of hip-hop continues his decade-long run of good fortune. Diversified Diddy brings in cash from clothing line Sean John, record label Bad Boy, premium vodka Ciroc and reality TV shows Making the Band and Run’s House. With over 1 million followers and an abundance of exuberant posts, Diddy is among the most prolific of hip-hop’s Twitterati.

3. Kanye West

$25 million

Stayed atop the hip-hop charts with the release of his fourth album, 808s and Heartbreak. Though not as well-received as his prior effort, the multiplatinum Graduation, experimental oeuvre sold nearly 2 million copies. Last year’s “Glow in the Dark” tour included a stop in his native Chicago to headline the music festival Lollapalooza. Moonlights as a shoe designer, recently crafting a successful limited-run Nike line called the Air Yeezy; designed another shoe line for Louis Vuitton, due out this summer.

4. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson

$20 million, tie

Last year’s highest-earning hip-hop star has seen annual pay fall from $150 million to $20 million. Reason: a $100 million windfall from the sale of VitaminWater parent Glacéau to Coca-Cola last year. Steep drop in earnings makes him look like a crashing bank stock, but Queens-born rapper might survive future stress tests better than most: His portfolio includes popular G-Unit clothing line and record label, plus films, videogames and a slew of platinum albums. Launched cologne for Macy’s in June. Fourth album, Before I Self Destruct, is set for release later this year.

4. Aliaune “Akon” Thiam

$20 million, tie

Split childhood between Senegal and the U.S., gained worldwide fame with 2004 hit “Locked Up.” Since then, has become one of hip-hop’s most versatile artists–one of few to make more money this year than last. Can thank diversification: writes, sings, raps and produces; makes lucrative guest appearances on other artists’ songs and tours frequently. Other business ventures include Konvict Clothing and Konvict Music, a label that boasts pop princess Lady Gaga.

6. Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter

$18 million

Started hip-hop career as a teenager with group Hot Boys, blossomed into a mainstream celebrity with hits like “Tha Block is Hot” and “Lollipop.” This year, pulled in an estimated $10 million from his 65-show mega-tour alone; latest album, Tha Carter III, went platinum in its opening week. Follow-up Tha Carter IV said to be in the works. Also starred alongside Forrest Whitaker in the film Hurricane Season, due out later this year. Longtime buddy Birdman reportedly gave Lil Wayne $1 million in cash for his 26th birthday in October.

7. Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley

$17 million

Hip-hop super-producer continues to churn out tracks at a frenetic pace; catalog of classic hits include Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’” and Ludacris’ “Roll Out.” More recently, produced pop songs for the likes of Madonna and Chris Cornell. Second solo album Shock Value went platinum shortly after its release in 2007; follow-up is scheduled for later this year. Hollywood beckons: Timba is reportedly set to produce the soundtrack to Simon Cowell’s rumored Saturday Night Fever remake.

8. Pharrell Williams

$16 million

Versatile star made his name penning hits for rappers and pop artists alike as part of popular production duo The Neptunes. Recently produced songs for Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss. Now fronts the funk-rock band N*E*R*D and is said to be an avid Star Trek fan. A geek with exquisite taste, Williams designs sunglasses for Louis Vuitton and owns apparel lines Ice Cream and Billionaire Boys Club. Reportedly owns a solid gold BlackBerry.

9. Faheem “T-Pain” Najm

$15 million

Circus-themed album Thr33 Ringz debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s chart and has sold nearly 700,000 copies to date. Dreadlocked star also cashed in on a slew of guest appearances, including Flo Rida’s “Low” and Kanye West’s Grammy-winner “Good Life” last year. Nominated for three more Grammys in 2009. Appearance on Saturday Night Live digital short “On a Boat” became an Internet sensation, earning over 30 million YouTube views. Hip-hop’s Jay Leno owns 32 cars, including the first Rolls Royce Phantom convertible sold in the U.S.

10. Marshall “Eminem” Mathers

$14 million

Controversial rhymester rapped his way back onto the scene this year with the release of Relapse, his first album in five years. The record, which details Eminem’s battle with drug addiction, hit stores on May 15 and sold over a million copies in its first month. Sold 75 million records in his career; 1999 debut album The Slim Shady LP has been certified five-times platinum. Detroit native was recently voted best rapper alive in a poll by Vibe magazine.

11. Andre “Dr. Dre” Young

$13 million

Served as executive producer for Eminem’s highly-anticipated album Relapse, which sold over a million U.S. copies in its first month. Legendary rapper-producer is also one of hip-hop’s savviest. Unlike many who sell the rights to their songs, Dr. Dre hangs on to most of his; still collects royalties on multiplatinum albums like 1992 classic The Chronic, which sold nearly 10 million copies worldwide.

12. Calvin “Snoop Dogg” Broadus

$11 million

Lanky rapper parlayed pimpish image into mainstream fame. Once the embodiment of West Coast gangster rap, revealed a softer side in his reality-TV show Father Hood, now in its second year. Filmed taking care of family pets, teaching his kids about the birds and bees, and managing household matters. Last year’s album Ego Trippin sold half a million copies worldwide; his next, due out this year, is rumored to include a track entitled “Snoop Dogg Millionaire.”

13. Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges

$10 million

“Mouth of the South” known as much for his raunchy lyrics as for his public spats with the likes of Bill O’Reilly and Oprah Winfrey. Parlayed musical success into a number of substantial acting roles, including an appearance in Crash, which won the 2005 Oscar for Best Picture. Also one of hip-hop’s most consistent performers–his first five solo albums all went platinum. His sixth, Theater of the Mind, was released in November; though it has sold about 700,000 copies so far, still has a chance at 1 million.

14. Lonnie “Common” Lynn, Jr.

$8 million, tie

Chicago native is one of hip-hop’s most socially conscious artists, supporting PETA and speaking out against the use of homophobic rap lyrics. Album Finding Forever, released in 2007, was nominated for three Grammys. Last year’s follow-up, Universal Mind Control, sold 250,000 albums. Endorses Lincoln’s Navigator, plugs Microsoft’s Zune. Substantial film experience includes roles in Smokin’ Aces (2007), Wanted (2008) and Terminator: Salvation (2009).

14. William “will.i.am” Adams

$8 million, tie

Discovered in the early 1990s by Eazy-E of NWA fame, will.i.am became a household name in recent years due to his success as part of the Black Eyed Peas. Singer-rapper-producer now focuses on solo work in and outside music, including roles in recent films Madagascar 2: Escape to Africa and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Outspoken Obama supporter performed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last fall.

14. Clifford “T.I.” Harris

$8 million, tie

Self-crowned “King of the South” co-founded Grand Hustle Records in 2001 to distribute his mix tapes. In recent years, became a cross-platform star, appearing in films including American Gangster (2007) alongside Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Bump in the road: Nabbed on machine-gun charges last year. Started serving a one-year sentence in May–but not before earning a nice chunk of change from his latest album, Paper Trail.

14. Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean

$8 million, tie

Bronx-born prodigy got his start as a producer at age 16, penning the catchy “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” for DMX. Piled up a massive production catalog working with other artists from Busta Rhymes to Jay-Z. Last year’s solo debut One Man Band Man underwhelmed, but side gigs keep him afloat–appeared in ads for the Gap and owns a stake in trendy toy company Kidrobot. Pending divorce from singer Mashonda and reported relationship with Alicia Keys have made him a tabloid favorite.

18. Andre “Andre 3000″ Benjamin

$7 million, tie

Other half of Outkast is also working on a solo album, but spent more time recently furthering his acting career with a role in the summer blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Launched his Benjamin Bixby clothing line last year. Has a penchant for cars and speed: He was busted for doing 109 miles per hour in his Porsche earlier this spring.

18. Antwan “Big Boi” Patton

$7 million, tie

Member of Georgia duo Outkast, one of the most musically innovative and commercially successful hip-hop acts in history. Their six studio albums have collectively sold over 20 million units. Big Boi spent the past year finishing up solo album Sir Luscious Leftfoot, due out this fal

20. Tramar “Flo Rida” Dillard

$6 million, tie

Cash Kings newcomer splashed onto the scene by rapping about Apple Bottom jeans and Reeboks in last year’s hit “Get Low” featuring T-Pain. Followed up with album R.O.O.T.S., which included chart-topper “Right Round,” sampled from the 1980s classic by Dead or Alive. No truth to the rumor that he’s being sued by the state of Florida for trademark infringement.

20. William “Rick Ross” Roberts

$6 million, tie

Rotund rapper took his name from infamous drug trafficker Ricky Ross, lost street cred when it was revealed that he once worked as a corrections officer. No matter: This year, Ross beefed with 50 Cent; released his third album, Deeper Than Rap, which sold nearly 200,000 copies in its first week; and made his Cash Kings debut.

20. Jayceon “The Game” Taylor

$6 million, tie

Not to be confused with the Harvard-Yale football game, hip-hop’s The Game released LAX, his third studio album, last August. The record has sold nearly 750,000 copies to date. Outside of music, he plugs Skechers, Kangol and British apparel outfit Lonsdale. Film credits include a role in low-budget action flick Waist Deep (2006)

20. Jay “Young Jeezy” Jenkins

$6 million, tie

Prescient rapper released album The Recession last September; the record debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, sold a quarter million copies in its first week and earned Jeezy a Grammy nomination. Has appeared on hit songs by other artists including fellow Cash King Akon. Earned publicity for his feud with Bill O’Reilly over his performance at a concert celebrating Obama’s inauguration.

Via: Dazed Digital

For A/W 09, Louis Vuitton Homme’s creative director, Paul Helbers took “the travelling wardrobe of an African King” as the initial seed of inspiration; which gave way to a masterful mix of technological innovation, ultra luxurious fabrics (a mink scarf and a stunning alligator coat) and of course, luggage in ever more desirable variations on the Damier check. While these luxe clothes for the modern dandy on the go might seem slightly anachronistic in recession riddled times, what did help inject some youthful kick into the collection were the tomato red trainers designed by none other than Kanye West in his first collaboration with Louis Vuitton.

In addition to being, in his own words, “the greatest entertainer of our generation” Kanye’s love of fashion is well documented. A frequent front row presence at Fashion Week, he designs his own line, Pastelle (with rumours of a womenswear line in the works) has an upcoming jewellery collaboration with Takashi Murakami and made news when he announced plans to do an internship at Raf Simons or Louis Vuitton. He also takes to his blog to rave about the designers he’s passionate about (in addition to Vuitton and Raf, he’s given shout outs to Patrik Ervell, Band of Outsiders and Margiela)

Dazed Digital got to check out the trainers (in 4 monochromatic colourways) up close and grab Kanye for a chat after the show.

Dazed Digital: What was the inspiration behind the sneakers you’ve designed for Louis Vuitton?

Kanye West: They’ve got a sci-fi influence with this flap up at the back. It came from a scene in ‘Dune’ where there was this jacket with a huge collar. Also Japanese pop art.

DD: What did you think when you saw them on the runway?

KW: I thought they really rocked. They kinda just ripped the runway open didn’t it? As soon as they put that red, it was killer! It’s like an accessory that can express your personality. Like an instant tattoo!

DD: Why shoes?

KW: They’re a great entry point into a luxury brand. For people who can’t afford to buy $2000 trousers, they can take these shoes and mix it with jeans from another brand.

DD: How did the collaboration with Louis Vuitton come about? Did you contact them?

KW: They chose to contact me. Who wouldn’t want to work with Louis Vuitton? They’re the number one luxury brand. It lets people know you like nice things.

DD: Where did your obsession with fashion come from as a kid?

KW: I don’t know. I just love clothes. I picked out my own clothes when I first went to kindergarten and there’s no turning back since. And I’ve always been into clothes and I’ve always been into myself. And none of that’s changed since I’ve become a celebrity. It’s just allowed me to be more into myself and more into clothes!

DD: What are your aspirations as a designer?

KW: I wanna be the type of designer that inspires people, not follow other ideas. I wanna be as innovative as Marc Jacobs has been. I wanna go from being a fashion plate to being an innovator. This collaboration is a dream come true. Everybody comes to these shows has a love of fashion, but then it’s just figuring out what’s your place in it. I’m a walking billboard but to be able to now create something from scratch is amazing.

DD: Can we talk a bit about your blog for a minute because it is INSANE and we love it. Is it a way for you to break down the barriers between yourself and your fans?

KW: It gives me the opportunity to do a lot of things. Blogs are great for everybody to express, “This is what I’m into. This is what my taste level is. This is the stuff that inspires me.” And then now instead of stuff I send through my email, I’ll send through my blog. Sometimes if I’m looking for an appartment, I’ll send stuff out and look through my own blog. It’s stuff I’m into. Like when I put the girl’s section up (“Where are you Yeezy?” section which features scantily clad girls all saying the aforementioned) It’s all different girls I’m into. I like model girls, edgy girls, fashion girls and outright porn girls too!

DD: You’ve given Dazed Digital some love in the past. What other blogs do you check on a regular basis?

KW: What’s really cool about my blog is I give credit to the blogs so you can click and go to the blog. So like Selectism, High Snobiety, Hypebeast, Bossip, Perez.

Louis Vuitton skateboard

I’m a bit late with this one. Louis Vuitton launched a collection inspired by Stephen Sprouse  at their New York SoHo store. This skateboard is one of the 2 limited edition pieces available at the store. If you feel like “kicking and pushing it” it on this skateboard be prepared to cough up $8,250 (R82 250).

Evian X Jean Paul Gaultier

French mineral water brand evian will be teaming up with fashion label Jean Paul Gautier for limited edition bottled water. This collaboration will come in red, white, or blue in 500ml water bottles with silver bottle caps and feature Jean Paul Gautier’s design on the bottom half of the bottle.

Adorned with a pattern of interlocking snowflakes and an oversize blue logo, Gaultier’s ready-to-sip creation, debuted during Paris fashion week, and is finally available for purchase at www.shopevian.com for $14 (about R140). The question is, would you be willing to buy a bottle of water worth that much? It’s JPG after all!

rihanna X gucci

Rihanna and Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini will light the Unicef Snowflake at the Grand Army Plaza in New York City. 4th annual Gucci Campaign to Benefit Unicef which continues to support education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. For this year’s initiative, Creative Director Frida Giannini has designed a special white version of the TATTOO HEART Collection featuring a stylized heart tattoo along with iconic Gucci symbols on a wide range of accessories. Gucci will donate 25 percent of sales from this dedicated collection in Gucci stores in over 20 countries from November 19, 2008 through January 31, 2009