On the eve of Limited Edt's fifth anniversary, we were lucky to catch up with General Manager Mandeep to get the dirt on their extra luscious new collaboration with New Balance, the state of Singapore’s sneaker scene and why other countries need to watch their back as Limited Edt go from strength to strength in the fledging sneaker retail market.

Hey Mandeep, tell us about yourself?
Sure, I’m 31 now and sorry gals I recently got married. I have always been around sneakers being born into a family run sporting goods business which has spanned 3 generations. Together with my love for sports you can say that I am truly blessed to be doing what I do.

We know a little about Limited Edt. You have four locations, so tell us how your stores work and in particular, explain the concept of the Vault for those that haven’t heard about it?
Our first store Limited Edt is in a mall called Queensway which is famous for sneakers and sports merchandise. This remains our most busy store which stocks the most products. Then we also have a skate store in the same mall. The Vault Store is the most high end and stocks the most limited product. It is located in the heart of the most famous Shopping district in Singapore called Orchard Road. In keeping with the name of the store, there is an actual mock “Bank Vault” inside the store which is an archive of rare and sought after sneakers. Entry into this “Bank Vault” is by appointment only and we regularly change the displays in there. The last store acts more like our outlet store and is a great place to find some older models.

And how is the scene progressing over there? What’s everyone rockin’ right now?
The scene has grown so much and so fast in the last few years to the point that even if it can maintain at current levels in the near future, it will be great. Right now many kids here seem partial to Vans and Converse maybe because of the whole skinny jeans look. But these trends always move in cycles don’t they.

Congratulations on the announcement of your collaboration, it’s a grand way to mark the fifth anniversary of your opening. How have things changed since you opened?
Thank you, it is a great honour for us and its something we always wanted to do. When we opened in early 2003, we honestly didn’t know where this would take us and the whole aim was to bring in products that otherwise would not grace our shores. So the main change is now that we are very established, we get access to top tier stuff from all the big brands. Other changes include us having to deal with a much more educated crowd and us having to put more effort to get them excited.

Limited Edt is the first store in Singapore to be graced with a collaboration shoe. Why do you think it has taken so long for shoe companies to recognize Singapore as a haven for sneaker heads?
Good Question and I wonder why myself. I think it is mainly to do with our small market size. However I don’t think the companies should ignore us any longer as not only do we have a fledgling sneaker scene here but are the standard bearers for the whole Southeast Asian region. Also I feel Singapore will only grow in importance as a global and exciting city. We see our growth in tandem with the exciting things happening in Singapore. With the nightlife, music, arts, sports and entertainment scene looking very bright with events like the first ever night street circuit Formula 1 Race this year and developments like 2 mega casino/integrated resorts and a state of the art Sports hub/stadium all being built within 2 to 3 years time, the future looks bright.

The design encompasses many facets of the Limited Edt store, from the rich burgundy and gold interior to the iconic Vault. It seems no details were spared. Can you tell us how this all came together?
As you mentioned we simply used the Vault store as the inspiration for the shoe. We chose the 577 silhouette and wanted to keep it simple, classy and understated. So besides using the colours represented by our store, we chose a full premium leather upper rather than a concoction of different materials on one shoe, as has been the recent trend. To give the shoe a bit of our identity we added some touches like 2 sets of “Vault” lace locks, one in gold and a silver version. We also have an insole print which was designed by Moritz Kofler who hails from Germany and mimics the “Bank Vault” handles of the store. This same graphic is used for the box.

Let’s talk in detail about the packaging. The case itself is almost more of a talking point than the shoe itself! It seems you guys think outside the box. (Pun intended!)
Yeah, while the shoe was kept simple we decided to be very unique and extravagant with the packaging. The box is also totally inspired by the store. Firstly the hard metallic silver finish represents the “Vault door”. The velvet inner lining of the box matches the velvet walls that adorn our store. Lastly the combination lock is a play on the fact that you do not have easy access to the “Vault” and reminds you that you are purchasing something very exclusive. The combination for each box will match the serial number of each shoe.

How important for you was it that the shoes were ‘Made in England'?
With our first colab we did not want a mass produced shoe and the “Made in England” range was perfect for this. We also like the attention to detail, workmanship and comfort of the range. Most importantly the ‘Made in England” range was the only range of New Balance we carried in the early days of the store and it always did well for us. So essentially it was going back to our roots.

New Balance seems to be the quiet achiever with some of the colabs. Why do you think stores are favouring them more so than the obvious choices for colabs?
Agreed, New Balance has been coming out with some gems without milking it in terms of distribution with the Solebox and Stussy/Hectic/Undefeated colabs coming to mind. The best part is they have been very varied with colab designs coming from all over including of Asia, Australia, US and Europe. As to why stores chose to work with them I would put it down to simple reasons like them being very easy to work with and being very receptive to ideas and the sneaker culture in general

 
Has working with the brand altered your appreciation for the design process of shoes?
Most definitely, although this shoe was always meant to be simple and so was not very difficult, it can be a very tiresome process of going back and forth on what can and cannot be done especially so for more complicated designs we have come out with in the past.

And has this given you a taste to collaborate beyond footwear?
Yes we have many diverse plans for the future but sneakers are our first love and it is what we are good at so we still want to concentrate on sneaker projects for the future.

And finally, what’s the deal if we want to get pair?
There are only 140 pairs produced so majority will be sold locally within our stores. However New Balance is currently finalising a few of their top accounts worldwide to carry a size run of the shoe. So far countries we may see this include Japan, USA, Australia and neighbour countries like Thailand and Malaysia.

Check out more images of the New Balance x Limited Edt shoe here

http://www.sneakerfreaker.com/sneaker-releases/New-Balance-X-Limited-Edt/

www.limitededt.com

We present you the brand new Adidas Original Store Concept in Berlin.

The Berlin Originals Store is the very first store to have been transformed with the new look and design. The New York City store, which has also been completed, will follow shortly.

The new Adidas Originals Store design concept takes a less raw approach to the previous ones and features a much warmer atmosphere and furnishings.

Adidias is also launching their "mi" program - Adidas new footwear and apparel customization offering. Barbershop style chairs have been integrated with screens and keyboards to allow for each individual to be comfortable while working on their own personal custom. Swatch books for all colors, fabrics, and laces will also be on site to ensure accuracy in choices.

Adidas "mi" will initially allow customization of the ZX-700 and Adidas Superstar, allowing for customizing of colors, fabrics, as well as city centric lace locks.

Check out detailed pictures of the new store concept after the jump.

Here we have a new web release from BBC, the Collegiate Collared Zip-Up Sweatshirt. BBC is really cleaning the game up with this proper clean-cut collared sweatshirt. It features their Helmet Logo on the left chest and a neat BBC logo on the upper/middle back. Hit the link and get an up-close view of both the black and ivory color-ways. Another spiffy drop by BBC!

Info: BBC | Ice Cream

Whether it's 10 or 50 already cramming your drawers, we know your addiction for t-shirts refuses to be abated. At least Fiat thinks so. As part of their strategy to stay on top of the automaker market in Brazil (in which they've been wearing the crown for several years), Fiat's been hooking up with national and international designers for seasonal runs of tees that target exactly the kind of Brazilians who take street style as seriously as the labels they're most loyal to—and who likely also have a Fiat in the garage as well. Pictured here are photos of Fiat's upcoming winter 2008 line by a roster that includes French collective Shobo Shobo, Zoomp, Alcides e Amigos, Amapô, Estùdio Mopa and Ndeur. (Click image below left for detail.)

It's clear Fiat values Brazil's well-clad, fashion-industry types, usually sponsoring São Paulo Fashion Week and a pop-up cafe during the event. It even has a signature male and female line of clothes and accessories made in bamboo by Alexandre Herchcovitch.

The tees retail at $43 a pop and are sold at Banca de Camisetas in São Paulo or from their site.

Also on Cool Hunting: Banca de Camisetas

Supremebeing from London now available in Germany at clear-cut-case.de

We are on site now in Las Vegas and start with some previews from the United Tradeshow. A.L.I.E.N. from NYC is showing their Summer 2008 collection. The brand has taken its own path in the last year and presents both good design and interesting material choices in their collections.

Here we give you a first look at their Summer 2008 t-shirt line with the cut & sew portion to follow soon. Check them all out after the jump.

Ever since Seven Grand opened up a few months back, this shirt isn’t as true as it used to be for me. It would probably be a little more apt for it to say “I Whiskey LA”, but I’m sure that might not go over as universally. Don’t get me wrong tho, I still drink my fair share of beer. It’s just not as much as I used to back in the day.

You see, I used to have thing for passing out while eating diner food after having a few too many pitchers (and Irish Car Bombs) at The Goat. Although it really should be said that I cut that shit out sometime around my 24th birthday. Mostly because I wanted to remember the patty melt and fries at the end of the night instead of finding out that my friends ate it while I slept in the booth weeks after the fact. Dicks.

So if beering LA is your pastime, you might want to give this tee a go. Oh, by the way, if you’re a New Yorker — Hi Williamsburg! — there’s apparently an alternate style available for y’all in the shop as well. I’m sure a few of you might find that to be handy.

$22.00 | PayPal | URL | M: S - L

Head Porter has released their latest collection, the Dot Collection. It comes in black with white polka dots all over. The collections consists of a white array of different pieces, including backpacks, messenger bags, wallets, waist bags and more. They are now available at the Honeyee Store.

The Official Crown of Laurel is one the top hat designers in the game. They specialize in exclusive/one-time release hats and limited quantities to keep the fresh gear flowing. This new Incoronare [Italian-”to crown”] Stripe Fitted is one fine piece. It features a plaid silhouette pattern using a real clean color combination. But the hottest part is the “shemagh” pattern on the undervisor! [Peep it after the jump]. These are limited to 24 pieces and are available now on their online store.

Info: The Official

The year was 2000, and we were in Boulder, Colorado. It seems so liberal, and so understanding, that you just can't fathom there being any laws. At least when you are just starting college, and back in town to head up to Flagstaff Mountain and lay upside down on a 45 degree angle rock and look at the city and pretend the sky is the ocean. But that comes later, after walking into random frat parties and just telling everyone that Enoch invited you, and then being led to the beer bongs. And then, we go for a walk with a road soda in hand, and we can't fathom that Dodge Durango being...wait, yes it is...it is a police car with two female cops. A few things happen which warrant a list:

• nate drops his drink and takes off running
• two of us remain, bewildered, holding our "pepsi" bottles
• we receive tickets and $100 fines
• where's nate though?
• let's try walking up the street
• "hey guys you better come inside...your homeboy's fucked up in here!"
• nate comes out of bathroom with missing teeth as a result of a fence-hopping attempt gone wrong, in which he landed on his face instead of his feet
• the owner of the house talks to us about Ray Kurzweil and pours us shots
• two days later, we hear that nate has fake teeth in place while he awaits his new permanent teeth
• we get in the car to go visit him and take pictures of what he referred to as "bunny teeth" but he won't answer the door