Modeled by Paul Kimpling of the Colorado Forest Service, the Akomplice and VSOP lookbook serves to display the range of each brand’s Spring/Summer offerings, while showcasing the belief that “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” (Leonardo da Vinci). Visualized as a complement to the grassland and red rock desert surroundings, the lookbook vignette functions as a symbol for the brand’s connection to, and appreciation of minimalism and nature’s intrinsic symmetry. Shot in their Colorado backyard, the lookbook functions as a meditative and transportive experience for the viewer. This sentiment emanates from Mike and Patrick’s belief in a conscious balanced work approach, which is why they allow their employees ‎to have remote work periods and daily meditation.

While VSOP centers on silhouette development and material selection, the crux of Akomplice is bold and in-your-face patterns. The common thread among each brand is a sustainable approach to production. Made using organic cotton and recycled polyester, Mike and Patrick set an industry standard from a material footprint perspective. Holding to the belief that art is made when love, passion and vision are the driving forces in creation, Mike and Patrick look to other young creatives in love with their craft for inspiration. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar, Mike and Patrick look to adjust the industry paradigm by putting passion ahead of profit.

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The post VSOP & Akomplice Spring/Summer 16 Lookbook appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

It has almost been a year since Akomplice dropped this video (below) introducing a limited-edition Pelican Belt. Him and Raekwon finally decided to unleash twenty-five pieces available for the public on their website.

The Akomplice x Raekwon Pelican Belt is made of premium leather and comes in both black and brown. The Akomplice logo is embossed, and Raekwon’s name is laser etched onto the leather, giving two different looks to one belt. This belt is a true collector’s item, as it will only see a 25 piece production run. The collab comes complete in a wooden cigar box, which is homage to Rae’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx series.

The post Style: Raekwon & Akomplice Invent the Coolest Belt Ever appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Akomplice Clothing and Wu-Tang legend Raekwon have teamed up to release a exclusive leather pelican belt. The belt features Raekwon’s name and Akomplice’s logo embossed on premium leather. The belt will come in a wooden cigar box to pay homage to the chef’s classic album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Only about 25 pieces will be put into production so you definitely gotta cop early via Akomplice’s online store.

The post Akomplice & Raekwon Collab for Limited Edition Belt appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

MF Doom has recently linked back up with Akomplice Clothing to create a new collection of tees and crewnecks. The new apparel includes Doom’s classic mask on the front designed in a variety of cameo color schemes. These new styles are available at Akomplice retail and online stores.

The post MF Doom x Akomplice Collab for New T-Shirt appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you were crazy enough to pick up the MF Doom x Akomplice “mystery box” last month, then you were first to hear the lead single off of Doom’s long-awaited collaboration with Ghostface Killah, Doomstarks. “Victory Laps” produced by Doom and Madlib, might be all we ever hear of this perfect marriage (first announced in 2006, this is the most music we’ve really gotten from the pair beyond one verse on Doom’s Born Like This), but they certainly dropped it in style.

Check out the video above to unlock the box’s contents, which include a cassette of “Victory Laps”, a classic Doom mask, a Doom x Akomplice timepiece, and other swag. You should be able to get the song on iTunes in better quality July 26th.

UPDATE: As “Victory Laps sweeps the internets today, there has been plenty of speculation as to whether the collaboration will ever materialize into a full-length album. Devin Horwitz of Nature Sounds Records, Doom’s label, was able to confirm it to XXL:

According to Horwitz, six years since the two first announced joining forces, they have finally reconnected, and are currently prepping the release an LP for sometime very soon under the guise DOOMSTARKS. “The guys regrouped just this year and really started fine tuning and really trying to hone it in to make this thing a reality,” Horowitz told XXL. “I think just recently it really clicked for both of them what this project could be and how important it was really for the fans.”

Via HipHopSite and XXL

The post New Music: MF Doom x Ghostface Killah “Victory Laps” (UPDATE: Album Confirmed) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.