As we have said many times before, we want everyone that follows The BKc brand to grow as we grow. On our journey to develop great Style + Character we want you right there beside us. With that said it would not be right for us to create a great spring collection for all of us to explore and push the limits of our style and not provide something to develop our Character as well. And one of the single most important things in the development of good character is reading. So we decided to create a library of books on art, culture, fashion, architecture, history and much more, inside each and every one of our stores. Every book is hand picked by someone on The Brooklyn Circus team, based on our interests, likes, and even dislikes. At The BKc we are committed to helping with the growth of every BKc Elephant, big and small alike. Yep! The Brooklyn Circus, Style + Character . . .
TASCHEN Books
Trunk Show Invites are in the mail. Be on the look out for your Trunk Show invite, via a personal call, snail mail or email. And like we said before leave nothing to chance, so make sure you call or visit The New Brooklyn Circus NY (located at 150 Nevins St, 718-858-0919) or The Brooklyn Circus SF (located at 1521 Fillmore St, 415-359-1999) if you think the list with your name on it may have gotten lost among the tons of boxes of new product. Yep! The Brooklyn Circus, Experience is Everything . . .
The Bearded Man Speaks: This question came from one of our readers at questionthebeard@thebkcircus.com and I thought I’d let you guys get a crack at it as well. I see where Chris was headed with his question, but there are too many variables to really answer the question the way it was posed. Your experiences are what creates your success and if Marc Jacobs was a woman, a black man, Asian, or anything other than a white American man, of course his success would be different based on his experiences.
Would Diddy be who he is if he was a white man in Hip hop? Race for us at The Brooklyn Circus is about individuality and the cultural pride/experiences each one of us bring to the tent. It’s really based on our love for the Circus and how all the different acts converge under the tent for the purpose of one show.
The floor is open please comment. Please be thoughtful and show character in your answers and comments once you’ve read his question. I am reading all the questions (every last one of them) and will do my best to answer as many of them as possible. Some directly on the blog and others with a quick reply to your box, so check your inbox. RPD (Respect, Passion and Discipline). Email:questionthebeard@thebkcircus.com A hundred year plan is no small feat, The Bearded Man . . .
Chris Mueller question: I’d love to hear your perspective . . .The thought is around race, our experiences of being racialized, how that influences our worldview, and then how that worldview is actualized in design form. Let’s first assume that fashion can be characterized as perception management and/or a vision come to material life. Everything begins in the mind’s eye right?
Let’s also assume that our perceptions of “dressing well” have historically descended from the upper classes of a society’s hierarchy, and have generally been dominated by white-Euro centric paradigms. If those two assumptions are valid, then, as we seek to “dress well,” do our fashion choices reinforce those bourgeoisie perceptions and power structure? Or is good taste a universally transcendent sensibility that defies any particular worldview? I ask because, as we can all admit, the most revered creators of fashion, and the various institutions that validate them, are disproportionately of European descent.
Trust, I fully acknowledge that culture is fluid, that appropriation is common practice, and that sensibilities are informed by a great number of influences. I just wonder, if Marc Jacobs were of African descent, born and bred in a different context, would the designs be the same? If he had dark brown skin, would he have ascended to the same position he is in now? How would Afro centric “high fashion” look different from Euro centric “high fashion”? Would it look any different at all? What do you think?
At The Brooklyn Circus we look for beauty in everything old and new. We feel that even though something may be old, used, or distressed it can still have value. To see how we have effectively utilized vintage, worn and torn pieces to create beautiful displays and outfits stop by The New Brooklyn Circus (located at 150 Nevins St), The Brooklyn Circus SF (1521 Fillmore St), and The Brooklyn Circus CHI @ Solemates (2708 N. Halsted). Yep! The Brooklyn Circus, Experience is Everything . . .
Mac Premo (left) and The Bearded Man, perfect examples of how to incorporate vintage and distressed pieces effortlessly
Vintage Trunk used at The New Brooklyn Circus
Distressed and torn luggage used in displays at The New Brooklyn Circus
This weekend was a very busy one filled with a lot of visits from BKc friends and family. Its was a constant flow of youthful creative energy in and out of our humble 258 office space. The Bearded Man got a chance to connect with old friends, and discuss everything from “The Changing of the Guards” project, to shoe desgin, and of course The BKc Spring ‘09 line-up.
The Bearded Man Speaks and of course listens intently to everyone that stops by the office
Shoe designer Lauren chats with The Bearded Man about how much the brand has grown
Young entrepreneurs Kai (left, aspiring boutique owner) and Saint (manages artist such as Mickey Factz) talk to The Bearded Man about how young creative individuals can work together to make each other the BEST at whatever they do
Vince from Burrell Communications stopped by to check out the store and wrap up the Toyota Matrix 5th Door project that we were fortunate to be a part of this past year
Mac Premo (left), neighbor and “Changing of the Guards” book project contributor, stopped by to check out The BKc Spring ‘09 Collection
At The Brooklyn Circus we are inspired daily by the people, art, music, and positive energy around us. Naturally those influences show up in the garments we create as well as our Style + Character. And with the release of our spring collection right around the corner (look out for your trunk show invites), we decided to give you guys a chance to see some of the things that influenced this latest collection. We hope it will inspire everyone to push their creative limits in every aspect of life. Yep! The Brooklyn Circus Spring ‘09, Experience is Everything . . .
Notice the shirt and neck accessory of the gentleman on the left, and his environment (background, tools, etc.)
Notice the pop color neckerchief and full beard, reminiscent of someone a bit more familiar to us (Ouigi aka The Bearded Man)
Check out the buttons on the Captains jacket, and look out for some interesting naval inspired graphics on The BKc Spring ‘09 Tees
BKc Spring 09 collection “The art of the sailor is to leave nothing to chance” . . .
Check your voice mail, your mail box or a hating neighbors desk for your invite to The Brooklyn Circus Spring Trunk Show this Saturday April 4th 2009. The invites were sent out, calls made, text messages sent and emails confirmed. If you did not receive your invite and think you should have, please give us a call at 718.858.0919 and we’ll clear things up for you. The trunk show is designed to give all of our “Preferred Customers” a chance to PRIVATELY shop our new BKc Spring 09 collection. The event is this Saturday and is by invite only, so Please remember to RSVP. You have the email address (won’t blow it on the blog), you know the location and time. Yep! The Brooklyn Circus Spring 09 Trunk Show, Experience is everything . . .
Side note: Your Invite admits you + a guest of your choice, choose wisely.
Yung Bev off to make his personal Trunk Show invites
Yung Bev wants you at The BKc Spring ‘09 Trunk Show, so stop by The New Brooklyn Circus (located at 150 Nevins) to make sure your on his short list of BKc First mates. Leave nothing to chance.
Details of BKc Vest and Tie
The BKc Spring ‘09 Peacoat and Shirt
Big thanks to everyone that came out to The Brooklyn Circus SF’s first 18+ event, Blu & Exile killed it. The Brooklyn Circus SF Experience is Everything.
The energy was tremendous… stay tuned for the next one. Wednesday April 29th.
All Photos taken by Quincy Stamper.
Above Pic: Customer & stylish Friend Sherry was inspired to come get some BKc in her closet.
Above Pic: Eddie Cruz of Undefeated was in town and popped into the shop to say whatup.
Above Pic: We chatted a bit about brands and the state of street culture. Check out his Undefeated blog here.
Above Pic: Cassi, Nicki, Chhavi, & Leslie came by to chill & chat for a bit.
Above Pic: Ramil, Ramon & little guy came through before a SF bboy competition.
Above Pic: The other day our friend Matisse chilled with us and cracked a few jokes.
Above Pic: David came through to grab our last BKc black on black duffle bag.
