Boiler Room

It's......Show Time!

2009-01-19T11:51:00.000-08:00

For the next few weeks, you will be able to catch us in San Diego Agenda, Santa Monica Class, and of course the mega mother of apparel trade show MAGIC/Project Las Vegas.
We will be unveiling exciting new collections from Mishka, Rivet De Cru Denim and Gatsby.
Come through, come chat, come look, come order!

And The Rest....

2009-01-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

Made a trip to see a friend of mine, Simon from RP55 (Playcloth, Akoo) ,who can source and manufacture anything from denim to wovens to knits to toothpaste.

and other goodies in life...

this is $2....had to do it

we have come far from these to Ipods!

Jet Sunny

2009-01-06T19:48:00.000-08:00

Jimmy from Jet Sunny is the official distributor for DC shoes, The Hundreds, Alife, and several other major skate brands. He is not only a keen business person but also a well read philosopher....with that we sat for 7 hours talking about political state of Taiwan as well as good books like Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now.

and here is the much recommended....

What We Did/Where We Went

2009-01-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

I sincerely apologize for the lack of blogging in the past 2 months. Other than solving the retail issues, providing the best product/deal for holiday season, and alleviating inventory burdens. I traveled oversea to take a breather and saw some inspirations and ones that are motivated.

When was the last time you saw this?

For some of you that know me well outside of Natural Selection Agency, know that I am a very politically involved individual. Taiwan, as my native land, has been a victim of attacks and numerous assault from China. I was lucky to see and be a part of the protest this time against China invasion of formosa and current president.

Numbers is Power.

Wow..doesn't get any more straight forward than this...

Good Things Come To An End

2008-10-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of the beautiful San Francisco. Inspirational and peaceful at the same time.
Stay Classy Frisco!

People Up There

2008-09-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Some good people, good places and some things that are borderline inspirational to weird during the trip.

Bows And Arrows....Spearheading shoe game!

The home town hero

"I Left My Heart In San Francisco"

2008-09-28T14:10:00.001-07:00

During this tough retail climate, one of the most important things a sales/brand agent should do is to step up the customer service game and figure out a way to strengthen vendor/retail relationship. That often includes in store visits, field research, face to face time with key buyers. So it's time to head up north to San Francisco. It also doesn't hurt that weather has been GREAT!

Look out for exciting future project with Michael from TRUE....Landmark of SF!

Fashion retail icon of Haight...

And Downtown...
Who else is running SF...

One of my most admired branded product of all time...

Look who has a clothing line in Barney's...

Rational minds think alike...

Rogue Status X Attic

2008-09-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

Attention ALL Designers!

Submit your designs for the sickest Rogue x Attic t-shirt collaboration to RSblackfriday@Attic2zoo.com no later than October 31st

- 10 finalists will be chosen
- Your fans will vote just like on American Idol by texting your own dedicated Mobile Keyword (i.e. text ROGUE1 to vote for John Smith)
- The design that receives the most number of votes wins $1000 cash prize compliments of The Attic and gets their design printed by Rogue Status!

When Hip Hop Was/Is Good

2008-09-21T23:15:00.000-07:00

Maybe I am growing too old or just becoming more cynical as years go by. I understand the world progresses and society pushes changes for the sake of efficiency/profit but sometimes those old ways just feel so.....real (for the lack of better words). Hip Hop to me is one of those things that has changed. From the initial ingredients of true MC, DJ, and BBoy to the ever so digestable entertainment melody from Soulja Boy it has come a looooong way.

From a personal taste and stand point, I love what it was and what it happened again today at the BBoy Battle Competition brought to you by Poe at Avalon in Hollywood. The essence of lifestyle and glad to see a group of supporters from the old to the young.

Keep On Digging and Digging and Digging

2008-09-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to go see Nima from Digital Gravel. An industry veteran who has true insight of the market and understanding of life cycle of brands. Always a pleasure to share opinions, stories, and build on .......GATSBY! Coming to your friendly neighborhood stores 10/08!!

Show Time In Sunny Diego

2008-09-07T22:02:00.001-07:00

Apologize for the unblogging in the previous weeks. The hectic trade show schedule has consumed me consecutively. From Project NY to Class Trade Show to MAGIC/Project LV to Agenda, I have witnessed some exciting designs as well as "we are going to run this trend to the bottom of ground floor" brands.
Here are some pics from Agenda San Diego.

Welcome To THE VILLA---M.Fredric That is

2008-08-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

I have been to many offices/warehouses of apparel companies and nothing compares to M.Fredric.(www.mfredric.com)
Going into the meeting, the environment consumes you with leisure, style, and professional (corporate spec conference room, full operating inventory warehouse, POS system on 50 inch flat screen...etc.)at the same time.

Building Streetwear Retail 101 with James from Attic

2008-08-08T16:05:00.000-07:00

1) How/Why did you open up Attic?

My story begins from a consumer standpoint. Being a consumer to the streetwear/sneaker market is already hard as it is. If the internet didn’t exist, I couldn’t imagine how the culture could survive for people out of reach of major cities. First and foremost, shops were hard to locate. But that is only the beginning. After you find the shop, either you will encounter horrible customer service but if that wasn’t an issue, finding sizes and additional styles was the next obstacle. This may sound very cliché but the concept of the Attic was to provide customers a new shopping experience. We aimed at breaking all the boutique shopping stereotypes by providing customer service, selection and representation. To fulfill the representation goals, a large shop was needed. I feel the most difficult job for consumers as well as brands is developing a loyal relationship. When a shop only has 1-2 styles of a brand, it makes it difficult for that consumer to build that relationship up to identify with a brand’s mission and vision. We wanted to change that with our store concept to show certain brands are more than what others thought they were by representing numerous styles and showing all different personalities of their vision.

2) Top 5 things a sales rep should not do approaching a buyer.

Rule 1, drop the arrogance. You are selling clothes. Rule 2, do not lie to get a buyer on the phone by saying you are from somewhere else. Rule 3, do not show up places without an appointment. Rule 4, don’t push shit you don’t stand behind 100%. Trying to make a quick buck off commission now will jeopardize a future relationship. If you are going to push, if the shit don’t sell, take it back as the buyer took it upon himself the respect the salesman’s opinion on basis of trust. Rule 5, listen first and talk later. Listen to the buyer’s needs to understand his business. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason. The more you understand, the more you will be able to sell since you can specialize products to cater and when that confidence is there, buyer’s will go harder on styles and quantities.

3)What is the worst decision you have made on a buy?

Don’t hesitate on giving the name of the line or the name of the female sales rep! Trusting brands too easily. Like I mentioned earlier about the rules, it seems like the salesman’s shelf life with brands are short so I understand their motives for the hustle. But burning that bridge once can be a costly mistake for the future. I can’t single out brands because I am a buyer that prides himself on taking care of his own mistakes. Very rarely do I do an RA and I always pay on time in cash. Rookie mistakes can be going to hard on certain future booking styles with the intentions of trying to ride the hype wave. Another mistake can be size runs. That is the key to a successful sell through, understanding your consumers. Size runs can be dictated by many outside factors like colors, graphics, genre and local demographics.

4) What are the characteristics of being a good buyer?

First and foremost, unless you are a formally trained buyer working under senior buyers or a buying manager at your major dept. stores, everyone has to be burned to learn. It is a numbers game essentially, but a good buyer knows when to make judgment calls with trend projection and its growth rate. A good buyer should go out and see what the competition is carrying. Study your local hangouts and see what people are wearing. I feel the internet is a great source for information but sometimes, the rate of change always seems to be the most forward in comparison to traditional retail formats.

5)Advise to new brands trying to sell Attic.

Would including a bottle of Hennessy in sample set sent over help? I am not much of a drinker so that wouldn’t help. Just make sure to send in a properly developed linesheet. Don’t ask a buyer what a linesheet is, that is automatically termination for consideration. Don’t go in there trying to tell a buyer what their store is. In our stores, unless you are a developed known brand, unknown brands can choose to go in on consignment terms if the line you are presenting seems sellable. We don’t discriminate on only hyped name brands. If the designs are fresh, we are confident we can move it.

Definition of "Hustle"

2008-08-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

I had a surprising visit from an old friend that came to the showroom today.....Barmak Scifen. The man has been building the brand for more than 8 years, cultivating and education the consumers with his beliefs that he expressed from his designs.

I worked briefly with Barmak a while ago and was impressed by his charisma, and unwaivering enthusiasm for underground hip hop. Unlike alot of street/urban brands around, Barmak was involved in the lifestyle from early on as a famous bboy. So you can say he is legit and so is his work.

From the conversation, his mind is turning like a hamster on wheel with new up and coming projects.

Best of luck my man.

Coast to Coast--Thanks To Richard Branson

2008-07-29T18:52:00.000-07:00

Over the past week and a half have been hectic schedules of preparing for NY Project as well as developing exciting future projects with good minds.....see pics.
By the way, Virgin American IS the way to fly!

Projecting Project

One of the busiest booths---Rivet De Cru Denim
Mr. When I Move, You Move
Showtime!
Good to see my friend Pel but not sure if he felt the same way...Be on the look out for his special special Project "Weight".

Linyee....Good person and heck of a marketing director for Theme Magazine!

Staple of New York---Reed Space without the camera shy Nico

Sometime Stomach Growth Is Not Due To Aging

2008-07-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

One of the things about working hard for your business is that there's always craving to indulge yourself with good food after work. That often includes good meat, good drink and good rice for me. The following shows the process of "indulgence" after a crazy week of meeting project deadlines. Before and After... p.s. email me if you need the address to the restaurant!

Creating In The Valley

2008-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dropped by a long time customer of mine, Creative Sole, and saw the growth of streetwear east of 605 from 10 freeway. A part of Los Angeles that doesn't get too much recognition for fashion but no stranger to skate lifestyle. The store has a good assortment from Crooks to 10 Deep to Shadow Conspiracy to Levis to a whoooooole wall of Creative Recreation.

71 Ways To Shop

2008-06-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

Had the chance to stop by the infamous skate shop Seventy One, www.shop71.com ,in Chino. Conversation included the slow down of hype-customers(at least for them), skater kids going back to core lifestyle brands, china's resource consumption, and why Jason's truck gets only 10 miles per gallon.

Domination.....Still

2008-06-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

Mens' Land is a 3 store operation company owned by 3 brothers which has been a key California account for alot of urban/streetwear brands since early 90s. Its diverse merchandising includes Mek Denim, Monarchy, Antik, LRG, Creative Recreation, Nike, Gucci, Rolex...etc.
With the down economy, Mohammed (one of the owners) shed some light on business 101 on how he is still able to maintain over 10% growth from previous year with yearly sales volume more than some 15+ specialty chains combined.

Chicken Soup for Apparel Sales

2008-06-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Wake up with lots of Oolong Tea (or whatever caffeinated product you need to sell like Ben Afflect in Boiler Room), get on the computer for emails, get on the phone to make appointments, and get on the road with your best friend, Mr. Rolling Rack.

Directives West Consultants

2008-06-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

I met up with the buyers from Directives West (www.directiveswest.com) today. They are true professionals who make their bucks consulting major retail clientele from Neiman Marcus to Nordstrom to HMS to Macy's...etc. More project to come with Natural Selection.

Life Of A Sales.....Road Sales

2008-06-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

Sales is not easy nor is it easy on the 2005 brand new car and gas tank!
Happy Friday.

New Kid On The Block

2008-06-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

We are happy to introduce a new brand, a new family memeber into Natural Selection Agency, Rivet De Cru Denim. The line is developed by a long time denim veteran Ruben Campos who has acquired a true connoisseur denim knowledge through companies such as Parasuco.
Its premium quality and quality have received great praise from industry key buyers and its 65% retail margin has come just right on time for a tough economic market.

Long Time No Blog--Taking Over Downtown LA

2008-06-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lag on blogging due to trying to hit all order deadlines as well as craziness of showroom moving. Come visit our new home at The Mandel Loft 711 S. Olive St. #413 Los Angeles, Ca 90014.

Hong Kong--City that supplies

2008-05-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

In an industry saturated with brands, stores, and manufacturers the outcome often becomes quick turn around of trends. Thus fast fashion retail such as Uniqlo, H&M, and Forever 21 have enjoyed great success even in slow economy. For smaller operations and brands, pop up shops become a quick way for branding and retail with minimal cost. To take it a step further, what do you do when the space is limited....how about pop up shelf retail in Hong Kong? These spaces are being rented out monthly at a premium prices.

Inspirations and Aspirations

2008-05-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

Eric So (www.ericsoart.com) had an impressive exhibition at Sense Organ Boutique in Taipei that showed his latest designs on eyewear. True sense of design versatility and ability.

Taiwan has come a long way when it comes to fashion and being a destination for shopping. Porter gone International....distribution

Tony from Westmill (has been building a successful apparel business operation out of Taiwan for the past 8 years. Westmill comprises departments that handle apparel/footwear distribution for Taiwan/China as well as 20+ plus branded stores of their own. Current clientele list includes Triple 5 Soul, LRG, Staple Design, Dada Footwear, and Dissizit.

Art Beast of the East

2008-05-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

At least twice a year, I take the time traveling to Asian countries looking for new inspirations, connect with new designers, grow relationship with apparel distributors, and restock on good food in my stomach.