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How did you find out about twitter?
One of my best friends told me about it in early 2008, I wasn’t really interested in it until about late 2008.
How much time do you spend on twitter a day?
On average probably about 3 or 4 hours a day. I do more reading than posting most days. Some days I just post my own tweets then close it. I always have my phone and I have the twitter app so I check it often.
Is there anyone you follow that you really pay attention to their tweets daily?
Of course. @NylonMag, @LupeFiasco @Nas @rumineely and @BellaBillions
What do u get out of being on twitter?
I get to promote my blog, quote random lyrics that I think of of my own that I can’t note at the time, and I get to interact with some pretty cool people and get insight for some of my inspirations.
What has twitter done for you? Is it useful?
It’s given me a broader and quicker way to expand my blog, it’s very useful. I learned about my first promotion gig from a tweet @Currensy_Spitta tweeted.
Do you still use a myspace or facebook?
Nah, I haven’t used those in months. I recently deactivated my facebook and deactivated my Myspace late 2008.
Where do you see twitter in 6 months?
It seems to be getting more commercial. At first it was like an underground thing, but now that they’re paying celebrities to tweet I see it being a little more mainstream. I’d think it was cool if they charged and gave more options honestly. I hope that’s where it goes.
Any last words about twitter? Shout outs?
Lol, not that I can think of! Thanks for the interview and check out http://livehaute.com 
It’s about time I sat down with you guys..so lets start it off with you
guys introducing yourselves..
My name is Sean McKenzie, NYC Ambassador, Lover, Grinderrr, and founder
of Upscene. Salutations.
Where are you guys from? what are you reppin’?
We’re from the Upper Regions of Manhattan, Upper West Side more
specifically. I moved here when I was 11 from Harlem,
really giving me an eclectic look at New York City
life. Jon has lived here his whole life.
Our neighborhood has a major influence In our
brand identity and the direction we’re looking to go in our
clothing expression. It’s one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the
world.
How did Upscene clothing come about?
Ever since I was a kid growing into an young adult, I’ve been
complimented on my style of dress. It’s of course evolved with the
times, I switched back and forth between hip hop inspired brands to more
classic looks like Polo and Nautica. Around 2007 it got to the point
where I thought, why aren’t there new platform for progressive street
fashion with a strong message to accompany. Many of the streetwear
brands in NY come from Brooklyn or Downtown Manhattan, and are very much
established. We come from a bit further up and when the name Upscene
came to us, it just made sense on many levels. It is very important to
us to while we develop the know how and aesthetics of developing the
line, that we work double time on implementing the ideology and what we
represent. It’s a very forward looking, sometimes needing a 2nd look to
truly understand the idea that’s being expressed. The number one thing
is what does it represent for there wearer not so much us.
Your designs, whats the thought process behind them?
Our designs come at anytime from simple conversation, to waking up at
3am thinking about something new. We tend to just follow the energy of
society and the environment, and discover new ways to project it. We
have a great design team (shouts to Jose, Jeff and Chris) that we’ve
been working with. They do a great job at bouncing around concept that
we come up with, and also bring their own ideas to dinner. We’re still
evolving which is the exciting part of it all.
You guys got a few team members, what does everyone do to make upscene?
We don’t call ourselves a team, team is a segregated term in my opinion.
We been calling ourselves a community since day one. Teams you have to
be signed to, communities all you have to do is move (i.e move with us)
(laughs). Of course in any community there are some people who have
larger roles than others. Everyone has a part of keeping things moving,
and assisting the growth. I handle majority of the business, and
creative directing side of things. Jon does a lot of the marketing side
for us. We have a design team that’s being solidified. There’s are
countless of others who have contribute in parts to what we do. Never to
be forgotten.
Your choice of colors are pretty unique..can you tell us how that
process goes?
For our last season, we went with brighter colors for a couple of
reason. First, we wanted to give vibrant colors to uplift especially
since all we were going through as a city and country. Bright colors,
creates begets bright thoughts. Also I think it was just simple as
experimenting with our look and finding our direction. This coming
season, we’re looking to bring more earth tones, a more cleaner look.
Each season or drops from any clothing line should bring some form of
maturity and addition to the brand expression. We’re no different.
Is there a certain style or brand that influences you guys?
Our style is definitely street influenced as we’ve been running this
Manhattan track meet for years. With so much stimulation we took in all
that the inner city had to offer. As far as established brands that we
have respect for, I would say 10 Deep definitely a brand that we give it
up to. They’re years deep (no pun) in the game and the clothing matches
the message of the brand. Not to say we look to emulate but all is
influenced by something and we respect their position in the culture.
It looks as if they’re going through an evolution themselves and that’s
what’s it’s all about. Growing, Expressing, Evolving, Understanding.
There are so many solidified clothing lines, so what is your main
objective as a up and coming clothing line?
Our goal is to never rush, never stunt. What I mean is we’ll never rush
our growth to levels that are not yet to be developed. We’ll never stunt
our growth with a closed minded approach, not being open to the ways we
can expand. Our objective is to be a clothing brand that represents the
progressive street person, who does it on multiply levels on their
terms. With so much art being mashed together through our melting pot,
there will definitely be many forms of Upscene in the future that
expands outside of clothing. When our new site debuts this spring,
you’ll have more of an idea on what we mean by that.
For the most part, the Yankee bomber shirt was a success..how did that
idea come about?
People were very receptive of that project which was a good look. The
idea came from multiple places, the Yankees winning, seeming like they
went back to a “getting your hands dirty” approach. It also stemmed from
the culture of NY, how we seem to be moving away from the dirty, real
mentality that kept us grounded. Moving into a more pristine feel, some
things just didn’t feel the same. With all the struggles of late it
looks like “getting your hands” dirty is back in, by necessity. It’s the
only way you’re going to survive here….anywhere. Like I said before,
sometimes a 2nd look or thought is needed.
Whats in store for 2010?
Plenty! We really look for 2010 to be a push pin year for Upscene. We’re
in a space where we’ve grown a bit. Really want to get out there and get
the public involve in our clothing. Going to be working with more store
that want to be a part of the community effort we’re developing over
here for lasting relationships. To be clear, Upscene is a New York brand
by location not by perception. The idea of a “community of open minded
individuals” goes for NY, just as much as it does for Canada, London or
anywhere else in the world. Building with those ambassadors outside of
our borders is something we look forward to. The coming S/S 10 season is
so far looking very much on the ill side. Don’t want to reveal too much
now but our theme is very much now. The revolution is going to start on
the streets first and foremost, we want to make sure the masses are well
dressed for the occasion.
I appreciate the time you took out to speak with me, any last words?
We appreciate anyone who has shown love in anyway along the way, love is
the only currency. To those we haven’t build with thus far, we look
forward to it. If you happen see any of us out there on the out and
about, interaction is everything. The Community is growing….Upscene
2010.
YOU CAN FIND UPSCENE ON TWITTER – @Upscenesean AND http://www.upscenenyc.com/
From the hit public access show STREETFUNKTV.
Great raw footage of Puffy, Baby (birdman), Juvenile and a very young Lil’ Wayne.
Produced by Dean Raimondo and Mike Wheeler.
Backstage at The Tunnel NYC. Club owned by Peter Gatien
Like the Space Jam Air Jordan XI in 2009, the Air Jordan XIII Retro in bred was the big release for Jordan Brand at Christmas ‘04. We hadn’t seen them since Mike rocked them in away games during the Bulls’ final run to the chip, nor since. Mike Bibby shows us how good life is for JB-sponsored athletes with his own special edition, an AJXIII PE in black and red. Atlanta’s point guard has been wearing these two of the Hawks’ last three road games, and you already know Bibby’s Jordan PEs are sick, so stick with Sneaker News for updates on these and all Air Jordan Player Exclusives. via Yahoo
