REPETTO S/S2009 WOMEN'S STYLES

These shoes are available by e-mail or phone (866 500-2524) order only. Please contact us with any inquiries!

Repetto - Zizi Femme
in black
DETAILS: Repetto's classic dance shoe. Soft unlined goatskin upper with leather sole. 2cm rubber heel.
sizes: 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5
$240


Repetto - BB Ballet Flat
in lapis
DETAILS: Classic ballet-style flats. Soft lambskin upper with linen lining and leather sole. 1cm rubber heel.
sizes: 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5
$220


Repetto - BB Ballet Flat
in black
DETAILS: Classic ballet-style flats. Soft distressed goatskin upper with linen lining and leather sole. 1cm rubber heel.
sizes: 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5
$235


Repetto - Josephine Shoes
in azul
DETAILS: Made from a metallic suede upper, partially lined with a soft leather. Leather soled with rubber padding. 5.5cm heel.
sizes: 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40
$310

BAND OF OUTSIDERS S/S2009 TIES

Our Band of Outsiders spring/summer 2009 ties are now online!

FIGHTING A GOOD FIGHT: KEXP

Today I received an email from Tom Mara from my absolute and only radio station KEXP. If you are not familiar with the station and simply love music of any type, check them out. Also, read his thought provoking letter below.

For the past four years, Blackbird has offered current KEXP members a 10% discount on any full price items in the store. Donate today, become a member and receive this discount every time you shop at Blackbird (in-store only for now). You'd be silly not to.

This is something Blackbird is passionate about as it holds our community together and keeps our minds open to diversity and the arts. When I travel or interact with my friends from around the globe I am reminded of the negative effects of commercial radio. Give it a week and you'll see.

"Nearly two weeks after President Obama’s inaugural address, and I’m still buzzing about the historic moment we all witnessed as the first African American president was sworn into office. Regardless of your political persuasion, no one can deny that we are at a pivotal time in our nation’s history, filled with possibilities.

I was moved not only by the scene, but by the art that accompanied the ceremony. It’s artists’ ability to challenge audiences, delve into indescribable parts of human emotion and experience, and provide ideas for exploring the world, which has made their presence almost mandatory. Artists play an important role in our civic dialogue, whether we’re ushering in a new president or opening a new public library. Through music, artists share stories and create understanding. We would be lost without them.

But artists’ work must be available to us in order to enjoy it, and this includes popular music. Often, a sympathetic figure in the background bolsters an artist by taking a chance and presenting the artist's work to audiences. It’s in this position of the arts advocate that KEXP truly excels. We’ve all heard the story of how Sam Phillips of Sun Records took a chance and recorded an unknown artist named Elvis Presley, among many others. And, it was John Peel who discovered, loved, and championed The Fall, who inspire some of KEXP's favorite artists like The Smiths, Pavement, and LCD Soundsystem.

KEXP listeners regularly thank us for helping them discover new music. They tell us to keep "fighting the good fight." They recognize that there are few places remaining which champion music for the artistic power it has in our lives. The marketplace’s pressure to sell products has pushed out many emerging and established artists. Today, there are few remaining trustworthy resources for discovering new music. People like Sam Phillips and John Peel are fewer and farther between, which has silenced the voices of thousands of artists.

At KEXP we are bucking the trend. We strongly believe that All Good Music Deserves To Be Heard – it’s one of the organization’s core values. As public radio’s “performing arts center of the airwaves,” we offer a strong artistic program, providing broad access to audiences via many channels - on the air, in the community, and on the web.

But how can we be sure that we’re bringing you the very best in music and ideas? KEXP has rigorous filtering system, which uses open ears to unearth the music we believe our audience would like to hear. Each year, KEXP receives nearly 10,000 albums and we listen to each one. As Don Yates, KEXP’s Music Director, puts it "we want to give every album the time and attention it deserves." Plus, we receive and seek out even more music based on artist, listener, and DJ recommendations. Of the original 10,000 records, about 2,000 are selected for the KEXP music library.

By taking the pulse of local, national, and world-wide music scenes, everyday, KEXP is able to keep our service vibrant and meaningful to you. And, we are ensuring that musicians who would not get played on other stations (on the air or the web) have their music heard by hundreds of thousands of people. It makes for a more diverse arts experience for our listeners, and by extension, a whole community of music lovers.

I encourage you to share your thoughts about your KEXP experience - tom@kexp.org.

Your feedback has made KEXP what it is today, and will help those of us in the KEXP community who work at the station chart the course for the future. You’ve set the bar high. You expect a certain quality when you experience the arts, and you’ve chosen us to be your place for discovery. We understand that we have a special responsibility to you and all our listeners. Your financial support powers our ability to take chances on artists. In essence, you power the KEXP soundtrack for your life. What a great honor it is to share this journey of exploration together."

-Tom

INTRODUCING: Blackbird HORNETS NEST - VINTAGE GOODS Phase I

Today, Blackbird is thrilled to announce phase-1 of our in-store vintage shop The Hornets Nest. Shoes are our first offering. You'll find quality, lightly worn, vintage leather shoes and boots from the last century in sizes ranging from 7 to 13. And the BEST PART... any pair $55*.

They are already selling fast so come in today for greatest selection.


*All shoes are sold "as is" and are not eligible for return or exchange. Styles are only available for purchase in store. Some styles may be priced higher or lower depending on true market value.

RAISE MONEY WITH HAIR

Our Leo will be participating in the Beard and Moustache Fest 2009 to help raise money for Treehouse, and organization trying to "give foster kids a childhood and a future". The event takes up the month of February with Facial Hair Fridays, Moustache Mondays and The Beard & Stache Ball. Sounds fun!

Next week, Blackbird will be hosting a team of 5 donation cans sporting the faces of 5 hirsute men (including Leo's). Please stop in and make a donation for these children.

TOM CORA

BAND OF OUTSIDERS S/S 2009 SHIRTS & CARDIGAN

We will have these items soon available through the webstore, but for now, please e-mail or call (866 500-2524) for details. In addition to these items, we have a ridiculous amount of tie styles -- pictures coming!

Band of Outsiders - L/S Overdyed Batiste Shirt
in black, gray, red, or pink
DETAILS: Made from a soft finely-woven batiste cotton, overdyed to create a beautiful vibrant color. A-body fit with box pleat and darting on the back to create a slim fit.
sizes/black: XS, S, M, L, XL (buy)
sizes/gray: XS, S, M (buy)
sizes/red: XS, S, M (buy)
sizes/pink: XS, S, M, L (buy)
$226


Band of Outsiders - S/S Overdye Oxford Shirt
in blue, gray, red, or pink
DETAILS: Made from a thick oxford cotton, overdyed to achieve a beautiful vibrant color. A-body fit with box pleat and darting on the back to create a slim fit.
sizes/blue: XS, S, M, L, XL (buy)
sizes/gray: XS, S, M, L, XL (buy)
sizes/red: XS, S, M, L, XL (buy)
sizes/pink: XS, S, M, L (buy)
$204


Band of Outsiders - Cardigan Sweater
in brown or heather beige
DETAILS: Made from a soft lightweight 100% cashmere; a perfect weight to wear through the spring and into the summer. Four buttons. Single pocket at right-hand side. Modeled picture from Band of Outsiders Blog.
$475

MORE REPETTO S/S2009 MEN'S STYLES

These shoes are available by e-mail or phone (866 500-2524) order only. Please contact us with any inquiries!

Repetto - Johny Shoe
in white/desert
DETAILS: Derby-style shoe made from a mixture of goatskin leathers; the "desert" portion is a lightly distressed goatskin while the white portion is plain goatskin. The lightweight design is perfect for the spring and summer seasons and creates an excellent relaxed atmosphere.
sizes: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
$320


Repetto - Johny Shoe
in black
DETAILS: Derby-style shoe made from a mixture of lightly distressed goatskin and patent leathers. The lightweight design is perfect for the spring and summer seasons and creates an excellent relaxed atmosphere.
sizes: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
$320


Repetto - Zizi Homme
in white
DETAILS: Repetto's classic signature dance shoe made from a soft goatskin outer. The lightweight design is perfect for the spring and summer seasons and creates an excellent relaxed atmosphere.
sizes: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
$260


Repetto - Zizi Homme
in black
DETAILS: Repetto's classic signature dance shoe made from a soft goatskin outer. The lightweight design is perfect for the spring and summer seasons and creates an excellent relaxed atmosphere.
sizes: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44
$260

NEW RAG & BONE S/S2009 JEANS

Rag & Bone - RB23 Jay Chinos
in khaki
DETAILS: Skinny, tapered leg. Button fly. Chain stitched hem. 95% cotton/5% lycra. Handmade in New York.
$276
click here to buy


Rag & Bone - RB23 Jay Jeans
in indigo
DETAILS: Light weight indigo denim with a subtle luster. Button fly. Chain stitched hem. 100% cotton. Handmade in New York.
$276
click here to buy


Rag & Bone - RB21 New Blade Jeans
in smoke
DETAILS: Slim straight leg. Twisted outseam. Darting just above back pockets. Chain stitched hem. Lightweight 98% cotton/2% supima denim. Handmade in USA.
$324
click here to buy


Rag & Bone - RB11 Jeans
in indigo
DETAILS: Regular fitting straight leg jean. Thick selvage denim. Chain stitched hem. Button fly. Hidden back pocket rivets. 100% cotton. Handmade in New York.
$275
click here to buy

DIET BUTCHER SLIM SKIN SNEAKERS: ONLINE NOW

Diet Butcher Slim Skin - D91D015 Sneakers
in ivory
DETAILS: The extremely popular DBSS sneakers are back! This time they are made with a very high quality patent leather, but other than that, little has changed. The same oversized silhouette is here, as is the ridiculous comfort of them. Looks great mixed with slim jeans/pants, shorts, or even baggier pants covering them. The fun silhouette is intended to be quite large so do keep that in mind when looking at them! Due to the silhouette, each size is able to accommodate several sizes; in general, though, size 1 fits approximately 40-42 and size 2 approximately 41-43.
sizes: 1, 2
$605
click here to buy

THE ONLY ONES

"I got there at 1 o'clock and Peter [Perrett] didn't appear. He was in the bath waiting for [his wife] Zena to come and wash his hair! After two hours I said, 'Enough's enough, I'm off'. At that point Peter came in and sat down and started chatting. I was thinking 'Well, I still don't like the band anyway', but then he asked me if I wanted to hear a tape.

[...] I loved his lyrics, the sentiments, his voice. We rehearsed together for two weeks and I thought, 'Yeah, I'm part of this'."

[...]

"At the beginning, a lot of things seemed bizarre. I like the idea of finding myself in a situation where I don't feel comfortable for a while. To my friends, The Only Ones were a bizarre band. Mentally I found myself doubling over to get my head around certain things. I mean, Peter waiting for Zena to wash his hair was beyond me. Him having a girlfriend and a wife. Even "Out There In The Night", I asked him what it was about. It turned out that it was a love song about his cat, which hadn't come home. He adored this cat, it would go in the bath with him and lie on top of him. When he told me the song was about a cat, and the cat was the only creature that gave him unconditional love, I thought 'This guy is definitely different'." -- Alan Mair [The Only Ones bassist] on Peter Perrett [The Only Ones frontman] in Nina Antonia's book The One and Only: Peter Perrett - Homme Fatale

LEAVE ME ALONE!: A Jazz Opera

Harvey Pekar of American Splendor fame has contributed a libretto for an autobiographical jazz opera to be accompanied by music by saxophonist Dan Plonsey. The opera is entitled Leave Me Alone! and is set to be performed on January 31st in Oberlin, Ohio. If you are nowhere near Ohio, the performance will also be broadcast live online via the opera's official homepage. Mark your calendars!

The official homepage states..
"LEAVE ME ALONE! is a new jazz opera with music by Dan Plonsey on a libretto by Harvey Pekar, to be performed at 8pm on January 31st, 2009 in Finney Chapel, Oberlin College, OH, and streamed live to an international online audience.

The story of the opera revolves around conversations between the composer and librettist held from their respective living rooms in the Bay Area and Cleveland. Dan and Harvey, the two primary interlocutors, played by themselves, engage in discussions about music, the life of the artist as householder, finding time to work, the current state of the avant garde, and the opera itself.

Further characters include their wives, Mantra Ben-ya'akova Plonsey and Joyce Brabner (also played by themselves), and Musical Director Josh Smith. Telephone appearance by Robert Crumb in conversation with the artists provides additional perspectives on the opera's themes. An ensemble of 6 musicians comprises the orchestra accompanying four singers who variously double the protagonists.

Both Plonsey and Pekar are deeply committed to the notion that art transgresses and transcends distinctions of class and hence ought to be populist in nature, available to all."

Click here for the official press release.

FINAL SALE ITEMS

Sale things! We still have some really amazing items available in key sizes. Please note these items are all final sale.

Tim Hamilton - Long Snorkel Shell Jacket
in charcoal
DETAILS: long coated-linen parka with detachable hood
sizes: M
was $1056, now $422.99



YMC - Biker Jacket
in black
DETAILS: washed goatskin outer with soft 65% polyester/35% wool body lining and viscose sleeve lining
sizes: XL
was $836, now $334.99


Band of Outsiders - Wool Peacoat
in navy
DETAILS: heavy weight wool with quilted lining, double breasted, single vent; color is a very dark, almost black shade of navy
sizes: 3/US40
was $1668, now $667.99


Band of Outsiders - Cavalry Twill Schoolboy Blazer
in black
DETAILS: Thick twill blazer with gold buttons. Signature Band of Outsiders shrunken fit. Canvassed construction.
sizes: 3/US
was $1399, now $555.99


Patrik Ervell - Hand-Made Classic Blazer
in black
DETAILS: Wool twill outer with partially lined body and fully lined sleeves. Single button. Single vented. Canvassed construction
sizes: 38, 42
was $1080, now $432.99


Nom de Guerre - Douglas Raincoat
in navy
DETAILS: made from authentic Mackintosh 100% nylon lightweight material, fits slim
sizes: S, M
was $584, now $233.99


Robert Geller - L/S Suspender Pleat Shirt
in white or light gray
DETAILS: light weight cotton with dot-texturing and suspender pleat detail
sizes/white: 46, 50, 52
sizes/light gray: 44
was $210, now $105.99


Robert Geller - S/S Textured Shirt
in white
DETAILS: Light weight cotton with dot-texturing. Modeled picture shown in gray color for style-reference.
sizes/white: 50
was $165, now $82.99


Robert Geller - L/S Contrast Collar Shirt
in light gray/gray or gray/light gray
DETAILS: lightweight 100% cotton
sizes/light gray/gray: 48
sizes/gray/light gray: 48
was $182, now $91.99


Robert Geller - S/S Contrast Collar Shirt
in light gray/gray
sizes: 48, 50
was $165, now $82.99


Robert Geller - Striped Crew Neck Sweater
in navy/dark gray
DETAILS: DETAILS: slightly elongated body, shoulder button detail, chest pocket, elbow patches, made from a soft cotton/cashmere blend; note that the "dark gray" is more of a nice purple shade
sizes: 44, 48
was $355, now $175.99


Robert Geller - Hooded Rain Coat
in charcoal/off-white [note: the charcoal is more of a purple shade]
DETAILS: ripstop polyester outer with polyester lining, two front pockets and one inner chest pocket, detachable hood, double zipper, off-white piping details
sizes: 50
was $510, now $250.99


Raf by Raf Simons - Wool Perfecto Jacket
in black
DETAILS: Soft lambswool outer with thick quilted lining.
sizes: 48
was $1050, now $420.99


Julian Red - Hoboken Jeans
in cots burnt orange
DETAILS: Julian Red's standard slim tapered jean. Wear it as a mid to high rise or lower on the hips for an anti-fit look.
sizes: 29x34, 30x34, 31x34, 32x34
was $255, now $102.99


Julian Red - California Jeans
in cots burnt orange
DETAILS: Julian Red's standard anti-fit jean with a relaxed fit through the thighs and tapered leg. Wear it as a mid to high rise or lower on the hips for a more relaxed look.
sizes: 29x34, 30x34, 31x34
was $255, now $102.99