| WHAT’S GOOD? Don’t adjust your screens, it’s just me. I decided to takeover the newsletter this week and gracefully give @ianternetmaster a break* from the content machine. For those who may be unaware, my name is Raeland (Rae) Mendoza, and I am the co-founder & manager of ICYT. While Ian may affectionately/sarcastically refer to me as “Big Boss”, I prefer to say I am responsible for our collective’s design and marketing. Though I share many of the same interests with our favourite content captain who usually helms the keyboard, you’ll notice a few differences: Where he skews indie & prep hunting jackets, I lean more towards R&B and potentially even more niche Japanese fly fishing vests. I also have the personal rule of never wearing anything with visible logos or colour, and quite literally don’t own anything that isn’t all black. So we’ll see how old me recommending clothing devoid of any colour gets. PS - Scroll down to the bottom for special access to our ICYT x Tweed Second Chance Giveaway, and get a free “Elevated Exploration” diner mug. This is only open to newsletter subscribers, so ACT QUICK. - @raelandmendoza *Despite the "break", I am still formatting this newsletter. - Ianternetmaster Weekly specials: "can i get a bite?" 1. Shang Chi Trailer Rae: I’m quietly optimistic for the debut of Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie. Tony Leung as a super-villain who may or may not possess 10 alien rings/bracelets that grant him superpowers?! Also the combination of early 2000’s Jackie Chan-esque comedic martial arts with Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style operatic wire-work is definitely enough to get me to buy a ticket. Ian: I think my greatest hope for this film is that Asian people can come out of seeing this being extremely proud of what/who we are. Much like how Black people felt after watching Black Panther. Obviously it isn't the same movie, I do hope that it exhibits to us a new sense of pride in our culture. My other hope is that I can watch this in a theatre because I'm really not feeling the whole "stream the movie for $20 on Disney Plus from your home" vibe. 2. Mortal Kombat Trailer - Now Streaming on HBO Max Who knew my first takeover of the newsletter I’d be outing myself as both a fan of old martial arts films AND Marvel movies. While the other trailers for the upcoming Mortal Kombat film reboot are pure cheese (which I am very down for), this opening scene falls somewhere between a Kurosawa revenge plot and a superhero flick. Also Hiroyuki Sanada’s interpretation of Scorpion’s signature weapon being the improvised gardening tools of his slain wife is tragic and very cool at the same time. Recommended Reading: weekly dose of newsworthy content Self-Realized: Asian in America social studies Maia Ruth Lee, Zara Rahim, Julie Won, Jeff Staple, and Kyle Ng talk with moderator Minya Oh about being AAPI in the face of hate and erasure, with an eye on the future. Intent Interview gravitypope Over the past year the duo has built their business with the spirit of Bayanihan, a Filipino custom of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a common goal. Intent is actively advocating for inclusivity, empowerment, transparency and education through fair-trade, sustainable coffee. *Disclosure: We work with both Intent and gravitypope SoleSavy - Launches Women’s Exclusive Sneaker Community solesavy SoleSavy, one of the fastest-growing sneaker startups, announced today that Anna Bediones joined its team as Director of Strategy, Women’s. In this role, Anna will lead SoleSavy’s latest venture to create a safe and inclusive community for women sneakerheads. Next month, the company will launch its first exclusive women’s community. Watch the video campaign here How Fishing Became Fashionable (Literally) wsj R: Leading into S2W8 x Supreme’s fly fishing kits (more on that below), let’s explore fashion’s current obsession with fly fishing gear. Gorp levels 9000. High Level Garms of the Week: A selection of the ~*hottest*~ garms that have graced the timeline I have a complicated relationship with Supreme. Though the box logo driven hype isn’t for me, their place in streetwear/contemporary menswear, and fashion as a whole is rightfully deserved. Few brands can say they’ve made the market as a whole shift from collections to a drop based model. On a personal note, Supreme’s earlier collections which saw their signature combination of street culture mixed with Japanese craftsmanship, and refined sensibilities (along with their peers Union, Stüssy & Nom De Guerre) is what got me into fashion. Years later when I interned for the former manufacturing partner of Supreme, I quite literally studied archives of Supreme hoodies which defined what I consider to be well designed product. All that to say, this collaboration is fucking nuts. In the age of constant collabs and ever releasing product, I genuinely love it when I’m caught off guard. South2West8 is the current wildchild of Nepenthes, the Japanese collective which houses pillar brands Engineered Garments & Needles. This drop sees tie dye printed mesh fishing vests, bucket hats and jackets, to technical outdoor wear. If you ever find yourself wanting to hike through a bamboo forest to a secluded fishing village in Hokkaido, while on acid, this is for YOU. Or take the Rae approach (*patent pending*), and cop the black mesh vest and wear it with an oversized plain tee, baggy double knee work pants and some wallabees. Further reading: THANKS SUPREME X SOUTH2 WEST8, WE'RE FLY FISHERS NOW highsnobiety Remembering Nom de Guerre, the Most Influential Streetwear Brand You May Have Never Heard Of grailed I just picked up this hat from WHR which will likely be on my dome for most of, if not the entire summer season. Shout out to SSENSE for that promo code and free express shipping. The black/black colourway fits my uniform, is esoteric and mysterious (people may think you spend your summers as a research lab assistant saving sea life), while the bungee cord closure on the back says “I can still be fun despite spending the last year thinking the world may end at any given moment” while pulling up to your outdoor, socially distanced park hang with natural wine in hand (or an XL bottle of San Pellegrino if you’re #sober like me). Recommended Listening: when i say i'm putting 100 on the dash, i mean volume levels! Jorja Smith - Gone famm One week later, and I’m still crying with you Jorja. I too am asking “how is my world better off without you?” Deb Never - Sorry moonlanding Fresh off a standout placement on Slowthai’s album, Deb Never’s latest single is an unapologetic sad summer night anthem. Little Simz - Introvert youtube The UK lyricist and multi-instrumentalist delivers powerful visual and sonic poetry ahead of her forthcoming album, “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert”. Rina Sawayama - Tiny Desk Concert youtube The Japanese British Pop singer gives us power pop RECORDS that’d fit perfectly into the character development montage scene in the movie that is your life. “Will I See You Again?” - Crew Setlist by ICYT If I’m taking over the newsletter, why not break my own rules? Here’s **exclusive** early access to a summer playlist compiled by the ICYT crew. giveaway Missed out? Well this is your second chance. We’ve set aside a handful of the ICYT x Tweed “Elevated Exploration” diner mugs for a FREE second chance giveaway, exclusively available to our newsletter subscribers. Use the password: ELEVATEDEXPLORATION to enter the ICYT webshop and claim your mug. Very limited inventory is available, first come first serve. |
WHAT’S GOOD?
Don’t adjust your screens, it’s just me. I decided to takeover the newsletter this week and gracefully give @ianternetmaster a break* from the content machine. For those who may be unaware, my name is Raeland (Rae) Mendoza, and I am the co-founder & manager of ICYT. While Ian may affectionately/sarcastically refer to me as “Big Boss”, I prefer to say I am responsible for our collective’s design and marketing.
Though I share many of the same interests with our favourite content captain who usually helms the keyboard, you’ll notice a few differences: Where he skews indie & prep hunting jackets, I lean more towards R&B and potentially even more niche Japanese fly fishing vests. I also have the personal rule of never wearing anything with visible logos or colour, and quite literally don’t own anything that isn’t all black. So we’ll see how old me recommending clothing devoid of any colour gets.
PS - Scroll down to the bottom for special access to our ICYT x Tweed Second Chance Giveaway, and get a free “Elevated Exploration” diner mug. This is only open to newsletter subscribers, so ACT QUICK. - @raelandmendoza
*Despite the "break", I am still formatting this newsletter.
- Ianternetmaster
| |
Weekly specials:
"can i get a bite?"
1. Shang Chi Trailer
Rae: I’m quietly optimistic for the debut of Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero movie. Tony Leung as a super-villain who may or may not possess 10 alien rings/bracelets that grant him superpowers?! Also the combination of early 2000’s Jackie Chan-esque comedic martial arts with Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style operatic wire-work is definitely enough to get me to buy a ticket.
Ian: I think my greatest hope for this film is that Asian people can come out of seeing this being extremely proud of what/who we are. Much like how Black people felt after watching Black Panther. Obviously it isn't the same movie, I do hope that it exhibits to us a new sense of pride in our culture. My other hope is that I can watch this in a theatre because I'm really not feeling the whole "stream the movie for $20 on Disney Plus from your home" vibe.
2. Mortal Kombat Trailer - Now Streaming on HBO Max
Who knew my first takeover of the newsletter I’d be outing myself as both a fan of old martial arts films AND Marvel movies. While the other trailers for the upcoming Mortal Kombat film reboot are pure cheese (which I am very down for), this opening scene falls somewhere between a Kurosawa revenge plot and a superhero flick. Also Hiroyuki Sanada’s interpretation of Scorpion’s signature weapon being the improvised gardening tools of his slain wife is tragic and very cool at the same time.
| |
Recommended Reading:
weekly dose of newsworthy content
Self-Realized: Asian in America
social studies
Maia Ruth Lee, Zara Rahim, Julie Won, Jeff Staple, and Kyle Ng talk with moderator Minya Oh about being AAPI in the face of hate and erasure, with an eye on the future.
Intent Interview
gravitypope
Over the past year the duo has built their business with the spirit of Bayanihan, a Filipino custom of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a common goal. Intent is actively advocating for inclusivity, empowerment, transparency and education through fair-trade, sustainable coffee.
*Disclosure: We work with both Intent and gravitypope
SoleSavy - Launches Women’s Exclusive Sneaker Community
solesavy
SoleSavy, one of the fastest-growing sneaker startups, announced today that Anna Bediones joined its team as Director of Strategy, Women’s. In this role, Anna will lead SoleSavy’s latest venture to create a safe and inclusive community for women sneakerheads. Next month, the company will launch its first exclusive women’s community.
Watch the video campaign here
How Fishing Became Fashionable (Literally)
wsj
R: Leading into S2W8 x Supreme’s fly fishing kits (more on that below), let’s explore fashion’s current obsession with fly fishing gear. Gorp levels 9000.
| |
High Level Garms of the Week:
A selection of the ~*hottest*~ garms that have graced the timeline
| |
I have a complicated relationship with Supreme. Though the box logo driven hype isn’t for me, their place in streetwear/contemporary menswear, and fashion as a whole is rightfully deserved. Few brands can say they’ve made the market as a whole shift from collections to a drop based model. On a personal note, Supreme’s earlier collections which saw their signature combination of street culture mixed with Japanese craftsmanship, and refined sensibilities (along with their peers Union, Stüssy & Nom De Guerre) is what got me into fashion. Years later when I interned for the former manufacturing partner of Supreme, I quite literally studied archives of Supreme hoodies which defined what I consider to be well designed product.
All that to say, this collaboration is fucking nuts. In the age of constant collabs and ever releasing product, I genuinely love it when I’m caught off guard. South2West8 is the current wildchild of Nepenthes, the Japanese collective which houses pillar brands Engineered Garments & Needles. This drop sees tie dye printed mesh fishing vests, bucket hats and jackets, to technical outdoor wear. If you ever find yourself wanting to hike through a bamboo forest to a secluded fishing village in Hokkaido, while on acid, this is for YOU. Or take the Rae approach (*patent pending*), and cop the black mesh vest and wear it with an oversized plain tee, baggy double knee work pants and some wallabees.
Further reading:
THANKS SUPREME X SOUTH2 WEST8, WE'RE FLY FISHERS NOW
highsnobiety
Remembering Nom de Guerre, the Most Influential Streetwear Brand You May Have Never Heard Of
grailed
| |
I just picked up this hat from WHR which will likely be on my dome for most of, if not the entire summer season. Shout out to SSENSE for that promo code and free express shipping. The black/black colourway fits my uniform, is esoteric and mysterious (people may think you spend your summers as a research lab assistant saving sea life), while the bungee cord closure on the back says “I can still be fun despite spending the last year thinking the world may end at any given moment” while pulling up to your outdoor, socially distanced park hang with natural wine in hand (or an XL bottle of San Pellegrino if you’re #sober like me). | |
Recommended Listening:
when i say i'm putting 100 on the dash, i mean volume levels!
Jorja Smith - Gone
famm
One week later, and I’m still crying with you Jorja. I too am asking “how is my world better off without you?”
Deb Never - Sorry
moonlanding
Fresh off a standout placement on Slowthai’s album, Deb Never’s latest single is an unapologetic sad summer night anthem.
Little Simz - Introvert
youtube
The UK lyricist and multi-instrumentalist delivers powerful visual and sonic poetry ahead of her forthcoming album, “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert”.
Rina Sawayama - Tiny Desk Concert
youtube
The Japanese British Pop singer gives us power pop RECORDS that’d fit perfectly into the character development montage scene in the movie that is your life.
“Will I See You Again?” - Crew Setlist by ICYT
If I’m taking over the newsletter, why not break my own rules? Here’s **exclusive** early access to a summer playlist compiled by the ICYT crew.
| |
Missed out? Well this is your second chance. We’ve set aside a handful of the ICYT x Tweed “Elevated Exploration” diner mugs for a FREE second chance giveaway, exclusively available to our newsletter subscribers.
Use the password: ELEVATEDEXPLORATION to enter the ICYT webshop and claim your mug. Very limited inventory is available, first come first serve.
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