Name:
Ebun Omoni

What I do:
Product Manager

What I am:
B-Boy

What does "streetwear" mean to you?

To me, "street" is a fresh but functional style of dress that gives you the freedom to engage in your urban activities but also look good while doing it. Most "street" styles originated from conventional clothing worn in an unconventional or unintended manner to accommodate their culture (breaking culture, skate culture) and suit their tastes (for instance, before there was a "baggy" style of jeans, people would wear pants 4 or 5 sizes larger). Streetwear pioneers saw the potential here and started making clothing geared towards this crowd. Whether you skate, break or write graffiti, "streetwear" means clothing that fits both your lifestyle and your looks.

What's your favorite brand?

I'd have to say that my favorite brand is Modern Amusement because their designs tend to be simple yet very unique and creative. They're very detail oriented and are meticulous with their colors. In addition, they often put emphasis in places other brands don't. Their jackets, for instance, will usually have a dope design or pattern on the internal lining whereas a lot of other brands keep it relatively plain since its something only seen by the wearer and not others...who only see the outside. I think that Modern Amusement caters to people who like that sort of thing, such as myself.

What's one piece from your wardrobe you'll keep forever?

One item from my wardrobe that I'll probably keep forever are my blue Puma Suedes ("Suede" is the model/style). They are extremely comfortable to dance in and the color is pretty versatile in that it goes well with a lot. They also have a classic look to them that reminds me of the early days of breaking and so I feel like I'm paying homage to the roots of my art when I rock them.

B-Boying Then and Now

In the early '80s, we still called it "breaking" and you couldn't find a Bay Area mall without an improptu gathering rocking to Kraftwerk's "Numbers" or "Tour de France." Our little crew always sat at the back of the bus with a roll of linoleum and boombox in tow. It was our intention to have a uniform too, but head-to-toe Nike nylon wasn't cheap enough for 4th graders to buy with lunch money, and parents were still trying to figure out whether or not this breaking stuff was a bad thing. I remember my mom asking if I'd joined a gang. Everyone in the crew had their specialty. Jomart had the most revolutions on his backspin, Ronald was the only one that could flare 10 different ways, and all I could do was pop, barely.

Today's scene is less of a craze and doesn't attract as much mainstream attention, but it's better organized and internationally inclusive. While we don't see it taking over schoolyards and garages anymore, B-Boys from all over the world are honing their skills. The innovation and athleticism is as impressive as ever. Anyone that's attended or seen a BC One competition knows B-Boying is still going strong on a worldwide scale.

And, there's still a healthy appreciation for the past, and we see homage in music, choreography and fashion associated with B-Boy culture. Every time I see Alife's ripstop nylon kicks "Planet Rock" breaks start playing in my head.

Speaking of back in the day, we recently ran into Crazy Legs from the legendary Rock Steady Crew at a canned food drive at Mighty this past week. Check out the collage below!

The latest trend in women's casual footwear is jumping off the top rope! No faking here, the wrestling shoe is popping up everywhere. Typical wrestling shoes go on like a slipper, are feather light and extremely flexible for maximum traction and wiggle. What we're seeing around is a little different, a hybrid design taking a basketball high-top and stretching it to the the heights of a wrestling shoe upper--a few inches higher than a conventional basketball high-top, with lacing all the way up--combined with more substantial sneaker soles for use off the mat (walking city blocks in real wrestling shoe soles is no fun).

Borrowing inspiration from this season's men's trends, these Creative Recreation Galow Hi Top Sneakers are a welcome Freestyle and Avant Casual option for the ladies. If you love cool unisex trends, it doesn't get any edgier than wrestling shoes!

What is streetwear?

Depends who you ask. It's one of those questions no two people will answer alike. When we read "streetwear" or hear it in conversation, there's a ton of images, scenes, beats, places and brands that come to mind. Pulling from such a deep, diverse range of inspiration, even those entrenched in the scene disagree and can't arrive at a tidy, consensus, dictionary definition for streetwear.

With more and more big name brands finding audience in the category, there is some debate as to whether or not streetwear has lost its way. Is streetwear still rooted in a genuine need for an authentic lifestyle brand, or has it become exploit, just slick marketing by an exclusive panel of brands and boutique owners? Hmm, well one thing is certain--people take it personally. Instead of taking sides, we'll ask another question.

What does streetwear mean to you?

Share your thoughts with us and there's a chance we'll post your insight in the blog--with your permission of course! Just send your response via email to feedback@tobi.com.

In the next few days, we'll be posting answers from a few experts close to the subject. Stay tuned!

Founded by Alyasha Owerka-Moore and the late Tatsushi "Tabo" Kagaya, Fiberops draws from many influences. Garage bands, grease monkeys, punk, blues, jazz with stand-up bass, rockabilly (easy on the pompadour), pinup girls, B movies, skate, and body ink. Fiberops originally targeted a Tokyo audience but launched seamlessly stateside to a loyal following with a taste for their Freestyle "high end, low brow" designs.

The Fiberops vibe makes us think of a Vespa gang headquartered in a Silver Lake lounge. Fiberops is for guys that want supper club casual with a bit of badboy edge.

We'd like to introduce one of our newest brands, Geren Ford! It's effortlessly elegant, simple and versatile. L.A. based designer Geren Lockhart Ford, known for her innovative kimono dresses, has a natural flair for the dramatic with signature draping that's flirty but sophisticated. Geren Ford's everyday glamour is active and on the move, ideal to take traveling and a must-have for all seasons. A lifestyle brand designed for work and play Geren Ford draws inspiration from cinematic portrayals and settings for the classic romance.

This spring, Geren Ford gives us silk in some fun Candy Colors!

M Missoni fans have been waiting patiently for their spring zig zags and they've finally arrived! The knits are, as always, impeccable. Get your hands on the must-have Long Cardigan now!

Binoculars and mosquito repellent aren't needed where you're going. Urban Safari is here, time to step out and experience the wildlife, city style! Adventurous elegance is spring ready in Nicholas K and Rag and Bone.

The gladiator sandal is back for another spring/summer. The strappy Greco-Roman flat isn't just for trips to the colossuem, it's the perfect pairing with all the spring and summer trends, from Urban Safari to Sculpted Silhouette and Candy Colors. As breezy as flip-flops but easier to walk in, as comfy as canvas slip-ons or ballet flats but sexier, the gladiator sandal is still laid-back and down to earth, but dresses up in a pinch. You can glam it up and go paparazzi darling with stones or studs, just don't go overboard with straps too far above your ankle or people will start ordering cocktails from you the next time you're in Vegas.

This week we added dresses from Milly and Velvet, as well as men's tees from GRN Apple Tree and Loyal Army to the sale aisle. The Velvet Megan Dress is a must try at $91 in 9 different colors.

There's a lot more where that came from. We can't believe some of the stuff on the sale racks! Take advantage and snatch it all up at a discount before someone else beats you to it. Even better, shop with Tobi Stylist, and we'll rummage through the clearance bins together to find all the final sale gems!

The Alife kicks are here, and anyone that's imitated Turbo's broom dance from the first Breakin' movie will appreciate this collection. Just feeling the texture of the ripstop nylon uppers on the Alife Everybody Mid Parachute makes us long for a nice and shiny, flat patch of linoleum. Time to get the rust off the downrock. Now, where'd we put those parachute pants?

An Irish girl turned New Yorker, Daryl Kerrigan (a.k.a., Daryl K) first became the queen of Manhattan in the late '90s with her attitude fueled, sexy and rocked out plays on androgyny. After a rough patch that included selling her Daryl K brand to an investment group that closed up her shops after fumbling a relaunch, Kerrigan has worked her way back into the fashion landscape. She bought her name back in 2002 and is once again doing what she does best, defining downtown chic with ever-evolving, updated versions of her original jukebox cutie. Her diffusion line, Kerrigan, shares the same playlist influence as Daryl K, offering subtly body conscious silhouettes with a tough girl edge.

Sometimes you just get lucky and that versatile top, the must-have flats, and the everyday jeans all hit the sale rack in your size. Now is a good time to check if the sale gods have rewarded your patience. Let's go sale shopping!

There's a lot more where that came from. We can't believe some of the stuff on the sale racks! Take advantage and snatch it all up at a discount before someone else beats you to it. Even better, shop with Tobi Stylist, and we'll rummage through the clearance bins together to find all the final sale gems!

"Are you gonna carry [insert brand here]?"

It's a question we get asked every day, and of the brands that filled in the blank, one of the most popular, requested lines was Development. We're happy to finally be able to answer...YES! In fact, Development is already here.

We recognize that Development is dear to a large and loyal following because they've perfected taking basics to the edge without hijacking your natural style. Development always leaves room for you to stake your own identity in the clothing.

Phillip Lim created Development to bridge the gap between classic and cool with a laid-back, natural aesthetic designed to allow the wearer room for self-expression. That foundation is carried on by current Development lead designer, Erica Davies. The Central St. Martins alum developed her beauty-in-contrast style of structured but free while working for Richard Tyler, Marc Jacobs and Max Azria.

We’re adding a new brand for men in time for spring/summer 2008, C’N’C, Costume National’s bridge line. Designer Ennio Capasa, who started his career working for legendary Yohji Yamamoto, is renowned for taking classic templates and infusing them with a little Milanese invention to create an ultramodern and exceptionally tailored collection.

For Spring/Summer 2008, C’N’C features innovative details, sleek fabrics and fashion forward fits in a nocturnal futurescape palette featuring an assertive serving of luster. Very modern, very urban, very self-assured, very Costume National. Here is a Sneak Peek shot of a C’N’C suit we expect to receive sometime in March or April 2008. We are also planning to add C’N’C for women in Fall 2008.

See our complete C'N'C Sneak Peek for more, and don't forget to check out the C'N'C pieces we already have in!