Photo by Joe Martinez

Name:
Jamie

Aka:  
J-hop, James, Jamie-jo

Website:
jamiehopper.com

Where are you from?
I was a military kid so not exactly anywhere, but Louisiana was the first place that I chose to live so it’s kinda homebase.

Who do you work for? 
A few great photographers here and there, and myself.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Working on some collaborative things with Ellie Mae, and then the girls from Asian Cajuns. I am also way into road trip planning.  

Who would you love to work with?
Skye Parrott, she’s one of my favorite photographers as well as the Creative Director for Dossier, an arts and culture journal that I adore.  

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
A pair of old hightops.

What’s on your iPod right now?
 animal collective, jens lekman, beirut, and everything on here: http://blip.fm/teenagepants

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Soul Vegetarian or Thumbs Up, I can’t decide 

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Wouldn’t it be blasphemy for me to say anything other than El Bar? 

What are your Pet Peeves?
Phone troubles, rudeness to servers, excessive honking in traffic.

Shout outs?
Marie, Stephanie, Honeycutt, Alex, Julie, Leah, Meg, Vycki, Justin, Witt, Ross & Joe, Smif & Rabun, Catherine & Lauren,  Ray & Jose, Jess, Char, Phil, Ellie, Carly James, Ivy, Matt, Katherine, Rhiannon, Megan, CJ, T-boi, Teeth, Cash, and Superrock.

Name:
Danielle Glasky

Aka:  
deegee

Website:
chuggable.wordpress.com

Where are you from?
Originally Vallejo, California but now it’s looking like I’m from Atlanta. Been here longer, anyway. Can’t deny your roots, tho.

Who do you work for? 
Octane Coffee, for the next 3 weeks anyway. Then I’ll be working for Stumptown Coffee NYC!!

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Making things taste amazing!!! We’re working on this single origin espresso from Ethiopia that has been rocking lately. It’s like purple and green skittles. I’m also working on my moped. Does that count? It’s a project. And moving. 

Who would you love to work with?
Luckily I work with the coolest effing people at Octane, but I do have my coffee crushes I would love to collaborate with. Like Aida Battle from Santa Ana, El Salvador. This woman has three farms in El Salvador and does some ridiculously amazing coffee. Kentaro Maruyama is also a badass and I would love to learn his zen ways of cupping coffees.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
I have these old green vans slip ons that I CANNOT get rid of because I wore them on my first trip to Japan. I will probably move them around forever and grab them quickly if my house begins to burn down.

What’s on your iPod right now?
I’ve been marching backwards in time and revisiting a bunch of shit I used to listen to like Dismemberment Plan, Tristeza, Tortoise… then there’s Broadcast, the Field, Yo la Tengo, Lilys, and Stereolab.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
arvers- god I’m going to miss this place, specifically the pulled pork. And the BBQ Tofu taco at El Myr. And the deviled eggs at H&F rock my world.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
When I’m not at work I’m at Method Coffee Bar during the day and at Leon’s Full Service or the Brickstore Pub at night. 

What are your Pet Peeves?
People on their cell phones at the register or iced espressos or gender related comments regarding coffee.  i drink my coffee black thank you very much because it tastes DELICIOUS this way.

Shout outs?
I guess this is where I get to say goodbye? Sara- so pumped we’ve become so tight; AlyShel, Crystal, the other half of Team Coffee - Ben Helfen (you’re gonna kill in Cologne!), Tiny Rifle and the whole Octane crew,  the sleepy creepies, the Cabbagetown posse, Liz BFF Clayton, EKIII <3, Lamont and Byron, the LEON’s and BSP crew, the blogfam, and my southeast coffee fam love you always.

Name:
Chris Lee

Aka:  
C to the JL

Website:
ctothejl.com

Where are you from?
Holding it down for the NY/NJ area.

Who do you work for? 
Myself, I play for my own team.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
CtotheJL.com of course, and some other secrets I cannot speak about… ha.

Who would you love to work with?
I’d like to work with Nick Tershay, he’s the current owner and designer of Diamond Supply Co. his design are great, and he runs a very successful skateboarding company.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Nike SB Diamond Supply Co. SB’s.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Right now, J.A.M.E.S. WATTS, KiD CuDi, Drake, and Wale.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Fried Chicken, Mac and cheese, and the uptown drink.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Standard ATL of course!

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who act like they know what’s up, but are complete jerk offs.

Shout outs?
All the supporters of CtotheJL.com, the CJL Crew, Lars, Matt, Kazar, Lisa. Big homey JLP, Nicky Diamonds, everyone whos been down since day one. ‘09 is going to be one hell of a year.

Name:
Michael Habachy

Website:
habachydesigns.com

Where are you from?
Native of ATL…  Believe it!

Who do you work for? 
I own an Interior Design Firm called Habachy Designs, Inc.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
URUM Lounge in midtown which will be a super high glam space in a monochromatic GOLD color scheme. AU is the Latin symbol for gold.

We are working on the first modern house to get LEED Silver certification. The house is located off Barksdale in Ansley.  Here is the link: http://www.dwellmodern.com/leed.html
 
We are designing the ultimate Bachelor’s residence in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am also working on my personal residence which is probably the most challenging. I just have too many ideas and just not enough space to use them!
 
Who would you love to work with? 
I would love to design a hotel for Ian Schrager who is the Boutique Hotel King!!! 

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Believe it or not, I am not much of a sneaker guy, so I would probably give all of mine to charity, and then go out and replace them with a pair of Black Label, Pumas.

What’s on your iPod right now?
M83

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Too many to list! MF Sushi, Nuevo Laredo, JCT Kitchen, and the list goes on… We really have some great restaurants in Atlanta!

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Beleeza

What are your Pet Peeves?
Clutter.

Shout outs?
To my senior designer, Evan Burton for being such a huge part of Habachy Designs!  Also, to all our clients for believing in us and giving us the opportunities to express our creativity an vision with their businesses.

Name:
Luma Mufleh

Aka:  
Coach

Website:
fugeesfamily.org

Where are you from?
Jordan

Who do you work for? 
Fugees Family

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Summer Academic Boot Camp for my boys.

Who would you love to work with?
Kermit the Frog, because he’s kind humorous and green, and understands it’s not easy being green.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My red converse.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Michael Jackson

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Any home-cooked meal in Clarkson.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
The Brockett Pub

What are your Pet Peeves?
Finger nail clippings and chewing gum with mouth wide open.

Shout outs?
My homie amanda in Steel City, my girl P. Diddy in ATL, my woman Nobooty in Spain, and my boys J. Designer and Black Beckham.

Name:
Sumner DeMoura

Aka:  
My name is Sumner, How many of us do you know? That answers that…

Website:
www.zachwolfe.com/live peep my video edits on there or on www.snortthis.com.
I got my own shit thats about to leak out called Kinda Like A Immigrant, keep an eye out.

Where are you from?
I have been claimin’ Atlanta since 1992, when I came here as a child from
Mount Vernon, New York.

Who do you work for? 
I am Zach Wolfe’s right hand man, thats my form of income. I help everyone else out when possible with whatever is needed.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Kinda Like A Immigrant is my big side project. Doing video editing for  Zach Wolfe and Dax with Zachwolfe.com/live and Snortthis.com. Writing a screenplay, so actors
like Cuba Gooding Jr. dont have to do movies like Daddy Day Camp, shit I need to change the channel.

Who would you love to work with?
I would love to work with Danny McBride any day, I want to work with growers in Humboldt County, Cali. I would love to learn how to blow glass with Tommy Chong, Nike that would be cool to work with, working with Obama would be badass like be one of his advisors, I would like to start a dog shelter with Michael Vick and DMX, and make a new TV show with Dave Chappelle, oh yeah and a movie with Martin Scorsese.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
They can have anything they want.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Here are some artist from my recently played, Gucci Mane, Barrington Levy, Big Boi, Big Tymers, Chip Tha Ripper, Phoenix, The Black Lips, Stacey Q (Two of Hearts is my Jam), Gorilla Zoe, Lil Wayne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mos Def, OJ Da Juiceman, Peter Tosh, Project Pat, Rick Ross, and Saigon.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Nuevo Laredo Best Mexican in Atlanta, Carvers you better get there early before all the lunch is gone, and my moms cooking if you have had it you know what I’m talking about…

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Studio 900 but on Thursday and Friday your gonna catch me at El Bar Wasted Might Dont Make It.

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who say Im doing good, when it should be I’m doing well. People that just want and dont have anything to give back. Rain, yeah thats a big one I hate the rain.

Shout outs?
okay here we go Mom and Dad for doing it and birthing me ha, my sister, Sommer hope your having fun in Europe, Zach Wolfe, Dax, Les, Slugger, Shaun, Rob and Rosa Wonder, Phil, Cory, Ryan and the Streetlocal guys, Aaron and The Joneses, Larry and Georgios and the Process guys, Nene, Arash, A/C, Radar, Dan Hollister, Josh Meister, Jay Morel, Urban Medium, Sharon, Malik, Supreeme, Farshad Arshid and The Standard Fam, Shawn From Walters, Chris Black, HBO, Showtime, Apple, Swisher Sweet cigars, all the banging budz that are harvested all the time, Chelsea FC, and anyone that has ever gotten in the Wrangler and partied in the smoke.

Name:
Nene Wudah Kisseih

Aka:
Wudah, Most people usually don’t pronounce my name properly, so there are endless versions of incorrect phonetics. There is the typical southern Nay-Nay. There is Ne-Ne. It’s quite simple actually. It’s only one syllable said twice. Pronounced like the 1st syllable in the word Neck. Nene. You can also call me Chief if you really know me. Cause thats what my name means.

Website:
streetlocal404.com
overaided.com

Where are you from?
Accra, Ghana. West Africa.

Who do you work for?
Bullion Tailored Goods. StreetLocal. OveRaideD.

What are your Current Project(s)?
Finishing up the samples for my first solo collection with Bullion (BTG). I am really excited about starting on my newest venture with ATL’s finest StreetLocals. We are stepping our game up. Fixing a broken cabinet in my kitchen.

Who would you love to work with?
Peter Poopat of common projects’, John Sternberg of Band of Outsiders’, Tom Ford, Jerrord Cornish and Kieran Richardson of Corpus, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright of Rag & Bone. The list is endless..

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep?
I dunno, either my Nike Air Max 90 Currents cause they are mad comfortable, or my newest pair of shoes. Alife Public outrage.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Gucci Mane, Oj the Juiceman, Danger Mouse and Jemini, Ghostface Killah, Little Brother, Mobb Deep, Mos Def, Outkast, The Pharcyde, The Police (why does this one sound like it doesn’t really fit with the rest), The Roots, UGK, Tabi Bonney, Grip Plyaz, Dj Slugger.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Extra crispy chicken wangs from Atlanta’s best wings, Hawaiian steak from Houstons, Ribs from Crazy Ron’s Choo Choo Bar-b-que. Yes, I like meat. I’m African Damn it!

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
My bed, My Kitchen, El Bar, Almost any Football Pitch (that’s a soccer field for most of you). Where ever my friends are.

What are your Pet Peeves?
When people say they are going to do something for you and they don’t. Long ass finger nails on dudes. Rude ass people who work in the customer service field who don’t enjoy their jobs. People who always complain (downers).

Shout outs?
My folks, Randi ran, Kiki, Mason, Lawer Kojo, Dumas, Anyone else with the Last name Kisseih, My cousin Nii-Armarh, Arash (ORDatl), All my StreetLocal Fam: Tim, Ryan, Cory (King Alga), Myk and Les, Jamil Ficklin, Al (Khanartist), Reggie (Brave Bernard), Larry, Georgios, Jared, Ross, All the cool ass people that work at el bar Ed, Colleen, Rosa…, Gripplyaz, Chad Reid, Tunde (freshiam), Rithy, Denys, Ariel Weekes, Sumner, Proton, Fadia, Howard G, Dean Dyer, Standard Crew, Eddie Naugle, Joseph Vellino, J-lie, No brakesATL, A.C., Radar, The Joneses, Hen B, Blng x Bgdt, Chilly-O, Presto, Cristo, Manchester United Glory Glory MANUTD!!!, CWill, Jeremy and Grahm, Mo H, Quinton Hart, Shelly (my barber), Sean and Lisa, Amber, Sid Mashburn, I probably forgot some folks. Don’t take it personal.

Name:
Denys

Aka:  
Kneesee sometimes Miss Denys

Website:
kneeseespieces.com
analoggirls.com

Where are you from?
College Park, Georgia!

Who do you work for? 
For 18 amazing children in the Early Preschool Class at an Autistic Center.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
When I’m not being miss teacher lady, I’m a complete 35mm film junkie. I’m working on building a portfolio under my nom de guerre “Kneesees Pieces” as well as Analog Girls. I have really big ideas as to where I’d like this all to go… but I’ll be about it before I talk about it. Eventually I’d love to see my work turn into little exhibits and books. It’s all for the love of film.. I’m no fame and fortune seeker.

Who would you love to work with?
Storytellers, visionaries and genuine, worldly people. Thats all.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My wal mart shoes. They’re one in a billion.

What’s on your iPod right now?
I actually don’t even have an iPod but my iTunes is playing lots of Camera Obscura, Au Revoir Simone, The Radio Dept., The Cure, Broken Social Scene, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and almost everything 80s.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
I’m always hungry. So can we say foods? Hot Cafe in College Park is my Thai food comfort haven. It’s really Laotian owned, but thats when you know it’s real good. The 5Spot has the best sammiches. I love Flying Biscuit in Candler Park.. and oh yeah R. Thomas. I told you I was always hungry.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
El Bar? El yeah! Duh!

What are your Pet Peeves?
I’m super passive. I notice everything and nothing at the same time. On top of that, I work with two-year-olds… you could only imagine the things I go through. So I think I’ve built an even more higher tolerance for things.

Shout outs?
My analog ladies.. Hadiyah & Ashley, my little minions who give me the occasional black eye and bruised legs and everyone else who has mused me on my film projects! aye!

Photo by Stefán Kjartansson

Name:
Wade Thompson

Aka:  
SON&SONS

Website:
sonandsons.com

Where are you from?
Atlanta

Who do you work for? 
My own self

What are your Current Project(s)? 
We’re working on a few Brand Identity  and advertising projects for Coca-Cola, a new website for the fashion designer Catherine Malandrino, a new brand identity for the Migrating Forms film festival in NYC, just wrapped up mybedo.com, as well as the BeDo name and identity. We’re currently diving into new projects with Creative Capital, and Basil & Sons, a men’s pants line.

Who would you love to work with?
We’re lucky to collaborate with so many great people already –  you and the Epidemik Coalition team, Armchair, Ignition, plus a whole bunch of folks in NY. As for clients, we want to be the creative resource for a handfull of social and business entreprenuers.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
I’ve got some old lo-top leather Chucks that look like Japanese nurse shoes. No one can figure out what they are exactly. They’re perforated like a bandaid, super slim soles, and no markings.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Bumblebee Unlimited, Sun Ra, Djeli Daouda Dembele, Fleetwood Mac, and Willie Nelson.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
When Im in Atlanta, I turn into a “lady who lunches”. I’m all about a loaded dog or a shrimp po-boy from Star Provisions… topped off with soft serve icecream with a little olive oil and sea salt.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Porches with swings, BBQs, house parties, and The Center for Design Study.

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who sit around and mope.

Shout outs?
The entire Son & Sons Family, especially Jeff, Ryan Jessica, and Alena.

Name:
Cory Patton

Aka:  
King Alga, The Warrior, Black Jesus, The Truth, Big O, Grime, General, Damaga, King, Knowledge, Jeru, That Dood “a few more but, I plead the 5th on those. Might have rents on them.

Website:
gumshoeapparel.com
streetlocal404.com
standardatl.com

Where are you from?
The South: Tuscaloosa, AL aka Trill Town, AL aka Tough Town, AL

Who do you work for? 
Standard/ El Bar/ Street Local/ My friends…

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Just wait, and you’ll be shocked.

Who would you love to work with?
Movie: Robert Deniro & Clint Eastwood
Music: Premiere, RZA, Pete Rock, Ghostface, 9th wonder, & Jay-Z
Clothing: Alife, Supreme, Hundreds, Undefeated, Neighborhood

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
All of them, wouldn’t keep any.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Wutang, Ghostface, The Otherside, Haz Solo, Gucci Mane, OJ the Juiceman, Gorilla Zoe, Nite Ratz Mixtapes, Pipomixes, Pete Rock, DJ Premiere, Boot Camp Click, Master P (Old Shyt), Big L, Biggie, Fat Joe, 2Pac, Tribe, Kurupt, Big Daddy Kane, Roots, I’m really into trap/grimey music now.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Bookhouse, Silver Grill, & any place with a good burger & wings

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
I try to go a few places but I enjoy El-bar and the W on Thursdays.

What are your Pet Peeves?
People that big-up thereselves when u meet them. U know” I got this / I’m a rapper / I’m T.I.’s cousin…”

Shout outs?
Street Locals: Tim, Ryan, Myk, A the Monster, Christy, Ginsu, Aaron(Joneses), (Crooks) A.C., Radar, Shane, BlngXBdgt, Cody, Bobby Billions, A-Huf, Colin, Jimmy, Cristo Melio, Sumner, Zach Wolfe, Dax, Rob & Rosa Wonder, Lan, Malik, Sharon, (Nite Ratz) Slugger, Presto, Cristo, Big Ricky, Matt Lezecko, Lauren “Fly” Bird, Asian John, Cobra Corps, (Carpe/Rowdy) Greg Mike, Andrew Kline, Henry Broggi, Nicole, Al (saint 48), Jest (Alife), Vik (Nike), (Process) Georgios, Larry, Vadal, Ross, Sam, Gerad, My bros: Ku Ku, Demone, Hollywood, Big Dog, Moo!!, Lil Mot, Brandon, Gavin “can’t wait for u to get out” Patton, Zach Gable, Malcolm, K.J., Reggie (Brave Bernard) Caleb Gauge, DJ Smiles, (Lavish Life) Grip, Kei, Kim, Mums Fp, Super bird, Lauren, Sarah, Maria x5, Lisete, April, DJ Hotsauce, DJ Jelly, Wutang, Sandra Brooks, (QC click) Jhonatan Connely, Darrell Rice, Jen (the Legs), Tonya Kelly, Amanda, Carey, Adam, Kacy, Rachael, Barry, JYML, Chris, Damein, Drew,Steve Boogie, Chris Mink, Laura Mink, Herman, Hiram, Ed, Colleen, Kevin, Tara, Kent & Erin Congrats!!, Jason, Ashely, Coke, Kelly’e, Channel, Brain, Kiddo, Kyle, (The Otherside) Keno, Wallsauce, Haz Solo Wojo, Joy, Cindy, (Corner heads) Cowhead, Scar, Brandon & Miya Bryant, Jeff, Decautar Dan, Nellie, Mo, Northstar X, Fresh.I.am, If i forgot u I’m sorry, till the God hour!!

Photo by Dan Hall

Name:
Farshad Arshid

Aka:  
Rashad, Vershad, Far-shaad, Rasheed, FarshaRd, RashaRd, and any other way my name is butchered…

Website:
standardatl.com

Where are you from?
Born in Tehran Iran (gotta rep the motherland) grew up in Houston, TEJAS (as GDub says it), here in Atlanta for 13 years now.

Who do you work for? 
For the man… Damn the man… Oh, and I own the Standard boutiques in town.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Collaboration with DC Shoes, collab with Process (clears throat)… Spring/Summer In-Store series at 1841. And a few more that I can’t talk about yet…..

Who would you love to work with?
Too many to name, but here are a few: Nike, The Hundreds, 10 Deep, Alife, Benny Gold, Huf, Maharishi

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Adidas Milano Navy with gold Stripes… I have 2 pairs… a beat up pair that wore while building the original store… and a pair I found at Sporty LA 2 years ago which I paid entirely too much for… This is strictly for sentimental reasons…

What’s on your iPod right now?
The new Depeche Mode (single), George Michael (4life), Ghostland Observatory, Sam Roberts Band, Rehab, Elton John, Morrissey, The Smiths, Cartel, Ponderosa, UGK, the Cool Kids, Phoenix, US Royalty, Chester French, NERD, Grip Plyaz, Biggie, Erik B & Rakim, Ice T, New Order, The Cure, Duran Duran.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Spice Market, Eugene’s, Rumi’s Kitchen, Flip Burger Boutique, Surin, Holeman & Finch, Taqueria Del Sol, FAB, MF Sushi, Shaun’s, Hong Kong Harbor (best dim sum in town).

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
STANDARD Boutiques (look man, I work gazillion hours a weeks… my only social activity is talking shit to whoever visits… but other favorite spot that I don’t visit nearly enough is El Bar.

What are your Pet Peeves?
Assholes (with the exception of myself), being late, bluetooth headsets, sunglasses indoors, stupid questions (Is the grass real? Is this Pharrell’s store? Where do you guys get your stuff from? Do you guys make your own clothes? Can I get a recession discount?)

Shout outs?
Man toooo many…. 1st and foremost, the bosslady my wife Sandy… My family, My Standard crew (Daniel, Ryan, Nellie, Mourad, Xavier, Cory), CHRIS BLACK, Bun B, My Process boys of course (keep doing what you’re doing), Greg Street, Don Cannon, Coach K, Vik S, Shawn from Walters, The entire Rehab Family, Demun Jones, Germaine, the Willis Twins, Smiles, xText message Timx, Kaos, Jason Geter, Brian @ DC, C to the JL, Kaan Ergun (kaandre 3000), FNDTN crew, BBC crew, Scotty ILL, Eric V, Meg, Benny Gold, Rob Wonder & Rosa, Zach Wolfe, Sumner, Henry, Serious Ron, The Joneses, Will Lundy, Lavish Life crew, AC, Myk and the rest of The Charlotte crew, Dallas Austin, and the Rowdy Crew, G Mike, Caleb, Ross, Reggie, Patrick, and last but not least my boys Zero, Cosmo, and Paco.

Name:
Stefán Kjartansson

Aka:  
To my mom I’m Stebbi.

Website:
howdoyouspellkjartansson.com
armchairmedia.com/work/

Where are you from?
I was born in Siglufjörður, which is a small fishing town in a fjord north of Iceland.

Who do you work for? 
I’m a founding partner and designer at Armchair.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Philips Van-Heusen, FusionBrands, SAT.

Who would you love to work with?
Peter Seville, I just want to see how he thinks. I would like to work with Michael Bierut to experience his process.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
I have two pairs of Tretorns. The high-tops could easily fetch $7.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Nate introduced me to this band today called Tuxedomoon. I plan listen to them obsessively.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Floataway Cafe, MF Sushi, Star Provisions, Top Flr

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Octane Coffee.

What are your Pet Peeves?
Designers that are not passionate about their work.

Shout outs?
I wanna give a shout out to my Armchairs: Scott, Dave, Kenny, Kevin,
Farbod, Nate, Tiffany, Marta, Aaron, Michelle, Travis, Reena, Erick,
Emily, Darcey, Alice, Erica, Rebecca, Jamie. I also wanna give a shout
out to Elise and Thor. And God.

Name:
Colleen Burley

Aka:  
Charlie, Queen La Queefa, Chachi, Crazy cat Lady, I have to mention Captain Butt Balls the Litter Box Magician (I do not go by this, so never call me this unless you are Daks).

Website:
You need to make me one. I know, I know, it is pretty sad that I do not have one. I am sure the hobos who live off the dead tracks on ponce will have web sites before me. I guess I am just old school hahah!

Where are you from?
Queens New York Son!

Who do you work for? 
Americans.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Shit i have a bunch! Laundry, dishes, dusting, setting up my painting studio and waiting for George to call me to come silk screen with him. I will be partaking in the annual  Skateboard Show @Young Blood  coming up May 2nd (my birthday)! I have agreed to teach children at some art camp over at Eyedrum in April. I got three jobs and they keep me busy. The creative juices in my brain have started flowing again so we will se what happens. Oh and I am in a band, GuyLiner. We are playing at the Drunken Unicorn on Friday April 24th. I think we go on last, well yeah we do… we are headlining. 

Who would you love to work with?
Shit this is a good question!  Well of coarse you fuckers. I would love to work with Cy Twombly, Jeff Soto, Barry McGee, Daks, Camille Rose Garcia, Espo, John K (creator of Ren and Stimpy), Tim and Eric, Mark Van Orman (creator of Flap Jack), Stephan Hillenburg (Spongebob), Trey Parker and Matt Stone. There are a bunch of artists whom I wish I could have worked with but due to death it is not at all possible. One of those was Margaret Killgallen. I remember when I first found out about her death. I was checking out the mags in the tower over off Broadway and Astor Place. I read about it and almost fell down. It sucked she was AMAZING! 

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Shit I do not think charity would take any of my shoes. They are all fucked up from working behind the bar. So i guess i would say my slippers. Final answer.

What’s on your iPod right now?
I am unsure of where it is but that shit  has too much crap on it. I havent even heard of half of the bands, groups, what ever is on my piss-pod.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
I am a sucker for Nakato and Alfedos.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
My house. I am pretty boring I guess. My job is being “out” not like gay but you know up in the club, so i guess that is a good reason to stay at home when I am not working. I do love the bookhouse! NO SMOKING there and thats fantastic. Its also really chill, not loud, and the food is amazing. If I want to dance then its El Bar.

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.People who think they are doing the bartender a service by ordering drinks for random people who are waiting and not with them.People who scream,smack the bar, or wave their bottle around to get a bartenders attention. Daks giving me my once a month lecture about being a quitter.

Shout outs?
TV anchors give shot outs on the news does that mean shot outs are whack? Like we all knew gold teeth were done once Hulk Hogans daughter got a grill. You can give shot outs on Cash cab too. Thats pretty sweet… well shit… Patrick, My cats, Shannon and Erin, My mom + Dad, Grandma, all my family, Leah, Helen, Jaime, Melanie, Kasia, Dangle, Reed, Candice, Peter, Philip, Lex, Amy, Kripdog, Raven, Sarah, Gill, Danny, Naomi, Mags, Jenn, Dangle, Reed, Sharon, Rosa, Rob, Little Wonder, Kayla, Ed, Cory, Lord, Rasta, Kevin, Cristo, Steve, Sek, Kenyon, Mane, Grant, Seth P, Daniel, Jonathan, BoomBox, Elvira, Tara, Ali, Jeff, The Midway Pub, MJQ, EL Bar, The Local, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixion, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzon, Holy shit I am over this… If I forgot you sorry let me know and I will pour a beer out for you’s. So Remember Spay and Neuter your Pets AND ALWAYS — LOVE THE PROCESS ITS ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS!

Name:
Myk Pate II

Aka:  
?MYK, Street Local Myk, Myk Dread

Website:
dangermeansnothing.blogspot.com
streetlocal404.com
quintinco.com

Where are you from?
Born in Jamaica, Queens NYC, Spent most of my life in Salinas and Monterey Bay, California. I have been in Charlotte for a min, I’ll be making an address change soon.

Who do you work for? 
Quintin, Creative Loafing Charlotte, and a lot of side hustlin’.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
One of the Men behind Street Local, plus working with a private label fitted cap company named Quintin, also the Broken United FC which is a Broken Beat / NuJazz / Future Soul DJ & Artist Collective, apart of this new launch for Creative Loafing Music in Charlotte, and filming a live action video for creator Marcus Kiser of God City for his comic book named “Invisible Solider”. I have some other things on the low with Black Sheep Skateshop. I’m always down for new ideas and the hard work to get things built from the ground up. 

Who would you love to work with?
Greg Carroll @ Empire Dist, also I met Jim Thiebaud @ Deluxe back in 89′ @ a demo, Him and Ron Allen liked my sketches when he skated for Santa Monica Airlines, like an idiot I lost his contact info. Ultimately,  I’d rather work with the people I already know..keep it fam you know.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
That’s easy..my 99′ Jordan 4 retros..it’s a no brainer. 

What’s on your iPod right now?
4hero, Afta-1, Bugz In The Attic, Jazzanova, Kaidi Tatham, Domu, Jonny Miller, Mark De Clive-Lowe, Altered Native, Ceramic aka DJ Magic, JDilla,    Spice 1, E-40,  all DJ Jamad’s Afromentals, J Davey, DJ Rels, Black Moon, Epmd, Gangstarr, M.O.P, Ghostface, Madvillian, OutKast, Goodie Mob, Erik Rico, Fela Kuti, James Brown, Roy Ayers, Morris Day&The Time, Omar, Stevie Wonder, Spacek, Vikter Duplaix, The Cure, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, Bad Brains, Rage Against the Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Marley, Supercat, Capelton, Sizzla, The Mizell Brothers, Bob James, David Axelrod, Simon Harrison’s Basic Soul Show, Bopstar Sessions, Stones Throw, and Broken Beat Radio podcasts..honestly all on my iPhone..which can’t be good.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Rama 5, Thumbs Up, R Thomas, I still like the fried pies at the Varsity.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Standard, El Bar, Sugahill

What are your Pet Peeves?
People not following through and tardiness. People who walk around with skate decks as a fashion accessory. Women who touch my locs without permission..I have no idea were your hands have been. Dudes that have nothing else to talk about but what they seen on Hypebeast. Parties that say they play “upscale Hip-Hop”..what the hell does that mean?

Shout outs?
Mom, Dad, Sis, My Family, Donald, Steven Hart aka DJ Apex, Henry Broggi, Omar, Jimmy, Jamaal, Josh Frazier & Chase @BlackSheep Skateshop, Bobby Webster @ Niche Market, A.C., Radar, Shane, AHuf, BLNGxBDGT, BuckMaster, The Joneses, Dom, Camden Crooks, Ryan Acker, Tim Haught, Cory Patton aka King Alga, Farshad & Dan@ Standard, Brett Wiley, Rex@RogueStatus, Maf, DJ Enlil, DJ Justice, DJ Jamad, DJ Rasta Root, DJ DR, DJ Smitty, Nene, Dirt Squad, OJ Farrar, Lola Smalls, Chad, Sumner, Prince Presto, Rob Wonder, KhanOne, Brave Benard, Rubix, Gene Brown, Darryl @ Moods Music, Jasiatic, Lauren Remesi, Miss Sanders, Michelle Kee, Snatch Crew @ Alley Cat, God City Crew, Noda Velo, Camilla@Blu Magazine, Ni @Strictly Fitted, Carlton Hargro@Creative Loafing, Sol-Kitchen, Chalkboard, Broken United FC, Quintin, Hadi, Nikki, and the Process/EC for this opportunity.

Name:
Vincent Hungate

Aka:  
No known alias’

Website:
www.E2Lonline.com

Where are you from?
Palm Beach, FL

Who do you work for? 
I’m the executive director and founder of Essential2life, a non-profit working with at-risk high school students with Atlanta Public Schools in the areas of leadership and visual-arts.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
March 28th we are having our second annual Through Their Eyes event. This event provides a creative outlet for the untold stories of reality as seen through the eyes of Atlanta’s urban youth through photography and journalism.

Who would you love to work with?
Seth Godin / Kevin Carroll

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My NIKE running shoes.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Radiohead.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
The Kit Kat Bar at One Midtown Kitchen. It’s the best dessert in the ATL.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Wherever my kids are!  

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who want the government to fix their problems and individuals who don’t realize the incredible talent within our city with youth.

Shout outs?
Mom & Dad and the students at “15″.

photo by Hadi

Name:
Kevin Taylor

Aka:  
Radar

Website:
kitschworth.com
radarreserve.com

Where are you from?
VA/GA & I currently live in Charlotte, NC

Who do you work for? 
I work inhouse for a firm, freelance as IMEK Design & promote/curate events as Kitschworth.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Working on a couple websites including new site for Suite Sole (Charleston), couple art projects & doing a monthly event called SWARM with Niche & Black Sheep on the Camden block here in Charlotte.

Who would you love to work with?
Parra, Jeff Staple, Wes Anderson

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
DC x Michael Leon - “STACKS” Artist Editions

What’s on your iPod right now?
Mostly hip-hop/electro/dub-step mixtapes & a little metal…

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Love that Highland Bakery!

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
El Bar, MJQ & in the Wrangler

What are your Pet Peeves?
liars, name droppers & fanatics

Shout outs?
Camden block (Crooks), ATL crew, Dr. Jones in Chicago & Dougie in NY

Name:
Bear Fight Hat

Aka:  
Trouble

Website:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Bear%20Fight

Where are you from?
Originally Russia, but I spent a good bit of time in China being made as well. Then I ended up in Ashville, NC where I did nothing but inhale a lot of second hand smoke. Finally I ended up in ATL thanks to Reed Elliot who rescued me from the hippies.

Who do you work for? 
Anyone that is willing to put up with me really! Most of the time you can find me anywhere around the Ponce area of Atlanta. El Bar or The Local. I’m on a mission to spread Bear Fight magic across the world. So basically, anywhere that serves Guinness, Baileys, Jamison, Jager and Red Bull is where I can get down to business. If you come to ATL, you better come find me. We’ll “do work” together.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Getting people drunk out of their minds, getting party kids sick, making fun of douchebags, making fun of hipsters, being-a-hat-and-wearing-a-hat at the same time, jamming out to DJ Cristo Disco on Thursday and Friday Nights, and world-domination.

Who would you love to work with?
Anyone that’s Irish, the dude from Man vs. Food, Zangief from Street Fighter (Russia represent!), kute gurlz, Winnie the Pooh (he’s kind of my hero), and anyone interested in a par-tay!

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Paws down, my Nike SB Three Bears Dunk Highs! But i don’t really have feet considering I’m a hat. 

What’s on your iPod right now?
Bear vs. Shark, Minus the Bear, Grizzly Bear, Panda Bear, Grumpy Bear, Seabear, Volcano the Bear, Art Bears, Message to Bears, Bear Slayer and the Keep it Hood Mixtape by Slugger.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
My favs is definitely the Shepard’s Pie at Bookhouse. I couldn’t kill a better meal.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Thats an easy one, El Barz on your head!

What are your Pet Peeves?
People who think they can do Bear Fights and then throw up 10 seconds after trying one, people that don’t finish their Bear Fights, Care Bears (amature shit), people who spill drinks on me, people that try to make requests for music at El Bar, people that give me dirty looks for having a good time, people that call them “Bear Claws”… They’re called “Bear Fights”. It’s not that hard… get it right… and especially loud pandas.

Shout outs?
Big shout outs to all my homebears back home in Russia, I miss you guys! Also, shout outz to everyone that made me. My drink-pushing homies in TX. Aaron for pushing Bear Fights in Chi-town. Pablo and Megan in Barcelona, taking Bear Fights internationally. Big ups to the Party Wolf. StreetLocal crew! Thanks a million to Rosa for giving me a hook to hang on at El Bar. Reed for rescuing me from Ashville and bringing me to El Bar that night and introducing me to the EC/Process boys. Without them I wouldn’t be as popular as I am now and I would probably just be sitting in a costume store wasting my life away.

Name:
Eric Levin

Aka:  
Primarily, “E,” I think most Eric’s are known as “E,” but even my wife calls me that. Professor (only Kim Criminal calls me that), McLovin (my last name is actually pronounced “Love In”, but McLovin never caught on), Fatty Fat Fat fat (that’s my nickname for myself)

Website:
criminal.com
auroracoffee.com
recordstoreday.com
thealliancerocks.com

Where are you from?
Daytona Beach, Florida, but I’m an ATLien, spent more of my life here, than there.

Who do you work for? 
I own Criminal Records, Aurora Coffee, I’m the president of AIMS (Alliance of Independent Media Stores) and I’m the co-founder of Record Store Day. Sometimes, I say I work for Criminal Shannon’s label, International Hits, but that’s not really true.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
My main gig takes up most of my time. AIMS is a coalition of indie record stores, like Criminal Records, spread out across the country. It’s a blast and led to Record Store Day which is now an international event. We team up to fight evil, y’know, offering services to bands and labels, putting art before commerce…helping, basically. I’ve spent my whole life celebrating and exploring record stores and now it’s my job. I’m at Criminal Records every day, but usually I’m upstairs working with and for other record stores. With the crew I have, though, I don’t have to worry about Criminal Records, they’ve got that covered. Same can be said for Aurora, I bought it ’cause I loved it and didn’t want to see it go out of business, but I certainly can’t pull as espresso shot. I’m much more comfortable on the customer side of the counter.

Who would you love to work with?
Strangely enough, I usually get to work with whoever I want to. I have a calling card that opens doors, I mean, with Record Store Day in particular, there aren’t a lot of enemies. When I’m able to explain the concept, folks reach out. Check the website out: http://recordstoreday.com/CustomPage/381, the artists quotes are sick, and I gathered those up.

I mean, Robyn Hitchcock’s not going to call me when it’s time to move a couch, but he’ll certainly send me a quote Record Store Day or pop into the store for an improptu performance.

My contacts list is strange, scrolling through it sometimes, I just laugh. The other day, somebody yelled at me from the floor, “Hey E, Rick Moranis is on the Criminal Records line.” I’m like, “say what?” I’d forgotten that we were working on a project, and I had to shake my head (remembering…everything, SCTV, Bob McKenzie, Ghostbusters, Kid Shrinking) and answer the phone, “hey Rick, what’s up? How can I help?”
It’s freaky, sometimes.

Public Enemy did a digital deal that skipped traditional retail (see: pet peeve) and, well, Chuck D’s on the contacts list and I dropped him an email on behalf of indie-retail saying, basically, “WTF?” He e-mailed me back, using the epithet , “Friend Eric” and we discussed how we could fast-track a physical release along with apologies to my retail brethern. I forwarded the e-mail to my list, and after a heated day-long exchange, one retailer wrote: “Now, wait. Wait. How the fuck does Eric know Chuck D?!?”

My only thought, was, “Damn! How do I know Chuck D?” Life is strange, right?

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
One of my best bro’s is Thomas Taylor from Stratosphere, so I always have fresh kicks. I’m not in particular love with any of them, though. Probably my wife’s awesome L.A.M.B. gold Jamaica sneakers.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Oh Lord, here we go….

Obviously, this is the year 2000 way of asking what kind of music I like, but I can’t skip a chance to jump on my soapbox. I’m sorry, but computers are for computing and stereos are for music. Why on earth would I have these massive speakers, heavy amps, expensive needles and a lifetime of records and CD’s? Why would anybody want to compress that beauty down and stick it in your earholes? Stereos are instruments, iPods are tools….and digital downloading? OMG! Why would anybody “rent” music when you can “own” it. Granted, I own a record store, so duh. Also, please check out www.criminal.com, where we just launched our digital store, so get on it hipsters.

Oh yeah, music. I’m pretty much the resident 80’s guy at Crim and dub reggae. That’s about as deep as I go.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Well, now. I’m an un-apologetic “foodie,” I won’t even apologize for using the word “foodie.” I think Cliff Bostock is one of Atlanta’s unsung heroes. I’m pretty much in his army, so if he likes it, I’m there. Ria’s Bluebird is always perfect, and such a thrill, ’cause–y’know, she’s one of us. Same for Molly and Nick at the Porter, wow they’re just ruling it. The Brick is a weekly visit. Holeman and Finch bakery, I’m in love; same for Little Cakes Bakery in Buckhead, I’ve got to get those treats in Aurora.

We’re very lucky to be in this city, I could just rattle them off. Rathbun’s, everything he touches, ka-pow! Watershed? Bacchanalia? Flip? Craft? I love having out-of-towners visit, ’cause I know I can kill ‘em. Every time.

Italian? Alfredo’s. Sushi? Nakato. Burger? Miss Ann’s, or hell, Varsity Jr. If I’m really hating myself right. Fresh? Lotta Fruitta. Mexican? Los Hermanos. Pizza? Still loving Savage, or Bambinelli’s, or Capoozi’s. Mildly-priced fancy? Wisteria. Bar Food? Highlander or the Corner Pub. Fried Chicken? Son’s Place, or Watershed Tuesdays. Sandwiches? New Yorker Deli. Hipster food? (Is there such a thing?) Bookhouse. Steak? Highland Tap.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Any of the above restaraunts, or my sunroom (where I keep the big stereo, wife and dogs).

What are your Pet Peeves?
I hate that art has taken a back seat to convenience. My whole life has been about the pursuit of art and entertainment, front and center, to see music treated as such a valueless commodity is just heart-breaking. I mean, Criminal Records is commerce-driven for sure, but for me it’s more about creating a Temple of pop-culture, a fun-house, if I pay some bills and insure some staffers along the way, great! But I certainly didn’t get into this to get rich.
And children, I hate your children, your dogs are cool, though. Bring ‘em on down.

Shout outs?
All the Criminal Records staff, past and present, except for the stealers. Same goes for Aurora guys and gals. All those folks who’ve stuck with us over the years. It’s very important to shop locally, it means so much and those who make an active effort to keep our wheels turning, we owe them everything.

DJ Lord of Public Enemy at Rock the Bells 2007 in San Francisco

Name:
DJ LORD

Aka:  
Mr. LORD

Website:
www.publicenemy.com
www.trillbass.com
www.myspace.com/trillbass

Where are you from?
Savannah, GA

Who do you work for? 
Public Enemy & TrillBass

What are your Current Project(s)? 
New Public Enemy recordings as well as collabs, the new Trillbass
releases, solo Dubstep mixes, a new collab with Milan’s Gab Gato, ATL’s KUSH, and Contraverse.

Who would you love to work with?
Wow… let’s see…..Tom Morello, Alien from ATL, Divinci from Solillaquists of Sound, Stenchman, Evol Intent, Bobby McFerrin, Rahzel… the list goes on…

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My Adidas… word.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Eastern Jam (Trillbass Rmx.), P.O.S., Tobacco, Contraverse, KUSH, Aesop Rock, Trill001, Lamb Of God, Metallica

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
R Thomas, RuSan’s, MF Sushi, Surin

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
MJQ, El Bar, GNC, …….Kroger

What are your Pet Peeves?
Dumb Girls, Dumb Girls with bad hygiene… Fake ass people

Shout outs?
Shouts out to my beautiful daughter Arial, my crew Trillbass (Swytch, Claw, 2 Sense), my PE fam, Susan… and ya’ll for having me…

Peace.

Name:
James McConnell

Aka:  
I try to keep my aliases close to the vest.

Website:
www.beepbeepgallery.com

Where are you from?
Born and raised on the tough streets of Virgina Highlands, Atlanta, GA.

Who do you work for? 
I co-own Beep Beep Gallery, I work for my partner in crime Mark over at Aurora Coffee, and I hustle a few other jobs here and there.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
This year’s lineup at Beep Beep Gallery has been my sole project for a minute. We’ve got eight solo shows (Dosa Kim, Born, Michi, Sam Parker, Steven Dixey, Chris Carder, Alex Kvares, and Bethany Marchman) which is a big deal for us, and I’ve been focusing on contacting galleries in other cities to move those shows out of Atlanta. Can’t wait to go to Seattle and Portland for some future collaborations with galleries. I’d like to be writing more and making more zines but there’s only time for so much.  

Who would you love to work with?
Since Beep is all Atlanta artists, the one local cat I would really love to work with
is Jody Fausett. I’ve had this one portrait he did of El-P for a Triple 5 Soul ad for like five years before we met. He’s such and amazing an inventive photographer but is unfortunately represented by one of my favorite galleries, Whitespace. One day. Nationally, there’s this artist from Louisville named Kathleen Lolley who does these amazing mythologically bent paintings. If we ever expand she’ll be the first I contact.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
I’ve never been a huge sneaker head, but my man VS hooked me up with this really sick pair of 80’s skate style high-top Nike’s. Love ‘em.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Animal Collective and Brian Eno pretty much constantly. Lately Jaylib, Ice Cube, Noot D’ Noot, Portishead, Slayer, MF Doom, TV on the Radiohead, The Kinks and mother fucking Ras Trent.  If you haven’t seen it google it.  That song’s been stuck in my head for two weeks straight.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
The veggie burger at the the Righteous Room is the greatest food known to man.  Oh god I wish I was there right now!

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
The Local always.  If I’m there I’m in the back room playing foosball, my favorite game along with chess.

What are your Pet Peeves?
I got plenty but I’ll bow out and keep this one positive.

Shout outs?
First and foremost everyone who supports local art, music, books, designs, clothes etc. It makes such a huge difference; thank you so much.  Larry, George, and Ross at EC. My lovely lady Star. My family. Mathis, Dookie, and the Noot crew. Marky B the son of ODB. Evereman the ping pong legend. All the Beep Beep artists. Everybody at Aurora and Criminal. Arsn. Nathan and the future planners of America. Youngblood. SOPO. Mike Germon, Rebecca White, and Mint. Steve the animal shelter of East Atlanta. Twen and Shake. Jenn Brown and Susan Bridges. Travis Dodd the Cheetah escape artist. Bryan, foosball wizard, and artist extaordinaire. Get educated son! Everybody out of town and abroad and anyone I forgot.

Name:
Megan Huntz

Aka:  
I wish I were so cool to have an alias, but…

Website:
http://meganhuntz.com

Where are you from?
The ATL shawtay

Who do you work for? 
Myself

What are your Current Project(s)? 
I make a limited edition dress line from fine Italian silk fabric that I wash and dye by hand. First I make the dresses, then I do a series of washing and dyeing techniques, rendering each garment distinctly different. I think of my dress line as more of an art project than a fashion collection. Actually, it is incorrect to call it a collection because a collection means complete ensembles of various garments to make a total look. These dresses are unique pieces; made in series, like a series of paintings or art prints. In fact, each dress is hand numbered so the wearer can understand the handcrafted nature of my product. And maybe even more important than anything, they are sexy! I recently styled a photo shoot for Jamie Hopper and she rocked it. Her photos of my dresses are stunning and elegant and cool- a tricky mix to strike so effortlessly as Jamie has. Image is such a powerful part of my job because it communicates so much about my creative world; it’s not just about putting a dress on a pretty girl. I would have never gotten this thing off the ground in the first place had it not been the amazing photography of Jorge Menes, who has shot the first series of my dress line more than once. His photos can be seen on my website. The second series comes out next week, which I am really excited about. I’m heading to Italy this Wednesday to pick up my new samples. Can’t wait! They will be on display for buyers at the showroom that represents me, showroom Mistra of Treviso. And, I have loads of other ideas for 2009 but I can’t give up all my secrets now!

Who would you love to work with?
Peggy Guggenheim if she were alive… I love her, she was soooo kooky. Wouldn’t it be great to be around her and all of her artist friends making crazy avant-gard paintings and art objects??? I think so. Such an intense era, especially in Europe. Plus, I liked her way with the Venetians. She was the last grand dame of that sinking city, when it was still a magical place, it’s not really anymore. Apart from her, I’d really like to work with my friend Wendy who makes music videos. I have an idea to make a kind of performance dance video about my dresses. We’ll see if I ever do it. I’d really like to though. I feel embarrassed just talking about it, but we’ll see.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
The ones Larry told me to buy- my dirty old black on black horsehair Nike dunks.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Beyonce’ (but y’all knew that), an “I miss Atlanta” mix that includes lots of crunk and booty shake music, Roisin Murphy, most of the DFA remixes, some Italian music from the 60’s.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
My Mom’s squash caserole. And biscuits. And the Flying Biscuit, Shrimp and Grits, Potato Salad, My Mom’s homemade pickles, “Meat and 3″, Barbecue. Mexican! I love to eat, and these are all the things I miss living so far away.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
The El Bar, of course, where I like to hang out with the Epidemik Coalition boys!

What are your Pet Peeves?
Those velvet track suits that college girls seem to be so fond of, Americans who come to Europe and act totally ignorant, and when there is music playing while the TV is on-that drives me crraaaaaaazzzzzyyy.

Shout outs?
I want to shout out to the entire city of Atlanta because I love it so much. But besides that: Larry, George, Jorge, Ted, Ross, Joe, Jamie, Amy- you are all incredibly inspiring to me, I am so lucky to have met all of y’all because I get so much creative motivation from our collaborations and friendships. Thanks! I’m a one woman show, but I couldn’t do what I do without y’all.

Name:
Ian McPherson

Aka:  
Ian “ya face”, Ian-cognito, “That Old Guy”, R-Ian, Krewin, Supra-man, E-diddy, Ian-Bro, Ian-ebriated, Ian-tergalactic Pla-ian-itary Pla-ian-itary Ian-tergalactic, Cruel Ian-tentions, Ian-appropriate.

Website:
ruininc.com

Where are you from?
Mayretta, GA

Who do you work for? 
Ruin, KR3W Clothing, & Supra Footwear.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
Ruin x Spitfire wheel.
Nick Hogan’s Ruin LTD board and Tee.
Just got in the Yela Wolf x Ruin boards.
Beginning to prep on a new arty homie themed Atl Skate vid. (it’ll probably
be done in a couple years)

Who would you love to work with?
Rick Howard from Girl, already worked w/ Tim Thebaud @ Deluxe. Andy Muller would be cool. Oh and Jessica Alba, I’d love to do some work w/ her.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
First edition Ray Barbee SK8 Highs from Vans. No one barely knows it ever existed.

What’s on your iPod right now?
No iPod here. I am proably the only one in the world w/out one.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Shit I cook at home. Just made my first batch of organic cornedbeef hash.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
That’s a dumb question. Local.

What are your Pet Peeves?
Theives and Liars. Basically Scenesters, NetLurkers, and Bro’sness people anyone who misrepresents themselves. What a waste…

Shout outs?
Skate Homies, Dart homies, Homie Homie don’tcha know me’s.

Name:
Eric Shoemaker

Aka:  
ErokCom™

Website:
http://ericshoemaker.com

Where are you from?
Atlanta, GA

Who do you work for? 
I am a Sr Designer for RazorFish. I also teach Intro to Interactive at The Creative Circus.

What are your Current Project(s)? 
ATL Creatives with BergerHill, learning photography, and my 67 VW Beetle.

Who would you love to work with?
Andy Howell or Twist (Barry McGee)

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
Well, I don’t have a lot of shoes to begin with… But, I would say my classic old skool Vans.

What’s on your iPod right now?
The battery is dead, so I am not sure. Last train ride home it was DWYCK by GangStarr.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
My Wife and I have been enjoying Noodle in College Park.

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
I am a total introvert, so I would have to say my home office.

What are your Pet Peeves?
Lack of ambition, and spoiled rich kids that think the world owes them a favor.

Shout outs?
My wife Amanda, and all Atlanta friends. My skateboarding pals from back in the day that I have since lost touch with. Keep shredding.

Name:
Christopher Schlitzer

Aka:  
DJ Chris Crisis

Website:
www.rehabmusic.com

Where are you from?
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Who do you work for? 
Boonbox Records

What are your Current Project(s)? 
REHAB, WRBN, making Beats/Songs, Demun Jones’ album, the Lamar Williams Jr. album, mixtapes, filming and editing the Rehab Tour DVD!

Who would you love to work with?
Quincy Jones, Rick Rubin, The Neptunes, and people with unique talent.

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My exclusive zooms Hano Leathers gave me. Or my Nike Aqua socks.

What’s on your iPod right now?
RUN DMC! Forever! It never gets old.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Papi’s Cuban on Ponce

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Halo!

What are your Pet Peeves?
Popping gum, radio commercials, unstable stages.

Shout outs?
Danny Boone, Steak, MIke Hartnett, Hano Leathers, Foz, Chris Hood, Demun Jones, Lamar Williams Jr., Ron Lewis and of course Epidemik Coalition!

Name:
Aaron Martell

Website:
thejonesesway.com

Where are you from?
I’m from outside of Chicago originally. I moved back to Chicago six months ago and have been living in Bucktown since then. Come up here and I’ll show you around

Who do you work for? 
I won’t bore you with the details of my nine to five. After the day job it’s The Joneses. 

What are your Current Project(s)? 
I’m mainly focused on The Joneses at the moment. I’m trying to make it into something worth while that people are excited to be a part of. Outside of that, creating the perfect ice cube.

Who would you love to work with?
Wes Anderson, Richard Branson, and the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

If you had to give all your sneakers away to charity except for one pair, which ones would you keep? 
My white vans seem to be the most versatile shoe I own. So the white vans.

What’s on your iPod right now?
Bill Withers, James Brown, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Chromeo, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and whatever is new on Kitschworth.

What’s your Favorite ATL food?
Highland Bakery

What’s your Favorite ATL hangout?
Standard and El Bar

What are your Pet Peeves?
One of my biggest pet peeves is people with bad manners. One of our tees from this season was a social commentary on the gradual disappearance of manners. I’m by no means an expert so if you notice something let me know. 

Shout outs?
Atlanta. I know that’s cliché but without the support from Atlanta in last year or so the Joneses most likely wouldn’t exist. I owe a lot of thanks to many people down there. The city feels like a second home and I’m always excited when I know a new trip is on the horizon. Thanks for making that the case. EC keep up the good work and thanks for letting me be a part of the blog.