Thousands descended to Birmingham for celebration of sneaker culture at sneaks&peaks: Edition 8. Taking place twice a year, the Midland’s largest celebration of sneaker culture returned to Birmingham on Saturday, April 2nd. sneaks&peaks attracted thousands of enthusiasts through the doors of Birmingham’s new pop-up venue in Digbeth, 119 Floodgate Street. The main space of the venue became a marketplace from some of the biggest brands in the sneaker and street wear scene, with prices ranging from £30 to £1000. Visitors to sneaks&peaks could shop for new kicks, covet some rare trainers and browse through art exhibitions at stalls, offering everything from sneaker inspired artwork to merchandise. New to the 2016 festival was venerable street wear brand Carhartt, alongside a host of many other retailers such as local clothing brand Dark Circle. Birmingham’s most favoured street food vendor Digbeth Dining Club took over on food duties, providing visitors with unique dining experience.
Founded in 2012, sneaks&peaks is the only of its kind in the Midlands. John Bryan, founder of sneaks&peaks, said: “When I first started this event, there was a real lack of exposure for local talent and no platforms for people to show what they were creating. There was no hub, like there was in London, for sneaker heads to get together and be a real community. I wanted to give that to the people. “This has been our biggest and most successful event since our first one in 2012 and we love bringing a unique experience to Birmingham and working with all these amazing independent retailers.” sneaks&peaks will run its second bi-annual event later on this year. Now a Birmingham landmark in itself, The Rainbow is devoted to hosting an impressive roster of electronic headline acts from around the world. One for the dancers, the rockers, the hipsters and the ravers, The Hare & Hounds has an eclectic programme of live music and party nights to cater for almost every taste.
A 10,000 square-foot converted warehouse with exposed brick walls and an up-cycled lorry as a walkway - it’s no surprise Boxxed is establishing itself as one of Digbeth’s nightlife heavyweights. Spotlight & Next Door Spotlight is a small-sized club space with a more refined vibe than found in other Birmingham venues. The dimly lit space is ideal for those not looking for the heaviest of nights out. The custom lighting rig and LED installation that glare overhead give Lab 11 a characteristic like no other. Previously Gibb Street Warehouse, LMG - sometimes known as Warehouse Club - is located in Digbeth and brings some of the best names in electronic dance music to Brum. A 2,900 capacity venue, The Institute is the original home of Godskitchen and has hosted numerous other club nights, such as Atomic Jam, Uproar and Ramshackle. The term 'Oobleck' is famous from Dr. Seuss as a fascinating experiment that's perfect for children and adults to enjoy, so it’s a fitting title for this cool and quirky venue.
The newest addition to Birmingham’s night life scene is a pop-up venue that’s open every Friday and Saturday, decked out with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems that match some of the best clubs in the world. 42 Photos and videosViewing Tweets won't unblock @BabMagUK.Gent and I were asked to come up with a response to The Body Shop campaign, Enrich Not Exploit, it was good to have such an open brief. I researched Anita Roddick’s ethos and her aims when she started the company and I looked into where the company took its resources from. The Body Shop started by widely marketing natural ingredients as alternatives for mainstream products as well as being part of a movement for fair trade. We are developing more understanding now that whole food plant based diets, less chemical products and sustainable lifestyles are better for the health of the planet and ourselves. Together the concept we worked on for this wall was of enrichment through knowledge and how the knowledge of ancient and indigenous societies can have a positive impact on the future of humanity.
The Ayapo tribes womans’ face is split to show we’re looking into her knowledge or her past. The layer of an ancient Mayan statue with constellations fading out into the far distance, was to provide that idea of the past knowledge. And the young boy in front was to give an idea of the present day, the page was intentionally left blank. If you’d like to check it out the mural is on the front of Blotto music studios, Floodgate Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, UK. Collaboration with Gent48 for Sneaks and Peaks, Birmingham. A rushed late night and early morning paint with Gent. A new piece from Digbeth Painted another New Balance inspired piece for Sneaks and Peaks the other week. Limited edition gold year of the dragon trainers fresh out of the box. These are the only ones I could find with a character involved. I can’t afford to keep buying these just to paint from so if you have any new NB colourways and would like to lend them to me for the day drop me a message, or if anyone’s reading with a supply and would like to donate pairs definitely get in touch.
I’ve spoken to NB’s PR company with no luck… Heres a few photos from the show today, it was really successful thanks for everyone who came down and supported. Some work is still available, I’ll be selling some in an online shop but until then, drop me an email if interested. Just received this scan of an article written by Joe Holyoak in Urban Design.. its a great piece, thanks Joe.Enquire about office space Ant Dxuglas Bespoke Studios Ant Dxuglas Studios is a Birmingham based made-to-measure and bespoke studio founded by Fashion & Textiles graduate Ant Douglas. Recently undergoing a name and brand direction change from Sneaker Club Clothing, the studio which is based in the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter; Custard Factory has become synonymous with quality. Since introducing a full bespoke service, the studio continues to grow designing and hand making bespoke commissions for the discerning modern man and woman in search of long lasting individuality.