illest just dropped a few new license plate frames and the new collection is led off by their new signature “safari” style design featuring the illest logo and their motto “None but ourselves can free our mind”.  Deep, is it not?  Either way if you’re a fan of illest, fatlace, or safari print then you can pick up this frame at the illest online store for only ten bucks plus shipping.

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When Mark Arcenal isn’t building dope cars, he is busy running his illest fashion line; and as many fashion lines do these days Mark collabs with other brands to create cool limited edition shh-er stuff.  The latest from illest has me pretty excited.  Later this month (Nov. 17th 2012) illest will drop a super limited set of illest x Beats By Dre x RWB studio headphones with a design inspired by Mark Arcenal’s own PANDORA ONE RWB Porsche 911. 

They look pretty fresh don’t they? Well I should give you fair warning that only 200 sets will be produced in total!  Not only will you have to be fast to pick up a set you will also need to have some serious disposable income as these limited edition headphones will set you back $349.99 per unit!  So, yeah… Good luck with that!

For full details on where to get them and the allotments then check out the press release below.

Fun Fact: The rendering you see above of PANDORA ONE was done by DropJay of JDMEGO! If you want hi-res shots click the thumbnails below.

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Press Release:

LIMITED RELEASE TO BE AVAILABLE ON NOVEMBER 17, 2012

San Francisco, Calif – October 31, 2012 – ILLEST has announced the release of the Illest Edition Beats Studio headphone available November 17, 2012. Limited to 200 pieces the headphones will be available at both Illest LA and SF flagship locations, the flagship Beats Store in NYC, and online at www.illest.com.

The black safari, grey and gold design was inspired by the Illest Pandora One RWB car that coincides with the release. The Illest Pandora One will be on display at the Illest San Francisco flagship during the release event.

The Illest Edition Beats Studio headphones will be available in an extremely limited quantity of 200 with each pair being numbered. Each Illest flagship store will receive 50 pieces each on November 17 and will be celebrated with a release event at each location.

Illest San Francisco / 50 Pairs
1630 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115

Illest Los Angeles / 50 Pairs
316 East 2^nd Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Beats Store / 50 Pairs
67 Greene Street New York, NY 10012

A limited number of pieces will be made available for pre-orders online starting on November 2nd right here, www.illest.com. The Illest Edition Beats Studio headphones will retail at $349.95.

The day isn’t even half over and I am bringing you yet another SEMA 2012 preview of yet another Scion FR-S.  This one comes to us from our friend Jay at JDMEGO.  He designed and rendered the Rocket Bunny widebody equipped Scion FR-S you see before you for Mark Arcenal’s fatlace brand.  Much like their BenSopra GT-R, the fatlace/Rocket Bunny Scion FR-S has a defintie time attack theme going on.  Once glance and this thing and you automatically think “race car”.  Beyond this rendering details on this car are slim but we can figure out a few things going by the “decals” on the rendering.  Besides the obvious Rocket Bunny widebody kit, Toyo Tires, and Volk TE37 SL wheels, it appears that the Fatlace FR-S will also sport a KW suspension system, Brembo brakes, Takata harnesses, and BRIDE seats on the inside.

What is a real mystery are the engine performance adders.  There is a GReddy decal on the rendering but I am not sure if that means there is merely a GReddy exhaust in the works or if there will be a full suite of GReddy performance parts under the hood.  It looks like we will just have to wait until SEMA to find out.  If you will be at SEMA this year, you can get an up close look at this car in the Scion booth.  For now, click the thumbnail below for a 1920 pixel width size picture of the rendering for your viewing pleasure.

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[Source: JDMEGO Blog]

We are a little less than two weeks away from the SEMA show and more project cars are starting to reveal themselves.  In rendered form at least.  Today’s SEMA 2012 preview comes from visionary Mark Arcenal and his Fatlace brand.  Arcenal and his team in Northern California have building one of the first BenSopra equipped widebody Nissan GT-Rs in the states for the last several weeks now.  You can see build photos on Fatlace.com but yesterday this rendering of the finished product was released to the interwebs.  It is pretty clear from the image that the guys at Fatlace are definitely going for a Super GT race car theme.  There is not much about this build that says “street car”.

Oh, and if you are worried about the Fatlace GT-R being a purely superficial project then put fears at ease because Mark Arcenal is employing a slew of GReddy power parts under the hood.  This includes an upgraded , intercooler, intake manifolds, and custom exhaust.  Fatlace will use a Cobb Tuning Access Port module to up boost and fine tune everything to work in harmony.  If the final product ends up anything like this rendering (which it probably will) then I am sure it will be the talk of the show.

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[Source: Fatlace.com]

A while back I gave you a preview of the Transformers collab illest announced at comic-con earlier this year; well the drop date is almost at hand!  In just two more days (Sept. 23rd) the illest x Transformers line officially drops at their San Francisco and Los Angeles stores.  The collection is split into two “phases”.  Phase One which is what will drop on the 23rd is inspired by the Transformers Fall of Cybertron video game.  As an added bonus, the first 10 people in line at either of the locations on launch day will get a free copy of the game.  There will also be giveaways, DJs, and food trucks on hand to appease the masses as they wait for their gear.

Next month (October 27th 2012), “Phase two” will launch.  The second phase of the collection is based on the classic “Gen 1″ Transformers that we grew up with and loved in the 80s.  One piece of the collection will feature Porsche Autobot Jazz in a green colorway inspired by Mark Arcneal’s RWB Pandora One!  I can imagine that phase one is going to sell out quickly since it will be limited so I would suggest that if you live in northern or southern California you wake up bright and early this Sunday and grab a spot in line at one of the flagship illest stores for the drop!  Head to illestBrand.com for all the info.

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Press Release:

ILLEST AND HASBRO, INC. TEAM UP FOR SPECIAL EDITION TRANSFORMERS T-SHIRTS;

NEW COLLECTION TO BE RELEASED BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

San Francisco, Calif – September 21, 2012 – ILLEST and Hasbro announced that they have teamed up to create custom co-branded t-shirts featuring the TRANSFORMERS brand. The product release will be divided into two phases beginning on September 23, 2012 at select retailers and ILLEST flagship stores.

The special edition ILLEST x TRANSFORMERS line of t-shirts will debut in the Fall, beginning with the launch of FALL OF CYBERTRON, that coincides with the acclaimed new video game of the same name from Activision. The FALL OF CYBERTRON t-shirts feature TRANSFORMERS designs inspired by “Cybertronian” renderings of AUTOBOTS and DECEPTICONS featured in the game. This collection will be made available September 23, 2012 to select ILLEST retailers as well as the ILLEST flagship stores located in Los Angeles and San Francisco.  To celebrate, ILLEST flagship locations will have special TRANSFORMERS branded giveaways, a DJ, food trucks and more.  The first 10 customers will receive the FALL OF CYBERTON game.

Phase 2, an Original Art collection of t-shirts, encompasses the mighty AUTOBOTS and vintage brand artwork. ILLEST and respected Japanese tuning house, RWB (Rauh-welt Begriff), will be saluting the popular AUTOBOT character, AUTOBOT JAZZ, with a new green colorway inspired by RWB’s Pandora One. The Original Art collection will be made available October 27, 2012 to select retailers as well as ILLEST flagship stores.

For more information visit: www.illestbrand.com

In some situations I can be a very indecisive person; Especially when it comes to food.  Although I never thought I would have to make a choice between two awesome car shows on the same day like Nisei Showoff and the “INFMS” show by Hellaflush and Canibeat.  With Nisei Showoff being in the middle of downtown LA and INFMS being in Long Beach which is clear on the other side of the county, I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out which one to take on.  In the end I decided I would punish myself mentally and  physically by taking on both shows!  I knew it was crazy but there was no way I could choose one over the other. 

Although I was confident that I needed to hit both shows, I was less confident about how I was going to do it.  Luckily for me, RJ and Jon Sibal stepped in and made things infinitely more pleasant!  I met up with RJ and Jon at Nisei and we hung out with old friends while I took all the shots I could while trying to stay hydrated.  Then, we all hopped in “Biggie” AKA RJ’s F10 BMW 750 (with amazing air conditioning!) and rolled to Long Beach for INFMS where we ran into more friends and re-connected with Judson AKA “Drop Jay” of JDM Ego to finish out the day with more awesome cars and ocean breezes to help keep cool.

I refuse to compare one show to the other but I will say they were both awesome and both worth the effort.  If you could only choose one I totally understand and either choice would have been a winner, but if you took on both shows like we did then congrats you truly are a car show whore and you have my utmost respect!  If you could not make it to either show then I have two galleries to ease your pain.  Just hit the links below!

Nisei Showoff Gallery

INFMS Gallery

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When Fatlace apparel comes to mind most would envision their urban chic style and some of their loosely automotive themed designs but one of the last things that would come to mind are giant robots from space that turn into cars, until now!  Today at the dawn of Comic Con 2012 Fatlace has announced an apparel collaboration with Hasbro that will have your favorite Transfomers sharing shirt space with the illest logo.  I personally think illest design sense paired with the transformers should make for some pretty fresh apparel.  According to the press release the collaboration will go beyond shirts to “keychains and everything in between”.

If you want to cop some of the illest x Transformers gear you will be able to find it at any illest retail location.  Hopefully some of the pieces will also be offered online as well.

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Press Release:

illest™ Announces collaboration with Hasbro/TransformersLOS ANGELES, CA (July 12, 2012) – illest™ Clothing, one of the most sought after lifestyle brands, continues its commitment to innovative collaborations through the partnership with world renowned toy company Hasbro and their ever popular Transformers brand.

Hasbro, founded in 1923, is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company’s world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro has over 1,500 brands, including TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY.

On January 11, 2011, illest™ opened its doors to its flagship boutique in the heart of Little Tokyo of Downtown Los Angeles. In the past several years illest™ has become one of the most sought after brands that cater to an audience looking for more than just a label but rather a lifestyle. illest™ has set the standard in fashion and cultural partnership, recently collaborating with G-Shock, Beats by Dre, Crooks & Castle, and DTA.

illest™ and Transformers will collaborate to release a custom co-branded apparel and accessories line. The partnership brings together a leading lifestyle & fashion brand and an iconic empire that Transformers has become over the decades. The iconic illest logo will be featured on Transformers products from shirts to keychains and everything in between.

The illest™ / Transformers line will make its debut in Fall of 2012. The apparel and accessories will be available exclusively in our illest retail locations, worldwide through the illest distribution channel and online at the Fatlace Emporium and illest online store. For more information visit: www.illest.com

Over the weekend fashion brand illest announced that their latest collaboration would be with 2011 Formula Drift Champion Dai Yoshihara.  The driver has teamed up with illest’s designers to create cross-branded apparel which includes shirts, accessories, and outerwear.  You can check out some of the pieces in the pics below.  Expect more Dai x illest apparel to drop in the near future.

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Press Release:

illest™ Announces Partnership with 2011 Formula DRIFT Champion, Dai Yoshihara for the 2012 Formula DRIFT Season.

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 13, 2012) -  illest™  Clothing,  one of the most sought after lifestyle brands, continues its commitment to innovative collaborations through the partnership with reigning Formula DRIFT Champion Dai Yoshihara.  

illest and Yoshihara will unite to release a custom co-branded apparel and accessories line. The partnership brings together a leading lifestyle & fashion brand and an iconoclastic driver awarded “Best Style” in Formula DRIFT.

“We sponsor top athletes in many fields under the illest brand”, said Felix Marcelino, illest Director of Operations. “We are really excited to have the 2011 Formula D Champion, Dai Yoshihara, represent the illest brand and the brand’s progression into the motorsports arena.”

The iconic illest logo will be featured on Yoshihara’s signature Nissan 240SX throughout the 2012 season as he defends his Formula DRIFT Championship title.  Yoshihara, one of the only drivers to be sponsored by a leading fashion brand, will also represent illest on his custom racing suit and visor.

 “Fashion is very important to me, so opportunity to partner with a leading brand like illest is amazing,” said Yoshihara. “illest has a great sense of what Formula D is all about and the design process was a lot of fun for me. I can’t wait for everyone to check out the line”. 

illest has set the standard in fashion and cultural partnership,  recently collaborating with G-Shock, Beats by Dre, Crooks & Castle, and DTA.

The Dai Yoshihara line made its debut at Formula DRIFT Round 1: Streets of Long Beach on April 6-7, 2012.  The apparel is available exclusively in the Fatlace Emporium.  For more information visit: www.daiyoshihara.com and www.illest.com.

About illest

On January 11, 2011, illest opened its flagship doors in the heart of Little Tokyo of Downtown Los Angeles. The brand in only it’s third year in existence has become one of the most sought after brands that cater to an audience looking for more than just a label but rather a lifestyle. The brand has worked with some of the industries finest in their particular segment. Products recently released include Beats by Dre for illest, G-Shock for illest, Goodword for illest,, and Porsche RWB x illest. For more information about illest, visit http://fatlace.com/illest

If you are into vintage Japanese cars then you need to have this Hakosuka Skyline GT-R key fob from Fatlace.  Not only does it look cool but its 3.5″ size means it could actually help you find your keys easier!  I am also sure this is not a key fob that you will see often, although you probably wont be compairng key fobs with people very often now will you?  Either way this key fob looks fresh and it is only 5 bucks!  Go for it.

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We know what you are going to say.  “This Porsche is everywhere!”  Yes, it is everywhere and now it is here because it is awesome.  You have probably seen tons of pics of this car elsewhere but can someone ever really see too many pictures of something that looks this good?  This Porsche was easily one of the most anticipated builds of the show this year marking RAUH-Welt Begriff’s (RWB) official foray into the American market.  Nakai-san of RWB set up shop just across the way from the Fatlace Paddock and from that point on it was a match made in heaven!  Both Nakai-san and Mark Arcenal of Fatlace immediately got to work putting together the first RWB Porsche built on American soil and what you see here is the end result.  Nakai-san is known for naming each one of his builds, usually after a favorite brand of alcohol or borrowing from some other point of popular culture.  This build, was named “Pandora One.”  We are not sure why, but who cares!  Pandora One is beautiful, functional, and that is all that matters to us.  Expect to Pandora One at select track events in 2012.

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