A Hip-Hop Fashion Pop-Up is Opening in Vancouver This Weekend
Live in Vancouver and fancy a little hip hop? Well, be sure to clear your calendars on December 22 and 23 because, much like Santa Claus, Blazed Made’s first Hip Hop x Pop Up is coming to town. It is the first time the brand has ever had a Canadian storefront.
The brand – which is based between Vancouver and LA – is known for its hip hop-inspired clothing. For the event, the brand is bringing an array of pieces, including tees, hoodies and more emblazoned with the faces and lyrics of some of the world’s best rap artists. There are pop-up exclusive pieces on offer too, and everything (excluding the exclusives) will be on sale across the two days.
Fans will also be able to personalize their purchases with a “pick your patches” station that allows customers to pick three custom patches to adorn their new piece. Importantly, for each item purchased at the pop-up, Blazed Made is donating a pair of socks to the DTES shelter.
In addition to the clothing, rap fans can also get up close and personal with some rare memorabilia, including the official gold and platinum sales plaques for N.W.A., Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
On why the brand (which is currently available to buy online and at Fred Segal in LA) is hosting a pop-up in Vancouver, founder Daniel Cutler said in a release, “This pop-up is our love letter to Vancouver for its support.” Speaking to FASHION he elaborated further, saying, “We spent the first two years focusing on creating awareness in the US and in LA in particular. I feel like we owe Vancouver something special. This is my home and the brand would not exist without the support of my friends and family here.”
According to the release, Cutler’s love of hip hop began in his early years as his uncle founded gangsta rap label Priority Records. The label represented artists including Ice-T, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg and was instrumental in growing the West Coast hip hop scene. Meanwhile it was Cutler’s grandfather, a drill sergeant turned tailor, who inspired his interest in fashion. Now, Cutler is doing his part to help inspire the next generation of hip hop talent. “The hip hop community in Vancouver is small but amazingly supportive. Talent wise Vancouver is punching way above its weight right now with artists like BBNO$, Merkules, Tommy Genesis and Snotty Nose Rez Kids breaking through internationally, which is exciting.”
It doesn’t end with talent either – the brand is also helping protect the environment by using 100 per cent recycled cotton from the US “that would have otherwise been thrown away as garbage,” Cutler explains. “The amazing thing about the recycling process for our brand is that it results in a heavyweight fabric that is also soft to the touch so it looks like a truly vintage rap tee.” He adds, “Our sweatshirts and hoodies are made in two places: one is in LA at the same factory as our trash tee’s using 100 per cent recyclec cotton. The rest are handmade in Pakistan using 100 per cent organic cotton.”
See some of the merch on offer this weekend below:
Photograph by Matthew Burditt
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Photograph courtesy of Blazed Made
Blazed Made’s Hip Hop x Pop Up will be taking place on Sunday, December 22 from 12pm-6m and Monday, December 23rd from 10am-6pm at 434 Columbia St, Vancouver.
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