JKISSI : A dream for anyone that is a little more “enthusiastic than usual” about style or fashion would be to have their own branded product. While everyone here was stateside experiencing the brutal the winter, I was able to take a trip out to the Dominican Republic along with six influential bloggers to work on a unique opportunity called the Nexus Project. Personally unaware of the amount of strenuous work that goes into designing and selecting certain leathers, it was an experience of a lifetime to happen upon. As the youngest of the collective (twenty-something), one aspect I focused on was embracing the experience as a whole, knowing that this project was going to open doors for other young influential individuals to do similar things.
Although sometimes looked down upon, blogging plays a major role in today’s social media landscape by allowing people to provide their own unique point of view, a far cry from traditional media. I’m still perplexed in this particular experience and how we were allowed to do such a project with free reign over the whole process.
We at Street Etiquette would like to sincerely thank everyone at Sebago and Ronnie Fieg for making this project possible.
The Nexus Project
SEBAGO® COLLABORATES WITH RONNIE FIEG TO INTRODUCE “THE NEXUS PROJECT”
Power Bloggers and Ronnie Fieg Work with Sebago to Design a Series of Custom Docksides, Lighthouse and other Nexus Styles
ROCKFORD, Mich. (June 2010) — Over a span of months and a collaborative spirit, David Z’s Ronnie Fieg along with a select group of power bloggers, teamed with Sebago to design a series of ten custom Sebago shoes to form “The Nexus Project”. Fieg and some of the most influential bloggers including Marcus Troy, Jake Davis, Greg Weinstein of Culture Shoq, William Yan, and Joshua Kissi of Street Etiquette experienced a complete immersion at Sebago’s Dominican Republic Facility to create this ultimate collaborative Sebago collection. Designs include individual takes on the Docksides, Lighthouse boot as well as other exclusive Nexus styles.
“Ronnie has a well-known history of putting together great collaborations,” said Gary Malamet, Sebago’s general manager. “We’ve worked with him many times in the past with success. When he came to us with this project, we knew we had a chance to develop something completely fresh. In this day of collaborations, and the unstoppable power of blogs, we felt the combination of the two was unprecedented”.
Sebago worked with the bloggers and Fieg and took them to the manufacturing plant in the Dominican Republic, bringing in representatives of some of the world’s best tanneries and various suppliers to pore through leathers, colors, finish details and more to select materials for each custom shoe. Each participant in turn went through the process of creating their shoe by hand with the team of master craftsmen at Sebago. Processes included soaking and heating the leathers and finally stitching the shoes together – a seven hour project for each shoe.
Throughout the summer of 2010, a limited run of 48 pairs will be created of each Nexus style. The shoes will be available exclusively at David Z’s flagship store in New York as well as davidz.com. Bloggers will each bring their own angle and story to their blogs to communicate the Nexus Project. The entire collaboration was filmed by Jake Davis on location in the Dominican Republic. Each blogger will have their own trailer that can be seen on their respective websites. Please make sure to check out each bloggers trailer throughout the release of this project”
Stay tuned for our pair.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
I’m impressed gents. This will definitely be something you’ll never forget. Congrats.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
i’m already a Sebago customer, so its nothing. You guys r just bringing extra fire…
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
that looks. awesome.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Awwwwww Snap!!!!!
LOL! I’m happy for your guys…
This looks awesome! Cant wait to see the shoes…
Congrats! I don’t know what else to say really, you made the long trip from the Bronx all the way out to DR… thats wusup… Keep working hard, its paying off…
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Okay so I can just say that I’m UBER proud and excited for you guys!!!
This is more than A-MA-ZING!
I honestly can’t wait to see what’s next for you guys!
xoxo LOLA
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
my country looks as beautiful as ever….
and yea, you’re doing your thing too, as usual
love it!
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Fantastic! In many ways having your own product seems like the most logical next step. Keep pushing forward. Kudos to Jake too, the footage is very crisp and clean.
http://www.curatorofdcstyle.com
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
I can’t tell you how inspiring a post like this is. It really makes one want to push harder & higher. Congratulations on a project that I have no doubt will be absolutely superb. Nice work!
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Very excited to see what you guys come up with!
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Excellent! I saw the tweet yesterday and I am am very excited to see what you all come up with. This is somewhat of a superhero match up for me. What a great opportunity for you all.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Many congratulations! I am over-joyed and excited to see what happens next. Street Etiquette has become a part of many peoples lives, namely mine, and I am sure that all of us want nothing but success for you guys. J.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
That was grand. I’m proud of you, brother.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
haha WOW thats dope!! I guess this complicates explaining what your job description is exactly. Congratz fellas
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
What’s crazy is that just when I think you guys may have come out with something that surprises me to no end, you take it to the next level. Your talents are endless gents.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
I’m looking forward to this sir. It looks pretty epic!
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Why wasn’t Dan from The Style Blogger.com included in this? That’s my favorite “influencer”. You guys are up there to tho! Keep up the good stuff
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
this seems to be very exciting…. purely awesome! SE does it big everyday. i’m packing my bags because i’m ready for this great adventure
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
excited how the result looks like, cant wait.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
@Barney A Bishop: Thanks Bishop definitely a experience.
@rich: I think you will love the product when released , trust me.
@Coldsun: A very long trip indeed anything to escape the cold month of february – Thanks man!
@Adam: Yeah it does lol Jake Davis does great work.
@LOLA: Thanks a lot lola – for being a supporter of our blog truly grateful for having readers like you :d
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
@Suhaly B.: D.R will become my third home next to Ghana from the experience I had from the culture to the food everything was fantastic.
@DC: Thank you sir . Yes that’s the plan definitely the first of many in that direction but you know how that
@sssence: Thanks Nicholas – like I said above in the post it should inspire young individuals to be able do similar things and bigger its much bigger than the participants but the actual purpose of it.
@Skp: Thanks – cant wait myself.
@Unyime Akpanudosen: Hey Unyime – thanks for the good words it really is a great opportunity for all participating – btw like your blog keep it up.
posted on June 9 , 2010 :
Great look for you guys.
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
This is great! What a cool opportunity for a company to work with talented individuals from a lot of different backgrounds around a shared passion and have something to contribute to the community come from it. I’m excited to see what you guys came up with and proud to see the industry taking notice of the individuals who are breathing life into their products through a unique sense of style. Congrats!
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
Doing big things. Always an inspiration. Keep it up guys, cant wait to see what comes of this. By the way what brand are those sun glasses everyone’s wearing?
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
I can’t wait to see your shoes!
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
Loks like your enjoying it out there in DR Joshua – nice job
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
This is absolutely huge. Major congratulations are in order for you two & everyone else involved.
You guys are killing 2010. Keep making moves!
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
[...] Step into the Sebago Nexus Project … Street Etiquette [...]
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
cool. congratulations – I look forward to the updates….
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
What an AMAZING opportunity. Congrats.
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
Can’t wait to see/wear the shoes. Also big props to whoever chose the music. That Hammond is so grimy
posted on June 10 , 2010 :
really exciting guys, well done! look forward to seeing more. love the track behind it, anyone know the name/artist of the original?
posted on June 11 , 2010 :
Bring on the great product fellas!
posted on June 11 , 2010 :
http://peponishop.blogspot.com/
posted on June 11 , 2010 :
@Jonathan: Thank you Jonathan – and yes it has I’m sure everyone can vouch for this – and at the sametime its mutual without readers we wouldn’t be where we’re at right now.
@Milly: Thanks Sis!
@illtek: It really does though to be honest – what would one classify their job description as? Best thing to do is just name them all and give some info on each listing – very complicated but worth it showing you’re all over lol .
@JaVonn: Thank you Javonn – truly.
@Yin: It Shall be!
posted on June 13 , 2010 :
who ever thought a fashion blog would make it this far? i see bigger things for the future, make us proud with that new design josh
posted on June 14 , 2010 :
Congrats fellas!
posted on June 15 , 2010 :
Congratulations! Wow, what a great opportunity for you! I’m looking forward to seeing your pair, and the entire series for that matter.
posted on June 15 , 2010 :
Josh! It was a great pleasure working with you and getting to know you. I’ve been paying attention to you and your movement for a while and I am happy you were a part of this. Looking forward to building with you and Trav in the future.
Peace
Marcus Troy
posted on June 15 , 2010 :
Great job Josh. I’m anticipating these shoes and their individual traits/cw’s/materials. Also, congrats on the Madbury Club.
posted on June 17 , 2010 :
Can’t wait to see the result of this collaboration.
I’m surprised that Sebagos are hand-sewn as the stitchings are rather consistent, something that can’t be said of my Quoddys.
posted on June 18 , 2010 :
Hey this looks amazing. Was wondering if theres anyone who knows the music in the video. It sounds familiar but I cant put a name to it and its killing me!
posted on June 19 , 2010 :
You guys are the best.
Havent been here in a while…. I miss it!
xo
posted on June 21 , 2010 :
Finally got a chance to check this video out. Looks like its a pretty cool collaboration.
-ps. I like the music they chose in the background.
posted on June 21 , 2010 :
i’ve been waiting for this! congratulations. looking forward to lots more.
posted on August 17 , 2010 :
[...] bloggers to their facilities in the Dominican Republic to develop their own products and created content from the journey. The results will be out by the end of the [...]