Author: Bradley Martinez
They’re here!
It’s fair to say that both Travis Scott and Hiroshi Fujiwara’s Fragment Design have a very strong history when it comes to collaborating with Nike and the Jordan Brand. With a host of collaborations under their belts there is one silhouette in particular that both have previously brought their ideas to the table that have taken the sneaker world by storm and that’s the Air Jordan 1.
So for 2021, Nike have created one of the most highly anticipated collaborations with La Flame and Fujiwara’s Fragment Design coming together to bring a take on the AJ1 that features everything we’ve come to love and know with a few unique details that only the duo could add.
The familiar colour block is kept in place that see’s a ‘Military Blue’ upper combined with hits of white and black leather sitting upon an aged midsole and just incase people didn’t know who was responsible for such a collaboration, Cactus Jack and Fragment Design logos have been carefully embossed on the heel to leave their mark on this unforgettable coming together.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
RAFFLE CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
The YZY FOAM RUNNER MX ‘CREAM CLAY’ features injected EVA to provide lightweight durability. This model is made using algae harvesting technology that helps to keep lakes clean. The soft top layer in the footbed offers immediate step in comfort. The strategically mapped vents around the foot provide air flow and breathability. Additionally, the YZY FOAM RUNNER will usher in a new box construction that requires less material, which leads to less cardboard material waste.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
RAFFLES CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
In-store winners will be contacted via email informing them of their win. Within this email, winners will be given a set of dates in which they must collect their win from our London store. To collect, you will need to provide the winning email and a valid photographic government ID matching the winners name. NO ONE can collect on the winners behalf. Failure to provide this, or failure to collect within the given dates will mean failure to purchase your win.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
Growing up many of us will have a memory of ourselves going to arcades, playing on a console of some variety, playing games like Club Penguin or even going to a friend’s house to play Call of Duty or GTA because your parents wouldn’t buy it for you.
Over the years the gaming community has grown exponentially with no signs of stopping. Some Esports tournaments have even seen more viewers globally than the NFL Super Bowl!
Same as much of our community, the team at Footpatrol has spent many of our childhoods and still today enjoying and immersing ourselves into the gaming world. To make our entry we wanted to work on a project that we felt we could connect on a more nostalgic level.
Working alongside Esports apparel brand, Raven and the Call of Duty League. Footpatrol teamed up to produce a series of team merch within a London based 1 day only popup. Featuring some of the biggest names in the league. The LA Thieves (extension of 100Theives), originators of competitive Call of Duty; Optic Chicago, the infamous Atlanta FaZe and the UKs very own London Royal Ravens.
The collection features a 2 piece look for each team featuring either a tee and hoodie or Jacket inspired by the teams themselves.
To top off this project we linked up with Call of Duty Pros and London Royal Raven teammates, Jukeyz and Angelika to find out more on what it takes to reach their level and compete against some of the best in the world.
Footpatrol: Guys it’s great to meet you both and celebrate the launch of this CDL pop up with the London Royal Ravens. How have you been?
Angelika: Yeah great! I only had an hour and half train journey here which arrived Friday. Chilled for the rest of the day and now here we are! Really excited to be here!
Jukeyz: Me on the other hand I think you could have flown to America quicker than it took me to get here. It was only supposed to take an hour and half but I got two wrong trains.
FP: Before I get into anything. For those Footpatrol community members who may not know who you are, could you start off with a little introduction on yourselves and what you guys do?
Angelika: Im Angelika. Full-time streamer, content creator and competitive Warzone player for the London Royal Ravens. I’m just here to try and inspire women in gaming. As well as trying to be the best female Warzone player in the world.
Jukeyz: I’m Jukeyz. Content creator and competitive Warzone player. I’m more into the competitive side though, I want to be the best in the world more than sit there and play for fun. I enjoy both, but for the time being the best in the world is where the focus lies.
FP: I would love to know more about how you both found yourselves where you are now as Pro Call of Duty players for the London Royal Ravens. Where did it all begin?
Jukeyz: Mine started when my mum was ill. I started playing A LOT of Call of Duty almost 24hrs a day whilst being a full-time carer for my mum. Whilst I was playing so much I started to realise that I was actually pretty good at the game and tried to start playing competitively. This was only three or four years ago. I went from playing Public games being high up on the scoreboard to playing GameBattles, which was the website for XP games where you meet a lot of really good players. I was quite a challenger. It went: high up on the scoreboard, to going up the leaderboards on the websites, becoming the best on Xbox, then Playstation to then being one of the highest ranks in the world within the top 100. Which at the time was pretty big. So it naturally progresses from that, to money, to tournaments. Everyone plays for money, you want to compete against the big streamers with loads of viewers because if you pop off and they have say 10k views at least 1000 will come check your channel out. That was how I approached it, just smoking them! I had a chance in a big tournament and ended up winning two of them 200k each back to back.
Angelika: My process was pretty much similar. My boyfriend introduced me to Call of Duty when I was about 15, really enjoyed it and was playing loads of public games. I noticed I was pretty good at this and it was my first time so I decided to move onto GameBattles and competitive Search and Destroy and then played some wagers now and then too. By the time Warzone came out I was grinding constantly on the game. By the time tournaments started coming up I was getting invited to them and competing.
FP: So did you guys both start out on multiplayer?
Jukeyz: That was something I forgot to include!
Angelika: Yeah for sure and Search and Destroy was the main game for that.
Jukeyz: Respawn games are quite big as well with the Pro League and CDL. It’s changed a lot now though and it’s much harder to make it to that level. I feel like when it was the Pro League there were more opportunities.
FP: I remember the old MLG days on Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2. I used to love the little MLB looking logo with the controller.
Jukeyz: How long ago was that?
FP: I think about 2012, like 9 years ago.
Angelika: I started getting into competitives by Modern Warfare 3.
Jukeyz: I WISH I was playing Call of Duty then. I think I would be considerably better than what I am now.
Angelika: When did you start playing competitively then?
Jukeyz: Three or four years ago. When Modern Warfare Remastered came out.
Angelika: Wait so you never played any of the old CODs?
FP: So when did you start getting into it Angelika?
Angelika: I started getting into competitives by Modern Warfare 3. Then literally any other COD that came out after I was addicted and playing constantly.
FP: Competitive gaming has no doubt grown exponentially. What are your thoughts on how big of a market and industry it continues to become?
Angelika: If they worked on the game and sorted out the hackers. It would be way better for the gamers and the competitive side of things too.
Jukeyz: Gaming itself is already huge. I think the Warzone side of it though I think is going to keep growing and growing. Hackers aren’t okay though. They’ve been on it with the updates when guys are a bit too overpowered they’ve been on point with fixing it.
FP: Well fingers crossed they resolve that soon so that you aren’t left in that awkward situation when you bump into one in a competitive match.
Angelika: It puts you in a bad mood when you bump into one in a competitive game. You have to give proof mid game if you have been killed by one. Sometimes you can’t clip it or you miss the kill cam so you can’t prove it, so in those instances what do you gonna do. Sometimes you tell people and they don’t believe you.
FP: Angelika, the gaming world, much like sneakers. Over the years it has been seen as more of a boys club. You were the first female pro to join the Ravens roster. Have you seen much growth in that side of the community over the years?
Angelika: I am trying to help bring other female gamers into the community and I feel at times that I haven’t done that bad of a job at inspiring women to get into gaming. When I first started there weren’t that many female gamers that I knew. Now I have met so many incredibly talented female gamers who are competing in the same tournaments doing just as well as I am. As time has gone by the female gaming community has grown, not only that they are all doing the same in trying to encourage more women to join.
I feel like gaming is for everyone!
FP: Well here is a fun fact for you. The first ever competitive gaming competition was won by a woman in 1978, Rebecca Heineman in a Space Invaders tournament.
Angelika & Jukeyz: Really, no way!
FP: It’s amazing to see how much that side of gaming has grown.
Jukeyz: Just to add on to that. It definitely has grown. Angelika was one of the first female gamers that I started to watch and played a few times before she signed to the Ravens. Since she joined, there have been loads of women that have followed.
Angelika: I don’t think anyone expected me to join the Ravens or anything like that. Most expected me to join a little team or something. Since that’s happened though it’s shown to everyone on how women can do the exact same thing and compete at the same standard as everyone else.
FP: You can see how excited you guys get seeing and hearing people being inspired by you both and how nice it feels being able to bring people together through your streams, through Discord chats. You have given a lot of people a platform to feel heard and included. It’s similar to why many of us got into shoes. It’s that concept of being a part of a community of like minded individuals that love something purely for the passion.
I have to admit I have watched both of your streams a fair few times and enjoy the content you guys put out! I have watched you compete in a few tournaments and always notice how fired up you get and the fact you play with a different team mate everytime! How do you mentally prepare for competitive matches?
Jukezy: I will start off by saying, last year compared to this year, the game is completely different. There weren’t many people who were on the same level. At the start of the game that’s kind of how I won those 2 tournaments. More than anything though I approach all games with confidence though that’s how I try to do it. Only time I doubted myself was in my first 100k tournament, I got told I couldn’t compete with the two guys that I was playing with and said they would have to pick me two new team mates. Both of which weren’t even COD players, one was known for Apex Legends and the other for PUBG. We ended up coming 2nd overall though in the grand final.
Angelika: I have played with such a variety of different players in tournaments. I try to get some practice games in before we start just to get in the right mindset as I feel that’s so important as well. Like I said though I have played with such a mix of people and somehow we always seem to do well! I don’t know whether that’s because I am more chilled out in the game and let myself and my teammate do whatever.
FP: One thing with Warzone I find is that it seems to be quite hard to stop some cheaters slipping through the cracks even the odd random that pop ups in your competitive games. Besides having to go through a set process in tournaments before backing out. Are you the type of person in PUB lobbies, if you come across one you stay in the game and almost prove yourself or do you back out and start fresh?
Jukezy: Hahah! Sometimes I go back for them. All it takes is a stun most of the time.
Angelika: Same here as well! A lot of the time though with hackers they aren’t actually that good at the game. They just need the extra help to play the game. I’ve killed a few of them before though and most of the time they don’t expect you to come back and challenge them! If the person is a bit of a try hard and you can see they are dropping crazy amounts of kills then you gotta back out cos it’s not fun.
Jukezy: You get hackers these days that can do almost everything we can. Then you get the crabs running around being trash.
FP: I feel like I have to ask you guys a couple of questions that our Warzone fans would like to know. Starting with the easy one. What is your current go to loadout?
Angelika: C58 and Cold War MP5
Jukeyz: Same. I think the C58 is the best gun the game has seen.
FP: You see I think FFAR was the best meta the games had.
Jukeyz: Ahh yeah! I didn’t get to play it though like everyone else. I don’t tend to play the meta. I always make my own set ups for it. Everyone was using Raider stock except for me! The last meta with the burst guns for example. I never used any of them! I was still on the AMAX doing my thing. I feel like I missed that one!
Angelika: That was really fun to use. The funny thing with that FFAR, I don’t really know who to look at for setups so I went into Jukeyz stream and copied his build for it and for a good week or two I had no idea Raider stock was the go to attachment. I had people going at me why aren’t you using it la la la. I was just sitting there thinking I dunno, that’s what Jukeyz is using! Once I added it though I was like woooooooow!
FP: Favourite place to drop in Verdansk?
Angelika: It used to be hangers but I would say hospital now.
Jukeyz: Hospital.
FP: What’s your K/Ds?
Angelika: Mine has gone up quite a bit; it’s at like 3.03 now.
Jukeyz: Mine has gone down! It went from like a 5.10 to a 4.7.
FP: How do you get better at aiming (asking for a mate)?
Angelika: You know what I used to do! If you set up a private match on multiplayer and put the little bots in and shoot headshots for like 1/2hrs. I used to do that before every competitive game when I played Search. Sometimes I even put the health up really high so that it takes more bullets to kill them making you have to practice your aiming more.
Jukeyz: I used to do the same to practice. I think it really helps, especially with music blasting to get you in the zone.
FP: Guys, honestly thank you so much for spending some time with us to chat. It’s been great to hear more of your stories. Before we let you go, is there anything you would like to share with the Footpatrol community to get them excited for what either of you are working on?
Jukeyz: Keep an eye out for the 5th August cos i’m going to win the world tourney!
Angelika: haha same for me keep an eye out and we will see who wins!
With everything that’s happened over the last year, events have been few and far between however, last weekend saw the first large scale community run take place on the streets of London thanks to ASICS. Named the ASICS London 10k, a closed road route was set out in central London that included some of the most iconic streets, worming its way through Piccadilly Circus, down the Strand making its way on to the river past the London Eye before taking in the views of Big Ben (all be it under construction) to then finish along Parliament Street.
TEAMFP member Jake was joined on the day with a few members from our friendly neighbour hood running club, ‘Your Friendly Runners’ who all took part for the enjoyment that comes with a race day but also, to hit those PB times. A day filled with live music, entertainment and lively energy and coupled with bumping into a few community members, it was a great buzz to see an event like this take place.
Take a look below at the days events and hopefully, we’ll see more of you on the starting line for the next one!
Making waves over the last ten years, we sit down with none other than Mr Mitch who takes to the decks for episode 027 of our Frequent Players Guest Mix series.
Having recently released his third album ‘Lazy’ earlier this year, the founder of Gobstopper Records takes us on an insane journey through the genres in this latest mix with his usual detailed approach.
Take a read below where we sit down with Mr Mitch to learn more about his processes and don’t forget to hit that play button and go on the journey with us!
Footpatrol: Mr Mitch, welcome! How are we?
Mr Mitch: Hey! Yes doing well thank you.
FP: Now that things have started to open up, have you got any exciting nights outs or events planned?
Mr Mitch: Yeah definitely happy to be back in the clubs and doing shows again. Tbh Im grateful to be able to get out of the house and travel the country again. Got shows in London and Manchester this weekend that I’m really excited about.
FP: Lets pull it back to the start of your career. Where did the love for music begin for you?
Mr Mitch: Music was everywhere in my household as a kid. My mum was rarely not playing music, my dad used to play guitar and tour with Ariwa records in the 80’s and early 90’s so it’s always been there.
FP: And what about DJing and production what led you down those two paths?
Mr Mitch: My first taster of production was from a piece of software that came with some cereal when I was about 12. It wasn’t great but I loved it. I quickly moved on to some other software with a cracked copy on a floppy disk from my cousin and just never stopped creating. DJing came later but both mediums are just as important to me now.
FP: I have listened to a few of your mixes, more recently your set with DJ Mag. You play a wide array of genres within your mixes. Is that something that developed over time or is that the route you always wanted to go down with your DJing?
Mr Mitch: I’d always had an eclectic taste but it took me a while to learn how to successfully explore my taste in a DJ set, instead of playing by genres I try to find common strands within pieces of music that link together. Genres don’t really exist anyway there’s just music that makes sense to you and music that doesn’t.
FP: Tell us a bit about Boxed. Where did that begin?
Mr Mitch: Boxed was a club night that a few of us started because we wanted to create a space to push all of these mutant versions of grime that we were being sent. It somehow grew very quickly and organically and it became a home for DJ’s and producers all pushing music in strange and exciting directions. My label Gobstopper was fed producers and artists through the Boxed scene and is now a home from black electronic artists. My latest album ‘Lazy’ was released on Gobstopper.
FP: I noticed that you are signed to electronic record label Planet Mu which has a big mix of artists on there. How often are you releasing tracks these days?
Mr Mitch: Most of my music these days comes out through my own label Gobstopper. I released a bunch of singles last year during lockdown and dropped my album in March.
FP: I loved your Resident Advisor feature that you did with your sons. Did you ever release those tracks or were they a little promo release?
Mr Mitch: We didn’t release those ones in that video but we did drop an EP that we made together ‘Songs with my sons’
FP: Have your sons taken a liking to DJing and production like you have?
Mr Mitch: Yeah my eldest is 10 and I’ve just given him my decks because he wanted to learn. I like to just keep it fun for them, no pressure. They seem to enjoy playing with hardware and just messing around.
FP: Mr Mitch. It was a real pleasure to spend some time with you. Before you head off is there anything you would like to share to the Footpatrol/Frequent Players readers and listeners?
Mr Mitch: Go and listen to Lazy, shouts to everyone who has been showing me love for it already. Hope to see you in a club soon.
Frequent collaborators, sacai and Nike are back once again with another take on one of Nike’s most iconic silhouettes, the Blazer Low.
Having recently seen the launch of two Blazer Low’s, Chitose Abe continues to slice the top off the Blazer Hi to reimagine a Blazer Low with a leather and suede mix upper with exposed foam liners. This latest coming together keeps the best of those previous iterations with sacai’s signature design touches like the stacked swooshes, tongues and double lacing.
Take a closer look at the two colour ways below and make sure to get your entries in for your chance to purchase!
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
RAFFLES CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
For their latest coming together, Jun Takahashi and his Undercover brand has been tasked with designing a special colour way of the Nike Dunk High 1985 model that celebrates the heritage of the Dunk and its original approach. Based on the shape and structure from when it first released way back in 1985 design, Takahashi brings a classic colourway to the collaboration with a mixture of black leather overlays contrasting against a ‘Gym Red’ pebble embossed nubuck.
Bringing design ques that we’d expect to see from Takahashi and Undercover, A ‘Undercover Basketball Association’ sits alongside Undercover branding on the heels.
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
RAFFLE CLOSED!
To enter, you’re required to sign up via the above forms, these WON’T be available in-store to sign up on.
To sign up to the Online raffle, you will be prompted to complete a pre-authorisation payment of the retail price of the product plus shipping costs. This will be held until raffle completion. Those successful will have their raffle win posted out to the address entered during sign up. Those unsuccessful will see a return of their funds, this can take up to 5 working days from when the winners have been drawn. The raffle is limited to one entry per household! Multiple entries will be cancelled!
When it comes to craftsmanship, you don’t often need to look any further than New Balance. Known for using the premium materials across their offering. Their attention to detail is key. When we heard Tokyo Design Studio were teaming up with New Balance for their take on the 574, we knew the levels of detail were going to be down to the finest touch.
With this in mind and being based so close to the famous Saville Row. We took this opportunity to sit down with Jiu Jitsu aficionado and tailoring expert Ben Phillips.
Having spent many years working on the prestigious Saville Row. Ben has acquired a wealth of knowledge and interests that have helped him shape his career the way he’s wanted to. So if you want to learn something new I suggest you read this exclusive feature here at Footpatrol.
Footpatrol: I want to jump straight into the questions if that’s okay with you. Let’s kick things off with an introduction to yourself.
Ben Phillips: My names Ben Phillips and I am the general manager at the Roger Gracie Academy in Hammersmith and a personal stylist.
FP: Based on what I have read about you. You seem to be a popular face in the London tailoring world! Where did this love for tailoring begin to emerge?
BP: So my interest in tailoring kind of came from 2 places. One of which was Nick Cave the musician. I was a big fan of his, I love his aesthetic. The other introduction was from the film Goodfellas. I always loved that gangster look and the fact that they were always so well dressed.
FP: Did you find a lot of films that influenced your style then?
BP: Yeah definitely! Scorsese always gets the clothes right. Goodfella as I said was a big influence, Casino was another, clothing from the Godfather. To this day I am still looking for the cloth that Luka Brasi’s suit was made of when he gets killed in the film. It’s an amazing cloth but I can’t find it!
FP: What is it about it that makes it so special?
BP: It has a beautiful texture! I think that’s the most important thing for me, especially in tailoring. Texture. I don’t like that classic almost city boy shiny suit. A suit that’s got some feel to it that makes you want to touch it. That’s really important to me.
FP: I feel like being Footpatrol we need to ask you a question that’s shoe related. But I want to keep it in line with tailoring of course. When picking a dress shoe or any smart shoe is there a certain style or design that you feel is the best silhouette to work with within the tailoring world or is it as open as the trainer world?
BP: To me there are 2 dress shoes that you should own. Firstly, the Alden Cordovan Plain Toe Butcher. It’s a beautiful shape, color 8 Cordovan leather is the highest quality leather you can get and has a beautiful dark burgundy feel to it that gets darker as you wear it. It goes with any suit and works great with denim. The other recommendation would be the J.M. Western 180 Loafer. It is the easiest thing to wear, gos with any bit of tailoring, chinos and denim. It’s just an easy peasy thing to wear.
FP: Another thing we spoke about earlier is your love for Japanese fashion and craftsmanship. What drew you towards it?
BP: It didn’t really start there for me. The first brand I really got into was Ben Davis, the workwear brand. That was only because I was a big dude. I used to hang out with punks and skateboarders and couldn’t really find those clothes in my size but Ben Davis has the aesthetic I wanted and the sizes. That got me more interested in workwear in general, looking at brands such as Hercules, vintage Levis stuff like that. The Japanese took a lot of that influencer from America and continued it and pushed it. That was when my connection to Japan first started.
The first brand I actually got into from Japan growing up was A Bathing Ape. Back when it was a bit more preppy, it was almost like plays on Ralph Lauren. I used to have a sweatshirt rather than a polo player. It had the ape with the rifle from Planet of the Apes and then I had the button down shirts that had just the Ape head on it. The early stuff I still live by!
FP: Prior to finding yourself involved in tailoring, you were the owner of a tattoo shop, have you ever found that the attention to detail aspect from tattooing has ever merged with what you did as a tailor?
BP: So what I took away from it was the idea of aesthetic rather than attention to detail. By getting heavily tattooed you adorning yourself and commit to a really big life choice. I don’t think there is actually a huge difference between, working in a tattoo shop and guiding the decisions on what to get and working in tailoring guiding their decisions on that. A full body of tattoos is called a body suit. Although it may seem like a completely different thing, it’s not. It’s the same thing, just a little bit more permanent.
FP: The norms in the past with tailors have always been quite strict on looks and aesthetics. With your clear passion for tattooing, did you find any challenges facing you when trying to make your way into the industry?
BP: I have to be honest. I think I have been really lucky. Especially whilst working for a brand like Drakes where people are really into patterns. The brand makes amazing ties and scarves with these nice designs. People just saw what I had as an extension to that, I never encountered any negativity from people within the industry for it. That being said, I don’t really think you do these days. We have in the past, maybe 15 years ago. These days people are open to talk about your tattoos. There was a time where people wouldn’t even sit next to you on the tube or the bus which, I wish would come back hahaha!
FP: Have you ever tried to incorporate the two together?
BP: No, not really. I have a very dear friend called Thomas Hooper who does amazing tattoos as well as patterns. I always thought some pocket squares with some of his designs would be really cool or even scarfs. He is one of the most talented people I have ever met, he is mindblowing. He is the type of person you would message at 8am and he would have been up since 5am producing 2 cover artworks for bands, tattoo all day and then come back to painting. He is pretty close to a genius.
FP: What about now in your new career path at the Roger Gracie Academy. Were there any transferable skills you took across?
BP: I think the main thing is customer service and looking after people. Obviously at a Jiu Jitsu academy it’s a very different place to retail and my role there is different. The main thing for me is to make sure that everyone is treated right and looked after to the best of our capabilities.
FP: Just before we started the interview you mentioned about design. Have you had much input into any of the designs at the academy?
BP: At the moment the merch is predominantly academy based. We are working with some people at the moment to create a separate Roger Gracie line. For those who don’t know who Roger is, he is the greatest Jiu Jitsu practitioner of all time and 10 time world champion. He is considered the GOAT in sport by everyone. I want to create a line that people would wear in the same way they would a Mohammed Ali t-shirt or Pele t-shirt. Roger is of the same status but of course in a much more niche sport. At the moment we are working on that with the guys from Bedwin & the Heartbreakers. Hopefully that will all come out into fruition over the next 3-6 months.
FP: Let’s move onto your musical influences. Was there anything that helped you from that?
BP: Being involved in the Hardcore and DIY Hardcore scene. That taught everything I know about hard work. If you’re into say The Weekend, the chances are eventually those people will come and play in your town because 10,000 people minimum want to come and see them. If you’re into the Cro-Mags or Converge it will probably only be around 70-100 people that want to go to that show. No big producers will back that. So what you did was; I want to see that band, so I will put on the show. You’re then taught that if you want something you have to get it yourself.
FP: Just as a couple of added quick ones we wanted to throw in. For anyone that’s planning to go out for weddings, events etc….
What would be your Top 3 suit choices and where would you get them from?
BP: I think I may approach this question slightly differently. Rather than giving you my top 3 I will go for 3 different price points and where to get them.
- I would really recommend Drakes. I don’t work there anymore, but the style of their tailoring is fantastic and doesn’t feel too boxy or uncomfortable. It’s very unstructured and cool. That would be my first choice for you. That’s a bit more towards the higher end of the spectrum.
- For a cheaper option, there is Suit Supply. It’s a bit more of an introductory price, the quality of what they make is good for the price and they also have an in-store alterations guy to get it tailored.
- Lastly, if you’re on a real budget. Marks & Spencers. Head down there, get yourself a suit and find a decent alterations guy. The quality of the suits for the price is unbelievable.
FP: What about your most prestigious suit you own?
BP: That’s a tough one as I own a lot of suits! I would say my favourite suit is a diamond weave solero suit. It’s a summer fabric that depending on the light either green or red. It sounds horrible and it’s a real fabric that people either love or hate. This one though was made with a diamond weave so it’s almost the same shape as a diamond in the fabric. That is definitely one of my favourite suits and it was made to measure.
FP: Is it almost shiny?
BP: No! It’s so weird man, I should have brought it today! They say it’s a summer fabric but it’s really not it’s wool. They used to wear it in colonial times because they thought it reflected the sun… It doesn’t, it really really doesn’t. It’s a great looking suit.
FP: Ben, thank you so much for spending time with us this weekend and talking to us about your passion. Before we let you go is there anything you would like to share with the Footpatrol readers and followers?
BP: Come and visit us at Roger Gracie Academy! You can have a free introductory session and Jiu Jitsu will change your life! It has done for me.
With the opportunity for events to start happening again, this weekend see’s ASICS curate a 10km race through the streets of London and we’re excited, nervous to say that Footpatrol will be heading down to take part in the day’s events. Working its way through some of the most iconic streets central London has to offer, the day plans to bring a feel good vibe for everyone taking part with live music at every KM coupled and the overall excitement that comes with a race day, whether it’s just a bit of fun or you’re out to challenge yourself.
With an opportunity to connect with the running community, we invited along some familiar faces from Your Friendly Runners Club who will be taking on the challenge with Footpatrol. We sit down with Kristine, Jamie and Henry who take us through their preparations for race days and we also discuss ASICS’ Mind Uplifter tool that aims to promote activity and a healthy mind.
Take a read below and make sure to stay tuned to Footpatrol’s stories on Sunday where we’ll be bringing you along for the ride!
Footpatrol: Hey guys, thanks so much for joining us at Footpatrol and taking part in the ASICS 10km run that makes its way through the streets of London this weekend!
How have you all been this last year? Kristine and Jamie, I believe we saw you both before on our run with YFRC last year, it’s great to have you both back again!
Kristine: It’s been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, going in and out of lockdown and with changing restrictions determining what one can and cannot do. While I’ve been lucky enough to be employed by a company that appreciates these difficulties and invest in the health and well-being of their employees, it’s been tough not to be able to go back to Denmark to see my family, taking a proper break for the hustle and bustle of the city, and probably more holistically feel free. I’ve loved and enjoyed running for well over a decade and only found a new appreciation for the sport during the pandemic. I’ve realised how much running sets me free, allows me to think about the things I don’t have time to think about during the working day and manage my emotions. It’s unreal how much a run can lift my mood, even if I don’t enjoy the run. YFRC and everyone I’ve linked up with separately for a run have also been a massive gamechanger, and I’m forever thankful for our little crew. YES – I was there for the activation last year and am happy to be back.
Jamie: It’s been a challenging year, but one that has presented itself with opportunity too. I started a business two months before lockdown 1.0 and for some time last year, there was a huge amount of uncertainty. Running throughout that time has given me focus, and a space to escape into. Running allows me to change my mood, get time to think, or enables a social interaction that at points last year was unobtainable. Also I really enjoyed the FP meet up last year, everyone was in such good spirits.
Henry: It’s been a difficult year for sure (as it has for so many people) I’m a freelance photographer so was massively affected by the pandemic, but I was able to utilise the extra time that I had off to get fit. I’ve run on and off (mostly off) for years but never really enjoyed it until this last year, I was just going through the motions. I think it’s safe to say I’ve definitely got the bug now though. I started running with YFRC back in May and I LOVE it. I’m also making good progress reducing my 5k, 10K & Half marathon times and regularly setting new PB’s.
FP: Jumping straight into it and with Raceday just around the corner, how do you normally prepare for such events?
Kristine: As I’m an organised individual, I typically spend a couple of weeks prepping for events. I’m 100% a marathon runner; the marathon is my distance, where I thrive. So, a little more prep is usually required – to ensure I’m relaxed on race day and not worried about the little things. I think about what to eat, wear, do in the days leading up to the race, and pack everything I need no later than the night before. I take time to tune in with myself and set my mind up for the uncomfortable that is about to happen. I set gold, silver, and bronze goals for the race – so that no matter how I feel on the day, one of these goals is achievable. For this particular race, I’m training for a fall marathon and will utilise the opportunity to get a good tempo/threshold session in the books and check in with the emotions and energy of wearing a race number on my chest again – thank you so much for letting me!
Hill sprints alone won’t help me; it’s the culmination of running hard, easy, uphill, downhill, long, and short plus strength and conditioning, yoga, and pilates that will. Unfortunately, running well isn’t a one-stop-shop in your running shoes.. You got to see the bigger picture and put in the work.
Jamie: I’m still relatively new to race-days, but I enjoy them all the same. I’m currently training for the London Marathon in October, so my focus is getting mileage under my belt and lengthening my efforts. I’ll use this race as a good way to put out an extended effort and acclimatise to the process of racing. Other than that, I try to get good sleep, and good nutrition in the days leading up to the race.
Henry: It depends on the distance I’m running, this week (for example) I started with some hill sprints (10 x 200m) with one minute rest in between which was super tough in this heat but really fun. I don’t like to do too much before race day to avoid injury and make sure I’m running on fresh legs but will likely do a 10k and a 5k run at an easy pace and maybe just 2 miles at an easy pace the day before race day as a bit of leg stretcher. I’ll also make sure I’m eating the right things, and I’ll avoid alcohol a few days before the race to ensure I’m fully hydrated.
FP: Hill sprints… just those words together are tiring…
And what footwear will you be opting for for this weekend’s run? (Can answer after our shop visit)
Kristine: Since we have the opportunity to wear the Novablast 2, I will most certainly opt for this. I normally wouldn’t recommend racing in brand new shoes, but for a 10K it should be alright. I’m looking forward to experiencing how the new Novablast 2 will impact my stride and force, and if there’s some magic in there that I can leverage for some extra speed.
Jamie: Really looking forward to running in something different this weekend. I’m a big believer in having a few different pairs of trainers in rotation as each pair will perform differently and affect you differently.
Henry: I chose the metaracer, the reviews have been great and I’m really loving the all blue colourway. They’re super light and have a carbon plate for speed. I can’t wait to test them out.
FP: An exciting part of the race is ASICS’ introduction of their ‘Mind Uplifter’ which as you show the physical benefits of running/movement, ASICS is aiming to help show this virtually with this new tool to display the mental benefits of movement and sport and how it has an effect on your emotional state. How beneficial is running or being active been to your mental well being?
Kristine: Extremely beneficial. I’m very energetic and would absolutely crawl the walls if I wasn’t executing some of that energy running, at the gym, in the pool, or on my bike. Not being active makes me miserable, seriously. I do everything in my power to avoid injury and setbacks to keep being able to move. Basically, any movement will help me feel better, and if being active means going for a walk, jumping on the bike or in the pool because I cannot run, I’ll take it. And I’ll probably do it so much it makes me feel sick and tired of it – to stay well in my body, but most importantly to stay well in my mind.
Jamie: Hugely beneficial! If I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or angry about something I can guarantee a run will help to lift or shift my mood. It also gives me focus and escapism in equal measure that allow my brain the rest it needs.
Henry: Running has had such a positive impact on my mental health, I regularly come back from runs absolutely buzzing from the endorphins (especially the group runs) and now that I’ve found it I feel like I’d be lost without it
FP: Finally… What’s harder… Getting your feet across the starting line or the moment you can see the finish line in the distance?
Kristine: Getting to the start line is, for me, the hardest part. Once I’m there, I don’t even think about the finish line but focus on the time in between the two. This is where the magic can happen, where I have the opportunity to bring the best version of myself forward that day. To run the best I can on that particular day – be that a smile and wave to make it through happy and healthy or channel all those tough workouts to race hard, you have to have a positive mindset about it. You made it to the start line, and many don’t manage that; because of injury, fear, heartbreak, or whatever could prevent one from not getting there. What happens once you’ve crossed the start line is entirely up to you; how you react to the way your body feels on race day, how you manage your emotions if that isn’t the feeling you were hoping for, and how you make it a positive experience regardless. You might not get the result you’d hoped for, but you still pulled through, and that’s an achievement in itself. Not every race, or even every run, is or should be a PB; sometimes it’s practice, sometimes it’s experience.
Jamie: It’s definitely getting to the start line. You have to put in some sort of effort to get something out, and that’s especially true of running. Although my answer may switch after I’ve done the marathon…
Henry: Definitely still working on my pacing (I generally set off way too fast) so it’s seeing the finish line in the distance for me.
FP: Well guys, good luck on Sunday and we look forward to seeing you on the starting line!
A firm fan favourite, the Nike Dunk has been in sixth gear for the last 12 months and there seems no signs of slowing for the iconic silhouette. Loved for its easy to wear ability and its simplistic use of colour blocking that can create endless combinations, it’s easy to see why Nike love to experiment with the Nike Dunk.
This latest duo feature a mostly white upper which have both been over dyed to leave an almost distressed effect that still manages to pack a vibrant punch thanks to its combination of a matching blocked out swoosh.
Which colour are you preferring?
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ THE BELOW!
RAFFLES CLOSED!
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