End Times Tattoo...

As my friend Andrew Mirfin is now well on the way with my sleeve i thought id post up his address for all the people that have been asking me where ive had it done.

End Times
19
Merrion Street
Leeds
LS2 8JE

01132 471147

you can also check out his work by searching 'End Times Tattoo' on Facebook

Only. NY...

Only. NY is an independent brand based out of the West side of Manhattan that offers quality goods, released in limited quantity. By combining innovative design with quality apparel, Only. NY strives to create classic, timeless clothing. Since 1997 they have been heavily involved with NYC’s underground street culture. From years of skateboarding & writing graffiti, to sporting old school Polo and North Face. Only. NY embodies their roots and has been 10 years in the making. Their brand represents the hood to Park Ave and everything in between.

This range will be available at www.thechimpstore.com late October

Sitting 4 Half Complete...

Ape General...

Sitting Number 3 On My Sleeve...

Once again... thanks to Andrew Mirfin

Celebrating Zoe's 21st Birthday...

A typical night out but maybe a few extra seen as it was Zoe's Birthday.

A Day Out At The Seaside... Scarborough...

As we had a Sunday off work myself and Zoe along with Zoe's family headed off to the coast, great day out but not so much fun been caught up in gale force winds and a down pour of rain whilst mid way through a 1 hour walk. Still had a great day out with a lot of laughter.

Shazam...

Can you feel the magic?

Thats all...

More Work To Chimp's New Branding...

So as i continue to make changes to my new store Chimp here is the latest addition with the help of my brother Neil Bedford.

Time To Get Inked...

The great and good friend Andrew Mirfin has finally managed to put needle and ink into my skin after so long of talking about it... Here is the progress so far...

You can check Andrew's work out on his Facebook page... http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000267677860&ref=ts

Chimp Re Launches...

Exclusive menswear boutique CHIMP in Thornton’s Arcade, Leeds, is now under new ownership, been re-styled, re-branded and is launching a number of new brands, previously unavailable in Leeds.

The store is hosting a limited in-house re-launch event Thursday 27th May, 5-7pm, the perfect opportunity to meet the owner and stockists whilst browsing the new global brands and enjoying some complimentary drinks, we would love it if you could attend.

THERE’S NO MONKEY ABOUT THIS CHIMP!

Exclusive menswear boutique CHIMP in Thornton’s Arcade, Leeds, is now under new ownership, been re-styled, re-branded and is launching a number of new brands, previously unavailable in Leeds.

CHIMP has recently undergone a series of exciting changes, from ownership and new stockists to its actual structure. The independently owned store has been expanded onto two floors and given an antique style facelift; adding to its unique style.
Owner Mark Bedford, 25 from Leeds, has expanded CHIMP’s range to include a full selection of male fashion; from clothing to footwear, accessories and travel luggage. CHIMP now stocks a variety of global labels such as ‘Levi’s made and crafted’, ‘Huf’ and ‘Undefeated’, many of which are limited to one account per city.

Mark commented “having worked in retail for several years, I saw a gap in the menswear market and decided owning my own store would give me the perfect opportunity to offer something a little different in Leeds”. Bringing in brands from Japan, America and Europe has certainly added a ‘je ne sais quoi’ to this independently run boutique.

CHIMP will also be launching a full E-commerce website early June, yet again expanding the availability of global menswear brands.

Levi Made & Crafted....

The creation of a new “brand” within the Levi’s XX division is called “Made & Crafted”. Steven Vogel recently attended the Levi’s XX showing at the trade shows in January where he was shown through the collection by one of the designers themselves. Here he quickly discovered ‘a whole level of intellectualism hovering beyond the visual nature’ of his visit.

A few months ago, news broke that Levi’s was relocating their infamous Levi’s Vintage Division to Amsterdam. Not only did the relocation seemingly invigorate this much beloved division within Levi’s but it also brought with it a series of changes in regards to the structure of how LVC was dealt with internally and externally. In a unprecedented move by such a large company, a new division was created, called Levi’s XX, which was geographically separated by the company at large. In any large corporate structure it makes sense to physically remove these image driven divisions, sadly, centralization is still the key word for many brands.

What intrigued me more than then actual re-structuing and creation of this new division though was the second part of the press release: the creation of a new “brand” within the Levi’s XX division. Whenever someone like Levi’s creates a new line associated with their premium division you pay attention because they have the heritage and prowess to attract some of the best and most talented people in the industry to come and work for them. This new brand within the Levi’s XX division is called “Made & Crafted”. When the trade show season rolled through last January and with the help of some friends involved in XX I booked an appointment to see the collection. At first glance I liked the general aesthetic but quickly realized that behind the comfortable minimalism and muteness of Made & Crafted a whole level of intellectualism hovered beyond the visual nature of my visit. I was happily introduced to one of the designers who kindly took an hour to go through the collection piece by piece.

Here is a link to an Easter Weekend Mix by Ingerman... If you like your old skool garage and a slight bit of dubstep then this one is for you....

Easter Weekend Mix 2010 by ingerman

Re Branding....

So as im sure your all aware by now i have bought my own store CHIMP (www.thechimpstore.com) right here in the UK, here is my first part of the re branding that i thought id share with you....

New Beginnings....

To follow on from my post of 'End of an Era' it is now time to tell you all about my new venture... I have now bought my own store and will be relaunching it very soon... The store is called CHIMP and is based at 5, Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, United Kingdom. Chimp has been established since 1998 and myself and my brother (Neil Bedford) take it into its newest chapter.

Become our friend on facebook by searching CHIMP LEEDS or follow us on Twitter by entering WWW.TWITTER.COM/THECHIMPSTORE

We have also got our holding page up for our website which will be fully functional very soon so please do keep checking back for updates.

www.thechimpstore.com

House Of Billiam x Cloth Surgeon for Chimp....

The frenzy has took place! The block colour varsity's have now materialised! They look amazing, made from the finest wool, leather and patterned linings we lined them up (apart from the grey still under construction) and took a picture.

They will be sold in Chimp, 5 Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, info@thechimpstore.com. On a made to order basis, giving you the opportunity to choose your own fabrics outer and inner, retail price is unconfirmed. More images will follow, as Neil Bedford will be photographing them to create a mini lookbook.

End of an Era....

After 7 years of working for HIP in Leeds i have now left the store to further my career within retail, i would like to thank the people i have met along the way from customers to agents.... its been a great 7 years. I am now working on my own project and all the details will be released soon so please keep checking back for updates. Thank you

Neil Bedford....

Congratulations to my brother Neil Bedford after being awarded a distinction in his MA Fashion Photography course at the London College of Fashion for his project on Bradford City Football Club, Fourteen Fifty Nine. Fourteen Fifty Nine will be published by Neil later in the year.

The Perfect iPhone Case by Incase....

Ever since getting my iPhone i have been looking for a good case and not one that just makes it look chunky and hides the beautiful styling that makes iPhone what it is (apart from all the silly little apps of course). Thank you to Mary Jane for providing me with this sample.

First Post Of 2010....

Hi All

Its been a hectic start to the year for me hence the lack of updating of my blog... here are some pics from the big freeze here in the UK in January 2010.