Monday, 6 April 2009

Champion Gear

'This is Hip Hop/this is Carhartt jackets/Timberland boots unlaced/this is CHAMPION HOODIES'.

Do you remember that intro to Joell Ortiz's 'HIP HOP'? Big big big.

Champion hoodies have been holding it down since the late 80's. If you were on the streets of Brooklyn throughout the 90's and you werent rocking a Champion 'Superhood' then you werent a serious guy. It's that simple!

Hip Hop and Champion gear go hand in hand. Nas was another artist to pay homage in his track 'Too much for me' with the lyrics “I’m a braveheart in Carhartt and Champion hoodies”.

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championghostfacekillah
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Champion have kept it real and still stock some of the old school inspired gear. No sign of the favourite 'Reverse Weave' but the 'Superhood' is still stocked in Footlockers throughout the US. Other news from Champion is the HoodieRemix competition they launched a few weeks ago. Not a new concept but still worth a peep, Champion have invited people to design their own hoody. You can check out all the entries HERE. Some are good some are awful, i'd personally go for the plain grey template hood. What I will say is, I am impressed with how much leway you get in the respect that every panel, zip, cuff, drawstring and waistband can be customised.

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hoodieremix

Kiks Tyoko released this hoodie in collaboration with Champion last year...

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And a few years ago the duo dropped these gems.

I didnt own much Champion and the search for it is a frustrating one. My trip home this weekend did result in this find though, a sweat I stole from my uncle on my first trip to New York when I was about 15 (still fits but shame about the colour)...

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My old housemate had this killer 'Reverse Weave' hoody which is probably the nicest one i've seen...

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Anyone know where to find good Champion deadstock?
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18 comments:

  1. trewz.com06/04/2009, 16:03

    how young those Jay look?!

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  2. charan06/04/2009, 16:30

    Big post ollie. I dunno i saw a couple sweats in jjb, i know its not got the biggest street rep, but i saw them as i walked past.

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  3. charan06/04/2009, 16:37

    but then if ure looking for the older ones i doubt you will get one from there.

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  4. raekwon06/04/2009, 16:42

    You forgot my verse:

    "Champion gear that i rock, you get your boots knocked
    Then attack you like a pit that lock shit down"

    I get what your trying to say, but I'm not quite sure about this quote: "Do you remember that intro to Joell Ortiz's 'HIP HOP'?" As the song is only a cpl of years old, not something in a fargone era.

    Also although the look did orignate in NY, Champion gear was rocked hard worldwide by those into the culture in the early-mid 90's.

    Good post though. cheers

    If you look hard enough you can find supreme items printed on champion tee's & hood's.

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  5. charan06/04/2009, 16:48

    http://www.jjbsports.com/champion-classic-hoody/prod_162067.aspx


    cant really go wrong for the price

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  6. JC06/04/2009, 16:52

    ^^ that jumper is alot!

    there is a gaff in carnaby st, behind vans, that sells 'vintage' stuff. they have crews in there for scores.

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  7. Unknown06/04/2009, 16:55

    Haha thanks Raekwon. Its good to hear your thoughts.

    I never said the song was from a fargone era. I was referring to when i posted the song months ago.

    Im talking about the people who made it popular, it goes wihout saying that the ish was rocked worldwide.

    Many brands use Champion basics, not only Supreme but DQM are still using it.

    Charan imma pop my head into JJB if i pass one.

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  8. dan06/04/2009, 16:57

    We are involved in a webstore about to launch hopefully this week selling original Reverse Weave Champion Sweats in the Uk..i think we're the only store presently with them...holding page for now but live very soon..

    http://www.theoriginalstore.co.uk/

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  9. Anonymous06/04/2009, 17:48

    go to costco

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  10. Anonymous06/04/2009, 18:03

    ur local jjb/olympus sports outlet has shitloads of old champion gear, hard to find anything decent though. lots of 90's tracksuits, fleeces and basketball gear.

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  11. joell ortiz06/04/2009, 18:29

    BNTL = guide to life.

    Big post ollie, champion hoodies all day.

    props to charan for sharing the love.

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  12. Anonymous06/04/2009, 18:39

    big post Ollie

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  13. Anonymous06/04/2009, 19:00

    champion socks all day everyday, hargreaves sports croydon

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  14. @witts_bntl06/04/2009, 20:07

    i might grab one of those hoodies from JJB

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  15. Anonymous06/04/2009, 20:26

    the shop behind vans is caled sam greenberg.
    http://www.samgreenbergvintage.co.uk/

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  16. DAVE.06/04/2009, 22:04

    arghh, i'd clocked the heather type hoodies in jjb a while back.

    took off the label on the front pocket though. dead out.

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  17. @witts_bntl07/04/2009, 00:23

    Just what I was thinking Retch

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  18. Tina Turnover07/04/2009, 12:58

    I like the yellow.....Fling it my way.

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