Gold Coast Trading Co. Presents: Imo Youth

Gold Coast Trading Co., one of my top favorite brands that I’ve previously featured on this blog, recently released a capsule collection entitled Imo Youth. In the words of the designer, Emeka Elams, “the capsule collection takes a nostalgic look at a home lost, the search for a new identity the churn of migration within the afro-triangle”. My favorite aspect of this brand is that Emeka makes it a point to draw inspiration from different points in Africa’s history and incorporate them into his designs. The pieces produced by this brand are much more than just clothing; they are physical reminders of the resilience and brilliance that resonates within Africa, regardless of the struggles that the continent has faced in the past and continues to face to this day.  

 www.before1444.com

That GOOD GOOD Around the Web

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while now knows that I am a lover of independent magazines, both online and in print. Spook Magazine is a “literary arts mash-up” which entered my radar back in December. What initially captured my eye was the first issue’s absolutely stunning cover, created by the brilliant Stephanie Matthews. As if the cover isn't stunning enough, this magazine is full of flowing, poignant, masterful pieces of writing. Those of you who enjoy devouring deliciously crafted poetry, fiction, and non-fiction writing, purchase a print and/or digital copy of Spook! You will not be disappointed.

Also, you all simply must listen to the glorious mixes on Spook’s Soundcloud page, Spook Radio. Good reads, good visuals, good sounds. What more could one ask for?

The Refutation of “Good Hair” is a powerful new project by the brilliant Nakeya B. In this series, Nakeya has chosen to explore the literal meaning of the historically used phrase “good hair”. In her own words, “In each image a woman of color is seen poised upright while consuming a handful of hair. Accompanying the portraits are a selection still life arrangements placing hair and traditional African-American cuisine in the same setting. Doing such suggests "good hair" is nothing more than something to be consumed as if it were food”.

In honor of its 125^th year anniversary, National Geographic has taken to Tumblr to curate a number of iconic vintage images from the magazine’s archives, many of which were never published. It is safe to say that FOUND is quickly becoming one of my favorite Tumblr blogs. The images are absolutely breathtaking. If you have a minute (or 2) to spare, make sure you check it out.

www.natgeofound.tumblr.com

This song has been on heavy, heavy repeat for the past few days. Fresh off of Tyler, The Creator’s new album, Wolf, comes a blissfully breezy tune featuring two of my favorite singers, Coco of Quadron and Erykah Badu. Click the play button below the photo to listen.

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A Look Through My Lens, Part 9

A Look Through My Lens is an ongoing series on That GOOD GOOD Blog which features awe-inspiring photographers from all over the world. I have had the absolute privilege of interviewing 15 photographers thus far through this series and today I have yet another amazing addition to the ‘A Look Through My Lens’ family, 22 year old Lawrence Agyei from Chicago, IL. Lawrence is one of the many young creatives that my blog has allowed me to cross virtual paths with and I am so happy to be able to share a sample of his beautiful body of work with all of you. As always, I interviewed today's featured photographer and his responses to my questions accompany his photos in this post. Please enjoy Law's story as he shares about his passion for his art form and where his love of photography all began.

I have been doing photography for about 4 years. I took a photography class during my senior year of high school. It was eye opening. The course was about shooting film, digital and darkroom techniques. My teacher always told me that I had an amazing eye and suggested that I should never stop shooting. I started sharing all my photos on Facebook and Flickr. Before I knew it everybody started to recognize me as a photographer. I never stopped shooting, even with my small digital camera.

I take all kinds of pictures from fashion, live music and lifestyle.

Words I would use to classify my photographic style are real and lifestyle.

I like to take photographs of anything that I can reinterpret its beauty or moment through my own vision. My lens becomes the looking glass so that others can see into my world the way I see it. I tend to take shots of everyday people. Capturing the emotions and facial expressions of people is very remarkable.

I use a Nikon d3000 with a 50mm 1.8. Nikon is my first true love so I’m going to stay faithful with it. Maybe one day I'll shoot with a Canon.

I admire a lot of photographers: James Barnor for his amazing portraits of Ghanaian people back in the 60's and 70's, Vivian Maier for her street photography and self portraits and Jack Robinson for his unique studio portraits of famous personalities.

www.laarte.tumblr.com

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Sam Lambert & Shaka Maidoh of Art Comes First

Anyone who frequents street style blogs has, most likely, come across this marvelous pair at least once.  I’ve long been an admirer of their personal styles and have, within the past year, become more aware of and enamored by their strong body of work.  Sam Lambert and Shaka Maidoh are the brilliant minds behind Art Comes First, a dynamic collective of self-taught creatives and artists. 

In their own words, ACF was founded in order to “circulate sartorial nourishment and oxygenating time-based projects through dynamic collaboration with different creatives in their network.” The projects that this collective are involved with are nothing short of stunning; ranging from collaborations with designers from all over the world, to gorgeous designs of their own. ACF has an incredible aesthetic and its founders exude a level of cool that seems almost impossible.

www.artcomesfirst.tumblr.com

Toro y Moi's "Anything In Return"

We are only one month into 2013 and I can already say, with quite a bit of confidence, that Toro y Moi’s latest work is going to be at the top of my favorite albums of this year. Anything In Return officially dropped on January 22, although I must admit that I helped myself to the leak back in December. My impatience got the best of me. It is an incredible album, full of delicious beats, amazing lyrics, and Chaz Bundick’s glorious vocals. If you are not familiar with this amazing artist, I urge/beg/command you to listen to this album along with his other two as well (Causers of This is my all time favorite). Below are some of my favorite songs from the latest album as well as the videos for “Say That” & “So Many Details”. Enjoy!

Touch  |  Studies  |  High Living

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She's Got That Good Good: Bianca deBardelaben

Hello all! It’s been a while since I last posted and I never got a chance to wish you all a happy new year. I sincerely hope that 2013 has been kind to all of you thus far! As you can probably tell from my lack of posting this past year, I’ve been a bit busier than usual and haven’t been able to update this blog as consistently as I used to. Even though this is the present case, I want to assure all of you that I have no desire to end this site. That GOOD GOOD Blog is my baby and as long as you guys keep reading, I will keep writing.

Today I am happy to present the first She’s Got That Good Good post of the new year featuring Bianca deBardelaben, whose brilliant personality shines through her brilliant sense of style. As a fellow vintage enthusiast, I absolutely adore and appreciate Bianca’s wardrobe. I have been a loyal reader of her blog for the past year and always enjoy reading her lively commentary about living in Chicago, entering adulthood, her inspirations, and her amazing clothes. Without any further ado, here is..

Bianca deBardelaben from Second City, Chicago

How old are you?

I am a quarter of a century years old.

 What do you do for a living?

By day I am an assertive & meticulous graphic designer. By night, I continually push myself as an actor.

What 3 words would you use to describe your style?

Classic, Humor, Oatmeal

  Where are your favorite places to shop?

Thirft Store, Uniqlo, Opening Ceremony

 What is the one article of clothing that you simply could not live without?

A good cable knit sweater that doesn't make you look fat, but like a smarty pants.

www.avantblargh.blogspot.com