a peak into the studio & my life.

This year has been one of the most empowering and depressing times of my life all rolled into one. I have accomplished the world yet battled even more. One of the hardest decisions of this past year was to close the one thing that meant the most to me, the shop I dreamed about when I was young. A place I spent four years developing, designing, planning and basically living for. LAB was my life, the one and only thing that was always there for me, the thing I hated at times and fell deeply in love with the other times. I know I have been in hiding and have rarely been seen around Boston lately, which is very unlike me- but I swear its for the best. I’m also, not sure if I have actually told many people about my decision or why closing LAB’s brick and mortar location happened. All I can say is it was for the best and I have a whole new venture that I can’t get out of my mind. July 1st some of my good friends and I got the keys to a new start, a place where we could transform from a dirty and cold industrial space to place that thoughts, ideas and creations could come to life. Since, July we have spent almost everyday here creating a space that will bring a whole new light to Boston.

So there it is – a new project launching and an update on my life. We will be having an opening this fall so stay tune and hopefully now people can see and understand why I’ve been under the radar. Below is a sneak peak into our new world- so please enjoy and click here for more photos.

xo kim

A Letter from Jenna

Dear Boston,
I grew up in central MA in a town called Fitchburg.. “the burg.” Some of you know of it from going to parties/concerts as kids or where you went to school at Fitchburg State College. I am even friends with some of you.. I won’t name names.. that have broken into one of my family’s properties when they were in college. And also share studio space now with some of you that had mutual friends growing up, but our lives never crossed.. and those I went to school with. Oh dear boston.. we have so many ties that I thought I wanted to run away from. I never thought I would ever live anywhere else but NYC, where my job of fashion lives. But when I started to explore Boston as an adult I immediately noticed a difference in people.

Right away, I met people that I instantly connected with.. people whom shared similar upbringings that I felt like I’ve known forever and some who were walking down the same road as myself. Is it because we’re “New England” kids at heart? We grew up amusing ourselves the same ways.. renting beach cottages by the ocean in Maine for the summer, boogie boarding, BBQ-ing, biking, sailing, hiking, trying to spook your little sister at night by telling ghost stories and shouting REDRUM.. or heading to the White Mountains in the winter to go skiing and tubing, fighting over who gets to sleep on the top bunk bed, passing “dutch-ovens,” visiting Story Land..

These are some of my experiences growing up and how I fell back in love with Boston after moving back from NYC because I could relate to everyone there. There’s something so truthful about Boston. My friends here aren’t afraid to be silly, laugh and have fun. Let’s embrace who we are, and not be afraid to let the world know. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. I’m sorry New York.. but stop pretending you don’t know!!

That being said….

Oh Boston– you are so talented in so many ways. I invite everyone I know and everyone I don’t to show the world how amazing we really are.. as artists, designers, crafters, innovators, thinkers, entrepreneurs, collaborators.. All of you who run to NY to become “cool” New Yorkers lose yourself in the hype. Why don’t we represent a piece of Boston and where we come from rather than trying to be someone else that only appears to be cool? Why don’t we come together and ask ourselves how can we do this together?

I’ve been lucky to be inspired by a group of people who wanted to do just that (especially a person or two that helped convince me and inspire it all. THANK YOU.).. who wanted to come together and work off of each other’s energy and passions for art & design. And many more that have contributed.. and it’s not too late for you to be apart of it.

Fringe Movement. Union Square. Somerville MA.

Grand Opening. FALL 2009. More info TBA.

(sorry to pick on you NY.. ps i love you)

“Preemptive Strike” by Jessica Hess

I’ve always been a fan of Jessica Hess’s work and have even curated a show with her. Known for her amazing landscape oil paintings on canvas, I was surprised when I saw this project she posted up. The new work is called “Preemptive Strike” its a combination of bees, pins and thread- deadly yet beautiful.

Gunsho “Chomp” Tee for Beautiful Decay!

Beautiful Decay just released the new “Chomp” tee designed by one of favorite local artist James Quigley aka “Gunsho“. We just recently posted about the huge window painting he did for LAB and now you pick up another one of his sick designs on a tee. Available online for $29.00 in men’s & women’s sizes- click here to purchase!

Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale

This Saturday, August 1st from 3-7pm stop by Union Square in Somerville for the Rock and Roll Yard Sale. This arts council sponsored outdoor event will feature: records, posters cd, vintage clothing and  arts and crafts. Its a free event and everyone is welcome! For more details about event- click here.

gnomes by chris piascik

If you didnt know already, we love gnomes! Here are some cute ones drawn by our friend chris!

Last Sale at LAB Boston!!!

LAB Boston is closing its store front in Allston TOMORROW & only doing online sales! Stop by today or tomorrow for $10-$20 tees & 50% off all denim!!! Also, deals on toys & records!

“Always on the Grind” Carhartt Europe Shirts

I saw this tee a couple weeks back and forgot to mention it. Benny Gold teamed up with Carhartt Europe  to release the “always on the grind” tee which also happens to be the opener for the t-shirt section in their catalog. Nice work Benny- we approve!

Out The Harbor on the East Coast

It’s been interesting lately to hear about local companies and brands promoting their releases and events by taking out their customers on an off coast boat adventure. Recently, Johnny Cupcakes announced that an elegant boat buffet will take place on July 26th, 2009 for those who purchase a limited tee (pictured below). The price of the limited edition tee and exclusive event package runs for $100.00 usd.
ALL-AGES
Spirit of Boston boards on Sunday, July 26th @ 5:30
Pre-sale for tee and tickets are only until July 11th
Holy Ship limited tee + cruise ticket = $100.00 usd.
For more details, here.

Tomorrow (June 20th) another event going down on the shores of Boston is Cambridge, MA based Concepts, who is celebrating the release of the Blue Lobster SB Dunks after last years success of the original Nike SB “Lobster” Dunks.
“Priced at $250.00 usd, the actual Blue Lobster sneaker will be bagged, tagged and sealed in a HAZMAT foam container. Each pair will be joined by an official Nike SB tee shirt, hang tag and lace lock. The first 200 pairs will come with 1 of 2 Concepts x Alien Workshop skate decks” via cncpts blog.
Following the in-store launch, Concepts will host an afterparty on the MV Freedom (@Boston Wharf) while featuring special guests and performances by an array of artists such as DJ Statik Selektah, Termanology and Masspike Miles.
21+
MV Freedom boards on Saturday, June 20th @ 8:00
cruise ticket = $30.00 usd.
For more details, here.

image via Concepts blog

Patch Studio Coming Soon!

Specializing in, Apparel Design & Development, Artist Representation and Curation- Patch Studio is coming to Union Square in Somerville sooner then you think! In the meantime follow us on twitter! Also, keep an eye out for “Fringe Movement”- a 4,400 sq ft industrial space that will be housing a list of new and established designers & companies.

Also, if your interested in studio space please send an email to: info@patchstudio.com