Happy 2013 homies

We are sure this one is gonna be a good year!

- Swaggest crew

The fourth Brand u must know: Globe International

One of the biggest brands of the world.

Founded in 1984 by Australia's Hill Brothers, Globe International Limited is a global company engaged in the design, marketing and distribution of apparel, footwear and skate hardgoods brands for the action sports and street fashion markets. Globe International products are sold to nearly 100 countries around the world. Globe International runs distribution and manufacturing centres in Melbourne, Australia, Los Angeles, United States (US), Hossegor, France, Lyon, France, London, United Kingdom (UK), China and the Gold Coast, Australia.

Globe International’s proprietary brands include Globe, Enjoi, Blind, Almost, Cliché, Darkstar, Speed Demons, Superior, Tensor and Gallaz. The company is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and has three operating segments: Australasia, North America and Europe. Globe International brands are also sold by third-party distributors around the world with a number of “Globe” branded retail stores in various territories. Globe International also maintains a leading distribution business of third-party owned brands for the Australian and New Zealand market operating under its Hardcore and 4Front Divisions. Currently Hardcore distributes over thirty brands including Girl, Flip, Chocolate, and Thrasher. Under the 4Front banner distributes Obey, WEsc and Neff.

Globe International was established in the 1980s, born out of Hardcore Enterprises an Australia-based company specializing in products that appealed to the skateboard and youth culture markets. In 1984, former Australian skateboarding champions Peter and Stephen Hill, along with brother and current Globe International CEO Matt Hill, founded Hardcore and it rapidly expanded to become one of the world's largest skateboard distribution companies. The Hills cited that they were unsatisfied with the lack of quality skate products they required, and thus they went into business to import US skate products to Australia.

The Hills continued to promote skateboarding and wrote two successful books on the subject and became prolific skate film producers. Through constant promotions, tours, contests, video and magazine advertising, Hardcore became a driving force behind the skateboarding explosion during the mid 1980s in Australia and New Zealand. Hardcore’s expansion continued and their first diversification company "Die Hard Pty Ltd" was founded in 1987 as the clothing and accessories division of the business. Die Hard's first licensed label was Vision Streetwear.

Die Hard went on to produce premier labels under license for the Australian and New Zealand markets such as Stussy, Mossimo, Freshjive, Paul Frank, Ecko Unltd, Counter Culture, Split, Girl Star, Undergirl and World Industries. The Hills also co-founded iconic streetwear brand Mooks which operated under the Die Hard umbrella. Die Hard became known as Globe International’s Streetwear Division and was one of the largest suppliers of branded youth clothing in Australia and New Zealand when it was sold to Pacific Brands in 2006.

In 1995 Globe International established its USA operation in Los Angeles California, where the Globe brand is now a part of the American boardsports landscape and a key supplier to major retailers of boardsports apparel, footwear and skateboard hardgoods.

In 2001 Globe International listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and achieved the Initial Public Offer goals.

In 2002 Globe International acquired Dwindle Distribution, parent company for brands including enjoi, Almost, Darkstar, Blind, Tensor and Speed Demons. The Dwindle acquisition made Globe International one of the world’s biggest skateboard companies.

In 2003 Globe International established its European operation based in the South West surfcoast of France in Hossegor. Today the European headquarters sells direct in all major boardsports markets including UK, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, and Austria. In addition all other significant markets in Europe are serviced by third party distributors.

Having established a stable of proprietary brands and an international distribution network in 2006 Globe International made the strategic decision to divest of its licensed Australian Streetwear Division to Pacific Brands and focus on further international expansion of the company’s proprietary brands.

In 2009 Globe International added to its brand portfolio by acquiring Europe’s number one skateboard brand Cliché and expanding it through international markets.

In 2010 Globe International re-entered the Australian streetwear market and established a new division, 4Front Distribution, which distributes in Australia brands such as Obey, Keep, WEsc and Neff. Globe also moved its Melbourne headquarters to Port Melbourne in that same year.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY AND THE SAME CREW OF SKATERS, SURFERS AND SNOWBOARDERS THAT STARTED THE BUSINESS BACK IN THE 80S HAS GROWN TO A GLOBAL NETWORK OF COUNTER CULTURE ARTISANS THAT ARE UNITED BY  BOARD SPORTS, STREET FASHION, MEDIA, DESIGN AND FILM.

For sure a big history, for sure a big Brand.

- Swaggest crew

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- Swaggest crew

Merry Christmas!

Hope u spend a good time! And don't forget to ask Santa some new shoes...

 - Swaggest crew

The third Brand: DC Shoes

Founded by Ken Block and Damon Way in 1993, DC quickly grew to become a leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand. Today DC stands as a global brand whose product line has expanded to include men’s, women’s and kids’ skateboarding and lifestyle shoes, apparel, snowboards, snowboard boots, outerwear, and accessories.

As one of the cornerstones of its marketing strategy, DC has built a world-class team of professional skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX,motocross and rally athletes that exemplify and enhance DC’s brand, develop its signature products, and support its promotional efforts. DC is a subsidiary of Quiksilver, Inc.

If u didn't know, the founder KEN BLOCK is probably the most popular rally car driver of the world. 

His Gymkhana DC videos drifting his rally car like there's no tomorrow have million fans! Check out the last one in San Francisco.

Do u like this Brand? For sure we do! 
So here u can see how the Brand was created with this DC Shoes timeline:

1990: 
Ken Block meets Damon Way in a class at a local community college. The two start a clothing brand called Eightball.

1991: 
Eightball moves from the garage to an office.

1992: 
Building on Eightball's success, Ken and Damon launch Droors clothing line. Eightball produces snowboarding's first ever "snow jean" (baggy, water-resistant nylon jeans), based on a pattern of highly successful Eightball jean.

1993: 
DC launches Blunt magazine; the first issue features Del the Funky Homosapien on the cover and includes the infamous "How to Clip Tickets" article. 

Also, Block partners with Damon, Damon's brother pro skateboarder Danny Way, and the Plan B skateboards owner/founder Mike Ternasky to launch Type A snowboards. Type A is distributed from Eightball/Droors HQ. Block designs Type A's logo. 

Eightball outerwear premieres at SIA (Ski Industry Association) trade show.

Circus Distribution formed to house Eightball, Droors, Blunt and Type A. Block and Way considers making shoes. Circus makes samples to test the waters. Potential names include Droors Shoes and DC Shoes, for Droors Clothing Shoes.

1994: 
The Eightball brand is phased out and Dub Outerwear is born. Block, who really likes hip-hop, sees an opportunity for Dub to reflect that style of gear in snowboarding. Among its innovations, Dub is the first outerwear company in snowboarding to use hand gaiters on its jackets. Dub's first ad appears in the October TransWorld SNOWboarding. The team is made up of Daniel Peterka, Russell Winfield, Ian Ruhter, Nathan Yant and Gabe Crane.

DC Shoes hits the skateboarding market: the very first Danny Way signature model shoes ship, joined shortly thereafter by Colin McKay's first signature model. First DC Shoes ad, featuring Danny Way, runs in February 95 TransWorld SKATEboarding.

1995: 
Blunt is sold to World Industries. World Industries later sells the magazine to Larry Flint Publications. After just a few issues, LFP eliminates the publication due to the content because they intended it to be a tame "ski" type of magazine. Blunt just wasn't that. 

The DC team gains its third and fourth team members: Rob Dyrdek and Rudy Johnson.

1996: 
The DC team doubles to eight with the addition of Huf, Carl Shipman, Scott Johnston and Caine Gayle.

1997: 
DC's first Super Tour hits Europe, and visits Stockholm, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt.

Work begins on what would be DC's first snowboard boot, the Serum.

DC establishes a snow team and prepares first catalog for winter 1998 season. The first DC snow team included Nate Cole, Gabe Crane, Bjorn Leines, JP Walker and Devun Walsh.

The DC motocross team is also established, and includes Jeff Emig and Ryan Hughes.

The DC surf team is formed, and consists of Shane Dorian and Bruce and Andy Irons.

1997: 
Danny Way engineers the first Super Ramp and sets a new world record for highest air. Josh Kalis joins the team.

In order to better focus on DC, Block and Way sell Dub and Droors to Diaxis, a holding company owned in part by World Industries magnate Steve Rocco.

1998: 
DC introduces PAL AB2000, a revolutionary hybrid of polyurethane-coated leather that flexes like leather but is durable like rubber.

The name Circus Distribution is dropped in favor of DC Shoes, Inc.

Blunt, Snowboarder and TransWorld SNOW run first DC snowboard team ad. The first DC snow boot line is released, and consists of the Serum, the Cortex and the Lupine.

1999: 
AVE and Stevie Williams join the DC skate squad.

2000: 
The first Stevie Williams pro model shoe is released.

The DC BMX team is assembled, and consists of Jerry Bagley, Robbie Morales, Robbie Miranda, Neal Wood, Chris Doyle, Chad Kagy, and Colin Winkelmann. By the end of 2000, Dave Mirra has joined DC.

DC introduces patented air bladder system in its snowboard boots, which helps eliminate heel lift and increases comfort and fit.

2002: 
The DC Mountain Lab construction is completed. 

DC introduces silicone gel "toe jam" pads and Heat Factory foot warmers to snowboard boots.

2003: 
The DC Video, three years in the making and highly-anticipated as soon as filming started, was one of the most buzz-generating events in the action sports. The June 19 premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre brought out skateboarding's celebrities to LA on the red carpet and the retail launch in mid-July translated into stimulated sales at skate shops internationally. 

Agents of Change book - story of DC Shoes and its Athletes hits shelves in Spring 2003, bringing the 10-year story of DC to the masses.

DC announces the Rob Dyrdek/DC Skate Plaza Foundation. With the first plaza to be completed in late 2004, the skate plaza foundation has received generous mentions in USA Today, Time Magazine and its progress has been charted in every endemic skateboarding magazine. DC matches funds up to $250,000 per year for each city planning on building a skate plaza.

The Mountain Lab adds a rope tow to its terrain park which has built with jumps and obstacles rivaling that of world-renowned snow resorts. In fact, it was rated one of the top 25 resorts photographed in TransWorld's Exposure-Meter for 2003. A snow cat is bought, too, to make the obstacles more permanent.

DC launches its first dedicated Girls Line, which continues to have upward momentum in its footwear, apparel and accessories lines and strategically-placed product appears in teen magazines across the globe.

2004: 
DC premieres the DC Video Deluxe Edition at January ASR, where 1,000 skate industry members in the audience stand to their feet, shower the room with beer and chant Danny's name after his historic Mega Ramp antics. Danny nails a never been done before frontside heelflip lipslide 80 plus feet in the air on the Rainbow Rail, followed by a BS 270 lipslide and a frontside crooked grind.

DC finds a likeminded partner to further its aims and opens up distribution channels across the globe in Quiksilver, who purchases DC in May 2004. DC, whose sales exceed $150 million wholesale, becomes a part of the Quik family and becomes the only brand in action sports with sales exceeding $1 billion.

In the Motocross arena, DC rider Ricky Carmichael gets his second perfect season in his career and DC adds high profile rider Travis Pastrana to its roster right before summer X Games in LA.

With Guinness Book judges on site, Danny Way earns gold medal in Summer X Games. He also wanted to try to break the world records he set in June of 2003-highest air and longest jump on a skateboard. During warm ups before Big Air on Sunday, Danny shattered his old long jump record of 75 feet, blasting four feet further over the gap to 79 feet.

At Summer X Games overall, 16 DC athletes competed in 11 different competitions with the DC crew bringing home 14 medals, proving what a dominant force the DC team continues to be. Furthermore, in final medal counts of Skateboarding, BMX and Moto events, DC was worn and endorsed by more medalists than any other footwear brand.

DC adds am Devine Calloway to its skate team.

DC adds pro Darrell Stanton to its team, the first pro to join the DC skate team in 6 years.

The girls line gains even more speed in 2004 when DC Shoes brought on female skateboarder and X Games medalist Lyn-z Adams Hawkins as the first rider on the DC girls' team roster. Lyn-z represents a big move for DC in that she is the first female skateboarder to ride for the brand.

The Mountain Lab hires Chris Gunny Gunnarson to complete a world-class terrain park. He does it by first snowfall of October 2004.

Andy Howell's highly anticipated shoe hits retail late 2004.

2005
DC releases Michael Leon's shoe to retail in January 2005.

DC partners up with Quiksilver for a unique gold sponsorship of Winter X games.

In late February 2005, DC announces the creation of a new category of sport, DC Rally, the first new sports category for DC in six years. 

DC sponsors the Gumball 3000 Rally. DC Cofounders Ken Block and Damon Way rally across Europe for the extravagant race and are joined by DC Pro Skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and DC Personality Big Black.

Danny is named "Skateboarder of the Year" in the May 2005 issue of Thrasher Magazine. The 28-page article featured an interview, photos, and a complete list of Danny's videography.

June 2005
DC pairs up with Arkitip to create the Andre shoe and hipsack - the latest edition to its Artist Projects Series.

On June 11th, the Rob Dyrdek/DC Shoes Skate Plaza Foundation opens its first Skate Plaza in Rob Dyrdek's hometown Kettering, Ohio. The Grand Opening included the RedBull Hammers vs Bangers contest where skateboarder Chris Cole received a grand prize of $10,000.

July 2005
Danny successfully jumps the Great Wall of China. Danny's jump is featured in newspapers across the nation including USA Today, as well as in every major skate magazine. Footage of Danny's jump is also shown on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

August 2005
At Summer X Games 11, DC athletes compete in 12 different competitions, taking home 14 medals altogether. Once again, DC is worn and endorsed at the games by more medalists than any other footwear brand. 

DC pairs up with Russian artist Ruslan Karablin to create the SSUR shoe as its latest edition in the Artist Projects series. 

September 2005
DC releases the DC Mtn.Lab DVD. This is the first snowboarding DVD by DC and features footage from DC riders Travis Parker, Todd Richards, Eddie Wall, Bjorn Leines and special appearances from Renee Renee and Big Black. The DVD premieres at the Egyptian Theatre in Salt Lake City and at the House of Blues during the September ASR Trade Show. 

November 2005
DC collaborates with Transplants and former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker to create the Trainer Remix, which is Travis' second shoe design in The Remix Series. 

December 2005
DC releases Groundbreaking, a 20-minute DVD that documents the building of the Kettering, Ohio Skate Plaza. The DVD provides great skate footage as well as resources on how to build a skate plaza. 

Ken Block and Travis Pastrana finish 4th and 5th overall in the Rally America Final Standings. Ken Block is awarded the Rookie of the Year award by Rally America.
2006
January 2006
DC signs Edwin Delarosa to its Professional BMX Team. Edwin is the first Professional BMXer to be signed in over a year and a half, and is the only strictly street rider on the BMX team.

February 2006 
Ry Craike joins the DC Surf Team. Ry is the third professional surfer, to be added onto the current team, and is the first Australian surfer to join the team. 

March 2006
DC opens the doors of its first Flagship store located in the SoHo District of New York City. 

April 2006 
Danny Way bomb drops off the giant Stratocaster Guitar at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas. Danny's 28-foot bomb drop set a new world record for highest bomb drop on a skateboard. 

August 2006
13 DC Athletes competed at X Games 12 in Los Angeles, Calif. DC's team of athletes took home 13 medals-7 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze. Considered one of the most action-packed X Games ever, some highlights included Travis Pastrana's double backflip, Danny Way's 3 -peat win in the Skateboard Big Air event, and the DC Rally Team finish that took home the Gold and the Bronze at the first-ever X Games rally event.

October 2006
Rob & Big premieres on MTV. The show chronicles the everyday lives of DC skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his best friend/roommate/security guard Big Black. 

November 2006
DC pairs up with Arkitip and Michael Leon in the creation of the latest edition to DC's Artist Projects™ series-the Arkleon. 

December 2006
Travis Pastrana and Ken Block finish in the 1st and 2nd place positions in the Rally America National Championship. This is only second year both DC Rally Team athletes had raced full time in the rally championship series. 

DC releases its 15th Artist Project™ with artist Methamphibian.

2007
January 2007
Iikka Baackstrom and Lauri Heiskari join the DC Snow Team. Each will wear DC head to toe, and will ride DC snowboards.

DC announces its plans for a line of Snowboards. Devun Walsh, Lauri Heiskari, Ikka Backstrom and Aaron Biitner sign as DC's first head to toe snowboarders. DC's Snowboard line is set to be released winter 2008 / 2009. 

February 2007
DC's first ever Life Collection hits retail boutiques across the world. Based off the success of DC's special projects, the Life Collection is a full line of fashion, art and music inspired footwear. The Life Collection also includes the release of retail collaboration that includes both Situationormal and Mighty Healthy. 

Brian Wenning's first pro-model, the Wenning hits retail stores worldwide. 

April 2007
DC releases the Pro Spec 1.0-DC's first rally driving shoe. 

May 2007
DC launches "30 Years of Radness," a celebration of the past 30 years of BMX, and unveils its P.K. Ripper collaboration with SE Racing. The collaboration includes a limited edition P.K. Ripper bike and the P.K. Gatsby shoe. 

August 2007
Eight DC athletes earn a combined total of nine medals at Summer X Games 13, held in Los Angeles, Calif. DC earned four Gold medals, two Silver medals, and three Bronze medals. X Games highlights include Ricky Carmichael's Gold in the Moto X Racing event, and Ken Block's tight battle to the finish line in the Rally Racing event, which earned him the Silver medal. 

October 2007
DC premieres MTN.LAB 1.5, DC's second snowboard film. The film features the entire DC Snow Team at DC's private MTN.LAB, as well as footage outside the Lab's iron gates at spots in Chile, Finland, B.C. Canada, Sweden and New Zealand.

Josh Kalis' seventh pro model skate shoe, the JK7, hits skate shops worldwide. 

December 2007
DC opens its second and third flagship stores in Los Angeles and Park City, Utah. Dubbed DC Melrose Store, the Los Angeles store is located on Melrose, a famous street for shopping in LA. The third store is located in the middle of Park City, near DC Mtn.Lab. 

DC releases the SSUR II This is the second Artist Projects™ collaboration with SSUR. The collaboration featured a shoe, sweatshirt, denim, and fitted New Era cap. 

DC pairs up with JB Classics for DC Double Label™Projects. This is the first time two footwear companies have collaborated together to create footwear. DC and JB Classic created a shoe, fleece, and fitted New Era cap.

2008
January 2008
DC skateboarder, Ryan Gallant's first DC pro model shoe, the Gallant, hits retail shops worldwide. 

DC welcomes its newest skate team pro, PJ Ladd.

DC launches dcskateboarding.tv, a content based website dedicated strictly to skateboarding filled with blogs, exclusive photos, video and team info.

Crazy brand from riders to riders.
Stay tuned for new models!

- Swaggest crew

The second Brand you have to know: VANS

Another important brand in the scene and probably the most original is Vans. 

We love this brand!

Vans is a US based manufacturer of skateboarding shoes, BMX shoes, snowboarding boots and other shoe types.

On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul and James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store. The Van Doren Rubber Company was unique in that it manufactured shoes and sold them directly to the public. On that first morning, twelve customers purchased Vans deck shoes, which are now known as "Authentic". The shoes that were made in the morning were ready for pick-up in the afternoon.

The company continued to grow into the 1970s. During this period they also produced wool lined canvas and rubber mukluks under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force.

Skateboarders who liked Vans' rugged make-up and sticky sole were seen sporting Vans all over Southern California in the early 1970s. In 1975, the Vans "#95", known today as the "Era", was designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta. With a padded collar and different color combinations the Era became the shoe of choice for a generation of skateboarders due to the non-slip bottom being more conducive for a better grip.

In 1976, Vans introduced the "#44" shoe, and with the help of skateboarders and BMX riders the Vans "Slip-On" became all the rage in Southern California. By the end of the 1970s, Vans had seventy stores in California, US, and sold through dealers, both nationally and internationally.

As the 1980s rolled around, Paul Van Doren began to take a lesser role in the company’s activities. Over this period, Vans started to create shoes for a number of sports, including skateboarding, wakeboarding, motor cross, and surfing, in an effort to compete with the large athletic shoe companies. Vans Slip-Ons gained international attention and appeal when they were worn by Sean Penn in the 1982 iconic youth film, Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

Although Vans core shoes were selling well, the wide range of products that the company now offered had drained the company's resources and, with Vans unable to overcome its debt, the company was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1983. After three years, Vans had paid back all creditors and emerged from bankruptcy.

In 1988 Vans original owners sold the company to an investment banking firm. The company has been sold several times since; most recently for $396 million in 2004 to Greensboro, N.C.-based VF Corporation.

Here you can check out the Era model. It looks fresh!

Vans closed their Orange, California factory and began manufacturing footwear overseas in 1994. In 1994, Vans sponsored the Inaugural Triple Crown series which developed into the Vans Triple Crown series. In 1998, Vans opened a 46,000-square-foot (4,300 m²), indoor-outdoor Vans Skate park at the Block in Orange County.

Steve Van Doren, the son of co-founder Paul Van Doren, remains with the company, as is his sister, Cheryl, and his daughter, Kristy.^[

In 2002, Vans opened an enclosed skatepark in the Festival Bay Mall on International Drive in Orlando, Florida.

In 2000 and 2001, Forbes recognized Vans as one of "America’s Best Small Companies.”

In 2004, Vans launched the Vans "Customs" on its website. This allowed customers to log onto the Vans website and design their own pair of Vans Slip-ons, mid-cuts, or high-tops. Nowadays, it allows for the design of custom Era, Slip-On, Old Skool, Authentic, Authentic Lo-Pro, and 106 Vulcanized shoes.

Now you know much more about this amazing Brand!

- Swaggest crew

Nike SB - BMX Stefan & Simone in Barcelona

Cool edit from the Nike BMX Crew riding in Barcelona.

Enjoy it!









If u wanna know more...

Nike Skateboarding, also known as Nike SB, is the Nike brand for its line of shoes, clothing, and equipment for skateboarding.

In 1997, Nike commenced production of its own line of skate shoes, but was unable to sell to many specialist skate shops, as the market was already strongly in favour of companies such as DC, Glob e, DVS, and Vans; Nike was not considered a core skateboarding brand among the skateboarding community and, therefore, did not receive the necessary level of support.

For this reason, they created Nike SB

In 2002, Nike introduced the "SB" brand. The Nike SB Dunk Low model was released, and consisted of padded tongues and collars and the "Zoom Air" insoles; the shoe was more similar to other skate shoe styles than the corporation's previous attempts. After the SB Dunk's mediocre sales, Nike released four other models: The Nike SB Angus, Nike SB FC, Nike SB Delta Force, and Nike SB URL.

Lets check out their most important models on our blog!

- Swaggest crew