I first want to thank all of my fans, readers, supports, friends, bloggers, brands and family for all the love and the support this year! Without you guys I would not be the blogger that you love. You guys all motivated me and inspired me and made 2009 an amazing year. I met a lot of more people this year and the blog has grown to be some of your favorite blogs which is an honor.

As the New Year comes around I decided to do things a little different, I haven’t cut my hair in weeks, I haven’t made any resolutions and I did not make any promises. I decided to let GOD decide what happens to me in 2010. We often want to drive our own car of life or steer our own boat but I have come to the realization that we are fooling ourselves. All things happen because of a greater power, whether it is good or bad…it is all meant to happen. The one thing I can control is how I treat people, my attitude and the things I put out into the world. This year similar to last year I will continue to put out positive things into the world. I will continue to build great relationships and cultivate the ones that I’ve grown. I will continue to praise my readers and supporters. I will continue to salute the haters for inspiring me to go harder. I will continue to be humble and count all my blessings. I will try and donate more time, money and love to the less fortunate. The rest is all up to GOD!

The only real thing we can control is our thoughts and our worldview. I will continue to learn and grow as a human being and I will continue to listen and pay attention.

As far as the blog goes, you can expect more post, more insight on the people who have shaped our lives, more travel and product reviews and more blogging. I was going to do a wrap up like my friend Katie suggested but I opted not to, I want to leave 2009 in the past and bless you guys with the blessings of the future.

In the New Year I want you guys to leave more comments please, I read every single one of them.

Expect the best for 2010 and prepare mentally for the worst.

Thank you for all the support and the love!

Happy New Year from your friend Marcus Troy

Peace

My 2010 Saying goes like this:

“2010 is about family & friends, the truth and never pretend”

Category: My Life14 comments

Back in early December I visited The Nike Sportswear Flagship store on 21 Mercer street in New York City for an opportunity of a lifetime.(for a sneaker head) I got invited to design my very own 1 of a kind Air Force 1 valued at $820 USD.

I sat down with Israel Mateo aka IZ, the Nike Bespoke Specialist (who works on all the BESPOKE’s) The process took about 2 1/2 hours as he walked me trough the entire process of picking fabrics & colours, choosing outsoles and midsoles and design and rendering.

The experience was truly incredible and rewarding! The shoes take bout 4 weeks to be completed and shipped but they rushed it for me dude to the holidays. The shoes came in this week and I want to show you guys what I believe to be a masterpiece.

The shoes came out amazing and I want to share them with you. Vince Tsang from On and Beyond really brought the shoes to life with his amazing photography.

The arrived in a standard light grey Nike shoe box, but the markings on the box were a bit different. They come from a factory in Taiwan who have the capability of producing 1 of a kind Air force 1’s. These are one of one so I don’t think you will be seeing anyone with these any time soon, except me of course.

The box was quite heavy and the shoes came in a soft velvet-like dust bag with the Nike Sportswear logo on it with orange laces as draw strings.

The shoes also came with Nike Sportswear branded shoe trees ( stretchers) which I think is amazing. This is the reason why the box was so heavy.

When you create a Bespoke, IZ will give swatches from the materials you actually used as a keep sake. I was showing all my peoples the swatches before the shoes actually came in. I had the opportunity to used only NEW MATERIALS and colours which had recently arrived in studio. The premium materials I used were Kevlar, Waterproof Denim, Rubberized Leather, Turquoise Suede, metallic silver patent leather and Loopwheeler cotton.

I wanted to create a shoe that was functional by nature but very stylish and original. As IZ had called it, a controlled design. I had the option of using hundreds of materials and colours but I chose colors that were safe and timeless. I chose materials for functional purposes like Kevlar, rubberized leather and waterproof denim for a more utilitarian feel. The turquoise blue suede and metallic patent was for pop and contrast.

I went it there really unsure what colours or materials I wanted to use, I asked all my sneakerhead friends for their advice and they suggested I remake a shoe that I loved, but in an Air Force One. I ended up deciding to freestyle my design and pick it all on the spot.  All I knew is that I was inspired by 1 of my favorite BESPOKE’s to date which is the Bun B space Jam inspired AF1. I found that shoe to be so clean and simple but so very interesting and dope. I wanted to have the same feeling with my design.

I choose grey waxed laces as an added feature and Loopwheeler cotton lining just cause its dope!!

I was able to add 6 characters on each dubre (“dubre” (doo-BRAY), which describes a small metal badge at the bottom of the laces—called a lace lock by the uninitiated.”) so Marcus Troy was fitting.

Here you have it! The Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke Air Force 1’s

1. Black Outsole

2. Turquoise Air Max Midsole

3. Black Kevlar on the Toe cap, Overlay, Eyestay and Back Tab taping

4. Grey Water proof Denim on the Vamp and Upper

5. Black Leather Rubberized Tongue and Heel Counter

6. Grey Suede Swoosh and Turquoise underlay

7. Metallic Silver Patent on the Tongue Tab and Heel tab.

8. Loopwheeler cotton Lining and Sock Lining

9 Grey waxed laces and black metal eyelets

I am really proud of this shoe and how it came out.

* Click on each picture to Enlarge

I would love to hear your thoughts on the design, colours and materials I used.

Thanks to my Nike family for the gift and amazing opportunity.

Thanks to Israel Mateo for the attention to the details and care.

Thanks to Vince Tsang for the amazing photography and bringing these amazing shoes to light digitally.

Visit MTTV for the full behind the scenes and making of these amazing kicks.

Peace MT

Happy New Year!!

Category: My Life59 comments

Marcus Troy x Nike Bespoke Air Force 1 from Marcus Troy on Vimeo.

This is a video I made while I visited the Nike Sportswear studio’s in NYC last month. I tried to document the experience as much as possible and cut it down to 10 minutes. I sat down with IZ and he helped me design this 1 of kind Marcus Troy Air force 1. This process took about 2 and Half hours and was a great experience. I feel very privileged to have been invited to partake in such an adventure.

Thanks to IZ for being patient and helping design my kicks!
Big Shout out to DJ Clark Kent and Mayor who rolled trough. ( I hope you experts like my creation)

Very big shout out my Nike Family who hooked me up with such an amazing gift.

Enjoy!

Category: MTTV15 comments

Yesterday I received Christmas present from the guys over at REKOGNIZE studio design house. They were kind enough to bless me with a piece from their TINY LITTLE CHAIRS by Bruxe collection that I’ve been raving about. I haven’t been excited about jewelry in such a long time until I saw these. Each piece is inspired by Iconic chairs and their designers, you might recognize some of the designs and others might be more difficult. They schooled me on chair culture and gave me a lot of insight on this project. Look out for this drop in the New Year.

more info

Available in silver, gold and platinum

www.tinylittlechairs.com

Category: My Life1 comment

I got a few more Christmas presents from my friends over at Mehrathon trading. They hooked me up with some limited edition skate decks by DEATHWISH!

The Antwuan Dixon Merry DEATHWISH is said to be very limited and sought after. The 40 ounce beer bottle is just classic, I can’t wait to put these up.

Thanks guys for the love!

Category: My LifeNo comments