Pool and Refreshing

Hint Mint gets marketing and sales support at MAGIC

Hospitality is very inviting in hard-sell environments like tradeshows. That’s why event producers look to sponsors to provide things that enhance the show attendee’s experience – things like bottled water or breath mints.

Several years ago when we produced an exhibitor showcase called Platform at MAGIC in Las Vegas during fashion week, we invited our friends at Hint Mint to come to the show and hand out free mints, compliments of Platform at MAGIC. Hint Mint made a special run of mint tins that had a custom-printed paper insert that reinforced the Platform at MAGIC tradeshow branding while offering a “gesture of kindness” to retail guests and exhibiting brands. This area of the show featured premium denim and contemporary sportswear brands such as 1921, AG Adriano Goldschmied, Ben Sherman, and Modern Amusement, which attracted retailers like Fred Segal, Barneys, Macy’s, and independent boutique owners and buyers from across the US and around the world.

While Hint Mint has been a regular exhibitor at food and candy trade shows, they had not tapped into business with retailers of fashion apparel and accessories until we got them into MAGIC back in August 2005. Placing Hint Mint front and center in the entryway of shows like Platform at MAGIC and the Pool Trade Show, which Hint Mint has participated in for several years now, has served to not only increase Hint Mint’s brand awareness among trendsetters but has also allowed them to open new wholesale accounts and gain counter space with stores where trendsetters shop – solidifying the brand’s positioning of “The Original Designer Mint” and increasing sales.

January 2009

Building Block

Contra-Band debuts new website for Block Headwear

We started working with Block Headwear back in the fall of 2004, after they exhibited in MAGIC’s High 5 Campground at fashion week in Las Vegas. We produced and promoted High 5, which showcased other emerging and independent contemporary streetwear brands like Five Four, Live Mechanics, Scifen, and Ezekiel.

Early on our focus for Block Headwear was on celebrity product placements, to help gain exposure for the brand and support their positioning as a brand worn by trendsetters. It was easy to get great placements for Block because they have a truly great product. But their website and catalogs just weren’t really telling that story.

It took a few years to get here, but in the past few months we have finally gotten the chance to shoot new product and campaign photography for Block, give the collections names and editorial descriptions of the design concepts that drive the collections. And, best of all, we have launched their brand spankin’ new website at www.BlockHeadwear.com.

The new site features a NEWS section to hype the brand and draw traffic to the website, a STOCKISTS section to help customers find retailers of the brand, and it also has a secret SHOWROOM to provide buyers easy access to current collections available for wholesale orders. The next step will be to add a STORE component, which we hope will happen later this year.

December 2008

Reinstating Royalty

Silver King reveals the new face of American silversmithing

American silversmiths Silver King have entrusted Contra-Band with evolving their “Country & Western” heritage to encompass the family’s younger generation, who want to express their more contemporary point-of-view. An updated logo, identity system, and website will be introduced in January.

Since 1975 the Davalos family has been hand-carving silver into belt buckles, fine jewelry, and equestrian saddlery pieces such as chaps, bridles, and tack. Silver King also creates made-to-order silver pieces such as “trophy buckles” and a variety of custom leather goods. Each Silver King jewelry and leather piece is made by skilled artisans with more than a half century of experience. Silver King designers create one-of-a-kind pieces for individuals with discerning taste who appreciate quality.

It’s amazing how intricate and detailed their silversmithing work is, especially when you see how simple the tools are. One of the youngest silversmiths in the US, Miguel Davalos, II is already making his mark on the family business. He recently designed a collection of skull pieces, and look for his “child size” belt buckle line for boys being introduced in 2009. Whether you wear a Silver King belt buckle with cowboy boots or sneakers, the Davalos family heritage of custom Amercian silversmithing shines through.

November 2008

Hat Hooks

Block Headwear gets shot by Tyler Shields

What good comes out of Skid Row? Shots like these taken by LA-based photographer Tyler Shields. Contra-Band connected with Tyler Shields to give Block Headwear’s first true ad campaign some electricity. And that he did! Tyler’s assistant Morgan powered up huge strobes from a generator in the back of his truck, spotlighting these shots taken on the east side of downtown LA’s train tracks. In true Contra-Band street filming style, we managed wardrobe out of the trunk and our models changed in the back seat of Tyler’s car.

Many thanks to Howe for donating all of the clothing worn by the male models in the shoot, with the exception of one great pair of 1921 jeans. Styling credit goes to Daryl Forkell. Hair and makeup was done by Ashley Harris. Models included Kyle Loethan, Julian Foster, and Mary Roth. Final photography editing and retouching was done by Jelina Saurenman. Look for these hot shots and more appearing on the spankin’ new website Contra-Band is launching at www.BlockHeadwear.com.

If you don’t already have a Block Headwear cap or trilby, cop one and sexperience that Art of Confidence for yourself

October 2008

Taking Manhattan

Contra-Band opens NYC office, offering bicoastal coverage for clients

After five years of building a solid foundation for our fashion marketing business in Los Angeles, Contra-Band is now operating out of New York as well.

As of October our office in Manhattan has been cranking out Contra-Band marketing materials from a part of town “artists-activists” seldom frequent – Wall Street. That’s right, we invaded the land of suits and stock market insanity. We gotta admit, it’s exceptionally clean and safe in this part of town. It’s the perfect atmosphere for pimping out subversive marketing services.

Contra-Band supports New York-based Block Headwear, just a few subway stops uptown. Having a local office allows us to get more involved in the day-to-day marketing and design work of clients like Block Headwear and its parent company Concept One Accessories.

Look for Contra-Band’s new website and ad campaign for Block Headwear, set to launch by NYE!

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September 2008

Viva Le Rat

Contra-Band street art spreads across Downtown LA

Going into this year we felt nervously hopeful that change could and would come in the US. Inspired by the Chinese Zodiac for 2008, Contra-Band came up with this poetic illustration of the Rat and inside it the changes we saw coming. In true Blek Le Rat style we hand-pasted our critters in artistic placements around the city – from Skid Row to Staples Center and Disney Hall.

As the first in the cycle of 12 Chinese zodiac signs, people born in the Year of the Rat are natural leaders with a strong drive for success. According to legend, the order of the cycle was decided by all animals racing across a river to the Jade Emperor. Seeking a faster route, the Rat and the Cat snuck onto the back of the Ox. Wanting to avoid competition, the Rat pushed the Cat into the water. When approaching the bank the Rat jumped from the back of the Ox, winning the race and its place as the first sign of the zodiac cycle. It’s the perfect animal to symbolize an election year, right?

Well, as it turns out not all Rats are born wealthy and have bad manners. 2008 is the Year of the Earth Rat. Earth Rats are very stable, establishing solid roots early in their lives as a strong basis for their future successes. They take a slow and steady approach to acquiring wealth and influence, avoiding risks that could compromise their achievements. They seek leadership to make change happen for the rest of us. That’s the Rat we’d like to see take 1st place.

August 2008

Bomb Shell

Contra-Band takes recycling to the streets at Sunset Junction Fair

Edgy, artsy Eastside LA’ers got out in the heat on August 23rd and 24th to hit up the 28th annual Sunset Junction Festival in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.

Contra-Band popped up a 10×10’ tent in the Arts & Crafts section and pimped out a series of reusable shopping bags under the name “Artists-Activists.” Everyone who stopped by our booth had great feedback on the bags, and even more love for our collection of sheepskin rugs.

We quickly realized this was not a “shopping” event. It was about getting lit and lifted by amazing music from 3 stages featuring 9 DJs and 38 bands like Black Keys, Stephanie Mills, and DJ Eddie One. Sadly, we all missed Isaac Hayes (RIP) who was scheduled to headline the festival. In his memory, Contra-Band designed a special reusable shopping bag “Hot Buttered Soul.” And after several bottles of champagne in the dead heat we got lifted, too.

Crowds at Sunset Junction this year were far below estimates. Many attributed this noticeable decline in attendance to the festival charging an entrance fee of $25 – a huge increase over past years where festival goers paid $5 maybe $10 max and had money left over to spend on what’s inside.

Nevertheless, coming together as a community was of huge value. Not a bad way to spend a steamy summer weekend, supporting the friendly collision of diverse cultures and lifestyles in LA.