Podcast appearances and mentions of brendon babenzien

Recho Omondi is the host and creator of The Cutting Room Floor, the popular fashion podcast featuring guests like Cynthia Erivo and Law Roach. In this episode, we explore why blue chip design names like Steve Madden and Brendon Babenzien of Noah open up on her mic, revealing unfiltered takes on the business of fashion. We also dive into Omondi's “clipping” technique, the politics of taste, and why being a partial outsider gives her the clearest view of fashion's inner workings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brendon Babenzien offers a look into his trajectory from a skateboarder immersed in the alternative music scene between Long Island and New York City to the forefront of fashion. His journey is a testament to his unique cultural access and entrepreneurial spirit. Inspired by the convergence of hip-hop, punk, new wave, and rave cultures during his teenage years, Babenzien recognized early on that the future lay outside mainstream culture. His skateboarding roots instilled a sense of belonging in the cultural periphery, a theme he later translated into the foundational ethos of his brand Noah, a staple in the New York menswear luxury realm. Babenzien discusses his evolution, from his early days at Supreme in 1996 to the launch of Noah in 2002 to the present moment, which is, for him, marked by a commitment to ethics over aesthetics, emphasizing sustainable business practices. He views creative direction as not merely about premium clothing design but the creativity involved in building a well-intentioned business. Babenzien encapsulates his philosophy—fusing style with substance, challenging mainstream culture, and championing a future where conscious choices redefine contemporary values. Episode Highlights: Upbringing: Growing up skating and in the alternative music scene between Long Island and New York City, a serendipitous meeting in Babenzien's teenage years with Don Busweiler ultimately led to his interest in fashion.  Cultural access: Babenzien's proximity to surf and skate cultures coincided with a “unique window of time where there was a lot of firsts.” Hip-hop, punk, new wave, and rave culture made an impression on him as a teenager.  “This stuff we're into is the future”: he recognized from an early age that scenes outside the mainstream culture were the future and capitalized on that reality.  Skateboarding culture and being a “freak”: Babenzien locates the importance of making meaningful friendships that cultivate a sense of belonging, even on the cultural periphery.  Building a brand: He doesn't consider creative direction to be “terribly creative,” arguing that the business infrastructure and upkeep takes a more creative toll than clothing design.  An organic process: living in and near New York City culture in a combination of subcultural worlds naturally lent itself to fashion design and product marketing, especially when he felt represented by certain brands, like Stussy. Joining Supreme in 1996, Babenzein had the cultural references to create a certain style but had to learn the business management and operation as he went along From underground to mainstream: speaking on how street style has infiltrated the luxury sector and mainstream fashion, Babenzein says that while he himself is always looking for growth and the next thing, his ethos of earning access comes from his skate roots. Ethics over aesthetics: Babenzein's idea of what's punk has evolved over the years, moving from rebelliousness to real action, which informed his establishment of Noah, a brand existing “intersection of lifestyle and fashion.” “A long arc”: Babenzein spent two decades learning about the intersection of environment and fashion business in the process of launching Noah. “There wasn't so much an aha moment, as it was this slow build to get there.” Future-forward: Babenzein cites getting married and having a child as moments when he knew the importance of sustainability. Luxury and sustainability: Noah garments comes at high price point to reflect the premium quality and ethical standards set in place for factory workers. “I'm not Yohji”: As a creative director of a brand with simple collections Babenzein sees Noah's value in the idea behind the label rather than in the clothing itself. On J.Crew: Babenzein likes that the scale of the brand and its resources enable him to produce clothing at an accessible price point and that he brings to the company a transformed idea of internal culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the first J. Crew catalog came out in 1983, it said the brand was based on 100 years of craftsmanship, which was just a lie. The brand had just started and since then, has reached dizzying highs and terrifying lows. Courtesy of Brendon Babenzien, the brand is back after a fallow period and a bankruptcy in 2020. Albert leads the boys through the brand's long history and our own thoughts and feelings around the "legendary" brand that had to make up its own legend. As always, read along on our substack. (If you want a more thorough version of this history, read "Kingdom of Prep" by Maggie Bullock.) Theme song by Soraya Perry.

When we first asked the question, “What is contemporary now?” we thought it made sense to explore the makings of culture by tapping into the varied perspectives of creatives whose work has helped shape the contemporary landscape. This season sees that dream continue, having the chance to speak to a master on the intersection of technology and image making and a brilliant young artist on the recontextualization of queer black culture. We explore how creatives lead successful luxury brands and even tap into the important role of the critic as a lighthouse amidst oceans of information.  Subscribe now for new episodes starting Monday, November 13 with Quil Lemons, Vanessa Friedman, Mel Ottenberg, Ruba Abu-Nimah, Brendon Babenzien, Willy Vanderperre, Amanda Harlech, Gordon von Steiner, Robin Galiegue, Thom Bettridge, Nick Knight, and many more.

In 2002, accomplished SUPREME creative director Brendon Babenzien took his first swing at entrepreneurship and launched NOAH, a menswear brand born at the intersection of nautical living and skate culture. However, despite critical acclaim and downtown cool, the brand barely made it a few seasons before Brendon was forced to put NOAH on the backburner, and resume his role at Supreme. After a decade at the house James Jebbia built, in which he helped take SUPREME from a skate shop in soho to a global brand, Brendon decided it was time to revisit NOAH, and with the help of then new wife Estelle Bailey-Babenzien, he relaunched the brand in 2015 to industry fanfare.In the 8 years since, NOAH has grown slowly and steadily while maintaining the core philosophical commitments that animate Brendon and Estelle. NOAH is a beacon of hope in menswear and fashion, exalting virtuous values like sustainability, quality over quantity, and forward-leaning but timeless designs.On this week's episode of All Angles, we talk to founders Brendon and Estelle, as well as Brand Energy Director Johnny Knapp, to hear the full story of NOAH, and find out how the little shop on the corner of Mulberry street in lower Manhattan became an industry thought leader and global brand.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I don't think we ever planned to be a running brand but it goes back to this idea that people are complex, diverse and interesting. Brand and business should reflect that. Most businesses don't do it that way. They're like, ‘We do this one thing. That's all we do. If you're into that, you'll get it from us. The rest of your interests, we're not interested. Go somewhere else for your other stuff.' … We're more interested in the New York attitude of like you really don't know who you're talking to and they're probably far more interesting than you realize.” Brendon Babenzien is the founder of NOAH and the men's creative director for J. Crew. A lot of you may have recently seen the collaboration between J. Crew and Tracksmith and Brendon had a lot to do with that because he's a runner and loves the sport. But..don't be quick to call NOAH a running brand. They make clothing for runners but with their own touch. In this one, we go into Brendon's own running, how NOAH came to be, its place within the fashion industry and the importance of producing products with human rights and the environment in mind. Plus, NOAH just released their whole fall and winter collection so check them out. They also have been doing some runs out of their store in New York City and events in London so be sure to follow them on Instagram. SUPPORT THE SPONSORS TRACKSMITH: The Eliot Runner was developed to meet the rigorous demands of committed runners, providing the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness with classic Tracksmith style. See the Eliot Runner in person at Tracksmith's Pop-Ups at the London and Chicago Marathons and their Boston store this fall before an exclusive opportunity to pre-order on October 24th. Learn more about the Eliot Runner by visiting tracksmith.com/citius VELOUS is an active recovery footwear brand designed to help you restore, revive & re-energize before and after you train. Two years in development, this team has created the world's most comfortable, supportive and lightweight active recovery shoe in the world. Get 20% off using code CitiusMag20 GARMIN: Music. Training. Data. The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is my favorite running partner. You do the running. This GPS running smartwatch does the thinking. It even gets to know you and your body better, mile after mile and song after song. Get one for yourself here >> https://bit.ly/3Pcu0qo Article One Eyewear: Article One is an independent eyewear company based in Flint, Mich. with designers with deep roots in running. All their frames are handcrafted in a small village in Northern Italy. Designed with your entire day in mind, Article One takes you from a long run in the morning to drinks on the patio to wind down. CITIUS MAG listeners get 20% off using CITIUSMAG at checkout at https://articleoneeyewear.com/ FINAL SURGE: If you are a coach, Final Surge makes planning and analyzing workouts simple and helps streamline communication with your athletes. Final Surge is also here to offer up some world-class training programs. Check out their offerings today: FINALSURGE.COM – USE CODE CITIUS FOR 10% OFF. VELOUS FOOTWEAR: VELOUS is an active recovery footwear brand designed to help you restore, revive & Reenergize before and after you train. It's the most comfortable, supportive and lightweight active recovery shoe in the world. Get 20% off using code CitiusMag20

BoF's Cathaleen Chen and Marc Bain join Lauren Sherman to talk about retailers' big hires, hopes and plans for bringing their brands back to life.   Background:      J.Crew and Gap defined how Americans dressed for much of the '90s and 2000s, until their clothes grew stale, malls emptied out and fast fashion took retail's reins. Then, during the pandemic, J.Crew filed for bankruptcy and Gap closed hundreds of stores. More recently, they've both orchestrated attempts to win back consumers: Gap, with its Yeezy-Gap collaboration, and J.Crew, with new mainline designers, including former Supreme creative director and Noah-founder Brendon Babenzien, whose menswear collection dropped a few weeks ago.    Though they share similar histories, the retailers' comeback plans couldn't be any more different.    “[Fashion] is a challenging business because people love it but to actually make money in it is not the easiest thing in the world… It takes a lot of ruthlessness and difficult decision making,” said Lauren Sherman, BoF chief correspondent.      Key Insights:      In the late-aughts, CEO Mickey Drexler and designer Jenna Lyons turned J.Crew  into a fashion powerhouse before insurmountable debt sent it into bankruptcy a few years later. Meanwhile, Gap struggled to define its design aesthetic after dominating 1990s mall fashion with its preppy basics.  With its 2020 appointment of the artist then known as Kanye West, Gap has been able to generate hype, but not sustained sales. Yeezy Gap and Gap are still mostly bifurcated: its retail rollout in Times Square featured clothes in black trash bags, in a blacked-out room separate from the rest of the Gap store. Gap has a mostly mass-market customer — begging the question of whether Yeezy Gap, even if better integrated into its model, is the right fit.  Under former Madewell chief Libby Wadle's leadership, J.Crew has restructured and tapped two sharp designers to home in on its heritage while edging it up and playing with trends. Babenzian released his first collection in late July, which generated a ton of buzz on social media.  Both retailers face significant headwinds, but J.Crew is best poised to win given its balanced merchandising strategy aimed at satisfying new and old customers, said retail correspondent Cathaleen Chen. Particularly tough, added technology correspondent Marc Bain, is the fact that Gap is so large, and beholden to shareholders.     Additional Resources:      J.Crew's and Gap's Comeback Playbooks Couldn't Be More Different. Only One Is Working: After the pandemic, the American retailers hired big fashion names to breathe life into their brands. But as the collections released this week show, the similarities end there. The J.Crew Comeback Starts Now: With its new menswear collection under creative director Brendon Babenzien, the retailer has its best shot in years at returning to the fashion zeitgeist. Yeezy Gap Brings a Dystopian Retail Experience to Stores: Clothes from the collaboration between Gap and Ye (formerly Kanye West) went on sale in a physical Gap store for the first time today, in a blacked out space where clothes were piled into plastic bags.     Follow The Debrief wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Martha Stewart's unexpected collaboration with Anti Social Social Club, the stranglehold that Airpods Max headphones have over celebrities and influencers, a critical look at the new fall collection from Brendon Babenzien for J. Crew, and some wishlist items — yep, another trademark episode of Retail Therapy. The *New* Sunday Scaries YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCIkZKFQxKPiCdE_p3Cpbh6A Retail Therapy Listener Companions: www.willdefries.substack.com Support This Week's Sponsors Earlybird: www.earlybirdcbd.com (WICKS for 20% off) Follow Along Sunday Scaries on Twitter: www.twitter.com/sundayscaries Sunday Scaries on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunday.scaries Will deFries on Twitter: www.twitter.com/willdefries Will deFries on Instagram: www.instagram.com/willdefries Barrett Dudley on Twitter: www.twitter.com/barrettdudley Barrett Dudley on Instagram: www.instagram.com/barrettdudley Credits Podcast artwork by Alfonso Ruiz and Tristan Pigott All music by Kevin MacLeod Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

David chimes in from the road, which we don't quite respond to. Albert and Reed spend their morning hashing through the new J. Crew and how best to market a new brand to someone. Here is a link to the J.Crew Fall 2022 lookbook, the first collection spearheaded by Brendon Babenzien. We've been waiting for it and here it is. If you want to see what the old, old J.Crew looked like, we'd recommend @lostjcrew on Instagram. We discuss Mall fashions, democratizing style, and how to stand out when everyone you know is wearing the Giant Fit chinos.

All these menswear mfers screaming J.Crew back! This week, Jimmy is firing on all cylinders as Larry struggles to find his brain to talk Peking duck, Japanese running sneakers, never sizing down, what's next after Sambas, a live JJJJound reading, Monkeypox, smashing crumpets in jolly old London Town, a wide-ranging critical discussion on the new J.Crew, all the old J.Crews, giving Brendon Babenzien his flowers, prep vs. ivy, why can't we just let certain shit die, whether or not real people should model clothing, a nuclear bomb of press, the grown man streetwear archetype, fashion's 10-year cycle, is #menswear officially back, the duality of memes, pegging, royal butt play and much more. For more Throwing Fits, check us out on Patreon: www.patreon.com/throwingfits. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

“The clothes that we think of as elitist came from a place of fun and irreverence,” says Jack Carlson, founder of New York based indie brand, Rowing Blazers. Over the past six years, Carlson and his team have democratised the clothes most associated with stuffy Ivy League and Oxbridge sporting institutions, giving them a new lease of life. We talk about this at length this week, as Aleks explores just how Jack has built a brand that feels fresh and inclusive as opposed to elitist and stuffy. Thanks for tuning in as always, we hope you enjoy listening.  ---HandCut Radio is produced by Birch, the London based creative office of James Allen. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.HandCut Radio is proud to be sponsored by Thomas Mason, an historic mill that's been supplying famous designers, shirtmakers and tailors with world class shirting fabrics since 1796.---Show Notes:Rowing Blazers — Website | Instagram[09:35] College of Arms[13:35] Rowing Blazers by Jack Carlson [book][19:18] Barbour x Rowing Blazers[20:42] FILA x Rowing Blazers[20:43] Sperry x Rowing Blazers[20:48] Harry's Bar x Rowing Blazers[27:28] The Jackal Magazine [defunct] [31:42] Paul Winston; ‘Chipp Off The Old Block' [article][33:37] Brendon Babenzien on HandCut Radio[34:19] Vineyard Vines[41:14] Rowing Blazers x Babar[43:28] Rowing Blazers Medieval Manuscripts[44:08] ‘Seiko's New Collab With Rowing Blazers Is A Stroke Of Genius' [article][45:11] Nike Dunk Low Georgetown[46:07] Rowing Blazers x Seiko ‘dad hat'

Welcome to Season Six of HandCut Radio, our New York City Special. We're kicking off the season with a creative heavyweight we've wanted to meet for years: Brendon Babenzien. Aleks speaks to the co-founder of Noah and creative director of J.Crew Men's about why he thinks Preppy Style has been hijacked, how the Noah design team create for individuals rather than trends, and why the fashion industry's attitude of “it's not personal” needs wholesale change. He also hints at what we can expect from his first collection for J.Crew Men's, which will be unveiled in the autumn.If you enjoy listening, don't forget to follow us on Instagram @handcutradio, and get involved in the conversation.---HandCut Radio is produced by Birch, the London based creative office of James Allen. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.HandCut Radio is proud to be sponsored by Thomas Mason, an historic mill that's been supplying famous designers, shirtmakers and tailors with world class shirting fabrics since 1796.---Show Notes:Brendon Babenzien — Instagram | Website[02:47] Noah[05:49] “What to Watch: Is Streetwear Becoming Preppy?” [article][10:36] Ryuichi Sakamoto[11:27] J Crew[21:47] Barbour[22:06] Supreme NYC[33:29] Pervert Clothing[36:12] Thrasher Magazine[36:40] Red Hot Chili Peppers[39:20] “Less is more: meet New York's mindful menswear makers” [article]

The Butterfly Forecast returns next week! Today, we're reflecting on Season 1 with excerpts from three of our favorite conversations. Tune in Tuesday, March 8th for the S2 premiere. Brendon Babenzien — 0:45–15:35 Lauren London and Jada Pinkett Smith — 15:43–32:20 Tricia Hersey — 32:30–48:54

Brendon Babenzien (Founder, Noah NY) generously shares about the fruits that come with counter culture, how being on the outside has its benefits, and his charge for elevating consciousness.

J.Crew Hires Noah/Supreme Designer Brendon Babenzien as the head menswear designer, Nicki posts another crocs pic and sales soar. 4900% spike, J Cole is the first rapper to be on the cover of Slam and is balling in the BAL, Dan Harmon speaks on the Ric and Morty episode ft Kanye that never happened.Topic Links:https://www.gq.com/story/j-crew-brendon-babenzienhttps://www.complex.com/style/nicki-minaj-shows-off-another-pair-of-crocshttps://www.complex.com/sports/watch-j-cole-debut-basketball-africa-leaguehttps://hypebeast.com/2021/5/dan-harmon-kanye-west-rick-and-morty-episode-update

My guest this week is Brendon Babenzien, founder of NOAH and former creative director of Supreme...And since recording this, the new J. Crew men’s creative director.Brendon and I chat about growing up in the suburbs of New York in the 70s, the massive music scene of the era, and getting into skateboarding. Most importantly, Brendon lets us know what he thinks a brand should be and how he is trying to create a legacy while still operating responsibly, with human rights and the environment informing his decision making. Plus, we get his take on how NOAH is trying to educate consumers to want less.

The rumors are true. The GD MF Boyz never miss. This week, Jimmy and Larry have a humble and gracious moment and throw their support behind a charitable cause before debating prep, Noah, bullish and bearish takes on Brendon Babenzien’s new J.Crew appointment, bridging gaps, geriatric millennials, workplace PTSD, an open and honest assessment of TF’s current turmoil surrounding internal division of labor, email load management, delegation strategies, getting too fucked up to work, fighting, making up and much more. For more Throwing Fits, check us out on Patreon: www.patreon.com/throwingfits. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Check out today's sponsor, the Headspace app, for all of your wellness and meditation needs: www.headspace.com/clubcool Barrett and Phil get together to talk about addiction to the SHOP app, break down Justin Bieber's disheveled new lewk, and give a review of Nike's new South Congress shop. On the back half of the pod, the dudes discuss Brendon Babenzien's appointment as J.Crew's new Chief Menswear Designer. Can the former Supreme creative director/brain behind Noah save the flailing brand? Additionally, does this mean our old favorite mall stores are finally buying in to the demand for streetwear? With Kanye's new Gap line coming soon and Jerry Lorenzo's ESSENTIALS line putting up numbers for PacSun, are we entering a potentially exciting era for these accessibly priced stalwarts of men's fashion? Or, are these moves just another example of dinosaurs moving too slowly. Is it too little, too late? Time will tell, but it certainly seems like a conversation that will continue to bubble up. Support the pod so Phil can buy a steamer: www.patreon.com/clubcool FRESH HOT NEW CONTENT DROPPING VERY SOON, PROMISE.

For this week's episode, the boys cover the hiring of Brendon Babenzien to revive J Crew, Rowing Blazers Summer 21, and the WILD upcoming hybrid loafer from Hood By Air. For our main topic, we turn back the clock to revisit the #BEENTRILL collective. We look back on the origin of #BEENTRILL, the story of each of the members as well as where they are now, some notable projects, many of the most popular collaborations, and finally its eventual demise.

Our guest on this episode of Swell Season is Brendon Babenzien, the founder of the environmentally conscious menswear brand Noah. He is also a former creative director at Supreme, which is arguably one of the most influential streetwear brands of all time. He grew up surfing the beaches of central Long Island and worked at the legendary Rick’s Action Sports in its heyday. We reminisce about grommethood on Long Island, discuss sustainable clothing and helping to shift the cultural understanding of ‘cool’ by promoting more ‘intelligent consumption. Anyone interested sustainability or old school NY surf history will really enjoy this conversation. Enjoy... Swell Season Surf Radio is recorded by The Newsstand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by WAX.Radio.

Rhuigi Villaseñor (founder of LA luxury streetwear brand Rhude) and Brendon Babenzien (founder of New York menswear brand Noah) share their fascinating histories with watches – and their perspectives could not be more different.Show Notes(2:30) RHUDE(2:45) How Rhude's Rhuigi Villaseñor Reimagined LA Style(16:48)  Rhuigi’s Rhework Rolex Daytona(24:00) NOAH(27:30) NOAH x TIMEX(32:00) The Turtle Watch That Ruled Thanksgiving(27:30) Not Dead Yet

On today’s episode, Brendon Babenzien of Noah and Sam Lobban, SVP of Designer and New Concepts at Nordstrom, talk about their unlikely partnership and why small businesses and big businesses need to work more closely together. New Concepts @ Nordstrom 011: Noah launched today online and in select Nordstrom stores, but unlike previous iterations of Lobban’s New Concepts series (which has included labels like Dior and Thom Browne), the Noah partnership foregoes a physical installation for a digital one, owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The accompanying lookbook was styled by Haley Wollens and features several exclusive pieces to Nordstrom, like paisley yellow chinos in brushed twill and a summer-ready white suit, alongside core offerings from Noah and a collaboration with famed new wave band The B-52s. Lobban and Babenzien discuss the inspiration behind the pieces, the importance of working with partners you trust, and the trick to pulling off paisley.

The fourth Ep. thats actually the seventh episode. REEEAAAL if you know, you know type beat. This week, we are going straight to Hell, But not if Kevin Bradley and his Nike's can deliver us from evil. Viotech is bringing us back to the early aughts with another nostalgic retro, New Balance is on lap 327 of 992, Jordan Brand will give you bunnies like Bugs, and Nike SB wants ALL the smoke you can fit in your cheap cigars. **couch cough** Need somewhere to keep the ratchet? Supreme and MAC Tools will show you how to fix a flex. Palace is flippin roaches all over town, Stussy and Matthew Williams made some damnnnnn denim, Comme des Garcons is in championship form, and all the while, Travis Scott is fleeced up on the Cactus Trails. The wheels are up on the red eye from Japan, and Ronnie Fieg and KITH are bringing some heat from the far East. Teddy Santis and Aime Leon Dore found a goldmine in the garden, Noah made the ark, but Brendon Babenzien and his New York clothing company are helping to save the coral reef. The year is 2020, reality is virtual, and Artifact Studios is breaking ground on a completely new world. Welcome to the faction that is the hottest podcast on the mother f**king planet. For more HERE & AIR check us out on @hereandairpodcast on Instagram. And follow us individually: @angelolaviero & @StacksDN .  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Today, we welcome Brendon Babenzien to the pod. He was the creative director at Supreme for many years before founding his brand, Noah. We spoke with him about how the quar has affected his business and plans to open new stores in Los Angeles and Osaka, his philosophies on running, Thin Lizzy, raising a daughter while managing a clothing business from home, the future of how we are going to get out of this, and the importance of brick and mortar retail. instagram.com/noahclothing instagram.com/themjeans instagram.com/donetodeathprojects --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howlonggone/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howlonggone/support

It’s hard to say with confidence that business is moving forward as usual. ‘Vibe Check’ host Jian DeLeon calls up Brendon Babenzien and his partner, Noah cofounder, and designer Estelle Bailey-Babenzien to hear how independent labels are faring during these trying times. Recently, the couple posted on Instagram about why consumers should be spending their money now more than ever, and how they should do so while supporting small businesses. As a global brand, Noah has its supply chain dispersed across the world. But with the coronavirus taking on an equally global scale, international suppliers and factories have reduced their deliveries and businesses have taken the hit. Brendon speaks on the plans that need to be put into place after everything is taken into consideration: seasons in the fashion cycle will be pushed back, inventory will be static, and consumers will lack incomes (5:26). To make matters worse, tourism is a big source of customers in large cities like New York and Tokyo. While Noah’s new store is scheduled to open in Osaka in May, nothing is set in stone at this time as Brendon and Estelle voice their worries for a situation that could unfold either way (7:53).

It’s hard to say with confidence that business is moving forward as usual. ‘Vibe Check’ host Jian DeLeon calls up Brendon Babenzien and his partner, Noah cofounder, and designer Estelle Bailey-Babenzien to hear how independent labels are faring during these trying times. Recently, the couple posted on Instagram about why consumers should be spending their money now more than ever, and how they should do so while supporting small businesses. As a global brand, Noah has its supply chain dispersed across the world. But with the coronavirus taking on an equally global scale, international suppliers and factories have reduced their deliveries and businesses have taken the hit. Brendon speaks on the plans that need to be put into place after everything is taken into consideration: seasons in the fashion cycle will be pushed back, inventory will be static, and consumers will lack incomes (5:26). To make matters worse, tourism is a big source of customers in large cities like New York and Tokyo. While Noah’s new store is scheduled to open in Osaka in May, nothing is set in stone at this time as Brendon and Estelle voice their worries for a situation that could unfold either way (7:53). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendon Babenzien’s streetwear brand Noah focuses on values and collaboration instead of profit margins and competition. Sign up for BoF’s Daily Digest newsletter here: http://bit.ly/BoFnews. Ready to become a BoF Professional? For a limited time, enjoy 25% discount on an annual membership, exclusively for podcast listeners. Simply, click here: http://bit.ly/2xNP5Rs, select the Annual Package and use code PODCASTPRO at the checkout. For comments, questions, or speaker ideas, please e-mail: podcast@businessoffashion.com.For all sponsorship enquiries, it’s: advertising@businessoffashion.com.

Brendon Babenzien’s streetwear brand Noah focuses on values and collaboration instead of profit margins and competition. Sign up for BoF’s Daily Digest newsletter here: http://bit.ly/BoFnews. Ready to become a BoF Professional? For a limited time, enjoy 25% discount on an annual membership, exclusively for podcast listeners. Simply, click here: http://bit.ly/2xNP5Rs, select the Annual Package and use code PODCASTPRO at the checkout. For comments, questions, or speaker ideas, please e-mail: podcast@businessoffashion.com.For all sponsorship enquiries, it’s: advertising@businessoffashion.com.

Brendon Babenzien's streetwear brand Noah focuses on values and collaboration instead of profit margins and competition. Sign up for BoF's Daily Digest newsletter here: http://bit.ly/BoFnews. Ready to become a BoF Professional? For a limited time, enjoy 25% discount on an annual membership, exclusively for podcast listeners. Simply, click here: http://bit.ly/2xNP5Rs, select the Annual Package and use code PODCASTPRO at the checkout. For comments, questions, or speaker ideas, please e-mail: podcast@businessoffashion.com. For all sponsorship enquiries, it's: advertising@businessoffashion.com.

In this final chapter of our story about the New York City menswear brand Noah, co-founder Estelle Bailey-Babenzien describes her interior design influences and the key elements of customer service. Store manager Jason Boehm talks about the process of building genuine relationships with customers. Co-founder Brendon Babenzien promotes the value of maintaining a connection to youth culture. And employee Vrn Powell describes her experience partnering with Noah on a capsule collection for her band, Super Natural Psycho, and playing an in-store concert to celebrate the launch of their album.

Quality is a key factor in distinguishing between clothing options. But what does it mean for something to be made well and made to last?  In this episode, members of Noah's design and operations teams discuss the role of mills and high-quality fabrics to make great clothes. Plus the costs associated with prioritizing quality and labor. And founder Brendon Babenzien recounts the key cultural influences that led to the creation of Noah. Featuring Brendon Babenzien, Vrn Powell, Corey Rubin, Beau Wollens, Jasmine Young, plus fans of the brand. Music from Building Beats. Recorded by Dan Navetta at Bryght Young Things.

The New York City menswear brand Noah is committed to making cool, high-quality clothes that will last. But the company’s mission is about more than clothes; it’s also a platform to promote the primacy of human rights, the imperative to protect the natural world, and how to rethink what we buy and why. Featuring Noah co-founders Brendon Babenzien and Estelle Bailey-Babenzien. Music from Building Beats.

For its second season, Relentless takes an inside look at the earnest but often quixotic pursuit of sustainability in fashion. Featuring designers Brendon Babenzien and Estelle Bailey-Babenzien from Noah, stylist Rachael Wang, and designer Mara Hoffman. Music from Building Beats. Full episodes starting in September 2019.

From the first time four wheels hugged the walls of an emptied out pool, to becoming a central part of pop culture and fashion, skateboarding has had a lifelong friend in Vans. The small deck shoe company out of Anaheim, Calif. was the earliest of adopters for the burgeoning sport as it established a legacy by placing its kicks on the feet of the Z-Boys, a group of California teens that would become the true godfathers of skating. Like the sport itself, Vans’ popularity has waxed and waned over the past 50 years. But today it’s both the quintessential skate shoe and a staple fit for anyone’s wardrobe. Both qualities are only possible because of Vans’ embracement of its past, and as long as that lasts, it’s hard to imagine Vans ever approaching the difficult times it has in the past. On this episode of Why It’s Cool, we examine how Vans has made shoes so excellent, versatile, and affordable that you can find them on the feet of Frank Ocean in the White House or any kid looking for there next skate spot across the world. Vans’ core models are popular among many disparate crowds—what other shoe could be embraced by both cheerleaders and goths?—and yet that ubiquity somehow hasn’t hampered the brands’ identity. No matter what, Vans is a skate shoe. And by staying true to that culture, even when it wasn’t as popular, the company has set itself up for true authenticity, not the sort that’s thrown around as a buzzword. Of course, this wasn’t just a faceless corporation making these moves. It was people, inside the company and out, that made this all possible. We talked to some of the most important players throughout the shoes’ journey, including Stacy Peralta, the seminal superstar of skating; Rian Pozzebon, the designer who helped guide the company back to its roots; and Brendon Babenzien, NOAH founder and former creative director of Supreme. In case you missed it, you can check out all the episodes from the season on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or any of your favorite podcast apps. Director of Editorial Video and Production, North America J. Andrew Keegan Director of Editorial Jian Deleon Producer and Editor Sonia Manalili Host Ian Servantes Special Thanks Stacy Peralta Rian Pozzebon Brendon Babenzien Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the first time four wheels hugged the walls of an emptied out pool, to becoming a central part of pop culture and fashion, skateboarding has had a lifelong friend in Vans. The small deck shoe company out of Anaheim, Calif. was the earliest of adopters for the burgeoning sport as it established a legacy by placing its kicks on the feet of the Z-Boys, a group of California teens that would become the true godfathers of skating. Like the sport itself, Vans’ popularity has waxed and waned over the past 50 years. But today it’s both the quintessential skate shoe and a staple fit for anyone’s wardrobe. Both qualities are only possible because of Vans’ embracement of its past, and as long as that lasts, it’s hard to imagine Vans ever approaching the difficult times it has in the past. On this episode of Why It’s Cool, we examine how Vans has made shoes so excellent, versatile, and affordable that you can find them on the feet of Frank Ocean in the White House or any kid looking for there next skate spot across the world. Vans’ core models are popular among many disparate crowds—what other shoe could be embraced by both cheerleaders and goths?—and yet that ubiquity somehow hasn’t hampered the brands’ identity. No matter what, Vans is a skate shoe. And by staying true to that culture, even when it wasn’t as popular, the company has set itself up for true authenticity, not the sort that’s thrown around as a buzzword. Of course, this wasn’t just a faceless corporation making these moves. It was people, inside the company and out, that made this all possible. We talked to some of the most important players throughout the shoes’ journey, including Stacy Peralta, the seminal superstar of skating; Rian Pozzebon, the designer who helped guide the company back to its roots; and Brendon Babenzien, NOAH founder and former creative director of Supreme. In case you missed it, you can check out all the episodes from the season on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or any of your favorite podcast apps. Director of Editorial Video and Production, North America J. Andrew Keegan Director of Editorial Jian Deleon Producer and Editor Sonia Manalili Host Ian Servantes Special Thanks Stacy Peralta Rian Pozzebon Brendon Babenzien Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Kenji Chang spoke with Brendon Babenzien, creator of the apparel brand Noah, about taking a stand, not pulling punches, and balancing contradictions. Continue reading for the full story or listen to a condensed version of the interview above. Text and interview by David Kenji Chang Audio mixing by Elphick Wo Photos by Heather Sten See the whole story here. What is MAEKAN? MAEKAN is a membership-based publication and community focused on the sights and sounds of creative culture. We're about learning, participating, and connecting with a global community on a deeper level that social media just doesn't provide. We’re defining the future of creative culture. We don't have all the answers, but our curiosity ensures we never stop looking. Sign-Up Today If you've enjoyed this story from the archives and want to see what else MAEKAN has to offer, sign-up for your membership at MAEKAN.com. You'll unlock all of our stories, be given exclusive member-only-access to our Slack community, and have the opportunity to participate in our monthly digital panel discussions. MAEKAN.com Follow Us instagram.com/maekan facebook.com/storiesforthecurious twitter.com/maekan stories@maekan.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/maekan/support

This week we're coming at you from Tokyo, Japan, talking about the launch of our latest platform: highsnobiety.jp. Joining hosts Jeff Carvalho and Jian DeLeon is Highsnobiety founder David Fischer. We talk about Japan's lifelong influence on the publication, and how much money we plan to spend on gear while we're here. We also talked with NOAH founder Brendon Babenzien about Tokyo leading the charge in flex-worthy purchases per capita, and some insight on our collaborative tee with the brand. Speaking of which, we also announce the winners of last week's trivia contest, and giving out a few tees from our recent Highsnobiety Japan T-shirt capsule collection, which features designers like Noah, N. Hoolywood, A Bathing Ape, ACRONYM, Pleasures, Richardson, and Civilist. Herr Fischer also tells you where to cop our upcoming Wave Rider Phoenix sneaker collaboration with Mizuno RB Line, and shares his very informed opinion on some of the latest drops and news, from Chris Stamp's IKEA collaboration to the black YEEZY 500. As always, we welcome your comments, feedback, and perspectives on the Dropcast Hotline. So give us a ring at 833-HIGHSNOB. That's 833-444-4766. Call us now! Relevant Links: Watch High End: Our Documentary on Luxury Weed https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/high-end-weed-documentary/ Highsnobiety Japan Launches April 26, 2018 https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/highsnobiety-japan-april-26-launch/ Highsnobiety Is Dropping 8 T-Shirt Collaborations, Here’s How to Cop https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/jp-lookbok-s/ Virgil Abloh Is Unveiling a Sneak Peak of the IKEA x Off-WHITE Collab https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/virgil-abloh-ikea-collaboration-best-look/ The STAMPD x IKEA SPÄNST Collection Is One for Streetwear Fanatics https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/stampd-ikea-spanst-collection/ Here’s How to Buy the Mizuno x Highsnobiety Wave Rider Phoenix https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/mizuno-highsnobiety-wave-rider-phoenix-release-date-price/ The YEEZY 500 in Black Has Been Officially Confirmed https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/yeezy-500-black-release-price/ A Closer Look at GUESS Jeans U.S.A. & Sean Wotherspoon’s “Farmer’s Market” Collection https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/guess-sean-wotherspoon-collection/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're coming at you from Tokyo, Japan, talking about the launch of our latest platform: highsnobiety.jp. Joining hosts Jeff Carvalho and Jian DeLeon is Highsnobiety founder David Fischer. We talk about Japan's lifelong influence on the publication, and how much money we plan to spend on gear while we're here. We also talked with NOAH founder Brendon Babenzien about Tokyo leading the charge in flex-worthy purchases per capita, and some insight on our collaborative tee with the brand. Speaking of which, we also announce the winners of last week's trivia contest, and giving out a few tees from our recent Highsnobiety Japan T-shirt capsule collection, which features designers like Noah, N. Hoolywood, A Bathing Ape, ACRONYM, Pleasures, Richardson, and Civilist. Herr Fischer also tells you where to cop our upcoming Wave Rider Phoenix sneaker collaboration with Mizuno RB Line, and shares his very informed opinion on some of the latest drops and news, from Chris Stamp's IKEA collaboration to the black YEEZY 500. As always, we welcome your comments, feedback, and perspectives on the Dropcast Hotline. So give us a ring at 833-HIGHSNOB. That's 833-444-4766. Call us now! Relevant Links: Watch High End: Our Documentary on Luxury Weed https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/high-end-weed-documentary/ Highsnobiety Japan Launches April 26, 2018 https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/highsnobiety-japan-april-26-launch/ Highsnobiety Is Dropping 8 T-Shirt Collaborations, Here’s How to Cop https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/jp-lookbok-s/ Virgil Abloh Is Unveiling a Sneak Peak of the IKEA x Off-WHITE Collab https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/virgil-abloh-ikea-collaboration-best-look/ The STAMPD x IKEA SPÄNST Collection Is One for Streetwear Fanatics https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/stampd-ikea-spanst-collection/ Here’s How to Buy the Mizuno x Highsnobiety Wave Rider Phoenix https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/mizuno-highsnobiety-wave-rider-phoenix-release-date-price/ The YEEZY 500 in Black Has Been Officially Confirmed https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/yeezy-500-black-release-price/ A Closer Look at GUESS Jeans U.S.A. & Sean Wotherspoon’s “Farmer’s Market” Collection https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/guess-sean-wotherspoon-collection/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brothers Ryan Babenzien (GREATS) and Brendon Babenzien (NOAH) on building a brand. How do you create a brand today? The internet and social platforms like Instagram have made it easier for anyone to sell and promote a product or service, but has it made the market better? With so many different brands competing in the same industry, is it still possible to make something authentic? GREATS co-founder Ryan Babenzien and NOAH founder Brendon Babenzien are two brothers with plenty of experience in brand building. We talk to them about the challenges of having an independent brand in 2016, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Brands mentioned in this podcast: www.greats.com www.noahny.com Visit www.highsnobiety.com for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brothers Ryan Babenzien (GREATS) and Brendon Babenzien (NOAH) on building a brand. How do you create a brand today? The internet and social platforms like Instagram have made it easier for anyone to sell and promote a product or service, but has it made the market better? With so many different brands competing in the same industry, is it still possible to make something authentic? GREATS co-founder Ryan Babenzien and NOAH founder Brendon Babenzien are two brothers with plenty of experience in brand building. We talk to them about the challenges of having an independent brand in 2016, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Brands mentioned in this podcast: www.greats.com www.noahny.com Visit www.highsnobiety.com for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices