Whilst scanning the High Snobiety blog I was pleasantly surprised to see the new lightweight style Vans SRPLS. Designed from the California-based label’s Surf collection and constructed from eco-friendly materials, the sneaker is done up with camo ripstop uppers over a clean white sole. You can get your hands on them at Wish. I love them, g’head love them too.

On the hunt for the UK’s top independent retail stores we stumbled across Wood, in the great city of Manchester. To find out just how they cracked in to the thriving retail vibe on Manchester’s city streets, I asked them a few questions. Tersam’s the man with the plan, take a look here to find out what his story is:

Whats your name and what do you do?

My name is Tersam Sangha from A Shop Called Wood in Manchester. We are a retail store, design team and recently launched our house clothing brand Cyrus Wood. The belief is that we can and ought to try and embrace diversity from all angles of life, fashion, music, art and general style can all be bought from all corners of the world but 99% is all the same, we are that 1% that actually want to build a community of like minded people from around the world.

Tell us the story of Wood, where did it all begin?

The store came about as a reaction to the mass of cheap, throw away fashion that was being poured down our throat on a 24/7 basis. I used to collect big E Levis and Adidas sneakers in the 80’s; the emphasis was always on quality and design. This was all lost in 2003 when the beginnings of the store came about. It was impossible to find any of the clothing that we wanted.

The brands that we first carried in the store when we opened on June 21st 2004 were all dear to our heart and we felt close to their ideals. Silas, Perks and Mini, Surface to Air, Birdie, YMC, Horace, Fred Perry, Call of the Wild, Maharishi, Henrik Vibskov and loads more. These brands have gone through allot of changes as has the store.

We were blessed to have worked with some of the best talent around, that included Kai and Sunny, one of the best design teams in the world. They designed our logo, artwork and the whole graphic feel of the store. The logo font for Wood came into one of the best font designs book shortly after. They then redesigned our website for us in 2008; we are obviously big fans of their work and will always work with them whilst on this journey.

Very early before the beginnings of the shop we met Russell Waterman from the Silas and Maria family Silas and Amos, these guys held that natural quality that a good brand should have that shines through, they worked as a family and treated us with the most genuine attitude that is very hard to find these days. This influence d us to work with genuine people (Gimme 5, Denim is everything, PAM etc.) that have the rare talent to see something special way before anyone else.

How did Manchester like the store? Did you find it hard to build up that faithful customer base?

The store was a tremendous success from the minute we opened our door, customers quickly became friends and that grew exponentially. The methods were to work with only the best people around at that time, be genuine and only do what you truly believe in.

What is it that you love about your area, are you proud of the area you’ve built Wood’s home in?

The Northern Quarter of Manchester has a family feel to the area, we love, there were 28 record shops in the area alone when we started. As teenagers we used to sit downstairs in the basement of Eastern Bloc, where only friends were allowed and pioneers of the music scene were allowed, we also used to frequent Dry Bar which was at one point the best bar in the world and possibly one of the first in the UK at the time of the Hacienda.

So yes, the area holds a special place in our heart.

What have you got going on at the moment, any interesting projects for 2010?

2010 has kind of reinvigorated my passion for the clothing industry, it became impossible to find a brand that was special, that wasn’t sold in every city around the country, and we decided to unleash Cyrus Wood.

Cyrus Wood is the name of the company that owns the 2 stores and website and now the brand, It was always part of the plan in 2003 when we began this journey, the reason it’s called Cyrus Wood is two part, firstly one of the best pieces of cinema very made The Warriors and the leader of all and secondly as part of a one of my favourite artists in the world Andy Goldsworthy and his book called Wood.

This is a combination of ideas that could not be further apart, but managed to capture my imagination and best exemplify how I felt about the arts as a discipline.

Born out of a dissatisfaction with an over saturated menswear market, Cyrus Wood aims to restore a sense of uniqueness to menswear, creating a brand that is limited in run and availability.

We dropped our second part of the first collection in January 2004 and it sold out within a few weeks, this was a collection of shirts in corduroy, gingham, and a beautiful cotton drill, Also shirt jackets in Wool. It uses only British fabrics and is Made in England; it is a paramount ideal of Cyrus Wood and we feel passionate about this fact. From the first moment that I used to visit the woollen mills that my family worked in and the shoe factory that my mum worked at, that I used to visit as a 12 year old, I fell in love with this industry. It pains me deeply that the government allowed the Capitalist executives to sell the soul of the clothing industry in this country to the Far East. Factories all in Manchester and Leicester, fabric mills in Yorkshire and Lancashire closed over night when the likes of Marks and Spencer’s moved production over to the Far east, and these companies even used the management teams from the UK to train the staff in China on the pretence that they will never produce outside of the UK and they then called them and cancelled their contracts and factories had to close overnight.
The Italians and French managed to protect their clothing industry unlike the crooks over here.

Without getting too political , we would like to stress that Cyrus Wood is about design and not just concepts like most others out there, it’s about special fabrics, a great fitting garment that our customers will grow to love and that will become a staple part of their wardrobe.

Made exclusively in England, the label is quality driven with quality fabrics manufactured in only the highest quality factories in the UK.
Cyrus Wood is not street style. Cyrus Wood is not disposable and it is especially not Fashion. Cyrus Wood is a faith, an idea, a belief, a Tribe.

Cyrus Wood is a utilitarian menswear label for the conscious man’s wardrobe.

For people interested in starting up an independent retail venue, what would you tell them that you wish you’d known back when you opened?

Fashion is inevitably one of the most immediate expressions of culture and the most pervasive one. You need to think about the clothes we wear, how they are made, where they are made and who made them, put the craft back into clothing. It is important to keep the workmanship high, our lives are so divorced from the source of things, we need to reinforce quality craftsmanship and engineered garments. This is what makes fashion exciting and gives its depth that we can use to mark our own achievements.

It will encompass your whole life, enjoy the ride.

What have been the absolute high points of the store?

When we started selling out own label in 2008, customers could not keep their hands off the garments, when they walk into the shop and tell you that one of your designed garments have become their favourite garment and they have to stop themselves from wearing it every day (…so buy another one)!

What are the future goals for Wood, what do you want to have accomplished by the end of this year?

We will be visiting our friends from around the world, building our tribe and having a good time.

Making music, art, love and clothes. Watch this space, Cyrus Wood will be entering phase 6 and be going into some of the best stores worldwide and be working with some Heritage British Brands, cannot say too much now, I will holla back when we are ready to let you guys know.

Bubbling on the underground for the last 6 years, 2010 see its foray into the public conscience.

So in other words, watch this space cats! This brand will be not only spreading the (retail) love all over Britain but conquering the world in on the menu too!

The latest SIZE? mailer, you get a sneak peak at some classic b-ball kicks and also a good look at Adidas’ new A.039 collection of which I am dying for the piano tee. Directional, european design aesthetic with thought behind the graphical pattern.

The people over at SIZE? have teamed up once again with Fred Perry to bring a sweet load of collaboration goodness. They sold out super fast, but now have a load more back in stock so to get yourself kitted out in one of the polo’s or kicks, head down to SIZE? and get your paper out.

Vans Vault worked for Spring 2010 with Donny Miller on a Slip-On. What might at first appear as an Authentic, is actually a slip-on with a large all-over graphic print. It comes in 2 colorways as part of the Vans Vault Spring 2010 Collection.

Check out these pumps in blue too!

This week marks the delivery of The Hundreds Footware Holiday ’09 collection. The collection includes three sneaker styles, freshly produced in winter-appropriate fabrication.

The Johnson Low-Top makes a comeback with a suede leather upper. Available in Purple, Grey and Black. Here shown in purple:

The Johnson Mid-Top is re-imagined in nubuck leather. Shown here in Blue and also in Olive. This shoe is also available in Black:

…and the Valenzuela Low-Top features buckskin rawhide leather construction. Available in Olive, Black and shown in Brown:

They say you shouldn’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk, and we’re just here to make sure your walk is nice and comfortable…
Available on Thursday at the THLA and THSF stores.

With the new revival of the ProKeds Shotmaker, which was originally released in the 80s, like everything else that’s worth paying attention to. I’ve decided to list my top five shoes for this fall season, 80’s inspired or not.

ProKeds Shotmaker: feature a very ’sleak and classic appearance’ with the signature Pro-Keds detail. Found in the three different colorways. Check out this sneaker soon to be release online at Crooked Tongues Store.

TOMS slip-ons: Although I don’t own a pair yet, I’m definitely going to hop aboard the TOMS ‘one for one’ shoe wagon. Their commitment to donate a pair of shoes to a child in need with every pair you purchase, one for one, make TOMS both a desirable and inspirational shoe to choose. Sold in a variety of styles and fabrics, everyone can find a pair of TOMS they fancy.

Mocassins: The official slipper of every young child and every OAP. I had a pink pair of Mocassin slippers when I was about 3 years old. Now I’m happy to see they’re in fashion, not only for the elderly men who wear their slippers out on the town, but in all sorts of varieties for everyone else. My favourite style is the ankle high, fringed version, like these. But you can get them in low tops, no tops, high tops, knee high boots, mens, womens, slip on, laced, fringed, un-fringed, woolen, stuffed, tassles, no-tassles, beaded and from then on the styles are just endless. They come in a variety of fabrics and shapes too, from suede to leather and flip flops to heels.

JuJu Jellies: Just like in the 80’s those jellie shoes that were always sold at the beach were hott stuff when I was about 8 years old. So I was stoked when they brought out JuJu Jellies a couple of summers ago. I bought a pair of Fergie Jellies for £8, shown above on the left. The upper is interlinking moulded fabric effect, and has a low wedge. The insock is textured and the sole is hollow which makes it light weight and flexible. They’re perfect for absolutely all occasions as no one will know they’re made of jellie, and they’re great to go out dancing in. Also as a side note, they come in handy if you don’t have a fish on you to slap some drunken pervert with.

Moon Boots: Made famous by Napoleon Dynamite, oh and astronauts. I had some when I was 6 years old and wore them day-in day-out to school, so who ever says they aren’t summer shoes is mistaken! Those upper class moon-booters can get their mitts on some Adidas Snow Paradise boots, shown above, that I’m saving my pennies for. For everyone else, and the option I’ll probably have to take, they are also sold at lots of ‘high street’ outlets, such as Primark.

And finally…
Reebok Freestyle High Tops: The shoes I’ve been in love with since I first laid eyes on them, so much so that I bought two pairs at once. You’ll probably spot me wearing these, whether I’m popping out to pick up the post in my pyjamas, wearing them instead of slippers, if I’m out jogging or just on a day-to-day basis. A modern twist on the shoe that started it all. Reminiscent of the aerobics shoe from the 1980s, today’s Freestyle has updated styles and colours but remains the same. Always has been, always will be a ‘cool’ shoe.

And there you have it, Sharon’s Top 5 shoes for this Fall.
So fresh and so clean.

What is up my UK street-heads, RISE fanatics, and general people who accidentally end up here due to our good SEO….props to ranui.

So, I’ve been having some e-mails from O-sneaker who keep sending me random drops so I have decided to post one up to see if they want to get in contact and maybe say hello. I much prefer it if brands / stores say hello, even if it is just a generic ‘hi tom, hope you’re well mate. Please post this up’. At least a little effort in personalising it goes a long way!

Anyway…the Air Jordan I (1) Emerald Green is part of the “Do The Right Thing” pack. This is a very special retro, the original metallic green Jordan 1’s resell for $1500+ and are almost impossible to find. Now twenty five years later the Jordan brand has decided to retro this high quality retro. These shoes are releasing to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the movie “Do The Right Thing” which has always been a very important marketing theme for Jordan brand. This is a limited release with less than 3,000 pairs being produced.

Peace out homies…

The Fury Neighborhood sneakers will be released soon as part of the 2009 Spring/Summer collection. It will come in high top and low top sneakers in Black premium leather uppers with White soles and print details, i’m really feeling these.