N.W.A. helped popularize the Raiders Starter jacket to the point that people were stealing — and in a few cases, even killing — to get their hands on one. What’s your reaction to the social cost of your success?
America is caught up in materialism. People will fight over anything. When a man comes and robs a man for a bag full of groceries, we don’t say we should ban groceries. People are always going to take things from each other. When something like that happens, I’m not like, “Aw, maybe we need to tone it down, maybe we need to wear purple and gold.” You’ve got to chalk that up to the sick materialism we’re all caught up in.
Agora Vintage
Agora Vintage is the most exciting new company in Norwich. Deadstock specialists, they have the largest stock of vintage snapback hats in Europe. They supply stores all over the continent, from Dogfish in Norwich, to Blitz in London and streetwear stores from Paris to Helsinki.
They also stock everyday vintage clothing from Harris tweed to cable knit sweaters and denim. They are looking for some part time staff right now – particularly guys. Duties will be modelling, steaming clothing and putting outfits together. Very casual and flexible. Send an email to info(at)agoravintage.com
A couple outfits for the week
Vintage Amcap Snapbacks. Bossing!
Amcap were the largest European manufacturer of licensed US sporting headwear in the 90s. Had the company stretched worldwide, they could bossed things! These two are their signature lines. The first is quite similar to the AJD Sunburst, while the second is pretty damn unique. We have more styles in both online.
This is how we flip the script
Sports Specialties should have done this more often. Starter were the brand that realised dudes were wearing their hats backwards, and put their distinctive logo smack bang in the middle for all to see – but Sports Specialties have some flipped up shit too. These Magic hats look like a regular cotton two tone from the front, but spin the hat backwards and you’ve got Sports Specialties’ trophy line right there. We also have some Phoenix Suns in this style somewhere…
Deadstock Delivery
A deadstock bomb just went off in the Agora warehouse. And just in time too.
Fashion Beans just blogged about the remarkable resurgence of the men’s sweatshirt. Its true; every streetwear brand out there is pumping out new designs each week of the classic wardrobe staple. Just as well that Agora Vintage just got in hundreds of deadstock printed sweatshirts as well as T-Shirts and tanks all USA made from 1990s with tags. We got a lot of new Mighty Ducks gear too!
For you London cats, lots of this gear will be available at the Blitz store on Hanbury lane.
American Needle Blockhead Snapbacks
Universal Prosona NFL Snapbacks
Universal was one of the dopest 90s snapback hat brands. They were always kinda under the radar, never really competing with the big boys. And they never had a signature line per se – no one hat style you could associate with them – but their Prosona is one of Agora Vintage’s all time faves, by any brand.
While Universal made NBA snaps too, this line was purely NFL. The Prosona name came from mixing the words “professional” and “persona.” Each hat would come with its own unique hang tag, with a picture associated with the team (not unlike the Starter Image Collection premise.)
The type font on each hat looks similar, but each one is in fact tweaked to mirror the personality of the team. The Redskins for instance, has tribal style affections to the font face, and a feathered Native American headpiece attached to the R. The Seahawks has a spiky, beak-like edge to the font, while the Oilers font is assembled by what looks like piping.
The hats are neatly topped off with the contrast snap and threading on the air holes. Green under brim as standard. The Prosona line does not come with the universal logo on the back, which is a shame, because its dope. See the bulls pictured below.
Starter Flame Snapbacks
Much love for the special starter joint we posted last week. The Starter Flame series was another big one in Glasgow Scotland. The hats were a made in short supply in the 90s, so to find a deadstock one today is something a bit special. They are certainly one of the more original Starter hats out there.
Mighty Ducks Snapbacks
The medley of all mighty ducks snapback medleys. Auctions running on mighty ducks snapbacks from 99 cents, no reserve.
Since Disney still own the image rights to The Mighty Ducks, the team remain the only popular franchise who’s merchandise cannot be re-created under normal NHL licensing laws. Therefore if you see a Mighty Ducks snapback it is always a vintage one. That’s why they are generally the most expensive pieces on the market.
That said, there are lots of fake Mighty Ducks snapbacks on the circuit right now. The colors are off, and they don’t have proper tags. Forget about those.