It’s with great sadness that our time has come to an end. Wellgosh wasn’t just a clothing shop, its where many of us had our first taste of streetwear. I can remember my first visit to Wellgosh like it was last week, as a 13-14 year old on the hunt for a 5 panel cap and a Carhartt t-shirt. One of the first things I noticed as I walked through the doors was the smell of Nag Champa incense, 90s hip hop blaring through the speakers and a group of people who appeared more like a circle of friends than co-workers.
It’s the first shop I’ve ever been in where I felt like I was understood, noticing elements of all the niche subcultures I was fanatical about at the time. It developed the way I dressed, the music I listened to and the events I attended. For 35 years, we’ve served as a cultural hub for Leicester and the surrounding areas, although the store will be closing soon, the attitude of Wellgosh will always live on.
We’d like to thank everyone who’s supported us, whether it’s picking up some fresh pieces, attending one of our events or stopping on the high street for a chinwag.
The closing down sale runs in-store over the next couple of weeks, with massive savings on the best brands in streetwear including Nike, adidas, Carhartt WIP, Billionaire Boys Club, ICECREAM, New Balance and many more. There’s also last chance and one-off pieces from our high-end brands, featuring Needles, South2 West8, Cav Empt and Wacko Maria.
Leicester-born rap prodigy, long-term Wellgosh customer and all-round nice guy Sainté has been heralded as a wild-card and self-professed “Local MVP” for his unique fluid flow, relatable lyricism and UK-meets-USA-style beat production. From performing at Paris Fashion Week, to Virgil Abloh including one of Saintés tracks for his Louis Vuitton runway, to recent pictures together with Westside Gunn and his first ever Boiler Room performance, his momentum shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. We were lucky enough to catch up with him in between dates of his sold out Vacation tour, celebrating the release of his latest release of the same name, for a meet-and-greet sponsored by Billionaire Boys Club, held at our Leicester store.
The exclusive event kicked off with local producer and rapper Lemur Echo (@lemurecho_), playing laid-back experimental and conscious hip-hop to set the mood. Due to a slight delay in Sainté’s arrival (to be more than expected on his day off), we were graced with two of his specially selected tour DJs, debbiesthuglife (@debbiesthuglife) playing banger after banger and BB (@by._bb) supplying an eclectic mix of garage, grime and hip-hop. Whilst fans waited, a more than healthy supply of merchandise was available, with a choice of different graphic t-shirts featuring well thought-out graphics that go far beyond your standard tour merchandise.
With an infectious smile and a calming energy, the man himself arrived dressed in an all-brown outfit, featuring a New York Yankees fitted cap, the luxurious Astro Varsity Jacket from Billionaire Boys Club styled with a custom “YS” silver chain and pendant, brown custom SainteWood sweatpants and some tonal adidas terrace shoes for a timeless fit. Fans and friends were welcomed with pictures, hugs and welcoming conversation that confirmed one thing: Sainté is for the people.
You Can Stream Sainté’s Latest Release “Vacation”, Streaming On All Platforms.
Inspired by the community and spirit that surrounds subculture, be it music, art, comics or pro wrestling, LA-based creative collective Brain Dead return with their winter collection, leaning into their reputation of bold graphics and unique pieces that can be recognised from a mile away. The brand headed up by art director Ed Davis and co-founder Kyle NG leads this latest offering with the statements “Life’s too long to be uncomfortable, settle into yourself and reap the benefits” and “Squiggles, wiggles and stripes reinvent classic Brain Dead silhouettes into creative playgrounds”.
These statements ring true, with pieces that experiment with different textures including a plush Teddy Fur Striped Cardigan, a Polar Fleece Climber Shirt with a flat collar and press-stud fastening and the Organic Panel Fur Jacket with a fleece silhouette and a cut ’n’ sew faux fur/nylon panelling.
Other pieces include a GORP-inspired Cropped Hunting Jacket with a contrasting hood and boxy utility pockets, the BD bomber jacket with a large, stitched Brain Dead logo to the back and rubberised branding to the front, a selection of trucker, wool and classic 6-panel caps, cosy Winter staple beanies and a convertible pair of camo-print “Mountain Pants” with a built-in printed belt.
Maharishi shine a spotlight on the Chinese Lunar New Year for their most recent drop, with a collection of zodiac-inspired pieces amongst military-inspired streetwear staples. The rabbit is considered as a symbol for beauty, mercy and elegance, three perfect adjectives to describe the latest offering which boasts woodblock print and paper cutting-style graphics, taking elements from traditional Chinese art forms in motifs created by guest artist Allister Lee, alongside Ukiyo-e artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi.
These limited-edition pieces feature alongside a range of luggage accessories crafted from nylon inspired by military flight jackets, loose cargo shorts for the upcoming warmer weather, the pure cotton Pointillist Cargo Track Pants with a tonal all-over polka dot, cargo pockets and cargo straps and a matching Pointillist Camo Long Sleeve T-Shirt with a chest flap pocket.
There’s also a choice of colourways for the Triptych Water Dragon T-Shirt featuring a segmented woodblock motif, the Thai Script T-Shirt featuring a “Tour of Thailand” back print and many more pieces to choose from.
Founded in 2003 by Daisuke Yokoyama, Sasquatchfabrix. is a culmination of western streetstyle with a focus on elements from Japanese culture, reenforced by Yokoyama’s partner Araki, who moved away from Tokyo following the 2011 earthquake and nuclear disaster, forcing Yokoyama to reconsider the creative direction of the brand.
Yokoyama had grown up surrounded by westernised clothing, due to Japan’s obsession with foreign culture as an Island nation, much like the impact Americana had on the United Kingdom. This inspired him to include Japanese details in all further collections, bringing the two worlds together seamlessly.
This collection, aptly named 労働者を大切に which translates to “Take care of your workers”, features a selection of pure cotton t-shirts and a boxy, cotton-poly sweatshirt showcasing pro-working-class slogans and graphics. There’s also the Horse pure-cotton sweatshirt featuring woodblock-style artwork by the Japanese artist Kenji Suzuki, with a unique asymmetric panel stitching and the Yokota Air Base bomber jacket that features a stitched centre panel, which also showcasing Suzuki’s artwork.
Some other stand-out pieces include the bold and colourful Far East AG hoodie with an all-over print and a side split kangaroo pocket, the Trimming hoodie that has contrasting cotton jersey and striped ribbed paneling, the Classic Lace two-piece tracksuit with a multi-coloured side panel embroidered motif and, finally, the Synthetic Leather track jacket with a stand-up collar, a Lion of Judah embroidered chest motif and a woven lace tap to the sleeves.
Off the back of their first in a series of ongoing collections with German sportswear juggernauts Puma, Shauna Toohey and Misha Hollenbach return as the “refined yet unpretentious” graffiti-duo-turned-unintentional-brand Perks & Mini (or PAM, for short). After starting the brand with 2 grand and a computer back in Melbourne in 2000, it’s wild to think that a brand that was essentially a couple’s project that fused their interests together has gone on to collaborate with Carhartt WIP, Vans, Nike, Converse, Neighborhood and A Bathing Ape’s SK8thing.
This season’s collection boasts a selection of four different graphic t-shirts, alongside a loose-fit, long sleeve t-shirt with dystopian graphics, a corduroy overshirt with floral embroidery, a rugby-style striped long sleeve zip-up polo shirt, an acid-wash effect mock neck sweatshirt, a half-zip sweatshirt with a stitched PAM logo and finally, the Disc Man Half Panel sweatshirt, with cut ‘n’ sew paneling and a large screen printed graphic.
It seems like a lifetime ago since we were last graced with an archive-inspired curated collection from longtime adidas fan and collaborator Gary Aspden, but good things come to those who wait, and this instalment is sure to captivate adi-heads the world over. Off the back of a beautifully shot short film starring Stephen Graham set in the picturesque landscapes of Iceland, this collection celebrates the connection between humans and nature. Let’s breakdown some of the pieces, starting with the footwear.
The Hochelaga SPZL & Super
The Hochelaga makes its first return since 2016, in the form of the Hochelaga SPZL dressed in a deep blue and vibrant yellow colourway, and its neutral counterpart, the Hochelaga Super in a versatile white and navy. Both styles boast a premium upper with smooth leather overlays, with the Super in leather featuring side stripes framed with retro red borders (a common feature in the mid-to-late 80s release) and the Hochelaga showcasing a Nubuck suede construction. A synthetic lightweight tongue echoes indoor football shoes from seasons passed on the SPZL, whereas the Super has a traditional soft leather tongue, tied together with a streamlined gum sole unit for a retro look.
The Hartness SPZL
Continuing the theme, the Hartness SPZL takes cues from vintage 80s runners, in a triple-black colourway with a durable leather and mesh upper that’s complemented by a built-in outdoor-friendly aditex membrane. The midsole features a heel clip for added bump and scuff protection, reflective detailing and a grippy sole for cross-country comfort.
The Arkesden SPZL
The Arkesden SPZL fuses elements from the iconic Campus, a classic 80s silhouette worn by The Beastie Boys, and the Lacombe SPZL, that draws inspiration from both the Campus and the Stan Smith. This unique piece features a luxurious brown suede upper with stripe overlays and metal eyelets, finished with a dark cupsole.
The Hiaven SPZL
Fans of the Winterhill SPZL rejoice! This rough and ready hiking shoe has a tonal leather and suede paneled upper with trail-style laces, an aditex membrane and an exaggerated mudguard covering the toe and heel, sat atop a chunky EVA cushioned midsole and a specially shaped tread, perfect for muddy walks.
The Denim Italia SPZL
As a stark contrast to many of the GORP and adventure-friendly styles available in this collection, the elegant Italia SPZL gets a denim make-over, complete with brown leather tongue branding similar to that which you’d find stitched to the belt loop of your favourite pair of jeans. Samba-style toe paneling and a textured rubber toe bumper solidify this update on the 2000s model as a SPZL classic.
The Newrad SPZL
The final footwear offering is an updated seasonal take on the Newrad SPZL, originally released in 2020, with a balanced smart-casual moccasin look, dressed in monochrome brown leather upper with a gusseted tongue, finished with a stitched side motif and a tonal rubber outsole.
The Feniscowles Jacket
The Feniscowles Jacket is a military-meets-outdoor-utility jacket, in a rich olive colourway with a recycled polyester construction. The coat has a ton of useful pockets to the front, rear and sleeve, finished with a flat collar for a formal look.
The Kearsley Jacket
This bright orange parka jacket features two-tone paneling and a silhouette that celebrates the golden era of 80s mountain coats, with embroidered motifs and an adjustable hood and central drawstring for a customisable look. A zippered fastening is accompanied by a press-stud storm flap for added wind resistance.
The Tockholes Track Top and Track Pants
It wouldn’t be a Spezial release without a two-piece, and this elevated-yet-cosy tracksuit fits the bill, with a recycled fleece construction and an easy-to-style charcoal colourway making it perfect as a mid-layer and bottoms for easy Sundays.
The Feniscowles Hat
When you hear the word “Deerstalker” in relation to headwear, you may not naturally pair the Scottish hunting hat with a prestigious sportswear brand like adidas, but sometimes opposites attract. The Feniscowles hat has a recycled polyester construction and adjustable ear flaps, perfect for harsh weather conditions.
T-Shirts & Mid-Layers
Finishing on a high, there’s a great selection of pocket t-shirts, a long sleeve polo shirt and a half-zip sweatshirt to choose from, perfect to tie together any Spezial outfit, or for dinner dates, drinks with mates or away days.
The long-awaited collection from adidas Spezial, a sub-brand of adidas focusing on carefully designed archive-inspired pieces, is nearly here. For the pre-spring 2023 offering, Stephen Graham stars in a short film based in Iceland, with breathtaking visuals, as he traverses through the harsh landscape exploring the connection between humans and nature. The film also features two Icelandic legends, film director Fridrik Thor Fridriksson and composer Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, whose ambient and other-worldly tones soundtrack the awe-inspiring footage. This perfectly contextualizes the collection, which fuses style with functionality with a balance of technical and heritage elements, whilst still remaining true to the iconic aesthetic curated by self-confessed adi-head and long-term collaborator, Gary Aspden.
TERREX, the outdoor specific sub-brand of the household name and sportswear juggernaut, adidas, has created durable, functional and stylish pieces for hiking, skiing, snowboarding and pretty much any situation where you’d find yourself battling against harsh weather conditions. In the short film below, the TERREX team document the real-life story of Neil Campbell, the Luton-based Snowboarder, known as “Nine Lives” for his ability to recover from near-death sketchy landings on the daily.
Campbell’s story begins in Milton Keynes at the age of 18 at Woodhill prison, where he was serving a sentence in the juvenile ward for being a bystander at a fight that got out of hand at a local fair. He was released after the case revealed that he’d played a much smaller part in the incident than they’d initially thought, leading to Campbell discovering Milton Keynes XSCAPE Snowdome where he found employment.
Campbell became friend with a group of kids that would sculpt their own parks, who he’s still frineds with today, and after moving from the ticket office to sales, he was able to find pockets of time on the slopes where he began his self-taught snowboarding journey. It’s not just near-death experiences that Campbell is known for, but also his unorthodox approach to tricks, making each run captivating to watch with a real sense of unpredictability.
Fast forward to 2022, the time the film was made. Campbell is 40 and now a grandfather, with a son and two grown-up stepchildren, with a ton of tours under his belt and opportunities to return to these scenic parts of the world through PR and photo shoots. His words of advice? “Put yourself out there and find your community…don’t ever think something isn’t for you”. You can watch the full documentary above.
The Samba by adidas Originals has been one of the brands best sellers since its introduction in 1950, forecasted to be incredibly popular in 2023, but what makes this trainer so iconic? Let’s delve a bit deeper.
The first interpretation of the Samba was in 1949, designed to a mid-height silhouette with a kangaroo leather upper for durability, with a gum sole for added grip when warming up for football matches on icy pitches, finished with a rubber toe cap, three leather side stripes and golden branding. As a stark contrast, the shoe made its first appearance in the public eye at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where Samba culture, both a form of dance and a genre of music in South America, led to the shoe finding its name.
Following a series of redesigns, the shoe became what we know today, proving its timeless versatility through a choice of colourways and collaborations with Wales Bonner, Jonah Hill, Pleasures, IRAK and a teased upcoming collab with JJJJound. The first vegan-friendly version of the Samba was a testament to its undeniable style, selling out almost immediately.
Fucking Awesome, or FA as it’s known by those who don’t like cussing, has once again proven that they’re more than just a skate brand with their more than healthy offering of winter-ready pieces. Much to brand owner and pro-skateboarder Jason Dill’s dismay, the head-turning and often controversial brand has been making waves in a world he actively wanted to steer clear from: streetwear.
Featured on Transworld’s list of the 30 most influential skaters and being born in Huntington Beach, California, an epicentre for skateboarding, the sport and culture are a part of Dill’s DNA. After a difficult childhood moving around with his mother and an abusive relationship with his father, this drew Dill closer to skating and it wasn’t long before he was picked up for his first sponsorship with Droors/DC, then Alien Workshop, adidas Skateboarding, Vans and has been credited for helping to build the Supreme team. So how did FA start?
22 years ago, Mike Piscitelli, who’s resume includes creating music videos for J. Cole and Ozzy Osbourne, adverts for Beats By Dre and photography for a heap of star-studded names, moved in with Dill in a New York City apartment. Coming from a DIY background himself creating zines using pictures he’d taken at local hardcore shows, Piscitelli could see the promise in his roommate, so he suggested that they follow the path of surfer and streetwear legend Shawn Stussy and make a brand. Initially, they agreed on the name “Dill”, which was exclusively sold in Supreme’s New York and Japan stores, but after some thought Dill wasn’t comfortable with using his name. After a sketch on a napkin following Piscitelli’s feedback on the new moniker (along the lines of “that’s so stupid”), with some inspiration from punk band The Misfits and Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania” motifs, the logo was born.
Dill’s graphic-led t-shirts were quickly picked up by Supreme, as his Canal St apartment became a makeshift silk screen studio, using collages made from magazines, newspapers and other pieces of litter that were found whilst skating. Initially, he would hand-deliver the clothing to the Supreme store, but as the printing studio moved out of his apartment and the brand began to gather traction, the quantity versus the demand was skewed. Dill liked the exclusivity; it was his baby and he didn’t want it to become too readily available (although he wasn’t able to prevent the ever-controversial Kanye West from singing the brand’s praises). Then, in 2011, Alien Workshop was on a steep decline as most of their team moved on to pastures new, leaving a skate deck shaped hole in the market.
After the release of “Cherry”, Supreme’s iconic first skate video, a new generation had entered the skate world, who ended up making the bulk of FA’s skate team, alongside Dylan Rieder, Gino Iannucci and Kevin Terpening. Dill and Anthony Van Engelen released the first Fucking Awesome boards in 2013 with their unique “Shovel Nose” shape and the brand expanded far beyond their t-shirts. From here, there’s no telling where Fucking Awesome’s future lies, but with collections like their most recent winter release as pictured in this article, they’ve got a few tricks left up their sleeve.
FrizmWORKS, taking its name from the words “Freeze” and “Prizm”, was founded in 2010 by “Jay” An Jong Hyuk in the small city of Anyang, South Korea, with the majority of its employees living locally. With a slogan like “100% Satisfaction”, the brand’s outlook towards their products is clear. Hyuk’s aim is to create high quality apparel, with a focus on detail and wearability, without the high-fashion price tag.
FrizmWorks takes inspiration from vintage Americana and military-issued clothing, borrowing home-grown silhouettes and re-affirming South Korea’s undeniable influence on contemporary streetwear. In this latest collection, titled “In Doing We Learn”, they focus on the lessons they’ve learned with each collection, with Hyuk and his team striving to create pieces that are versatile and comfortable enough to wear in any scenario, with playful hidden features highlighted by the use of low-chromatic colours, alongside their masterful construction. The promotional video for this collection focuses on these stand-out details, starring Hyuk himself, with an aesthetic that wouldn’t look out of place as part of an arthouse indie movie.
The highlight pieces from this collection include the CN Utility Wind Jacket, a single-layer parka jacket with a cotton and nylon blend that delivers light protection from the wind and rain, with two large pouch pockets, a smaller chest pouch pocket and a zippered hidden pocket to the front. The jacket also boasts a fixed hood, adjustable hem toggles and a two-way zipper, cut to a boxy fit.
For a mid-layer, the M1965 Field Liner Jacket takes inspiration from military-issue quilted liners, cut to an oversized fit with the option of a zippered fastening for a relaxed fit, or a button-up fastening for a slimmer fit to lock-in heat under your top layer.
For your lower half, the Durable Division Pants deliver a comfortable relaxed leg, with stitched central seams, dual fatigue-style side pockets, a zippered thigh pocket for valuables and toggle adjustable ankle cuffs. A drawstring adjustable elasticated waistband provides extra space for an active fit.
