This is the latest project from Dr Romanelli, made exclusively for retailer JUSTONEEYE (Check out the Ed Ruscha designed web interface!)

Inspired by rock icon Janis Joplin, Made For Pearl introduces a new collection with limited edition vests created exclusively for Just One Eye by designer Dr. Romanelli. Part Gypsy Rambler and part Cosmic Cowgirl, Janis Joplin took Flower Child fashion and gave it grit and fire. She flaunted a vibrant, unapologetic persona and brash, in-your-face glamour.

The Janis Joplin estate carefully sourced vintage pieces for the project, allowing Dr. Romanelli to work the restructure and re-purpose magic for which he’s known.

The result is the first pieces of what promises to be an incredible upcoming collection – 5 stunning vests of fur and leather that perfectly capture the spirit and aesthetic of Janis Joplin.

Modern bohemian fashion owes it’s very lifeblood to Joplin freewheeling, revolutionary style and it seems only fitting that we take that inspiration to create a line as enduringly modern and timelessly relevant – as Joplin’s own colorful legacy.

The collection is available here.

Dr. Romanelli | Janis Joplin’s “Made for Pearl” for JUSTONEEYE is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Dr. Romanelli returns to his roots in a way with his latest project, his own re-working of Nike Sportswear’s Destroyer Jacket. Romanelli first came to fame in this culture through his re-working of Jordan Jackets, this Destroyer Jacket is reminiscent of those times. The Jacket which is 1 of 1 was created in support of the Black AIDS Institute and its mission to stop the AIDS pandemic within black communities. The Black AIDS Institute hopes to raise awareness and resilience in the face of the HIV disease.

Nike Sportswear x Dr Romanelli Destroyer Jacket is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

The Converse x Dr Romanelli “Beetle Bailey x Popeye” Collection makes for welcoming news with the Los Angeles based design working together with the iconic shoe maker to great effect not for the first time. In addition to this look at the two silhouettes, an interesting interview has surfaced on Dr Romanelli’s blog, which you can read below.

1.    Do you have a personal story about the Chuck Taylor you can tell us? What is your relationship to the shoe?

As early as I can remember I’ve had a pair of Chucks in my closet. I’d say I have a pretty serious personal affinity with the shoe.  In early 2000 when I decided to experiment with the “Dr Romanelli” brand, I chose to rework a collection of Chucks as my first project. I had started collecting zippers around that time so I manifested a unique hybrid Chuck
Taylor with patchwork panels and zippers integrated on the tongue.

2.    This is your third (?) collaboration with Converse, how did you approach this differently than in past collabs?

It’s actually my fifth. This collab was inspired by the last “USA” Cup Sole drop. Americana plays a major role in the Dr. Romanelli brand. I’ve always appreciated the classic Army vs. Navy rivalry our nation has celebrated since 1890, when the two Academy football squads first faced off. That said, I approached the Army vs. Navy release differently in that there are two parts to the equation: Beetle Bailey as Army vs. Popeye as Navy. Although they take on the personality of two of the world’s most famous cartoon characters, the shoes are designed to evoke our nation’s core military divisions. They are a quintessential piece of a larger collection and an even larger story.

3.    What was your inspiration behind the design and can you tell us a bit about the cartoon characters you are working with and how they came to be muses for Converse shoes?

My inspiration was the classic Army vs. Navy rivalry. Each shoe pays particular tribute to textiles and classic designs from their own branch of the service. The Beetle Chuck salutes a classic Vietnam-era jungle boot while the Popeye Chuck captures the essence of sailor man via the authentic, rich wool upper and rope laces. The interiors of both shoes are lined with vintage cartoon strips – completing the connection back to their respective properties.

We always talk about America as the land of opportunity, where anyone can achieve their dreams. In that same tradition, Popeye and Beetle Bailey both went from humble beginnings to become two of the most iconic characters in comic art history. Popeye began life as a walk-on character in “Thimble Theatre,” Elzie Segar’s popular comic strip about Olive Oyl and her family. The public liked him so much that he quickly emerged as the star of the strip. Beetle started out as a college cut-up and it wasn’t until creator Mort Walker put him in the Army that his popularity soared. Today, both of these characters are loved the world over.

4.    Collaborations are about bringing together things that fit naturally and yield inspiring results. These collaborations are clearly great looking shoes. Can you tell me your thoughts on why this is a great collaboration?

It’s clearly a great collab – first and foremost because of the epic history all three of these brands share, with Converse dating back to the early 1900s, Popeye to 1929 and Beetle to 1950. Additionally, all three have strong American roots and there is something special about that. The collab seems right to me; it’s one of those drops that just makes sense.

Converse x Dr Romanelli “Beetle Bailey x Popeye” Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Boylston Trading Company is excited to mark the launch of their new online venture with a limited run of Japanese selvedge denim. The pant is limited to 50 pieces and was made in collaboration with Japanese premium menswear brand, Anachronorm, and Los Angeles based designer, Dr. Romanelli. Each pair comes in a straight fit and features a custom branded leather patch, gold hardware and tonal “DRX” embroidery on the left leg.

This is part one of the exclusive Boylston project with a 5 pair capsule of 1 of a kind Romanelli denim reworkings coming soon.

Available exclusively on www.BoylstonTradingCo.com

Anachronorm & Dr. Romanelli for Boylston Trading Company is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pulse Art / 800 W Olympic Blvd / Los Angeles / United States

The Green Box Project by Beck’s featuring Dr Romanelli “Craneo Scope” is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Medicom Toy and Dr Romanelli have teamed up to great effect once again, this time with the LA based designer adding his critique to iconic characters Beetle Bailey and Popeye. Highlighted by the respective military and navel themes, this makes for a great release in both 100% and 400% versions.

Thanks to Toy Beast for the info.

Medicom Toy x Dr Romanelli Beetle Bailey & Popeye Bearbricks is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Here is another compelling installation from surgeon DR Romanelli, this time creating a collection exclusive for PROJECT in Las Vagas.

The Dr Romanelli “Atlantic Yachting” collection was created specifically for my good friend Nick Wooster’s installation at PROJECT Las Vegas. The textiles were sourced through Captain Alexander Pincus and his Atlantic Yachting business in Manhattan NYC . We were at dinner a few months back and Alex offered to ship me a selection of his older sails that had been in storage , some dating back to the late 80′s . I had never worked with sails before but was inspired by the idea of reworking them into a collection of blazers, shorts and bags for PROJECT WOOSTER. I was very intrigued by the spinnakers which help move the sailboat faster downwind. The spinnaker is often a colorful sail and it was amazing to see the effect the salt has on the deterioration of the fabric revealing the under-layer of materials. I tried to mimic this visual by selecting lighter textiles for the DRx garments revealing the bold linings via the blazers and shorts.

Dr Romanelli “Atlantic Yachting” Collection for Project Wooster is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

It’s ocean foam and mountains majesty. It’s heat off the Mojave sand; metallic ice on stone-faced Rockies.  It’s the street, the city, the swagger. It’s style and strut, pavement and boardwalk. It’s glass and steel and cracked freeway dust. It’s all colors and it’s all creeds.  It’s identity, creativity… and fashion as free expression.

It is…The Americans.

Taz Arnold AKA TI$A is the spawn of Inglewood, of Cali beach culture at the edge of urban funk, earthy, artistic, psychedelic… and place where a boy could surf in Venice, shoplift on Rodeo and smoke a jay high up in the hills, all on one fine day.

Always into high style and a consummate collector, over the years, Taz accumulated a massive array of some of the most coveted designs of all time – Ralph Lauren Polo. His became an archive, without rival.

“I was the Number One Polo booster,” he remembers, “God of Polo ’88-’98.”

And… little did he know it then… but he would become the keeper of the Polo shrine… of the burning flame… a future Polo pop culture historian.

Taz would go on to become a successful musician, producer and style icon, working with the likes of Dr. Dre and Kanye West. His collection expanded, this time acquired legit. Then, one day, Taz took another look at his Polo stash, kept in storage all these years, and realized he had something special.

Seeking out the talents of DRx, a world-renowned designer and marketing pioneer, Taz embarked on his newest high adventure. The two collaborators became “Cowboy” and “Indian”, working together from a mutual fascination with design, music, fashion and the power of style as reinvention.

The result is TI$A’s past – come back to life. The Americans is an experiment in art and clothing – a revamped and reconstructed line of one-of-a-kind wearable work.  Taking Taz’s massive collection of vintage Polo, the duo have cut and collaged and reworked and revolutionized. Utilizing a mix of nostalgia, admiration and innovation, The Americans have resurrected and reformed Ralph Lauren’s legendary line.

The result is Taz’s cherished archives – now transformed into a limited run of exquisite, hand sewn jackets, hat, and totes. The Americans have taken Polo’s iconic early ‘90s Teddy Bear/Ski Lodge prep, beloved by early hip-hop icons and cool kids alike… and transformed it into their own poetic ode to pop culture.

God bless The Americans!

Dr Romanelli ‘The Americans’ Commisioned by Taz Arnold is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

SLAMXHYPE / What’s your favorite thing about where you live?

DR ROMANELLI / The weather

SLAMXHYPE / Your favorite store in your city?

DR ROMANELLI / Mister Freedom

SLAMXHYPE / What are three items you don’t leave home without?

DR ROMANELLI / Laptop, phone, wife

SLAMXHYPE / What’s your favorite holiday location?

DR ROMANELLI / Maui

SLAMXHYPE / One place you really desire to visit?

DR ROMANELLI / Valle Nevado in the Chilean Andes.

SLAMXHYPE / What are the worst trends around today?

DR ROMANELLI / Faux Haux, pointy toe shoes, thick framed glasses with clear lenses, socks with sandals and crocs.

SLAMXHYPE / What’s the best thing to come out in 2011 to date?

DR ROMANELLI / OHWOW Los Angeles.

SLAMXHYPE / What’s the must have item for you for FW2011?

DR ROMANELLI / I’m really feeling the Junya Watanabe Comme des Garcons collection. Loving the knitted blazers and outerwear.

SLAMXHYPE / What are you reading?

DR ROMANELLI / Ram Dass “Be Here Now”

SLAMXHYPE / What are you listening to?

DR ROMANELLI / Wilco’s “The Whole Love”

SLAMXHYPE / What’s the best film you have seen in the last year?

DR ROMANELLI / Mike Mills’ “Beginners”

SLAMXHYPE / Your favorite website?

DR ROMANELLI / Not sure, don’t really have a favorite

SLAMXHYPE / What influences you on a daily basis?

DR ROMANELLI / My daughter

SLAMXHYPE / What will you do after this interview?

DR ROMANELLI / Drink coffee

5 Mins With… Dr Romanelli is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

tAz Arnold and Dr. Romanelli have come together to blend their creative minds.. the result ‘The Americans.” This short film gives us a preview, and a glimpse at how the 2 with such differing styles are able to merge together their influences into one project.

Source: HB

Dr Romanelli x tAz Arnold “The Americans” Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Dr Romanelli x Beetle Bailey “Property of Camp Swampy” Videos is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

To celebrate the release of video game auteur American McGee’s critically acclaimed Alice series, “Madness Returns,” world renown designer Dr. Romanelli was asked to produce an item as unique and artistic as American’s vision, and the results are as mysterious as Alice’s travels.

Using the Japanese textile “Boro,” a mended and patched material over a 100 years old, Dr. Romanelli was able to encapsulate both the dark and mysterious elements of the traditional Alice In Wonderland folklore and the unique, detailed vision of American McGee. Limited to only 3 pieces in total, the Dr. Romanelli “Alice” Blazer is something you’ll want to see in person.

Dr. Romanelli explains, “Boro textiles are usually sewn from 19th and early 20th century rags and patches of indigo dyed cotton. The diversity of the patches on any given piece is a veritable encyclopedia of hand loomed cotton indigo from old Japan, mostly created by happenstance and not planned by the maker.”

The result of ancient late night stitching in a farmhouse, Boro is a creative process all on its own, which in this case is also used as a canvas for symbols and inspiration from American’s newest title. The rabbit on the front chest, and the Omega necklace found around American’s Alice (found on the back of the jacket), both represent the influence American’s creativity had on the special Dr. Romanelli pieces. Both of these characters are made from Boro and hand stitched to the blazers .

In addition to the characters, each jacket is made with a vintage satin lining containing a hidden “blood splattered” DRx prescription.

Exclusive for America, the incredible rare “Alice” Blazer will be unveiled at Gallery1988 for the “American McGee’s Alice” art show and party, running during E3 in Los Angeles. There is an E3 Private reception on Wednesday, June 8th and a public reception on Thursday, June 9th, from 7-10 PM. Artwork from Luke Chueh, Chet Zar, Kevin Tong, Ken Taylor and NC Winters will also be on display. You can learn more about the event and Gallery1988 by visiting gallery1988.com.

Dr Romanelli x American McGee “Alice” Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Bamford Watch Department lead the way when it comes to watch customization, and this project with another renowned customizer Dr Romanelli makes for another compelling project. By reworking the Rolex Milgauss with a polished black finish, notable detailing is on the face with hands that features scissors referring to Dr Romanelli’s surgical approach. Completing the design is the jet black dial, contrasting second hand provide a balanced offsetting, and Dr Romanelli’s logo in the corner.

Bamford x Dr Romanelli Rolex Milgauss is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Dr. Romanelli’s latest capsule collection is in collaboration with Japan’s Anachronorm. Paying tribute to the Detroit City auto industry. More specifically, the hard-working steel and factory workers of Detroit at the turn-of-the century. While Japan’s Anachronorm re-create authentic americana, Dr. Romanelli works the pieces into something quite unique. Available now in-store and online at Haven.

Dr. Romanelli x Anachronorm “Detroit Steel Works” Collection is a post from: SLAMXHYPE

Clothing surgeon Dr Romanelli has once again applied his unique critique through another compelling piece. Entitled “Summer’s On The Fringe”, this vest features a typically astute plaid body while the distinctive light brown Navajo-esque motif to both the front and back of the design.

Dr Romanelli “Summer’s On The Fringe” Vest is a post from: SLAMXHYPE