Frank151 cru taking it easy at the Chop Shop.
Hello people! I know it’s already been a few days since I came back from The Big Apple and these posts are a little late but better now than never. Let me start my NYC journals off with humbly introducing you to the totally rad guys of Frank151/Frank’s Chop Shop…
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Frank151, it’s a free magazine launched by Stephen and Mike Malbon. The basics of the Frank magazines can be crystallized to the following words of Benjamin Franklin (who acts as a kind of inspirational father figure behind the publication):
“If you would not be forgotten, As soon as you are dead and rotten, Either write things worthy reading, Or do things worth the writing.”
Popping up four times a year, each issue is curated by some random people you might find hanging on the street corners (past guest curators include alife, SSUR, Futura etc.). Some issues are dedicated to special themes or locations such as Japan or Miami. During the past six years of their heavier-than-thou grindin’, Frank151 has left its mark to the field of street smart publishing for good by showcasing various talented people and collectives around their ever growing “family”. In short, Frank151 is one of the best publications you can get your hands on.
Anyway, the sun was blazing through the whole two weeks when I crisscrossed around the streets of LES. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon I happened to run across Craig Wetherby, Frank’s photo editor among a thousand other things (NB! Please do check out his ridiculously dope personal site and myspace). I’m glad I had a chance to changed some thoughts and ideas with him. Craig showed me around the Frank office, handed me a pile of all kinds of Frank stuff (see below) and talked some serious business considering some teamwork between Frank and Mashmarket, from which you’ll be hearing more later.
Men at work: a glance to the Frank151 office.
I hadn’t really given so much thought about the Chop Shop (at the corner of Essex and Hester St.) before I actually was able to visit there, but I must confess: what a killer concept it is to have the city’s best barbershop in front of the editorial office of the city’s best magazine. Although you might not be into the latest Downtown kool guy hairdos, this is an excellent place to have at least a proper shave while filling your pockets with some great reading and struggling to decide which New Era to buy this time from their exclusive collection.
Walls covered with legends.
Frank’s Chop Shop: interior design from back in the days teamed up with cutting edge razorblade assasins of today.
Be prepared to see these books in Helsinki soon…
Images from SlamXHype.
Another concept attached to the Frank brand is the Frank Distro League. What’s up with this is basically that the Frank team hits up with distinctive creative posses from different cities to create series of collaborations like New Eras and tees, and, of course, to let these posses curate an actual Frank issue with a special twist of each city. Target cities have up to date been from the States, but Craig kindly revealed that Frank is eager to extend its tentacles to Europe (as a matter of fact they’ve already had an issue focusing exclusively on France where their following is strongest Europe-wise). After introducing Craig to what is happening with Mashmarket and Helsinki in general and showing him the brand new Vice Guide to Helsinki (and especially the map attached to it), we ended up with some interesting conclusions when it comes to figuring out Frank’s next extension locations…
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