Kickin' it with Videovore Joe La Scola and Celebrating the Video Era with His Killer Chuck Taylor Customs!
VHS is back in fashion in more ways than you might think. Scrolling through the mind-melting conveyer belt of FaceBook and venturing through the endless wormholes of the weird world web, you’re apt to find folks using VHS and the video era as launching pads for physical fashion ranging in theme from classic graphic T’s (more here) to handbags made from old VHS guts (more here and here) to sunglasses crafted from the skeleton of our favorite format.
But perhaps the most exciting VHS fashion injection comes from the mega-cool brain of Mr. Joe La Scola. A co-founder of Spectrum Video and Home Video Xpress, Joe’s taken analog appreciation to new a height with his creation of super-groovy custom Chuck Taylors, celebrating some of the coolest golden age video labels. Read on, fellow tapeheads, and find out where your next pair of fresh to death custom kicks will be coming from…
If you think this one's bitchin', you should see Joe's Beetlejuice costume.
JS: As if putting out killer VHS tapes and making excellent analog age inspired bumper animations wasn’t enough, you’re the guy responsible for crafting these totally killer custom Chuck Taylors that celebrate video releasing labels. What inspired you to bring these bad boys to life? JLS: I was actually checking out some shirts that had all the classic labels on them, and I thought “That’d be really cool to put on a pair of shoes.” I wear primarily Chucks, so I thought they’d make for a good canvas with the amount of blank space on the outer side, especially with all the colors they come in. It was really just something I did for myself. Videovores are REALLY diggin’ these, man. What do you think of the reaction thus far? Does it make you want to expand? I think it’s great! I had no idea people would be all over these things. I mean, if people want them, I’d be more than happy to make them.
The question is: how much more awesome can these shoes be? And the answer is none. None more awesome.
A look at the super-groovy HOME VIDEO XPRESS customs. Drool. Drool. Drool.
A shot of my personal pair of Vestron Video customs, shipped to me in a box full'a magentic tape! Bury me now 'cause these puppies are gonna make me fresh to death.
If you're gonna sacrifice a copy of BATMAN on tape, this is the way to do it, dude.
Right on, Joe, right on! Does this dude rule or what? YOU’RE DAMN SKIPPY. You can contact Joe about any custom orders you may have bouncing around your video obsessed brain by emailing him through Joe
Interview by Josh Schafer