Uniting Heritage and Fashion in a Sneaker Masterpiece
Section 1: The Birth of Kids of Immigrants
Back in 2016, Daniel Buezo and Weleh Dennis founded the brand Kids of Immigrants. Over the past near-decade, they have carved out a distinct space in the streetwear world. Their threads are more than just clothing; they pay homage to the essence of their namesake - first-gen kids, their parents, and the communities they build. Tees and hoodies adorned with sincere slogans like "Support Your Friends" and "We Are Our Parents' Wildest Dreams" stood out against the backdrop of more detached and sardonic branding from their peers. This unique approach caught the attention of the streetwear scene and, subsequently, the Swoosh.The brand's commitment to authenticity and cultural representation has been the driving force behind their success. Their designs tell a story that resonates with a wide audience, making them a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry.Section 2: The Nike Invitation and the Air Max Sunder
Impressed by Kids of Immigrants' vision, Nike extended an invitation to collaborate on a colorway of the Air Max Sunder. This archival trainer first hit the shelves in 1999 but never quite took off. However, Nike revived it in 2022 with a colorway from staple collaborators Comme des Garçons. Now, Kids of Immigrants stands at the forefront of elevating this shoe to a new level of popularity.The released in two makeups - 'Sun Down' and 'Sunrise' - adds a grid webbing to the silhouette's shrouded neoprene upper, symbolizing global lines of longitude and latitude. Both versions boast gorgeous gradients; 'Sun Down' features deep violets and bright purples, while 'Sunrise' works with radiant yellows and oranges. Blacked-out soles and browned-out toe boxes allow the colors to shine unencumbered, with "KIDS OF IMMIGRANTS" emblazoned across the outsole. The original Sunders had the numbers "6453", but the KOI joints feature "3062", the last four digits of their community phone number. The sock liners read "JUST DO IT. TOGETHER", co-opting the Swoosh's iconic branding with a touch of that signature sincerity that has made Kids of Immigrants an indelible brand. Each pair also comes with a unique packaging detail - a phone card, familiar to those who grew up making international calls home.This collaboration is a perfect blend of Nike's heritage and Kids of Immigrants' cultural identity. It showcases the power of collaboration in creating something truly special.Section 3: The Impact and Future
Kids of Immigrants has a bona fide sneaker of the year contender on their hands with this first Nike collab. The shoes are set to go on sale this Friday, November 29 via Kids of Immigrants, with a second release coming in December via SNKRS. This collaboration is not only a testament to the brand's growth but also a sign of things to come.It represents a new era in streetwear, where cultural diversity and fashion collide. The success of this collab will undoubtedly inspire more collaborations between brands and designers, pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Kids of Immigrants has proven that with a clear vision and a passion for their craft, they can create something that transcends the boundaries of the fashion industry and leaves a lasting impact.Jennifer Garner's Family Moments and Holiday Plans
Thanksgiving at the Movie Theater
Jennifer Garner's presence at the local movie theater during Thanksgiving was a heartwarming sight. Her kids, Fin and Samuel, were enjoying their time with friends, and Garner was there to ensure their safety and well-being. The photos captured the essence of a family gathering, with everyone dressed in comfortable and casual attire. It was a moment of togetherness and relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.This Thanksgiving tradition holds a special place in the hearts of Garner and her family. It is a time when they can come together and create memories that will last a lifetime. The movie theater provided a perfect backdrop for their gathering, allowing them to enjoy a film together and bond as a family.Upcoming Christmas Plans
The upcoming months are indeed busy for people across the country, filled with traveling and family gatherings during the holidays. According to a report by SheKnows, Jennifer Lopez is planning to host a Christmas dinner for her extended family, which includes her former partner Ben Affleck and Garner, the mother of his kids. However, it remains unknown if Garner and her kids will be attending the event.While the relationship between Affleck and Lopez seems amicable, with their kids being friends, reports suggest that Garner has chosen to distance herself from their complex dynamic. A source told The Daily Mail that Garner's friends feel she should not have gotten involved in helping Lopez fix her marriage to Ben. "Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved in helping JLo to fix her marriage to Ben," said the source. "Jen no longer wishes to have communication with JLo unless it has to do with the kids."Despite the uncertainties, Garner and her family will still have their own Christmas plans. They will likely celebrate in their own way, cherishing the time together and creating new memories. Whether they attend Lopez's Christmas dinner or have their own gathering, the holidays will be a time of joy and togetherness for Garner and her loved ones.Unlock the World of Welding for Kids with This Inspiring Book
On an Adventure with Miguel, Rosie, and Sparkz
Flip through the book and you'll be transported to a world where welding comes alive. Miguel, Rosie, and Sparkz the dog embark on a journey, interacting with welders at work. In one scene, they visit the ocean and encounter an underwater welder, while in another, they meet a metal artist and their magnificent sculpture. The illustrations, drawn by Kluge's daughter, Kyla, dominate each page, creating a visual feast for the eyes. Kluge deliberately kept the words to a minimum, believing that this approach would open up discussions between children and parents. As you see someone welding underwater, it sparks a conversation that might lead to a deeper understanding of welding. This is the essence of the book - to inspire curiosity and exploration.For example, imagine a child looking at the illustration of the underwater welder. They might ask questions like, "How do they breathe down there?" or "What kind of tools do they use?" These questions can lead to a discussion about the different aspects of welding and the skills required. It's a simple yet powerful way to introduce children to a profession that might otherwise seem mysterious.
The book's description on Amazon and BookBaby pages echoes this sentiment. It states that the book is a means to get kids interested in welding and have fun along the way. It can create stories with them and inspire them to dream big. By showing children what it's like to work as a welder in a career, they can see the cool things that welders get to work on every day.
From a Non-Reader to an Advocate
As a child, Kluge didn't have a love for reading. However, the PBS show "Reading Rainbow" motivated him to change his attitude. This show's approach to engaging children and getting them to read stuck with him, and it inspired him to create his first picture book. He thought, "What if I did one of these that could have been on this show?" This idea became the foundation of "My First Welding Book."Kluge's own journey in the welding profession has been a diverse one. He has worked in production, job shops, and as a pipe welder, earning CWI/CWE certifications along the way. This experience taught him the value of welding education and gave him a chance to give teenagers and others more exposure to welding. Today, he is a welding instructor at Blackhawk Technical College and a technology education teacher at Beloit Memorial High School.
He is no stranger to advocating for the welding profession. Teaching has allowed him to share his passion with young people and show them why he fell in love with welding more than two decades ago. In the past, trades were not as popular as they are today, but Kluge believes that there is still a need to promote welding and its opportunities.
The Popularity of the Welding Program
So far, Kluge's efforts have been paying off. This school year, he teaches about 220 students at the high school, and for the first time, there is a waiting list to get into the welding classes. Kluge attributes this popularity to the inherent appeal of welding itself."I'm not out trying to sell it to anybody; I think it sells itself," he said. The practical applications and the sense of accomplishment that come with welding seem to resonate with students. They see the real-world value of this skill and are eager to learn.
With one published title under his belt, Kluge has big plans for the future. He'd like to take this concept to an older audience, perhaps middle school. While "My First Welding Book" is targeted at children ages 12 and under, preteens and teens might not find a picture book as appealing. He wants to explore more complex topics like machines and techniques, making them more understandable for older readers.
"I'm not sure how exactly that will lay out... I've got a few ideas in the works," he said with excitement. Kluge's passion for welding and his dedication to sharing it with others are evident in his work, and it will be interesting to see where his ideas take him next.