They say blood is thicker than water, but in the case of Toronto-based jewelry line Cement, it’s also heavier than gravel. Founder and designer Russell Gozlan comes from a family four generations deep in the jewelry industry, so every necklace is carefully crafted from conception to completion at the Gozlan family factory.

“I have the luxury of being hands on with the manufacturing process, which is really important to me,” Russell says. “Creating a new necklace is an exciting process and usually takes around one week from start to finish.  Once I have an idea of what piece I want to create, a mold is made over a few days which then goes into production.  Everything is made in Canada and either with sterling silver or gold.”

Cement started off, of all things, as a blog project, and it somehow evolved into a men’s jewelry line with a simple credo: “Simple shit to wear around your neck.” But then (as it usually happens when creative people choose to follow their dreams), things took off. Even though Cement is still in its nascent years, they have a dedicated following and a strong presence in the hipster blogosphere. Russell also recently hooked up with Pedro Winters, the man behind the Parisian house music label Ed Banger Records, to make some sick custom pieces for the COOL CATS Crew.

“Music is a huge part of my life, and definitely fuels my creative juices,” Russell asserts. “Right now I am listening to Phoenix, Harlem Shakes, Passion Pit and a cool band out of Toronto that my brother Rory manages called The Flyboys.”

Cement’s remarkable, tribal-influenced Summer Collection is now available via the brand’s website (www.thisiscement.com). Up next, they have collaborations with NYC scenester superstars DEE + RICKY, and a capsule expansion into t-shirts and varsity jackets.

So all you stylish dudes out there, don’t sleep on Cement – this jewelry line is the truth.

By Geo Hagan,
Photos By: The General Firm (Daniel Kroft)

During Coachella 09, the french electro artists from Ed Banger Records (Justice, Busy P, So Me, Medhi, Fafi, Gaspard, Sebastian, Kavinsky, etc) descended upon LA with their new clothing brand, Cool Cats, first ever pop up store in the US at De La Barracuda on Melrose in Mid City. On Monday, April 20th, 2009 A.C. (After Coachella), the social chameleons of the LA scene journeyed through the heavily trafficked LA arteries to an afternoon of relaxation in fashion and friendship with drinks provided by Red Bull, Belvedere IX and Colt 45s, and the side act of guest DJ sets from Medhi, So Me, , Sebastian, and Busy P (On his Birthday!) From the fashion side, limited edition presses of their apparel were on sale to grab up for all the trend setters to take back to their boroughs of the city and dawn on Tuesday. Surprise surprise: appearances from Guy Manuel of Daft Punk, Digitalism, Artist Darren Romanelli, Editor Jamie O’Shea, Photographer Lionel DeLuy (who for the fun of it, set up a photo booth for the day) and more. The result, a celebration of french music and fashion in LA. A good time had by all…

Some Cool Blog Recaps:
http://barracudashop.com/blog/?m=200904 (Halfway down the page)
http://youtellconcerts.com/?p=323
http://migueld.thelechuga.com/2009/04/23/cool-cats-barracuda/
http://www.findinternettv.com/Video,item,167620017.aspx
http://trashageyo.blogspot.com/2009/04/cool-cats-pop-up-store.html

Words by Josh Greenberg, Photos by Zoetica Ebb