Not enough? Well, he was mentioned in the Wall Street Journal and was featured in a Mountain Dew Commercial. Still not impressed? Fine. He also makes his own yoyos under the name CRUCIAL. The Milk (2007) and Milk 2% (May 2008) were instant best-sellers! Success was imminent; I mean, who better than the world champion to take on the production of yoyos? Paul's yoyo releases cause websites to crash as soon as they're up for sale. Believe the hype. So we were taken aback when he asked us to help release his new highly anticipated yoyo called the "Heavy Cream":
We definitely had our work cut out for us! So we quickly scrambled through our list of friends in search of a studio, photographer, model, and makeup artist. Luckily we found a perfect match for each: Bennett Malibu's warehouse, Randy Asis and Rodel Valdez, Ayanna Nagasaki, and Anne Nguyen, respectively.
All it took was a simple phone call to get photographers. Randy, who's been yoyoing since 1996, met Paul at a competition way back. He and his pal Rodel have been delving into the world of photography for quite some time.
Rodel's a nerd.
Randy's feeling dandy.
We were suffocated by boxes and boxes of clothing as soon as we set foot into the studio. It was actually quite refreshing and motivational to see another company's success. A beautiful backdrop complimented with three bulky lights emerged out of the messy workroom.
The shop actually had high caliber lights called the Travelite 750. Rodel was excited to play with the Travelites: "These are much better than mine(Camulet Genesis 400). They have a stronger light source with faster responses. Works like a tank!" Yahtzee!
One thing was clear--photography is not a cheap hobby. Rodel was equipped with the following: Canon 50D($1199), Lens: 24-70mm L series($1100), Vertical grip battery pack($200), and Light: Camulet Genesis 400($299). That's right kids. Start saving up your milk money if you want to take flicks of beautiful women and the coolest clothing brands on Earth!
Speaking of beautiful women, Ayanna and Anne graced us with their presence.
A good friend of Paul's, Ayanna was more excited than we were to bring this project to life! Our homegirl Anne drove all the way from Pomona to help little ol' us make this happen. With a BA in Fashion Design, she has a sharp eye for putting together hair, makeup and wardrobe. Not only is she professional and passionate about her work, Anne is laid back and down to earth. If you ever need a makeup artist, and let me emphasize the word ARTIST, Anne is the go-to-gal who will fulfill that requirement, and then some "for the Nguyen". You'll definitely be hearing more from us Anne! *ahem* Kiss project *cough*
Once everybody was on site, we got down to business:
You got tickets...to the YOYO show? Haha
Make up kit. Never leave home without it.
Human canvas.
Looks can definitely kill.
Ayanna is a special girl. Not the Special Ed kind of special, but "what planet are you from?" special. Why? Because she's down-to-earth but out-of-this-world. Just read the interview and see for yourself:
[INTERVIEW]:
UNI4RM: How ya doing Miss Ayanna(AYE-YAWN-UH)? Did I say that right?
AYANNA: Yup...good boy!
UNI4RM: Do you have a nickname?
AYANNA: Yeah, it's "shutchyo ass"! Haha
UNI4RM: Ooh, fiesty one you are. What nationality are you?
AYANNA: Half Japanese, half crazy. That makes me 120% Japanese.
UNI4RM: Dam girl! What blood type are you?
AYANNA: HIV negative fool! I was last tested in June 2009.
UNI4RM: Haha you-so funny! How'd you get into modeling?
AYANNA: What? I'm not a model! I came here for the free food and ice cream!
UNI4RM: We actually brought ice cream just for you! What's your favorite flavor?
AYANNA: Pistachio because it's green and it'll make me like the Incredible Hulk!! RAWR~
UNI4RM: Haha please be gentle. Oh, is that a tattoo I see?
AYANNA: Yeah, I have three. This one here on my stomach of a phoenix, one on my lower back, and another right here under my lip.
UNI4RM: Huh? The one under your lip's a tattoo?
AYANNA: Mm-hmm. It's of a mole...the Japanese say if you have a mole near your mouth then you won't starve.
UNI4RM: I guess that explains Cindy Crawford's success. I'm starving right now...
AYANNA: Fool, never use the word "starving"! There are real people out there who haven't eaten for days. Now that's starving. So be thankful for what you have.
*"N.W.A.-Fuck Tha Police" starts to play on Zunecast in the background*
UNI4RM: How do you feel about the boys in blue?
AYANNA: I love them! I got pulled over 6 times and never got a DUI!
UNI4RM: Oh my...so you were drunk each time?
AYANNA: Haha no comment. But here's some advice. If they pull you over just pretend you "no speaka engrish" and make excuses to buy some time. Flirting and showing some cleavage helps too haha! But that was long ago when I was ignorant. Please be safe kids. Don't drink and drive!
UNI4RM: ...Because you might spill on your Uni4rm shirt!
AYANNA: Hehe good one.
UNI4RM: You got any shout outs?
AYANNA: Yeah, what's up Quagmire?! Giggidy Giggidy!
UNI4RM: Finish this sentence: Distinguish U-N-I 4RM...
AYANNA: ...Sarah Palin! Why?! Because she's a dumbass hoe! Haha
UNI4RM: Screw the right wing!
AYANNA: Screw them all! Vote Ayanna for president!
Hands down, the best interview ever!
Weeding out the gray hairs.
Object in mirror appear to be scratching buttocks.
Oh, it's not that bad Ayanna...suck it up!
Drinking on the job.
We started playing around with ideas for Ayanna to do with the yoyo...
Then we had to break out the secret weapon:
We all scream for Heavy Cream!
[WARNING: Bib required for drooling]
This is Legen...wait for it...
...and I hope you're not lactose intolerant...
...because the second word is Dairy!
Thanks guys!
Worth more than John Hancock's John Hancock!
We are auctioning off the actual yoyo on eBay(click here). Labeled #0/80, all proceeds will be donated to Red Cross to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. You can take it one step further and donate via text: Text ‘HAITI’ to ‘90999′ to donate $10 to the American Red Cross.
Laser engraved logos of both collaborating brands: Crucial x Uni4rm
Two-tone purple laced with a custom handmade cotton/poly string. So sexy.
Final product: 1 limited edition Heavy Cream, 1 tshirt, 2 pins and a sticker packaged in a custom printed and hand numbered(1-80) milk carton. A total of 86 yoyos were produced but only 80 will be available to the public.
This is the special colorway Paul specifically made for the crew! Anodized in a tantalizing violet with a mesmerizing acqua blue interior, one lucky customer will be receiving this 1 of 5 colorway Heavy Cream in their milk carton!
Oh yeah...here's a little treat, compliments of Ayanna:
*NOT WORK SAFE*
She just made Uni4rm a little more a-peal-ing.
Hurry up and snag this super limited edition collectible before it's too late!
Peace, love & Uni4rm.
<Stay tuned for the video interview of the yoyo master himself>
