FLEA MARKET TREASURE

a week ago, i was lookin for some cool stuff at a local fleamarket when i got attracted by a leather racing pant in a booth. what i finally got was way way way better than a vintage race pant. i started to talk with the guy about leathers, then motorcycle, he finally told me that Flat Track was his life, he was racing the nationals in expert. Mike had to give up on his sweet dreams just few weeks before passing pro, due to a bad crash on the oval. Broken pelvis in 4 pieces and some seriously hard pain. "oh yeah u were racing shorttracks in the 70's ! is there a chance u have some photos from the glory past ?" "oh yes i got copies..." wow, i almost collapsed. the photos were very powerfull, and the guy Mike show some serious agressive riding style. i couldn't stop watchin every details on the copies. Mike was proud of that and he sure can, cuz it seems to me that this guy was rulin back in the 70's. He made  my day. check out those amazing old photos, thanks to Mike Parr for sharing.

all photos ©Dimitri Coste

PHOTOBOOTH

always fun, always looks good, i wish i had one at the CherryPalace.

N PALM CANYON DR

CHEVY CHASE

i've never noticed Palm Springs also has a walk of fame. but my eyes got attracted by a name as i was walkin down the strip the other day : Chevy Chase. i could 've picked Ol' Blue Eyes Sinatra that i'm sure feat also on the sidewalk, but Chevy Chase is the man. when i was about 10yo, my longtime buddy Francky Pierrepont was a VHS maniac in my hometown Chatou, and he had all the National Lampoon's Vacations episodes. u gotta know that in France almost nobody knows about those and i feel more than lucky being able to watch and re-watch those movies about the funny adventures of the Griswold family. i can still remember some early crushes caused by cougar Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo) and Sports Illustrated centerfold beachbabe Christie Brinkley known as "the girl in the red Ferrari". check em all...

AUBURN

it seems that the Standard's lobby's made to match V's hair and skintone

©DimitriCoste

LARKIN

Mr CARTOON

Mister Cartoon on top of the Haas Building. i haven't shot the finished wall, but will post a photo of it as soon as i get one. it's way cool.

all photos © Dimitri Coste

VIRGINIE LANOUE

Cruisin in Le Boogie Van

©Dimitri Coste

THE BLACKOUTS

Ako & Atiba Jefferson are THE BLACKOUTS. check out in the background, my favorite photo of the show.

AKO JEFFERSON

©Dimitri Coste

ATIBA JEFFERSON

©Dimitri Coste

THE RZA

quick shots from last friday 's Vans OTW launch Party downtown LA

all photos ©Dimitri Coste

ELEVATOR

BAD TIRES

Boogie Van the 2nd, looked in good shape, but...

...tires were kinda tired. a flat on Hi-5, we ended up spending a couple hours in a cool garage in East LA. Those guys changed both tires and we were good to keep on drivin.

all photos ©Dimitri Coste

WISH U WHERE HERE

©Dimitri Coste

For the OTW launch party, Vans asked The Blackouts, Eric Elms, Mr Cartoon and i to put up a sort of group show to showcase our work. check out the Masterpiece Elms did. 10 feet high ! a lot of work and a very impressive sculpture.

VANS OTW

D.day for all the OTW crew, the collection by Vans is gettin launched tonite downtown LA with The RZA himself, and of course The Blackouts. check the invitation, more infos and photos later.

ON THE ROAD

V and i are finally on the road. after a pretty hectic trip we finally reached San Diego. 23hrs, thank you Volcano. We made a stop at Mr Ponce 's crib in Ocean Bitch for a coffee and a hug. i took his drill and then drove in the Boogie Van to Solana Beach for a late margarita at the Blanchard's Babar house. 

BURM BUSTERS

Thanks to Greg Hill, i just discovered this video. never seen it, it's just a piece of art. all the cuts on logos, patches, helmets and gloves are making me crazy. trippin for sure, plus u get a chance to see riding some of the main BMX legends such as Dave Clinton, Bobby Encinas, John Palfreyman, even the gifted John George. 70's BMX !!! click here for the video

AJS X SIDEBURN #6

Yesterday, Fashion photographer Patrick Katzman stopped by Le Motel Garage because i had the mission to do a photoshoot for the next issue of Sideburn magazine with him and his mindblowing 500 AJS. it started pretty mellow with few cool ambiance shot in the CherryPalace's backyard, but when we made it to one of my secret spot, Patrick turned out to be more wild than i could imagine, big powerslides on the dirt, The Admiral and i couldn't ask for gnarlier stuff, it was great. a vintage bike has to look good, but needs to be ridden, and the tougher the better. nice one Patrick, and lots of respect for this Amazing work Grand Fred from Montreuil did on this AJS. check below just a preview to help you wait Sideburn #6.

all photos ©Dimitri Coste

CAMILO REYES - DIMITRI MASSE

Camilo Reyes and Dimitri Masse were, back in the mid/late 80's two very influent and active skaters in France. Buddies in life, they were known as a cool duet, and as a ten year old kid, i did dig those guys a lot for their styles. one smooth, one more agressive. i met them the first time near Crimée (Paris, 19th district) in 1988. 3 years ago, i ran into Camilo at the shop Starcow, and we started talking, talking and talking. like 2 vets eh eh. since this day we keep saying we should do an action photoshoot together with Dimitri Masse like back in the day. well it's not done yet, but we hooked up the other day when they stopped by a photoshoot i was doin for Ruby Helmets. while the model was gettin dressed etc.. Camilo took his board for some handplants on the historic bridge Le Pont Neuf, and i shot few portraits of this two brothers in soul. the light and the vibe were magic, the instant too. and i'm happy to have those photos of two important skaters who inspired a generation of kids in France.

all photos © Dimitri Coste

this morning, i ve checked some old Bicross & Skate magazines, found a Ollie photo lesson by Camilo, and Dimitri Masse as the Coverboy of the issue #79 from June 1989...

©Dimitri Coste