ANDREW

Who I'd like to meet:

SPACE INVADER: TRADITION Streetwear emerged from the city, but has spread to the suburbs... Even though streetwear emerged from the city, suburban sneakerheads no longer have to feel neglected. Former basketball jock Jason Gaines and one time punk rocker Andrew Kline met while working at Fred Segal in Santa Monica just a year ago, but the two quickly left Broadway to open up a high-end streetwear boutique Tradition in the Los Angeles outskirts. "We both grew up out here so we know there are no hip stores in suburban areas," says Gaines. Tradition introduced the laidback Westlake Village to brands such as Rogue Status, Crooks & Castles, The Hundreds, Stussy, and Freshjive. Not to mention limited edition Nikes, Vans by Marc Jacobs, and Converse by John Varvatos. And the influence is certainly paying off: "Now you're seeing hardcore kids rocking trucker hats and skate stuff. You see kids who don't even know how to skateboard, but they're dressed in skateboard Nikes and skinny jeans," says Gaines. "But I'm an equal opportunity person if that's what kids wanna do. There are always gonna be trends, so let's ride the trends." Tradition 2895 Agoura Rd. Westlake Village, CA tel. 805-497-4717 shoptradition.com myspace.com/shoptradition