NO.LIFE 012
Welcome to issue 12 of NO.LIFE - a newsletter from founders Cal & Rocky.
Five years in, Cal’s rolling out a nostalgia reel and a big thank you; Rocky’s lifting the lid on a stealth Model 1 LXR drop, calling time on sneaker loafers, and spotlighting emerging artists & more. Let’s dive in.
CALLUX FIRST >
5 years old.
I wanted to take this week to thank you specifically this week. Thanks for reading, liking, commenting and supporting us over the last 5 years. Whether you’ve just found us, or you’re an OG, we wouldn’t exist without you.
So I wanted to fly through some pictures of the journey. Something nostalgic.
Cheers to the next 5 years. Happy birthday NTW.
(p.s. drop us a reply to this email with what you want to see next, I always read all the responses)
NEXT UP, ROCKY >
The Quiet Storm: Model 1 LXR
Last week we made a quiet move: the Model 1 LXR dropped privately on our site without warning. No teasers, no countdown, just a release for those sharp enough to catch it. With only 1-2 pairs in each size, the hundred or so who secured them know just how limited it was. One of you even managed to lock all three colourways (still can’t believe it). The surge of traffic was so heavy it crashed the site - chaotic, but the best kind of chaos.
So what’s the LXR about?
It builds on the bones of our original Model 1 - a shape that’s already ours, already distinct. But we pushed it further. Textured leathers inspired by the HKE line add depth, but the real shift is in the 3M reflective strips details. They catch the overlays just enough to highlight the form, adding a subtle technical edge that feels undeniably London. Not too flashy. Just sharp, balanced, and weather tested.
These colourways are gone forever. That’s part of the story. But the bigger question - should the M1 LXR be more than a one-off? I’m currently planning next year, and I want to know if this version of the Model 1 deserves a permanent slot in the range. Let me know!
Flop or Fire: Sneaker Loafers
By now, we’ve all seen them - loafers sitting on chunky sneaker soles. The hybrid trend that’s been everywhere this year, and one I’ve been holding back on sharing my thoughts about.
The loafer itself is timeless. A base classic that never really goes away, always cycling through wardrobes season after season. But 2025 pushed it into overdrive. From New Balance’s 1906L loafer to Nike’s rerelease of the Phenomena, the hybrids led the charge. When brands like Vans, Converse, and even Hoka stepped in - and after seeing what’s lined up for next year - I couldn’t stay quiet any longer.
Here’s the truth: I get why they exist. They reflect the era we’re in - fashion moving at light speed, comfort as currency, novelty treated as innovation. But me? I’m not into it.
Maybe it’s harsh, but I see them as an insult to footwear craftmanship. Coming from a shoemaker’s background, where leatherwork and handmade artisanship are the core, these hybrids always felt off. There are levels to design. Sneakers can absolutely be comfortable, technical, even elevated. Classics like loafers can be reimagined, made lighter, more wearable. But doing it with respect to the silhouette is different than just slapping on a sneaker sole.
For me, that line matters.
Artist to watch:
I’m starting new segments for NO.LIFE. I’ve shared artists I follow and stumble across before, but this one feels different. This one’s special.
This week’s Artist to watch:
Meet Yanran Chen. I came across her while in Asia - an emerging, 19-year old visual artist building a world through her surreal, mechanical-girl persona: KEYA.
Her work lives at the intersection of humanity, nature, and technology - a future-forward aesthetic that’s equal parts haunting and magnetic. She’s already caught serious attention: collaborations with Gucci under her belt, and just this week Pop Mart signed her to launch KEYA as one of their new IPs alongside the iconic Labubu and SkullPanda to name a few.
The trajectory feels inevitable, but the story is only just beginning. I can’t wait to see where she takes it.
My moments of the week:
Another new segment for NO.LIFE. With so much launching every week, the landscape feels noisy, hard to filter the real from the filler. So here’s my take: a roundup of the moments that I loved over the last week.
Michael B. Jordan stars in Kai Cenat’s latest Mafiathon 3 trailer
Cinematic chaos. Kai introduces the trilogy with a Michael B. Jordan feature, cementing the stream-to-screen moment as bigger than content - it’s culture now.
Nike’s AM95 Yu-Gi-Oh!’s Tokyo activation.
Nike went all in. A full-blown Tokyo takeover with AR layers, arcade nostalgia, and items you’ll never see outside Japan. Pure spectacle. Regional exclusives and hype culture is coming back. Let’s Go.
Joey Bada$$’ Lonely At The Top album just dropped.
My absolute favourite rapper delivered the body of work fans knew he had in him for a while. Sharp, elevated, and his most complete statement to date.
Supreme launches F/W25 W1 with over 100+ items.
Supreme came out swinging. A mountain of pieces and collabs to kick off the season, but it’s the studded pillbox hat that was the talk of the office, loud, bold and simply: fire.
Anthony Edwards’ AE2 custom shoe mask.
Ant was given a crazy cool piece during his AE2 reveal over in China. Mask meets sneakers in a way that shouldn’t work, but absolutely does. I wanna know how the guy managed to get a pair to make it in the first place...
