Sad news have reached us today. Sole Tech, parent company of Etnies, Emerica, Altamont and ThirtyTwo, announced that they will be shutting down the éS skate shoe brand. Founded 16 years ago, we remember as if it was yesterday when the brand came onto the market with a strong push of athletic inspired skate shoes.

Sole Tech owner Pierre André Senizergues told Shop Eat Surf in an interview, “It’s a very complex market right now – there are a lot of brands, and a lot of pressure on the market,” Pierre said. “We feel it’s the time to simplify things.”

The Spring 2012 Collection by éS, will be the last one to be delivered to stores.

Sprite Zero produced an interesting interactive commercial, allowing the user to control the skateboarder in the video with your number keys, 4-9, on the keyboard. Filmed in Berlin, the skater performs several tricks and ends up jumping into the Spree river. With the number keys you can decide on the combination of tricks. Pretty cool production, so make sure to try it out!

Some behind the scenes shots from the commercial follow after the jump.

Next Level Pictures spent 8 hours in Brooklyn, NYC with Rule Boston Camera’s Phantom Flex camera. From break-dancing and basketball to skateboarding and tattooing the high-def, slo-mo footage is just incredible. Enjoy

Credits follow.

Over the weekend we caught up with pro skater Kenny Anderson in Huntington Beach, CA, to chat about his new Converse KA-ONE sneaker, the Coastal Carnage skateboard competition and more.

So tell us about your new Converse shoe – what was the process like for you?

I wanted to do a cupsole because I was inspired by a shoe called the Star Player and I wanted to do something different to kind of test the old archives of Converse and found this classic trainer from the 70’s, and it has the one cup that skates like a vulc. Of course aesthetically I like the shoe, but for a cup, to be able to skate it right away like a vulcanized is great. So that was the initial process and from there I worked with Brandon the designer to make it more skateable while keeping the same classic Converse aesthetics.

Continue reading for the full interview and a look at the Holiday 2011 KA-ONE sneakers.

Photography: Pete Williams/Highsnobiety.com

Following up on our coverage of the Coastal Carnage 2011 Qualifiers, we have a recap video of the finals where CONS skate ambassador Tom Remillard came through with a first place finish (and a prize of $15,000) after dominating the bowl with his strong, fluid style. Brazil’s Pedro Barros placed second, young American ripper Curren Caples placed third and the legendary Tony Hawk won Best Trick with a McTwist on the “sharkbite pillar.”

There’s another batch of photos in our gallery as well.

Today in Huntington Beach, skate icon Tony Hawk will come out of retirement to reignite his rivalry with longtime peer Christian Hosoi.

The two will join fellow skate legend Lance Mountain alongside side young rippers Tom Remillard (who placed 2nd last year), Kalani David, Ben Hatchell, Robbie Russo, Curren Caples, Kevin Kowalski, Pedro Barros, Div Adams, Kyle Berard, Ben Raybourn, Josh Mattson and Andrew Langi as they compete for the Coastal Carnage title.

We were on site for the qualifiers yesterday and captured photos of the likes of Eric Koston, Kenny Anderson, Rune Glifberg and a barefoot Sammy Baca. Enjoy.

You can watch the competition live on Fuel TV today starting at 4PM PST.

Photography: Pete Williams/Highsnobiety

Coastal Carnage is happening this weekend in Huntington Beach, pitting some of the best skaters of all time – such Christian Hosoi, Tony Hawk and Lance Mountain – against a gang of young rippers.

Check out episodes 1 and 2 of “Contest Carnage” to learn more about the vibes and visit us again next week for more from this exciting skate event.

Alien Workshop recently presented round 3 of their collaborative work with the Andy Warhol Foundation. The project, which pairs unique examples of Warhol’s artwork with Alien Workshop skate decks will come packaged in cardboard packaging inspired by Warhol’s box sculptures from the 1960’s.

The latest installment features 4 of Warhol’s most recognizable and iconic images and (as we found out at Agenda HB) will be available shortly at select Alien Workshop retailers, .

Photography: Pete Williams/Highsnobiety.com

Once again G-Shock teams up with Globe and goes beyond simply collaborating on a timepiece. For Fall 2011 the two brands present both a watch and matching skate lifestyle products.

“Inspired by military night operatives, the uniform matte black, GRX5600GE-1 timepiece features a contrasting red LCD display with a subtle integration of the GLOBE logo on the face and band along with a fabric band keeper. Staying true to G-Shock’s toughness and technology, the GRX5600GE-1 features, Shock Resistance, 200M Water Resistance, Tough Solar power and tide/moon graphs making it the perfect accessory for any action sport enthusiast. To compliment the design of the watch, the boardsports products are also produced in a sleek black with red accents.

The Cruiserboard is 8.5” x 32” and is constructed of 7-ply hardrock maple with custom Globe EVA traction foam grip that’s easy on the feet. Premium 58mm/78A urethane wheels and Slant trucks with GLOBE first bushings provide a smooth and nimble ride.

GLOBE’s all new Comanche Boot is made from irregular leather, canvas and shaved suede for a vintage military look, has a rear zip entry, waxed rope laces and a metal speed lace collar to tie things up. It also comes with a custom vintage dog tag.”

The watch, skateboard deck and boots will release in November 2011.

From Rad Collector – “This teaser for the éS x Macho Tail Drop Manwolf collabo will make your day. That’s a promise. “All this for some shoes?!””

Credits follow.