It's been a long while, but the BU Q & A is back, this time with the up and coming label, MadeMe.
BU: Was it tough to get started?
MM: No it was easy. It’s all came really naturally. It was something I really wanted to do, and whenever I want to do something it never seems hard.
BU: If so, is it still tough going? If not, what changed to make it easier?
MM: The toughest time is shipping time!! It’s also the most stressful and uninspiring. But once everything is out the door I do feel a HUGE sense of accomplishment. Plus, that’s when I start seeing the MONEYYY so its always a good time.
BU: What's been your biggest hurdle so far?
MM: I really have to get over not wanting to be the face of the brand. I just want the clothes and the aesthetic to speak for itself. I’m not good at putting myself out there as a spokesperson. But I guess this is America and in the land of P Diddy you have to be like that.
BU: The 'streetwear' industry is heavily dominated by male influences. Forum's get aggressive, blogging is repetitive and the hype is ridiculous! What's your take on it all?
MM: Yes, the streetwear industry is very male dominated, similar to a lot of industries. Honestly, I don’t pay attention to much of it. I am too busy to go on blogs and forums. I just know what’s going on by being immersed in it everyday. I work at Supreme and I live in the Lower East Side so basically I eat streetwear for breakfast. I actually really like being one of the few girls brands in the land of ‘boy’s’.
BU: How did you get involved in 'streetwear'?
MM: I began my ‘professional career’ at Umbro working on the Kim Jones collection. While at Umbro I worked with the Supreme Team to do a 2 season Umbro x Supreme collaboration. Then, I got hired on by Supreme as a production manager.
BU: The current season has a real 70's influence, any particular reason?
MM: It’s really funny to hear what people think of the brand, because I wasn’t going for a 1970’s vibe at all. But now that you mention it I see where you are getting it from, the OP ART print on the leggings and the Miss America 1/2 Top. I think I always have a huge early 1980’s influence. I look to the 1980’s as a period in New York that was really inspiring to me. All of my favorite artists and musicians came out of the Lower East Side in the early 1980’s, Sade, Madonna, Keith Haring, and Maripol. I take a lot of direction from that time period.
BU: What else can we expect from this season?
MM: All of the Spring 2008 product has shipped to stores, so look out for MadeMe at all the freshest boutiques around the world. There’s a new look on the site, so check out www.mademeclothing.com and cop some of your favorite spring gear.
BU: Who is your target audience?
MM: I don’t think like that. I only make product that I like, and that I would wear. I strictly produce clothes for me. That’s where the name comes from, and I firmly believe that if always remember that, then MadeMe will always stay relevant. I refuse to make things that I think someone else MIGHT like, or MIGHT buy just for the sake of making extra money.
BU: Any plans for a men's branch?
MM: No, no plans of doing men’s clothes in the near future. Unless I stop sleeping, since I am really busy at the moment making the brand come to fruition. MadeMe’s whole aesthetic is very masculine so I think it would take away from the vibe.
BU: If you collaborate with a male orientated brand, which one(s) would you choose?
MM: I don’t see myself doing that, but who knows. If the right opportunity came I would definitely jump at it.
BU: Is there a brand you wish did more for women?
MM: I actually wear a lot of men’s clothes and I would have to say Dior Homme. But then it wouldn’t be ‘Homme’ anymore would it?? And I don’t think I would like it as much if it was designed specifically for women.
BU: What are your ambitions for yourself and for the brand?
MM: I am very ambitious. I want MadeMe to keep growing naturally and genuinely (like it has been). I see MadeMe getting bigger and better everyday, I see it in Bloomingdales, I see it at Fred Segal. I want to collaborate with brands, artists and musicians that inspire me and are in alignment with what MadeMe stands for. There are so many things I want to do with MadeMe, its hard for me to answer that question.
BU: And finally... what makes MadeMe stand out from the crowd
MM: Its well made clothing. It’s women streetwear from an educated and fun perspective. And its really fucking cool.
Thanks to EM for the answers to the Q & A!
Find out more about MadeMe on our brand page.
After avoiding having an online presence for so long, W)taps have finally got themselves going by launching their official website.
There's a nice amount of info, but no online store. The website also has a few images showcasing their newest collection, some photos have already been seen around and about online, but it's nice to see them with fuller descriptions.
You can see more at www.wtaps.com.
Find out more about W)taps on our brand page.
Find out more: W)taps official site
Alife have had a graphic on their homepage for a little while now and it makes a great bit of viral marketing. I've seen it posted elsewhere and thought I'd post it up here for your enjoyment!
The photo/graphic is very well put together, immitating the classic Hershey bar perfectly as a parody. It will be very interesting to see where this goes... although the image as a t-shirt graphic would be awesome in itself!
Find out more about Alife on our brand page.
Be Unequaled finally has an official Facebook group, so get yourselves over there, join, show your support and spread the word!
Find out more: Be Unequaled Facebook group
Most 'streetwear' forums, Be Unequaled not being an exception, draw a lot of questions about what a good price is. Be it for clothing, sneakers, accessories or even gadgets and other goods.
As always, my advice is always to say an item is worth whatever you're willing to pay to get it. Off course, if you're asking the question, you're looking for a figure that will help you to get the best deal possible!
Sneaker Freaker have just published an extensive list of over 250 different shoes, detailing their average (re)selling price as well as the highest and lowest.
The guide has shoes from a range of manufacturers and a range of styles and was compiled by Dave Skop of rareairshoes.com.
Take a look, and who knows, you may be sitting on a gold mine!
Find out more: Sneaker Freaker Price Guide
the Maharishi webstore was updated last week, and now DPMHi release of the spring/summer collection seems to be complete too.
As always, DPMHi have picked a theme that leads to some interesting pieces. SS 2008's theme is 'No Future'.
Find out more about DPMhi and Maharishi on our store and brand pages.
Find out more: DPMhi Spring/Summer 2008
The Maharishi online store has been re-stocked with the latest gear from the British brand. Highlights include items from the much anticipated collaboration with Lupe Fiasco and Andy Warhol inspired hoodies and tees.
They've released a larger amount of women's clothing too this time round too. The range of items isn't unusual, there's the usual mix of como and non-camo pieces, mixed with the new Lupe Fiasco pieces mentioned before, which are actually reversible and enjoy the best of both worlds by having a camo and non-camo side!
Find out more about Maharishi on our brand page.
Find out more: Maharishi
Some 9 months ago, I wrote about Twelve Bar's upcoming items. Spring is just around the corner and those items have made their way to a few online stores and to the official Twelve Bar website.
Previously only t-shirts were on offer, but they've gone all out this time with denim, jackets, shirts, crews and more on offer straight from Twelve Bar.
The above is an interior shot of their new selvedge denim, available in raw and washed. The details are nice in photos and I hope to see a pair in person as they could well make their way into my current rotation.
The logo above has found it's way across a variety of new products alongside the unique Twelve Bar heart logo.
I was lucky enough to pick up two items from the new season during a trip to Amsterdam and the quality continues to be great for their tees, so I'm hoping the same applies to their other items.
Update: The items are now available to buy online and the summer preview should be available soon!
Find out more about Twelve Bar on our brand page.
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