BU x X-LARGE Q & A
Our seventh Q & A features LA based X-LARGE.
BU: What is XLARGE?
X-LARGE: XLARGE is a clothing/lifestyle brand based out of LA.
BU: Who or what does XLARGE represent?
XL: XLARGE represents quality and creative clothes and items.
BU: What was the main idea behind XLARGE?
XL: It started off as just a retail store. Workman's clothes and deadstock Adidas were the staple of the inventory. That grew to producing clothes under the label XLARGE for hip hop/alternative kids. Back then there really wasn't a thing called "streetwear". XLARGE helped cultivate the market back then to what it is today.
BU: When and where did it all begin?
XL: XLARGE started in 1991 in the Loz Feliz area of Los Angeles.
BU: What's been the biggest influence on XLARGE?
XL: LA culture has probably been the biggest influence to XLARGE. Even though it has a following all over America and the world, LA's culture and scene has always been an undercurrent to the way of thinking for this company.
BU: How easy it to relate to your audience when you have stores spread across the world?
XL: With the internet and blogs and with people traveling from all over the world to our flagship store in LA, it's not as difficult as one may imagine. The world is becoming a smaller and smaller place. We also trust that our
reps in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan have their ears to the ground.
BU: Does one market get preference or do you try to cater for them all?
XL: We listen to suggestions from everyone, but at the end of the day it's Eli's company and he does what is best for XLARGE.
BU: Do you have a target audience?
XL: The company usually attracts people between the ages of 16-35, urban, artistic, fashion aware individuals.
BU:16 years and still going strong... what's your secret?!
XL: No secret really. Everyone has to keep to their original standards that they set, but also grow with the times.
BU: What does the future hold for XLARGE? Are there any ambitions left to fulfill?
XL: We're expecting to continue building with old friends and working on projects with new ones. There is a gallery space in our flagship store dedicated on showcasing the best artists around the world. We recently worked with The London Police, Logan Hicks, Dez Einswell and will work with Tyler Gibney, Andy Howell, Tim Barber and others.
BU: What word or phrase sums XLARGE up best?
XL: Streetwear is back.
BU: and finally... what makes XLARGE stand out from the crowd?
XL: I think longevity and being one of the original streetwear brands, but also XLARGE just makes cool clothes that people like to wear even if they're not streetwear kids.
Many thanks to Paul at X-LARGE for his help with the Q & A.
Find out more about X-LARGE on our brand page.
