REPREZENT interview 10/9/19
What is the history of your brand? What does "Reprezent" Clothing mean to you?
As a Bboy since 96’ I was deeply involved in hip hop culture. A culture dedicated to rocking the 4 elements with style. Whether it be rocking the mic, rocking the floor, rocking the wall or rocking the beats, to rock with style is where the inspiration took force and self expression was key. Then there’s the 5th element aka knowledge of self which is what keeps the essence of culture pure and true. To preserve this element and the culture as a whole has since been my service to mankind.
The thought to start the brand came about in 2004 I believe as I was waking through a mall with my younger brother in search for some fresh threads. My go to and only store which carried underground streetwear brands in the area back then was called Mr. Rags. That store had recently shut down leaving us out of luck for finding anything original and/or meaningful. I thought then, how tired I was of the only options for streetwear being those which rep corporations with only intent for profit and dulling society. Nothing truly original, minimal meaning or Purpose behind the message, or no message at all.
I wondered why would anyone want to rep this other than being programmed or too comfortable? I figured the world could use a brand with a message, with a deeper purpose, something that ignites interest in the true representation of ourselves, our history and our future as individuals and as a community.
There and then I came up with the name Reprezent.
I knew it would take some funds and knowledge to get started. My bankroll was slim as a youngster so I got myself 2 jobs, lived in my car for 6 months to save up and studied everything I could about business, streetwear and fashion. I connected with a brother and insanely great artist Jimmy Hits who has blessed the brand with his signature skills and guidance since. The brand would not be what it is today without him.
In 2006, Reprezent Clothing was launched. For the next 6 years, I built the brand through the underground hip hop network and community. Through attending many hip hop jams, throwing Bboy battles, block parties, car shows and and sponsoring world renowned bboys and legends of hip hop culture, the brand was established.
In 2012, we rebranded our logo and style and created the merkaba/3rd eye logo.
After some game changing out of this world experiences and learning, it was time to expand the course and lifestyle of Reprezent.
We had a more clear and deeper understanding of why the brand is meant to be what it is and Why we do what we do. We switched it up from just doing hip hop shows and local events to festivals geared toward conscious awakening and power of community, something Reprezent can stand strongly stand behind.
Reprezent is a messenger of the light, it’s literally like an entity from another dimension, here to raise vibrations and heal through art, wisdom and love. For me to know and feel this and have the ability to make it happen, leaves me compelled to do so.
Your logo can be seen as the "all-seeing eye" or the eye of ra/horus. What's the significance of the eye and hexagram/merkabah?
So many wonder the meaning of the logo. Some assuming it's the Illuminati, Star of David, etc.. From our perception, the "all seeing" eye represents our third eye, the one eye that resides within us all. It reprezents the eye that see's above and beyond the illusion that is put upon us by the elite and corporate media... The eye is placed within the Mer-Ka-Bah star (Light-Spirit-Body). The Merkabah is an ancient symbol, one of sacred geometry, long before Religions or Illuminati ever existed. It is the sacred geomety of the light of our soul, a star tetrahedron of the platonic solids. A light vehicle to higher dimemsions.. This symbol was chosen as a reminder of who we are and where we come from. A reminder of our power as one.
Through reminding each of a higher truth that resides within us, we aim to elevate the conscience of humanity as a whole, so that each can live to their fullest potential.
What is your mission? What do you aim to bring to the customers and events you market your apparel at?
We aim to bring to our customers quality apparel with unique style of deeply thought out and curated work, each piece carrying an energy and message from our source as beings on this planet. We aim to raise the vibrations of each event we attend. To teach and inspire each we come across and to co-create a community where we can truly represent ourselves. We aim to enhance knowledge of self and abundant living for our customers.
What impact do you believe your brand has on the world?
I believe our brand has an impact on the world through raising vibrations, as well as unifying and preserving cultures.
In a world that is so dualistic, what do you feel is the key to unifying the planet?
Man, wish I had the answer...
Something that comes to mind is The Law of One- to direct our interest, energy, understanding, work... toward restoring the balance and Harmony of planet earth, in which then we can raise the frequency of the planet to a much higher vibration. The Vibration of love as a whole.
Do you have any new designs in the works? What's upcoming for Reprezent Clothing?
Yes, we just released our Fall 2019 Streetwear line Oct. 5th. We had a fresh release party with the fam FreQ Nasty, Ahee, THRPY and some local homies killin the game.
Our recent Design titles are “Framework”
“CenterPoint” and “On The Level”
You can check them out on our website of course @ www.reprezentclothing.com
We also are in the works of our RPRZNT Denim Vest run featuring a limited amount of one off designs, each combining multiple styles and layers of arts unlike any other.
Another project and one of my favorite to work on is the Zuvuya line of handmade jackets in collaboration with the maya of the high mountains of Guatemala. These pieces contain fabrics from many villages around Lake Atitlan and we combine the styles with our own, cocreating a masterpiece of ancient codes and with our futuristic styles balancing the styles to the present moment and preserving the ancient ways and beauty of Mayan culture.