Tag: roc nation

Wishful Thinking: Juneteenth

As we celebrate Juneteenth, a holiday to commemorate the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy, we’d also like to acknowledge the many great contributions that Black designers & brand owners have made to help push fashion & streetwear forward. We’ve highlighted some of the Black designers & Black-owned brands currently in-stock at Wish ATL.

Billionaire Boys Club & Icecream

Circa 2003, Pharrell Williams traveled to Japan to partner with NIGO, fashion designer and creator of A Bathing Ape, as well as graphic designer Sk8thing to create what is now the world famous Billionaire Boys Club.
The brand was also premiered in 2003 by Skateboard P in the “Frontin” music video . ICECREAM, initially a subsidiary of Billionaire Boys Club, released its footwear line in 2004. The following year, Billionaire Boys Club opened its first brick & mortar store in Tokyo, Japan, followed by stores in New York and London as well.

In August 2011 rapper Jay-Z, a frequent collaborator of Pharrell, partnered with the Billionaire Boys Club line. Later the rapper, through a joint venture with Iconix, invested in the brand. The following year BBC recorded high $25 million to $30 million in volume, up from $12 million. Pharrell reacquired Iconix’s stake in the business in 2017.

PLANES

Jay Z and lifelong friend Emory Jones embarked on Planes/Roc Nation apparel after recapping the success of Roc-A-Wear. Growing up Emory was always into fashion. To him it was a way to express his individuality in a world where everyone wants to be a clone. Going back to their teenage years, Emory’s his favorite pastime was shopping. Hov and their other friends would joke about him having a shopping addiction.

Emory had taken over and expanded the lifestyle division of Roc Nation. For him, merchandising the lifestyle was the next step in the natural progression of the business. The idea was create something that was elite in style and quality while still being more affordable than contemporary counterparts. Jones, joined forces with Mike “Upscale Vandal” Camargo, a former employee of Roc Nation, Billionaire Boys Club, and consultant for many major brands. Upscale Vandal assisted Emory in bringing his vision to life. Emory has taken the more organic approach with marketing the brand, not really leaning on seeding influencers, but relying on those that influence the influencers.

IH NOM UH NIT

Ih Nom Uh Nit (innominate), which means “without name” is a ready-to-wear brand that has become a new cult favorite. The L.A. based brand has appeared on a myriad of celebs from Luka Sabbat to Janet Jackson. Chaz Jordan has created a brand that can do it all, from sweatsuits to sequin-embroidered gowns.

Chaz Jordan, founder of Ih Nom Uh Nit began his career in the fashion industry in 2011 during college. While in his junior year at the University of Illinois – Chicago, he met and ultimately ending up working for Virgil Abloh and Don C at their Chicago concept store, RSVP Gallery. This is where he launched his first successful apparel label, Au Courant, before moving to Paris, France. While in Paris he was able to find an atelier that educated him on the history of Parisian fashion and their savior faire.
As his knowledge of the industry & skillset grew, so did his network and exposure.

PLAYHOUSE WORLD

Founder and Creative Director Jahleel Morris is socially known as Playhouse Jah. Born and raised in Stone Mountain his upbringing was very much Atlanta. From dirty south music (OutKast being his favorite group), buying Dickies and Girbauds at Metropolitan flea market, Black Santa Claus at South DeKalb to skating at Cascade, to working in Lenox mall he is truly of this city.

Known for “The Best Caps Out the South” Playhouse World is a lifestyle brand founded in Atlanta. Built on community using art, fashion, and cultural references to communicate to a wide demographic unifying them through worldly views.

HONOR THE GIFT

Russell Westbrook has over the years showed a strong passion for fashion & he embodies letting his clothes speak for his mood, so you know how he’s feeling before he says a word. His collections are defined by the environment that shaped him, the Inner City of Los Angeles. A harsh and unfair environment, but one that develops strength, leadership, focus, and self worth.

His brands focus for the first few drops have been capturing the raw point of view of Inner City Public School.
Demonstrating the collection through a surveilled lens of the unfamiliar worlds of Public and Private School confronting one another. Embodying the affluent lifestyle of Private School. Demonstrating the collection through a refined take on the unfamiliar worlds of Public and Private School confronting one another.

MARTINE ROSE

London based designer Martine Rose’s self-titled label has become a stalwart in menswear since 2007. Particularly known for her peculiar approach to presenting collections, she’s done shows outside of the schedule in unconventional venues like marketplaces & rock climbing centers. She’s previously collaborated with Been Trill, Timberland, Nike & CAT, while expanding into womenswear.

Rose has been nominated for the heralded ANDAM prize for emerging designers as well as the LVMH Prize. In 2018, she was also nominated for the BFC’s British Designer of the Year for menswear. 

CARROTS BY ANWAR

Originally from Trenton, New Jersey, Anwar Carrots founded “Peas & Carrots International” in 2007. It began as an emerging streetwear brand & creative collective. Known for his dynamic approach to aesthetic, both in personal style and his creative output, Anwar has become an entrepreneurial leader of this new generation of Los Angeles creatives and fashion icons of street culture & music.

Always evolving, Anwar launched “Carrots by Anwar Carrots” in 2015.

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