August 5th 2020
Don’t call it a rebrand
I don’t want to be another outdoor/lifestyle brand while the world is on fire (when has it not been). While the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I don’t want to spend my time making marketing strategies for *outdoorsy people and sending clothes to cute “influencers” in exchange for exposure. I don’t want to be unattached from the suffering and injustice and just straight fucked up things happening in our society. I can’t sit in my own world while the rats get fatter and people suffer. So I went back to my roots. The heavy music scene. Where I learned about community and piles of strangers unified under a microphone yelling lyrics of rebellion, change, and standing up for your beliefs. That’s my scene. Yeah. I’m just selling clothes, but if that’s the skill I have to bring that message (that I fell in love with) to those around me…I’m gonna do that. That’s enough about me. Give someone in need food/water, donate to local social justice groups, hug a friend, support an artist, listen to local bands, find an outlet, research corruption, get angry at crooked politicians, open your mind to learning new things, ask for help, love your neighbor.
Small things make a difference.
*I am one of those outdoors people, no offense intended here.
July 25th. 2020
The necessity of a voice
Often times, it may feel overwhelming when it comes to "where to start." If you're anything like me - making sure everything is as good as it can be, obsessing and perfecting often clouds the process of actually doing. But here I am. Doing. I had to fight for this, but I like this fight because I know it's worth it. Just like your fight is worth it. The handful of old bills given to someone in need is doing and using your voice. The conversation with a stranger about racial injustice is doing. The anger over the broken system that is a constant plague in our lives, is doing. Whatever it is, though it may seem small, it does count and it does matter. Your voice matters. My voice matters. We can all do something. Your voice is a necessity in this world.
July 22nd. 2020
Grow
I used to believe in things that I thought would never change, things that I thought would be my reality forever, things I thought would define my understanding and place in the world for the rest of my life. Well, that turned out not to be the case, and you know what? Letting go has proved to be the most rewarding and satisfying experience thus far (though absolutely terrifying at times). Learning, growing, and changing is vital. It is a necessity as a human being to move forward. Stay stagnant and waste away. Refuse to open up and become cold. There’s enough hate in this world already (don’t confuse hate with anger) Grow.
---
July 19th. 2020
“Fashion”
What does that even mean? there are innumerable definitions and ideas that present themselves in ones mind upon hearing such a word. Like many things, it is interpreted by the person(s) who has experienced said thing for themselves, in their own way of course. I can share what it means to me, and why I choose to use fashion as a tool, a means of expression, and ultimately a catalyst for change.
I suppose here would be a good spot to talk about fashion/clothing/garment history. I’m not really going to get into that at the moment though. I’ll keep it brief. Like many current industries, it is corrupt. One of the biggest issues is the exploitation of people used for sweatshop labor. High end “luxury” brands tout their products as the pinnacle of posh and cater to the out of touch upper class and misguided individuals sold on image. On one hand, I find some satisfaction in knowing the price people pay for these “high end” items, is really a massive scam on them. On the other, and more important hand is the frustration (to put it lightly) that comes with knowing modernized slave labor produces the majority of apparel available today. Rats get fat. That’s about as far as I’m going to go with that right now.
Despite an emotionally heavy year of separation and bullying about my weight, high school was a really great time for me. I had discovered the heavy music scene. It was a community, it was an outlet for me to play music, a means to connect with other like minded people, and a purpose for my anger. I think one of my first heavy albums I heard was “when blood and fire bring rest” by a band called Zao. I was probably 15 years old. That changed everything for me. I dove in head first, it felt as though I had been looking for something like this my whole life. Early 2000’s hardcore bands like bane, with honor, and comeback kid fueled my rebellious mind and unwillingness to fit in. I wanted to stand out and apart from the mainstream, just like everyone else I suppose. For me, it was essentially a religious experience going to shows back then. Pile’s of sweaty strangers united under a microphone, unified in yells of hope, anger, and independence. I miss that stuff.
But what does a 31 year olds rambling about the good ol’ days of hardcore have to do with fashion? Everything. This is my foundation for Roaming Souls, and the music scene continues to be huge part of my life and inspiration. A T-shirt is a billboard that you wear, people see it whether they want to or not. Buying merch from bands was a huge part of going to shows, and the even better part was wearing that shirt to school. Full front graphics with tattoo inspired artwork, bold lyrics and blurry pictures of vocalists holding a microphone out to a mass of yelling bodies. These were the staples of an era. I can’t tell you how many people I met and friends I made because we recognized the band T someone was wearing. It’s like being a part of the same team, no questions asked, this person gets it. One such person I met through a “Hey sick shirt, that band is awesome” encounter has been married to my sister for the past 10 years. Life can be cool that way sometimes. Despite all the technology, and advancements, and current lack of live music (you’re a scumbag covid) I still think honest encounters like this can and do exist. This for me, is fashion. Its community. It’s a common belief, interest, attitude, and defiant passion displayed on cotton for the world to see. I think I’ll leave it at that for now. Sure, there’s so much more I can say, but actions always speak louder than words.