Met CEO of Los Angeles Apparel, Dov Charney right outside of his new store on Broadway. It only took a quick Q and A to get the details on how soon we can anticipate on the store opening with some words of advice as an entrepreneur.
Q: First, congratulations on the new store here in SoHo! When are we opening?
A: It will be open in between June 15- July 1st. Somewhere in there.
Q: What’s the difference from Los Angeles Apparel vs American Apparel? Tell me something you want people to know?
A: It’s the reincarnation of American Apparel. It’s a continuation, it’s not intended to be a big change. It’s intended to be an evolution of what was.
“The OG girls know. I still have my bodysuits.”
“Yeah? Come and get a new one.”
Q: As every entrepreneur there is bad days and good. What keeps you motivated to run this business when it gets tough?
A: You gotta keep on trucking everyday. Without trucks America stops. When everything seems like it’s falling apart just add 1 more day and take it a day at a time. And add a little caffeine.
Q: Lastly, do share some words of advice or encouraging message.
A: You gotta have passion, can-do spirit, think outside the box. You have to be innovative. Contrarian thinking always works. And never give up.
American Apparel now owned by Gildan Activewear looking very lack-luster with blurry pictures and dull colors in comparison to the Los Angeles Apparel site that shows familiar imagery and eye catching poses to show off style. Wondering if the layout would be similar to the old AA store in SoHo that was on the corner of Broadway and Howard.
Seems that Los Angeles Apparel will still be dominating the SoHo Broadway streets soon, but it’s time to find out LA Apparel is really a reincarnation of American Apparel. Not just the clothing quality we all remember, but if the store will have the same vibe, impact on the culture, and what it brought to the streets?
Celebrating Bowery Showroom at the 57 Stanton location closing May 1st
You thought THE legendary Bowery Showroom (@boweryshowroom) was shutting down, but legends don’t die, they move to Delancey.
It took a 3 minute Q and A with Bowery Showroom and New Yorks born and raised (of course) —Founder, Matt Choon (@chiefchoon) and Co-Founder, Takeshi Fukui (@fukmi) to highlight their journey, milestones, and future plans leading to straight to success and what’s next for Bowery Showroom.
Q: Tell me a bit about Bowery Showroom for the people that don’t know? How long have y’all been doing this?
M: Bowery Showroom has been open for 4 years. It started as a childhood dream and a lot of my hustle came from Bowery Street. Bowery itself stretches from Chinatown to East Village, SoHo, all that. So when I was 13… I started my entrepreneurial journey selling sneakers. As I got older, I figured out how to run a business on a scalable level. I decided to do something that was impactful for my life, but also where we could make money— which was Bowery Showroom.
T: So it’s been a little over 4 years now. The real roots, I mean, me and my partner, Matt, we’ve been, boys since literally sixth grade. We would be on the streets of SoHo, you know, buying and selling kicks. Fashion has always been our passion. Actually our first business together was called Potion. It was a cannabis company and we were gonna open up a dispensary store here anyways. But then we said if we’re gonna open up a store for Potion, might as well throw in a little of our own passion in there too. You know? And we made it more of, like, a mixed concept vibe where it truly became a real lifestyle brand. Bowery Showroom it’s fashion, it’s home goods, art, cannabis, pretty much a whole suite of everything. Right? Something for your daytime, something for your nighttime, all that shit.
Q: I know we’re celebrating tonight, but seeing 57 Stanton completely empty is wild. What’s next?
M: What’s next is we’re going to open up a space on 55 Delancey Street. We’re about to elevate our entire operation and work with larger corporations. “..giving back to the people”.
T: We’re leveling up. We’re going to a nice, cleaner location over on Delancey Street. It used to be a gallery space, so think like pure white box. We’re going a little more upscale. We’re trying to mature the brand, not only make it elevated for our audience, but also for ourselves too. You know?
Q: Can you count how many brands you’ve had in this store?
M: Over a thousand. All over the world— Dubai, London, Kenya, New York, LA, The Bay, India, you name it. We’ve been all over the world. Every single continent besides Antarctica. Japan? Come on stop playin!
T: Oh Godamn! I mean even in terms of the amount of pop ups we’ve done over the past 4 years— 300 plus pop-ups. Especially even during fashion week times, it’s literally 10 days straight, a different pop- up every single day.
Q: Do you have any last words for this location or a piece of advice that you would like to share?
M: Do it. Especially if you’re scared. Have irrational confidence in yourself. Take everybody else’s opinion with a grain of salt. If God is telling you that you’re the chosen one, then fulfill that duty. And to do something that 99% of people wouldn’t do is exactly what’s gonna get you to where you are. Just fucking do it. Let it play out. God got you. And if you’re living your truth, things will work out. And when the momentum comes, never fucking stop. And then you’ll be where I’m at.
T: For me… never lose the hunger. You know? Remember the same hunger that you had when you first opened up, and never forget that, never lose that, and keep it pushing for the next one too.
A toast to Bowery Showroom 🥂
These stories are so inspiring to see culture making it happen in real life especially in their own city. These are the type of lifestyle brands to continue supporting. Real people, real culture, real New York. End of an era but the start of a new one. Excited to see what the new Bowery Showroom will look like.
A night in Williamsburg with RAINS launched their new collection, “The Outsiders” and showcased an art sculpture with artist Gustavo Barroso.
Gustavo Barroso (@gustavobarroso.eth) sculpted foam with automotive finish
There has been a cultural shift that is very noticeable with RAINS. It took only a 4 minute Q and A to speak with RAINS Marketing Director — Mathilde (@mathildegade) to educate and let you know that RAINS isn’t just rainwear.
Q: What has been RAINS biggest mission or something you might want people to know?
A: RAINS has always been focused on “fashion before function.” It is the brand you want to wear regardless of the weather because it looks nice but, you will also be fine regardless of the weather because you are wearing RAINS.
Q: RAINS has already been on VOGUE Runway in Paris for 3 Seasons as you mentioned. Where else do you see this brand going outside of NYC?
A: This one was at our HQ in Denmark to showcase who RAINS is… To be “bold and to push it as much as you can.” Paris runway show with rain jackets? Yes you can. Vogue cover? Yes you can. Editorial with famous soccer player. Yes you can.
Q: After doing an accessory collab with Veneda Carter and even showcasing this wonderful art sculpture with Gustavo is there anything else that we can look forward to?
A: We are very bag focused. About 50% of the entire business is such as travel: ie Home Away: picnic blankets & lunch boxes. Be on the lookout for RAINS new rainwear collection called SUVA, which uses a hard shell material compared to their usual softer fabric and MITO an even lighter fabric comparable to a windbreaker.
Q: Tell me your favorite pieces from this collection?
*proceeds to find two people wearing her favorite pieces* (pictured below)
Stopped in RAINS at the West Village location to get an up close look at some pieces from the “The Outsiders” collection. It’s apparent that RAINS aims to merge practical rainwear with a high-fashion appeal. New materials and accessories are integral to the brands growth and to convey a commitment to a durable investment.
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