Monogram Apparel
What label,brand, or company are you with? And what is your title.
I am with Monogram Apparel out of central Massachusetts and I am
brand founder/director.
What kind of products do you guys specialize in?
Monogram Apparel mainly stays to producing tees, tanks, and hoodies containing
either hand drawn art or our strong brand mottos (‘Create Yourself’ &
‘Steer Your Own Path’) and our logos. We also have done jackets & Hats
and are getting more into headwear items in 2013.
How did Monogram Apparel get into this business?
I started doing shirt designs for bands a few years ago and had a lot
of extra artwork laying around that never got used. I blended that
with the positive idea of the Create Yourself message I really believe
in and live by. Ive been fortunate enough to travel the country
playing music in my old bands and worked very hard to get to that
point. Life is about Creating Yourself into what you want to become
and Steering Your Own Path of that vision to your own reality.
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Before Monogram Apparel, I saw myself being a truck driver, I
grew up with my father driving 18 wheelers for a living and was always
around him and his trucks. I thought it was bad ass to drive something
as big as a house.
As a clothing brand where do you get your inspiration for designs?What kind of thought process goes into your collection?
Well more so now than in the beging a lot of the design ideas happen
in a team effort. I have recruited the help of some talented friends
who are involved with the actual artwork and direction of the brand.
We will talk about what we have been thinking about for ideas over
time and how we want to carry them out.
Alot of what Monogram Apparel came up with is simply stuff we want to wear that we
think other people may also like. Especially with our motto and logo
designs that represent the Create Yourself and Steer Your Own Path
messages, its something we truly believe in and want to spread the
positive message.
How does Monogram Apparel feel about “Brand Jacking” where a brand mimics the designs of another brand?
I think there is a fine line between admiring another brand and
ripping off another brand. Coming into this scene of fashion I had and
still have many many brands I look up to and take inspiration from
with their ideas, but when coming up with your own you really have to
look at what your brand is about and what your direction is. Brands
that have a solid idea and meaning behind their work will not “Jack”
another brands designs or ideas, in that case you just cant, youre
original. Brands that are known for “Brand Jacking” have no personal
meaning behind them and are NOT in it for the right reasons.
How did you come up with the name for Monogram Apparel? What does it mean or stand for?
Well, this answer gets kind of confusing.. The brand is, Monogram
Apparel ~Create Yourself~, more notably just Monogram Apparel. It was
originally going to be “Create Yourself Clothing” but I really didnt
like the feel of that and the misinterpretation someone could get
thinking you actually create the clothing yourself if you want. (I
still get that question even though CY is just the motto) I had come
up with the logo first playing around with (monograms) much like the
new york yankees logo, its a monogram (Two or more letter put together
into one logo) The “MA” was originally for “Massachusetts” on a
separate design I was working on. Then it hit me.. Why not Monogram
Apparel and have the logo be a.. monogram. To me it makes sense, to
others maybe not?
With the explosion of social media, what does Monogram Apparel do to build brand exposure? What social network is most important to your brand?
Well mostly facebook has been the biggest driving force of media
marketing for Monogram Apparel. We are able to connect with fans, show of new
stuff, offer new discounts, let people know where and when we will be
places, its huge really. More recently Instagram has been another way
to connect and show off our ideas and inner workings as a brand.
Ive learned from being involved in the sales and marketing industry
through my day job that having a personal connection with customers
really makes them much more than just a customer but builds a special
relationship with those people and further strengthens the bond
between them and your business. Social networking is huge for that in
the clothing industry. Everyone wears clothes (most of the time) so
right there youve already got one thing in common with them and Monogram Apparel!
What is one style from the past that you wish was still popular?
haha oh man, hard to say it seems that old styles are coming back in
and fashion its self kind of has a huge cycle it follows so in a way I
think most things fromt he past are and will be back anyhow. But to
choose one, I think seeing people in those bright neon Will
Smith/Fresh Prince windbreaker suits would be hilarious and fun.
What is a current trend that you cannot stand?
Guys in girl pants. Noooot to into that look/style. And I really cant
stand when people wear a belt that isnt acting as a belt.. I know its
a form of fashion, even close to the demographic Monogram Apparel is noticed
by, but I just dont get it?
Snapback or Fitted? Why?
Snapback… One size to carry/stock. and you can have fun with the
colors of the hats/plastic snaps.
Low tops or High Tops? Why?
Personally low, i dont like socks because they come up to high on the
ankle and feel weird, so do high tops. Ill stick with low.
What are your thoughts on todays street wear scene?
I think its going in a really good direction with its popularity
growing in the underground fashion/clothing industry. Theres more
brands coming out with stuff that seems to really differ from one
another but still stay within the same demographic and it ads a bigger
selection to what you can call street wear and appreciate as that
style of clothing.
What do you see for the future of this industry?
Class. I think that there is and will be more items coming out that
have a ‘classy’ look to them. Maybe some brands even hitting some
business professional looks for people in there low 20’s-mid 30’s that
still carry a street look and feel. Basically bringing the street wear
style to a whole new respected level among other bigger clothing
brands out there offering other types of styles. I can see street wear
brands getting to a competing status with world wide and respected
apparel brands.
What is one of the best things about being in this industry?
The people, Ive met some great people through Monogram Apparel and I think
thats one of my favorite things about it. Working together with people
to create stuff that other people can appreciate and want to put on
themselves.
What is one of the worst things about this industry?
You know, I really cant think of anything negative at the moment. I
guess that right now at the level Monogram Apparel is at I dont like how hard
it can be to try and gain the respect or attention of bigger industry
events like certain shows and gatherings. Lately there are A LOT of
smaller brands popping up and thats great but at that point you have
to really look at what ones are in it for the right reasons.. kinda
going back to my answer on the “Brand Jacking” question.
How would you quickly describe your past 5 years in one short sentence.
Looking back, the past 5 years have been very productive, positive,
fulfilling and have gone by very very fast.
How long is your average work day?
24/7 this is a lifestyle and a state of mind for me.
How many core members/employees are on your team?
there’s 6 core members including myself with about 5 other people who
are there to help just as much.
What sneakers did you rock as a kid?
Converse and Vans.
What brand names were you rocking back in the day?
I was a Hurley kid when I was younger. Big into skate and surf at the
time. And being from Boston, Johnny Cupcakes was a brand I looked up
to and followed through the success the brand has had.
In your opinion, what other brands are on the come-up in this industry?
For brand I really appreciate I have to look at the smaller one man
operations like Ugmonk. I really respect, Jeffs (the founder) style
and passion behind his art and brand. Im all about creativity and
people who can set themselves apart. Ugmonk has done that and found a
great deal of success in the 4 years they have been around. As for
more noteable brands, I think everone has seen the explosion of The
Hundreds, Diamond Supply co, Crooks & Castles etc.. theyre all doing
great things and I look up to them all greatly.
If you had to give up Monogram Apparel and go work for a fast food joint, which fast food joint would it be?
haha, oh man, I guess anything with pizza. If I was stuck doing fast
food instead of this it would have to have pizza involved.
What was your first job?
Washing dishes at my grandfathers breakfast restaurant. Hated that.
What will see coming from Monogram Apparel in the future?
Jan 2013 marks the 3 yr anniversary as well as the complete revamp of
the brand. New designs, more focused direction and we will be hitting
up more retail locations to hopefully partner with and keep spreading
our message.
What trends will be big in 2013 / 2014?
Im seeing more headware items coming out, more earth tones/wool
items. Alot of brown leather being thrown around. Im not really sure,
I guess we’ll have to see. I’m still focusing on the simple stuf flike
tees and what weve been building ourselves with.
Shop Monogram Apparel Here
