{"id":9653,"date":"2012-09-12T22:24:12","date_gmt":"2012-09-12T22:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dropcents.com\/blog\/?p=9653"},"modified":"2012-09-12T22:29:47","modified_gmt":"2012-09-12T22:29:47","slug":"behind-the-brand-monogram-apparel-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dropcents.com\/blog\/behind-the-brand-monogram-apparel-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Monogram Apparel Interview Behind The Brand"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

Monogram Apparel<\/h2>\n

What label,brand, or company are you with? And what is your title.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I am with Monogram Apparel<\/em><\/span> out of central Massachusetts and I am<\/div>\n
brand founder\/director.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What kind of products do you guys specialize in?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Monogram Apparel mainly stays to producing tees, tanks, and hoodies containing<\/div>\n
either hand drawn art or our strong brand mottos (‘Create Yourself’ &<\/div>\n
‘Steer Your Own Path’) and our logos. We also have done jackets & Hats<\/div>\n
and are getting more into headwear items in 2013.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

How did Monogram Apparel\u00a0get into this business?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I started doing shirt designs for bands a few years ago and had a lot<\/div>\n
of extra artwork laying around that never got used. I blended that<\/div>\n
with the positive idea of the Create Yourself message I really believe<\/div>\n
in and live by. Ive been fortunate enough to travel the country<\/div>\n
playing music in my old bands and worked very hard to get to that<\/div>\n
point. Life is about Creating Yourself into what you want to become<\/div>\n
and Steering Your Own Path of that vision to your own reality.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Before Monogram Apparel,\u00a0I saw myself being a truck driver, I<\/div>\n
grew up with my father driving 18 wheelers for a living and was always<\/div>\n
around him and his trucks. I thought it was bad ass to drive something<\/div>\n
as big as a house.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As a clothing brand where do you get your inspiration for designs?<\/strong>What kind of thought process goes into your collection?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Well more so now than in the beging a lot of the design ideas happen<\/div>\n
in a team effort. I have recruited the help of some talented friends<\/div>\n
who are involved with the actual artwork and direction of the brand.<\/div>\n
We will talk about what we have been thinking about for ideas over<\/div>\n
time and how we want to carry them out.<\/div>\n
Alot of what Monogram Apparel\u00a0came up with is simply stuff we want to wear that we<\/div>\n
think other people may also like. Especially with our motto and logo<\/div>\n
designs that represent the Create Yourself and Steer Your Own Path<\/div>\n
messages, its something we truly believe in and want to spread the<\/div>\n
positive message.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

How does Monogram Apparel\u00a0feel about “Brand Jacking” where a brand mimics the\u00a0<\/strong>designs of another brand?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I think there is a fine line between admiring another brand and<\/div>\n
ripping off another brand. Coming into this scene of fashion I had and<\/div>\n
still have many many brands I look up to and take inspiration from<\/div>\n
with their ideas, but when coming up with your own you really have to<\/div>\n
look at what your brand is about and what your direction is. Brands<\/div>\n
that have a solid idea and meaning behind their work will not “Jack”<\/div>\n
another brands designs or ideas, in that case you just cant, youre<\/div>\n
original. Brands that are known for “Brand Jacking” have no personal<\/div>\n
meaning behind them and are NOT in it for the right reasons.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

How did you come up with the name for Monogram Apparel? What does it mean\u00a0<\/strong>or stand for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Well, this answer gets kind of confusing.. The brand is, Monogram<\/div>\n
Apparel ~Create Yourself~, more notably just Monogram Apparel. It was<\/div>\n
originally going to be “Create Yourself Clothing” but I really didnt<\/div>\n
like the feel of that and the misinterpretation someone could get<\/div>\n
thinking you actually create the clothing yourself if you want. (I<\/div>\n
still get that question even though CY is just the motto) I had come<\/div>\n
up with the logo first playing around with (monograms) much like the<\/div>\n
new york yankees logo, its a monogram (Two or more letter put together<\/div>\n
into one logo) The “MA” was originally for “Massachusetts” on a<\/div>\n
separate design I was working on. Then it hit me.. Why not Monogram<\/div>\n
Apparel and have the logo be a.. monogram. To me it makes sense, to<\/div>\n
others maybe not?<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

With the explosion of social media, what does Monogram Apparel\u00a0do to build\u00a0<\/strong>brand exposure? What social network is most important to your brand?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Well mostly facebook has been the biggest driving force of media<\/div>\n
marketing for Monogram Apparel. We are able to connect with fans, show of new<\/div>\n
stuff, offer new discounts, let people know where and when we will be<\/div>\n
places, its huge really. More recently Instagram has been another way<\/div>\n
to connect and show off our ideas and inner workings as a brand.<\/div>\n
Ive learned from being involved in the sales and marketing industry<\/div>\n
through my day job that having a personal connection with customers<\/div>\n
really makes them much more than just a customer but builds a special<\/div>\n
relationship with those people and further strengthens the bond<\/div>\n
between them and your business. Social networking is huge for that in<\/div>\n
the clothing industry. Everyone wears clothes (most of the time) so<\/div>\n
right there youve already got one thing in common with them and Monogram Apparel!<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is one style from the past that you wish was still popular?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
haha oh man, hard to say it seems that old styles are coming back in<\/div>\n
and fashion its self kind of has a huge cycle it follows so in a way I<\/div>\n
think most things fromt he past are and will be back anyhow. But to<\/div>\n
choose one, I think seeing people in those bright neon Will<\/div>\n
Smith\/Fresh Prince windbreaker suits would be hilarious and fun.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

What is a current trend that you cannot stand?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Guys in girl pants. Noooot to into that look\/style. And I really cant<\/div>\n
stand when people wear a belt that isnt acting as a belt.. I know its<\/div>\n
a form of fashion, even close to the demographic Monogram Apparel\u00a0is noticed<\/div>\n
by, but I just dont get it?<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Snapback or Fitted? Why?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Snapback… One size to carry\/stock. and you can have fun with the<\/div>\n
colors of the hats\/plastic snaps.<\/div>\n
Low tops or High Tops? Why?<\/strong><\/div>\n
Personally low, i dont like socks because they come up to high on the<\/div>\n
ankle and feel weird, so do high tops. Ill stick with low.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

What are your thoughts on todays street wear scene?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
I think its going in a really good direction with its popularity<\/div>\n
growing in the underground fashion\/clothing industry. Theres more<\/div>\n
brands coming out with stuff that seems to really differ from one<\/div>\n
another but still stay within the same demographic and it ads a bigger<\/div>\n
selection to what you can call street wear and appreciate as that<\/div>\n
style of clothing.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What do you see for the future of this industry?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Class. I think that there is and will be more items coming out that<\/div>\n
have a ‘classy’ look to them. Maybe some brands even hitting some<\/div>\n
business professional looks for people in there low 20’s-mid 30’s that<\/div>\n
still carry a street look and feel. Basically bringing the street wear<\/div>\n
style to a whole new respected level among other bigger clothing<\/div>\n
brands out there offering other types of styles. I can see street wear<\/div>\n
brands getting to a competing status with world wide and respected<\/div>\n
apparel brands.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is one of the best things about being in this industry?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The people, Ive met some great people through Monogram Apparel\u00a0and I think<\/div>\n
thats one of my favorite things about it. Working together with people<\/div>\n
to create stuff that other people can appreciate and want to put on<\/div>\n
themselves.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is one of the worst things about this industry?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
You know, I really cant think of anything negative at the moment. I<\/div>\n
guess that right now at the level Monogram Apparel\u00a0is at I dont like how hard<\/div>\n
it can be to try and gain the respect or attention of bigger industry<\/div>\n
events like certain shows and gatherings. Lately there are A LOT of<\/div>\n
smaller brands popping up and thats great but at that point you have<\/div>\n
to really look at what ones are in it for the right reasons.. kinda<\/div>\n
going back to my answer on the “Brand Jacking” question.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

How would you quickly describe your past 5 years in one short\u00a0<\/strong>sentence.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Looking back, the past 5 years have been very productive, positive,<\/div>\n
fulfilling and have gone by very very fast.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

How long is your average work day?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
24\/7 this is a lifestyle and a state of mind for me.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

How many core members\/employees are on your team?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
there’s 6 core members including myself with about 5 other people who<\/div>\n
are there to help just as much.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

What sneakers did you rock as a kid?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Converse and Vans.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

What brand names were you rocking back in the day?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
I was a Hurley kid when I was younger. Big into skate and surf at the<\/div>\n
time. And being from Boston, Johnny Cupcakes was a brand I looked up<\/div>\n
to and followed through the success the brand has had.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

In your opinion, what other brands are on the come-up in this\u00a0<\/strong>industry?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
For brand I really appreciate I have to look at the smaller one man<\/div>\n
operations like Ugmonk. I really respect, Jeffs (the founder) style<\/div>\n
and passion behind his art and brand. Im all about creativity and<\/div>\n
people who can set themselves apart. Ugmonk has done that and found a<\/div>\n
great deal of success in the 4 years they have been around. As for<\/div>\n
more noteable brands, I think everone has seen the explosion of The<\/div>\n
Hundreds, Diamond Supply co, Crooks & Castles etc.. theyre all doing<\/div>\n
great things and I look up to them all greatly.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

If you had to give up Monogram Apparel and go work for a fast food\u00a0<\/strong>joint, which fast food joint would it be?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
haha, oh man, I guess anything with pizza. If I was stuck doing fast<\/div>\n
food instead of this it would have to have pizza involved.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What was your first job?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Washing dishes at my grandfathers breakfast restaurant. Hated that.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What will see coming from Monogram Apparel\u00a0in the future?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Jan 2013 marks the 3 yr anniversary as well as the complete revamp of<\/div>\n
the brand. New designs, more focused direction and we will be hitting<\/div>\n
up more retail locations to hopefully partner with and keep spreading<\/div>\n
our message.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

What trends will be big in 2013 \/ 2014?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Im seeing more headware items coming out, more earth tones\/wool<\/div>\n
items. Alot of brown leather being thrown around. Im not really sure,<\/div>\n
I guess we’ll have to see. I’m still focusing on the simple stuf flike<\/div>\n
tees and what weve been building ourselves with.<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n