Last week we shared with you all a video lookbook of Dope Couture‘s Spring 2010 collection. This week I sat down with Matt Fields of Dope Couture to get the inside scoop (doesn’t that sound juicy?) of what’s behind the dope streetwear line, rightfully named, Dope Couture.

JMiné: What’s going on Matt? So, first off how did you come up with the name Dope Couture? What’s the meaning behind it?

Matt: The brand is about incorporating high fashion and luxury into streetwear clothing. I wanted a name that reflected that irony and illustrated what the brand embodies.

JMiné: Well I think the name definitely fits. I’m sure a lot of people including myself are curious to know, when did you decide that you wanted to start your own clothing line? What was the motivation behind it?

Matt: Money, power, respect. Just playin. It was about saying fuck the man. It was about waking up at noon. It was about skipping and class and having dreams of grandeur. I was still in school when I started Dope. I had been following high fashion and streetwear brands and got heavy into it all. I was being inspired by all these things that these brands were doing and wanted to share my design ideas with the fashion community. The motivation to start the line sprung out of the desire to share my designs and it’s what continues to push me. I’m naturally competitive so I see an ill design from another company and I’m like “damn we should have done that first. I already thought about that.” So instead I rather be like “yeah their design is cool but we did the whole Goyard thing a while ago.”

JMiné: LOL! I think that’s the best motivation, having that passion for you art combined with that belief in your product. So I’ve browsed your online store and I’m sure our Mix206 readers will also. In fact there are items in my cart as we speak, and the designs are sick! Where do you draw your creative inspiration from when it comes to creating new designs?

Matt: Inspiration can come from anything. It could come from music, fashion, art or even a lifestyle. I’m constantly writing down ideas from things I find creative or inspiring.

JMiné: This is so true! I’m constantly putting stuff in my notepad on my Blackberry like “Oh this would be great for Mix206!” Inquiring mines want to know, what’s in store for Dope Couture in the near future? Where do you see Dope Couture in the next 3-5 years?

Matt: You’ll see at least one new boutique open in the next two years and hopefully a couple more in the years following. You’ll also see us moving into cut & sew with higher quality garments.

JMiné: Nice! We will definitely be looking forward to that. Now I must ask, I love the motto “No Dope, No Hope”. What’s the story behind that?

Matt: I found a photo with that tag and it made sense. If you’re fresh then you should have some dope in your wardrobe. Dope is so literal and that’s kind of beautiful.

JMiné: Ha! I love it! Now every Tuesday one of our fellow Artoholiks’ L-Magic does his weekly Kix Shot, so I know he’s going to kill me if I don’t ask. With that said, what are you wearing on your feet today?

Matt: Sambas. Gum sole – check. Large and in charge tounge – check. Classic – check. I’m all the way in there. The past holds the secrets to the future.

JMiné: Cool, a classics guy! Lastly, the one question we ask everyone, what’s the one thing you can’t leave out your house without (i.e. ipod, blackberry, fave pair of kicks, sketch pad, etc.)

Matt: I have to say my iPhone. It’s the only way I stay productive.

JMiné: Well, Matt I know how busy you guys are over at Dope Couture especially with the recent launch of the Dope Couture Spring 2010 Collection and the newly revamped web store, so on behalf of the Artoholiks we want to thank you for stopping by Mix206 and giving us a chance to get a more up close and personal look at Dope Couture, one of newly fave streetwear lines.

We hope you all enjoyed this segment of Happy Hour, check out some pics from Dope Couture’s Spring 2010 lookbook, and click here to see the entire video lookbook and to add some Dope Couture to your closet!

As you all know I have dedicated my life (over the last year) to bringing you guys dope artist, hot gadgets, fresh music, new fashion trends, and cool events. Well, recently I’ve had the great pleasure of sitting down with REBEL8‘s creators Joshy D. (& Mike Giant via text). Despite that fact that Mix206 is on the east coast and REBEL8 is way on the other side on the west coast we found a way to have them join us for our Happy Hour segment.

JMiné: How did REBEL8 get started?

Joshy D.: I asked my friend Mike to write out REBEL8 in a few ways. I took the
drawings to a screenprinter and that was that.

JMiné: What was the motivation behind creating this new line?

Joshy D.: To have a tangible product. I came from the dot-com industry and saw a lot of work disappear with a magnet. I wanted to make something that could stand the test of time (for a couple years at least).

JMiné: Is there a story behind the name?

Joshy D.: Nope. A name is only a name. It’s what you do with it that gives it meaning.

JMiné: I read on Twitter that REBEL8 started off as $500 and a dream, what’s the story behind that?

Joshy D.: No great story behind starting with only $500. It was not to try and make the situation more difficult for myself. If I had a million dollars then, I would have started with a million dollars, ya dig.

JMiné: What three words best sums up what REBEL8 represents?

Joshy D.: Tattoo, graffiti, skateboarding.

JMiné: Where would you want to open the Rebel8 flagship shop and why?

Joshy D.: Frisco. I’m born and bred SF. We started here and still have our warehouse and offices in San Francisco.

JMiné: We call ourselves The Artoholiks because we are addicted to art of all forms. Would you consider REBEL8 an Artoholik? If so, why?

Joshy D.: I would say we are more addicted to perfection and originality. We spend countless hours on product development and design. Our success was not finding a niche, but creating our own. But being an art-based clothing company, you could very well say we are Artoholiks.

JMiné: Where do you draw your creative inspiration from when it comes to creating new designs?

Joshy D.: You’d have to specifically ask the designers and they ALWAYS have an opinion about anything – but they would probably say they get inspiration from everything. “Creatives” are a trip.

JMiné: What’s in store for REBEL8 in the near future? Where do you see REBEL8 in the next 3-5 years?

Joshy D.: Bigger, cleaner and better. Our brand image, consistency and strength seems to increase season after season. I hope within 3-5 year we’ll
have a store or two and continue to inspire other designers and people to DIY their own future.

JMiné: Lastly, the one question we ask everyone, what’s the one thing you can’t leave out your house without (i.e. ipod, blackberry, fave pair of kicks, sketch pad, etc.)

Joshy D.: My keys……………I just texted Mike to get an answer and he wrote “Keys,” too! Haha.
STONERS UNITE!

On behalf of my fellow Artoholiks I want to thank Joshy D., Mike Giant, and the entire REBEL8 crew not only for joining us for Happy Hour but for pushing their passion and being certified Artoholiks! We will definitely be bring more from Rebel8 to Mix206 in the near future!

Back in December of 2009, I showed you these cool/unique chairs designed by Pharrell Williams. Now I have exclusive video from BKRW.COM Digital Magazine on Pharrell and his chairs. BKRW had a chance to sit down with American true artist and designer PHARRELL WILLIAMS, in PARIS. For the presentation of his new design project the TANK CHAIR with EMMANUEL PERROTIN. bkrw.com