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DOPE Couture...so DOPE!
Monday 21st January 2013 | Osh
Born in Los Angeles, California Dope Couture represents a fusion of streetwear and high end luxury. With artists such as Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lupe Fiasco and Wiz Khalifa all rocking their gear these guys are completely smashing it right now. We had a chat with Matt Fields the owner and director, to get the latest on the The Bougie Crew, their history and FUCK HUMBLE the exciting new collaboration with rapper KING CHIP.
What is the philosophy behind the brand?
The DOPE brand represents the fusion of streetwear and luxury fashion. The philosophy is that, through the brand, everyone can experience a piece of what high fashion has to offer. When we create a garment inspired by Slimane, Emilio Pucci, Lagerfeld, or Decarnin, we are making a piece of that lifestyle more affordable. Everybody cannot afford £1000 jackets.
What made you want to get into fashion and streetwear?
I saw Jay Z rocking a streetwear tee, and since then, I've been hooked.
You opened your first boutique back in 2009 in Bloomington, Indiana. How has the journey of Dope been for you since then?
The home of DOPE is Los Angeles, California. The majority of my team moved out here with me from the midwest. Things have definitely changed since the first boutique in Btown, but the people that impacted the brand still mess with us, show us love and support, and we are grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to grow like we have.
You got big artists such as Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Ink and Jay Z all rocking your gear. Did you ever imagine such artists wearing your garms?!
No, this is definitely one of those blessings that I was talking about. It was somewhat expected because I was lucky enough to have Lupe wearing my clothes in my second season, which was amazing, but it didn't stop there. I think I was most shocked to see Jay Z wearing my clothes before I even graduated college. Granted, I took 5 years to graduate haha. Regardless, it was still amazing and seemed like everything came full circle since he was part of my original inspiration to start a streetwear brand.
What has been the best bit of advice that you have been given and from who?
The advice is so good I honestly want to keep it to myself. Greed is good. My second best advice would be to be pick a profession that doesn't feel like work. I love making clothes and I obsess over details and I think that makes going to "work" very, very easy.
Tell us about the FUCK HUMBLE is a collaboration between DOPE and KING CHIP?
So Chip hit me on my cell and told me that he had a new slogan and when I heard it, I really dug the concept and we decided to make some really simple, clean, slogan-driven garments. You could be anybody and really feel the concept of "FUCK HUMBLE." Being humble is obviously a valued trait but if you're doing something really well, then you should celebrate it, at least a little bit, and embrace your abilities.
With the collab you have limited to 100 tee shirts, 75 hoodies, and 100 hats...so we need to get in their fast, right?
As with every collab we do, we suggest you don't wait very long to pull the trigger.
You have a close knit team- The Bougie Crew, how important is their input in the brand?
The Bougie Crew is 1) my team, 2) our supporters, and 3) anyone that meshes streetwear and luxury fashion. But concerning my team, a lot of people chip in ideas, and some of those ideas grow to be phenomenal products. Without the Bougie Crew, I wouldn't be able to do what I do and that extends to every definition of the term.
What designers/ streetwear brands are you feeling right now?
Slimane-era Dior and Decarnin-era Balmain.
What’s next...what is 2013 gonna bring for you guys?
Spring 2013 is definitely basic in terms of silhouettes. We've got some tees, snapbacks, campers, a few sleeveless pullovers, and some crazy accessories. We're declaring war on animal prints with our "death to animal" all over print tee shirt and turning childhood fantasies into two-finger rings with our Lamborghini Countach ring with functioning doors.
Thanks for your time we are loving your stuff! Bring it to London :)
Thank you for the interview and the opportunity to let people in London know more about DOPE. Look for the brand in more stores across Europe this year.
For more info hit up www.dopecouture.com
Words by Tab Taylor @tiptoptab
