Capsule Interview Series: Public School NYC

How did you get involved with Capsule?

I’m actually on the board of advisors from my retail involvement with my store Arrive in Miami.

What’s the inspiration/idea/theme behind this season?

The theme for this season is entitled “One Bad Apple.” It’s all about rebellion; rebelling against everything status quo and finding perfection in imperfection.

What would you be doing if you weren’t designing?

Playing Mah Jong in Hong Kong underground circuit.

What do you usually turn to for inspiration?

Travel, music and my peers.

What other designers/artists (of any kind) do you admire and why?

Anyone creative and wholly committed to affecting change through their work.

What film/television has been inspiring you lately?

Don’t watch too much TV but love the process of going to the movies, sharing nachos, fake cheese and icee’s is still very romantic to me.

How does music influence your design process?

It wouldn’t exist without it…music is probably the driving force behind our creative process. It can start with an artist or a body of work or even just one line.

What kind of music would you say “fits” your brand, if any?

Wouldn’t limit it to one genre because it would be too narrow, but I grew up with hip hop and its always been at the core of everything I do. The energy and competitiveness are sources of constant inspiration.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Everything! Constantly on the hunt for new and old music.I think about all the thousands and thousands of artists that we’ve never heard, waiting to be discovered. I’ve been listening to a lot of Motown and Stax recently.

Where’s the most exciting music coming from right now and why?

Probably from somebody’s dusty collection in their grandparents attic.

What was the last show you went to?

Tranoi.

If you could go back in time five years and give yourself some advice, what would it be?

Always believe in yourself and protect your own.