This talk with iconic denim designer and businessman Maurice Malone feels like a fashion industry Masterclass but in the form of a great conversation.

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More on Maurice Malone

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Today, as the owner and designer of the Brooklyn based manufacturer, retailer and denim brand Williamsburg Garment Company (WGC), designer Maurice Malone is recognized in the denim industry as one of the top denim designers in the world. He has been called the “Steve Jobs of Denim” by Brooklyn Magazine, also, featured as a creative thought leader for Fast Company’s The Rise, Fall, And Rise Of The “Steve Jobs Of Denim” and Bloomberg BusinessWeek’s “21 People Besides Kanye Who Are Just Like Steve Jobs.”  Like Steve Jobs, with WGC Maurice has been a different thinker, believing in simplifying a product to enhance it and not being content following the traditional routes of proven business models is why Williamsburg Garment Company has been so successful. —> Read More

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Sean “Puff” Combs, Aaliyah and Big

Part 1 – Show Notes

1. Relaunching Maurice Malone Brand
2. Williamsburg Garment Company
3. Started with $1600
4. Took MOJEANS brand off the market in 2001
5. Relaunched it 2006
6. The last Maurice Malone collection was 2005/6 just before the relaunched the MOJEANS Black Label, which ended about 2007/2008
7. Celebrity brands
8. MTV started blurring logos
9. From Detroit
10. Moved to New York in ‘89
11. Big fish in a little pond
12. Doing parties and fashion shows
13. Started making clothes from himself then for friends
14. Started out doing hats
15. Wanted to be a special effects artist
16. Fashion Institute of Technology Museum
17. Maurice attended FIT
18. Just Got Lucky by Joe Boxers
19. Wanted to make jeans but didn’t know how to make a fly
20. Started buying machines
21. Hudson’s
22. Willi Smith of Willi Wear
23. School Daze
24. Black Designers
25. Patrick Kelly
26. Karl Kani
27. Calvin Klein
28. Jean Paul Gaultier
29. Dressing to work
30. Staple of the Detroit Hat
31. Polo by Ralph Lauren
32. Finding good help
33. New Yorkers talk fast
34. You from the country?
35. Detroit accent 
36. Derrick May
37. MK
38. Immersed in Hip Hop
39. Kid Capri DJing
40. KRS-One
41. Transitioning from tight clothes wearing baggy clothes
42. Became a NYC bike messenger 
43. Clinton Hill is full of creatives
44. Junkprints
45. Strict diet
46. Eat to Live
47. Designing at night
48. Drawing on the floor
49. Cross Colours 
50. Will Smith
51. The Hip Hop Shop
52. Giving away clothing
53. Provocative advertising 
54. This is what we do, fuck you
55. Abducted by aliens
56. Ups and Downs
57. Don’t let nothing stop you
58. WGC Pillars 
59. Paper Denim and Cloth
60. Meeting with Barney’s 
61. Doing branded unbranded denim
62. One man company 
63. Manufacturing aging in denim
64. You know you’re doing something right when you’re doing stuff before people understand it
65. Thinking faster, simpler 
66. Pure Playaz
67. Everything happens for a reason 
68. Selling clothes like hot cakes 
69. Merry-Go-Round 
70. DJ Clue Tapes
71. Proof worked at the Hip Hop Shop
72. My momma don’t want no hip hop on her block

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It’s been a little over a year and some change since we’ve had the opportunity to sit down with René Mantilla. René was one of our earliest guests on the NYS Podcast. He had a lot going then and he hasn’t slowed up yet. As a matter of fact, René seems to be hitting hyper drive.

Greatest experience since the podcast aired in 2017

Hmmmm… The Greatest Experience is the podcast debut… Honestly, since the podcast has aired, everything after has been a blessing and great experience. From Fashion Week Presentations in NYC, Pop Up shop in Beverly Hills, Ca, Debuting in Vogue Mexico, Ocean Drive Venezuela, being part of Dominicana Moda in DR, establishing The Council of Fashion Designers of Ecuador last year, it all has been beyond a great experience.

Photography by Pablo Naranjo

What are your days like?

My days can be very random and long. Some days may start at 6pm and I’m not home until 5am (pending on client calls, events, networking). My brand has reached over to Moscow, Russia, so communication with clients are between 1-2am. Other days may be quiet, I usually have at least 1 day of stillness, to write a schedule for the week. But I am beyond grateful when I add commitments and get booked up. But I do try to take at least 1 day, usually Monday. Believe or not, Sundays are quite busy!

Photography by Amon Focus

What are you looking to accomplish in 2019?

I started my 2019 amazing, thus far, I did an amazing segment back in my hometown area (Delaware Valley, Philadelphia/Camden) on Fox 29 News, Philadelphia Good Day Show just last week, 1.15 then headed to Ecuador the next day to work on Collections for SS 19, Fall/Winter 19/20 and a very special project in the city of Mexico. I am concentrating on the Central American Market, specifically Mexico City. It is the fashion mecca of Central/South America.

Photography by Amon Focus

Any recent celebrity clients he can tell us about?

The celebrity clients have been great! I’ve made chapeaux for Russell Wilson, Cedric The Entertainer, another chapeau for Alicia Keys. I spent a lot of time outside of US last year, concentrating on Ecuador and Latino Artist. I would love to connect with J.Balvin, Maluma, Bad Bunny!

Chapeau Trends you see for 2019?

I created my own trends for this year, more round and higher crowns, oversized will remain a staple for my brand. We will be playing with leather more this year for brims. Color trends for 2019 are going to be super fab!

Photography by Amon Focus

What color are you crushing on?

Luscious Red, Deep Violets, Black for Fall/Winter! Super excited to share with you soon!

Photography by Pablo Naranjo

Most pivotal experience since we last talked.

Most pivotal experience is growing the brand into capes & kimonos. Expanding my brand from just not chapeaux but capas as we look to call them. I made a collection last year and sold out that month! They are custom made as well.

Photography by Andrew Morales

We heard about the 2018 Fashion Week feature, we want details.

For Fashion Week in NYC, I love to have it open to public. So the public can see the presentation/collection. My most memorable fashion experiences were at Bryant Park from 2005-2008 during fashion week. It was such a community! I love that vibe! This year we are teaming up with Ecuadorian brands to bring something special to NYC! 2nd week of February… Stay tuned!!

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Kenny Vera talks running a small business, launching his LOOT Lifestyle brand, learning new languages and overcoming mistakes.

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3. Twitter

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Show Notes

Being typed as we speak…
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This episode is sponsored by Gorilla Coffee.