Blood Is The New Black
By Kenyatta D. Pious
Explain the concept "blood is the new black" and
tell us what is the inspiration behind it?
The concept behind Blood is the New Black was to find a
way to enable artists to reach a wider audience. I went to
art school and many of my friends and peers were amazingly
talented but only known in small circles. I wanted to find
a way to help them reach audiences in a way they may not
have had the chance to expose their art to before. I've always
had a love for both fashion and art - - to me this is the
perfect way to indulge both passions!
What separates you from other designers in this market and
do you consider yourself as an "avant garde" designer?
I can't speak for other designers and I don't know what their
motivations are. For me personally I think this line is unique
because rather than being about me, the figurehead, it's
about the collective and about promoting the talented artists
on our team. I certainly did not come up with the concept
of integrating artwork and fashion, or even artwork and t-shirts,
but I believe that our processes like all over prints enable
the artist to use the entire t-shirt body as a canvas, a
newer idea than standard shirts with centered graphics.
What were the challenges that you faced and continue to
face with your collection?
Each day brings a new challenge! Because of our unique printing
processes production is always a challenge, but I believe
in differentiating ourselves through our quality, ingenuity,
and fit so the challenge is imperative to our success. We
have had tons of support from the fashion and art communities,
which has been great, I have a lot of love for both industries
and it's flattering to be accepted as a viable and relevant
company by both groups.
Where can we find your line? |
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Aside from our website (www.bloodisthenewblack.com)
you can find the line at: Red Light (Seattle), Apartment
3 (Los Angeles), Penelope’s (Chicago), Lost + Found
(Philadelphia), Armhole (Dallas), Metropolis (NYC), and tons
more (please refer to our site for the full list)
What are some of your upcoming projects / events?
We just had our Halloween party in LA at Star Shoes and
it was a blast! Our next big event is the Pool Tradeshow
in Vegas this February. We start preparing and sampling months
in advance. Not very glamorous, but it definitely is a HUGE
part of the job. Hopefully we will be sponsoring some more
parties in the meantime between now and then cause with all
this work we definitely do deserve to have a good time every
now and then.
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Any comments or advice for those that might look at your
story and seek to imitate what you have done?
Go for it!!! It takes a lot of work and dedication - - God
bless those who have it in them. I have ultimate respect
for anyone who chooses to do their own thing, it is a nightmare
at times and I know everyone is tempted to quit, there is
no harder boss to work for than yourself, but at the same
time it feels really good when you see what comes out of
it. My advice? Believe in yourself, your product, and your
team. I don't think this is a competition, the more people
out there doing their own thing, the better!
For more information:
Mitra Khayyam
Owner + Managing Director
BLOOD IS THE NEW BLACK
8033 Sunset Blvd. No. 520 Hollywood, CA 90046
Phone: 646.662.6943
Fax: 213.559.0740
www.bloodisthenewblack.com
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