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Play Money is a new clothing line looking to make big moves this year and next year. With a whole bunch of goodness going on, Rago Magazine sent Tricksta to get the lowdown on Play Money…
How did you come up with the name for the clothing line?
"Play Money" has a lot of significance in the clothing line I created. Being a big fan of brands such as BBC/ Ice Cream/ Bape/ Play Clothes; it is easy to see that "Money" is a large factor in designs and feel to the overall brands. Within the hip hop industry, it’s always been criticised for the constant reference to Money whether it be in lyrics or videos. I'm also a huge boxing fan with Floyd "Money" Mayweather being at the very top of that list so again another reference to Money. When I worked in high fashion retail (Armani) the majority of my clients were from backgrounds steeped in secrecy as to how they achieved their funds hence they used to call the money they spent in the store as "Play Money". Hence, "Play Money" was born....
When did you officially start?
The brand has been in the back of my mind now for about 6 years (??) but has only been materialised since April 2011. We are very, very fresh and ready to take the industry by storm....
Did you have any experience in the fashion industry before you started?
Funnily enough, my whole "career" has been based around the fashion industry. I started my fashion career working for Emporio Armani as a sales assistant, progressed to working for a small independent store in Manchester that stocked a hugely different stock to what I had been used to at Armani. This allowed me the chance to go on seasonal buys for the store and make contacts with fashion agents for different brands. I then stepped my game up by working as Senior Sales at Harvey Nichols where I had the run of both formal and casual wear so an overall knowledge was paramount. I was then fortunately hustled by a previous fashion agent to work as their Northern based agent where I distributed brands such as Fly 53R, Supreme Being, Gsus & Whiteboy. This allowed me to see the real side of fashion. The selling to stores 6 months in advance and having to be on top of trends, etc.... I love fashion but not many brands out there speak to me as much, they're either too overpriced or too over designed (Copied from previous seasons brands)
So apart from T-shirts, what else is in the range?
Starting a small clothing line is expensive, well if you’re on a pretty limited budget especially with the current financial climate. The original concept was for just (T-shirts and a range of sweats n hoody's to get me going. The range currently holds about 8 different styles of t-shirts and 5 different types of hoody’s in order to compliment the initial tee shirt range. So far so good, in current talks to produce hats but it's only initial talks for the time being.
How many designs do you offer?
Currently available on the site www.playmoney.bigcartel.com are 6 styles of t-shirts, 4 styles of hoody’s (one available in three colours) and a Ltd Edition screen-print. Yep, bit of an artist at the moment, if you can call it that, so I wanted to be more of a lifestyle brand hence offering not only textile products hence the screen-print.
What’s been the most popular so far?
The range has been pretty steady since its initial launch with a real mixture of visits and purchases across the board. The most popular I would have to say has been 2x Styles of tee's (The Meek & the original PM Logo) whilst the hoody’s have pretty much sold out due to their quirky and out of the ordinary styles whilst still trying to keep that urban street feel but being a little more dressed u, ye get me?
Who does the designs?
Me me me me, yeah everything to do with the brand from styles of tee shirts, to design s, to the website design etc have been solely created by myself. I wanted to stay true to my original concept and funds not allowing, I have had to do all the side of the business. Its taken time but I am currently at a point where I am happy with the overall feel and will be looking to possibly take an employee or two on in the future. It's my baby so hard to hand over any real design duties to anyone else.
Are the deigns in mass circulation or Ltd Edition?
All is Ltd Edition within the Play Money bracket, the idea was for the brand to keep constantly designing new styles and keep the loyal client on their toes so as to be on point when it comes to getting the tee's. I hate nothing more than walking into a gig with a cracking tee on to only be shot down by the fact that 10 other people there have the same tee or hoody. The screen-print is currently set to a Ltd Edition of 25 signed and numbered prints with possible future releases being offered but only in Ltd Edition. Tee's are set to a maximum edition of 50 pieces per style and colour option and hoody’s are currently at about 25 pieces per style and that’s that. Once they're gone, they're gone....
Where are you based?
I settled in France to get on with this project about 18 months ago in order to concentrate with the task at hand. Originally LDN born and Manchester bred, I'm a real mixture of the UK rolled into one and have learned to appreciate that different regions/ crews offer different styles significant to their surroundings. All going well, I want to be back to take the throne in the UK within 2012 and rep Play Money to its deserved status.
Do you have an official website?
Yeah, there's www.play-money.co currently being tweaked and finished and the threads are available on www.playmoney.bigcartel.com.
Any shops stocking the brand as yet?
As yet, I haven't even entertained the idea of retailing the brand in stores. The main reason for this is the fact that the brand is still very fresh and on the growth. It allows me to control fully the whole client relationship when orders come in and to allow the brand to start off with a particular style I want. When things are at a steady pace and ticking over nicely (Once Park Street PR have worked their magic) I am hoping to get a few stores on board but only stores which I feel will stay true to the brand image and not just stock it as another brand to be lost on a hanging rail.
Social Networking links?
Twitter: @playmoneyco
Facebook Page: Play Money Clothing
What does the future hold for Play Money?
The main aim for the remainder of 2011 is to get Play Money out there. Currently in discussions to get it associated to all things urban/ street wear based. We're looking to have it repped by future artists on the up, looking in ways in which we can later give back to out loyal clients via mixtapes and associations within the community. Play Money is not here solely for profit, taking on the Russell Simmons model, "In order to get you need to give". A small hat range is in discussion for early 2012 launch, collaborations for tees with other brands are also being looked at and to try and show the world that the UK has a real urban following and its not only stuck with US acts and brands. The UK is money rich in talent and if Play Money can expose this then I will be the happiest man alive for having allowed others to express themselves. Much love and thanks for the interview...
Interview by Tricksta
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