South Carolina "Streetwear?" A Q&A With the Guy Who's Got It...

Guest StylePublic post by KJ Kearney (@h1gher) of H1gher Learning

Pierre Nelson?

That’s the homie. Well, he’s the homie NOW, although I must admit it hasn’t always been that way. In the Fall of 2011, I was introduced to ODE Clothing—a South Carolina-based brand with noble intentions. This was back when I was fully dedicated to the idea of running a Streetwear-themed website. My first thoughts of ODE could be simplified by using the popular phrase:

“Better luck next time.”

Pierre was none too happy with my assessment and did not hesitate to let me know. But the difference between him and the other brands whose line-sheets and lookbooks I refused to upload on my blog (and whom subsequently got mad at me), was that Pierre DIDN’T give up. Every season he’d keep making gear and keep sending me lookbooks until one day, I posted. It was at that point that I decided I would follow up with him every so often so as to stay abreast of his sartorial journey. Anyone with that kind of ambition must be on the track to greatness, right?

Fast forward to Ode’s Spring/Summer 2013, and by George, I believe Pierre has finally found his stride! That is to say, he has settled in on a look that defines his brand and helps ODE stand out among the sea of Streetwear hopefuls.

He shot his most recent lookbook here in Charleston with the aid of photographers Black Dave and Nick Milak. I was fortunate enough to be granted both access to the shoot and some one-on-one time with the man behind the brand.

Our brief exchange follows…

{ WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A COLLECTION DEDICATED TO SOUTH CAROLINA? }

I felt that South Carolina wasn’t getting the shine in the fashion industry that it deserved, especially the streetwear industry, so I wanted to change that. South Carolina is a cool place that deserved a streetwear inspired collection.

{ EXPLAIN THE DESIGN INSPIRATION. I LOVE THE LOOK BUT IT DOESN’T “LOOK” LIKE SOUTH CAROLINA. I’M THINKING “STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON” WHEN I SEE IT. }

That was the inspiration behind the collection but, had I not done it, there wouldn’t have been a South Carolina version of that design.

{ AHH! OK, THAT MAKES SENSE. SO HOW ARE YOU SPREADING THE WORD ON THE “SOUF.CAK” COLLECTION? }

Mostly through social media but I’m now putting in the footwork to spread the work about it.

{ ANY SPECIFICS ON THE FOOTWORK MEASURES YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE? }

A: Haha!! I mean by footwork is going out and meeting people. Having actually conversations with people instead of being behind the computer screen all the time promoting the brand. People want to know who’s behind the brand they’re buying from.

{ GOOD ANSWER! FROM YOUR STANDPOINT: WHAT IS THE STREETWEAR SCENE LIKE? }

For South Carolina or the streetwear scene period?

{ SPECIFIC TO SOUTH CAROLINA. }

I personally think South Carolina doesn’t really have a streetwear scene. A few brands here and there but nothing major. The streetwear scene here is growing though, I see new brands pop up every day.

{ SO WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, IS NEEDED TO HELP CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THE SCENE? }

People learning what streetwear is. A lot of people as a whole in SC don’t know what streetwear is other than Diamond Supply and Obey, haha. I think it only needs to take one SC based brand to blow up to really get people to want to know what streetwear is.

{ GREAT POINT. SO I GUESS THAT IS WHERE THE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH CONSUMERS COMES INTO PLAY… }

Yea that’s what I’m try to do all this year in SC.

{ EDUCATE THOSE THAT MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR OF STREETWEAR, WHAT SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS ARE. }

I don’t really have any favorite brands but I like Ilthy and 10.Deep, Pyrex too! lol just joking.

{ I WAS LIKE “PYREX”!?! Ok, MOVING ON, ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SAY IN CLOSING? }

Not really except that people can follow us on twitter/Instagram: @shopode and hit up the Ode Store at odeclothing.com.