Soletron is happy to present another amazing brand that adds to the plethora of fashionable and diverse products in the Soletron Marketplace. Black Project Apparel is fly brand with great designs dedicated to creating casual and comfortable skate gear. Check out our interview with them below and make sure to head to the marketplace and cop some of their gear!

Background

Company Name: Black Project Apparel

Date Founded: May 2011

Located out of:  Portland, Oregon. West Coast USA

Number of Employees: 4

Interviewee: Otha Lee Banks 3^rd

Position with the Company: Partner/ Creative Director

Interview:

So tell us a little on the company’s background?  How did it get started?

“Black Project launched in May of 2011 as an artist collective, we simply kept with that basic structure and added our own flavor to it. Throughout the year we’ve developed the motto of quality urban attire for the skate/ casual consumer. We will be moving into button downs and accessories throughout the summer.”

What about the name?

“What is the significance or story behind it? Black Project is the name of a secret government experiment. We call our stuff Black Project because we keep our projects under complete secrecy until they are ready to be released. We grow as a team, and we’re out to kill the competition one project at a time.”

In what region do you do most of your business? 

“Most of our business is on the west coast, all bordering states from Washington to California.”

How many stores are you currently in?

“We are not currently in any store yet, but we are working on our own pop up shop around mid-august. We do have our temp web store available.”

What advice do you have for someone just starting their own line?  Any tricks of the trade?

“Find a quality printer as your first step. Develop your own steez, and produce quality over quantity.”

Do you manufacture local or internationally?

“We manufacture local in the US. We will be dealing internationally as our product range grows.”

How does your line fit into the sneakerhead movement?

“We represent the skater whom won’t settle for the average mall store, we represent the skater on vacation, or the privileged skater whom is swinging a few at the local driving range. Our clothing line is aimed for the skate sneaker head movement, specifically those who prefer the finer things in life. Our button up line will be inspired by the 1960-70’s Military Oxford style. Each screen printed tee will be a collaboration, or from a member of our skate team.”

What do you think the sneakerhead movement is missing from a retail perspective?

“Completely artistic driven designs from each product, too much stuff is copy and pasted nowadays, we need designs that will stand out as much as quality.”

How many designs do you normally come out with per season?

“We’re shooting for 10 this Spring/Summer. Along with a variety of collaborations from upcoming accessory companies.”

What do you think your hottest designs are for this season? Why?

“I personally love the city in hands design, and most of all our collaboration with Sacramento’s upcoming rap artist Abstract Ninjaa.”

Anybody famous rocking your products?

“Abstract Ninjaa, Local Artist.”

What retail stores would you love to get into but haven’t been able to so far?

“Compound (Portland, OR), we’re working on a few others.”

What’s next on the horizon?

“A few Promo videos, dropping two shirts in about two weeks, we recently released a new mix tape that featured a few up-comers. We’re also working on a accessory collaboration with a rolling paper company. We plan to release a smoke box.”

Appreciate you taking the time with Soletron!

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