Malcolm Phipps one half of Garbege looks and attacks the fashion industry with a very different perspective from what I normally hear. Most fashion designers try very hard not be different by ignoring and not listening to what the elders (veterans) of the fashion industry have done to be successful. Mr. Phipps does not mind taking the time to listen to what people like Ralph Lauren, Jeff Tweedy and very soon Steve Jobs have to tell him when it comes to making his line better. Some people/artists would call this biting, but if you look at Garbege’s line, it looks nothing like anything else that’s out. How does they do it? Peep his stratgey or what he chooses to share and he although he may say nothing specifically the answers are between the lines.

Scheme: What career did you originally pursue or was it always fashion all the time?

Malcolm Phipps: I was one of those inner cats with NBA dreams. I was fairly nice and I played in all the city top spots. I came up and played in the era with Stephon Marbury, Skip to My Lou, Felipe Lopez etc. I learned a lot from playing with and against the cats I just listed. Fashion came into play when I got hurt playing ball and my cousin was in the industry. So I was basically in the fashion world since 1998.

Scheme: Describe what you were wearing as a kid and how that fashion sense
changed into something where you thought other people would like the same thing that you created?

Malcolm Phipps: Well I’m from Brooklyn and Brooklyn cats take pride in they’re get up. It was important to be fresh… it helped us bag the fly shorty, recieve a certain respect if you brought that special swagger into your look. I was rocking all the classic teddy bear knits, sportsmen, RLX, Polo. Also when Tommy Hilfiger was Tommy with the classic color block rugby’s and hand sewn “TH” Logo knits, Guess Pen Pocket Jeans, Girbraud Knife Pocket Jean, Nike Flight suits, classic Jordan’s & Gucci sneakers with the crocodile heel. That was my edited version.

Scheme: How important is fashion to you in your everyday life and how much do you feel you need to stay abreast of what’s going on in fashion because I would assume the goal is to be innovative and not resemble anything else? How hard is it to balance that-being in the know but not wanting to know in the same vain?

Malcolm Phipps: Good question, it’s very important to live and love what you do. Fashion is fun to me on a daily basis because I love what I do and I’m flattered to be respected in the industry. Once you do that innovation will pour out of you. As much as you don’t want your line to resemble your competitors line the universe is small and great minds think alike sometimes.

Scheme: Where does the name Garbege stem from?

Malcolm Phipps: It plays off two words Garb(Garment) Ege( Edgy) in terms of the art and story of evert collection.

Scheme: Is this line all Malcolm Phipps or are their some other individuals
that play an important role in the production of Garbege?

Malcolm Phipps: The Garbege line is headed by myslef and my partner/brother in crime W. Zak. Hoke.

Scheme: How old were you when you started this line?

Malcolm Phipps: I was 26.

Scheme: What is the total scheme for this line and you as an individual?

Malcolm Phipps: Well the systematic plan of action for Garbege is continuing to supply the demand and to grow in other product categories.

“Supplying the demands has been challenging for us because it takes money to make money. On the merchandising front we’ve learned to go deep and narrow instead of wide and shallow. All in all we call it the beautiful struggle.”

Scheme: Does anything feel original anymore, meaning it seems like lines are dropping every minute is there anyway real way to differentiate?

Malcolm: Yes certain things still feel original when that person(s) and lines go hard in the creating that next masterpiece. This is one of the key reasons that Garbege has amassed so much success, following and respect from our peers. From day one until today we keep it consistent with out themes season after season from the Roaring 20’s, the Classic Rock vs. Rap Collection, Man vs. Machine etc. Original artwork, marketing plan and strategic collaborations, lwe already have a top selling watch under our belt and we are going to drop a sneaker on Black Friday.

Scheme: What goes on your head and when does that process go on in your head for it to be then put on a t-shirt, hoodie, or bandana?

Malcolm Phipps: Well my partners and I are world travelers, read a lot and we get inspired by a lot of things. I can’t really give away our play by play though process, that’s pentagon secret information. (laughs)

“I smile first because everyone’s entitled to an opinion. It’s my job to educate a critic(s) as to why it’s not just another t-shirt.”

Scheme: What are some of the bumps and bruises you have taken along the way and the bumps that you take now are they as hard as the ones you took in the early stages?

Malcolm Phipps: Supplying the demands has been challenging for us because it takes money to make money. On the merchandising front we’ve learned to go deep and narrow instead of wide and shallow. All in all we call it the beautiful struggle. Take and of the successful businessmen like Richard Branson (Virgin Brands), Russell Simmons, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Karl Kani, Sean Carter, Ralph Lauren etc. Zak and I have something in common with all of the above mentioned becuse at any given moment they went hard and sacrificed a lot for the sake of their brands and movements.

Scheme: You mentioned the importance of heroes what inspires you and is the common thread for you between Ralph Lauren, Steve Jobs and Rosa Parks?

Malcolm Phipps: Heroes and mentors are very instrumental to building a business. We have been very blessed to learn and kick it with Ralph Lauren Tony Shellman, Andre Leon Talley, Jeff Tweedy, West One, Gary Williams, Jackie Brander from Fred Segal Dun in LA, again this list can go on and on, trust me, I would of loved to meet Rosa Parks and I will be kicking it with Steve Jobs shortly.

Scheme: What do you say to the critic who says its just a t-shirt?

Malcolm Phipps: I smile first because everyone’s entitled to an opinion. It’s my job to educate a critic(s) as to why it’s not just another t-shirt. I breakdown that piece whereas the trademarked gold stitching across the shoulders in the back of all of our tees, breakdown the story of that shirt and the hand drawn art.

“It’s sad because we can’t move forward until we start implanting what we learned from the elders, or cats that did it like all the people I listed as mentors.”

Scheme: I noticed that you are well read what are some influential books that have impacted your art and life and that you would recommend to our and the younger generation?

Malcolm Phipps: I would recommend display of power by Daymond John, Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson, Sex, Drugs, & Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman (Good book about the power of bradning), From Intern to President by Kevin Liles, 48 Lawas of Power Read this book a few times to really get what Robert Greene was kicking.

Scheme:Where do you see fashion going next year?

Malcolm Phipps: I definitely see new brands coming out.

Scheme: What do you think is the biggest misconception about our generation and why?

Malcolm Phipps: There’s a huge disconnect between our generation because the youth are not trying to listen to the elders and vice versa. It’s sad because we can’t move forward until we start implanting what we learned from the elders, or cats that did it like all the people I listed as mentors.

Scheme: What are the 3 most important things you need on a daily basis regarding yourself and then in the fashion business?

Malcolm Phipps: The most high 1st, my blackberry, my killer staff-thanks for holding us down daily and in the fashion business. 1. ACCOUNTS WITH GOOD CREDIT, 2. KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER 3. PASSION- YOUR HEART NEEDS TO BE IN IT.